ADJUSTABLE SWITCH DEVICE

• US 3,603,757 A
• Filed: 09/18/1969
• Issued: 09/07/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward V. Sahrbacker
• Original Assignee: Edward V. Sahrbacker
• Inventors: Sahrbacker, Edward V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, H. O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vanderhye, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US04/859,039
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 200/157
• US Class Current: 200/522
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/061 enclosing a continuously variable impedance

Abstract

A trigger-operated electrical switch for a portable electric motor-driven tool to control the application of electrical energy from an energy source to the motor. The switch includes stationary contaCt elements and a stationary resistance element connected into an electrode circuit. The switch also includes a contact carrier having a plurality of movable contact elements which coact with the stationary contact elements and the resistance element to variably control the application of the electrical energy to the motor. A manually actuatable trigger handle is adjustably connected to the contact carrier to enable selective manual actuation thereof. The trigger handle is longitudinally adjustable on the contact carrier to enable the operator to preselect the amount the movable contaCts may be moved relative to the stationary contact elements and resistance element and thus control the speed of the motor.

Claims

1. In a portable electric motor-driven tool having a triggerreceiving housing aperture, wherein the tool is of the type adapted to contain a control system capable of varying the speed of the tool motor in response to a predetermined amount of trigger movement, a trigger-actuated switch device for mounting in said aperture, said switch device comprising, a switch casing, an elongated contact carrier operatively connected to the control system and mounted for reciprocation in said casing to vary the motor speed with an outer portion of the contact carrier extending outwardly of the casing, bias means carried by the casing and engaged with the contact carrier for urging the same to an extended position, stop means for preventing movement of the contact carrier beyond such extended position, a separate and distinct trigger handle adjustably mounted on the outer portion of the contact carrier for selective longitudinal movement thereon, and manually operable means for selectively moving said trigger handle longitudinally on said contact carrier to predetermined positions thereon, said trigger having an abutment engageable with the Casing to limit movement of the contact carrier into the casing and thereby selectively control the motor speed.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said manually operable means includes an adjustment screw rotatively disposed in said trigger handle and extending into the contact carrier in threaded engagement therewith, whereby preselected circumferential rotation of the adjustment screw varies the distance between the trigger handle and the contact carrier a predetermined amount thereby selecting a desired motor speed.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said bias means includes a compressed coiled spring disposed between the contact carrier and the casing.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein said contact carrier has an elongated recess in its upper surface, and said casing has a projection extending into said recess to form said stop means.

5. The structure of claim 1 and further including a reversing switch mounted on said casing in coacting relation with said switch device, said reversing switch having a handle extending in a direction opposite and rearwardly of the trigger handle.

6. The structure of claim 1 wherein the trigger handle has a scale formed thereon and which coacts with the part of the housing defining the switch aperture to enable an operator to select a predetermined motor speed with the switch in its off position.