US2850594A - Selector apparatus - Google Patents

Description

F. LEBER SELECTOR APPARATUS slept. 2, 195s 2 sheets-sheer 1 med Nov. 275, 195s INI/[N709: FeMx L aber E3. www@ Q. @+Mw `F. I EBER SELECTOR APPARATUS Sept. '2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 25, 1955 WMS@ WL@ .m 9m. F5. .B

Patented Sept. 2, i958 hice United States SELECTOR APPARATUS Felix Leber, Koln-Riehl, Germany Application November Z5, 1955, Serial No. 549,134 Claims priority, application Germany November 29, 1954 4 ctaims. (ci. zoo-a7) rl`l1e present invention relates to a new and improved selective actuating arrangement. More particularly, the present invention relates to a selector apparatus capable of operating in a plurality of different positions and of providing a plurality of different switching combinations Conventional selector and switching mechanisms are provided with some sort of control mechanism such as a rotary drum which has on its surface either axial or radial cam arrangements. Each of the cams can be used for operating a particular electrical switch, for example. ln order to obtain different switching combinations, with the conventional switching mechanisms, it is necessary to rotate the control mechanism through a plurality of different operating positions. in each position a dierent combination of switches may be operated.

Since the cams located on the control mechanism directly operate the electrical switches associated therewith, it is necessary that these switches open and close during the rotation of the control mechanim. That is, while the control mechanism is being moved from one operative position into another operative position, the cams of the control mechanism continuously open and close the switches as they make contact therewith. Accordingly, even though a particular switch may not have a circuit function for the next operating position of the control mechanism, it is still necessary for each and every switch associated with the control mechanism to be operated regardless of the rst or final operative position in which the control mechanism is placed.

Therefore, in conventional selecting arrangements there is considerable wear between the contacts of the switch since they are continually being opened and closed whether or not they are to be used 4in the electrical circuit.

rl`his is because the positioning of the control mechanism and the electrical connections controlled. by the control mechanisms both take place simultaneously. That is, as the control mechanism is being moved to its next operative position the originally closed switch is opened and when the control mechanism reaches its nal desired position, the respective switches are simultaneously closed.

It is clear that with the above conventional arrangements the switches were continuously opened and closed regardless of whether or not they are to be used in the electrical circuits. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of conventional selecting and switching mechanisms.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved selective actuating arrangement.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved selective actuating arrangement capable of operating in a plurality of different positions and for providing a different switchingy combination in each of its positions.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved selective actuating apparatus having a control mechanism which is free to move between a plurality of diierent operative positions without the operation of any of the electrical switches associated therewith.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved selective switching arrangement wherein the control mechanism may be moved freely between its various operative positions and the switches associated with the control mechanism are closed after the control mechanism has reached its desired position.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved selective switching arrangement wherein a plurality of control mechanisms and a plurality of switch mechanisms may be simultaneously operated by one actuating member.

With the above objects in view the present invention mainly consists of a selective actuating arrangement including a common support means movable between an inoperative and an operative position, a plurality of actuating members mounted on the common support means, each of the actuating members having a controlling portion forming part thereof and being movable along a path between a first and second position relative to the common support means, each of the actuating members being adapted to actuate when the common support means is in its operative position, and common controlling means movably mounted in the path of the controlling portions of the actuating members, the common controlling means including a series of sets of controlling elements adapted to cooperate in at least one position of the controlling means with the controlling portions of the actuating members, the controlling elements being constructed so that in a cooperating position some of them permit free movement of the controlling portions of their respective actuating members from their respective first position into their respective second position during movement of the common support means from inoperative into operative position, and the remainder `of the controlling elements being constructed so as to In another form of the present invention, Contact pairsare respectively associated with the actuating members so that the contact pairs are moved between circuit opening positions and circuit closing position when the actuating members are moved respectively between their first and second positions.

Another feature of the present invention is a blocking device which prevents movement of the common support means of the common controlling means is not properly positioned in one of its Xed angular positions.

