Mechanical drive mechanism with programmable output function

Claim 2

Apparatus for establishing relative angular position between at least two rotatable members, comprising: first reel like means mounted for rotation about an axis; cam means mounted for rotation with said first means; second reel like means mounted for rotation about an axis; guide means mounted in spaced relation to said first mentioned axis; cam follower means mounted in cooperative relation with said cam means, said follower means coupled in fixed spaced relation with said guide means for varying the spacing between said first mentioned axis and said guide means according to said cam means; cord like means intercoupling said first and second reel lIke means and said guide means; and further means coupling said first and second reel like means in a manner to provide a contra-rotational force on said reel means.

Claim 3

The invention according to claim 1, wherein; said first and second reel like means are mounted coaxially.

Claim 4

Apparatus for establishing relative angular position between at least two rotatable members, comprising: first reel like means mounted for rotation about an axis; second reel like means mounted for rotation about an axis; cam means surrounding said first mentioned axis and mounted for rotation with said first reel like means; cam follower means including guide means mounted for movement toward and away from said first mentioned axis in accordance with said cam means; cord like means having opposite end portions secured to said first and second reel like means and an intermediate portion disposed about said guide means; and resilient means coupling said first and second reel like means in a manner to provide a contra-rotational force on said reel means.

Claim 5

Apparatus for establishing relative angular position between at least two rotatable members, comprising: first reel like means mounted for rotation about an axis; second reel like means mounted for rotation about an axis; cam means surrounding said first mentioned axis and mounted for rotation with said first reel like means; cam follower means including guide means mounted for movement toward and away from said first mentioned axis in accordance with said cam means; cord like means having opposite end portions secured to said first and second reel like means and an intermediate portion disposed about said guide means; and resilient means coupling said first and second reel like means in a manner to provide a contra-rotational force on said reel means.

Claim 6

Mechanical positioning apparatus, comprising: a rotatable shaft including a first pulley and a cam surface mounted about said shaft for rotation therewith; a second pulley mounted for rotatable movement about said shaft, resilient means coupling said first and second pulleys for providing a contra-rotational force between said pulleys; an arm having a first end pivotally mounted adjacent said shaft; a guide pulley mounted to the free end of said arm for movement toward and away from said shaft; cam follower means secured to said arm between said ends in cooperative relation with said cam surface; and cord like means having one end secured to said first pulley and said other end secured to said second pulley, said cord like means extending at least partially about said first and second pulleys and said guide pulley, the relative angular position of said first and second pulleys being determined by the spacing between said guide pulleys and said shaft through said cord means in accordance with said cam surface.

Claim 7

Mechanical positioning apparatus, comprising: a rotatable shaft including a first pulley and a cam surface mounted about said shaft for rotation therewith; a second pulley mounted for rotatable movement about said shaft, resilient means coupling said first and second pulleys for providing a contra-rotational force between said pulleys; an arm having a first end pivotally mounted adjacent said shaft; a guide pulley mounted to the free end of said arm for movement toward and away from said shaft; cam follower means secured to said arm between said ends in cooperative relation with said cam surface; and cord like means having one end secured to said first pulley and said other end secured to said second pulley, said cord like means extending at least partially about said first and second pulleys and said guide pulley, the relative angular position of said first and second pulleys being determined by the spacing between said guide pulleys and said shaft through said cord means in accordance with said cam surface.

Claim 8

The invention according to claim 4, wherein; said resilient means includes a spiral spring disposed annularly about said shaft with a first end secured to said first pulley and the opposite end secured to said second pulley.

Claim 9

The invention according to claim 5, wherein; said cam surface is comprised of a plurality of disks each having a desired shaped periphery, said disks being arranged so that at least a portion of their periphery is traversed by said cam follower means when one of said first and second pulleys is rotated.

Claim 10

The invention according to claim 6, wherein; at least one of said plurality of disks includes a slot for mounting said disk with respect to said shaft, said slot enabling lateral movement of said disk for establishing a desired spaced relation between the axis of rotation of said shaft and points on the periphery of said disk.