US2634408A - Electric horn - Google Patents

Description

April 7, 1953. R. c. NIELSEN ET AL, I 2,634,408

' ELECTRIC HORN Filed Jan. 14, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Richard 0 Me ATTORNEYS.

April 7, 1953 R. c. NIELSEN ETAL 2,634,403

ELECTRIC HORN Filed Jan. 14, 1949 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3 t .32

Richard 0. N'fii' Peter Nielsen a: I z QZ fig Q1 1 ATTORNEYS.

April 7, 1953 Filed Jan. 14, l

R. C. NIELSEN ETAL ELECTRIC HORN 4 Sheetg-Sheet 3 INVENTOR) Richard C. Nielsen Peter Nielsegz BY 4.]

ATTORNEYS.

April 7, 1953 R. c. NIELSEN ETAL 2,634,408

ELECTRIC HORN Filed Jan. 14, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 75:- I t I INVENTORS.

Richard C. Nielsen Peter .Nielsen Patented Apr. 7, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC HORN Richard (J. Nielsen and Peter Nielsen, Omaha,

Nebr., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, of one-half to Jubilee Manufacturing Company, Omaha, Nebr., a corporation of Nebraska, and one-half to E. A. Laboratories, Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 14, 1949, Serial No. 71,013

16 Claims. 1 This invention relates to improvements in electrical warning signals.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an electric sounding signal of the vibrating diaphragm type wherein means is provided to change the stroke of the signal diaphragm during sounding of the signal for the purpose of varying the sound pitch and volume.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved electric horn having a built in circuit maker and breaker which is normally open: means being provided as a part of the horn structure to close the circuit maker and-breaker, and to vary the sound of the horn during the operation thereof.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved electromagnetic vibrating horn capable of producing an undistorted tone which may be varied as to pitch and volume during the sounding thereof. 7

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved horn,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the horn.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 'is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken through the upper part of the horn.

Figure 5 is an inside plan view of the part of the horn carrying the electromagnet and circuit maker and breaker assemblage.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the upper part of the horn, taken substantially onthe dot and dash line 6-6 of Figure 2 and showing associated features of the operating linkage and diaphragm assemblage, including the electromagnet armature.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing other details of the horn structure.-

Figure 8 is a wiring diagram of the circuit maker and breaker assemblage of the horn structure showing the contacts open, the control linkage being shown in dot and dash lines.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the parts shown in Figure 8, but with the control linkage imposition to close the circuit maker and breaker contacts for the purpose of setting the signal in operation.

Figure 10 is another diagrammatic view of the parts shown in Figures 8 and 9. but with the diaphragm in position which it will assume upon attraction of its armature by the electromagnet for the purpose of breaking the magnetic coil circuit.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only a preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generally designate the electric warning signal or horn. It includes a casing or frame structure B; electromagnet C: diaphragm and armature assemblage D: circuit maker and breaker assembla e E, and control linkage F.

The casing structure B includes the portions H] and I I which are respectively annularly flanged at l2 and Him receiving between the outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm l5 constituting part of the assemblage D. The flanges l2 and I3 may be connected by rivets it, or detachably connected by bolts if so desired. The casing portion H includes the bell mouth 18. The casing portion it houses and supports the electromagnet C; the circuit maker and breaker assemblage E, and the control linkage F. To that end it includes the outer cupshaped portion 20 defining a compartment 2! therein to receive the-electromagnet C. The portion 20 is provided with an annular flange 23 paralleling the top wall 24 of the casing portion 20, and an annular wall portion 25 connects the flanges l2 and 23. v

The electromagnet structure C includes the U-shaped steel pole piece 3B-, core 3! and coil 32. These parts are mounted detachably by nut and bolt means 33 upon the top wall 24 of the casing portion 10, with the core 3| extending from the coil within the compartment 2! of the casing portion Ill, as shown inthe drawings, between the arms of the pole piece 30.

