Automatically disengageable manual control

Claim 2

In a device for controlling a further member, wherein said device includes an external power supply for exercising said control and also includes back-up means for exercising said control, the addition of means of automatically engaging and disengaging said back-up means as a function of said external power supply to said device, said automatic means including: means releasably coupling said back-up means to said further member, said coupling means including; linearly movable piston assembly, means for causing movement of a linkage means, said movement causing means being movable with said piston assembly, and linkage means including a gear and a cam member, said cam member being so positioned as to cause said engagement or disengagement as a function of the position of said gear.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 and including means for causing said piston assembly to assume one position when power is operatively supplied to said further member, and to assume a second position when said power is not so supplied.

Claim 4

The device of claim 2 wherein said position assuming means includes a spring device for biasing said piston assembly toward said second position.

Claim 5

The device of claim 2 and including time lag means for permitting limited movement of said piston assembly, on said external power changing from inoperative to operative, prior to said coupling means being uncoupled.

Claim 6

The device of claim 3 and including time lag means for permitting limited movement of said piston assembly, on said external power changing from inoperative to operative, prior to said coupling means being uncoupled.

Claim 7

In a device for controlling a further member, wherein said device includes an external power supply for exercising said control and also includes back-up means for exercising said control, the Combination of: means for automatically engaging and disengaging said back-up means as a function of said external power supply to said device, said automatic means including; linearly movable piston assembly, means for biasing said piston assembly toward a first position, means for causing said piston assembly to move toward a second position when said power is operatively supplied by said power supply, and means linking said piston assembly to said back-up means, said linking means including a gear operated cam, said cam member being so positioned as to cause said engagement or disengagement as a function of the position of said gear.

Claim 8

In a device for controlling a further member, wherein said device includes an external power supply for exercising said control and also includes back-up means for exercising said control, the Combination of: means for automatically engaging and disengaging said back-up means as a function of said external power supply to said device, said automatic means including; linearly movable piston assembly, means for biasing said piston assembly toward a first position, means for causing said piston assembly to move toward a second position when said power is operatively supplied by said power supply, and means linking said piston assembly to said back-up means, said linking means including a gear operated cam, said cam member being so positioned as to cause said engagement or disengagement as a function of the position of said gear.

Claim 9

The device of claim 6 wherein said back-up means includes a rotatable threaded shaft slidably received by a traveling member which traveling member is adapted to cause movement of said further member, and said linking means gear is rotatably engaged with a portion of said piston assembly.

Claim 10

The device of claim 7 wherein the portion of said piston assembly engaged with said gear is a toothed portion.

Claim 11

The device of claim 6 and including time lag means for permitting limited movement of said piston assembly, on said external power changing from inoperative to operative, prior to back-up means being disengaged.

Claim 12

The device of claim 8 and including a yoke for causing rotation of said further member, a further piston containing power cylinder, said further piston being linked to said traveling member, means for selectively causing said power supply to act on opposite faces of said piston, and time lag means for permitting limited movement of said piston assembly on said external power changing from inoperative to operative yet prior to said back-up means being disengaged.