Still another feature of the present invention is the use of electromagnetically operated means for moving the common support means from its inoperative position into its operative position when the electromagnetic means is energized.

The novel features which are vconsidered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig 1 is a transverse cross sectional view of one em- 3 bodiment of the invention taken along the line I-I of Fig. 4;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus shown in slightly different operating position from Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. 3; and M4 Fig. 5 is a plan view of the common support member used with the present apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 4, it can be seen that in the illustrated embodiment two control mechanisms are provided for the selective actuating apparatus. These two control mechanisms are in the form of control drums 1 and 2. In Fig. 4 it can be seen that the control drum 2 is formed with two opposite axial end extensions 3.

The end extensions 3 of the drum 2 are respectively mounted within bushings 4 and 5 that in turn are mounted in end plates 6 and 7. It is apparent that the control drum 2 is rotatably mounted in its cooperating end bushings. Similarly, the second control drum 1 is also rotatably mounted between the end plates 6 and 7 but this is not indicated in the drawings in order not to unnecessarily complicate the drawings.

From Fig. 1 it can be seen that the outer surface of the control drums 1 and 2 are formed with a plurality of angularly spaced recesses 8. The recesses 8 which are shown in Fig. l are merely the number of recesses appearing in the particular cutting plane of the section lines of Fig. 4. These recesses 8, as can be best seen in Fig. 4, extend in an axial direction along the surface of the cylinders 1 and 2. Each of the series of recesses 8 together with the portion of the surface of the cylinders 1 and 2 between them operate as one set of controlling elements in a manner to be described hereinbelow.

In Fig. 5 can be seen a common support member 9 which is substantially planar in shape and which has a plurality of actuating finger-like members so that the total common support member 9 forms a comb-shaped member. Mounted on each of the actuating members 10 is a controlling portion 11 which is projecting and which can best be seen in Figs. l and 4. At the free end portion of the actuating member 10 is an electrical contact 12. Accordingly, the common support member 9 is formed with a plurality of actuating members 10 which are preferably formed of a resilient material so that they are movable relative to the main portion of the member 9. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5 all of the actuating members 10 are electrically conducting and are connected together through the common main portion of the common support member 9.

The common support means 9 is mounted, as shown in Fig. 1, in a direction substantially tangential to the respective control drums 1 and 2. That is, there are two common support means 9 shown in Fig. 1, each of which is mounted substantially tangential to one of the drums 1 and 2 respectively. The upper end of the common support means 9 is mounted by means of screws 14 to a shaft 18.

Each of they shafts 18 of the respective common support means 9 is lsurrounded by anI electrically insulating lock 17 to which the screws '14; are connected so as to maintain the common support means. 9 in an electrically insulating condition with respect to the shaft 18.

Connected adjacent the upper portion of each of the common support means 9 are stiffening plates 1.6 which provide a proper stiflening for the operation of the cornmon support means 9. The' ends of the shafts 18 can be properly pivotally supported in. the end plates 6; and 7 in a manner similar to the manner shown for the control drum 2.

In Fig. l it can be seen that the controlling portions 11 of each 'actuating` member 1tlis free to cooperate with and project into a corresponding recessI 8 in the surface of the drum'. I-t can be seen' that the` member 9 at the left of Fig. l has a controlling portion 11 of the actuating member 10 which projects into the recess S while the controlling portion 11 of the member 9 on the right'has no recess corresponding to the position of the control drum 2 so that this controlling portion 11 remains in contact with the outer surface of the drum 2.

Beneath each of the common support means 9 is arranged a plurality of fixed, spaced contacts 13. Each of the fixed contacts 13 is mounted at the upper end of an electrically conductive strip element 27. As can be seen in Fig. 4, each of the strip elements 27 is electrically j insulated from the adjacent elements by means of electrically insulating spacers 28. The elements 27 are mounted in turn on an electrically insulated block 29, as shown in Fig. 1, so that they are electrically insulated from the plates 6 and 7 of the selecting apparatus. At the lower end of each of the elements 27 is an opening 31 into which is threaded a set screw 32. In order to make electrical yconnection to any of the elements 27 it is simply necessary to insert a conductor into the space 31 and to tighten the set screw 32 to tix the conductor with respect to the respective elements 27. Also shown in Fig. l for connecting together the elements 27 and the insulators 28, is an insulated rod 30.