One end'of thecoil 32 is connected to a live terminal 40- mounted on the casing, as shown in Figure 4; the terminal 403 being insulated at ll (see Figure 4), from the casing structure B, which of course is grounded in a circuit, usually the chassis frame of the automotive vehicle to which the signal is attached. The other end of the coil 32 is connected in circuit to a terminal screw 44, shown-in Figures 5 and 6 which is in circuit with a leaf spring type contact arm #15 forming part of the circuitmaker and breaker assemblage E. The leaf spring arm is mounted in insulated relation upon casing l 0 by means of the terminal screw. 44- and-another screw 45 mounted upon the casing wall, 23. The spring arm structure 45 extendstransv'ersely across the compartment in the casing portion so, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, and is adapted to carry both 3 coil and resistor contacts 10 and I to be subsequently described.

The diaphragm and armature assemblage D preferably comprises the flexible sheet metal diaphragm l5 .of-sumcient .springiness to inherently v assume a predetermined position; the peripheral margins thereof being clamped between the flanges of the casing portion it and H, as indicated in the various views of the drawings. As will be noted from Figure 3, the armature is attached centrally to the diaphragm l5 and includes the rectangular-shaped portion "52 clamped by means of a detachable .bolt assemblage .51., of head portion 50 of which faces the core. The armature portion 52 is provided with .a pair of outstanding right angled studs or prongs .53 :at diametrically opposed sides of the electromagnetcore 3| for cooperation with the "springarm portions 51 and 58 of a leaf spring yoke The latter is secured at El to the wall portion 23 of thecasing within the electromagnet compartment of the casing structure 10. The yo'ke has arms 5'! and 58 in straddling relation with the electromagnet core 31, as will be noted from the various views .of the drawings, .and particularly Figure .5, and in which view in dot and dash lines designate the relative positions of the armature studs or prongs 53. V

The leaf spring contact arm intermediate its ends .is provided with the .coil contact point 10 located in a plane intersecting the .central .axis .of the leaf spring yoke 560,; the latter at the juncture of the spring arms 51 and 58 supporting a complementary contact point Hgthe relation .of these parts being .best illustrated in Figures '6 and '7.

The control linkage 2F is provided for the pur- ,pose .of closing a normally open circuit through .the electromagnet coil structure. To that end it includes a connecting rod or plunger 80 reciprocably supported upon the end wall 24 of the casing structure L0 in right angled relation therewith; its inner .endfbeing .detachably and securely clamped in insulated relation upon the leaf spring arm 45., intermediate the ends .of the latter, as shown in Figure 13 of the drawings. compression .spring 85 is situated between "the leaf .-spring 45 and .the under side of the wall .213 of the casing normally urges .theleaf spring '45 into the position shown in Figure 6. An operating lever 88 is pivoted at .89 upon abracketstructure secured upon the outer surface of the casing wall .24.; .a cam end thereof extending beneath the end washer 9] upon the connectiing rod or plunger .80. The spring 85 is under compression in the relation of parts shown in Figure 6 with the cam end of the lower arm portion of the .bell crank operating lever 08 clamped between the top surface of the wall .24 and the under surface of the washer 9| "to hold the .circuit contacts open.

.A resistor element I00 is located upon the in- .side surface of the Wall .23; one end of "it being secured upon .the casing structure by rivet 10!. Its opposite end is secured to a terminal bolt I 05 mounted in insulated relation upon the casing wall 23 as shown in Figure 3. This terminal 105' provides a contact point for complementary cooperation with a contact point I06 secured upon the extreme outer end of the leaf spring "type .contact arm 45.

"While the wiring in diagrams shown in Figures the line; terminal 40 of the (casing structure, this being indicated "by the line H2 in Figures 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings. In the wiring diagrams the reference characters applied to th various parts of the warning signal are the same as those above designated. With the control linkage in the .off position shown in Figure 8, the coil contact points 10 and TI are spaced as are also the resistor contact points I05 and I06. Moving the :bell crank .lever 88 against the resistance of the spring will pull the arm 45 to engage the coil contacts 1.0 :and .11. The coil 32 becomes energized and attracts the armature 52. The studs 53 which engage the leaf spring yoke 60 upon whiehthe coil contact point TI is mounted moves the yoke away from the contact point supporting arm 45.. This separates the contact points wand H and the circuit is broken through the coil. This position is shown in Figure 1.0 of the V drawings. The diaphragm 1.5 now being under spring tension will move, .as soon :as the circuit is broken, from the position shown in Figure 1.0 to normal position. The prongs 53 move therewith and permit the spring'yoke arm .60 to move, due to its inherent springiness-so that its terminal point H will-.again-engage the terminal point 10 foragain closing the-circuit through the .coil, and thus the cycle continues; the .dia-' phragm vibrating and setting an :air column in .action.

