Patent Application
20090013477
The present disclosure relates to hand tools and more specifically to a hand tool that provides a combination of multiple tools into one hand-held combination tool.
Hand tools are available in many sizes for various applications. Examples of some hand tools typically needed for simple electrical tasks (i.e., fixing or replacing a wall socket) can include screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters, and electric field detectors. Unfortunately, swapping out between various tools during such simple electrical tasks can be cumbersome and time consuming.
A power hand tool can include a generally longitudinal housing having a first end and a second end. An indicator can be disposed on the housing. A first and a second jaw member can be arranged at the first end wherein one of the first and second jaw members can rotate relative to the other jaw member. A motor assembly can be disposed in the housing and include an output member arranged at the second end. A sensor can be arranged at the second end and configured to sense an electrical field in proximity thereof. The sensor can generate a signal in response to the sensed electrical field. A controller can receive the sensor signal from the sensor assembly and control operation of the indicator in response thereto.
According to additional features the indicator can include a series of light sources. The controller can illuminate the series of light sources in a flashing sequence corresponding to a magnitude of electrical field sensed by the sensor. The indicator can further include an audible output device that emits an audible output signal. The controller can activate the audible output device based on a sensed electrical field.
According to yet other features, the power hand tool can include a first light source disposed at the first end and a second light source disposed at the second end. A first switch can be disposed on the housing and be movable between at least a first and a second position. The first light source can illuminate in the first position and the second light source can illuminate in the second position.
According to other features, the housing can define a passage. The cutting member can be disposed on the housing and extend generally in the passage. The cutting member can be adapted to cut insulating material around a wire upon advancement of the wire through the passage. A second switch can be disposed on the housing and be movable between at least a first and a second position. The output member can rotate in a first direction in the first position and rotate in an opposite second direction in the second position. A locking member can be disposed on the housing and be movable between a first and a second position. The first and second jaw members are precluded from rotating in the first position. The second end of the tool can define a hex bit holder. The output member can rotate the hex bit holder upon activation of the motor assembly.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
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The distal ends 44 and 46 of the jaw members 32 and 34 can have rough inner surfaces 56 and 58, respectively. The inner surfaces 56 and 58 can facilitate a gripping action. The first and second jaw members 32 and 34 can further define complementary cutting portions 60 and 62. The cutting portions 60 and 62 can facilitate removal of an insulating portion of a wire (not shown). In one example, a wire can be placed between the respective first and second jaw members 32 and 34 (
A locking member 66 can be slidably disposed in the housing 12. The locking member 66 generally defines a body 68 having a user engagement portion 70, a slide 72 and a notch 74. The slide 72 can advance along a track 76 defined on the housing 12. The locking member 66 can move in a generally linear direction along the track 76 between a first position (
The power driven assembly 36 can include an output member 80 driven by a motor assembly 82 in the housing 12 and a first user interface portion 83. The output member 80 can include a receiving portion 84 (
The electric field detector assembly 38 can include an antenna 102, a second controller 106 and a second user interface portion 108. The antenna 102 can be in proximity to the output member 80 (and also any bit secured by the output member 80) such that it becomes capacitively coupled without making physical contact with the moving parts. The output member 80 becomes an extension of the antenna 102, enabling improved sensitivity and directionality. The antenna 102 can include a series of conductive members 111 arranged radially outwardly of the output member 80. As the output member 80 is moved in close proximity to an electric field (i.e. a wall socket), the antenna 110 can monitor that electric field and communicate a signal to the second controller 106 indicating that a field is near. The sensor 102 in the particular example provided is configured to provide a signal that is related to a field sensed in close proximity to the output member 80. The signal can vary to correspond to varying magnitudes of field strength detected in proximity to the sensor 102.
According to one example, the second user interface portion 108 can include a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED's) 112, 114, 116, and 118 and an activation button 120. The LED's, collectively referred to at 122, can be in electrical communication with the second controller 106. According to the example shown, one green LED 112 and three red LED's 114, 116, and 118 are provided. As will be described, the second controller 106 can control the illumination of the LED's 122 based on amplitude or other characteristics, such as frequency, of the detected field. The activation button 120 can be depressed to provide power to the electric field detector assembly 38. In one example, the activation button 120 must remain depressed for continuous operation of the electric field detector assembly 38.
Operation of the electric field detector assembly 38 according to one example will be described. As used herein, the detector assembly 38 is described generally as detecting an electric field. It is appreciated however, that the detector assembly 38 can be adapted to sense/detect oscillating electric fields, 50/60 Hz electric fields, inductive fields, capacitive fields or other electrical fields. At the outset, a user can optionally insert a bit (not shown) into the receiving portion 84. Next, the activation button 120 can be depressed. The second controller 106 can illuminate the green LED 112 upon depression of the activation button 120. If the antenna 110 is in proximity to an electric field, a signal is communicated to the second controller 106. While the activation button 120 is depressed, the second controller 106 evaluates the magnitude and frequency of the signal. The second controller 106 can compare the magnitude and frequency of the signal to stored reference values, and can perform other filtering and amplification functions, and then communicate an appropriate visual and/or audible signal to the user. In one example, the second controller 106 can illuminate the red LED's 114, 116, and 118 in a flashing sequence when an electric field above a certain magnitude is detected. The frequency of flashing can be proportional to a magnitude of field detected. For example, the frequency of flashing can increase with an increase of field magnitude detected. It is appreciated that the LED's 114, 116, and 118 can be configured to illuminate according to other schemes. In another example, an audible alert such as by a beeper 126 can accompany any illumination of the red LED's 114, 116, and 118.
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While the disclosure has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims. For example, while the preceding discussion described illumination of respective LED's in a flashing sequence, it is appreciated that the illumination of one or all of the LED's may comprise an LED that grows brighter in proportion with a magnitude of the electrical field. According to other examples, the electric field detector assembly 38 can comprise other sensors such as a stud sensor, a magnetic field sensor, a moisture sensor and other sensors. In addition, while a jaw assembly 30 and a power driven assembly 36 have been described, other tools may be configured on the first and second ends 24 and/or 26 of the power hand tool 10. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include any embodiments falling within the foregoing description and the appended claims.
