Quadrilateral electromagnetic coil assembly

Abstract

Prior art electromagnetic coil technology in tattoo machines employs a round steel post to alternately repel and attract an armature bar retained by a spring, reciprocally moving a needle bar and attached needle groupings into and out of the skin in the act of tattooing. The present invention uses a hexahedron shaped steel post to increase the surface area contacted on the armature bar, improving the magnetism and general movement of the bar. The improved rate of movement of the armature improves the overall functioning of the tattoo machine including the operator's ability to achieve more solid color, smoother shading, and more consistent lines. Removable retaining washers and O-rings are employed to allow the operator to customize and repair the magnetic wire.

1 . A modular, customizable coil assembly comprising a steel core in the form of a rectangular prism, at least one wire wound around said core, circumferential grooves proximate to each end of said core, and removable retaining means seated in said grooves such that said retaining means may be removed and said wire may be wound to a depth desired by the end user, then said retaining means may be replaced.  
   
   
       2 . A kit for customizing electromagnetic coils comprising a metal post which is a quadrilateral in cross section, removable retaining means, and wire, such that the end user may attach said retaining means to said post, insert said wire through one of said retaining means, and wind said wire onto said post to create a desired electromagnetic field.  
   
   
       3 . A kit as in  claim 2  wherein said metal is one of steel or iron.  
   
   
       4 . An electromagnetic coil assembly comprising a rectangular prism steel core having an active and an inactive end, at least one wire wound around said core, an armature bar adapted to reciprocate against the active end of said core, said coil assembly comprising a retaining washer at each end of said core adapted to retain said wire in place.  
   
   
       5 . The coil assembly of  claim 4  further comprising at least one groove in said core proximal to each end adapted to receive said washers.  
   
   
       6 . The coil assembly of  claim 5  further comprising at least one o-ring abutting a distal face of said washers thereby retaining said washers in place on said core.  
   
   
       7 . An electromagnetic coil assembly comprising a rectangular prism steel core having an active and an inactive end, at least one wire wound around said core, a retaining washer at each end of said core adapted to retain said wire in place, at least one groove in said core proximal to each end adapted to receive said washers, at least one o-ring abutting each face of said washer thereby retaining said washers in place, insulating tape disposed between said core and said wire, and around said wire, and an armature bar adapted to reciprocate against the active end of said core.