Power tool lockdown device

• US 7,317,263 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2005
• Issued: 01/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary Anderson
• Original Assignee: Gary Anderson
• Inventors: Anderson, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): DeBeradinis; Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US11/125,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20050248893A1
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 307/115
• US Class Current: 307/115
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 27/00 Switches operated by a removable member, e.g. key, plug or plate; Switches operated by setting members according to a single predetermined combination out of several possible settings combined with plug-and-socket connectors H01R13/70; with current-carrying plug H01R31/08
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/06 Casing of switch constituted by a handle serving a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. by the handle of a vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A lockdown device for a power tool includes a housing containing a battery, a processor, and a relay. The housing mounts to an aperture in a power tool so as to be locked thereto and so as to be immovable therefrom without dismantling of the power tool. An electrical power cord mounts to the housing in electrical communication with the processor and relay. The processor communicates with the relay for selectively electrically opening and closing the relay upon instructions from the processor. The processor detects a mains electrical power supply and sequences opening of the relay following a pre-set delay upon detection by the processor of an absence of, or loss of the mains electrical supply to the processor and the relay. A removable key cooperates with the processor and relay for the manual closing of the relay to power the power tool.

Claims

1. A lockdown device for a power tool comprising:

a relay housing having first and second ends, an electrical relay mounted in said housing, said relay having an electrical input side and an electrical output side,

a mounting means mounted to said first end of said housing so as to extend therefrom, said mounting means adapted for mounting into an aperture in a power tool so as to be locked thereto and so as to be immovable therefrom without dismantling of the power tool,

an electrical power cord receptacle formed in said second end of said housing for mounting, in electrical communication, a power cord to said input side of said relay,

an electrical conductor mounted to said output side of said relay for electrical connection to a power switch of the power tool,

a processor mounted in said housing and communicating with said relay for selectively electrically opening and closing said relay upon instructions from said processor, said processor including means for detecting a mains electrical power supply when the power cord is mounted to said power cord receptacle and when the power cord is connected to a mains electrical power supply, said processor further comprising means for sequencing opening of said relay following a pre-set delay by a delay means upon detection by said processor of an absence of, or loss of the mains electrical supply to said processor and said relay,

an externally accessible activating means on said housing for selective closing of said relay by a user upon provision by the user of a key cooperative with said activating means, wherein said key may be physically removed from said activating means, once said relay is activated into said closed position, without opening said relay.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said power cord receptacle is an end cap selectively demountable from said housing, wherein said end cap has an aperture therein sized for accepting one end of the power cord therethrough for electrical connection of the power cord to said input side of said relay.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said processor includes an independent power supply for supplying power to said processor and said relay upon disconnection from the mains electrical supply.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said independent power supply is automatically rechargeable from said mains electrical power supply when connected.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said mounting means is a rigid collar.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said delay means is a counter in said processor.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising non-removable power tool casing fasteners for clamping a casing of the power tool irremovably about said mounting means.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said mounting means is adapted to snugly mount in a power cord aperture of a casing of the power tool.