Power tool having interchangeable tool head

• US 6,286,611 B1
• Filed: 08/25/1998
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bone, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Peter
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, SCOTT A
• Application Number:
  US09/139,200
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 173/216, 173/217, 173/29, 173/46, 173/114, 173/205, 173/170, 305/00, 301/22, 715/8, 716/7, 310/50, 310/47, 408/20, 464/177, 464/901
• US Class Current: 173/216
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 3/00 Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/50 Convertible metal working machine
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/31 Convertible cutting means

Abstract

A power tool includes a motor (20) mounted within a body (14) of the tool. The tool (14) is able to accept any one of a plurality of attachment members (54) so as to form a tool dedicated for a particular job. Each one of the attachment members (54) of the plurality has a pre-determined output speed and one of a rotary and non-rotary output. By the ability to interchange the attachment members of the plurality therefore a total power tool is provided having the above features.

Claims

1. A power tool comprising:

a tool body having a motor with a rotary output, said tool body having a generally cylindrical opening providing access to said rotary output, said tool body further including a slot radially extending from and intersecting said cylindrical opening; and

a tool head releasably attached to the tool body, the tool head having first and second generally cylindrical portions extending along an axis of the tool head, the first generally cylindrical portion extending from an end of the tool head and received within the generally cylindrical opening, the second generally cylindrical portion having a diameter smaller than the first generally cylindrical portion, axially extending from the first generally cylindrical portion and received within the generally cylindrical opening to engage a second opening therein the tool head further including a projection for cooperating with said slot to orient the tool head in a pre-determined orientation relative to the body, said projection being rigid, fixedly carried by the tool head,extending radially from the first generally cylindrical portion, and axially engageable with said slot.

2. The power tool of claim 1, wherein said projection is disposed adjacent a radially extending shoulder which abuts said tool body.

3. The power tool of claim 1, wherein said tool body further includes a lock-off mechanism to disable a power actuation switch when said tool head is disconnected from said tool body.

4. The power tool of claim 3, wherein said lock-off mechanism is movable from a locked position to an unlocked position upon insertion of said projection into said slot.

5. The power tool of claim 4, wherein said projection includes a cam surface for engaging said lock-off mechanism.

6. The power tool of claim 4, wherein said lock-off mechanism is pivotally mounted within said tool body.

7. The power tool of claim 1, wherein said tool body includes a pair of clam shell halves, said pair of clam shell halves cooperating to define said slot.

8. The power tool of claim 1, wherein said rotary output is completely recessed with said generally cylindrical opening.

9. A power tool comprising:

a tool body having a motor with a rotary output, said tool body having a first opening substantially co-axial with said rotary output, said tool body further including a slot extending radially outward from said first opening; and

a tool head releasably attached to the tool body, said tool head having first and second co-axial spigot members axially spaced apart from each other, the first spigot member extending from an end of the tool head and received within said first opening and said second spigot member having a diameter smaller than the first spigot member, extending from the first spigot member, through the first opening and into an interior of the tool body to engage a second opening therein when said tool head is connected to said tool body, said first spigot member including a radially extending projection for co-operating engagement with said slot to orientate the tool head in a predetermined orientation relative to the body.

10. The power tool system of claim 9, wherein said first opening is cylindrical.

11. The power tool system of claim 9, wherein said second spigot includes a circumferential channel.

12. The power tool system of claim 9, wherein a shoulder portion formed between a body portion of the tool head and the first spigot member engages an outer rim of the tool body to restrain the tool head from further axial displacement towards the tool body and to position the first and second spigot members in a predetermined position within the cylindrical opening and tool body, respectively.

13. The power tool system of claim 9, wherein said second spigot member is hollow and receives said output spindle.

14. The power tool system of claim 9, wherein said tool head includes a non-rotary output.

15. The power tool system of claim 9, wherein said tool head comprises a gear reduction mechanism.

16. The power tool system of claim 9, wherein said tool head comprises one of a drill chuck, a high speed rotary tool, a reciprocating saw, a detail sander and a nibbler.

17. The power tool system of claim 9, wherein said tool body includes a lock-off mechanism to disable a power activation switch when said tool head is disconnected from the body, and wherein said tool head includes actuating means to engage with and deactivate said lock-off mechanism when said tool head is connected to said body.

18. The power tool system of claim 17, wherein the tool head includes actuating means which automatically deactivates said lock-off switch.

19. The power tool system of claim 17, wherein said lock-off mechanism comprises a pivotal member having one end biased into engagement with said power activation switch and an opposed end having a cam engaging surface for engagement with a cam surface on each of said tool heads of plurality.

20. The power tool system of claim 9, wherein the motor is powered by a replaceable battery system.

21. A power tool comprising:

a tool body having a motor with a rotary output, said tool body having a first opening coaxial with the rotary output and providing access to said rotary output, said tool body further including a channel radially extending from said first opening; and

a tool head releasably connectable to said tool body and having a rotary input for co-operating engagement with said rotary output when tool body is connected to tool head, said tool head further comprising first and second spigot members both extending coaxially with said rotary input, the first and second spigot members being axially spaced apart from one another, the first spigot member having a diameter greater than the second spigot member, extending from an end of the tool head and received within said first opening in co-operating engagement therewith and said second spigot member extending from the first spigot member, through said first opening and into an interior of the tool body to engage a second opening therein, the first spigot member comprising a radially extending projection for co-operating engagement with said channel to orientate the tool head in a predetermined orientation relative to the body.