Switch mechanism for operating a plasma arc torch, other tools or weapons
AssigneeHypertherm, Inc.
InventorsJames C. Dean, Robert C. Dean, Jr., E. Hubbard Yonkers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switch mechanism with a safety member for operating a tool or a weapon which reduces the probability of inadvertent operation. The switch mechanism comprises a trigger and a safety member disposed adjacent to the trigger for preventing the trigger from contacting an actuation switch. The safety member is shaped such that when it is positioned in a first position, it prevents the trigger from contacting the switch. In addition, the safety member is shaped such that when the safety member is positioned in a second position, it allows the trigger to contact the actuation switch.
Claims23
A plasma arc torch for piercing or cutting a workpiece, comprising:
- a torch body;
- a power supply electronically coupled to the torch body;
- and
- a switch mechanism for operating the torch disposed in the torch body, including a trigger;
- a safety member disposed adjacent to the trigger and having a rest position for preventing the trigger from contacting the switch and having a second position for allowing the trigger to contact the switch;
- and
- a positioning member that positions the safety member in the rest position absent an external force.
A switch mechanism for operating a device, comprising:
- a trigger having front and back surfaces and first and second ends and disposed in a device housing;
- a support member disposed adjacent the back surface of the trigger for supporting the trigger within the housing of the device;
- a switch for operating the device responsive to displacement of the trigger;
- a safety member disposed adjacent to the front surface of the trigger for preventing the trigger from contacting the switch when the safety member is positioned in a rest position and for permitting the trigger to contact the switch when the safety member is positioned in a second position;
- a positioning member that positions the safety member in the rest position absent an external force.
A switch mechanism for a plasma arc torch, comprising:
- a trigger for initiating operation of the torch having front and back surfaces and first and second ends being disposed in a torch body;
- a support member disposed adjacent the back surface of the trigger for supporting the trigger at the first end within the body;
- a switch for operating the torch responsive to displacement of the trigger;
- and
- a safety member disposed adjacent the front surface of the trigger in a rest position that prevents operation of the torch, the safety member being displaceable, by an external force, to a second position which permits operation of the torch.
A method of operating a switch mechanism for controlling a device, comprising the steps of:
- providing a switch having a safety member, the safety member prevents operation of the device when disposed in a rest position;
- displacing the safety member with a finger of an operator's hand so as to expose a surface of a trigger and position a cam so as to permit operation of the device;
- and
- applying a force to the trigger with the finger sufficient to contact a switch which controls the operation of the device.
A method of operating a plasma arc torch for cutting or piercing a workpiece comprising the steps of:
- providing a plasma arc torch having a trigger for activating the torch and a safety member for preventing activation of the torch;
- positioning the plasma arc torch relative to the workpiece;
- applying an external force to displace the safety member from a rest position which prevents torch operation to a second position which permits torch operation;
- and
- applying a force to displace the trigger to ignite and sustain the plasma arc torch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.