This disclosure relates generally to portable power tools, and in particular, to trigger switches and switch locking mechanisms for portable power tools.
In general, a portable power tool, such as a planer, jigsaw, circular saw, drill driver, and the like, includes a trigger that is movable by an operator of the tool between an ON position and an OFF position to control power to the tool. Some power tools are also provided with a trigger release mechanism which is capable of keeping the trigger in the OFF position. The trigger release mechanism typically comprises a button or switch that can be moved to a position at which movement of the trigger from the OFF position to the ON position is blocked or otherwise prevented. The trigger release mechanism must be moved to a non-blocking position to allow the trigger to be moved to the ON position so the tool can be operated.
Some other power tools are provides with a trigger lock-on mechanism which is capable of keeping the trigger in the ON position. The trigger lock-on mechanism typically comprises a button or switch that can be moved to a position at which movement of the trigger from the ON position to the OFF position is blocked or otherwise prevented. To allow the trigger to be moved to the OFF position so the tool can be turned off, the trigger much be pressed so that the lock-on mechanism can be moved to a non-blocking position.
Until now, there are no known power tools have both a trigger release mechanism and a trigger lock-on mechanism.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described in the following written specification. It is understood that no limitation to the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. It is further understood that the present disclosure includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.
This disclosure is directed to a trigger assemblies for power tools having a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the trigger in both the OFF position, e.g., OFF mode, and the ON position, e.g., ON mode. In the lock OFF mode, the mechanism locks the switch or trigger of the power tool in the OFF position. This can be used when the tool is not being used to prevent inadvertent actuation of the tool, e.g., when the tool is being carried in the hand of an operator and not in use. In the lock-ON mode, the mechanism locks the trigger in the ON position, which can be used to allow continuous use of the tool without requiring the user to maintain pressure on the trigger. The mechanism may be configured to provide an unlocked mode in which the trigger operates normally (with continuous pressure on the trigger) to control power to the tool. The switch and mechanism may also be configured so that the power tool can be switched out of the lock-ON mode to the unlocked mode by pressing the trigger.
According to the embodiments described herein, a trigger assembly for a power tool and/or a power tool having a trigger assembly are provided. The power tool includes a housing, a motor enclosed within the housing, and a work element configured to be driven by the motor. The trigger assembly includes a trigger movably secured to the housing that is configured to be moved to an ON position at which power is supplied to the motor and to an OFF position at which power is disconnected from the motor. The trigger assembly also includes a locking assembly that is supported by the housing and includes a lock-OFF mechanism configured to lock the trigger in the OFF position and a lock-ON mechanism configured to lock the trigger in the ON position. When the trigger is not locked in the OFF position or the ON position, the trigger is in an unlocked mode in which the trigger is allowed to move between the OFF and ON positions.
The trigger may be configured to move between an extended position and a depressed position with the extended position corresponding to the OFF position and the depressed position corresponding to the ON position. The lock-OFF mechanism is configured to releasably lock the trigger in the extended position, and the lock-ON mechanism is configured to releasably lock the trigger in the depressed position.
The lock-OFF mechanism may be movably supported by the housing for movement between a blocking position and a non-blocking position with respect to the trigger. The lock-OFF mechanism includes a lock-OFF structure such that, when the trigger is in the OFF position and the lock-OFF mechanism is in the non-blocking position, the lock-OFF structure is positioned to allow the trigger to move between the OFF and ON positions, and, when the trigger is in the OFF position and the lock-OFF mechanism is in the blocking position, the lock-OFF structure is positioned to block movement of the trigger from the OFF position. The lock-OFF mechanism may include at least one actuator that is accessible from an exterior of the housing and configured to move the lock-OFF mechanism between the blocking position and the non-blocking position. In one embodiment, the lock-OFF mechanism is laterally slidable with respect to the housing and the trigger between the blocking and non-blocking positions. In this embodiment, the at least one actuator may include a first actuator located at a first lateral end of the locking mechanism and a second actuator located at a second lateral end of the locking mechanism.
The lock-ON mechanism is movably supported by the housing for movement between a blocking position and a non-blocking position with respect to the trigger. The lock-ON mechanism may include a lock-ON structure such that, when the trigger is in the ON position and the lock-ON mechanism is in the non-blocking position, the lock-ON structure is positioned to allow the trigger to move between the OFF and ON positions, and, when the trigger is in the ON position and the lock-ON mechanism is in the blocking position, the lock-ON structure is positioned to block movement of the trigger from the ON position. The lock-ON mechanism may include a push button that is accessible from an exterior of the housing and configured to move the lock-ON mechanism from the non-blocking position to the blocking position.