Each of the xed contacts 13 is adapted to engage one of the movable contacts 12 to form a contact pair. It can be seen in Fig. 1 that the left hand member 9 is positioned so that the illustrated contact 12 makes elec trical contact with its respective fixed contact 13 so that this contact pair is said to be in circuit closing position. On the other hand, one of the contacts 12 of the right hand member 9 is shown to be out of engagement with its respective lixed contact 13. This Contact pair is said to be in circuit open position. Behind the open Contact pair can be seen the next contact pair of the right hand member 9, which next-contact pair is in circuit closing position.

From the above it can be seen that when the controlling portion 11 of the actuating member 10 projects into its respective recess 8 on the control drum, it is possible for its respective movable contact 12 to make electrical contact with its respective fixed contact 13. As shown with respect to the right hand member 9, when the controlling portion 11 of the actuating member 10 is not projecting into its respective recess 8, its respective movable contact 12 will be out of electrical contact with its respective fixed contact 13.

As indicated hereinabove the contact support means or membersy 9 are pivotally mounted about their respective shafts 18. In Fig. l, connected to the left hand shaft 18 is shown a pin 26 which is tixedly mounted in the shaft 18. The upper end of the pin 26 has an opening through which is inserted one end of a spring 24, the other end of which is inserted through an opening in a mounting member 25. The mounting member 25 may be xedly mounted on either of the side brackets 6 or 7 of the apparatus. Because of the biasing action on the spring 24 the upper end of the pin 26 is permanently urged towards the member 25 so that the common sup port means 9 is pivoted about the shaft 18 and the actuating members 10 associated therewith are urged away from the control drum 1.

The second common support means illustrated is also urged away from its respective control drum 2 because the two common support means 9 are coupled to each other at one of the respective ends thereof. This is as shown in Fig. 3 wherein a toothed segment 21 is showu mounted on the end of the shaft 18 projecting through the end plate 7. Therefore, as one of the shafts 18 is pivoted, the other shaft. 18 is pivoted a like amount in the opposite direction. Accordingly, in the view of Fig. 3 the right hand shaft 18 is normally urged in a clockwise direction while the left hand shaft 18 is normally urged in a counterclockwise direction by means of the gear segments 21.

In order to urge thev common support means 9 into contact with their respective drums 1 and 2, a plate is provided, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, which makes contact with the shaft 22a of a solenoid 22. As is well known the solenoid 22 is an electromagnetically operated relay which when energized can either attract or expel its axially located shaft. In the illustrated embodiment the solenoid 22 ejects its shaft'22a upon energization of the solenoid. The shaft 22a of the solenoid 22 is shown in the energized position so that the shaft 22a is shown ejected from the solenoid 22. When the solenoid is deenergized, a spring, not shown, returns the shaft 22a to its original position within the solenoid 22. Y

In operation, the control drums 1 and 2 can be simultaneously or individually rotated through any one of a plurality of fixed angular positions by means to be described hereinbelow. When the particular control drum is in its desired final operative position, the solenoid 22 is energized by connecting the same to a potential source, not shown. Therefore, the shaft 22a of the solenoid is ejected into contact with the member 23 to pivot the shafts 18 and the respective common support means 9 mounted thereon against ythe action of the spring 24 and into cooperating relationship with the respective control drums. The common support means 9 are therefore moved from their respective inoperative positions which is normally maintained by the spring 24 into their respective operative positions by means of the solenoid 22.

