The present disclosure is related to trigger activated tools. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to trigger activated tools having activation lockouts.
Trigger activated tools are commonly used in the industrial, energy, construction, telecommunications, petrochemical, data center, transportation and construction industries. Such tools can include, but are not limited to, C-Head crimping tools, jaw crimping tools, cutter tools and others.
When activation of such tools is desired, the trigger is moved from a normal position to an activation position. Unfortunately, the use of such trigger activated tools often occurs under conditions that can lead to inadvertent movement of the trigger from the normal position to the activation position.
Accordingly, it has been determined by the present disclosure that there is a need for trigger activated tools that overcome, alleviate, and/or mitigate one or more of the aforementioned and other deleterious effects of prior art trigger activated tools.
Trigger activated tools are provided that include activation lockouts, which prevent inadvertent activation of the tools.
In some embodiments, the activation lockout is an electrical reset. Unless the electrical reset has been pressed, the trigger—regardless of whether in the normal position or the activation position—is prevented from activating the tool.
In other embodiments, the activation lockout is a variable position lockout that has a first position and a second position. The variable position lockout, when in the first position, allows movement of the trigger to the activation position, but prevents such movement from activating the tool. Conversely, the variable position lockout, when in the second position, allows movement of the trigger to the activation position to activate the tool.
In some embodiments, the activation lockout is a mechanical lockout that has a first position and a second position. The mechanical lockout, when in the first position, prevents the trigger from being moved to the activation position. Conversely, the mechanical lockout, when in the second position, allows the trigger to be moved to the activation position to activate the tool.
In still other embodiments, the activation lockout is a shield lockout that has a first position and a second position. The shield lockout, when in the first position, covers or otherwise shields the trigger from being moved to the activation position. Conversely, the shield lockout, when in the second position, allows access to the trigger so that the trigger can be moved to the activation position to activate the tool.
A trigger activated tool is provided that includes an activatable device, an activation trigger, and a lockout. The activation trigger depends from a handle portion and is configured to activate the activateable device. The lockout has a locked state and an unlocked state, where the locked state prevents activation of the activatable device by the activation trigger.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the trigger activated tool can include a drain trigger depending from the handle portion. The drain trigger relieves potential energy within the activatable device when the lockout is in both the locked and unlocked states.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the lockout is normally biased to the locked state.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the activatable device includes a power source. The activation trigger moves between a first position in which the power source is not in communication with the activatable device and a second position in which the power source is in communication with the activatable device. The lockout is a reset that selectively prevents communication of the power source and the activatable device when the activation trigger is in the second position unless the reset is in the unlocked state.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the trigger activated tool can include a control circuit in communication with the reset. The control circuit maintaining the lockout in the unlocked state for a predetermined time period after movement of the reset.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the lockout is a variable position lockout such that the locked state is a first position and the unlocked state is a second position.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the variable position lockout, when in the first position, allows movement of the activation trigger, but prevents such movement from activating the activatable device and, when in the second position, allows movement of the activation trigger to activate the activatable device.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the variable position lockout includes an L-shaped lever rotationally secured to the activation trigger for movement between the first position and the second position. The L-shaped lever having an activation arm and a drain arm. The drain arm, when the L-shaped lever is in the first position, is aligned with a drain trigger such that movement of the activation trigger causes the drain arm to activate the drain trigger to relieve potential energy within the activatable device. The activation arm, when the L-shaped lever is in the second position, is aligned with an activation switch such that movement of the activation trigger causes the activation arm to activate the activation switch to activate the activatable device.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the lockout is a mechanical lockout such that the locked state is a first position and the unlocked state is a second position.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the mechanical lockout, when in the first position, prevents movement of the activation trigger and, when in the second position, allows movement of the activation trigger.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the mechanical lockout, when in the first position, contacts an interior of the handle portion or an external portion of the handle portion.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the lockout is a shield lockout such that the locked state is a first position and the unlocked state is a second position.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the shield lockout, when in the first position, covers or shields the activation trigger to prevent movement of the activation trigger and, when in the second position, allows access to the activation trigger to allow movement of the activation trigger.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the handle portion is a pistol grip and the shield lockout is a swiveling guard or is an inline grip and the shield lockout is a pivoting cover.
