US3712151A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miniature detent mechanism
Assignee: GTE Sylvania Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-01
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1991-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A miniature detent mechanism employs a rotatable shaft having a plurality of longitudinal serrations located on the periphery thereof. A housing including two balls and a ball race is positioned around the shaft in the area of the longitudinal serrations. A leaf style spring formed around the ball race exerts an inward force on the balls seating them into the shaft serrations whereby the shaft is detented in various radial positions.
Inventors
- 👤 N Diehl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:33
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H19/00; H01H19/02; H01H19/10; H01H19/11; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20636
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
288 words
A detent mechanism comprising: a shaft having a plurality of slots located radially about said shaft at a predetermined longitudinal position so as to form a ring of serrations about said shaft; a housing member including a cylindrical inner wall defining a first opening therein and including second and third openings in said inner wall substantially orthogonal to said first opening; said shaft being positioned within said cylindrical wall such that certain ones of the slots of said shaft are in line with the second and third openings of said housing member; bearing means positioned in the second and third openings of said housing member and extending into said certain slots of said shaft that are opposite said second and third openings; means for bIasing said bearing means in a direction toward said shaft whereby when said shaft is rotated within said housing member said bearing means rides in and out of said slots over said serrations; and means for maintaining the relative longitudinal positions of said shaft and said housing member; wherein: said shaft further includes a circumferential channel located on one side of said predetermined longitudinal position and an opening substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said shaft located at the other side of said predetermined longitudinal location; and said means for maintaining includes a clip spring having a circular inner surface, the thickness of which is slightly less than the width of said circumferential channel, said clip spring being positioned in said circumferential channel to thereby limit the longitudinal travel of the shaft in one direction, and a pin positioned in the opening on said shaft at the other end of said housing member to thereby limit the longitudinal travel in the other direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
288 words
A detent mechanism comprising: a shaft having a plurality of slots located radially about said shaft at a predetermined longitudinal position so as to form a ring of serrations about said shaft; a housing member including a cylindrical inner wall defining a first opening therein and including second and third openings in said inner wall substantially orthogonal to said first opening; said shaft being positioned within said cylindrical wall such that certain ones of the slots of said shaft are in line with the second and third openings of said housing member; bearing means positioned in the second and third openings of said housing member and extending into said certain slots of said shaft that are opposite said second and third openings; means for bIasing said bearing means in a direction toward said shaft whereby when said shaft is rotated within said housing member said bearing means rides in and out of said slots over said serrations; and means for maintaining the relative longitudinal positions of said shaft and said housing member; wherein: said shaft further includes a circumferential channel located on one side of said predetermined longitudinal position and an opening substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said shaft located at the other side of said predetermined longitudinal location; and said means for maintaining includes a clip spring having a circular inner surface, the thickness of which is slightly less than the width of said circumferential channel, said clip spring being positioned in said circumferential channel to thereby limit the longitudinal travel of the shaft in one direction, and a pin positioned in the opening on said shaft at the other end of said housing member to thereby limit the longitudinal travel in the other direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A detent mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said housing member further includes a shoulder extending around a predetermined portion of said first opening at the end of the housing member associated with said pin, said shoulder extending longitudinally beyond said pin such that the rotational travel of said shaft within said housing member is limited by said pin striking said shoulder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
250 words
A detent mechanism comprising: a shaft having a section of substantially uniform diameter and having a plurality of slots located radially about said shaft at a predetermined longitudinal position of said section so as to form a ring of serrations about said shaft; a housing member including a cylindrical inner wall defining a first opening therein having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of said section of the shaft and including second and third openings in said inner wall substantially orthogonal to said first opening; said shaft being positioned within said cylindrical wall such that said section of the shaft rotates within said first opening and the shaft is maintained coaxially aligned therewith and such that certain ones of the slots of said shaft are in line with the second and third openings of said housing member; ball bearings having a diameter less than the size of the second and third openings and greater than the thickness of the wall of said housing member; said ball bearings being positioned in the second and third openings of said housing member and extending into said certain slots of said shaft that are opposite said second and third openings; and a circular leaf spring expanded around the wall of said housing member and said ball bearings to produce a radially inward force on said ball bearings toward said shaft whereby when said shaft is rotated within said housing member said ball bearings ride in and out of said slots over said serrations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
250 words
A detent mechanism comprising: a shaft having a section of substantially uniform diameter and having a plurality of slots located radially about said shaft at a predetermined longitudinal position of said section so as to form a ring of serrations about said shaft; a housing member including a cylindrical inner wall defining a first opening therein having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of said section of the shaft and including second and third openings in said inner wall substantially orthogonal to said first opening; said shaft being positioned within said cylindrical wall such that said section of the shaft rotates within said first opening and the shaft is maintained coaxially aligned therewith and such that certain ones of the slots of said shaft are in line with the second and third openings of said housing member; ball bearings having a diameter less than the size of the second and third openings and greater than the thickness of the wall of said housing member; said ball bearings being positioned in the second and third openings of said housing member and extending into said certain slots of said shaft that are opposite said second and third openings; and a circular leaf spring expanded around the wall of said housing member and said ball bearings to produce a radially inward force on said ball bearings toward said shaft whereby when said shaft is rotated within said housing member said ball bearings ride in and out of said slots over said serrations.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |