Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Machine
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-28
2001-11-27
Meislin, D. S. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Machine
C081S185200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321622
ABSTRACT:
This application claims priority on Japanese Patent Application No. 10-275705 filed on Sep. 29, 1998 and Japanese Patent Application No. 11-62241 filed on Mar. 9, 1999, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electric power tools. More particularly. the present invention relates to a structure for attaching a suspending device, such a hook, to an electric power tool.
Electric power tools are often provided with a suspending hook or similar device so as to allow operators to hang the tools up on walls when they are not used. If such hooks cannot be retracted into the bodies of the tools, the hooks tend to get in the way of operators as they protrude from the tools, whereas the hooks may be lost or misplaced if they are removably provided in the tools. For this reason, a suspending hook can be preferably stored within the housing of an electric power tool when it is not used and also be pulled out for use. Japan Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 51-87791 discloses one such retractable suspending hook for use in an electric power tool in which a slit for accommodating the suspending device (hook) is formed in the housing of the tool. The hook is rotatably supported by a pin in the slit. Japan Published Examined Patent Application No. 61-1602 discloses a flush light which includes a retractable suspending device (metal plate) slidably accommodated in a recess formed in the housing and a fixing element (screw) for securing the suspending device at two predetermined positions, one for hooking the light for example, on a wall, and the other for retracting the metal plate flush with the housing. As each of the suspending devices includes a pin or a screw as well as the device itself, this configuration contributes to an overall increase in cost of the tool and time for assembly. In the arrangement disclosed in the former application, due to the manner in which the hook is connected to the tool with a pin, the tool tends to be unstably and unsteadily suspended on the hook. In the arrangement disclosed in the latter application, although the tool can be stably suspended, the fixing element must be operated every time the suspending device is retracted or drawn out, thus reducing the operability of the tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above-identified problems an important object of the present invention is to provide a structure for attaching, a suspending device to an electric power tool without requiring a separate component.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure for attaching a suspending device to an electric power tool that realizes stable suspension of the tool. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a structure for attaching a suspending device to an electric power tool that allows the suspending device to be easy accommodated in and drawn out of the tool.
The above objects and other related objects arc realized by the invention, which provides a structure for attaching a suspending device to a housing of an electric power tool, with the suspending device including a base portion and an extending portion connected to the base portion. The structure includes: an accommodating portion provided in the housing for accommodating the suspending device; retaining, means provided for the base portion, the retaining means being movable within the accommodating portion and preventing the base portion from slipping out of the accommodating portion, wherein the base portion is connected to the accommodating portion so as to permit the base portion to project out of, and retract into, the accommodating portion, support means provided adjacent the accommodating portion for supporting the retaining means when the base portion is projected out of the accommodating portion, wherein the suspending device is accommodated in the accommodating portion when the base portion is retracted into the accommodating portion and the suspending device is drawn out of accommodating portion when the base portion projects out of the accommodating portion.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the structure further includes guide means provided on the accommodating portion for guiding the base portion to the support means.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the accommodating portion is a recess which is provided in the housing and includes a first groove for accommodating the extending portion and a second groove for accommodating the base portion.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention the suspending device has a generally L-shaped cross section taken along an longitudinal axis thereof, with the vertical stroke of the L corresponds to the extending portion and the horizontal stroke of the L corresponds to the base portion. Furthermore, the suspending device is accommodated in the electric power tool flush with the housing when the base portion is in the accommodating portion.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the electric power tool further includes a tool bit attached to a front end thereof the tool bit having an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the suspending device. In addition, the support means is located on a rear end of the electric power tool such that the tool bit, the extending portion, the base portion, and the support means are disposed in that order along the longitudinal axis when the suspending device is accommodated in the accommodating portion, and the base portion travels over the support means when the suspending device is drawn out of the accommodating portion.
In one aspect, the guide means provided on the accommodating portion includes at least one rear inclined surface provided on a wall of the second groove adjacent the support means, the at least one rear inclined surface connecting the second groove and the support means such that the base portion abuts and slides on the at least one rear inclined surface when moved to the support means.
In another aspect, the guide means further includes at least one front inclined surface provided on a wall of the second groove adjacent the first groove for facilitating the movement of the base portion to the support means.
In still another aspect, the base portion has at least one first vertical plate member each having a free end to which the retaining means is attached within the housing and at least one vertical second plate member. Moreover, the support means is provided with an outer surface area of the housing; at least one slot provided in the housing for receiving the at least one first plate member when the base portion is projected out of the accommodating portion; and an undersurface of the second plate member which abuts the outer surface area of the housing when the base portion is projected out of the accommodating portion. Additionally, the first plate member, the second plate member, and the slot are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis such that the first plate member enters the slot when the base portion is moved to the support means.
To carry out the invention in one preferred mode, the retaining means includes a flange extending from the free end of the at least one first plate member, the flange having a width greater than that of the slot, such that the retaining member, attached to the at least one first plate member inside the housing, prevents the base portion from slipping out of the housing.
In one embodiment, the structure further includes engaging means provided between the suspending device and the accommodating portion for securing the suspending device to the accommodating portion when the suspending device is in the accommodating portion.
In another embodiment, the engaging means includes at least one recess provided in the accommodating portion and further includes at least one protrusion provided on the suspending device for engaging the recess when the suspending device is in the accommodating portion.
In one practice, the engaging, means includes at least one groove
Tsuge Kazunori
Ukai Tomohiro
Yamada Yukihiko
Foley Hoag & Eliot LLP
Makita Corporation
Meislin D. S.
LandOfFree
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