Drive shaft lock

Details Drive shaft lock Drive shaft lock

2001-03-07

2002-12-03

Howell, Daniel W. (Department: 3722)

Cutting by use of rotating axially moving tool

Means to drive tool

C408S710000, C409S134000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06488451

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
This application relates generally to a locking mechanism for selectively preventing the rotation of a rotatable shaft. More particularly, this application relates to a locking mechanism for selectively preventing the rotation of a rotatable shaft within a rotary power tool, allowing for easier installation of accessories to the rotary tool.
Rotary tools are well known, and they are generally comprised of a motor coupled to at least one rotatable shaft, a tool holder or chuck coupled to the shaft, and a switch mechanism for selectively turning the motor on or off. In many rotary tools, a directional control is also coupled to the motor, in order to selectively control the direction in which the motor rotates the shaft. Drill bits or other attachments are received and secured by the chuck, enabling the rotary tool to be customized to perform a variety of different applications.
One problem common with a number of rotary tools involves securing drill bits or other attachments to the chuck. Typically, the chuck has a cavity in which the attachment is received and jaws surrounding the cavity to secure the attachment within the chuck. The jaws are positionable to secure or release an attachment by rotating the chuck about the shaft. However, since the shaft is typically freely rotatable when the drill is not activated, rotating the chuck about the shaft becomes quite difficult unless the shaft is locked in place while the chuck is rotated.
There are various mechanisms currently used to lock the shaft in place during tool attachment. A common mechanism for locking the shaft in place includes the use of a key which is attached to the chuck during the insertion or removal of an attachment. Disadvantages in these keyed chucks include the fact that the keys are easily lost or misplaced, and that they are often cumbersome to use. Some tools use a two-sleeve keyless chuck to insert or remove attachments to the rotary tool. Such keyless chucks often require the user to hold one sleeve to resist rotation of the shaft with one hand, while turning the chuck with the other. The two-sleeve keyless chuck has the disadvantage of needing two hands to operate. Also, the grip areas on each sleeve are typically small so that it is often difficult to generate sufficient torque to secure an attachment. Other rotary tools have complex mechanisms coupled to the trigger of the rotary tool, these mechanisms preventing the rotation of the shaft when the drill is not activated. Disadvantages in these devices may include a degradation of the drive motor due to the locking mechanism and the added expense of implementing the locking mechanism within the rotary tool.
While these and other methods may work for their intended purposes, significant improvement and innovation in a rotary tool design can still be achieved by the creation of a locking mechanism which is easy to activate and of simple design.
SUMMARY
Therefore, it is a general object of this application to provide a power tool with a locking mechanism which avoids the disadvantages of prior designs, while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
An important feature is the provision of a tool of the type set forth which is of simple construction and relatively economical to implement.
Another important feature is the provision of a rotary tool that avoids the accidental activation of the tool while the shaft is in the locking position.
Another important feature is the provision of a rotary power tool with a shaft locking mechanism which is easily activated.
A still further feature is the provision of a tool of the type set forth which minimizes the locking force required.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2119986 (1938-06-01), Dremel
patent: 2211216 (1940-08-01), Oster
patent: 2716555 (1955-08-01), Rowe
patent: 3021723 (1962-02-01), Happe
patent: 3703646 (1972-11-01), Jacyno
patent: 3872951 (1975-03-01), Hastings, Jr.
patent: 4317578 (1982-03-01), Welch
patent: 4358230 (1982-11-01), Rohlin
patent: 4400995 (1983-08-01), Palm
patent: 4428438 (1984-01-01), Holzer
patent: 4480733 (1984-11-01), Grimm et al.
patent: 4489525 (1984-12-01), Heck
patent: 4635502 (1987-01-01), George
patent: 4669932 (1987-06-01), Hartley
patent: 4754669 (1988-07-01), Verdier et al.
patent: 4804048 (1989-02-01), Porth, Jr.
patent: 4974475 (1990-12-01), Lord et al.
patent: 5191968 (1993-03-01), McCurry
patent: 5277527 (1994-01-01), Yokota et al.
patent: 5448931 (1995-09-01), Fossella et al.
patent: 5624013 (1997-04-01), Tsai
patent: 5732805 (1998-03-01), Nakamura
patent: 6056298 (2000-05-01), Williams

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Drive shaft lock does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Drive shaft lock, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Drive shaft lock will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2980809