Vibration-damping control handle for a portable power tool

Vibration isolating handle apparatus connectable to a shaft subject to vibration, comprising:

• an elongated body section having first and second opposite end portions;
• a handgrip secured to said body section;
• means for connecting said second end portion of said body section to the shaft in a manner permitting said first end portion of said body section to be moved laterally toward and away from shaft and restraining lateral movement of said second end portion relative to the shaft;
• resilient damping means for connecting said first end portion of said body section to the shaft in a laterally spaced relationship therewith, and for absorbing shaft vibration and isolating said first end portion therefrom;
• and
• means for releasably locking said body section to the shaft in a predetermined orientation relative thereto,
• said resilient damping means comprising a damping member having a first portion connectable to the shaft in a spaced relationship with said first end portion of said body section, and a second portion connectable to said first end portion of said body section in a laterally outwardly spaced relationship with the shaft,
• said means for releasably locking said body section to the shaft including a clamp member securable to the shaft, means for intersecuring said clamp member and said first portion of said damping member, and means for intersecuring said second portion of said damping member and said first end portion of said body section,
• said damping member being a coiled spring adapted to coaxially receive a longitudinal portion of the shaft, said spring having a first end portion with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft, and a larger diameter second end portion,
• said means for intersecuring said clamp member and said first portion of said damping member including a first tang section extending outwardly from said first end portion of said spring and secured to said clamping member,
• said first end portion of said body section being of an annular configuration and adapted to outwardly circumscribe a longitudinal portion of the shaft, the radially inner surface of said first end portion of said body section having an annular circumferential groove and a axially extending groove formed therein, and
• said means for intersecuring said second portion of said damping member and said first end portion of said body section including a longitudinally outer coil of said second spring end portion adapted to be received in said annular circumferential groove, and a second tang section projecting outwardly from said inner coil and adapted to be received in said axially extending groove.

Vibration isolating handle apparatus connectable to a shaft subject to vibration, comprising:

• an elongated body section having first and second opposite end portions;
• a handgrip section secured to said body section;
• means for connecting said second end portion of said body section to the shaft in a manner permitting said first end portion of said body section to be moved laterally toward and away from said shaft and restraining lateral movement of said second end portion relative to the shaft;
• resilient damping means for connecting said first end portion of said body section to the shaft in a laterally spaced relationship therewith, and for absorbing shaft vibration and isolating said first end portion therefrom;
• and
• means for releasably locking said body section to the shaft in a predetermined orientation relative thereto,
• said resilient damping means comprising a damping member having a first portion connectable to the shaft in a spaced relationship with said first end portion of said body section, and a second portion connectable to said first end portion of said body section in a laterally outwardly spaced relationship with the shaft,
• said means for releasably locking said body section to the shaft including a clamp member securable to the shaft, means for intersecuring said clamp member and said first portion of said damping member, and means for intersecuring said second portion of said damping member and said first end portion of said body section,
• said damping member being of an elastomeric material, having a hollow, generally cylindrical configuration, and being adapted to coaxially receive a longitudinal portion of the shaft,
• said first end portion of said body section being of an annular configuration and adapted to outwardly circumscribe a longitudinal portion of the shaft,
• said means for intersecuring said clamp member and said first portion of said clamping member including interlocking rib and groove means formed on said clamp member and a first end portion of said damping member,
• said means for intersecuring said second portion of said damping member and said first end portion of said body section including interlockable rib and groove means formed on said first end portion of said body section and a second end portion of said damping member, and
• said damping member having an annular interior rib formed therein and adapted to engage the shaft when said second end portion of said damping member is laterally deflected in response to movement of said first end portion of said body section toward the shaft.

A power tool comprising:

• a portion subject to vibration during operation of said power tool;
• and
• handle means for supporting and controlling the motion of said power tool, said handle means including:
• a vibration damping member connected to said portion subject to vibration and having a cantilevered free end portion spaced apart from and resiliently deflectable toward said portion subject to vibration,
• an elongated handle body having a first and second opposite end portions, said first end portion being secured to said cantilevered free end portion of said vibration damping member, said second end portion being directly connected to said portion subject to vibration in a manner preventing appreciable relative lateral translational movement between said second end portion of said handle body and said portion subject to vibration, and
• a handgrip secured to said handle body and adapted to be grasped by an operator of said power tool.

