Patent Application
20230092451
[Not Applicable]
The present application relates to a power tool with a tool head, in which the orientation of the tool head can be adjusted. Such tools could include metal shears, a right angle drill, a reciprocating saw, or any other tool where the orientation of a tool head relative to the body of the tool may be advantageously adjustable.
For example, the tool head for metal shears can be adjustable to allow the user to quickly customize the cutting head orientation based upon orientation of the material being cut.
According to embodiments of the present invention, a system includes a tool body, a tool head (e.g., a shear), and an actuator. The tool body houses a motor. The tool head is rotatable with respect to the tool body (e.g. it can rotate 360 degrees). The actuator is rotatable with the tool head. The actuator is moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration. For example, when moving between the first configuration and the second configuration, the actuator moves towards the tool head and away from the tool body. In the first configuration, the positions of the actuator and the tool head are rotatably fixed with respect to the tool body. In the second configuration, the actuator and the tool head can rotate with respect to the tool body.
The system can also include a driveshaft mechanically coupled to the motor and the tool head. The driveshaft is configured to transfer rotational energy from the motor to the tool head. The driveshaft passes through a hollow interior region of the actuator. The system can also include a spring that maintains the actuator in the first configuration when no engagement force is applied to the actuator, and automatically moves the actuator from the second configuration into the first configuration when the engagement force is removed from the actuator.
The system can include a core attached to or integrated with the tool body. The core has a plurality of recesses. The actuator has at least one prong, which can be positioned in a corresponding one of the recesses in the core when the actuator is in the first configuration. In this configuration, a positional arrangement of the at least one prong of the actuator and the corresponding at least one recess in the core prevent rotational movement of the actuator with respect to the tool body. The at least one prong can also be positioned outside of the corresponding recess in the core when the actuator is in the second configuration, thereby allowing rotational movement of the actuator with respect to the tool body. When the actuator is moved between the first configuration and the second configuration, a distance between the tool body and the tool head can remain substantially constant.
The system can include a cap that mounts to the tool head and engages with the actuator to maintain a constant rotational relationship between the cap and the actuator. The actuator can move with respect to the cap when the actuator is moved between the first configuration and the second configuration.
According to embodiments of the present invention, a system for mounting a tool head to a tool body includes a core, cap, and actuator. The core is attached to or integrated with the tool body. The core includes a hollow interior region and a plurality of recesses. The cap mounts to the tool head and the core, wherein the cap includes a hollow interior region. The actuator can also mount to the core (e.g., the actuator can have a toroidal shape with a hollow interior region that receives the core). The actuator is interposed at least partially between the cap and a portion of the core. The actuator and the cap rotate together with respect to the core (e.g., 360 degrees). The actuator can be positioned, with respect to the core, in a first locked position, a second locked position, and a rotatable configuration to rotate between the first locked position and the second locked position.
The system can also include a spring at least partially interposed between the cap and the actuator. The actuator can receive an engagement force to move the actuator into the rotatable configuration and compress the spring. The spring decompresses when the engagement force is removed, and the actuator moves into one of the first locked position or the second locked position. When the actuator moves to the rotatable configuration, the actuator can move longitudinally towards the cap.
The actuator can include at least one prong (e.g., two prongs) that can be positioned in a corresponding recess in the core (e.g., in a shoulder of the core) when the actuator is in the first locked position. In this position a positional arrangement of the at least one prong and the corresponding recess in the core prevent rotational movement of the actuator with respect to the core. The at least one prong can further be positioned outside of the corresponding recess in the core when the actuator is in the rotatable configuration, thereby allowing rotational movement of the actuator with respect to the core. When the actuator is moved between the first locked position and the rotatable configuration, a distance between the core and the cap can remain constant.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain techniques of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, certain techniques are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the claims are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. Furthermore, the appearance shown in the drawings is one of many ornamental appearances that can be employed to achieve the stated functions of the system.
According to embodiments of the present invention, a power tool 10, such as metal shears, includes a tool head 200 with a rotatable or adjustable orientation with respect to the tool body 100. This permits an operator to rotate the tool head 200 to a desired orientation with respect to the tool body 100. Once oriented as desired, the tool head 200 is disposed in a non-rotatable configuration with respect to the tool body 100. The adjustable tool head 200 facilitates different types of operations performable with the tool 10. Whereas a metal shears power tool 10 is primarily discussed herein, the techniques of the present invention can apply to other tools and corresponding tool heads, such as a right angle drill or a reciprocating saw.
