Slide switch for a power tool

A power tool comprising:

• a housing defining a longitudinal axis;
• a variable speed motor supported by the housing;
• a drive member coupled to the motor and defining an axis of rotation that is aligned with the longitudinal axis, the drive member including a tool holder located exterior to the housing;
• a variable speed signal generator that generates a variable speed control signal indicating an operating speed for the motor, the operating speed being dependent upon a value of a variable speed selection signal;
• a power circuit that electrically connects the variable speed motor to a power source;
• a slide switch attached to the housing, the slide switch including i) a slide potentiometer that outputs the variable speed selection signal, and ii) an actuator configured to slide between a first position and a second position in relation to the slide potentiometer, the variable speed selection signal having a value that varies corresponding to a position of the actuator in relation to the slide potentiometer;
• wherein the slide switch includes an ON/OFF contact and an ON/OFF lever arm that is movable into and out of contact with the ON/OFF contact, the ON/OFF contact and the ON/OFF lever arm being electrically connected to the power circuit such that the power circuit is closed when the ON/OFF lever arm is positioned in contact with the ON/OFF contact and the power circuit is opened when the ON/OFF lever arm is spaced apart from the ON/OFF contact,
• wherein, when the actuator is located at the first position, the actuator prevents the ON/OFF lever arm from contacting the ON/OFF contact,
• wherein, when the actuator is away from the first position, the ON/OFF lever arm is positioned in contact with the ON/OFF contact,
• wherein the slide potentiometer is supported by a switch body, the actuator being slidably supported by the switch body, and wherein the switch body defines a linear path of movement for the actuator, the slide switch being attached to the housing with the linear path of movement aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing,
• wherein the ON/OFF lever arm includes an attachment end portion and a free end portion, the attachment end portion being attached to the switch body, the free end portion being positioned for movement into and out of contact with the ON/OFF contact,
• wherein the ON/OFF lever arm comprises a spring that biases the free end portion of the ON/OFF lever arm toward the ON/OFF contact, and
• wherein the ON/OFF lever arm extends into the path of movement of the actuator at a position to be contacted by the actuator when the actuator approaches the first position.

A rotary power tool comprising:

• a housing defining a longitudinal axis;
• a drive member defining an axis of rotation aligned with the longitudinal axis;
• a variable speed motor coupled to the drive member;
• a power circuit for electrically coupling the variable speed motor to a power source;
• and
• a slide switch including a switch body, a slide potentiometer attached to the switch body, an actuator slidably supported by the switch body, a lever arm pivotably attached to the switch body, and an ON/OFF contact attached to the switch body, the lever arm and the ON/OFF contact being electrically connected to the power circuit;
• wherein the switch body defines a linear path of movement for the actuator that is aligned with the longitudinal axis,
• wherein the slide potentiometer outputs a variable speed selection signal that indicates an operating speed for the variable speed motor, the variable speed selection signal having a value that is dependent upon a position of the actuator with respect to the slide potentiometer,
• wherein the lever arm is biased into contact with the ON/OFF contact to close the power circuit,
• wherein the actuator deflects the lever arm away from the ON/OFF contact when the actuator is in an OFF position in relation to the switch body, and
• wherein the ON/OFF contact serves as a first stop for the actuator that prevents movement of the actuator beyond a first position in a rearward direction, and wherein the ON/OFF lever arm serves as a second stop for the actuator that prevents movement of the actuator beyond a second position in a forward direction.

A slide switch for a power tool, comprising:

• a switch body that includes a leading edge and a trailing edge;
• an actuator configured to slide along the switch body along a longitudinal axis extending from the leading edge of the switching body to the trailing edge of the switching body;
• a forward stop proximate to the leading edge and a rearward stop proximate to the trailing edge that are configured to limit motion of the actuator along the longitudinal axis;
• a slide potentiometer mounted on the switch body along the longitudinal axis, and extending along the longitudinal axis from the forward stop to a location between the forward stop and the rearward stop, the slide potentiometer configured to generate a variable speed control signal for controlling the operating speed of a variable speed motor of the power tool, the control signal corresponding to a position of the actuator in relation to the slide potentiometer;
• an ON/OFF contact positioned on the switch body proximate to the trailing edge;
• and
• an ON/OFF lever pivotably connected to the switch body so as to be moveable into and out of contact with the ON/OFF contact, wherein:
• the ON/OFF lever is configured to close a circuit between the motor of the power tool and a power source to enable operation of the power tool by coming into contact with the ON/OFF contact, such that the circuit is opened when the ON/OFF lever is spaced away from the ON/OFF contact;
• the ON/OFF lever is biased towards the ON/OFF contact;
• and
• the actuator is configured to deflect the ON/OFF lever away from the ON/OFF contact as the actuator moves beyond the slide potentiometer in the direction towards the trailing edge of the switch body.