Importance

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Abstract

A control mechanism is provided for operating a control valve in a water conditioning system. The control mechanism includes a timing mechanism for regulating the regeneration cycle and service cycle of the water conditioning system and a control valve positioning mechanism for operating the control valve of the water conditioning system. The control valve positioning mechanism and the timing mechanism are driven by a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a timing drive gear which is in driving engagement with the timing mechanism and a control valve drive gear which is in driving engagement with the control valve positioning mechanism. A clutch selectively couples the control valve drive gear to the timing drive gear to provide selective conjoint rotation of the control valve drive gear with the timing drive gear. The clutch includes a coupling member having a first end wrapped around a stem of the timing drive gear and a second end wrapped around the stem of the control valve drive gear. When the timing drive gear is rotated the coupling member couples the control valve drive gear to the timing drive gear for conjoint rotation. However, when the clutch is selectively gripped by a pivotable cam arm, the control valve drive gear is uncoupled from the timing drive gear such that the timing drive gear rotates without any corresponding rotation of the control valve drive gear.

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First Claim