Patent Application
20200262097
The present disclosure relates generally to devices and methods for a quick-release mechanism for use with power tools, and more particularly with rotary power tools, such as a circular saw.
A circular saw is a power-saw that uses a toothed or abrasive disc or blade to cut different materials using a rotary motion spinning around an arbor. Typically, changing out the blade of a standard saw is a time consuming and inefficient process that includes the steps of: (1) unplug the saw's power cord from the electrical outlet or extension cord, or, remove the battery if it's a cordless saw; (2) pressing down on the saw's arbor-lock button and rotate the blade until the locking mechanism engages; (3) using the blade wrench to remove the arbor nut holding the blade in place; to loosen the nut, turn the wrench in the same direction as the blade cuts; (4) retracting the saw's upper blade guard and remove the old blade; (5) slipping the new blade onto the saw's arbor, making sure the saw teeth face in the direction of rotation; (6) using the blade wrench to tighten the arbor nut until it's snug; be careful not to over-tighten the nut or it'll be difficult to loosen it the next time you change the blade; and (7) straddling the blade, if the saw has a diamond-shaped arbor, over two wood blocks and use a hammer or punch to tap out the diamond insert from the center of the saw blade.
What is needed is an improved, quick-change device for more quickly changing out blades of a power saw or other type of rotary power tool.
To minimize the limitations in the cited references, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the illustrative embodiments, the present disclosure teaches a new and useful quick-change device for a power tool.\
The present disclosure is related to devices and systems for implementing a quick-release mechanism for use with power tools, namely, circular saws. The quick-release mechanism may allow for an easier, faster, and more efficient removal and replacement of circular saw blades, without requiring the use of any specialized tools (or, as preferred, without requiring the use of any tools at all). Normal circular power saws incorporate a circular saw blade that may be replaced or changed out. This replacement is normally done by locking the blade so it cannot rotate, and then using a key or other specialized tool to loosen and remove a mounting bolt. Once the mounting bolt is removed, then the blade can be removed from the saw. A new blade many then be inserted, and the bolt is re-engaged and tightened (typically using a special tool).
In one embodiment the device may have a wing tip bolt, wherein the bolt's head folds flat into a hub, and a user may flip out the wing tip and use their hands to unscrew the bolt. When folded flat, the wing tip of the bolt is matingly surrounded by a notch that substantially prevents the wing tip from moving circularly in contrast to the hub. Additionally, the act of folding the wing tip down may result in a locking mechanism being engaged that substantially locks the bolt into place and prevents it from accidentally being loosened.
In another embodiment, the device may have a flip locking mechanism, similar to that used in bicycle front wheels/forks, which may allow for complete unscrewing of a bolt, similar to the above embodiment.
Another embodiment may have a wing tip spring lock bolt comprising a wing tip that may fold flat into a hub, a spring, and threaded portion. This spring lock bolt, when pulled against the force of the spring, may reduce the friction holding the circular saw blade in place, allowing for a notched circular saw blade to be removed by sliding the blade out. Regarding this embodiment, a modified circular saw blade may be used so that the locking mechanism need not be completely removed in order to replace the blade. Specifically, a circular saw blade may have a channel extending from its center to the outside of the blade such that when friction holding the blade in place is decreased, a user may simply slide out the circular saw blade, slide in a new blade, and then re-engage the locking mechanism by releasing the spring.
One embodiment is a device for rapidly changing the state of a device from a locked to an unlocked position. The device may include an inner member that slides and is contained in an outer member. The unit may be connected to a manual part that is manually controlled and the other end is connected to a control for changing the device's state. A latch mechanism may hold the two members locked together so that the manual control action responds only to a manual release.
The quick-change device of the present disclosure may rapidly lock and unlock, or engage or disengage, a removeable and wearable part of a power tool. Having a quick-change portion is desirable when changing out blades for cutting saws uses to cut hard materials, such as stone, brick, block, concrete, and/or steel. In addition to providing quickness and efficiency, being able to quickly remove a saw blade may save lives when used in a portable setting.
In various embodiments, power tools with the quick release locking hub system may have composite, carbon fiber, fiberglass, or aramid parts that may replace the metal housing and plastic shrouds. This preferably makes the saw lighter and stronger.
In various embodiments, the inner and outer release may be slideably contained in the housing of the power tool, in this case a saw. The inner and outer parts may be releaseably interconnected via retractable bolts that are moveably contained with the housing of the saw. The locking system may lock the bolts when extended and may be engaged to the lock by turning the quick-change release counter-clockwise and to unlock the quick release by extending the bolt and to disengage the lock to remove the hub and blade from the saw by turning the release clockwise, thus releasing the bolt from the saw.
A bulkhead sleeve or cap may be mounted or fixed in the casing that accepts the quick-release device when engaging the locking system. Both portions may be threaded on and, when moving, the bolt counterclockwise causes the lock to close. Moving the bolt clockwise may cause the lock to open and to be removed so that the saw blades may be swapped out in an easy, efficient, and safe manner.
Other features and advantages are inherent in the compartment divider assembly claimed and disclosed will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.
The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead. Details which may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all of the components or steps which are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps.
In the following detailed description of various embodiments of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. However, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure.
While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure. As will be realized, the device of the present disclosure is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the screen shot figures, and the detailed descriptions thereof, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the present disclosure shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description. These embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection. It is intended that the scope of protection not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.
Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent, to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/807,976, filed on Feb. 20, 2019, entitled “Quick-Change Device”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as though set forth in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62807976 | Feb 2019 | US |