In the final operative position of the common support means 9, each of the actuating members l@ is capable of assuming a first or a second position. The first position is the position shown in the Fig. l, with the right hand support means 9. In this position the controlling portion lll of the respective4 actuating member 10 contacts the outer surface of the control drum 2 so that its respective movable contact 12 is out of electrical contact with the fixed contact 13 and accordingly this contact pair is in circuit opening position.

The second position which the actuating member 1t) can take with respect to the common support means 9 is shown by the left hand support means 9. In Fig. l this actuating member 10 is shown with its controlling portion 11 projecting into its corresponding recess 8 on the surface of the drum 1 so that the respective movable Contact 12 is in electrical contact with its respective fixed contact 13 and the contact pair is in circuit closing position. Accordingly, any electrical potential applied through the left hand common support means 9 will be yapplied to the fixed contact 13 of the closedcontact pair while this same electrical potential applied to the right hand support means 9 will not be applied to the fixed contact 13 of the contact pair in circuit opening position.

Therefore, upon energization of the solenoid 22 the common support means are moved from their inoperative position into operative position and each of the individual actuating members 10 moves from its first position to its second position or it remains in its first posi-A tion. Wherever a controlling portion 11 cooperates with and projects into a recess 8 in the surface of the respective control drum, the actuating member 10 will be moved into its second position and the corresponding contact pair l2 and 13 will be placed in circuit closing position. Wherever the surface of the control drum is presented to the controlling portion 11, instead of the recess 8, the controlling portion 11 of the actuating member will be prevented from projecting into the control drum and the respective contact pair 12 and 13 will remain in circuit opening position.

It is clear that for each angular position of each of the control drums 1 and 2, it is possible to provide a different combination of closed and opened contact pairs so that different switching combinations may be provided. As is shown in Fig. 4, lin one of the operative positions of the control drum 2 five recesses S are provided aligned along the surface of the control drum 2 in d .axial direction thereof. These five recesses 8 are free to cooperate, in the proper angular position, with the nine `actuating members 10. It can accordingly be seen that the recesses 8 together with the portion of the surface of the control drum located between the recesses in axial direction form controlling elements on the control drum which determine the combination of the switches which are closed and which are opened. In Fig. 4 of the nine illustrated actuating members 10, three of them are shown in circuit opening position while the remaining six are shown in circuit closing position. The number of switching combinations that are available depends on the axial length of the control drums, the diameter thereof and the respective diameters ofthe controlling portions 11 and the recesses 8.

order to rotate the control drums 1 and 2, gears 45 and 46 are respectively connected to the front ends of the control drums. These gears can best be seen in Figs. 3 and 4. Meshed with the gear 45 is a second gear 47 and meshed with the gear 46 is a second gear 48. It is apparent that the gears/17 and 4S may be hand operated or automatically rotated in some mechanical manner tio rotate the respective control drum to' a desired final angular position. Either the gears 45 and 46 or the gears 47 and 48 may be provided with cover plates on which are provided indexing marks to indicate the particular position at which the respective control drum is placed.

In order to obtain the best mechanical advantage it is desirable to provide gears 47 and 4S which have a larger diameter than the gears 4S and 46. In this manner little effort would be required to position the control drums.

In order to make certain that the control drums are movable through a plurality of fixed positions it is desirable to provide detent means for properly stopping the control drum at `a fixed position. These means are best seen in Figs. 1 and 2. In Fig. 2 a star wheel 36 is shown mounted on the extension 3 of the control drum 1. Similarly, a star Wheel 37 is mounted on the extension of the control drum 2. In Fig. 4 it is clear that these star wheels are mounted on the opposite side of the plate 6 from the respective control drums.

Cooperating with the outer periphery of the star Wheel 36 is a roller 40 which is mounted on a lever member 38. The lever 38 is pivotally mounted in turn about the pin 19 which is fiXedly mounted in the end plate 6 of the apparatus.