According to embodiments of the present invention, a manually adjustable actuator 320 is movable between two configurations: a rotatable configuration; and a rotatably-locked configuration. The configuration of the actuator 320 determines whether the tool head 200 is rotatable or rotatably-locked. In the default or resting state, the actuator 320 and the tool head 200 are maintained in the rotatably-locked configuration. This ensures that the general orientation of the tool head 200 will not move during operation on a work piece.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the tool head 200 is placed in the rotatable configuration when the operator pulls the actuator 320 towards the tool head 200 (and away from the tool body 100). In the rotatable configuration, the actuator 320 and the tool head 200 can be rotated into a desired orientation with respect to the tool body 100. To place the actuator 320 and tool head 100 in the rotatably-locked configuration, the operator releases or directs the actuator 320 towards the tool body 100 and away from the tool head 200. Releasing, rotating, and locking the actuator 320 can be performed by one hand of the operator.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the actuator 320 is a part of an adjustment subsystem 300 that also includes a core 310, a cap 330, and a spring 340. The core 310 is fixedly attached to the tool body 100 such that it is not selectively movable with respect to the tool body 100. The cap 330 is affixed to the tool head 200. The distance between the tool body 100 and the cap 330 is fixed. The cap 330, however, can rotate around a primary axis of the adjustment system 300, thereby causing the affixed tool head 200 to rotate as well. The actuator 320 is located between the cap 330 and the core 310. The rotation of the cap 330 is constrained to the rotation of the actuator 320. Therefore, when the actuator 320 is in the rotatable configuration, both the actuator 320 and the cap 330 (and the affixed tool head 200) can rotate around the primary axis of the adjustment subsystem 300. And similarly, when the actuator 320 is in the rotatably-locked configuration, neither the actuator 320 nor the cap 330 (nor the affixed tool head 200) can rotate. The spring 340 biases the actuator 320 such that it remains in the rotatably-locked configuration when an operator does not apply an external force to overcome the spring's 340 biasing force.
The adjustment subsystem 300 includes a hollow interior region through which a driveshaft 400 passes. The driveshaft 400 transfers energy between a motor in the tool body 100 and the tool head 200 to cause the tool head 200 to effectively operate on a work piece.
The operator directly interfaces with the tool body 100 prior to and during operation of the tool 10. The tool body 100 includes at least a housing 110, a motor (not shown) in the housing 110, a power source 130 for supplying power to the motor, and a trigger 120 for selectively powering the motor. In the illustrated embodiments of
The tool head 200 is coupled to the adjustment subsystem 300. The tool head 200 is also coupled to the tool body 100 via the core 310 of the adjustment subsystem 300, as will be further explained below. The operator can selectively rotate the tool head 200 to one of a plurality of discrete orientations with respect to the tool body 100.
The tool head 200 includes a working implement that physically interacts with a work piece. The tool head 200 also includes an attachment mechanism, which secures the tool head 200 to the adjustment subsystem 300. Additional details of these aspects of the tool head 200 are depicted in
The tool head 200 is mounted indirectly to the tool body 100. Particularly, the tool head 200 is mounted to the adjustment subsystem 300, which in turn is mounted to the tool body 100. Mounting of the tool head 200 to the adjustment subsystem 300 is performed by the tool head casing 210 and at least one tightener or fastener 240. The casing 210 acts as a clamp. The casing 210 has an outer aperture that faces the tool body 100 and the adjustment subsystem 300. The aperture of the casing 210 slides over part of the adjustment subsystem 300. As shown, the casing 210 slides over a portion of the cap 330 of the adjustment subsystem 300. Once the orientation of the tool head 200 is in a suitable location with respect to the adjustment subsystem 300, the tighteners 240 tighten the casing 210 such that its aperture decreases in size and conforms to an outer surface of the cap 330. This forms a friction fit between the casing 210 and the cap 330, thereby securing the two components together. Alternatively, the tool head 200 (e.g., the casing 210) could be bolted to the cap 330 using one or more fasteners 240. These are but two possibilities, and it will be appreciated that the tool head 200 can be mounted to the adjustment subsystem 300 in various other ways.
The driveshaft 400 extends between the tool body 100 and the tool head 200 along a primary axis 20 of the adjustment subsystem 300, while passing through the hollow interior of the adjustment subsystem 300. The driveshaft 400 is mechanically coupled on one end to the motor in the tool body 100 and on the other end to the moveable blade 220.
