Patent Application
20170120412
1. Field
The present disclosure relates to rotary, handheld tools.
2. Description of Related Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,159 discloses a PORTABLE, DIRECT DRIVE ABRASIVE SAW. The portable, direct drive abrasive saw is for cutting ceramic tile, bricks, masonry blocks, metal, refractory, or other work comprising a base pan of an electrically insulative, synthetic resin material with the pan constituting a coolant reservoir. A frame is secured to the pan and the frame includes a pair of generally parallel, spaced rails extending horizontally of the pan and a saw support fixture. A unitary, direct drive abrasive saw is fixedly mounted from the saw support fixture in a cutting position. The saw includes an electric motor, a rotary abrasive saw blade with the rotary axis of the saw blade being disposed within a plane generally perpendicular to the rails and a drive for directly interconnecting the motor and the saw blade. A table is provided reciprocably mounted on the rails for supporting the work to be cut and the table is movable toward and away from the saw blade from a retracted position in which the table and the work thereon is clear of the saw blade and a cutting position in which the saw blade cuts through the work as the latter is moved past the saw blade. The saw further includes a coolant pump for circulating coolant from within the pan over the saw blade as the work is cut.
The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
A cutting tool assembly can include a handheld and non-planar electromechanical cutting device. The handheld and non-planar electromechanical cutting device can include a handle portion extending along a first longitudinal axis. The handheld and non-planar electromechanical cutting device can also include a driving motor at least partially disposed in the handle portion. The handheld and non-planar electromechanical cutting device can also include a switch operable to selectively activate the driving motor. The switch can be positioned on the handle portion such that a user's hand can engage the switch while grasping the handle portion and at least partially encircling the driving motor. The handheld and non-planar electromechanical cutting device can also include a rotatable shaft projecting out of the handle portion and configured to receive a cutting disc. The rotatable shaft can be driven by the driving motor and extend along a second longitudinal axis transverse to the first longitudinal axis. The cutting tool assembly can also include a first post extending from a first lateral side of the handle portion along a third longitudinal axis transverse to the first longitudinal axis and parallel to the second longitudinal axis. The cutting tool assembly can also include a second post extending from a second lateral side of the handle portion along the third longitudinal axis. The cutting tool assembly can also include a base plate having a first channel with a first bottom and first and second side walls extending from opposite sides of the first bottom to a first open top. The first open top can be sized to receive the first post. The first channel can be sized such that the first post is slidable and guided in pivoting movement about the third longitudinal axis by the first channel. The base plate can also include a second channel with a second bottom and third and fourth side walls extending from opposite sides of the second bottom to a second open top. The second open top can be sized to receive the second post. The second channel can be sized such that the second post is slidable and guided in pivoting movement about the third longitudinal axis by the second channel.
The detailed description set forth below references the following drawings:
The present disclosure, as demonstrated by the exemplary embodiment described below, can provide a useful, multi-purpose grinding tool that can also be selectively used as a chop saw. The exemplary can be used with a base plate to act as a chop saw and cut small diameter steel or other hard materials under a predetermined height (diameter), square or in angle. The cutting tool can be easily removed from the base plate to accomplish other operations as well.
A cutting tool assembly 10 can include a handheld and non-planar electromechanical cutting device 12. The cutting device 12 can be handheld in that the cutting device 12 can be capable of being moved by hand during a cutting operation. The cutting device 12 can be handheld in that the cutting device 12 can be fully supported by the human user during cutting movement. The cutting device 12 can be non-planar in that the cutting device 12 need not require a planar, movement-guiding plate during a cutting operation, in contrast to a circular saw, a jig saw, or a router.
