Abstract: A fail-safe solenoid switching mechanism (11) uses a reciprocating switch (15) to establish make-or-break connections. In order to increase the effective life of shorting bars on the switch, the switch's reciprocating part 23 is rotated by a ratcheting mechanism each time the switch (15) is cycled.Advantages include enhanced reliability, even when the switching mechanism (11) sees extended quiescant periods between operations.

Abstract: A fail-safe solenoid switching mechanism (11) includes separate solenoids (17,18) for switchings to "armed" and "safed" statuses. A manually operated safing mechanism (19) has a capability of overriding the solenoids (17,18) to establish the switching mechanism (11) in the "safed" status. The manually operated safing mechanism (19) is operated by a special tool (41), which is retained by the switching mechanism (11) whenever the manually operated safing mechanism (19) is engaged. The manually operated safing mechanism (19) is held in engagement by a catch (22) whenever the solenoid (17) for arming is powered, thereby preventing the specialized tool from being removed and the switching mechanism (11) from inadvertently switching to the "armed" status. Further status indications are provided by a flag (54) which can be used to directly read the status of the switching assembly (11).The switching assembly (11) uses a reciprocating switch (15) to establish make-or-break connections.

Abstract: 1. An electromagnetic decoder comprising a code wheel assembly includinga base member,a shaft supported by the base member,a first wheel element and a second wheel element carried by the shaft,a plurality of code posts carried by the first wheel element and preset for locking the first and second wheel elements together in driving relation,selectively operable means carried by the base member for actuating the code posts sequentially in a predetermined sense for unlocking the first and second wheel elements,and means actuated by one of the wheel elements for performing a control function upon the first wheel element being unlocked from the second wheel element.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: A mechanism comprising a code wheel assembly including a first element, a second element and a third element, a element, a plurality of main code posts preset for locking the first element and the second element in driving relation, selectively operable means for actuating the main code posts sequentially in a predetermined sense for unlocking the second and first elements, an auxiliary code post operable for locking the first element to the third element following the actuation of the main code posts sequentially in said predetermined sense to unlock the first and second elements, control means selectively actuated by the third element for performing a control function, and said control means being selectively actuated by said third element following the locking of the first element to the third element by the auxiliary code post and after the first element has been unlocked from the second element.

Abstract: A mechanism comprising a code wheel assembly including an angularly movable shaft, a first element affixed to said shaft, a second element angularly movable on said shaft, and a third element angularly movable on said shaft, a plurality of main code posts preset for locking the first element and the second element in driving relation, selectively operable means for actuating the main code posts sequentially in a predetermined sense for unlocking the second and first elements, means for limiting angular movement of the second element upon the unlocking of the first and second elements, an auxiliary code post operable in a sense for locking the first element to the third element in driving relation, means for preventing the operation of said auxiliary code post in said locking sense until the actuation of the main code posts sequentially in said predetermined sense to unlock the first and second elements followed by a predetermined angular movement of the first element relative to the second element, control me

Abstract: 1. A decoder mechanism comprising a code wheel assembly includinga first wheel element and a second wheel element,a main code post means normally positioned for locking the first and second wheel elements in driving relation,selectively operable means for actuating the main code post means in a predetermined sense for unlocking the first and second wheel elements,auxiliary code post means effective upon the first and second wheel elements being in an unlocked relation,said auxiliary code post means being operable by said selectively operable means in one sense for locking said first and second wheel elements and in another sense to retain said first and second wheel elements in said unlocked relation,and means actuated by one of the wheel elements for performing a control function upon the first element being retained in said unlocked relation with the second element.

Abstract: A decoder mechanism comprising a code wheel assembly including an inner wheel element and an outer wheel element, means for locking the inner wheel element to the outer wheel element in driving relation, means selectively operable for actuating said locking means in locking and unlocking senses, other means selectively operable for changing the locking and unlocking senses of said locking means, and said other means including means effective to transfer from said one unlocking sense to said other unlocking sense upon actuation of said locking means in said one unlocking sense.