Pneumatic tool housings having embedded electronic devices

• US 6,547,014 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2001
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Industrial U.S., Inc. (Ingersoll Rand, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company (Trane Technologies plc)
• Inventors: Souls, Douglas E., Ashbaugh, Kurt E., McCallops, John A., Heinrichs, Kevin, Hamlin, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHUKWURAH, NATHANIEL C
• Application Number:
  US09/783,898
• Publication Number:
  US 20020108765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 173/168, 173/169, 310/47, 310/50
• US Class Current: 173/169
• 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

Abstract

A pneumatic tool housing is provided having storage for an embedded electronic device. The pneumatic tool has a gas inlet for supplying a motive gas stream to the tool and an exhaust outlet for exhausting the motive gas stream from the tool. A compartment is provided for an electronic device wherein the compartment is in fluid communication with at least a portion of the motive gas stream. Also provided is a pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device with a compartment for an electronic device having at least one electrical lead wherein the compartment is covered by a component part of the pneumatic tool during operation.

Claims

1. A pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device comprising:

a gas inlet for supplying a motive gas stream to said tool, and

an exhaust outlet for exhausting said motive gas stream from said tool,

and a compartment for an electronic device wherein said compartment is in fluid communication with at least a portion of said motive gas stream and includes an aperture in said housing for exposing an electrical contact portion of an electronic device inserted in said compartment.

2. The pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device as recited by claim 1, said compartment further comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein said at least a portion of said motive gas stream enters into said compartment through said inlet and exits through said outlet.

3. The pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device as recited by claim 2, wherein said outlet of said compartment comprises at least one rib for separating a plurality of electrical leads of an electronic device when mounted in said compartment.

4. The pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device as recited by claim 2, wherein said housing of said pneumatic tool comprises a pistol-grip handle portion with said outlet of said compartment being an aperture formed in said handle portion.

5. The pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device as recited by claim 2, wherein said pneumatic tool is an inline assembly tool having an exhaust cap with said outlet of said compartment being an aperture formed in said exhaust cap.

6. A pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device comprising:

a gas inlet for supplying a motive gas stream to said tool, and

an exhaust outlet for exhausting said motive gas stream from said tool,

a compartment for an electronic device, said compartment comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein at least a portion of said motive gas stream enters into said compartment through said inlet and exits through said outlet, and

an electronic device having at least one electrical lead with each electrical lead having a corresponding electrical contact portion, said electrical contact portion being located such that upon inserting said electronic device in said compartment, said electrical contact portion is located in said outlet of said compartment.

7. The pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device as recited by claim 6, wherein said electrical contact portion is a ferrule mounted on said corresponding electrical lead.

8. The pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device as recited by claim 6, wherein said electronic device is a semiconductor electronic chip.

9. A pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device comprising a compartment for an electronic device having at least one electrical lead wherein said compartment includes an aperture in said housing for exposing an electrical contact portion of an electronic device inserted in said compartment, said aperture being covered by a component part of said pneumatic tool during operation.

10. The pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device as recited by claim 9, wherein said component part covering said compartment is an operating trigger mounted on said housing, said operating trigger being disposed such that upon depressing said trigger, at least a portion of said electronic device is exposed.

11. A pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device comprising an electronic device having at least one electrical lead with each electrical lead having a corresponding electrical contact portion, a compartment for said electronic device wherein said compartment is covered by a component part of said pneumatic tool during operation and said electrical contact portion being located such that upon depressing said trigger, said electrical contact portion of said electronic device is uncovered.

12. The pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device as recited by claim 11, further comprising a holder configured to receive said electronic device and mount in said compartment.

13. The pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device as recited by claim 12, wherein said holder comprises at least one rib for separating a plurality of electrical leads of an electronic device when mounted in said compartment.

14. The pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device as recited by claim 11, wherein said electrical contact portion is a ferrule mounted on said corresponding electrical lead.

15. The pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device as recited by claim 11, wherein said electronic device is a semiconductor electronic chip.

16. The pneumatic tool housing having storage for an embedded electronic device as recited by claim 11, wherein said housing of said pneumatic tool comprises a removable pistol-grip handle portion that installs onto said housing.