US2159330A - Electric speedometer - Google Patents

Description

May 23, 1939. E G, KELLY y 2,159,330

ELECTRIC SPEEDOMETER Filed March 3, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l Muay 23, 1939. E Q KELLY 2,159,330

ELECTRIC SPEEDOUETER Filed March 3, 1937 3 sheets-sheet 2 May 23, 1939. E KELLY 2,159,330V l mLEcTRIc sPEnDouETER Filed March 3, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 40 containing the operativeparts of the mechanism ated actuating means i2 and the latterv to the Patented May 23,1939 l l 2,159,330

A AuNuren srATEs iwrlnvr oFFicE ELECTRIC sPEEDoMETEn Edward George Kelly, Chicago, Ill., assignorfto s Stewart-Warner Corporation, Chicago, lll., a corporation of Virginia Application March `3, 1937, Serial No. v128,754

11 claims. (o1. 1v1-95) The present invention relates to electric speed- Fig.- 4 is a longitudinal verticaia-ction taken on ometers and particularly toimprovements in the the line 4--4 of Fig. 3; construction of the component parts thereof, Fig. 5 is a partial irregular vertical section whereby the speedometer unit may be manutaken on the line 5-51of Fig. 4;

5 factured cheaply and assembled in a simple, in- Fig. 6 is a partial irregular vertical section 5 expensive manner. The invention is an improvetaken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 4; ment on the electric speedometer construction Fig. 'l is perspective view of an insulatin disclosed in application Serial No. '15i,522, led spacer used in the construction of the mechanism November 23, 1934. l with parts thereof spaced apart -for thev purpose l The primary object of this invention is to proof better showing the construction; and 10 vide a new and improved speed indicating mech- Fig. 8 is a partial cross sectional view of a modianism that-can be easily and cheaply manufaciied form of armature construction. -tured. Referringrst to Fig. l of the drawings, there A further object of the invention is to provide: is shown an electrically operated speed indicatl a new and improved speed indicating mechanism ing system forming no part of the present invenl5 vthat is rugged and reliable in operation and one tion, but disclosed and claimed in the copending i that can be readily calibrated and adjustedii7 application of Horace M. Norman, Serial No. i, it'should get out of adjustment for any reason 127,845, illed February 26, 1937.

whatever. The system comprises a speed indicating arm A further object of the invention is to provide iii adapted to be moved by an electromagnetical- 20 a new and improved speed indicator mechanism ly operated actuating means i2, the position oi y that can be assembled readily at the factory and which is controlled by a magnetically operated pnethat can be just as readily disassembled in current varying means iii suitably driven from n case repairs are necessary after use. I a gear it rotating in unison with a part, such (A still further object is to'provide a new and as a rear wheel, oi a vehicle. 25 improved supporting means ior that member of The various elements of the apparatus are in-q the mechanism, in this case the armature, which dicatecl as being connected in circuit with theA is actuated to a position determined by the speed ignition system of an automobile. Energy is supof the vehicle. plied to the apparatus iromthe usual automobile Another object of the invention is to provide Ibattery iii under the control of an ignition switch 'a new and improved supporting means for the 2t, shown in its open position, to which one tervsolenoids adapted to actuate the armature memmina] of the battery is connected by afconductor ber of the mechanism. 22. The other terminal of the battery is ground Another object of the invention is to provide ed to the frame as indicated at 24.

readily adjustable supporting means for these The ignition switch itil is connected by a con- 35 Solenoids whereby they may be Simultaneously ductor 26 to one end of a ballast resistance 2B, adjusted from thel outside of the casing adapted the other end of which has connected thereto a to house the mechanism. pair of branch conductors 3i? and 32, the former .Another object is to provide a compact unit of which leads to the electromagnetically operand the various electrical resistors forming part magnetically operated current varying means i4. of theelectrical system. The ballast resistance itis made of any suitv Other objects and advantages oi the present able material having a high positive temperature 5 invention Will appeal from th ensuing deSorllJ-j coeiiicient of resistance. Thus when the battery tion of an embodiment of the invention in which Vonage is 10W, the initial current lowing rthrough reference iS had lio tho a@ooilllafl'ylflg..ClFMIHESd the resistance is low and the resistance is relain which: i y y tively cool and permits a predetermined value of Fis. 1 isa diagrammatic layout of the Speedcurrent to now through the indicating apparatus.