The resistor circuit is provided Jtor "the protection of the coil contact points .10 and 2H inrorder to reduce :flash .as the contact ,points 1 0 and ELI,

.openand close, The coil contact points 1 0 and 1| are set .to close just slightly .ahead of the resistor contact points I05 and H16. When the coil contacts 10 and ll open .at the limit (of instroke of the armature, as shown in Figure-.10., it is'to be noted that the resistor contacts :l05 and 1.06 .are engaged. Thus a current is flowing through the magnet coil even though the coil contacts 10 and H are separated. The force .of this current, however, is small, since it is -.control-led by theresistor unit 100, and this :does not interfere with diaphragm action.

Referring to improved features in pperation of the warning signal, it .is to :be noted that all switch .contact points *withinthecasing structure are ."normally .open. This :is "in .contradlsti-n'ction to .other horn structures 'whose :breaker points are .normallyclosed. It is not necessaryto provide a push button control for :the :horn icir- -cuit; conventional push button structure I'fOl' ordinary horns inormall-y keeping the electric .cir-

present invention has the advantage of economy and simplicity, because it eliminates separate push button electrical control elements with all of their attendant wires, terminals, relay structure, etc. 7

.In the "improved warning signal the control linkage enables the frequency vibration 'of the diaphragm assemblage to be changed during sounding of the horn This is accomp'lishedi-by changing the relative position of the breaker points 10 and TI through the control linkage. Holding "the control linkage in predetermined position during sounding of the 'horn spaces the contact points of the circuit for the coil in a predeterminedrelation so that there will be 'a constant stroke of the vibrating diaphragm and the volume and pitch of tone of the horn will remain constant. However, if the control linkage is now moved so as to farther space the contact point of the spring arm structure 45 from the plane of the diaphragm, such will also move the contact point 1| farther away from the diaphragm depends on the position in which the operator places the control linkage. Since the lever of the control linkage can be moved either Way while the horn is blowing, the sound produced can be varied during blowing of the horn to suit the operator's pleasure. It is obvious that the volume and pitch depend upon the length of stroke of the diaphragm, and such variation produces an undistorted tone which is pleasant, distinctive, etc.

It is important to note that the means for moving the coil terminals. etc. insures a pure undistorted tone, because the breaker points open and close in a plane intersecting the center of the diaphragm: the electromagnet thus being enabled to pull the diaphragm assemblage straight to the magnet and to permit its release in a plane normal to the axis of the coil. There is no buckle and weaving during vibration of the diaphragm and this tends to produce a clear and vention herein. shown and described without departing from thespirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

We claim: 1. In an electric sounding signal the combination of a casing,-a sound producing vibrator carried by the casing, an electromagnet carried by the-casing: having a coil, an armature for thev magnet carried :by said vibrator, an electric circuitv for 'the electromagnet including a circuit maker and breakercarried by the'casing, and means for directing a minor current through the electromagnet coil just prior to and during opening of the circuit maker and breaker.

2. In an electric hornthe combination of a casing, a vibrating diaphragm carried by the casing structure, an electromagnet including a coil carried by the casing, an armature for the electromagnet carried by said diaphragm, a circuit maker and breaker carried by the casing including a pair of spring arms having normally disengaged contact points thereon, a circuit connected with said'spring arm contact points for said coil, means'for moving said contact points into closing relation, means operated by the diaphragm and zarmature for moving one of the spring armsto a circuit opening position immediately after closingof the circuit by said contacts, andmeans for selectively varying the position of'the spring arm upon which the other contact point is mounted so as to vary the effective opening and closing relation of the circuit by said contact points with respect to the normal position of the diaphragm inorderto control the freouencystroke of said diaphragm.

traction by said electromagnet.

