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.
Claims20
A pneumatically or hydraulically powered tool comprising:
- a motor having a rotor that rotates in either of first and second rotational directions;
- first and second buttons opposingly disposed on respective first and second 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, which causes the rotor to respectively rotate in the first and second rotational directions.
A reversing mechanism for a pneumatically or hydraulically powered tool having a rotor operable in either of first and second rotational directions, 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 selection of either of the first or second buttons by a user causes the valve to rotate and direct air or fluid to respectively cause the first or second rotational directions.
A method of operating a pneumatically or hydraulically powered tool having a rotor operable in either of first and second rotational directions comprising:
- providing a valve rotatable between first and second positions, wherein the valve is adapted to cause the first rotational direction when in the first position and the second rotational direction when in the second position;
- and
- actuating one of first and second buttons in a linear direction, thereby causing the valve to rotate from the first position to the second position.
An assembly 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;
- a valve having a barrier adapted to direct the air in a selected direction, and further having a passage adapted to exhaust the air,
- wherein the valve is adapted to direct the air toward the inlet pocket portion, and allow the air to exhaust through the passage after the air passes the outlet pocket portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.