foineter indicating the various elements thereof g However, when thebattery vgltage is high, the 50 'andlfllolr electrical lelationshpi s initial currentfio is relatively high and the re'- Flg. 2 iS partial front plan VlBW Ol the spedsistanc'the belast resistanceincreases, there-4 4ometer showing the face of the speed indicator; "by tending to maintain the current flow constant Fig. 3 is atop plan view, partially in section, at said predetermined value.

'I 55 [of the .speed indicator operating mechanism; i', The actuating' means l2 comprises a. unitary 55 compensating resistors 46 and 48.

extending tapered portions 36 and 38 actuated by electromagnetic means, such as solenoids 46 and 42, respectively. The specic form of the armature, which will be described more fully hereinafter, forms no part of the present inven-4 tion, but is the invention of Willard H. Farr and George E. Coxon, and forms the subject/matter of a copending application Serial No. 128,734, filed March 3, 1937.

Solenoids 40 and 42 are connected in series with each other by a conductor 44 and have interposed in series therewith resistors v46 and 48, respectively. Resistors 46 andy 48 have negative temperature coefficients of resistance and resistance values proportioned to compensate for changes in the resistance of solenoids 40 and 42 caused by changes in temperatura of the solenoids resulting from variations in current iow therethrough. The circuit including they solenoids and compensating resistors in series is connected by the previously mentioned branch conductor 36 to the ballast resistance and through conductor 58 to ground. l

The branch conductor 32 is connected to one end of a resistance 52, the other end of which is connected lto ground through conductor 54 and the previously mentioned conductor 50. It is seen, therefore, that lconductors'32 and 54 connect the resistance 52 in parallel with the series circuit including the solenoids 48 and 42 and the Associated with resistance 52 is a movable contact`56 connected by conductor 58 to conductor 44 and the position of which is controlled by the magnetically operated actuating means I4 in such are magnetically dragged by the permanentl magnet to positions dependent upon the rate of rotation of the magnet and, therefore, also dependent' upon the speed of the vehicle. l The electric speedometer also comprises a milef age indicator 62 which may be of the usual drum type. This indicator is driven through a spring 'biased pawl 64 actuated by an electromagnet 66,

one terminal of which is connected to the battery through conductor 68 and ignition switch 20. 'I'he other terminal of the electromagnet is connected.

by a conductor 10 to a normally open cam actuated switch 12 adapted to be closed at predetermined \distance intervals by a suitable mechanism driven by the previously described gear I6 rotating in unison with a part of the vehicle.' The switch 'I2 is connected to groundv through a contheoperation of therabove described electrical speedometer.

^' When the automobile is in motion, the switch 20 vabout to be described ,crescent-shaped armature 34 having oppositely is normally closed, thereby establishing an electrical circuit through the three previously described parallel circuits, including the solenoids 48 and 42, the xed resistance 52, and the magnet 66, respectively. 'Ihe gear I6 rotates in Aunison withthe vehicle wheels and drives the magnet shaft 60, which in turn rotates the magnet. The rotating eld created by the magnet tends to rotate the rotor to which the movable contact 56 is connected in the same direction as the magnet, and the strength of this tendency is directly proportional to the speed of rotation of the magnet. Thus, the movable contact 56 assumes positions which at all times correspond to the speed of rotation of the magnet and, therefore, to the speed of travel of the vehicle.

When the movable contact 56 is located centrally of the `resistance 52, no current passes through the bridge circuit consisting of the movable contact and conductor 58, and consequently the same current passes through. both solenoids 48 and 42 and the resistances 46 and 48, which are in series with solenoids 48 and 42 respectively. Each of th'ese solenoids attrac s its associated portion of the armature with t e same force, and the pointer I8 indicates a speed corresponding to approximately half the ultimate speed of the vehicle, or 44 miles an hour, 'as shown in the drawings.

