Universal accessories for oscillating power tools

• US 10,245,716 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2018
• Issued: 04/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kaye, Jr., Thomas R., Niblett, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gates, Eric A
• Application Number:
  US16/026,408
• Publication Number:
  US 20180333834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 273 Days
• Field of Search: 279141, 279143-145, 30329-331, 30337-339, 83597, 8369811, 83782, 83835, 451356, 451357, 451359, 606 79, 606 82, D8 20, D8 70, D8 71, D24146
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 31/10 characterised by the retaining or gripping devices or their immediate operating means
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 31/19 moving parallel to the axis of the chuck B23B31/185 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 61/006 Oscillating saw blades
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 23/005 Auxiliary devices used in connection with portable grinding machines, e.g. holders
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 23/04 with oscillating grinding tools; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 3/00 Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B27B 19/006 with oscillating saw blades; Hand saws with oscillating saw blades
• CPC Class Codes: B27B 5/30 for mounting or securing saw blades or saw spindles
• CPC Class Codes: B27B 5/32 Devices for securing circular saw blades to the saw spindle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/33 Member applies axial force component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 279/3406 Adapter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7062 Clamped members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7045 Arcuately oscillating tool carried on single pivot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/9319 Toothed blade or tooth therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/9457 Joint or connection

Abstract

An accessory for coupling to an attachment mechanism of an oscillating power tool includes a working end, an opposite rear end, and a fitment portion adjacent the rear end portion. The fitment portion includes a central opening having a central portion and a rearward portion open to the rear end, and configured to receive a post of a tool clamping mechanism. The fitment portion further includes a first plurality of openings in communication with and extending radially outward from the central portion, a second plurality of openings not in communication with and positioned radially outward from the central portion. The central portion, the first plurality of openings, and the second plurality of openings are configured to couple the fitment portion to a plurality of different configurations of attachment mechanisms for oscillating power tools.

Claims

1. An accessory for coupling to an attachment mechanism of an oscillating power tool, the accessory comprising:

a working end portion; and

an opposite rear end portion configured to be coupled to a plurality of different configurations of attachment mechanisms for oscillating power tools, the rear end portion including;

a central opening having a central portion configured to receive a central post of a tool clamping mechanism, and a rearward portion in communication with the central portion, extending rearward along an axis, and open to the rear end portion of the accessory;

a first plurality of elongated openings in communication with and extending radially outward from the central portion of the central opening, the first plurality of openings including a first radial slot, a second radial slot separated by approximately 90 degrees from the first radial slot, and a third radial slot separated by approximately 90 degrees from the second radial slot and approximately 180 degrees from the first radial slot;

a second plurality of openings including a first arc-shaped opening spaced radially outward from and not in communication with the central portion and extending in a circumferential direction between the first and second radial slots, and a second arc-shaped opening spaced radially outward from and not in communication with the central portion and extending in a circumferential direction between the second and third radial slots.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the first arc-shaped opening is spaced from the first radial slot and the second radial slot, and the second-arc-shaped opening is spaced from the second radial slot and the third radial slot.

3. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the first radial slot is disposed at approximately 90 degrees to the axis, the second radial slot is disposed at approximately 180 degrees to the axis, and the third radial slot is disposed at approximately 270 degrees to the axis.

4. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the first arc-shaped opening subtends a first angle from approximately 120 degrees to the axis to approximately 150 degrees to the axis, and the second arc-shaped opening subtends a second angle from approximately 210 degrees to the axis to approximately 240 degrees to the axis.

5. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of openings further comprises a third arc-shaped opening spaced radially outward from the central portion and extending in a circumferential direction between the first radial slot and the central opening, and a fourth arc-shaped opening spaced radially outward from the central portion and extending in a circumferential direction between the third radial slot and the central opening.

6. The accessory of claim 5, wherein the third arc-shaped opening is spaced from the first radial slot and the fourth arc-shaped opening is spaced from the third radial slot.

