US 6,610,946 B2 · Actuation mechanism for a power tool

Abstract

The power tool includes a body, a trigger mechanism and a manually operated locking member. The trigger mechanism is mounted to the body for rotation about an axis between an actuated position and a non-actuated position. The manually operable locking member is translationally mounted to the body for movement between a first position and a second position. The locking member cooperates with the trigger mechanism to provide first, second and third modes of operation. In the first mode, the locking member is in the first position and articulation of the trigger mechanism from the non-actuated position to the actuated position is precluded. In the second mode, the locking member is in an intermediate position between the first and second positions and the trigger mechanism is freely allowed to articulate between the actuated and non-actuated positions. In the third mode, the locking member is in the second position and the trigger mechanism is prevented from articulating from the non-actuated position to the actuated position.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A power tool comprising:

a body;
a trigger mechanism mounted to the body for rotation about an axis between an actuated position and a non-actuated position;
and
a manually operable locking member translationally mounted to the body for movement between a first position and a second position such that the locking member cooperates with the trigger mechanism to provide a first mode of operation when the locking member is in the first position in which articulation of the trigger mechanism from the non-actuated position to the actuated position is precluded, operative in a second operating mode when the locking member is in an intermediate position between the first and second positions in which the trigger mechanism is freely allowed to articulate between the actuated and non-actuated positions, and a third mode of operation when the locking member is in the second position in which the trigger mechanism is prevented from articulating from the non-actuated position to the actuated position.

1 more element

A power tool comprising:

a body;
a regulator having a switch, the switch actuable between a non-operating position and an operating position;
a linkage adapted to be movably supported by the body between a first mode wherein the linkage is substantially at rest, a second mode wherein the linkage is adapted to be manipulated by the operator and a third mode wherein the linkage is adapted to maintain the switch of the regulator in an operating position, the linkage including:
a first portion adapted to be engaged by the operator for moving the linkage relative to the body,
a second portion adapted for maintaining the linkage in the first mode,
a third portion adapted for maintaining the linkage in the third mode, and
a fourth portion for slideably engaging the switch of the regulator, the fourth portion translatable along a generally perpendicular path with respect to the switch;
and
a locking member adapted to be moved by the operator relative to the body, the locking member movable between a first position substantially maintaining the linkage in the first mode and a second position substantially maintaining the linkage in the third mode, the locking member having:
a first part adapted to be engaged by the operator for moving the locking member relative to the body, and
a second part adapted to blockingly engage the second portion of the linkage in the first mode and to cooperatively engage the third portion of the linkage in the third mode.

8 more elements

A power tool comprising:

a body;
an regulator having a switch, the switch actuable between a non-operating position and an operating position;
a linkage adapted to be movably supported by the body between a first mode wherein the linkage is substantially at rest, a second mode wherein the linkage is adapted to be manipulated by the operator and a third mode wherein the linkage is adapted to maintain the switch of the regulator in an operating position, the linkage including:
a first portion adapted to be engaged by the operator for moving the linkage relative to the body,
a second portion adapted for maintaining the linkage in the first mode, a third portion adapted for maintaining the linkage in the third mode, and
a fourth portion for slideably engaging the switch of the regulator, the fourth portion translatable along a generally perpendicular path with respect to the switch, the fourth portion configured to allow movement of the linkage while maintaining the switch of the regulator in a substantially static operating position;
and
a locking member adapted to be moved by the operator relative to the body, the locking member movable between a first position substantially maintaining the linkage in the first mode and a second position substantially maintaining the linkage in the third mode, the locking member having:
a first part adapted to be engaged by the operator for moving the locking member relative to the body,
a second part adapted to blockingly engage the second portion of the linkage in the first mode and to cooperatively engage the third portion of the linkage in the third mode, and
a third part adapted to blockingly engage the third portion of the linkage in the first mode.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Actuation mechanism for a power tool

Life of this patent

Actuation mechanism for a power tool

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20