Abstract: An articulated driving mechanism for a dispenser which in one embodiment is a caulking gun has a series of rigid links that are secured to one another by pins. The pins can slide in a slot which allows the links to space away from one another in a first position or be squeezed side by side which then prevents any rotation in a second position. The links all have ratchet teeth to engage two different driving wheels. The two driving wheels rotate at different speeds which allows the links to be consistently opened before reaching a circumferential wheel so that then the spaced links can rotate and safely and reliably rotate as they follow the circumference of the wheel. The articulated driving mechanism is used as a substitute for a push rod in a caulking gun in at least one embodiment.

Abstract: An articulated driving mechanism (2) is composed of several inflexible links (1, 1?, 1?, 79, 84) in succession, the links of each pair of adjacent links being interconnected by means of a link pin (16, 16?, 16?), arranged in both the adjacent links in such a manner that the links are pivotal in relation to one another about the axis of the pin. The links of each pair of adjacent links are mutually displaceable in the transverse direction of the link pin between a first position, in which the adjacent links are pivotal in relation to one another about the axis of the link pin, and a second position, in which corresponding meshing surfaces of each adjacent link abut one another and lock against mutual pivoting of the adjacent links. The link pin is displaceable in an elongated hole (23, 82, 89) in at least one of the links.