When the speed of the vehicle is such that the movable contact 56 is moved toward one end of the resistance 52, a greater current passes through one of the solenoids than through the other. The solenoid receiving the strongest current exerts the greatest forcel upon its associated armature and draws a large/r cross sectional part thereof into the solenoid, at the same time withdrawing the other armature portion from its associated solenoid.

This movement of the armature portions and the pointer shaft continues until the shifting compensates for the dierence in solenoid currents, whereupon the pointer shaft and pointer come to rst and indicatel the speed of the vehicle, which corresponds to the particularrelationship of the. solenoid currents then existing. Y

The negative temperature coefiicient resisances 46 and 48 maintain the resistance of the res ective branch circuits in which they are placed constant at all times, so that changes in temperature of the solenoids 40 and 42 are prevented from creating errors in the reading of the speedometer.

-The construction of the speed indicating means e shown particularly in Figs. 3 toA 6, inclusive. The indicang means comprises an integral supporting structure or vframe 88 comprising-a substantially annular front support 82'and a rear support 84 connected by a pair of longitudinal vertically spaced apart upper and lower arms 86 and 88, respectively. The rear support 84 comprises three radially extending arms 90, 92 and 94. provided with threaded open? ingsi whereby the rear support may be attached to a suitable part 36 of the vehicle by screw bolts 98.

From Fig. 5y it maybe seen thattheupper horizontal arm 86 is formed integral with the upper junction of the radial arms 88 and 82,-and that the .lowerhorizontal arm 88 is formed integral with the lower and vertically extending radial arm 94.

The front support 82 is provided with a forward extending projection |00 upon which is mounted a cup-shapedfmember |82 secured thereto by bolts i114. In this cup-shaped member is located a dial v plate |06 attached to the cup-shaped member by of the vehicle.

bolts |08 and provided with suitable indicia. as shown in Fig. 2. The cup-shaped member is suitably secured to a portion, such as the dashboard The pointer cooperates with the indicia on dial plate |06 and is secured to a shaft ||0 mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis. The shaft is journaled' intermediate its ends in a relatively narrow vertically vextending strip or web |f|2 secured to the projecting portion |00 of the front end of support 80, between the latter and cupshaped member |02, by the previously mentioned screw bolts |04. The rear end ofthe shaft is journaled in a horizontally disposed V-shaped bracket |4 formed integrally with the front support and extending substantially midway between the upper and lower arms 86 and 80 to near the center of these arms. The bracket |4 is provided with a bearing ||6 in which the -end of the shaft rotates with a minimum of friction.

Movement is transmitted to the indicator shaft from actuating means to be described more fully hereinafter by a vertically disposed circular bevel gear |.I8 mounted on shaft ||0 adjacent the bracketend thereof, and in order to prevent vibrations and road shocks from deleteriously affecting the indicating unit, an inertia wheel |20 is frictionally mounted on the shaft.

The inertia wheel is mounted adjacent the front bearing por-tion of the shaft ||0 on an enlargement |22 fixedly secured to the lshaft H0 and provided with an integral circular flange |24 against which abuts an annular sleeve |26 to which the inertia wheel is attached. The'inertia wheel-is held against longitudinal movement by a washer |28 lsecured in abutting relation to the sleeve |26 on the enlargement |22.

When the vehicle is atrest, the indicating shaft and the hereinafter to be described actuating unit are returned to their zero positions Vby a spiral spring |30 having one end suitably secured to shaft ||0 intermediate the shaft supporty H2 and the indicating dial |06.` The other end of the spring is secured. to a forwardly extending flange |32 punched out cf a plate |34 adjustably mounted o'n the vertical shaft support 2 by means of slots |36 formed thereon at opposite sides of the shaft and through which extend securing bolts |38. The actuating unit, by means of which the indicator shaft H0 is rotatedcomprises a pair of solenoids 40 and 42 through the central openings of which extend the tapered armature portions 36 and 38. respectively. The armature 34 is mounted substantially centrally thereof on a right-angled support |40 xedly secured to a shaft |42 mounted for rotation on a vertical axis in removable bearing members |44 'and |46 carried by the, upper and lower horizontal arms 86 and 88, respectively. The right-angled support |40 also carries a substantially sector-shaped bevel gear |48 of small diameter adapted to engage the circular bevel gear ||8 when lthe indicating unit is secured to the integral 'support 80 by screws |04.

