US3768333A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Detent mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-10-17
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1992-10-17
Abstract
Abstract A rotatably adjustable shaft is detented into a number of positions by sets of spring-pressed ball detents. Each set of balls consists of a pair of balls which, through rolling friction, counter rotate, so that a spring pressed washer that biases the balls into detent position rotates with the shaft. In this manner sliding friction is substantially eliminated, with consequent elimination of frictional drag as the shaft is turned.
Inventors
- 👤 D Bidwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:16
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G5/00; G05G5/06; G05G2700/00; G05G2700/04; G05G2700/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20636
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
Detent mechanism comprising frame means, a detentable member movably mounted on said frame means and having a plurality of recesses, a pair of rotary members supported by said frame means, one of said rotary members bearing against the other, said other member being movable in and out of said recesses as said detentable member is moved, and means supported by said detentable member for biasing said rotary members toward said recesses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
Detent mechanism comprising frame means, a detentable member movably mounted on said frame means and having a plurality of recesses, a pair of rotary members supported by said frame means, one of said rotary members bearing against the other, said other member being movable in and out of said recesses as said detentable member is moved, and means supported by said detentable member for biasing said rotary members toward said recesses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
136 words
Low friction detent mechanism comprising: a frame having at least one ball channel, a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, a detent plate secured to said shaft adjacent said channel and having a plurality of recesses therein facing said channel and lying on a circle registerable with said channel as said shaft is turned, a pair of balls aligned in said channel and bearing against each other, one of said balls being movable in and out of said recesses as said shaft is rotated, rotation of said shaft causing said one ball to rotate and by friction also to rotate said other ball, a thrust washer circumjacent said shaft and bearing against said other ball, and a compression spring circumjacent said shaft and bearing against said thrust washer to bias said balls toward said detent plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
136 words
Low friction detent mechanism comprising: a frame having at least one ball channel, a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, a detent plate secured to said shaft adjacent said channel and having a plurality of recesses therein facing said channel and lying on a circle registerable with said channel as said shaft is turned, a pair of balls aligned in said channel and bearing against each other, one of said balls being movable in and out of said recesses as said shaft is rotated, rotation of said shaft causing said one ball to rotate and by friction also to rotate said other ball, a thrust washer circumjacent said shaft and bearing against said other ball, and a compression spring circumjacent said shaft and bearing against said thrust washer to bias said balls toward said detent plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Mechanism in accordance with claim 2 including: a plurality of said channels, equiangularly spaced around said circle each channel having a pair of said balls.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR959325A
Cited
US3258980A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |