|Publication number||US7108593 B2|
|Application number||US 10/979,718|
|Publication date||Sep 19, 2006|
|Filing date||Nov 2, 2004|
|Priority date||Nov 3, 2003|
|Also published as||US20050153637|
|Publication number||10979718, 979718, US 7108593 B2, US 7108593B2, US-B2-7108593, US7108593 B2, US7108593B2|
|Inventors||John Clayton Janson|
|Original Assignee||Wmh Tool Group, Inc.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (39), Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (8), Classifications (16), Legal Events (4)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/517,321, filed Nov. 3, 2003, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
This invention relates generally to a power tool adjustable handle assembly and, more particularly, to an electrically-powered polisher capable of rotating a pad to polish a workpiece.
The tool industry offers a variety of power tools for performing work on various types of workpieces. These power tools, however, have a variety of shortcomings from both the consumer and the operator's perspective. From the consumer's perspective, one common shortcoming is that power tools do not offer a variety of effective positions with which an operator may grasp the power tool. For example, many power tools have stationary handles with which the operator is to grasp the power tool (e.g., one forward handle and one rearward handle, two side handles, etc.). Although the stationary handle configuration may make it comfortable to operate the tool in a particular position or to perform a specific task, it may also make it uncomfortable to operate the tool in another position or to perform a different task. Thus, by limiting the operator in this way, the power tool may become less comfortable to work with and more difficult to use for extended periods of operation.
Another consumer shortcoming is that current power tool configurations can force the operator to hold and actuate the power tool in a specific manner or with a specific hand arrangement, rather than provide the operator with the freedom to hold and actuate the tool as desired. For example, as mentioned above, some power tools may require the operator to hold a forward handle with one hand and a rearward handle with another. This configuration may force the operator to operate the power tool using a hand arrangement he or she does not feel comfortable using, or may force the operator to hold the tool in an uncomfortable manner so that the operator can operate the power tool with a hand arrangement that feels most comfortable.
Yet another consumer shortcoming is that existing power tools do not offer handles with enhanced gripping surfaces for an operator to use to grip the tool. For example, many power tools, such as polishers, are used outdoors in hot climates where operation of the tool often causes the operator to sweat, and possibly even involve operation of the tool in damp environments, such as, for example, near a recently washed vehicle. This often results in the operator having a difficult time in gripping and/or controlling the power tool due to a lack of enhanced gripping surfaces.
From a manufacturer's perspective, a common shortcoming with current power tools is that they are difficult to pack and ship from one location to another. For example, many tools have stationary handles that increase the size of the product and its packaging. This may result in a reduction of the number of units that can be shipped at one time which, in turn, can increase the cost of a tool due to the added costs associated with multiple shipments.
Thus, there is a need for a power tool adjustable handle assembly offering a variety of effective positions with which an operator may grasp the power tool, thereby providing freedom to hold and actuate the tool as desired, and providing a power tool which is easy to pack and ship.
In a preferred embodiment, the housing 22 and handles 24 and 26 of tool 20 have clamshell designs with a first clamshell member 20 c and a second clamshell member 20 d which, when connected to each other, define a parting line 20 e which extends in the vertical reference plane about which the tool 20 is generally symmetrical, as shown in
As illustrated in
The upper portion 22 c of housing 22 defines an opening through which a pad may extend to provide a resilient surface for resting the tool 20 on while not in use and/or while performing work on the work element 28 (e.g., replacing or interchanging bonnets, applying polish to the pad 28, etc.). In the embodiment illustrated in
As mentioned above, and illustrated in
The motor 32 is secured into position and/or aligned by ribs 34 which extend from the inner surface of at least one of the housing portions 22 a–f. In the embodiment illustrated, ribs 34 a, b, c and d of left clam shell member 20 c (
A fan 32 g is positioned on, and driven by, the motor shaft 32 a in order to circulate air through, and cool, the motor 32. The housing 22 defines vents to assist in the circulation of air through the tool 20. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in
As illustrated in
Extending downward below the housing 22 is an arcuate shield or skirt member 40, which forms an annular wall about the exposed end of the motor shaft 32 a and at least a portion of counterweight 38. The shield 40 is connected to the lower portion 22 d of housing 22 and, in a preferred embodiment, is made integral therewith.
