Abstract A spline shaft rotatably driven by driving means meshes with two pinions having internally threaded bores engaging on two elongate members, partially screw threaded along their length, so that the pinions move along the elongate members in opposite directions upon rotation of the spline shaft. The pinions actuate stopping means after a certain number of revolutions of the spline shaft in a given direction. The elongate members are manually rotatable to adjust the starting positions of the pinions, and set the desired number of revolutions. Spring means urge the pinion towards the threaded parts of the elongated members if a pinion engages a non-threaded part of the member as a result of failure of the stopping means or over-adjustment of the starting position.
In combination with a spline shaft rotatably driven by driving means, a device for controlling the driving means to limit the number of turns of the spline shaft, comprising first and second elongate elements parallel to said spline and screw threaded along a part of their length with threads of opposite hand, first and second pinions having internally threaded bores engaging on said screw threaded elements respectively, said pinions meshing with said spline shaft so that rotation of the spline shaft causes rotation of the pinions and movement thereof in opposite directions along the screw threaded parts of the respective elongate elements, and means for stopping said driving means, said stopping means being actuatable by one or the other of said pinions upon movement of the pinions along the screw threaded part of the respective elongate elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
In combination with a spline shaft rotatably driven by driving means, a device for controlling the driving means to limit the number of turns of the spline shaft, comprising first and second elongate elements parallel to said spline and screw threaded along a part of their length with threads of opposite hand, first and second pinions having internally threaded bores engaging on said screw threaded elements respectively, said pinions meshing with said spline shaft so that rotation of the spline shaft causes rotation of the pinions and movement thereof in opposite directions along the screw threaded parts of the respective elongate elements, and means for stopping said driving means, said stopping means being actuatable by one or the other of said pinions upon movement of the pinions along the screw threaded part of the respective elongate elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A control device according to claim 1, comprising means for rotating the first and second elongate members whilst the driving means is stopped to enable positional adjustment of the first and second pinions relative to the stopping means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
A control device according to claim 2, comprising means for urging the first and second pinions towards the threaded parts of the first and second elongate members when either one of the first and second pinions engages on an unthreaded part of the respective one of the first and second elongate members as a result of failure of the stopping means or excessive positional adjustment of the first and second pinions.