Portable tool connected to an operation controlling and /or monitoring unit via a cable

• US 6,821,157 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2001
• Issued: 11/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atlas Copco AB
• Original Assignee: Atlas Copco AB
• Inventors: Brändström, Ulf Roland, Wallgren, Carl Johan Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US10/152,181
• Publication Number:
  US 20020144832A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 439/638, 439/651, 439/568, 310/50, 173/2, 173/20, 173/171, 173/217, 200/51.R
• US Class Current: 439/638
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 21/00 Portable power-driven screw or nut setting or loosening tools; details or components, e.g. casings, bodies, of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operation performed B25F5/00; for mounting or dismounting wheels B60B29/006; Attachments for drilling apparatus serving the same purpose machines B23P19/06
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/14 Arrangement of torque limiters or torque indicators in wrenches or screwdrivers couplings for transmitting rotation or clutches F16D; devices for measuring torque per se G01L

Abstract

A portable tool is connected to a remotely located operation controlling and/or monitoring control it via a multi-core cable. The multi-core cable is connected to the tool by a standard type multi-connector plug and jack connection to supply electric power and/or electric signals between the tool and the control unit. At least one signal producing element is provided on an upgrading module. The upgrading module is insertable between the tool and the multi-core cable via mating multi-connector plug and jack connections, and forms a readily exchangeable adapter. The upgrading module is individually designed to meet the demands of a particular operator, thereby adapting a standard type portable tool to a certain application without involving any re-building of the tool.

Claims

1. A portable power tool, comprising:

at least one signal producing element for delivering at least one of command signals and operation related signals;

an operation control unit, located remotely from the tool, for at least one of controlling and monitoring the tool;

a multi-core cable connecting the tool to the control unit, and including a multi-connector plug which is connectable with a mating multi-connector jack on the tool to thereby communicate electric power and the at least one of the command and operation related signals between the tool and the control unit; and

a separate upgrading module including (i) the at least one signal producing element, (ii) a secondary multi-connector plug on a first side for interconnection with the multi-connector jack on the tool, and (iii) a secondary multi-connector jack on a second side for interconnection with the multi-connector plug on the cable;

wherein the at least one signal producing element is specifically adapted to particular tool operator demands, and the upgrading module comprises a disconnectable adapter which is adapted to be interchangeably inserted between the cable and the tool.

2. The power tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one signal producing element comprises an alerting or warning signal emitting device.

3. The power tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one signal producing element comprises a barcode reader.

4. The power tool according to claim 1, further comprising an electric motor;

wherein the control unit includes a power supply connected to the motor via the cable and the upgrading module.

5. The power tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one signal producing element comprises a motor operation command signal producing device.

6. The power tool according to claim 1, wherein the upgrading module comprises one of a plurality of interchangeable upgrading modules, and each one of the plurality of upgrading modules is individually equipped with at least one signal producing element which is specifically adapted to meet a certain operator demand.

7. An upgrading module or a portable tool comprising at least one signal producing element communicating with a remotely located operation control unit via a multi-core cable, the cable including a multi-connector plug and the tool including a multi-connector jack, said upgrading module comprising:

the at least one signal producing element;

an integrated multi-connector plug on a first side of the upgrading module for interconnection with the multi-connector jack on the tool; and

an integrated multi-connector jack on a second side of the upgrading module for interconnection with the multi-connector plug on the cable;

wherein the upgrading module is insertable as a disconnectable and exchangeable adapter between the tool and the cable.

8. The upgrading module according to claim 7, wherein the upgrading module comprises one of at least two interchangeable upgrading modules, and each one of the at least two interchangeable upgrading modules comprises a combination of signal producing elements specific to the one of the at least two interchangeable upgrading modules and adapted to a specific tool application.

9. The upgrading module according to claim 7, wherein the at least one signal producing element comprises a barcode reader.

10. The upgrading module according to claim 7, further comprising an electric motor;

wherein the control unit includes a power supply connected to the motor via the cable and the upgrading module.

11. The upgrading module according to claim 7, wherein the at least one signal producing element comprises a motor operation command signal producing device.

12. The upgrading module according to claim 7, wherein the upgrading module comprises one of a plurality of interchangeable upgrading modules, and each one of the plurality of upgrading modules is individually equipped with at least one signal producing element which is specifically adapted to meet a certain operator demand.