Patent ID: 6826979
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: G05G,Y10T

Abstract:
A detent mechanism for an operating device assembly comprising:a detent housing; a first detent member having a plurality of adjacent detent notches therein with an apex between adjacent detent notches, the first detent member being rotatably disposed within the detent housing; means for biasing the first detent member against rotation; and, a second detent member frictionally engaging the first detent member, the second detent member being capable of movement relative to the first detent member and of selectively engaging the detent notches of the first detent member; whereby movement of the second detent member causes the first detent member to rotate in a first direction until the means for biasing exerts enough force on the first detent member to limit rotation of the first detent member in the first direction allowing the second detent member to move relative to the first detent member thereby unseating the second detent member from a detent notch and allowing the second detent member to move onto an apex between detent notches at which time the means for biasing exerts enough force on the first detent member to cause the first detent member to rotate in a second direction so as to cause the second detent member to engage an adjacent detent notch of the first detent member.