Mechanism for use in a power tool and a power tool including such a mechanism

• US 7,207,233 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2002
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wadge, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): FENSTERMACHER, DAVID MORGAN
• Application Number:
  US10/316,455
• Publication Number:
  US 20060123941A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,595 Days
• Field of Search: 744/12.R, 744/16, 744/17, 81/572.6, 81/572.8
• US Class Current: 74/412.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/02 Construction of casings, bodies or handles B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1956 Adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19642 Directly cooperating gears
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1966 Intersecting axes

Abstract

A mechanism comprises an input shaft (11) and an output shaft (32) which are co-planar. Between the input shaft and output shaft is an axis (20) orthogonal to both shafts about which mounting brackets (30) holding the input and output shafts may pivot. This permits an angular adjustment between the input and output shaft within the same plane.

Claims

1. A mechanism for use in a power tool, which mechanism comprises, an input shaft rotatable about a first axis and an output shaft rotatable about a second axis, the input and output shafts being at least partially positioned within a housing, the output shaft having one end extending through the housing, wherein the first axis and the second axis lie in the same plane, yet the relative orientation of the first axis to the second axis is adjustable within the said same plane;

the mechanism arranged to transmit rotational drive from the input shaft to the output shaft regardless of the orientation of the first axis relative to the second axis, the mechanism including a faceplate gear arranged between the input shaft and the output shaft;

the faceplate gear co-operable with the input shaft and the output shaft thereby to transmit rotary drive from the input shaft to the output shaft; and

the faceplate gear arranged to lie in a plane which is parallel with the plane in which the first axis and the second axis lie; and

wherein one of the input shaft and the output shaft is moveable about the faceplate gear to allow adjustment of the relative orientation of the first axis and the second axis.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the faceplate gear is rotatable about a third axis, which third axis is orthogonal to the first and second axes.

3. A mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the faceplate gear is freely rotatable about the third axis.

4. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein both the input shaft and the output shaft have pinions formed thereon, each pinion for co-operation with teeth formed on the faceplate gear.

5. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the faceplate gear has two major faces thereof and wherein only one major face of the faceplate carries teeth.

6. A mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the input shaft and the output shaft are each hinged for adjustment about a common pivot.

7. A mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the common pivot is formed on the third axis.

8. A mechanism for use in a power tool, which mechanism comprises:

an input shaft rotatable about a first axis;

an output shaft rotatable about a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis lie in the same plane, yet the relative orientation of the first axis to the second axis is adjustable within the same plane, the mechanism being arranged to transmit rotational drive from the input shaft to the output shaft regardless of the orientation of the first axis relative to the second axis;

a faceplate gear arranged between the input shaft and the output shaft, the faceplate gear being co-operable with the input shaft and the output shaft thereby to transmit rotary drive from the input shaft to the output shaft, wherein the faceplate gear is fixed for rotation with a faceplate gear shaft;

a first bracket rotatably supporting a first end of the faceplate gear shaft; and

a second bracket rotatably supporting a second end of the faceplate gear shaft, wherein the first and second brackets are separate and spaced apart from one another.

9. A mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the first bracket rotatably supports the input shaft and wherein the second bracket rotatably supports the output shaft.

10. A mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the first bracket includes a substantially hollow cylindrical portion circumscribing at least part of the first shaft and an arm portion axially extending substantially parallel to the first axis.

11. A mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the arm portion of the first bracket includes a circular boss shaped to receive a trunnion rotatably supporting the faceplate gear shaft.

12. A mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the faceplate gear shaft rotates about a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes.