Fast indexing encoder apparatus
AssigneeMotorola, Inc.
InventorsPhillip D. Van Buren, Edgar J. Abt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plurality of Geneva gears including rings each having Geneva elements formed in the outer periphery thereof and rotatably mounted for individual rotation, each Geneva gear having associated therewith a fixed electrical contact and a wiper contact for engaging a plurality of fixed conductors as the Geneva gear rotates. A driving crank associated with each Geneva gear and driven through a frictional clutch from a single control, said Geneva gears having a locking mechanism associated therewith so that only one Geneva gear is free to rotate at any one time. The locking means is operated by a ratchet and pawl that operates from a single locking control.
Claims4
Fast indexing encoder apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of rotatable mounted members each individually rotatable, each of said members including a Geneva gear formed in an outer periphery thereof;
- each of said members having a fixed electrical contact associated therewith;
- each of said members further having an electrical wiper contact mounted for rotation therewith and electrically connected to said fixed contact;
- a plurality of electrical conductors mounted adjacent said members for sequential engagement with said wiper contacts of each of said members as said members are rotated, said conductors being further mounted so that each wiper engages only one conductor at any time;
- Geneva gear driving means mounted in engagement with the Geneva gears formed in said plurality of members and including a common control for rotating a selected one of said plurality of members in response to operation of said common control;
- and
- locking means mounted adjacent said plurality of members and including a single control for engaging and preventing rotation of all but a selected one of said plurality of members in response to the operation of said single control.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.