The construction of the sector-shaped bevel gear |48 with av relatively small diameter and extending shaft ||0 to near the center of the unit so that the `gear |46 may engage gear H8,

f the vertical shaft |42 is mounted, comprise jeweled thrust bearing portions |50 and guide sleeves |52. The bearing members are firmly held in adjusted position on outwardly extending substantially circular bosses |54 and 1|56 by cap screws`|58. l l

The armature support |40 comprises a horizontally extending relatively narrow strip |60 secured to a hub |62 attached to, shaft |42 at a point below the V-shaped bracket ||4 andthe lower horizontal arm 88. The previously mentioned sector gear |48 is secured t'o the horizontal strip by suitable means, such as the rivet |64. A downwardly'depending threaded weight |66 in which is rotatably mounted an adjusting screw |68 is 4also secured to the horizontal strip. The purpose of the weight and adjusting screw is to provide a means of balancing the weight of the armature member 34 so that no side thrust is imposed on the bearings supporting shaft |42. In this inanner binding caused by uneven distribution of weight about the shaft |42 is avoided.

The vertically extending portion |10 of the right-angled support |40 extends upward to a point between the V-shaped bracket |4 and the upperhorizcntal arm 86. At its upper end it is provided with a horizontally extending, ange |12 to which the central portier! of the crescent- .shaped armature 34 is secured by means of bolts In order to reduce eddy currents and hysteresis loss to a minimum, the armature 34 is constructed of a plurality of thin sheets of carefully selected soft iron. These sheets are held together by rivets |16 and the bolts |14'.

Substantially centrally of the crescent-shaped armature'34 there is provided a brass filler plate |80 for the purpose of increasing the reluctance of the magnetic power through the armature so that the armature will not be drawn beyond predetermined limits by either 'of the solenoids 40 or 42. As previously stated, a solenoid when supplied with increasing amounts of current draws a portion of the armature having a greater cross' sectional area into the central portion of the solenoid. By providing the armature with a central portion having a greater reluctance, it'is seen that the movement of the amature by either of the solenoids is limited, and the armature cannot be drawn into the solenoid past the portion of increased reluctance.`

A modified form of construction of the arrangesectional area of the armature at the central part thereof. cross section of the armature sufciently large so that the magnetic saturation of the iron never rises above the rectilinear portion of the B-H curve. With armatures of such large cross sections, lag is eliminated and more accurate reading of instruments is obtained.

From Fig. 3, in particular, it may be seen that the armature 34 extends substantially around the vertically extending shaft |42. The tapered portions 36 and 38 thereof extend into the central openings of the solenoids 40 and 42. These solenoids are supported on opposite sides of the upper horizontal arm 86 by means of integral metallic strips |82 and |84 adjustably mounted on the upper arm 86. The supporting strips |82 and |84 are provided with similar bent end portions |86 substantially encircling the lateral sides It is desirable also to make thed ofthe solenoids and supporting them in such manner that the armature is readily movable through the central hollow openings therein.

'Ihe ll'ent portions |86 are also provided with relatively narrow fingers |88 adapted to be bent radially inward to hold securely the solenoids,

as clearly illustrated in Fig. 5. The solenoid is f insulated from the encircling supporting strips by an annular insulating strip |90 yplaced between` the solenoid and the bent portions. |86, and a novel insulating spool |92 constructed of 'two sep,-

arate intertting portions |94 and 96, as illus-V trated in Fig. 7. Each portion of the spool comprises a'central longitudinal member |98 provided with a flanged portion 288 coextensive in length therewith and extending substantially at rightv vinto opposite cutawayl portions -228 and 222 formed on the flanges 284. The longitudinal flanges 288 are provided with opposite projections 224 adapted to llt into cutaway portions 226 formed on the longitudinal central portions |98, whereby the two portions are brought into predetermined spaced relationship when assembled. It may be seen that the construction affords a very simple and economical arrangement for supporting the solenoids' and insulating them from the surrounding supporting strips.