It can be seen that the roller 40 and the lever 33 are free to move up and down as the star wheel 36 is rotated. That is the roller moves down into the spaces between the teeth on the star wheel and back up when it moves out to the point of the teeth of the star wheel. In order to fix each position of the control drum at a definite angular position, the roller 40 is normally urged downwardly into the space between the'teeth of the star wheel 36 by a leaf spring 41. As can best be seen in Fig. l, the leaf spring 41 is mounted on a second leaf spring 42 which in turn is fixedly mounted on shafts 19 which are fixed in the end plate 6 of the apparatus. The leaf spring 42 is constructed to permanently urge the leaf spring 41 downwardly and the leaf spring 41 in turn biases the lever member 38 in a downward direction to force the roller against the periphery of the star wheel 36.

Accordingly, as the star wheel 36 is rotated, the roller is moved around the periphery of the star wheel and in order to turn the control drum 1, the force exerted by the leaf spring 41 must be overcome. Therefore, once the control drum is moved to a position where the roller 4h is in a space between two gear teeth, the control drum will .remain in that position until the actuating gear 43 is rotated. It can be seen that the star wheel 37 also cooperates with a second roller mounted on a lever member 39 which in turn is pivotally mounted about a pin in the end plate 6. Therefore, both of the control drums are movable through a plurality of fixed angular positions, which positions are xed by the cooperation of the leaf spring and roller members with the gear teeth on the star wheels.

Another feature of the present invention is a blocking member which prevents the common support means 9 from being moved into their operative position when the respective control drum is not in its Xed angular position. Referring to Fig. 2 it can be seen that this blocking member for the control drum 1 consists of the free end portion of the lever 38 and a blocking lever 43 which is mounted on one end of the shaft 18. The blocking member 43 is liixedly mounted on the shaft 18 to be pivotal therewith. Since the shaft 18 pivots with the common support means 9, it is `clear that if the shaft 18 is prevented from being pivoted, then the common support means 9 connected thereto can also not be moved from its inoperative into its operative position.

It can be seen that thefree end portion of the lever 38 moves up and down with the respective position of the roller 40. When the roller is at the point of a gear tooth on the star wheel 36 as is illustrated in Fig. 2, then the free end portion 38 will move into blocking position with respect to the blocking lever 43. On the other hand when the roller is in the space between the gear teeth, as is illustrated for the star wheel 37 and the lever 39, then the free end portion of the lever 39 is moved out of blocking position with its respective blocking lever 44 and permits the shaft 18 to be rotated, thereby permitting its respective common support means 9 to be moved from inoperative into operative position.

The positions of the star wheels 36 and 37 and their respective roller members are shown .in Fig. 2 merely to illustrate the two different positions of cooperation between the rollers and the star wheels and the lever members 38 and 39 with their respective locking levers 43 and 44. Actually, as has been indicated hereinabove, Fig. 2 represents a rear view of the apparatus shown in a slightly `different operating position from the other views. It is apparent that since Fig. 1 shows the common support means 9 in its operative position, it is not possible for the star wheel 36 to have the illustrated position at the same time. Therefore, the Fig. 2 is meant to illustrate a position wherein the star wheel 36 has been rotated an angular amount corresponding to half the width of one gear tooth with respect to Fig. 1.

Another feature of the present invention is the ease with which the various parts of the apparatus may be removed from the mounting plates 6 and 7. It can be seen, in Figs. l, 2 and 4 that the insulating members 29 have extending end portions 33 which extend through a slot in the end plates 6 and 7. These insulating members 29 are accordingly xedly mounted between the end plates 6 and 7 by means of side bars 34 which are Xedly connected to the end plates 6 and 7 with screws 35.

It can be seen, that in order to remove the insulating members 29, it is merely necessary to loosen the screws 35 and remove the side bars 34. The insulating members 29 can then be slid outfrorn the apparatus together with the conducting elements 27.

