Sequential control circuit means

A mechanical apparatus including a plurality of devices, and a sequential control means which is adapted to control with a timer means the actuating timing with respect to at least one of an operational mode and a stop mode of at least one of said plurality of devices, said sequential control means comprising:

• (a) a first pulse generator for generating a first train of clock pulses;
• (b) first counting means operatively connected to said first pulse generator for counting the number of pulses of said first train of clock pulses, said first counting means being adapted to be timed up upon the completion of the counting of a predetermined number of said pulses of said first train of clock pulses, the time period t.sub.0, necessary to count said predetermined number of pulses of said first train of clock pulses, being predetermined;
• (c) a second pulse generator for generating a second train of clock pulses in response to an operation of means for driving said mechanical apparatus, with respective pulse time intervals of said second train of clock pulses being correspondingly variable in accordance with a variation of the driving rate of said driving means, the minimum value t of a pulse interval of said second train of clock pulses being longer than said time period t.sub.0 ;
• (d) second counting means operatively connected to said first counting means and adapted to count each time said first counting means performs said counting of said predetermined number of pulses of said first train of clock pulses, said second counting means used as a counter of said timer means and outputting a control signal upon completion of the counting of a specific number, said specific number being predetermined in accordance with said actuating timing with respect to at least one of said operational mode and said stop mode of said at least one device to be controlled;
• and
• (e) actuating means to enable said first counting means to start counting in accordance with the detection of the first pulse generated by said second pulse generator, after said first counting means has been timed-up;
• whereby the timing of the generation of said control signal of said second counting means is correspondingly varied in accordance with said respective pulse time intervals of said second train of clock pulses, such that the operation of said at least one of said plurality of said devices is controlled in accordance with said variation of said driving rate of said driving means.