3. In an electric horn construction the com-" bination of a casing, a vibrating diaphragmv caried by the casing having an armature connectedtherewith, an electromagnet carried by the casing including a coil in operating relation with-respect to said armature, a circuit for the coil, a circuit maker and breaker including individual yieldable members mounted upon the casing having individual normally disengaged contact points thereon for said circuit, means carried by the casing for closing said contact points, said last mentioned means operating to move said individual members to vary the position of said contact points with respect to the rest position of said diaphragm in a line normal to the plane of the diaphragm, and means associated with said diaphragm and armature for moving one of said members and its contact point away fromthe contact point of the other member to disengage said points and open the circuit upon extended movement of the armature as an incident of at:

4. In an electric horn structure the combina tion of a casing, a diaphragm mounted in the casing structure, an electromagnet carriedby the casing, an armature for the electromagnet carried by the diaphragm, a resilient circuit mak, ing and breaking arm carried by the casing, a second resilient circuit making and breaking arm carried by the casing, a circuit for said coil, normally spaced contact points for the circuit carried by said arms, operating means to engage the points and close the circuit,,- and means operated by the armature and diaphragm for moving one of said arms to necessitate disengagement of the contact points at extended positioning of the armature and diaphragm as an incident of attraction by said electromagnet. y 5. In an electric horn-structure the combination of a casing, a diaphragm for-the casing structure, an electromagnet carried by the easing, an armature for the electromagnet carried by the diaphragm, a resilient circuit makingand breaking arm carried by the casing, a second resilient circuit making and breaking armqcarried by the casing, a circuit for said coil, normally spaced contact points for thecircuit carried by said arms, operating means to engage the points and close. the circuit, means operated -by. movement of the armature and ,diaphragm'for moving one of said arms to disengage the contact points at extended positioning of the armature and diaphragm as an incident of attraction by said'electromagnet, and means formoving said arms and varying the position of said contacts toward and away from the plane of operation of bination of a casing, a vibratingdiaphragm-carried by the casing structure, an electromagnet carried by the casing including a coil, an armature for the electromagnet carried by said diaphragm, a resilient circuit making and breaking arm carried by the casing inherently assuming a predetermined position and having a contact point thereon, means for moving said am to change the relative position of thecontact point thereof within said casing in a line normal to the operating planeof the diaphragm, a second resilient arm carried by the casing inherently assuming a predetermined position and"-having a contact point connected therewith infnormal disengaged relation with respect tothe contact point of the first mentioned contact arm, a coil circuit for said contact points, saidsecondcom 7 V #tantarm bearing'such a relation "to the gfirst men- -tloned contact arm that it will also be moved :by andwith controlled movement of the first mentioned contact arm, tandmeans operated by movement of the diaphragm and its armature .for moving the second arm and its contact point .to break a circuit immediately after energization of the cl-ectromagnet.

' In an electric sounding signal the combination of a frame, an electromagnetic assembly upon said frame, a diaphragm mounted upon said frame having an armature connected therewith for said electromagnetic assembly, a spring arm mountedzupon said frame inherently assuming a predetermined position and having .an electric contact mounted thereon and movable therewith, a second spring arm :mounted upon said Birame inherently assuming .a predetermined position and having an electric contact mounted thereon and movable therewith, said contacts providing a :norma'lly opened circuit maker and breaker, a circuit :for' said electromagnet having said contaots opera'tively connected therein, operating means mounted upon the frame and connected with the first of said spring arms to move the :same and cause engagement of said contacts closing of the circuit thruthe electromagnet, and means mounted upon the diaphragm and movable therewith to engage the second spring arm when the diaphragm is in extended position immediately after closing of the circuit to cause movement of said second arm and -.disengagement of said contacts and resultant opening :of the circuit.