Accordingly, from the above description it is apparent that the present invention provides a selective actuating arrangement and a selecting switching arrangement. It is not necessary that the actuating members 10 actually operate electrical circuits. That is, it would be possible for the free end portions of the actuating members 10 to operate valves in hydraulic lines. In this manner for different fixed angular positions of the control drums, a different combination of valves would be opened and closed. In any event, whether the present apparatus is used for mechanical or electrical actuation, it is possible for an operator to first rotate the control drums to a desired fixed angular position and then to operate a switch for energizing the solenoid. In this manner, while the control drums are being actuated there is no abrasion or wearing of the various contact or valve elements.

Instead of using control drums it is apparent that any type of control means be used which incorporates controlling elements for cooperation with the controlling portions on the common support means 9. For example, the control means 1 and 2 may have projecting elements while the common support means has cooperating holes. It should be noted that the surface of the control drums 1 and 2 axially arranged between the aligned sets of recesses 8 are also part of the control elements since, if no recess is present, the controlling portion 11 of the respective actuating member will contact this portion of the surface and will be prevented from moving from its rst into its second position. In addition, the common support means illustrated in Fig. 5 may include a plurality of actuating members 10 which are electrically insulated from each other. It is clear that this can be provided by merely including electrical insulating strips between each of the actuating members 10 on the common support member 9.

As indicated hereinabove the biasing means 24 is arranged to always keep the common support means in its inoperative position. This can be considered a fail-safe feature. That is, the spring 24 normally maintains the common support means 9 in their respective inoperative positions. When the solenoid 22 is energized, the action of the spring 24 is overcome and the various circuits are closed. However, in the event that there is a power failure, it would be desirable to open all of the circuits in order to avoidany serious damage to the equipment to which the selector is connected. With the present invention it is clear that the spring 24 will overcome the action of the deenergized solenoid 22 to move the common support means back into their inoperative position and to disconnect all of the connected equipment in the event of a power failure.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of selecting apparatus differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a selective switching apparatus, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any' way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. Selective actuating arrangement comprising, in combination, a common support means movable between an inoperative and an operative position; a plurality of actuating members mounted on `said common support means, each of said actuating members having a controlling portion forming part thereof and being movable along a path between a first and a second position relative to said common support means, each of said actuating members being adapted to actuate when said common support means is in its operative position; cylindrical common controlling means rotatable betweena plurality of diiferent fixed angular positions in said path of said controlling portions of said actuating members, said common controlling means including a series of sets of controlling elements adapted to cooperate in at least one position of said controlling means with said controlling portions of said actuating members, said controlling elements being constructed so that in a cooperating position some of them permit free movement of the controlling portions of their respective actuating members from their respective first position into their respective second position during movement of said common support means from inoperative into operative position, and the remainderof said controlling elements being constructed so as to prevent, in a cooperating position, free movement of the controlling portions of their respective actuating elements and thereby to prevent movement of said actuating elements from their respective first positions into their respective second positions during movement of said common support means from inoperative into operative position; stopping means for fixing said cylindrical controlling means in any one of its angular positions; and blocking means for blocking movement of said common support means from its inoperative position into its operative position whenever said cylindrical controlling means is not in `one of its fixed angular positions.

2. A selective switching arrangement comprising, in combination, a base member; a common support means mounted on said base member and movable between an inoperative and an operative position; a plurality of actuating members mounted on said common support means, each of said actuating members having a controlling portion forming part thereof and being movable along a path between a first and a second position relative to said common support means, each of said actuating members being adapted to actuate when said common support f means is in its operative position; common controlling means rotatable in said path of said controlling portions of said actuating members, said common controlling means including a series of sets of controlling elements adapted to cooperate in at least one position of said controlling means with said controlling portions of said actuating members, said controlling elements being constructed so that in a cooperating position some of them permit free movement of the controlling portions of their respective actuating members from their respective rst position into their respective second position during movement of said common support means from inoperative into operative position, and the remainder of said controlling elements being constructed so as to prevent, in a cooperating position, free movement of the controlling portions of their respective actuating elements and thereby to prevent movement of said actuating elements from their respective first positions into their respective second positions during movement of said common support means from inoperative into operative position; a plurality of contact pairs movable between circuit opening position and circuit closing position, each of said contact pairs being operatively associated with one of said actuating members to be moved between the circuit opening position thereof into the circuit closing position thereof when its respective actuating member moves from its first position into its second position; stopping means mounted on said base member for holding said controlling means at one of a plurality of different fixed positions; and blocking means for blocking movement of said common support means from its inoperative position into its operative position Whenever said controlling means is not in one of said plurality of different fixed positions.