7. The accessory of claim 5, wherein the third arc-shaped opening is in communication with the central opening and the fourth arc-shaped opening is in communication with the central opening.

8. The accessory of claim 5, wherein the third arc-shaped opening starts at an angle of approximately 60 degrees relative to the axis, and a fourth arc-shaped opening starts at an angle of approximately 300 degrees relative to the axis.

9. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the rear end portion is configured to be coupled to a first attachment mechanism of a first type of oscillating power tool, the first attachment mechanism having first pair of clamping plates, a central post extending axially between the first pair of clamping plates, and a first plurality of projections extending axially from one of the first pair of clamping plates toward the other of the first pair of clamping plates and radially arranged about the post, such that the central opening receives the post without removal of one of the first pair of clamping plates from the post, and at least one of the first and second plurality of openings receive the first plurality of projections.

10. The accessory of claim 9, wherein the rear end portion is also configured to be alternately coupled to a second attachment mechanism of a second type of oscillating power tool, the second attachment mechanism having a second pair of clamping plates, one of which includes a second plurality of projections radially arranged around a center axis, such that at least one of the first and second plurality of openings receive the second plurality of projections.

11. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the central opening is generally U-shaped.

12. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the central opening comprises a pair of parallel side edges.

13. The accessory of claim 12, further comprising a notch defined in each of the pair of side edges.

14. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the rear end portion further comprises a rear edge defining a plurality of notches.

15. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the working end portion comprises at least one of a cutting edge, a saw blade, a sanding surface, and an abrading surface.

16. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the first arc-shaped opening subtends a first arc of approximately 30 degrees and the second arc-shaped opening subtends a second arc of approximately 30 degrees.

17. An accessory for coupling to an attachment mechanism of an oscillating power tool, the accessory comprising:

a working end portion; and

an opposite rear end portion configured to be coupled to a plurality of different configurations of attachment mechanisms for oscillating power tools, the rear end portion including;

a central opening having a central portion configured to receive a central post of a tool clamping mechanism, and a rearward portion in communication with the central portion, extending rearward along an axis, and open to the rear end portion of the accessory;

a first plurality of elongated openings in communication with and extending radially outward from the central portion of the central opening, the first plurality of openings including a first radial slot disposed at approximately 90 degrees to the axis, a second radial slot disposed at approximately 180 degrees to the axis, and a third radial slot disposed at approximately 270 degrees to the axis;

a second plurality of openings including a first arc-shaped opening spaced radially outward from the central portion, subtending a first arc of a circle centered at a center of the central portion, and extending in a circumferential direction between the first and second radial slots, and a second arc-shaped opening spaced radially outward from the central portion, subtending a second arc of the circle centered at the center of the central portion, and extending in a circumferential direction between the second and third radial slots.

18. The accessory of claim 17, wherein the first arc-shaped opening is spaced from the first radial slot and the second radial slot, and the second-arc-shaped opening is spaced from the second radial slot and the third radial slot.

19. The accessory of claim 18, wherein the first arc-shaped opening subtends a first angle from approximately 120 degrees to the axis to approximately 150 degrees to the axis, and the second arc-shaped opening subtends a second angle from approximately 210 degrees to the axis to approximately 240 degrees to the axis.

20. The accessory of claim 17, wherein the rear end portion is configured to be coupled to a first attachment mechanism of a first type of oscillating power tool, the first attachment mechanism having first pair of clamping plates, a central post extending axially between the first pair of clamping plates, and a first plurality of projections extending axially from one of the first pair of clamping plates toward the other of the first pair of clamping plates and radially arranged about the post, such that the central opening receives the post without removal of one of the first pair of clamping plates from the post, and at least one of the first and second plurality of openings receive the first plurality of projections, and wherein the rear end portion is also configured to be alternately coupled to a second attachment mechanism of a second type of oscillating power tool, the second attachment mechanism having a second pair of clamping plates, one of which includes a second plurality of projections radially arranged around a center axis, such that at least one of the first and second plurality of openings receive the second plurality of projections.