In one embodiment, the lock-ON mechanism comprises a pin that is supported for axial movement between the blocking and non-blocking positions. The pin has an inner end arranged facing the trigger and an outer end that is accessible from an exterior of the housing with the inner end including the locking structure and the outer end including the push button. The pin may be biased toward the non-blocking position. In one embodiment, the trigger includes a plurality of walls that define a recess in which the inner end of the pin is received when the pin is moved to the blocking position. The plurality of walls may include a ramped surface that is configured to move into contact with the inner end of the pin when the trigger is moved from the ON position toward the OFF position. The contact between the ramped wall and the inner end of the pin is configured to cause the pin to move from the blocking position to the non-blocking position.
In another embodiment, a power tool includes a housing, a motor enclosed within the housing, and a work element configured to be driven by the motor. A trigger assembly includes a trigger movably secured to the housing and configured to be moved to an ON position at which power is supplied to the motor and to an OFF position at which power is disconnected from the motor. The trigger assembly also includes a locking assembly supported by the housing and including a lock-OFF mechanism configured to lock the trigger in the OFF position and a lock-ON mechanism configured to lock the trigger in the ON position.
In this embodiment, the locking assembly includes a locking mechanism that is movably supported by the housing for movement between a non-blocking position and a blocking position with respect to the trigger. The trigger includes a first blocking structure that defines a first gap corresponding to a lock-OFF position and a second gap corresponding to a lock-ON position. The locking mechanism includes a second blocking structure that is configured to be located in the first gap when the trigger is in the OFF position and the locking mechanism is in the blocking position, and to be located in the second gap when the trigger is in the ON position and the locking mechanism is in the blocking position. When the second blocking structure is in the first gap, the second blocking structure blocks movement of the trigger from the OFF position, and, when the second blocking structure is in the second gap, the second blocking structure blocks movement of the trigger from the ON position. The second blocking structure is spaced apart from the first gap and the second gap when the locking mechanism is in the first position. The locking mechanism may include at least one actuator that is accessible from an exterior of the housing and configured to move the locking mechanism between the blocking position and the non-blocking position. The locking mechanism may be laterally slidable with respect to the housing and the trigger between the blocking and non-blocking positions in which case the that at least one actuator may include a first actuator located at a first lateral end of the locking mechanism and a second actuator located at a second lateral end of the locking mechanism.
Referring to
The release mechanism's blocking functionality is provided by detents or pins provided on the trigger and/or release button. A detent structure, such as a pin, rim, ledge, or similar type of structure, extends from the post toward the release button. The release button includes at least one blocking pin that extends from the release button toward the post of the trigger. The blocking pin extends from the release button to a position where the path of movement of the blocking pin intersects the path of movement of the trigger detent. When the release button is in a blocking position, as depicted in
The lock-on mechanism of
In the locked-on position as depicted in
The lock-on mechanism is biased toward the unlocked position (
When the release/lock button is pushed laterally, the lock pin is moved out of the path of movement of the trigger pin to a non-blocking position so the trigger can be moved toward the ON position. When the trigger is moved from the OFF position toward the ON position with the release/lock button in a non-blocking position, the trigger pin/detent is moved alongside the lock pin and prevents the release/lock button from returning to the blocking position.
The locked-on functionality is provided by interaction between the lock pin on the release/lock button and a locking position provided on the trigger. Referring to
To place the trigger in the locked-ON position, the release/lock button is pushed farther laterally from the non-blocking position to provide clearance for the lock pin to move past the base portion of the trigger pin/detent and be received in the locking groove as the trigger is pressed toward the ON position. The wide base portion forms a rim or lip that can retain the lock pin in the locking groove.
The release/lock button must be moved laterally to move the lock pin out of the path of movement of the trigger pin so the trigger can be moved toward an ON position as depicted in
While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes, modifications and further applications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/917,017 entitled “PORTABLE POWER TOOL WITH TRIGGER SWITCH, TRIGGER RELEASE AND LOCK-ON MECHANISM COMBINATION” by Kannan et al., filed Dec. 17, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61917017 | Dec 2013 | US |