158'. In an electric sounding signal the-com'binai a mounted upon the frame andconnected with the 'iirst of said spring arms to move the same and cause engagement of saidcontacts and closing 01' a "circuit 'thru' the .eleetromagnet, means mounted upon 'the diaphrag'm and movable there'- with-to engage the second spring arm when the diaphragm isin extended position to causem'ovement of said second arm and disengagement of said contacts and opening of the circuit, said operating means having a controlled range of movement to enable the engaged contacts tobe selectively moved towards and away from the normal rest position of the diaphragm during vibration of the diaphragm whereby said diaphragm may be required to travel predetermined varied distances in order to effect disengagement oisaid' contacts and thereby selectively controliling the length of travel of the vibrating diaphragm and the sound pitch caused thereby. 7

In :an electromagnetic horn, a, frame; an

"electromagnet mounted 'upon said frame, a (11- 'iaphragm :mountedupon sai'd frame for said elec- -'Etromagnet,' a circuit for said electromagnet including a circuit fma'k'er and breaker, control means for operating said circuit maker and "breaker, and means operated by the control means to wary the sonndeffective pitch s31 diaphragm simultaneously with circuit closing operation of said circuit maker and breaker;

.10. In an electromagnetic horn, a trams, an el'ectromagnet mounted upon said :frame, a diaphragm mounted upon said frame zfor said electromagnet, .a spring arm mounted upon said frame having a contact thereon, aseoond spring arm mounted upon said frame having a contact thereon circuit making and breaking relation with respect to the contact of the Lfirstmentioned spring arm, opera-ting mean mounted upon said frame, said arms being so related in their normal position that their contacts are out of relative engagement, means normally :maintaining the operating means such position that the contacts will :be out of relative engagement, a circuit having said contacts therein and having "the electromagnet operatively connected therein, said operating means having connection with one of said Spring arms to enable dt-ito moved-and. thereby to, engage said contacts for closing said circuit and :fiex'ing the second sprin arm for relatively :ohangingthe "position of :bothw'f said contacts with respect to the normal plane :of operation of the diaphragm, and means carried by the diaphragm for engaging the spring arm "free 01' direct connection with the control means for causing it to move at .extende'dpositioning of the diaphragmior disengaging contacts.

ill. -An electrically actuated horn having :an intermittently energizable solenoid attracting a diaphragm carrying armature including in combination a .reciprocable :m'ovahle strip electrically connected to one terminal of said solenoid, a first contact enga'geable with'said reciprocabl'e strip to energize said solenoid, a :mem'ber supporting said first contact :mounted between :sazidsolenoifi and armature so as to 'be vibrated by said armature "and vary the position of engagement "be tween said "first contact and said ireciprocaible strip, a second contact 'engageable with said reciprocable strip to energize said solenoid at -.c more extreme position of reciprocation v:oisald strip than said engagement between said first contact and said strip, a resistance connected between said first and said second oontactsiso that saidxzsolenoid is energized iby engagemerit between said second contact and said reciproc'a'ble strip through isaid resistance and means for reciprocating said reciprocable strip.

12..In :a horn having an JmtermittBntly'energizable solenoid attracting a diaphragm carrying armature and :a spring vzllrxed by said tarma- -ture upon attraction by :said'soienoidrthe combination of 1a first contact :on said spring, :a movable arm disposed adjacent and 'atransrerse to said spring and electrically :connectedto one terminal of :said solenoid, [one end of said "am immovable, one end of said arm :movable in :a direction toward and away from said spring, "a re'ciprocable member 'coop'erable and movable with the movable end of said "movable arm, mechanical means coopera'ble with said reciprocable member to variably operate said'member in the direction of themovement of :said arm. a second contact on said arm out of contact "with said first contact inthe tie-energized sta'te of said solenoid and :engagea'ble with :said first contact to energize said solenoid, said reciprocation of saidmovable arm being variable to vary the position of engagement between said firstand second contacts along the direction of the movement of said movable arm whereby actuation of said mechanicalzmean'scauses reciprocation of said reciprocable member and said movable arm to bring about a variation in the engagement between said first and second contacts and the fiexure of said spring by said armature with a consequent variation in the sound produced by said diaphragm.

