Reversing mechanism for a power tool
AssigneeSnap-on Incorporated
InventorsPaul W. Griffin, Dennis A. Nowak, John R. Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A reversing mechanism for a pneumatically or hydraulically powered tool having a rotor adapted to rotate in either of first and second rotational directions. The reversing mechanism allows a user to actuate a button and rotate a valve to direct air flow through the tool. By pressing the button, the button will move a base laterally, and in doing so, rotates the valve. Rotating the valve then aligns a barrier of the valve in a direction tangential to the selected rotational direction of the tool, better directing forced air or fluid and more efficiently distributing the air or fluid in the selected rotational direction.
Claims19
A tool powered by air or fluid, comprising:
- a motor having a rotor that rotates in either of first and second rotational directions;
- first and second buttons respectively disposed on first and second opposing sides of the tool and operatively coupled to a base disposed in the tool;
- and
- a valve rotatably coupled to the base, wherein axial movement of either of the first and second buttons causes the valve to rotate, and wherein the valve includes a barrier that directs at least a portion of the air or fluid to the rotor to cause the rotor to rotate in either of the first and second rotational directions, and a passage separate from the barrier and extending in a radial direction entirely through the valve that provides an exhaust flow path from the rotor.
A reversing mechanism for a tool powered by air or fluid and having a rotor operable in either of first and second rotational directions, the mechanism comprising:
- a base having first and second openings;
- first and second buttons respectively movably coupled to the base in the first and second openings;
- and
- a valve rotatably coupled to the base, wherein actuation of either of the first or second buttons causes the valve to rotate and respectively cause the first or second rotational directions, the valve includes a barrier that directs at least a portion of the air or fluid to the rotor, and a passage separate from the barrier and extending in a radial direction entirely through the valve that provides an exhaust flow path from the rotor.
An assembly for a tool powered by air or fluid, comprising:
- a housing having an inlet pocket portion and an outlet pocket portion;
- a cylinder housed by the housing and adapted to receive and exhaust air or fluid;
- and
- a rotatable valve having a barrier adapted to direct at least a portion of the air or fluid in a selected direction, and further having a passage separate from the barrier and extending in a radial direction entirely through the valve,
- wherein the valve is adapted to direct at least the portion of the air or fluid towards the inlet pocket portion, and allow a portion of the air or fluid to exhaust through the passage after passing the outlet pocket portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.