The handheld and non-planar electromechanical cutting device 12 can include a handle portion 14 extending along a first longitudinal axis 16. The exemplary handle portion 14 can include a gripping portion 18 having a cross-section that is symmetrical about the first longitudinal axis 16. The exemplary gripping portion 18 can be grasped by a user during use of the cutting tool assembly 10 and during use of the cutting device 12. The exemplary handle portion 14 can also include an anchor portion 20 disposed along the first longitudinal axis 16 adjacent to the gripping portion 18. The anchor portion 20 can have a cross-section that is symmetrical about the first longitudinal axis 16. In the exemplary embodiment, the cross-section of the gripping portion 18 can change along the first longitudinal axis 16, including a transition from a generally conical cross-section to a generally polygonal cross-section with relatively large rounds between flat sides.
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the anchor portion 20 is attached to the gripping portion 18. Two structures that are attached to one another are not integrally formed. Two structures that are attached are two structures that are formed separately and, subsequent to formation, joined together.
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the anchor portion 20 and the gripping portion 18 can be integrally-formed with respect to one another. “Integrally-formed” refers to the fact that in the exemplary embodiment the anchor portion 20 and the gripping portion 18 can be formed together rather than being formed separately and then subsequently joined. The term defines a structural feature since structures that are integrally-formed are structurally different than structures that are comprised of subcomponents formed separately and then subsequently joined. “Integral” means consisting or composed of parts that together constitute a whole and thus encompasses structures of more than one part wherein the parts are either integrally-formed or formed separately and then subsequently joined.
The handheld and non-planar electromechanical cutting device 12 can also include a driving motor 22 at least partially disposed in the handle portion 14. The driving motor 22 can be at least partially positioned or fully positioned within the handle portion 14, unlike a drill. The handheld and non-planar electromechanical cutting device 12 can also include a switch 24 operable to selectively activate the driving motor 22. When in an “on” position, the switch 24 can allow electric current to pass to the driving motor 22. When in an “off” position, the switch 24 can be open, preventing electric current to pass to the driving motor 22. The switch 24 can be positioned on the handle portion 14 such that a user's hand can engage the switch 24 while grasping the handle portion 14 and the user's hand can at least partially encircle the driving motor 22.
The handheld and non-planar electromechanical cutting device 12 can also include a rotatable shaft 26 projecting out of the handle portion 14 and configured to receive a cutting disc 28. The exemplary rotatable shaft 26 is shown in phantom in
The cutting tool assembly 10 can also include a first post 32 extending from a first lateral side 34 of the handle portion 14 along a third longitudinal axis 36 transverse to the first longitudinal axis 16 and parallel to the second longitudinal axis 30. The cutting tool assembly 10 can also include a second post 38 extending from a second lateral side 40 of the handle portion 14 along the third longitudinal axis 36. The first post 32 and the second post 38 can extend from the anchor portion 20. The third longitudinal axis 36 can be spaced from the first longitudinal axis 16, as best shown in
The cutting tool assembly 10 can also include a base plate 42 having a first channel 44 with a first bottom 46 and first and second side walls 48, 50 extending from opposite sides of the first bottom 46 to a first open top 52. The first open top 52 can be sized to receive the first post 32. The first channel 44 can be sized such that the first post 32 is slidable within and guidable for pivoting movement about the third longitudinal axis 36 by the first channel 44. It is noted that the cutting device 12 can be utilized without the base plate 42.
The base plate 42 can also include a second channel 54 with a second bottom 56 and third and fourth side walls 58, 60 extending from opposite sides of the second bottom 56 to a second open top 62. The second open top 62 can be sized to receive the second post 38. The second channel 54 can be sized such that the second post 38 is slidable within and guidable for pivoting movement about the third longitudinal axis 36 by the second channel 54.
The cutting device 12 and therefore the handle portion 14 also can be pivotal relative to the base plate 42 between first and second orientations spaced from one another about the third longitudinal axis 36.
The cutting tool assembly 10 can also include a biasing device 64 operably positioned between the handle portion 14 and the base plate 42. The exemplary biasing device 64 can extend between the anchor portion 20 and the base plate 42. The exemplary biasing device 64 can pass through a portion of the handle portion 14. The biasing device 64 can bias the handle portion 14 to the first orientation.
