Power hand tool having a proximity detector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hand tool having a motor powered by a power source and an operating switch for the motor controllable by an operator, comprising:
- a housing;
a proximity detector disposed in said housing for detecting the presence of the operator during operation of the tool;
a light located in said housing; and
, a trigger circuit located within said housing connected to said detector, said light and the power source, said circuit energizing said light when said detector detects the presence of the operator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a power tool with a hand proximity detector to detect the hand of an operator and a trigger circuit operable with the detector to control the operation of a light in the housing or to provide a safety lockout function. One embodiment includes an operating mode indicating light that is responsive to the detector.
69 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A hand tool having a motor powered by a power source and an operating switch for the motor controllable by an operator, comprising:
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a housing;
a proximity detector disposed in said housing for detecting the presence of the operator during operation of the tool;
a light located in said housing; and
,a trigger circuit located within said housing connected to said detector, said light and the power source, said circuit energizing said light when said detector detects the presence of the operator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20)
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16. A portable handheld drill having a motor powered by a power source and an operating switch controllable by an operator, the drill having a housing with a main portion and an integral handle extending downwardly from the main portion, the drill having a chuck at the front of the main portion of the housing, the operating switch being in the upper front portion of said handle, the drill comprising:
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a trigger circuit located within said housing connected to a proximity detector, a light and the power source, said circuit energizing said light when said detector detects the presence of the operator;
said proximity detector being located in said housing for detecting the presence of the operator during operation of the tool; and
,said light being located in said housing. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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21. A portable handheld drill having a motor powered by a power source and an operating switch controllable by an operator, the drill having a housing with a main portion and an integral handle extending downwardly from the main portion, the drill having a chuck at the front of the main portion of the housing, the operating switch being in the upper front portion of said handle, the drill comprising:
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a proximity detector disposed in the housing for detecting the presence of the operator'"'"'s hand during operation of the tool;
a light located in said housing; and
,a trigger circuit located within said housing connected to said detector, said light and the power source, said circuit energizing said light when said detector detects the presence of the operator'"'"'s hand.
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22. A hand tool having a housing containing a motor powered by a power source and an operating power switch for the motor controllable by a user, the hand tool being capable of operating in at least two different operating modes by manipulating an operating control switch, comprising:
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a proximity detector disposed in said housing for detecting the presence of the operator in close proximity to the tool;
a work illuminating light located in the housing;
a mode indicating light located in the housing;
a circuit located within the housing connected to said detector, said work illuminating light, said mode indicating light and the power source, said trigger circuit energizing said work illuminating light and said mode indicating light when said detector detects the presence of the operator. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A portable handheld drill having a motor powered by a power source and an operating switch controllable by an operator, the drill having a housing with a main portion and an integral handle extending downwardly from the main portion, the drill having a chuck at the front of the main portion of the housing for holding a tool and a direction control switch for reversing the direction of rotation of the motor, the operating switch being in the upper front portion of said handle, the drill comprising:
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a proximity detector disposed in the housing for detecting the presence of the operator'"'"'s hand during operation of the tool;
a first light located in said housing;
at least one second light;
a direction sensing means for providing a direction signal indicating the direction of rotation of the motor;
a circuit located within said housing connected to said detector, said first light, said second light and the power source, said circuit energizing said first light when said detector detects the presence of the operator. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification