Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Handle – handle component – or handle adjunct – Handle with ergonomic structure enhancements such as...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-16
2001-07-31
Mah, Chuck Y. (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Handle, handle component, or handle adjunct
Handle with ergonomic structure enhancements such as...
C016S900000, C409S182000, C144S136950, C403S097000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266850
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to tools, and more particularly to tools hand-held by a user, such as waxer-buffers, that may be made more ergonomically correct.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hand-held tools have been in use for a long time. It is common to use a router or an orbital sander on a flat plane which is parallel to the floor of a work area. Typically, if a board needs to be sanded or routed, the board is laid flat on a table, two saw horses, or the like, and the tool is used on the board. It is also common to use tools such as a waxer-buffer on relatively flat planar surfaces like the hood of an automobile. This type of tool requires substantially complete surface-to-surface contact between the working surface of the tool and the to-be-worked surface. For example, when using a waxer-buffer or an orbital sander, it is undesirable for there to be any appreciable angle between the two surfaces; if only the edges of the tool contact the surface, the resulting waxing, buffing, or sanding is uneven, and the to-be-worked surface could be damaged. Thus, it is convenient to be able to lay a to-be-worked surface flat on a table so that complete surface-to-surface contact may be made and maintained.
However, it is common to be in a situation where it is impossible to lay the to-be-worked surface down flat on a table. For example, the side doors of an automobile or the hull of a boat cannot be moved or re-oriented in any fashion. Similarly, if a wall of a room requires sanding or the like, it, too, cannot be re-oriented. One must orient the tool to contact such a surface completely and properly. When one re-orients a hand-held tool, the handles of the tool are typically oriented at an uncomfortable or inconvenient angle, because the handles are typically fixed with respect to the rest of the tool. Consequently, it is often difficult to hold a hand-held tool at an angle for any length of time. As a result, one is more likely to drop a hand-held tool in such an orientation, resulting in damage to the tool and the to-be-worked surface and risk of injury to the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a new handle or grip mechanism for a hand-held tool with which it is easier to maintain full surface-to-surface contact between the tool and the to-be-worked surface.
It is another object of the invention to provide a new handle or grip mechanism for a hand-held tool that is ergonomically correct and that will allow for the ergonomically correct use of the tool.
It is another object of the invention to provide a new handle or grip mechanism for a hand-held tool that is more comfortable to use.
It is another object of the invention to provide an adjustable handle or grip mechanism for a power tool.
It is another object of the invention to provide a hand-held tool that is ergonomically correct and that will allow for the ergonomically correct use of the tool.
It is another object of the invention to provide a hand-held tool having an adjustable handle or grip mechanism.
It is another object of the invention to provide an adjustable handle or grip mechanism for a hand-held tool to enable the tool to be used easily on surfaces that are not parallel with the floor.
The above and other objects are fulfilled by the invention, which is a holding or gripping mechanism for a hand-held tool. The invention also includes a hand-held tool having this adjustable holding or gripping mechanism. The invention includes a handle moveable from a locked position to an unlocked position and a clutch mechanism engageable with the handle when the handle is in the locked position. The clutch mechanism prevents the handle from being repositioned when the handle is in the locked position and allows the handle to be repositioned relative to the tool when the handle is in the unlocked position.
In a preferred embodiment, the clutch mechanism includes a socket formed through the housing of the tool, and a shaft, rotatably disposed through the socket. A cog may be provided on a first end of the shaft selectively engageable with the socket. Alternatively, the first end of the shaft in the socket may itself be provided with teeth and act like a cog to make the shaft selectively engageable with teeth in the socket. When the shaft is in a first axial locked position, the cog (or shaft teeth) engages the socket and the shaft may not be rotated, and when the shaft is in a second position, the cog does not engage the socket and the shaft may be freely rotated within the socket. Alternatively, friction plates may be employed instead of the cog and teeth embodiment described above. A spring is provided in contact with the shaft, biasing the shaft axially into one of the first and second axial positions, preferably into the first locked position.
In the first position, the shaft is locked into one of a number of rotational positions with respect to the housing; in the second position, the rotational position of the shaft may be changed. In this way, the angle of the handle with respect to the tool may be altered for safety and convenience. Thus, if the user must sand or wax a boat hull, for example, he may push the handles of the tool from the first locked position to the second unlocked position wherein they are free to rotate with respect to the tool. The user then rotates the handles into a comfortable position and releases the handles. The spring-biased handles return to the first locked position axially, however their rotational positions have been altered to a more comfortable position. In the cog and teeth embodiment, the handle may be moved into a number of discrete positions. In the friction plate embodiment, the handle may be moved through a continuous range of positions.
Preferably, in either embodiment, the two mating elements are tapered and disposed in an at least partially nested configuration. In such an arrangement, the elements may be more easily disengaged from each other without requiring the inner element to be moved completely out of the confines of the outer element.
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Perry Marco
Williams Kevin
Interdynamics Inc.
Levisohn, Lerner, Berger & Langsam
Mah Chuck Y.
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