Headset with magnetic frictional coupler

A headset comprising:

• a first member having a first engagement surface;
• a second member having a second engagement surface, the second engagement surface disposed for movement relative to the first engagement surface along a line of adjustment;
• a first plurality of magnetic elements on the first member, and arranged with a magnetic pole proximal to the first engagement surface and an opposite magnetic pole distal from the first engagement surface, and wherein the poles of the magnetic elements proximal to the first engagement surface are disposed in a first pattern corresponding to detent positions in a plurality of detent positions along the line of adjustment;
• and
• a second plurality of magnetic elements on the second member including an elongated magnetic element disposed along the line of adjustment, and a bar magnetic element disposed at a longitudinal position along the line of adjustment, and arranged with respective magnetic poles proximal to the second engagement surface and opposite magnetic poles distal from the second engagement surface, and wherein the poles of the second plurality of magnetic elements proximal to the second engagement surface are disposed in a second pattern to maintain the second member at one of the plurality of detent positions of the first pattern;
• and
• a non-magnetic spacer disposed between for frictional contact with the first and second engagement surfaces, the non-magnetic spacer comprising a low friction material;
• the first plurality of magnetic elements and the second plurality of magnetic elements arranged to establish a magnetic flux between the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface, the magnetic flux varying as a function of relative position of the first and second members along the line of adjustment, and having peaks at the plurality of detent positions along the line of adjustment.

A headset, comprising:

• a headband;
• a boom hub coupled to the headband having a first engagement surface;
• a boom having a second engagement surface, the second engagement surface disposed for rotation relative to the first engagement surface of the boom hub;
• a non-magnetic spacer disposed between for frictional contact with the first and second engagement surfaces, the non-magnetic spacer comprising a low friction material;
• a first plurality of magnetic elements on the boom hub, and arranged with a magnetic pole proximal to the first engagement surface and an opposite magnetic pole distal from the first engagement surface, and wherein the poles of the magnetic elements proximal to the first engagement surface are disposed in a first pattern corresponding to detent positions in a plurality of detent positions along a line of adjustment;
• and
• a second plurality of magnetic elements on the boom including an elongated magnetic element disposed along the line of adjustment, and a bar magnetic element disposed at an angular position along the line of adjustment, and arranged with respective magnetic poles proximal to the second engagement surface and opposite magnetic poles distal from the second engagement surface, and wherein the poles of the second plurality of magnetic elements proximal to the second engagement surface are disposed in a second pattern to maintain the boom at one of the plurality of detent positions of the first pattern;
• the first plurality of magnetic elements and the second plurality of magnetic elements arranged to establish a magnetic flux attracting the first engagement surface to the second engagement surface, the magnetic flux varying as a function of relative angle of rotation between the first and second engagement surfaces, and having peaks at a plurality of detent angles.