As previously stated, the solenoid supporting strips 82 and |84-are mounted adjustably upon theupper horizontal arm 86. The supporting strips |82 and |84 are providedwith substantially semi-circular enlarged ends 238 and 2,32, respectively. These are provided with central openings 234' surrounding the boss |54 formed on the upper h rizontal arm 86, and are provided with oppositely disposed arcuate slots 236 through which extend screw bolts 238, whereby the strips may be securely held in adjusted position. Lock washersA 248 may be utilized to prevent any undesired rotation of the strips. l

The solenoids .are adapted to be simultaneously rotated in the same direction around boss |54 by means of a horizontally disposed toothed wheel 242 rotatably secured on the upper side of the horlzontalfarm 86 by ascrew bolt 2431. The

wheel,242 His provided with teeth 244 adapted to engage coinciding teeth 246 and 248 formed on' the semi-circular portions 230 and 232 of the solenoid mounting strips |82 and |84, respectively. l

From Fig. 3 it may be notedl that only a relative1y few teeth ore provided o xthe toothed portions of the respective members, but it is obvious that the number and-size may be changed as de-` sired in order to obtain proper movement of the solenoids. From Fig. 3 it is further evident that rotation of the toothedwheel 242 results in rotation of both the solenoids in the same direction,"

so that when adjustment of the solenoids is desired, it is necessary only to rotate the wheel 242.

The supporting structure 80, that has been described in detail above, is not only adapted vto carry the described indicator and actuating units,

B ut also to support e part of the electrical apperatus used in ,the'system illustrated in Fig. l.

. The electrical apparatus is supported .on a cupances 46 and 48 are secured to the support side D of the insulating cup 250 by meansof spji'inv clips, .258 land 268 secured to substantially .tria gular insulating plates 262 and'264 mounted on the insulating cup `by means of bolts 266 and 268, re-

spectively. Bolts 266 and 268 extend through the base at points equally distant from the center of the support and near the points where the radially extending arms 90, 92 and 94 converge. 'Ihis arrangement provides a very compact assembly by reason that the supporting means and the resistance units are located in a-very narrow compass.

The bolts 266 and 268 also form terminals leading to parts of the electrical circuit illustrated in Fig. 1. 'I'he base plate 258 is provided also with a third terminal-bolt 218 leading to another part of the electrical circuit. Bolt 210 extends through the base plate into an opening 21| on` the rear portion of the support and is, therefore, insulated from thev latter. The bolts are secured to the base plate by nuts 212 spaced from the base plate by a circular insulating disc 214. The ballast resistance 28 is secured across terminal vbolts 218 and 268 by means of nuts 216 and is From a comparison of the construction of Fig. C

4 with the electrical system of Fig. l, it may be seen that the terminal 218 is connected to conductor 26, terminal'268 to the branch conductors 32 and 30, while the remaining terminal 266is connected to conductor 58. Thus, the speed indicating means is a complete unit in itself and may be mounted in a desirable location in the vehicle at a considerable distance from the magnetically operated current varying means I4'.

In the assembly of the described unit, the supporting structure is rst preferably cast and machined; then the base plate 258 and the actuating unit secured thereto. Thereafter the indieating unit comprising the cup-shapedv member |82 is mounted on1the `supporting means, and the unit is complete for use wherever desired. Each of the above subunits may be manufactured independently and thereafter assembled to form a complete speed indicating unit as described above.

If `it is found necessary torepair the speed in- ||8. Furthermore, the removal of the dial platel z permits adjustment of the spring carrying plate I 3l.

The electrical apparatus included in the unit is likewise easily removable. 'Ihe solenoids may -be removed simply by loosening bolts 238 vand manually rotating armature 34 to a position where the coils may be slipped between the ends thereof. The resistances are all` separately removable.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the type described, the combination including an actuating unit and an indicating unit detachably secured thereto, said actuating unit comprising a pair of horizontally l disposed supporting arms and a shaft mounted between said arms for rotation on a vertical axis, raid indicatingl unit comprising supporting means and a shaft mounted thereon for rotation on a horizontal axis,`and.movement transmitting means mounted on each shaft adapted to interengage when the units are secured in place, said transmitting means being so constructed and arranged that the weight thereof is concentrated near the axis of said first mentioned shaft.

