Interface Mechanisms, Inc.

John A Manthey

Kenneth G Real

Larry P Ellefson

Robert J Brooks

An improved hammer bank assembly includes a plurality of spaced-apart hammers, each of the hammers including a substantially planar hammer body containing an electrical coil, with each hammer body being supported for movement in a predetermined plane. A hammer head is attached to and coplanar with each hammer body. Also included are a plurality of flat permanent magnets interleaved with the plurality of hammers so that adjacent ones of the permanent magnets oppose but are separated from each hammer body. A plurality of hammer guide members are provided, one for each hammer, with each hammer guide member defining therein an elongated groove in which is received at least a portion of each hammer head. The dimensions of each groove in a direction transverse to the predetermined plane of hammer movement, are such that the hammer head contacts the hammer support member upon deflection of the hammer in directions transverse to its predetermined plane of movement before its associated body contacts either of the adjacent, opposing permanent magnets to prevent damage to the coil within the hammer body.

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Kirkland, WA, United States of America

John A Manthey