US4078449A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable detent apparatus
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1977-03-22
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Granted: 1978-03-14
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Expires: 1997-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A control lever is pivotally fastened to a support assembly and has an end portion movable along an arcuate pathway between a plurality of operating positions. A roller is rotatably fastened to the end portion of the lever and is movable therewith along the arcuate pathway. A detent member has a first end portion pivotally connected to the support assembly and has a normal position adjacent and lying along the arcuate pathway of the roller. A resilient device is connected to the detent member for resiliently biasing the detent member to the normal position. A device is provided for adjustably fastening a detent cam to the detent member at one of a plurality of positions in the arcuate pathway of the roller.
Inventors
- 👤 Orson K. Kelly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:48
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G5/00; G05G5/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20582; Y10T74/2063; Y10T74/20636
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An adjustable detent apparatus for a control lever pivotally fastened to a support assembly, said lever having an end portion movable along an arcuate pathway between a plurality of operating positions, comprising: a roller rotatably fastened to the end portion of the lever and being movable therewith along the arcuate pathway; a detent member having a first end portion pivotally connected to the support assembly, said detent member having a normal position adjacent and lying along the arcuate pathway of the roller; resilient means connected to the detent member for resiliently biasing the detent member to the normal position; a first detent cam; and first means for adjustably fastening the detent cam to the detent member at one of a plurality of positions in the arcuate pathway of the roller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
An adjustable detent apparatus for a control lever pivotally fastened to a support assembly, said lever having an end portion movable along an arcuate pathway between a plurality of operating positions, comprising: a roller rotatably fastened to the end portion of the lever and being movable therewith along the arcuate pathway; a detent member having a first end portion pivotally connected to the support assembly, said detent member having a normal position adjacent and lying along the arcuate pathway of the roller; resilient means connected to the detent member for resiliently biasing the detent member to the normal position; a first detent cam; and first means for adjustably fastening the detent cam to the detent member at one of a plurality of positions in the arcuate pathway of the roller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The adjustable detent apparatus of claim 1 including a first adjustable stop means fastened to the support member and positioned in the pathway of the end portion of the lever for stopping the lever at a preselected location relative to the detent cam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The adjustable detent apparatus of claim 2 including a second detent cam and second means for adjustably fastening the second detent cam to the detent member at a second position in the arcuate pathway of the roller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The detent apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first means includes at least one opening extending through the detent member and a threaded fastener extending through said opening and being of a construction sufficient for securing the first detent cam to the detent member at preselected positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The adjustable detent apparatus of claim 4 wherein said detent member has a first arcuate surface formed thereon, said first arcuate surface being substantially concentric with the arcuate pathway of the roller at the normal position of the support member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The adjustable detent apparatus of claim 5 including a plurality of separate openings spaced along an arcuate pathway substantially concentric with the arcuate pathway of the roller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The adjustable detent apparatus of claim 6 wherein each opening is an arcuate slot having a second arcuate surface disposed substantially concentric with the first arcuate surface, said first and second detent cams each having a tongue projecting into one of said arcuate slots.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The adjustable detent apparatus of claim 7 including a control valve, and means for connecting the control lever to the control valve.
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) | 1981-03-13 | 1981-09-12 | 1982-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-13 | 1985-09-12 | 1986-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-13 | 1989-09-12 | 1990-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |