(Flex'ator) arming spring device

Claim 1

In a control mechanism including: environmental sensing means having an energy output; actuation initiation means; time delay means; first, second and third cam means movable from an initial position to a final actuation position; plunger means coacting with said cam means and movable from an initial position blocking movement of said third cam means; said first cam means being driven under control of said time delay means from an initial position blocking movement of said plunger means to an actuation position allowing finite travel of said plunger means; said second cam means being driven by energy developed by said environmental sensing means from an initial position blocking movement of said plunger means to an actuation position allowing full travel of said plunger means; said third cam means carrying said actuation initiation means and being connected to said second cam means through an energy storage means; said plunger means blocking movement of said third cam means until energy has been stored in said energy storage means; whereby, when said first and second cam means move into the actuated position, said plunger means will move into a position unlocking said third cam means and allowing said third cam means to move into the actuation initiation position; the improvement comprising: said energy storage means connecting said second and third cam means consisting of a compression spring having a predetermined threshold level response and supplying a constant force over the displacement range of said second cam means; whereby energy is stored in said spring upon movement of said second cam means in response to said environmental sensing means; and said force being sufficient to move said third cam means when unlocked to actuation initiation position; or to move said second cam means back into a position locking said plunger means when said energy developed by said environmental sensing means falls below a predetermined value.