As further illustrated in
The pad support 44 has a generally planar disc portion 44 a supporting a circular hub portion 44 b extending upward from the center of the disc and an annular wall 44 c extending upward from the disc portion 44 a intermediate the edge of the disc portion 44 a and hub portion 44 b. A plurality of gusset members extend along the sides of the hub portion 44 b down to the disc portion 44 a (see
The hub portion 44 b of pad support 44 defines a hollow center region that houses bearings 46 a–b and spacer 48. The bolt 42 extends through the central openings in the bearings 46 a–b and the spacer 48 and is threaded into the second bore 38 b of the counterweight 38. The first pad 28 a, the second pad 28 b and the third pad 28 c also have central openings or passageways through which the bolt 42 passes in order to be threaded into the counterweight 38. The end of bolt 42 includes an enlarged head to secure the pad support 44, bearings 46 a–b and spacer 48, to the tool 20. During operation, the pad assembly 28 will orbitally rotate about the z-axis of the tool (defined by the longitudinal axis of output shaft 32 a) when the motor 32 drives the shaft 32 a and the counterweight 38.
For maintenance purposes, at least one small opening or notch 44 d may be defined by the annular wall 44 c of the pad support 44 so that a hand tool or other instrument can be inserted into the interior region between the pad support 44 and the skirt member 40 to prevent the counterweight 38 from rotating while the bolt 42 is being unscrewed and removed from the counterweight 38. This enables the pad assembly 28 to be removed from the tool 20 for access to the counterweight 38 and other internal components (e.g., the motor shaft 32 a, bearing 46 a, etc.). Such access may be required to repair or replace parts, including the counterweight 38 and pad assembly 28 or those parts internal thereto.
The counterweight 38 includes a first horizontal portion 38 c, which defines bores 38 a and 38 b of the counterweight 38. More particularly, the first horizontal portion 38 c is generally rectangular in shape and cross-section and has bores 38 a–b disposed therein between first and second ends of the structure. The first bore 38 a is internally threaded for receiving the motor output shaft 32 a and has a sleeve or collar extending upward from the top surface of the horizontal portion 38 c in order to increase the length of the bore 38 a. The second bore 38 b is internally threaded for receiving the bolt 42 connecting the pad assembly 28 to the tool 20 and has a sleeve or collar extending downward from the bottom surface of the horizontal portion 38 c in order to increase the length of the bore 38 b. The lengthened bores 38 a and 38 b increase the amount of the shaft 32 a and bolt 42 disposed therein, which subsequently strengthens the mechanical connection made between the counterweight 38 and shaft 32 a and between counterweight 38 and bolt 42.
A second horizontal portion 38 e is connected to the first horizontal portion 38 c via a generally vertical interconnecting portion 38 d. More particularly, the interconnecting portion 38 d connects the second horizontal portion 38 e such that it is generally parallel to the first horizontal portion 38 c. Collectively, the connecting portion 38 d and second horizontal portion 38 e form a generally L-shaped structure. A second generally vertical portion 38 f extends from the first horizontal portion 38 c on the side opposite the interconnecting member 38 d. Thus, the first and second end members 38 g and 38 h are located on opposite sides of the counterweight 38. The second end member 38 h is generally rectangular in shape and is generally centered off of the end of the first horizontal portion 38 c.
As illustrated in
The side members 24 a–b of handle 24 have rounded end portions which are connected to the housing 22 in a manner that allows the handle to be moved with respect to the housing. In the form illustrated, the rounded end portions of side members 24 a–b are connected to the housing in a tongue-and-groove configuration which allows the handle 24 to be pivoted from a first position wherein the handle is folded down adjacent the pad 28 or rear housing portion 22 b to a position generally perpendicular to the z-axis of the power tool 20. More particularly, the rounded end portions of side member 24 a–b have projecting members, such as walls 24 e–f, which are inserted into guides, such as channels 22 h–I. When assembled, the walls 24 e–f prevent the handle 24 from pulling out of the housing 22, while the channels 22 h–I allow the handle 24 to be rotated with respect to the housing 22. In the embodiment illustrated, the walls 24 e–f extend about a majority of the rounded end portions perimeter and the recesses or channels 22 h–I extend around a 360 radius to form a ring into which the walls 24 e–f are inserted.
