Magnetic detent device
US6424245B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 20, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20636
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.