In other embodiments, a trigger activated tool is provided. The tool includes a jaw, a power source, a hydraulic unit operatively connected with the jaw, a handle portion having an activation trigger and a drain trigger depending therefrom, and a trigger lock rotatably secured in the activation trigger. The activation trigger moves between a normal position and an activated position. The activation trigger, when in the activated position, places the hydraulic unit in electrical communication with the battery such that the hydraulic unit moves the jaw. The drain trigger moves between a normal position and a drain position. The drain trigger, when in the drain position, relieves potential energy within the hydraulic unit. The trigger lock moves between a normal position and an activation position. The activation trigger, the drain trigger, and the trigger lock each is biased to the normal positions, respectively. The trigger lock, when in the normal position, provides a mechanical interference to prevent movement of the activation trigger to the activated position and, when in the activation position, allows movement of the activation trigger to the activated position.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the handle portion is an inline grip or a pistol grip.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the drain trigger moves between the normal position and the drain position when the trigger lock is in both the normal and activation positions.
In some embodiments either alone or in combination with the afore or aft mentioned embodiments, the mechanical interference is internal to the handle portion or external to the handle portion.
The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.
Referring to the drawings and in particular to
Advantageously, tool 10 includes an activation lockout 12, which prevent inadvertent activation of the tool. Here, activation lockout 12 is an electrical reset lockout that allows movement of the activation trigger from the normal position to the activation position, but prevents such movement from activating tool 10 unless the activation lockout has been pressed. In this manner, activation lockout 12—when in the form of the electrical reset lockout—prevents inadvertent activation of tool 10 by requiring both pressing of the lockout and activation of the trigger.
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
Tool 10 will be described in more detail with simultaneous reference to
Hydraulic unit 24 is a self-contained battery operated unit, which is configured to actuate causing jaw 20. Hydraulic unit 24 includes an activation trigger 26 and a drain trigger 28 that depend and/or extend from the handle portion.
Activation trigger 26 moves between a normal position (shown) and a depressed or activated position (not shown). Tool 10 is activated by moving activation trigger 26 from the normal position to the activated position, which places battery 22 in electrical communication with hydraulic unit 24 to actuate jaw 20.
It should be recognized that tool 10 is described by way of example only as having the activatable device illustrated as a combination of jaw 20, battery 22, and hydraulic unit 24. Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for the activatable device to include any device that can be activated by activation trigger 26.
Advantageously, tool 10 is configured so that—regardless of whether activation trigger 26 is in the normal position or the activation position—battery 22 is prevented activating hydraulic unit 24 unless trigger lockout 12—in the form of the electrical reset lockout—is depressed.
Thus in some embodiments, tool 10 is configured so that inadvertent activation of tool 10 is prevented by requiring simultaneous pressing of lockout 12 and activation of trigger 26.
In other embodiments, tool 10 further includes a control circuit 50 that provides a predetermined time period after pressing lockout 12 during which activation of trigger 26 activates jaw 20. In this manner, the user can press lockout 12 then activate trigger 26 within the predetermined period of time. The control circuit 50 can be configured to be active for only one movement of activation trigger 26 or for multiple movements within the time period. The control circuit 50 can be solid state, digital, hardware, software, or any combinations thereof. Moreover, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for tool 10 to be user programmable to adjust one or more aspects of the control circuit 50.
Drain trigger 28 similarly moves between a normal position (shown) and a depressed or activated position (not shown). Once jaw 20 has completed the action, moving drain trigger 28 from the normal position to the activated position, relieves the pressure (i.e., potential energy) within hydraulic unit 24 allowing jaw 20 to retract.
It should be recognized that tool 10 is described above with respect to
For example, the tool is illustrated in
Tool 110 includes activation lockout 112 positioned at an upper wall 114 of inline style grip 116. Tool 110 further includes a jaw 120, a battery 122, and a hydraulic unit 124. Hydraulic unit 124 includes a three-position switch that includes an activation trigger 126 and a drain trigger 128—which move among a normal position (shown), an activated position (not shown) in which trigger 126 is depressed, and a drain position (not shown) in which trigger 128 is depressed.
As discussed above, tool 110 can be configured so that inadvertent activation of the tool is prevented by requiring simultaneous pressing of lockout 112 and activation of trigger 126. Alternately and as also discussed above, tool 110 can include a control circuit (not shown) that provides a predetermined time period after pressing lockout 112 during which activation of trigger 126 activates jaw 120.