The handle assembly further includes an actuator, such as pushbutton 25, which is located generally adjacent the handle 24 and is operable to release a braking or locking mechanism so that the handle 24 may be adjusted into another position. In the embodiment illustrated, pushbutton 25 has first and second ends 25 a–b, respectively, and is generally cylindrical in shape. The pushbutton 25 also has an annular wall 25 c extending about a portion thereof. The annular wall 25 c limits the amount the pushbutton 25 can travel both into and out of the opening 22 k located in housing 22. More particularly, the annular wall 25 c engages the inner surface of clam shell housing portion 20 c to prevent the pushbutton 25 from being fully removed from the housing 22 through opening 22 k. The annular wall 25 c will also engage the outer surface of handle portion 24 a to prevent the pushbutton 25 from being inserted further into the opening 22 k.
As illustrated in
The opposite end 25 b of pushbutton 25 passes through large central openings defined by the rounded ends of handle portions 24 a–b and into a braking or locking mechanism to cause the mechanism to disengage the handle so that it may be moved with respect to housing 22. More particularly, in the embodiment illustrated, pushbutton end 25 b contacts and drives a lock member, such as locking plate or body 27, when the pushbutton 25 is depressed into opening 22 k. In one form, body 27 includes a cylindrical disc having first and second sides 27 a–b, respectively. The first side 27 a of body 27 includes a pair of projections, such as post members 27 c–d, extending from opposite ends thereof and has a cylindrical member 27 e extending from its center.
The second side 27 b of body 27 includes a cup-like recess 27 f located in the middle thereof. More particularly, the cylindrical member 27 e extending from first side 27 a forms the bottom and part of the side walls of the cup-like recess 27 f located in second side 27 b. A resilient member, such as spring 29, has one end inserted into recess 27 f and its other end inserted into a second cup-like recess 22 m located in the inner surface of the clam shell housing portion 20 d. When the tool is assembled, the spring 29 is compressed between the bottoms of the cup-like recesses 27 f and 22 m and biases the locking plate 27 away from clam shell housing portion 20 d and towards the right side 24 b of handle 24. If the post members 27 c–d are aligned with any of the plurality of openings 22 n located in the inner surface of clam shell housing portion 20 c, a positive lock position has been reached and the spring 29 will urge the plate 27 and post members 27 c–d into the openings 22 n thereby locking the handle 24 into position. When the locking plate 27 is generally flush with the right handle portion 24 b, the cylindrical member 27 e extending from the first side 27 a of locking plate 27 extends into the large opening defined by the right handle portion 24 b and post members 27 c–d extend through the small openings defined by the handle portions 24 a–b and into the openings 22 n defined by clam shell housing portion 20 c.
In the embodiment illustrated, the eight openings 20 n form four positive locking positions in which the handle 24 can be positioned in. It should be understood, however, that more or less openings 20 n may be provided in order to offer the desired number of handle positions. For example, if the tool handle is desired to have three handle positions, six openings 22 n may be provided. Alternatively, if the tool handle is desired to have five handle positions, ten openings may be provided. It should also be understood that in alternate embodiments, locking plate 27 may be provided with only one post member, rather than the two post members 27 c–d illustrated. In the form illustrated in
The handle assembly may also be configured to allow the handle 24 to be freely movable over a predetermined range of motion without the need to actuate the pushbutton 25. More particularly, in the embodiment illustrated in
Thus, the range of motion allowed for in the freely movable state is determined by the distance the post members 27 b–c travel until reaching the first openings 22 n (or positive lock position). As such, the range of motion of the freely movable state can be increased by increasing the distance to the first openings 22 n, or decreased by decreasing the distance to the first openings 22 n. In alternate embodiments, a handle assembly with no freely movable state may be desired. If such is the case, the arcuate walls 22 p–q may be replaced with additional openings 22 n which correspond to positive lock positions for securing the handle 24 in place.
