Tool driving or impacting – Drive control operable by hand engaging manipulating handle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-16
2001-07-24
Smith, Scott (Department: 3721)
Tool driving or impacting
Drive control operable by hand engaging manipulating handle
C173S029000, C030S122000, C030S392000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263979
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to power tools. In particular, the present invention is directed to a power tool having a system of detachable and interchangeable implements. The term “power tool” includes hand-held power tools such as hedge trimmers and chain saws, as well as mechanisms which are not hand-held but whose operation is controlled by the hands of a user, e.g., lawn mowers and grinders.
2. Description of Related Art
In order to perform a desired task using a power tool, it is important to select a power tool that has the proper configuration and capacity for accomplishing the task efficiently and safely. The size and shape of the working tool, the speed and power of the driving mechanism, as well as the comfort and safety of the user must always be considered.
Conventionally, a user selects the appropriate tool from a collection of similar devices each having different characteristics. For example, in order to select an appropriate hand-held, powered hedge trimmer, the user must make a number of choices: whether to use a single or a double edge cutting blade, the length of the cutting blade, the shape of the cutting teeth, whether driving power should come from an electric motor or an internal combustion engine, the amount of power and speed required for driving the cutting blade, etc. Given all the permutations of these characteristics, a large collection of variously configured hedge trimmers would be required. Generally, the cost of purchasing, maintaining and storing such a large collection of hedge trimmers is prohibitive.
It is much more common for a user to own a single hedge trimmer that is used in every situation, regardless of how well suited the hedge trimmer is to that particular situation. Under these circumstances, the efficiency and/or adequacy of the tool is often insufficient.
It is also conventional for a power tool to be of fixed configuration. Specifically, it is common for each tool to have a single relative arrangement of the handle, power source and working tool. One disadvantage of such a fixed arrangement is that the user is not able to adjust the power tool for safe and comfortable operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages of conventional power tools.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a power tool that may be readily selectively configured by the user for optimum efficiency, as well as ease and safety of operation.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for mating a driving source with a detachable working implement selected from a range of interchangeable tools.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mating arrangement for connecting a driving source with a detachable working implement that does not require additional tools to make the connection.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for interchangeably supporting a working implement with respect to a driving source, and for transferring power from the driving source to the working implement.
The objects of the present invention are achieved by means of an attachment system for connecting a driven implement to a driving source including a power take-off accessible with respect to a main body. The attachment system comprises a housing adapted for supporting the driven implement and for matingly engaging the main body; a drive transfer adapted for matingly connecting the power take-off to the driven implement; and an implement mount adapted for supporting the driven implement for movement with respect to the housing.
The objects of the present invention are also achieved by means of a hand held power tool having at least one interchangeable implement. The power tool comprises a generally hollow main body having an exterior surface; a bale handle connected to the main body and adapted for gripping by the hand, the bale handle being pivotally mounted with respect to the exterior surface; a driving source being supported inside the main body and adapted for outputting mechanical energy; a power take-off transferring the mechanical energy outside the main body; a housing matingly engaging the main body in a first position, the housing adapted for supporting the implement; and a drive transfer operatively connecting the power take-off to the implement. The housing is detachably separable from the main body.
The objects of the present invention are further achieved by means of a power tool system for trimming hedges. The power tool system comprises a main body at least partially enclosing a driving source; a first housing adapted for mating engagement with respect to the main body, the first housing including a first set of relatively reciprocating blades adapted for being operatively driven by the driving source; and a second housing adapted for mating engagement with respect to the main body, the second housing including a second set of relatively reciprocating blades adapted for being operatively driven by the driving source. The first and second housings are interchangeably connectable with respect to the main body.
The objects of the present invention are yet further achieved by means of a latch arrangement for securing a housing with respect to a main body. The latch arrangement comprises at least one arm adapted for pivotal movement with respect to the main body about a pivot axis; a grip adapted for grasping to pivot the at least one arm, the grip being fixed to the at least one arm; and a cam surface on each of the at least one arm, the cam surface being adapted for biasing the housing toward the main body. The at least one arm is elastically deformed by engagement between the cam surface on each of the at least one arm and the housing.
The objects of the present invention are additionally achieved by means of a handle adjustment system. The handle adjustment system comprises a main body having an exterior surface; and a bale handle connected to the main body and adapted for gripping by the hand, the bale handle being pivotally mounted with respect to the exterior surface. A first one of the exterior surface and the bale handle includes at least one projection engaging at least one recess formed in a second one of the exterior surface and the bale handle, whereby cooperative engagement between one of the at least one projection and one of the at least one recess define a detent adapted for maintaining the bale handle at a pivotal position with respect to the main body.
The objects of the present invention are yet additionally achieved by means of an interchangeable implement for connecting to a driving source including a power take-off accessible with respect to a main body. The interchangeable implement comprises a housing adapted for supporting a driven implement and adapted for matingly engaging the main body; two female members being formed in the housing and adapted to matingly receive a corresponding male member extending from the main body, each of the female members having a mating diameter in a range of 4 to 8 millimeters and being spaced apart a center-to-center distance in a range of 50 to 70 millimeters; and two projections extending from opposite sides of the housing, each of the two projections supporting a respective roller extending at least 2 millimeters from a respective one of the opposite sides to an enlarged shoulder, and a shoulder-to-shoulder measure between the enlarged shoulders being in a range of 80 to 110 millimeters.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 30680 (1981-07-01), Kress et al.
patent: 2621689 (1952-12-01), Fordon
pa
Dyke Colin
Edleblute Calvin
Lessig William
Meloni Robert
Vantran John
Foley & Lardner
Smith Scott
The Black & Decker Corporation
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