Upper bumper configuration for a power tool

• US 7,726,536 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Issued: 06/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schell, Craig A., Gross, Paul, Berry, Alan, Kenney, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rada; Rinaldi I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHUKWURAH, NATHANIEL C
• Application Number:
  US11/095,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20050218181A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,888 Days
• Field of Search: 227/10, 227/133, 227/134, 227/131, 227/147, 173/162.1, 173/162.2, 173/122, 173/210
• US Class Current: 227/134
• CPC Class Codes: B25C 1/06 operated by electric power

Abstract

A tool with a structure, a driver that reciprocates along an axis between a returned position and an extended position and a bumper that is coupled to the structure so as to be disposed between the structure and the driver. The bumper includes a beat piece and a damper.

Claims

1. A tool comprising:

a driver having an end surface;

a frame defining a bumper pocket;

a motor assembly coupled to the frame, the motor assembly being configured to translate the driver along an axis in a first direction toward an extended position, the motor assembly also being configured to translate the driver along the axis in a second direction opposite the first direction toward a retracted position; and

a bumper received in the bumper pocket, the bumper including an impact-resistant member and an impact absorbing member that are disposed in series with one another, wherein the impact-resistant member is formed of a first material and the impact absorbing member is formed of a second material that is relatively more resilient than the impact-resistant member, wherein the impact resistant member is disposed against the end surface of the driver when the driver is positioned in the returned position, and wherein the bumper is offset from the driver when the driver is moved from the returned position toward the extended position;

wherein the bumper pocket is defined by a pair of side walls, an upper wall and a set of ribs, the upper wall being generally orthogonal to the side walls, each of the ribs being formed on an associated one of the side walls and being angled to match a sloped lower surface formed on the bumper, the ribs and the upper wall cooperating to drive the impact resistant member and the impact absorbing member against one another as the bumper is inserted to the bumper pocket.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the impact resistant member defines a cavity for receiving an end of the driver.

3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the cavity has a face that cooperates with the end surface of the driver to position the driver away from a portion of the motor assembly when the driver is in the returned position.

4. The tool of claim 3, wherein the face is arcuate in shape.

5. The tool of claim 2, wherein the cavity is sized to limit movement of the driver in a direction that is orthogonal to both the insertion axis and the axis about which the driver translates.

6. The tool of claim 2, wherein an end of the impact absorbing member that abuts the impact resistant member has a shape that is similar to a shape of the face.

7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the impacting absorbing member is at least partially received into the impact resistant member.

8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the impact resistant member is formed of glass-filled nylon.

9. The tool of claim 1, wherein the impact absorbing member is formed of chlorobutyl rubber.

10. A driving tool comprising:

a frame defining a rotational axis and a driver axis that is perpendicular to the rotational axis;

a flywheel mounted on the frame for rotation about the rotational axis;

a driver mounted on the frame and movable along the driver axis between an extended position and a returned position;

a roller that is selectively engaged to the driver to urge the driver into contact with the flywheel to transfer energy to the driver to cause the driver to move along the driver axis toward the extended position; and

a bumper coupled to the frame for decelerating the driver when the driver is moved to the returned position, the bumper including a beat piece and a damper, the beat piece being formed of a first material, the damper being formed of a second material that is relatively more resilient than the first material, the beat piece being disposed between the damper and the driver;

wherein the beat piece includes a concave aperture into which an end of the driver is received when the driver is in the returned position and wherein the concave aperture is non-symmetrically shaped about a plane, the plane including the driver axis and being arranged parallel to the rotational axis, the plane not intersecting the rotational axis.

11. The driving tool of claim 10, wherein the damper is removably received into the beat piece.

12. The driving tool of claim 10, wherein the beat piece is at least partly formed of nylon.

13. The driving tool of claim 10, wherein the damper is formed of chlorobutyl rubber.

14. The driving tool of claim 10, wherein a plurality of ribs are formed on the frame, the bumper being received between and abutting the ribs, the ribs limiting axial movement of the bumper relative to the frame.