Patent ID: 8424162

Claim:
A detent assembly comprising: a first body including a first magnetic component characterized by a first geometry; and a second body positionable in proximity to the first body and including a second magnetic component characterized by a second geometry; wherein the first body and the second body are adapted to move relative to each other, and wherein the first geometry and the second geometry are adapted to generate magnetic fields between the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component in such a way as to define a plurality of detent positions between the first body and the second body, and wherein the detent assembly is adapted to create a first threshold magnetic force holding the first body and the second body in a first detent position and a second threshold magnetic force holding the first body and the second body in a second detent position, wherein the first threshold magnetic force is greater than the second threshold magnetic force, and wherein the first magnetic component has a first surface section with the first geometry, and wherein the second magnetic component has a second surface section with the second geometry, and wherein the first surface section is contiguous and entirely magnetic with a same first polarity, wherein the second surface section is contiguous and entirely magnetic with a same second polarity that is opposite the first polarity, and wherein the first surface section is opposite the second surface section.