3. Selective actuating arrangement comprising, in com bination, a base member; a common support means mounted on said base member and movable between an inoperative and an operative position, said support means having a projecting free end portion; a plurality of actuating members mounted on said common support means, each of said actuating members being adapted to actuate when said common support means is in its operative position; a shaft rotatably mounted on said base member; cylindrical common controlling means mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith between a plurality of different Xed angular positions in said path of said controlling means including a series of sets of controlling elements adapted to cooperate in at least one position of said controlling means with said controlling portions of said actuating members, said controlling elements being constructed so that in a cooperating position some of them permit free movement of the controlling portions of their respective actuating members from their respective first position into their respective second position during movement of said common support means from inoperative into operative position, and the remainder of said controlling elements being constructed so as to prevent, in a cooperating position, free movement of the controlling portions of their respective actuating elements and therebyto Aprevent movement of said actuating elements from their respective first positions into their second respective positions during movement of said common support means from inoperative into operative positions; an arresting wheel mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith, said arresting wheel having a plurality of recesses in the annular periphery thereof; and detent means normally urged against said annular periphery of said arresting wheel and cooperating with said recesses as said arresting wheel is rotated by said shaft, each of the positions in which said detent means cooperates with one of said recesses determining one of said fixed angular positions of said cylindrical controlling means, said detent means including a blocking member pivotally mounted on said base member and cooperating with said projecting free end portion of said common support means to prevent movement of said common support means from said inoperative to said operative position thereof when said detent means is not cooperating with one of said recesses of said arresting wheel.

4. Selective actuating arrangement comprising, in combination, a base member; a common support means mounted on said base member and movable between an inoperative and an operative position, said support means having a projecting free end portion; a plurality of actuating members mounted on said common support means, each of said actuating members being adapted to actuate when said common support means is in its operative position; a shaft rotatably mounted on said base member; cylindrical common controlling means mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith between a plurality of different fixed angular positions in said path of said controlling portions of said actuating members, said common controlling means including a series of sets of controlling elements adapted to cooperate in at least one position of said controlling means with said controlling portions of said actuating members, said controlling elements being constructed so that in a cooperating position some of them permit free movement of the controlling portions of their respective actuating members from their respective first position into their respective second position during movement of said common support means from inoperative into operative position, and the remainder of said controlling elements being constructed so as to prevent, in a cooperating position, free movement of the controlling portions of their respective actuating elements and thereby to prevent movement of said actuating elements from their respect-ive first positions into their second respective positions during movement of said common support means from inoperative tinto operative positions; an arresting wheel mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith, said arresting wheel having a plurality of recesses in the annular periphery thereof; and detent means normally urged against said annular periphery of said arresting wheel and cooperating with said recesses as said arresting Wheel is rotated by said shaft, each of the posit-ions in which said detent means cooperates with one of said recesses determining one of said fixed angular positions of said cylindrical controlling means, said detent means including a blocking member pivotally mounted on said base member and cooperating with said projecting free end portion of said common support means from said operative to said inoperative position thereof when said 1 1 detent means is cooperating with one of said recesses of 1,172,364 said arresting wheel. 1,431,912

References Cied in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 2,692,966 1,118,024 Lawrence Nov. 24, 1914 2,762,952

y 12 Kaisling Feb. 22, 1916 Smith Oct. 10, 1922 Evans Feb. 8, 1927 Lindars r Oct. 20, 1953 Hommel Oct. 26, 1954 Bruderlili Sept. 11, 1956

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