Cutlery – Combined cutlery or combined with ancillary feature – With material-holder or disposal
Reexamination Certificate
1997-06-04
2001-04-24
Rachuba, M. (Department: 3724)
Cutlery
Combined cutlery or combined with ancillary feature
With material-holder or disposal
C030S125000, C030S390000, C030S391000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219922
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to a nozzle assembly for a power tool and, more particularly, to a nozzle assembly for selectively directing the flow of dust generated by a power tool such as a circular saw.
There are number of power tools that generate dust when they are being used. For example, the cutting action of a circular saw generates saw dust from cutting wood or from stone cutting of marble or concrete. Similarly, the operation of a sander or router creates dust.
It has been found that equipping such power tools with a nozzle or other dust collection device is desirable to divert the dust away from the work area so that it will not interfere with the operation of the tool. Moreover, without a nozzle or the like, the dust from the power tool will typically travel in all directions and cover a substantial portion of the floor surface.
One attempt to overcome these well-known problems associated with dust-generating power tools was to utilize a two-piece or clamshell housing configuration for the power tool wherein a socket was formed in the housing so that a dust nozzle disposed in the socket would swivel. An example of this construction is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,598 to Berends et al. One drawback to this construction is that the nozzle must be disposed in the socket before the two pieces of the clamshell housing are joined together. Another problem with such a device is that a swiveling nozzle is likely to move during operation of the power tool and spread the dust in various directions.
Another approach to collecting dust from a power tool is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,562,396 to Schutz, which discloses a spout coupled with the housing by a thumb screw. The rotational movement of the spout is limited by a flange that extends for only a portion of the distance around the interior of the spout. Although the spout may be selectively rotated from one fixed position to another, the use of a thumb screw to secure the spout to the housing is cumbersome and inconvenient. The operator must simultaneously handle the tool and the spout while adjusting the thumb screw. Moreover, the use of a thumb screw increases the number of parts and complicates the design of the dust collection apparatus.
One other type of dust collector for a power tool is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,649 to Skinner. Skinner discloses a housing outlet that is connected to a vacuum source. Although the vacuum source is designed to remove dust from the work area, the use of a vacuum source is relatively expensive because it requires additional equipment.
Those skilled in the art would readily appreciate the problems noted above as well as other drawbacks to conventional devices for directing the flow of dust away from a power tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved nozzle assembly for a power tool that generates dust. The invention overcomes the problems and limitations set forth above by providing a cost effective assembly that permits selective rotational movement of the nozzle from one fixed position to another and eliminates the need for a clamshell housing. Furthermore, the invention provides a novel structure for coupling the nozzle with the power tool housing and a new structure for limiting the range of rotational movement of the nozzle relative to the housing.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a nozzle assembly for a power tool that may be conveniently transferred between an advanced position in which rotational movement of the nozzle relative to the housing is impeded and a retracted position in which rotational movement of the nozzle relative to the housing is unimpeded. A related object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle assembly wherein the nozzle is easily transferred between an advanced position and a retracted position so that the direction of dust flow out of the nozzle may be selectively adjusted.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a nozzle assembly wherein the housing outlet and the nozzle are tapered to permit a friction or press fit.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a nozzle assembly wherein the nozzle presents an arcuate channel along a portion of its outer circumference so that rotational movement of the nozzle relative to the housing is limited to a fraction of the possible rotational positions.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a nozzle assembly having an arcuate channel disposed along the circumference of the nozzle and a tab protruding from the housing and disposed within the channel to couple the nozzle with the housing.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle assembly having a flexible collar disposed intermediate the housing and the nozzle to reduce dust contamination.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a cost effective nozzle assembly wherein a dust canister may be coupled with the housing outlet in lieu of the nozzle. A related object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle assembly wherein a dust container may be coupled with the nozzle outlet.
These and other related objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the specification and drawings. To accomplish the objects of the present invention, a nozzle assembly is provided that includes a housing surrounding at least a portion of the power tool, an outlet section protruding from the housing and a conduit coupled with the outlet section to direct the flow of dust from the housing, wherein the conduit may be coupled with the outlet section in an advanced position in which rotational movement of the conduit is impeded and in a retracted position in which rotational movement of the conduit is unimpeded so that the direction of dust flow out of the conduit may be selectively adjusted. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nozzle assembly further includes an arcuate channel disposed along the circumference of the conduit and a tab protruding from the housing and disposed within the channel by clearing a detent in the conduit. The channel and tab cooperate to couple the conduit with the housing and permit selective rotational movement of the conduit relative to the housing. Preferably, the channel is disposed along only a portion of the outer circumference of the conduit to limit the movement of the tab and therefore limit the range of possible rotational positions of the conduit.
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Campbell David C.
Heslop Gale A.
Lentino Lynn E.
Black & Decker Inc.
Pryor Sean
Rachuba M.
Shook Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
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