That which locks or unlocks a movement; a catch, pawl, or dog; especially, in clockwork, the catch which locks and unlocks the wheelwork in striking.
a stop or other device (such as a pin or lever) on a ratchet wheel. Switch action is typified by a gradual increase in force to a position at which there is an immediate and marked reduction in force.
On a control knob or slide fader, a point where the knob or slider physically "clicks-in". This position is usually there to represent the normal position of the control.
a hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward
The screw holding the setting lever in a watch movement. Also called a detainer or pawl.
Indentation used as a stop for a spring-load lock.
A piece which positions and holds another part in position
A mechanism consisting of a spring and starwheel that holds a switch in a specified position.
A click stop, a place where a mechanism is designed to fall into one or another specific settings. This usually consists of a track with valleys in it, along which a spring-loaded part slides. When the spring-loaded part is released, it tends to fall into one of the valleys. This is commonly used in bicycles in indexed shifting systems.
A minute divot or dimple machined into the blade tang. A ball bearing drops into the detent hole when the knife is in the closed position, holding the knife blade closed inside the handle.
A spring device which maintains the spool of a directional control valve in position.
A pre-set internal positioning feature that allows a fastener or hinge to rotate into fractional positions and/or to hold panel(s) or door(s) in full/partial opened position. Also used to indicate full open/closed position of some latching mechanisms. In hinges, also called HOLD OPEN FEATURE.
A piece that positions and holds another part in position.
A bump or raised section projecting from the surface of a spring or other part. A device that holds a part, control, or assembly in a given position.
Detent is the term for a method and the actual device used to mechanically resist the rotation of a wheel or shaft. It can be used to intentionally divide a rotation into discreet increments, or as in perhaps its original concept and most rudimentary form, to simply arrest rotation in one direction. To arrest movement the method commonly employs a small gravity or spring actuated lever paired with a notched wheel.