Cam control mechanism

In a cam operated control mechanism having a control cam, a cam follower, and means for biasing said cam follower into engagement with said control cam, the improvement comprising:

• means defining a first cam surface on said control cam for engaging a portion of said cam follower,
• means defining a second cam surface on said control cam and being spaced from said first cam surface for effecting movement of said cam follower as it sequentially engages said first and second cam surfaces;
• a movable gate member formed within one of said first and second cam surfaces to permit movement of said cam follower therethrough;
• and
• means for urging said cam follower against said movable gate member to move said follower through said first cam surface only as an incident of a failure of the cam operated control mechanism.

An improved cam control mechanism comprising:

• a cam defined by a first wall portion having an end, a second wall portion having a first end spaced from said first wall portion end to define a first transfer space therebetween, said second wall portion having a resiliently displaceable portion defining a normally closed second transfer space extending through said second wall portion;
• a cam follower;
• first biasing means for biasing said cam follower against said first wall portion;
• means for effecting relative movement between said cam follower and cam to cause said cam follower to become aligned with said first transfer space and be urged therethrough by said first biasing means;
• and second biasing means for biasing said cam follower against said second wall portion as a result of continuation of the relative movement between said cam follower and cam in the event said first biasing means fails to urge the cam follower through said first transfer space, said second biasing means causing said cam follower to displace said displaceable wall portion and move through said second transfer space.

In an ice maker mechanism including a control switch, a spring biased actuator for moving said switch from a second to a first switched position, an improved cam controlled mechanism comprising:

• a timer driver means;
• cam means arranged to be driven by said timer drive means;
• and
• a cam follower, said cam follower having a first portion operatively engaging said actuator and a second portion engaging said cam means, said cam means having first and second cam surfaces sequentially engaging said second follower portion as an incident of the driving of said cam means by said timer drive means for selectively positioning said second follower portion in first and second positions to thereby correspondingly effect positioning of said switch selectively in said first and second switched positions, said cam means further including first moving means for rapidly moving said second follower portion from said first position to said second position, and second moving means for moving said second follower portion from said first position to said second position in the event said first moving means does not move said second follower portion to said second position.

An improved rotary cam comprising:

• means defining a first cam surface;
• means defining a second cam surface spaced radially from said first cam surface;
• and
• a movable gate member carried by one of said first and second cam surfaces, said gate member defining a substantially continuous portion of said one cam surface and being selectively movable so as to define a generally radially opening through said one cam surface to permit a cam follower to selectively follow said one cam surface or follow the other cam surface up to said gate member and then be moved through said opening to commence following said one cam surface.