Electromagnetic relay

Claim 2

An electromagnetic relay comprising magnetic core means terminating at opposite ends in pole pieces; an electrically energizable and deenergizable coil encircling said core means between said pole pieces; means for connecting and disconnecting said coil to and from a source of electrical potential; first and second terminals adapted for connection in a relay controlled circuit; magnetic armature means; means mounting said armature means on one of said pole pieces and for movements into and out of engagement with the other pole piece in response to energization and deenergization of said coil; contact means connected to one of said terminals and carried by said armature means for engagement with the other of said terminals in response to movement of said armature means toward said other pole piece to provide a first current path between said first and second terminals; and means connecting said other pole piece to said other terminal to provide a second current path between said first and second terminals when said armature means engages said other pole piece.

Claim 3

A relay according to claim 1 wherein movement of said armature means toward engagement with said other pole piece effects engagement of said contact means with said other terminal prior to engagement of said armature means with said other pole piece.

Claim 4

A relay according to claim 1 wherein said first terminal is connected to said one of said pole pieces.

Claim 5

A relay according to claim 1 wherein said core means comprises a pair of magnetic members in side-by-side relation within said coil.

Claim 6

A relay according to claim 4 including insulating means interposed between said pair of members.

Claim 7

An electromagnetic relay comprising a bobbin formed of insulating material and having a passage therethrough; an energizable and deenergizable coil of magnet wire wound on said bobbin; means for connecting and disconnecting said coil to and from a source of electrical potential; a pair of magnetic core members occupying said passage in side-by-side relation, each of said members having an upstanding leg one of which is located at one end of said bobbin and the other of which is located at the other end of said bobbin; a magnetic armature; hinge means mounting said armature on one of said legs for movement of said armature toward and away from the other of said legs in response to electrical energization and deenergization of said coil; contact means movable into and out of engagement in response to movement of said armature toward and away from said other of said legs; first and second terminal means adapted for connection in a circuit controlled by the engagement and disengagement of said contact means; means connecting said terminal means to said legs; and means supporting said terminal means, whereby said core members are maintained in said passage and said bobbin is maintained between said legs.

Claim 8

An electromagnetic relay comprising a bobbin formed of insulating material and having a passage therethrough; an energizable and deenergizable coil of magnet wire wound on said bobbin; means for connecting and disconnecting said coil to and from a source of electrical potential; a pair of magnetic core members occupying said passage in side-by-side relation, each of said members having an upstanding leg one of which is located at one end of said bobbin and the other of which is located at the other end of said bobbin; a magnetic armature; hinge means mounting said armature on one of said legs for movement of said armature toward and away from the other of said legs in response to electrical energization and deenergization of said coil; contact means movable into and out of engagement in response to movement of said armature toward and away from said other of said legs; first and second terminal means adapted for connection in a circuit controlled by the engagement and disengagement of said contact means; means connecting said terminal means to said legs; and means supporting said terminal means, whereby said core members are maintained in said passage and said bobbin is maintained between said legs.

Claim 9

A relay according to claim 6 wherein said armature comprises an L-shaped member having its shorter limb adjacent but spaced from said one of said legs, and having its longer limb overlying and spaced from the other of said legs when said coil is deenergized.

Claim 10

A relay according to claim 7 wherein said armature is mounted by said hinge means in such position that said longer limb engages said other of said legs and the space between said shorter limb and said one of said legs is reduced when said coil is energized.

Claim 11

A relay according to claim 8 wherein said armature is mounted by said hinge means in such position that said longer limb engages said other of said legs following engagement of said contact means.

Claim 12

A relay according to claim 6 wherein said hinge means comprises a spring strip of electrically conductive material, one end of said strip extending beyond one end of said armature and being secured to said one of said legs and the other end of said strip extending beyond the other end of said armature and overlying one of said terminal means.

Claim 13

A relay according to claim 10 wherein said contact means comprises a first electrically conductive member secured to sAid other end of said strip and a second electrically conductive member secured to said one of said terminal means.

Claim 14

A relay according to claim 6 including insulating means interposed between said core members.