13. In a horn having an intermittently energizable solenoid attracting a diaphragm carrying armature and a member engaged by said armature upon attraction by said solenoid the combination of a first contact on said member electrically connected in the solenoid energization circuit, a first reciprocable means adjacent said member electrically connected in said solenoid energization circuit and movable in a direction toward and away from said member, a second means variably operable in the direction of reciprocation of said first means, said second means being cooperable and movable with said first reciprocable means, a second contact attached to said first reciprocable means and out of contact with said first contact in the de-energized state of said solenoid, said first reciprocable means and said second contact being movable to engage said second contact with said first contact to energize said solenoid, said reciprocation of said reciprocable means being variable to vary the position of engagement between said first and second contacts along the direction of the movement of said first reciprocable means whereby actuation of said second means causes reciprocation of said first reciprocable means to bring about a variation in the engagement between said first and second contacts and the movement of said member by said armature with a consequent variation in the sound produced by said diaphragm.

14. In a horn having an intermittently energizable solenoid attracting a diaphragm carrying armature the combination of a spring flexed by said armature upon attraction by said solenoid, a first contact on said spring movable therewith and connected in the solenoid energization circuit, a reciprocable arm independent of and disposed adjacent to said spring and electrically connected to one terminal of said solenoid, one end of said reciprocable arm immovable, the other end of said reciprocable arm being freely movable in a direction toward and away from said spring, reciprocable means cooperable with said free end of said reciprocable arm to variably reciprocate said reciprocable arm toward and away from said spring, a second contact on said reciprocable arm out of engagement with said first contact in the de-energized state of said solenoid and engageable with said first contact to energize said solenoid, said operation of said reciprocable means being variable to vary the position of engagement between said first and second contacts along the direction of the reciprocation of said reciprocable arm whereby actuation of said reciprocable means causes reciprocation of said reciprocable arm to bring about a variation in the engagement between said first and second contacts and the fiexure of said spring by said armature with a consequent variation in the sound produced by said diaphragm.

15. In a horn having an intermittently energizable solenoid attracting a diaphragm carrying armature the combination of a spring interposed between said armature and solenoid, a free end of said interposed spring extending transversely halfway across said armature and anchored at the opposite end so as to be flexed by movement of said armature toward said solenoid, a first contact positioned on said spring.

substantially equidistant between said anchored end and said free end and electrically connected to one terminal of said solenoid, a movable arm disposed adjacent to said spring and electrically connected to one terminal of said solenoid, a fixed end of said movable arm, a freely movable end of said movable arm reciprocable in a direction toward and away from said spring, a reciprocable member cooperable and movable with the movable end of said movable arm, means cooperable with said reciprocable member to variably operate said member in the direction of the reciprocation of said movable arm, a second contact on said arm out of contact with said first contact in the de-energized state of said solenoid and engageable with said first contact to energize said solenoid, said reciprocation of said movable arm being variable to vary the position of engagement between said first and second contacts along the direction of the reciprocation of said movable arm whereby actuation of said means causes reciprocation of said reciprocable member and said movable arm to bring about a variation in the engagement between said first and second contacts and the fiexure of said spring by said armature with a consequent variation in the sound produced by said diaphragm.

16. In an electromagnetic horn the combination of a frame, an electromagnet mounted upon said frame including a coil, a diaphragm mounted upon said frame in position for attraction by said electromagnet, a normally open circuit maker and breaker mounted upon said frame for closing of a circuit through the coil of said electromagnet, means carried by the diaphragm for opening the circuit maker and breaker after circuit closing during vibration of the diaphragm, and operating means for closing the circuit maker and breaker for energizing the electromagnet including means to vary the distance of circuit breaking operating of said circuit maker and breaker with respect to the diaphragm to vary the sound efiective pitch of the diaphragm during horn operation.

RICHARD C. NIELSEN. PETER NIELSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,729,284 Dorsey Sept. 24, 1929 1,759,443 Dorsey May 20, 1930 2,011,957 Vasold Aug. 20, 1935 2,094,772 Critchfield Oct. 5. 1937 2,450,933 Bell Oct. 12, 1948

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