2. In apparatus of thetype described, the combination including an actuating unit and an indicating unitldetachably secured thereto, said actuating unit comprising a pair of horizontally7 disposed supporting arms and a shaft mounted between said arms for rotation on a vertical axis, said indicating unit comprising supporting means and a shaft mounted thereon for rotation on` a horizontal axis, and movement transmitting means mounted on each shaft adapted to interengage when the units are secured in place, said transmitting means comprising a small diameter sector gear secured for rotation with said rst mentioned shaft and a cooperatively associated gear mounted on said second mentioned shaft.

3. In apparatus of the type described, the combination including indicating means, a shaft mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis for actuating said means, a shaft mounted for rotation on a vertical axis, means including an electromagnetically actuated armature for imparting rotation to said second mentioned shaft, said armature substantially surrounding said shaft mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis for actuating said means, a shaft mounted for rotation on a vertical axisfmeans including an electromagnetically actuated armature for' imparting rotation to said second mentioned shaft, said armaturesubstantially surrounding said shaft and 'being secured thereto by a right angle support,

. the portion of the support secured to the shaft being substantially parallel to and spaced from the armature by the portion of the support extending at right angles therefrom parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft, gear means located .between the armature and support carried by said support, and cooperatively associated gear means mounted on said rst mentioned shaft adapted to be rotated by said first mentioned.

gear means when the second mentioned shaft is rotated.

5. In apparatus of the type described, the combination including a supporting structure comprising a pair of horizontal oppositelydisposed arms and a horizontally disposed substantially V- shaped bracket located between said arms and extending from one end of said structure to near the center of said arms, an indicating unit detachably secured to said structure comprising a horizontally vdisposed shaftn supported by a portion of said unit and by the bracket, an actuating unit comprising a shaft mounted `centrally of and between said arms for rotation on a vertical axis, an electromagnetically actuated armature substantially surrounding said shaft and located between said bracket and the upper one of said arns, supporting means for said armature secured to said shaft between said bracket and the lower one of said arms, and means for transmitting movement from one shaft to the other.

6. In apparatus of the type described, the combination including a supporting structure comprising a pair of horizontal oppositely disposed arms and a horizontally disposed. substantially V-shaped bracket located between sa'd arms and extending from one end of said struc ure to near the center of said arms, an indicating unit detachably secured to said structure comprising a horizontally disposed shaft supported by a portion of said u nit and by the bracket, an actuating unit comprising a shaft mounted centrally of andl between said arms for rotation on a vertical axis, an electromagnetically actuated armature substantially surrounding said shaft and located between said bracket and the upper one of said arms, horizontally disposed supporting means for said armature secured to said shaft between said bracket and the lower one of said arms and means for transmitting movement from one shaft to the other, said means including a sector gear mounted onthe upper side of said supporting means and a gear secured to the horizontally disposed shaft adjacent the bracket endthereof adapted to be engaged by said sector gear when the indicating unit is secured to said structure. l

7. In apparatus o f the type described, the combination including a supporting structure comprising a pair of horizontal oppositely disposed arms and a horizontally disposed substantially Vfshaped bracket located between said arms and extending from one end of said structure to near the center of said arms, an indicating unit detachably secured to said structure at the bracket supporting end -comprising a horizontally disposed shaft supported by a portion of said unit and the bracket, an actuating unit comprising a shaft mounted centrally ofand between said arms for rotationon a vertical axis, an electromagnetically actuated armature substantially surrounding said shaft and located between said ing means for said armature secured to said shaft between said bracket and the lower one of said arms, means for transmitting motion from one shaft to the other, and inertia means frietionally mounted on said rst mentioned shaft between said bracket and the supporting portion of the indicating unit.