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the biasing device 64 can be selectively engageable with one of the base plate 42 and the handle portion 14 and fixedly engaged with the other of the base plate 42 and the handle portion 14. Selectively engageable refers to the fact that the user can select to engage the biasing device 64 with one of the base plate 42 and the handle portion 14 to bias the handle portion 14 when the base plate 42 and the handle portion 14 are connected, can select to release the biasing device 64 when the user desires to use the cutting device 12 apart from the base plate 42, and can again select to engage the biasing device 64 with one of the base plate 42 and the handle portion 14 to bias the handle portion 14 when the base plate 42 and the handle portion 14 are reconnected. Selecting the biasing device 64 to engage or disengage one of the handle portion 14 and the base plate 42 can be done without damaging the base plate 42 or the handle portion 14. Fixedly engaged refers to the fact that the biasing device 64 can be connected to one of the handle portion 14 and the biasing device 64 with the intention that it not be removed. For example, it can be desirable to engage the biasing device 64 to the handle portion 14 or the base plate 42 so that it cannot be removed with damaging, elastically deforming, or plastically deforming the biasing device 64. This can be desirable so that the biasing device 64 is not lost from both the cutting device 12 and the base plate 42.
In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the biasing device 64 can include a pin 66 fixedly engaged with the handle portion 14. The biasing device 64 can also include a spring 68 fixedly engaged with the pin 66 and thus fixedly engaged with the handle portion 14. The biasing device 64 can also include a pin 70 fixedly engaged with the spring 68. The base plate 42 can include a pin aperture 72. The pin 70 can be selectively engageable in the pin aperture 72. The spring 68 can pass through a portion of the handle portion 14.
The base plate 42 can include a first threaded aperture 76 proximate to the first channel 44 and extending transverse to the third longitudinal axis 36. The base plate 42 can also include a second threaded aperture 78 proximate to the second channel 54 and extending transverse to the third longitudinal axis 36. A first exemplary enclosure can be a fastener 74 having a threaded shank portion and a head portion 80. The threaded shank portion is received in the threaded aperture 76 and the head portion extends over the first open top 52. The threaded aperture 76 and the head portion 80 can chamfered so that a top of the head portion 80 can be flush with a top surface 82 of the base plate 42 when installed.
A first exemplary enclosure can be a fastener 174 having a threaded shank portion and a head portion 180. The threaded shank portion is received in the threaded aperture 78 and the head portion extends over the first open top 62. The threaded aperture 78 and the head portion 180 can chamfered so that a top of the head portion 180 can be flush with the top surface 82 of the base plate 42 when installed.
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one enclosure can be a wing screw 274, as shown in
The cutting tool assembly 10 can also include a clamp 84 mounted on the base plate 42 to selectively clamp a work-piece. The clamp 84 can be pivotally mounted on the upper surface 82 of the base plate 42 and be moveable between a plurality of positions. The clamp 84 can include a fence 86. At least portions of the fence 86 can be received in arcuate slots in the base plate 42 to guide pivoting movement of the clamp 84. The clamp 84 can also include tightening screws 88, 188 that can selective lock the fence 86 relative to the base plate 42. The clamp 84 can also include an anvil 90 mounted on a threaded shaft 92. The shaft 92 can be received in a threaded aperture defined by the fence 86. Rotating the shaft 92 in a first angular direction can urge the anvil 90 against the fence 86 to clamp a work-piece. Rotating the shaft 92 in a second angular direction opposite to the first angular direction can urge the anvil 90 away from the fence 86 to release a work-piece. The clamp 84 can also include a shim 94 for cutting a work-piece to a desired length.
The cutting device 12 can include a quick-disconnect for replacing the cutting disc 28. A user can push a button 96 on the side of the cutting device 10 to unlock the disc 28. With the button 96 pressed, the cutting disc 28 can be rotated and removed by unscrewing a nut 98, which presses the cutting disc 28 on the shaft 26.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, 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 present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Further, the “present disclosure” as that term is used in this document is what is claimed in the claims of this document. The right to claim elements and/or sub-combinations that are disclosed herein as other present disclosures in other patent documents is hereby unconditionally reserved.
