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US 6,176,322 B1Granted
Power tool having interchangeable tool head
AssigneeBlack & Decker Inc.
InventorBrian Wadge
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power tool system includes a tool body in which an activation switch (12) controls a motor (20). A plurality of interchangeable tool heads (50) are able to be accepted by the power tool in order to provide a dedicated tool. A releaseable lock-off mechanism (90) is incorporated in the tool body which restrains actuation of the activation switch (12) when none of the tool heads (50) is present.
Claims25
A power tool system comprising:
- a tool body having a housing, a motor mounted in the housing, and an activation switch mounted in the housing for controlling the motor, the motor including a rotary output;
- and
- a plurality of interchangeable tool heads each for connection with said body so as to engage with said motor output;
- said tool body having a substantially cylindrical tool head opening and an orientation aperture extending downwardly along a perpiphery of said opening and having a releasable lock-off mechanism which restrains actuation of said activation switch when none of the tool heads of the plurality are connected to the body;
- and
- each tool head of the plurality including actuating means to engage with and de-activate said lock-off mechanism when a tool head of the plurality is connected to said body to allow actuation of said switch;
- said actuating means comprises a head projection on each of the tool heads of the plurality to be received at least partially in a complimentary fit in said orientation aperture in said tool body so as to orientate each tool head of the plurality in a predetermined orientation to said body when connected thereto to prevent reaction rotation when one of the plurality of interchangeable tool heads is under load;
- and
- said lock-off mechanism being externally accessible through said orientation aperture to allow said actuating means to engage therewith when inserted into said orientation aperture.
6 more elements
A power tool comprising:
- a tool body having a housing, a motor mounted in the housing, an actuation switch for controlling the motor, and a releasable lock-off mechanism movable between a first position for preventing actuation of said actuation switch and a second position for permitting actuation of said actuation switch, said motor having an output rotatable about a first axis;
- and
- a tool head releasably attached to the tool body, the tool head including an actuation mechanism for moving said releasable lock-off mechanism to said second position;
- said releasable lock-off mechanism including a lever mounted completely within said housing for pivotal movement between the first and second positions about a second axis which is substantially perpendicular to said first axis.
1 more element
A power tool system having a tool body with a housing, a motor mounted in the housing and an activation switch mounted in the housing for controlling the motor, the motor including a rotary output, the power tool system comprising:
- a plurality of interchangeable tool heads each for releasable connection with the body so as to engage with the motor output;
- said tool body having a substantially cylindrical tool head opening and a slot extending downwardly along a periphery of said opening and having a releasable lock-off mechanism which restrains actuation of the activation switch when none of the tool heads of the plurality are connected to the body, the releasable lock-off mechanism including a lever having a first end presented in and accessible through said slot in said body member;
- and
- each tool head of the plurality including actuating means co-operable with said slot for correctly orientating said tool head to said tool body and co-operable with said first end of said lever to facilitate the activation of said lock-off mechanism when a tool head of the plurality is connected to said body to thereby allow actuation of said switch.
1 more element
A power tool system having a tool body with a housing, a motor mounted in the housing and an activation switch mounted in the housing for controlling the motor, the motor including a rotary output, the power tool system comprising:
- a plurality of interchangeable tool heads each for releasable connection with said body so as to engage with said motor output, wherein connection of a first interchangeable tool heads of the plurality to said body provides the power tool with a first output speed, and a rotary output and connection of a second interchangeable tool head of the plurality to said body provides the power tool with a second output speed and a non-rotary output;
- said tool body having a generally cylindrical opening substantially coaxial with the rotary output, said tool body further including a channel extending radially outwards from said cylindrical opening;
- each tool head being releasably connectable to said tool body and having orientation means for co-operating with said channel to orientate the tool head in a predetermined orientation relative to the body;
- said tool body having a releasable lock-off mechanism which restrains actuation of said activation switch when none of the tool heads of the plurality are connected to the body and each tool head of the plurality including actuating means for engaging with and deactivating said lock-off mechanism when a tool head of the plurality is connected to said tool body to allow actuation of the activation switch;
- said lock-off mechanism being accessible through said slot for co-operating engagement with said actuation means.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.