The position illustrated in
Referring now back to
The rear portion 22 b of housing 22 defines an opening or socket within which a power switch 50 is disposed. In the embodiment illustrated in
It should be understood, however, that in alternate embodiments other types of power switches may be used. For example, the power switch 50 may include a momentary on switch and/or a locking momentary on switch which can be temporarily locked in the “on” position. In one embodiment, a trigger switch may be provided which extends from below the handle 24. For example, a locking momentary on pushbutton, such as pushbutton switch HELI KP-D1 manufactured by Changzhou Create Electric Appliance Co. Ltd. of Changzhou, China, may be used. To accommodate such an actuator, one of the side portions 24 a–b of first handle 24 may define an opening through which a lock member is disposed for selectively locking the momentary on switch into the “on” position. In a preferred embodiment, the operator may lock the power switch into the “on” position by pivoting the trigger into the “on” position, depressing a locking pushbutton disposed in the side of handle 24 to lock the trigger in the “on” position, and releasing the trigger. The locking pushbutton would prevent the trigger from being fully returned to its biased “off” position, thereby temporarily locking the power switch in the “on” state. The tool 20 may then be deactivated by pivoting (or squeezing) the trigger again toward the “on” position until the spring activated lock pushbutton disengages the trigger lock so that the trigger may be returned to its biased “off”position. In yet other embodiments, other power switches and features may be incorporated into the tool 20 as are known in the art.
As illustrated in
One end of the power cord 58 includes an electrical connector, such as male plug member 58 a, which can be connected to various types of power supplies, either directly or via an extension cord (not shown). On the other end of the power cord 58, one wire is connected to electronic circuitry located within the tool 20, such as a terminal of a full wave rectifier 62 (
In the alternate embodiment discussed above using the HELI KP-D1 switch, both wires may be connected to input terminals of the switch and output wires from the switch may be connected to the rectifier 62. Additional wires from the rectifier would then be electrically connected to the motor 32 in order to complete the electrical circuit between the power supply, rectifier 62, motor 32 and actuator 50. Thus allowing the tool 20 to be operated with a momentary on pushbutton switch rather than a push on-push off type switch. As mentioned above, it should be understood that alternate actuators and wiring schemes may be used in order to operate the power tool 20.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
It should be understood that other materials may be used for the overmolding portions. For example, other thermal plastic elastomers or elastomer/plastic blends, such as rubber, nylon, butyl, EPDM, poly-trans-pentenarmer, natural rubber, butadiene rubber, SBR, ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber, acrylate rubber, chlorinated polyethylene, neoprene and nitrile rubber, may also be used for the overmolded grip 64. Another material which may be used for the overmolding is HERCUPRENE, which is manufactured by the J-Von Company of Leominster, Mass.
It should also be understood that alternate embodiments of the apparatus 20 may be provided with no elastomer overmolding whatsoever. For example, the tool 20 may be provided with a simple smooth plastic handle, or a textured plastic handle, created from a plastic injection molding process. More particularly, the overmolding may be replaced with a textured surface, such as Rawal #MT-11605, a mold texturization process provided by Mold-Tech/Rawal of Carol Stream, Ill. Similarly, other mold texturization processes may be used to create a variety of textured surfaces.
Turning now to
More particularly, the tool in
Although certain example methods and apparatus have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
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|U.S. Classification||451/357, 16/430, 451/359, 16/900|
|International Classification||B25F5/02, B26B7/00, B24B23/00, B24B23/03|
|Cooperative Classification||Y10T16/476, Y10S16/90, B24B23/03, B24B23/005, B25F5/02|
|European Classification||B24B23/00C, B24B23/03, B25F5/02|
|Aug 9, 2006||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: WMH TOOL GROUP, INC., ILLINOIS
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:JANSON, JOHN C.;REEL/FRAME:018078/0335
Effective date: 20050308
|Apr 26, 2010||REMI||Maintenance fee reminder mailed|
|Sep 19, 2010||LAPS||Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees|
|Nov 9, 2010||FP||Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee|
Effective date: 20100919