Tool driving or impacting – Means to drive tool about an axis – Gear drive
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-25
2001-09-11
Vo, Peter (Department: 3721)
Tool driving or impacting
Means to drive tool about an axis
Gear drive
C007S158000, C173S029000, C173S170000, C173S217000, C030S500000, C310S050000, C408S020000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286611
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power tool and, in particular, to a power tool having a conventional body portion and provided with a plurality of interchangeable tool heads.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a result of considerable developments within the field of power tools and the increased demand of the DWY market, the number of different types of power tool available to the consumer has risen considerably in the past decade. In particular even the most reluctant of DIY enthusiasts will own a power drill and jigsaw, whilst their more enthusiastic counterparts will also require electric sanders, power files, nibblers and other specialised power tools having dedicated purpose. Whilst this considerable array of power tools is often found to be useful, owning such a large number is both expensive and requires a considerable amount of storage space. In addition, having one specialised tool to perform each job often results in significant under-utilage of such a tool which are, generally, all operated by similar motors. Still further, many of todays power tools are “cordless”, being battery powered by rechargeable batteries, often requiring the user to change the battery pack when changing dedicated tools, or have several ready-charged batteries available for different tools. These current solutions are cumbersome or expensive respectively.
Attempts have been made to improve utilage of such power tools and to provide solutions to the above problems by the inclusion of attachments for a conventional drill, whereby the drill chuck is used to engage a drive mechanism of a reciprocating saw blade, an example of which is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 1,808,228. Another example of a multi functional tool shown in German Gebrauchsmuster 9010138 which shows a conventional drill body having a plurality of drill heads which operate at different speeds dependent on the gear reduction mechanism incorporated in those heads. However, the drawbacks of systems of this type is that where a drill chuck is used to operate a drive mechanism for a reciprocating saw, considerable energy is lost in the conversion mechanism of firstly driving a drill chuck which then drives the saw mechanism. Alternatively, where the tool incorporates interchangeable drill heads the variety of functions are somewhat limited to altering the speed of drilling.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a power tool system which alleviates the aforementioned problems and allows for maximum utilage of that power tool.
According to the present invention there is provided a power tool system comprising a tool body having a motor with a rotary output and a plurality of interchangeable tool heads each for releasable connection with the body so as to engage with the motor output, characterised in that connection of one of the tool heads of the plurality to the body will provide a power tool having one of a pre-determined number of output speeds, and one of a rotary or non rotary output; and that interchanging said one tool head with another tool head of the plurality will provide a power tool having one or another of said pre-determined number of output speeds and the other of a rotary or non rotary output. This allows a single speed motor output to be converted to a plurality of working functions including rotary and non rotary outputs having one or more pre-determined number of speeds. Thus the system will incorporate at least one tool head having a conventional rotary output, such as a drill chuck, and at least an alternative tool head having a linear reciprocating output such as a reciprocating saw output or other linear motion output.
Preferably at least one of the tool heads of plurality will comprise a gear reduction mechanism for reducing the rotary output speed of the motor and wherein different tool heads will comprise different gear reduction mechanisms to produce the desired tool output speed for that particular function. For example a conventional drill chuck tool head will require the rotary output speed of the motor to be considerably reduced from approximately 15,000 rpm to approximately 500 rpm whereas a reciprocating saw will require an oscillating speed of approximately 3,000 cycles per minute.
Preferably the system will comprise a releasable locking mechanism engageable between the tool body and each of the tool heads of the plurality to restrain such tool heads from relative displacement to the body. Usually the system will further comprise an orientation mechanism comprising a first orientation means disposed on the tool body for co-operation with a second orientation means on each of the tool heads of the plurality when connected to said to provide for correct orientation of the tool head in a pre-determined orientation relative to the body, to provide the preferable ergonomic design of the tool once the tool head is connected to the body. For example, a reciprocating saw head will have the blade teeth disposed in the correct orientation relative to a handle of the tool body to allow for correct usage. The orientation mechanism is further utilised to restrain the tool head from rotation relative to the tool body, when the tool body is connected thereto.
Preferably, the plurality of tool heads will comprise at least one of a drill chuck and a high speed rotary tool and at least one of a reciprocating saw, a detail sander and a nibbler. This provides a system having at least one rotary output tool head and at least one non rotary output tool head.
It is preferred that the motor output will have a first engagement means for cooperation with a second engagement means disposed in each of the tool heads of the plurality, wherein each second engagement means is connected to the drive mechanism. Usually, one of the first and second engagement means will comprise a male cog and the other of said first and second engagement means will comprise a female cog to receive said male cog therein.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the tool body incorporate a lock off mechanism to disable a power activation switch when none of the tool heads of plurality are connected to the body, and each of the tool heads of plurality comprising actuating means to engage and deactivate this lock off mechanism when each tool head of the plurality is connected to the body. Thus when the tool head is not connected to the body, the motor cannot be accidentally switched on which protects both the user and the motor output from accidental damage. Preferably, at least one of the tool heads of the plurality will comprise such actuating means which will automatically deactivate the lock off switch when each tool head is connected to the tool body. Alternatively, the actuating means may be manually operable to deactivate the lock off mechanism if so required (such as for a saw head). Usually this lock off mechanism will comprise a pivotable member having one end biased into engagement with the power activation switch, with its opposed end having a cam engaging surface for engagement with a cam surface on each of the tool heads of the plurality, whereby the cam surface engages the cam engaging surface so as to pivot the pivotable member out of engagement with the switch.
It is preferable that this power tool system will have a power source provided by a replaceable battery system within the tool body. Such batteries will usually be rechargeable. This provides for the ease of use of the tool system.
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Black & Decker Inc.
Calve Jim
Leary Michael P.
Shapiro Bruce S.
Vo Peter
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