Each of
Normally, the adjustment subsystem 300 is in the locked configuration (shown in
To place the adjustment subsystem 300 into the unlocked configuration (shown in
Once the various features are aligned, the cap 330 is pressed over the post 317 towards the actuator 320 as the tabs 331 slide through the longitudinal grooves 331. The recess 333 of the cap 330 receives a portion of the spring 340. The tabs 323 of the actuator 320 are received by the slots 332 in the cap 330.
As the cap 330 is pressed towards the actuator 320, the spring 340 compresses between the cap 330 and the actuator 320. Once the first rim 337 of the cap 330 passes the second radial groove 312 of the core 310, the clip 350 can be inserted (e.g., snapped) into the second radial groove 312. After insertion, a portion of the clip 350 extends outwardly from the post 317. Then the cap 330 can be released, and the spring 340 will force the cap 330 away from the actuator 320. However, the portion of the clip 350 that extends outwardly from the post 317 will abut the shelf 334, thereby preventing the cap 330 from coming off of the post 317. The shelf 334 and the clip 350 will then constantly press against each other due to the force on the cap 330 exerted by the compressed spring 340.
Once assembled, the tabs 331 of the cap 330 will align with the first radial groove 314 of the core 310. The tabs 331 can move through the first radial groove 314, thereby permitting the cap 330 to rotate around the post 317 (up to 360 degrees, if the first radial groove 314 extends entirely around the post 317). At the same time, the tabs 331 cannot move longitudinally towards the shoulder 315, because they are locked into the first radial groove 314. This results in the cap 330 being constrained from any substantial longitudinal movement along the post 317, because on one end, the shelf 334 presses against the clip 350, and on the other, the tabs 331 cannot move past the first radial groove 314. Consequently, the cap 330 can only rotate. And because the cap 330 is attached to the tool head 200, the tool head 200 also can only rotate—i.e, it cannot move longitudinally.
Also after assembly, the tabs 323 of the actuator 320 will always be positioned within the slots 332. This couples the actuator 320 with the cap 330 (and the attached tool head 200) such that they must rotate together. While the tabs 323 will always remain in the slots 332, they are able to move longitudinally within the slots 332. This allows for longitudinal movement of the actuator 320 between the shoulder 315 of the post 310 and the cap 330.
As mentioned, the adjustment subsystem 300 can be placed in a locked or unlocked configuration. Normally, it will be in the locked configuration, which is depicted in
To place the adjustment subsystem 300 in the unlocked configuration, an external force is applied to the actuator 320 to move it longitudinally towards the cap 330 and tool head 200 (e.g., an operator pulls the actuator 320 towards the tool head 200). When the prongs 321 are fully outside of the recesses 311, the actuator 320 (and cap 330 and tool head 200) can rotate. As the actuator 320 rotates, the prongs 321 will align with different recesses. Also, because the position of the cap 330 is fixed longitudinally, the spring 340 compresses between the actuator 320 and the cap 330.
To place the adjustment subsystem 300 in the locked configuration, the actuator 320 is moved longitudinally towards the shoulder 315. This can occur automatically if the external force is removed from the actuator 320 (e.g., if the operator releases the actuator 320). Then, the compressed spring 340 will force actuator 320 away from the tool head 200 towards the shoulder 315. Once the prongs 321 are received by the recesses 311, the adjustment subsystem 300 is in the locked configuration.
The number of recesses 311 determines the number of possible orientations between the tool head 200 and the tool body 100. The spacing between the recesses 311 determine the rotational angle for each of these orientations. In the illustrated embodiment, there are twelve recesses 311, each separated by a rotational angle of thirty degrees. Furthermore, there are two prongs 321. According to design preferences, there can be different numbers of recesses 311 and/or prongs 321.
In
While particular embodiments are illustrated and depicted, the principles described herein are applicable to other arrangements whereby an operator can use one hand to move the tool head into a variety of different orientations with respect to the tool body. For example, an equivalent system may be designed to allow an operator to pull directly on the tool head rather than on a separate actuator. By pulling directly on the tool head, the operator could move the tool head from a rotatably-locked configuration to a rotatable configuration. The operator, while still pulling on the tool head, then can adjust the orientation of the tool head. When the operator is satisfied with the new orientation of the tool head, the operator then releases the tool head and it snaps back into the rotatably-locked configuration.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the novel techniques disclosed in this application. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the novel techniques without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the novel techniques not be limited to the particular techniques disclosed, but that they will include all techniques falling within the scope of the appended claims.
