Power Tool Having Interchangeable Tool Heads With An Independent Accessory Switch

• US 20130118767A1
• Filed: 11/07/2012
• Published: 05/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cannaliato, Michael F., McQuaid, Keith E., Miller, David A., Phillips, Steven J., Sergyeyenko, Oleksly P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,776,315 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 173/29
• 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 5/021 with guiding devices guiding devices for hand tools on stands or supports B25H1/0078

Abstract

A power tool is provided which accommodates interchangeable tool heads. The power tool includes: a tool body having a housing and an electric motor mounted within the housing, as well as a tool head that releasably attaches via a mechanical connection and an electrical connection to the tool body. The tool releasably connects to the output shaft of the electric motor when the tool head is attached to the tool body. A tool switch interposed between a power source for the electric motor and the electric motor is operable to supply power from the power source to the electric motor. A tool accessory switch interposed between the tool accessory and the power source for the electric motor is operable to supply power from the power source via the electrical connection to the tool accessory, thereby providing the tool operator independent control of the tool accessory.

Claims

1. A power tool, comprising:

a tool body having a housing and an electric motor mounted within the housing, the electric motor having a rotatable output shaft;

a tool head releasably attachable via a mechanical connection and an electrical connection to the tool body, the tool head including a tool and a tool accessory, the tool operably connects to the output shaft of the electric motor when the tool head is attached to the tool body;

a tool switch mounted on the housing of the tool body, the tool switch interposed between a power source for the electric motor and the electric motor and operable to supply power from the power source to the electric motor; and

a tool accessory switch interposed between the tool accessory and the power source for the electric motor, and operable to supply power from the power source via the electrical connection to the tool accessory.

2. The power tool of claim 1 wherein the electrical connection is formed by an electrical connector integrated with the tool head and mated with an electrical connector integrated with the tool body.

3. The power tool of claim 2 wherein the electrical connection includes a first terminal electrically coupled to the tool accessory switch.

4. The power tool of claim 3 wherein the electrical connection includes a second terminal electrically coupled to the tool switch.

5. The power tool of claim 1 wherein the tool accessory switch is integrated into at least one of the tool head or the tool body.

6. The power tool of claim 1 wherein the tool is further defined as a chuck for a drill bit and the tool accessory is further defined as a light.

7. The power tool of claim 1 wherein the tool is further defined as a saw and the tool accessory is further defined as a fan.

8. The power tool of claim 1 further comprises a controller disposed in the housing of the tool body and configured to receive an identifier for the tool head via the electrical connection from the tool head, the controller operable to adjust power output by the motor based on the identifier received from the tool head.

9. The power tool of claim 8 further comprises a secondary tool switch interposed between the tool switch and the electric motor, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the secondary tool switch and controls the secondary tool switch based on the identifier received from the tool head.

10. A power tool comprising

a tool body having a housing and an electric motor mounted within the housing, the electric motor having a rotatable output shaft;

a tool head releasably attachable to the tool body, the tool head including a tool operably coupled via an attachment mechanism to the output shaft of the electric motor when the tool head is attached to the tool body; and

the tool head further including a tool accessory and a tool accessory switch, the tool accessory switch interposed between the tool accessory and a power source for the electric motor and operable to supply power from the power source to the tool accessory.

11. The power tool of claim 10 further comprises a tool switch mounted on the housing of the tool body, the tool switch interposed between the power source for the electric motor and the electric motor and operable to supply power from the power source to the electric motor.

12. The power tool of claim 10 wherein the tool accessory switch is further defined as a latching switch.

13. The power tool of claim 10 further comprises an electrical connection formed between the tool body and the tool head when the tool head is attached to the tool body.

14. The power tool of claim 13 wherein the electrical connection is formed by an electrical connector integrated with the tool head and mated with an electrical connector integrated with the tool body.

15. The power tool of claim 14 wherein the electrical connection includes a first terminal electrically coupled to the tool accessory switch.

16. The power tool of claim 15 wherein the electrical connection includes a second terminal electrically coupled to the tool switch.

17. The power tool of claim 10 wherein the tool accessory switch is integrated into at least one of the tool head or the tool body.

18. The power tool of claim 10 wherein the tool is further defined as a chuck for a drill bit and the tool accessory is further defined as a light.

19. The power tool of claim 10 further comprises a controller disposed in the housing of the tool body and configured to receive an identifier for the tool head via the electrical connection from the tool head, the controller operable to adjust power output by the motor based on the identifier received from the tool head.

20. The power tool of claim 19 further comprises a secondary tool switch interposed between the tool switch and the electric motor, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the secondary tool switch and controls the secondary tool switch based on the identifier received from the tool head.