A power tool comprising:

• a portion subject to vibration during operation of said power tool;
• and
• handle means for supporting and controlling the motion of said power tool, said handle means including:
• a vibration damping member connected to said portion subject to vibration and having a free end portion spaced apart from and resiliently deflectable toward said portion subject to vibration,
• an elongated handle body having first and second opposite end portions, said first end portion being secured to said cantilevered free end portion of said vibration damping member, said second end portion being connected to said portion subject to vibration, and
• a handgrip secured to said handle body and adapted to be grasped by an operator of said power tool,
• said portion subject to vibration being a shaft,
• said vibration damping member having a generally annular cross-section, circumscribing said shaft, and having an end portion connected to said first end portion of said handle body,
• said vibration member being a coiled spring.

A power tool comprising:

• a portion subject to vibration during operation of said power tool;
• and
• handle means for supporting and controlling the motion of said power tool, said handle means including:
• a resilient vibration damping member connected to said portion subject to vibration,
• an elongated handle body having first and second opposite end portions,
• a handgrip secured to said handle body and adapted to be grasped by an operator of said power tool,
• means for connecting said first end portion of said handle body to said vibration damping member, and
• means for pivotally connecting said second end portion of said handle body to said portion subject to vibration and holding said second end portion directly against said portion subject to vibration,
• one of said damping member and said second portion of said handle body slidably engaging said portion of said power tool subject to vibration.

A power tool comprising:

• a portion subject to vibration during operation of said power tool;
• and
• handle means for supporting and controlling the motion of said power tool, said handle means including:
• a resilient vibration damping member connected to said portion subject to vibration,
• an elongated handle body having first and second opposite end portions,
• a handgrip secured to said handle body and adapted to be grasped by an operator of said power tool,
• means for connecting said first end portion of said handle body to said vibration damping member, and
• means for pivotally connecting said second end portion of said handle body to said portion subject to vibration,
• said vibration damping member having a free end portion,
• said means for connecting said first end portion of said handle body to said vibration damping member including means for connecting said first end portion of said handle body to said free end portion of said vibration damping member,
• said vibration damping member having an opposite end portion connected to said portion subject to vibration and spaced longitudinally outwardly from said first end portion of said handle body,
• said portion subject to vibration being a shaft, and
• said vibration damping member being coiled spring element which circumscribes said shaft.

A power tool comprising:

• an elongated shaft;
• drive means, operatively connected to one end of said shaft, for generating rotational power;
• rotationally drivable means operatively connected to the opposite end of said shaft;
• means for transmitting rotational power from said drive means to said rotationally drivable means;
• and
• handle means for holding and guiding said shaft, said handle means including:
• an elongated handle body extending longitudinally along said shaft and having a first end portion spaced laterally outwardly from said shaft and a second end portion connected to and directly engaging said shaft in a manner precluding appreciable relative lateral translational between said shaft and said second end portion, and permitting said first end portion of said handle body to be moved laterally toward and away from said shaft,
• a handgrip secured to said handle body and adapted to be grasped by an operator of said power tool, and
• resilient vibration damping means, interconnected between said shaft and said first end portion of said handle body, for absorbing shaft vibration and isolating said first end portion of said handle body from said shaft vibration.

A power tool comprising:

• an elongated shaft;
• drive means, operatively connected to one end of said shaft, for generating rotational power;
• rotational drivable means operatively connected to the opposite end of said shaft;
• means for transmitting rotational power from said drive means to said rotationally drivable means;
• and
• handle means for holding and guiding said shaft, said handle means including:
• an elongated handle body extending longitudinally along said shaft and having a first end portion spaced laterally outwardly from said shaft and a second end portion connected to said shaft,
• a handgrip secured to said handle body and adapted to be grasped by an operator of said power tool, and
• resiliently vibration damping means, interconnected between said shaft and said first end portion of said handle body, for absorbing shaft vibration and isolating said first end portion of said handle body from said shaft vibration, said vibration damping means comprising a coiled spring element circumscribing said shaft.