Thus lockouts 12, 112 of
Alternate embodiments of trigger lockouts 212, 312 that prevent inadvertent activation of the tool are described in use with a pistol grip style tool 210 with respect to
Trigger lockout 212 takes the form of a variable position lockout, which also functions as the activation and deactivation trigger for tool 210.
Specifically, trigger lockout 212 has a trigger lever 230 and an L-shaped lever 232. Trigger lever 230 is pivotally secured to tool 210 for movement for movement between a normal position (
L-shaped lever 232 has an activation arm 226 and a drain arm 228. L-shaped lever 232, when in the first position of
Conversely, L-shaped lever 232, when in the second position of
Accordingly, tool 210 is configured, by way of lockout 212 in the form of the variable position lockout, to require the operator to rotate L-shaped lever 232 from the normally biased first position to the second position then to move trigger lever 230 from the normally biased normal position to the depressed position to activate the tool. Further, tool 210 is configured, by way of lockout 212 in the form of the variable position lockout, to require the operator to return L-shaped lever 232 to the normally biased first position after activation, then to move trigger lever 230 from the normally biased normal position to the depressed position to drain and retract the tool.
Other alternate embodiments of trigger lockouts 412, 512, 612, 612′ that prevent inadvertent activation of the tool are described in use with pistol grip style tools 410, 510 with respect to
Trigger lockout 412 takes the form of a mechanical lockout, which prevents movement of activation trigger 426 of tool 410. Specifically, trigger lockout 412 can move between a normal or safe position (
It should be recognized that tool 410 is shown in
Tool 610 is shown in
Another exemplary embodiment of an inline tool 610′ is shown in
Tool 610′ includes another exemplary embodiment of mechanical lockout 612′, which is configured to prevent inadvertent movement of activation trigger 626′. Here, mechanical lockout 612′ is configured to move between a normal or safe position (
In the illustrated embodiment, lockout 612′ is rotatably secured to activation trigger 626′ about a shaft 642′ and is normally biased about the shaft by a spring 644′ to the normal or safe position of
However, once lockout 612′ is in the activation position, activation trigger 626′ can be moved from the normally biased normal position (
Regardless of the position of lockout 612′, drain trigger 628′ can move between its normal position (
It should also be recognized that trigger lockouts 612, 612′ are described above with respect to
Alternate embodiments of trigger lockouts 712, 812 that prevent inadvertent activation of the tool are described in use with a pistol grip style tool 710 with respect to
Trigger lockouts 712, 812 take the form of a shield lockout, which shield or otherwise cover the activation trigger for tools 710, 810, respectively to prevent inadvertent activation of the tool.
In tool 710, trigger lockout 712 includes a swiveling guard 750 that moves between a first or guarded position (
Swivel guard 750 has a pivot point 752 that includes a spring (not shown), which is configured to bias the guard to the first or guarded position. In some embodiments, swivel guard 750 is shaped to define an opening 754 below activation and drain triggers 726, 728, where the opening is sufficient to provide an area below the triggers sufficient to receive the fingers or hand of the user to swivel the guard. In other embodiments, swivel guard 750 can also include maximum position limiter 756, which limits the maximum rotation of the swivel guard to the second position. In the illustrated embodiment, limiter 756 includes a hook or other interference structure that catches or abuts a portion of tool 710 to limit the movement of swivel guard 750.
In operation, the user can slide their hand or fingers into opening 754, which will cause swivel guard 750 to move from the first position to the second position. Then, the user can depress activation trigger 726 to activate and/or drain trigger 728 to deactivate tool 710.
In tool 810, trigger lockout 812 includes a pivoting cover guard 840 that moves between a first or guarded position (
Pivoting cover guard 840 has a pivot point 842 that includes a spring (not shown), which is configured to bias the guard to the first or guarded position.
In operation, the user can slide their hand or fingers under pivoting cover guard 840 to move the guard from the first position to the second position. Then, the user can depress activation trigger 826 to activate tool 810.
It should be recognized that lockouts 12, 112 of
Additionally, it should be recognized that tool 510 of
It should also be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary 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 present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/788,953 filed on Feb. 12, 2020, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/067,538 filed Mar. 11, 2016 that issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,600,584 on Mar. 24, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/131,596 filed Mar. 11, 2015, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20210159028 A1 | May 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62131596 | Mar 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16788953 | Feb 2020 | US |
Child | 17169292 | US | |
Parent | 15067538 | Mar 2016 | US |
Child | 16788953 | US |