Electricity: magnetically operated switches – magnets – and electr – Magnets and electromagnets – With magneto-mechanical motive device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-20
2002-07-23
Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2832)
Electricity: magnetically operated switches, magnets, and electr
Magnets and electromagnets
With magneto-mechanical motive device
C074S527000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06424245
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a detent device, and more particularly to a detent device using a magnetic field.
BACKGROUND
Conventional detent devices typically rely on strictly mechanical means, such as a ball and socket. The ball is usually affixed to a moveable body, e.g. a lever, while the socket is located on a fixed body, or vice versa. When the moveable body rotates into an appropriate position, e.g., a detent position, the ball falls into the socket. The ball is typically spring loaded so as to remain in the socket until a force sufficient to compress the spring is exerted on the moveable body, freeing the moveable body from the detent position.
It is often desirable to have the lever be self-centering. Accordingly, various centering devices, such as springs, are often attached to the lever.
It is further often desirable to have the lever remain in the detent position until a certain event occurs, and then have the lever self-center. Unfortunately, this typically requires some type of mechanical device to “kick out” the lever from the detent position. These devices are often complex, expensive, and prone to malfunction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides apparatus and methods for restricting movement of a device. The detent device includes a housing, and a magnetic device, the magnetic device exerting a magnetic force and including a body and one of a recess defined therein and a protrusion. A magnetic body is located at least partially within the housing and is biased towards the magnetic device as a function of the magnetic force. The magnetic body includes a magnetic mass and the other of the recess defined therein and the protrusion, the other of the protrusion and the recess receiving the one of the protrusion and the recess of the magnetic device when the magnetic body is in a first predetermined position relative to the magnetic device. The magnetic mass of the magnetic body is spaced a first distance from the body of the magnetic device when the magnetic body is in the first predetermined position, and the magnetic mass of the magnetic body is spaced a second predetermined distance from the body of the magnetic device by the protrusion on the one of the magnetic device and the magnetic body when the magnetic body is in a second predetermined position relative to the magnetic device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2525846 (1950-10-01), Wilson
patent: 2983121 (1961-05-01), Naas
patent: 3786693 (1974-01-01), Keipert
patent: 3934216 (1976-01-01), Ward
patent: 4132128 (1979-01-01), Roggenkamp
patent: 4539862 (1985-09-01), Caldwell
patent: 5014030 (1991-05-01), Aston
patent: 5058451 (1991-10-01), Fujimoto et al.
patent: 5499553 (1996-03-01), Schott et al.
patent: 5743146 (1998-04-01), Oesterle et al.
Rector Stephen W.
Tullis Glenda D.
Caterpillar Inc.
Donovan Lincoln
Green Clifton G.
LandOfFree
Magnetic detent device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Magnetic detent device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Magnetic detent device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2915662