Switch assembly

• US 20060147286A1
• Filed: 05/12/2005
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Porter-Cable Corporation (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Porter-Cable Corporation (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Etter, Mark A., Griffin, Greg K., Cooper, Randy G., Allen, Ginger L., Kilbourne, Derrick
• Granted Patent: US 7,108,464 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 409/182
• 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: B25F 5/02 Construction of casings, bodies or handles B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B27C 5/10 Portable hand-operated wood-milling machines; Routers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/65 Means to drive tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/306216 Randomly manipulated, work supported, or work following device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/306552 Randomly manipulated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/306608 End mill [e.g., router, etc.]

Abstract

An apparatus for providing convenient control of a power tool electrical system. A switch assembly includes a first actuator and a second actuator, which is disposed remotely from the switch and first actuator. The second actuator is connected via a coupling device, such that user manipulation of either the first or second actuator is capable of controlling electricity flowing to the motor. Including a second actuator may permit the user to retain greater control over the tool when turning the power on or off. In additional exemplary aspects, a coupling device included in the switch assembly is configured and arranged so as to prevent inadvertent damage to the power tool such as by accidental engagement of a shaft lock while the motor is operating.

Claims

1. A power tool, comprising:

a housing;

a motor contained in the housing;

a drive shaft connected to the motor for transmitting energy from the motor to a working tool;

a switch electrically coupled to the motor, for controlling the flow of electricity to the motor;

a coupling device coupled to the switch, such that manipulating the switch results in movement of the coupling device; and

a shaft lock that is selectively moveable by a user to prevent rotation of the drive shaft,

wherein the coupling device is configured to prevent the shaft lock from being selectively moved by the user to prevent rotation of the drive shaft when electricity is flowing to the motor.

2. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the coupling device is comprises at least one of a bar and a rod.

3. The power tool of claim 21, wherein the opening includes at least one of a Y-shaped terminal portion and a keyhole for engaging the shaft lock so as to prevent the shaft lock from engaging the drive shaft.

4. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the shaft lock comprises a biased pin.

5. The power tool of claim 1,

wherein the coupling device configured to slide in a direction along the motor housing to prevent movement of the shaft lock when electricity is flowing to the motor.

6. The power tool of claim 1, further comprising an actuator coupled to the coupling device.

7. The power tool of claim 6, wherein the actuator is at least one of a flip actuator, a toggle actuator, a slide actuator, a rocker actuator, a protrusion, a thumb pad, and a push-button actuator.

8. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the coupling device extends generally along the motor housing.

20. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the shaft lock comprises a pin that engages the drive shaft when selectively moved by the user to prevent rotation of the drive shaft.

21. The power tool of claim 20, wherein the coupling device comprises an opening that is configured to prevent movement of the shaft lock to engage the drive shaft when the switch is positioned to enable electricity to flow to the motor.

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. A power tool, comprising:

a generally cylindrical motor housing;

a motor contained in the motor housing, for driving a working tool;

a drive shaft connected to the motor, for coupling a working tool thereto;

a biased pin mounted to the motor housing that is selectively moveable by a user to engage the drive shaft to prevent rotation of the drive shaft and to disengage the drive shaft to permit rotation of the drive shaft, and

a switch assembly, for selectively providing electricity to the motor, including;

a switch electrically coupled to the motor, for controlling the flow of electricity to the motor; and

a coupling device including a portion configured to contact the biased pin, said coupling device being configured for manipulating the switch,

wherein the coupling device is longitudinally slideable to achieve a locked position for preventing the biased pin from being moved by the user to engage the drive shaft and an engaging position whereby the coupling device permits the biased pin to be moved by the user into engagement with the drive shaft.

17. A power tool, comprising:

a housing;

a motor contained in the motor housing;

a drive shaft connected to the motor, for transmitting rotation from the motor to a working tool;

means for engaging the drive shaft to prevent rotation of the drive shaft, the engaging means being selectively moveable by a user to engage the drive shaft; and

means for controlling the flow of electricity to the motor;

wherein the controlling means prevents the user from moving the engaging means to engage the drive shaft when electricity is flowing to the motor.

18. The power tool of claim 17, wherein controlling means prevents electricity from flowing to the motor when the housing is supported on an end of the housing generally opposite the drive shaft.

19. (canceled)

22. A router, comprising:

a motor housing;

a motor contained in the motor housing;

a drive shaft connected to the motor, for transmitting energy from the motor to a router bit;

a base configured to receive tie motor housing so that the router bit extends through an aperture in the base;

a switch electrically coupled to the motor, for controlling the flow of electricity to the motor;

a coupling device coupled to the switch, such that manipulating the switch results in movement of the coupling device; and

a shaft lock that is moveable to prevent rotation of the drive shaft,

wherein the coupling device is configured to prevent the shaft lock from being moved to prevent rotation of the drive shaft when electricity is flowing to the motor.

12. The router of claim 22, wherein electricity is permitted to flow to the motor when the coupling device is disposed in a locked position.

13. The router of claim 22, wherein electricity is prevented from flowing to the motor when the coupling device is in an engaging position.

14. The router of claim 22, wherein the coupling device is at least one of a bar and a rod extending generally along the longitudinal axis of the motor housing.

15. The router of claim 22, wherein the shaft lock comprises a biased pin and the coupling device includes at least one of a Y-shaped end and a keyhole, for engaging at least one of a head and a recessed portion included on the biased pin to prevent engagement of the biased pin with the drive shaft, when the coupling device is disposed in a locked position.

16. The router of claim 22, wherein the coupling device includes at least one of an angled surface and a convex surface configured to cause the coupling device into engaging the biased pin to engage the drive shaft.