Patent ID: 6140812
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
An electronic instrument comprising:an instrument housing having opposed end surfaces spaced apart to define a width of the instrument;said housing having a handle mount positioned on each end surface;a bail handle connected to end surfaces of the housing at said handle mount;the handle being pivotally movable between at least a first stable position and a second stable position about a pivot axis passing through the handle mounts;the handle having an intermediate portion extending the width of the instrument, and having a terminal arm portion at each end of said intermediate portion, each terminal arm portion having a free end connected to a respective one of the handle mounts; andeach handle mount and associated terminal arm free end comprising a detent mechanism including:a first portion connected to the housing, a second portion connected to the handle, and a spring;the detent mechanism being operable to resist pivotal displacement of the handle from a selected one of the first position and the second position in response to a force less than a selected threshold, to allow pivotal displacement of the handle from a selected one of the first position and the second position in response to a force greater than a selected threshold, and to allow pivoting of the handle in response to a limited force less than the selected threshold when in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position;wherein said first portion and said second portion includes contoured surfaces which mate when said handle is in either one of said first position and said second position, said mating of said contoured surfaces providing said resistance to said pivotal movement, said resistance being overcome by said application of said force greater than said selected threshold;wherein said second portion is aligned with said pivot axis, and includes a pair of follower contours diametrically opposed from each other on opposite sides of said pivot axis;wherein said second portion is movable with respect to said housing in a direction parallel to said pivot axis, and said second portion is biased toward said first portion along said pivot axis by said spring.