Control mechanisms

Claim 2

Apparatus for selectively transmitting mechanical power, comprising in combination: a first gear wheel; a second gear wheel having a tooth-free portion; means for driving the first gear wheel; means for deriving mechanical power from the second gear wheel; means for mounting the second gear wheel adjacent the first gear wheel for meshing engagement; and actuable means for selectively bringing the second gear wheel into meshing engagement with the first gear wheel, said actuable means including means for selectively coupling the second gear wheel to said means for driving the first gear wheel.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said means for selectively coupling the second gear wheel to said driving means includes means for selectively coupling the second gear wheel to said driving means by way of the first gear wheel.

Claim 4

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said actuable means for selectively bringing the second gear wheel into meshing engagement with the first gear wheel include a first member coupled to said means for driving the first gear wheel, a second member coupled to said second gear wheel, means for selectively moving said second member into engagement with said first member, and means for alternatively moving said second member out of engagement with said second member.

Claim 5

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said actuable means for selectively bringing the second gear wheel into meshing engagement with the first gear wheel include rotary actuator means coupled to said means for driving the first gear wheel, a lever connected to the second gear wheel, means for selectively moving said lever into engagement with said rotary actuator means, and means for biasing said lever out of engagement with said rotary actuator means.

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein: said lever is pivotally mounted on said second gear wheel.

Claim 7

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, including: means for releasably retaining said lever adjacent said rotary actuator means.

Claim 8

Apparatus for selectively transmitting mechanical power, comprising in combination: a first gear wheel; a second gear wheel having a tooth-free portion; a third gear wheel having a tooth-free portion; means for driving the first gear wheel; means for deriving mechanical power from the second gear wheel; means for deriving mechanical power from the third gear wheel; means for mounting the second gear wheel adjacent the first gear wheel for meshing engagement of the second gear wheel with the first gear wheel; means for mounting the third gear wheel adjacent the first gear wheel for meshing engagement of the third gear wheel with the first gear wheel; first actuable means for selectively bringing the second gear wheel into meshing engagement with the first gear wheel; second actuable means for selectively bringing the third gear wheel into meshing engagement with the first gear wheel; and means coupled between said second and third gear wheels for selectively transmitting mechanical power between said second and third gear wheels.

Claim 9

Apparatus for selectively transmitting mechanical power, comprising in combination: a first gear wheel; a second gear wheel having a tooth-free portion; a third gear wheel having a tooth-free portion; means for driving the first gear wheel; means for deriving mechanical power from the second gear wheel; means for deriving mechanical power from the third gear wheel; means for mounting the second gear wheel adjacent the first gear wheel for meshing engagement of the second gear wheel with the first gear wheel; means for mounting the third gear wheel adjacent the first gear wheel for meshing engagement of the third gear wheel with the first gear wheel; first actuable means for selectively bringing the second gear wheel into meshing engagement with the first gear wheel; second actuable means for selectively bringing the third gear wheel into meshing engagement with the first gear wheel; and means coupled between said second and third gear wheels for selectively transmitting mechanical power between said second and third gear wheels.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said first actuable means include means for selectively coupling the second gear wheel to said means for driving the first gear wheel; and said second actuable means include means for selectively coupling the third gear wheel to said means for driving the first gear wheel.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said first and second actuable means jointly include a first member coupled to said means for driving the first gear wheel; said first actuable means further include a second member coupled to the second gear wheel, means for selectively moving said second member into engagement with said first member, and means for alternatively moving said second member out of engagement with said first member; and said second actuable means further include a third member coupled to the third gear wheel, means for selectively moving said third member into engagement with said first member, and means for alternatively moving said third member out of engagement with said first member.

Claim 12

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said first and second actuable means jointly include rotary actuator means coupled to said means for driving the first gear wheel; said first actuable means further include a first lever connected to the second gear wheel, means for selectively moving said first lever into engagement with said rotary actuator means, and means for biasing said first lever out of engagement with said rotary actuator means; and said second actuable means further include a second lever connected to the third gear wheel, means for selectively moving said second lever into engagement with said rotary actuator means, and means for biasing said second lever out of engagement with said rotary actuator means.

Claim 13

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein: said first lever is pivotally mounted on said second gear wheel; and said second lever is pivotally mounted on said third gear wheel.

Claim 14

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said means for selectively transmitting mechanical power between the second and third gear wheels include an idler gear wheel, a fourth gear wheel having a tooth-free portion, being connected to the second gear wheel and positioned for meshing engagement with the idler gear wheel, and a fifth gear wheel having a tooth-free portion, being connected to the third gear wheel and positioned for meshing engagement with the idler gear wheel.

Claim 15

Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, including: a sixth gear wheel having a tooth-free portion; means for deriving mechanical power from the sixth gear wheel; means for mounting the sixth gear wheel adjacent the first gear wheel for meshing engagement of the sixth gear wheel with the first gear wheel; third actuable means for selectively bringing the sixth gear wheel into meshing engagement with the first gear wheel; and a seventh gear wheel having a tooth-free portion, being connected to the sixth gear wheel and positioned for meshing engagement with said idler gear means.

Claim 16

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, for sensing the position Of a plurality of adjustable devices and for controlling equipment, including: means for sequentially sensing the position of said plurality of adjustable devices; means for advancing said sensing means from adjustable device to adjustable device; means for coupling said advancing means to said means for deriving mechanical power from the second gear wheel; means operatively associated with said first actuable means for initiating a sensing action; means for selectively coupling said sensing means to said second actuable means; and means for controlling said equipment by way of said means for deriving mechanical power from the third gear wheel.

Claim 17

Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein: said means for selectively transmitting mechanical power between the second and third gear wheels include a fourth gear wheel for resetting the third gear wheel, the fourth gear wheel having a tooth-free portion and being connected to the second gear wheel, an idler gear wheel positioned for meshing engagement with the fourth gear wheel, and a fifth gear wheel having a tooth-free portion, being connected to the third gear wheel and positioned for meshing engagement with the idler gear wheel.

Claim 18

Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein: said means for advancing said sensing means include cable pull means having a cable connected to said position sensing means, a cable drum for winding said cable, and means for rotating said cable drum with said means for deriving mechanical power from said second gear wheel.

Claim 19

Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said means for advancing said sensing means include ratchet means connected to said cable drum for releasably retaining said position sensing means in each advanced position.

Claim 20

Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein: said first and second actuable means jointly include a first member coupled to said means for driving the first gear wheel; said first actuable means further include a second member coupled to the second gear wheel, means for selectively moving said second member into engagement with said first member, and means for alternatively moving said second member out of engagement with said first member; and said second actuable means further include a third member coupled to the third gear wheel, means for selectively moving said third member into engagement with said first member, and means for alternatively moving said third member out of engagement with said first member.

Claim 21

Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein: said means for selectively moving said third member into engagement with said first member include actuating means coupled to said position sensing means.

Claim 22

Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein: said first and second actuable means jointly include rotary actuator means coupled to said means for driving the first gear wheel; said first actuable means further include a first lever connected to the second gear wheel, means for selectively moving said first lever into engagement with said rotary actuator means, and means for biasing said first lever out of engagement with said rotary actuator means; and said second actuable means further include a second lever connected to the third gear wheel, means for selectively moving said second lever into engagement with said rotary actuator means, and means for biasing said second lever out of engagement with said rotary actuator means.

Claim 23

Apparatuas as claimed in claim 20, wherein: said means for selectively moving said second lever into engagement with said rotary actuator means include actuating means coupled to said position sensing means.