8. In apparatus of the type described, the com- 'bracket and the upper one of said arms, support- Y bination including a supporting structure comprising a pair of horizontal oppositely disposed arms and a horizontally disposed substantially V-shaped bracket located between said arms and extending from one end of said structure to near the center of said arms, an indicating unit de'- tachably secured to said structure at the bracket supporting end comprising a horizontally disposed shaft supported by a portion of said unit and the bracket, an actuating unit comprising a shaft lmounted centrally of and between said arms for rotation on a vertical axis, an electromagnetically actuated armature suhstantiaiiy surrounding said shaft and located between said l bracket and the upper one of said arms, supporting means for said armature comprising a horizontal portion secured to said shaft between said bracket and the lower one of said arms, means for transmitting motion fromone shaft to the other, said means including a sector gear mount- .ed on the upper side of the horizontal portion of said supporting means, and a circular gear secured to the horizontally disposed shaft adjacent the bracket end thereof adapted to be engaged Abysaid sector gear when the indicating gear is arms and extending from one end of said structure to near the center of said arms, an indicating unit detachably secured to said structure at the bracket supporting end cornprising a vertically extending support vand a horizontally disposed indicator operating shaft supported thereby, and by the bracket, an actuating unit comprising a shaft mounted centrally of and between said arms for rotation on a vertical axis, anelectromagnetically actuated armature substantially surrounding said shaft and located between said bracket and the upper one of said arms, supporting means for said armature secured to said shaft between said bracket and the lower one of said' arms, means for transmitting motion from one shaft to the other, and

spring means secured atone end to said horizontally .disposed shaft and at the other end to said vertically extending support for biasing said shafts to a zero position.

10. In apparatus of the type described, the

combination including a supporting structure comprising a pair of horizontal oppositely` disposed arms and a horizontally disposed substantially V-shapedbracket located between said arms and extending from one end of said stmoture tonear the center of said arms, an indicating unit detachably secured to said structure at the bracket supporting end comprising a vertically lextending support and a horizontally disposed indicator operating shaft supported thereby and by the bracket, an actuating unit comprising a shaft mounted centrally of and between said arms for rotation on a vertical axis, an electromagnetically actuated armature substantially surrounding said shaft and located between said bracket and the upper one of said arms, supporting means for said armature having a horizontal portion secured to said shaft between said bracket and the 'lower one ofsaid arms, means for transmitting motion from one shaft to the other, said means including a sector gear mounted on the upper side of the horizontal l portion of said supporting means, anda circular gear secured to the horizontally disposed shaft' posed shaft between said circular gear and the yvertically extending portion,-` and means including a plate adjustably mounted on said vertically f armature, the combination including a support and a substantially rigid fstllp of metallic material secured to said support for supporting said solenoid, said strip being provided with an end portion bent substantially to encircle said solenoid. I

12. In electric apparatus utilizing an armature and a pair of solenoids for actuating said armature, the combination including a support, a pair of substantially rigid oppositely disposed metallic strips for securing said solenoids lto said support, said stripsbeing provided with end portions bent substantially to encircle said solenoids, and projo/tions adapted to be bent atan angle to said encircling portions for further securing said'solenoids.

13. In electric apparatus utilizing an armature and a pair of solenoids for. actuating said armature, the combination including a support, a pair of oppositely disposed rotatably mounted arms r for securing said solenoids to said support, said port.' in cooperative relation to said toothed por.

tions, and means permitting rotation of said wheel for simultaneously rotating both-arms.

15. In electrical indicating apparatus of the type described including electromagnetic actuating means and resistors in circuit therewith, `a unitary support for said .actuating meansl and resistors, including in combination, a substantially circular support of vinsulating material, a support for said electromagnetic actuating means and. circular `support comprising a structure pr-'l vided with three radially extending arms, and

substantially triangular supports fitting between said radially extending arms for securing said resistors to said circular support.

16. An insulating spool for a solenoid includinga pair of complementary sections, each including a longitudinal portion provided with a rightv angled flange extending the'length thereof forming the body of the spool and ends for said spool comprising substantially semi-circular flanges extendiig at rightangles to'said body portion.

17. An insulating spool for a solenoid including a pair of complementary intertting sections, each comprising a longitudinal portion,` a flanged portion coextensive in length therewith, said flanged portions having fingers extending into grooves formed on said longitudinal portions, and ends for said spool comprising end flanges extending at right angles to said longitudinal and first mentioned flanged portions, each of said vendflanges being provided with projecting portions tting into similar cut-away portions on the other. i EDWARD GEORGE KELLY.

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