Patent Application
20050249564
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an auxiliary handle configured for securement to a portable rotary power tool.
2. Background Art
Corded as well as cordless power tools, such as hand-held drills, are extensively used by electricians, plumbers, carpenters and others. Hand-held drills typically include a housing having a handle portion and trigger switch, a motor and spindle driven by the motor and a chuck holding a tool bit. Common tasks for such devices generally include drilling holes and driving fasteners such as screws. Such tasks may require additional leverage to complete the drilling or fastening operation.
Some power tool manufacturers have developed side mounted handles which provide the user leverage points on both the pistol grip and side handles. One problem with current handles is that the side mounted handles are not easily repositionable on the drill to accommodate a variety of drilling positions. Additionally, the handles cannot be positioned to allow easy storage in a tool case. Further, some side handles are limited in length by design limitations, which fail to provide sufficient leverage to a user during the drilling operation.
Another problem confronting an operator using the hand-held drill is the need to locate a particular drill bit or tool bit to accomplish a given task. Since the tool bits or drill bits are typically stored in a separate location from the power drill an operator might be required to leave his workplace to search for the specific drill bit or tool bit required to complete the job. This inevitably leads to time delays and associated increased labor costs to complete a particular project. To address this problem the prior art has provided devices which are either integrated into or attachable to the hand-held drills which hold drill bits and tool bits alike.
Therefore, there exists a need for a device for an auxiliary handle arrangement configured for securement to a portable power tool that is easily positionable on the power tool. A further need exists to provide an auxiliary handle arrangement which includes a telescopically mounted module which extends the operable length of the handle. Additionally, an auxiliary handle arrangement including a module for removably fixing and carrying drill bits, tool bits and fasteners which is readily accessible to an operator would also be advantageous.
Accordingly, an auxiliary handle configured for securement to a portable rotary power tool includes a fixed end attachable to the motor housing and a free end extending outwardly generally away from the output axis of the power tool. A locking rotary attachment is provided on the fixed end of the auxiliary handle to connect the handle to the motor housing to accommodate various user handle orientation preferences relative to the power tool output axis.
A handle member is provided adjacent the free end of the auxiliary handle and includes a gripping surface to be grasped by a user. A channel is formed through the handle member and cooperates with an opening in the free end to receive a telescopic module. The telescopic module extends through the channel and opening in the free end of the handle and is adjustable relative to the handle member between a first position stored within the channel and one or more second extended positions.
In one aspect of the present invention, the telescopic module comprises an extension handle axially adjustable relative to the handle member to extend the length of the elongate auxiliary handle to vary the reaction torque exertable upon the power tool by the user. In another aspect of the present invention, the telescopic module further comprises a tool bit storage module adjustable relative to the handle member to store a plurality of bits to be used with the power tool. A locking member disposed on a first end of the telescopic module cooperates with at least one stop provided adjacent an opening in the free end of the handle to restrict the outward travel and secure the telescopic module in one of the one or more second extended positions.
Referring now to
In operation a tool such as a tool bit, drill bit, or similar device is coupled to the rotary output shaft 16 for working on a workpiece. The tool is removably coupled to rotary output shaft 16 using a chuck 26, as conventionally known. Chuck 26 may be keyless or require a key (not shown) to open and close the chuck. Common tasks performed by the tool and hand-held power drill combination include, for example, forming holes and driving fasteners on and into the workpiece.
A motor activation switch 28 is disposed on the handle portion 20 for activating the drive mechanism and motor 14 to rotate the rotary output shaft. Preferably, a battery 30 is connected to the handle portion 20 at a power supply end 32 and provides electrical power to activate the drive mechanism and motor 14 for rotating the rotary output shaft 16. However, the present invention may be incorporated onto corded electric power drills (not shown) as well.
Referring additionally now to
A rotary locking attachment 40 provided on the fixed end 36 of handle 34 connects the handle 34 to a portion of the motor housing. Locking attachment 40 allows a user to circumferentially orient the auxiliary handle 34 at a variety of positions relative to the output axis 18 in order to accommodate various user handle orientation preferences. Additionally, locking attachment 40 enables a user to orient the elongate auxiliary handle 34 in a coplanar relationship with drill handle portion 20 when drill 10 is stored away as shown in
A handle member 42 is provided on the free end 38 of auxiliary handle 34. Handle member 42 includes a gripping surface 44 to be grasped by a user. A channel 46 formed through the handle member 42 cooperates with an opening 48 in the free end 38 of auxiliary handle 34 to receive a telescopically adjustable module 50. Telescopic module 50 extends through channel 46 and opening 48 in the free end 38 of handle and 34 and is adjustable relative to the handle member 42 between a first or stored position illustrated in
Referring now to
A locking member 56 disposed on a first end 58 of handle 52 cooperates with at least one stop 60 provided in channel 46 adjacent opening 48 in free end 38 to restrict the outward travel of extension handle 52 relative to auxiliary handle 34. Locking member 56 and stop 60 cooperate to secure handle 52 in one or more extended positions. A variety of locking arrangements may be used to position module 50 relative to handle 34.
As is shown in
Referring now to
Locking member 70 comprises a rubber gasket from the first end 72 of storage module 66. In the stored position illustrated in
At least one stop 78 comprises a retention ring formed about the periphery of channel 46 adjacent opening 48. Stop 78 engages locking member 70, limiting the maximum length of travel of storage module 66 relative to auxiliary handle 34. Retention ring 78 may also be formed as part of the handle housing, wherein opening 48 is reduced in size to restrict locking member 70 from extending past opening 48. It is understood that either the plastic rim and opposing detents locking member/stop arrangement illustrated in
Tool bit storage module 66 includes a center support member 80 which spans between locking member 70 and lower cap 76. Center support member 80 cooperates to support and retain tool bits 68 stored on module. In the embodiment shown in
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
