Trigger assembly for angle grinder

• US 8,087,976 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2008
• Issued: 01/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gallagher, William F., Doyle, Michael C., Hatfield, Eric E., Tomayko, David C., Krout, Daniel L., Malloy, Tanika
• Primary Examiner(s): Eley, Timothy V
• Application Number:
  US12/070,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20080146127A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,413 Days
• Field of Search: 451/11, 451/5, 451/6, 451/8, 451344-359, 200/43.16, 200/43.17, 200/332.2
• US Class Current: 451/344
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 23/022 Spindle-locking devices, e.g. for mounting or removing the tool
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 23/028 Angle tools
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 45/006 Quick mount and release means for disc-like wheels, e.g. on power tools
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 55/102 with rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/141 Mechanical overload release couplings
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/147 specially adapted for electrically operated wrenches or screwdrivers
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/001 Gearings, speed selectors, clutches or the like specially adapted for rotary tools
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/008 Cooling means
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/145 Hand-held machine tool

Abstract

An angle grinder is provided including a trigger assembly for selectively actuating the angle grinder. A particle separation assembly is provided for the removal of any dust, particle, or artifacts that may have entered into the housing of the angle grinder. A brush biasing system is also provided to ensure proper and efficient operation of the motor of the angle grinder. An overload monitoring system is included to monitor the loading on the motor. A clutch mechanism is also included to prevent overloading on the motor of the angle grinder. A gear wheel lock mechanism is also provided to prevent the wheel spindle from rotating during installation or removal of a grinding wheel on the wheel spindle. An anti-locking flange system is also included to prevent the over-tightening of the flanges and the grinder wheel during the operation of the angle grinder. A gear case labyrinth feature is also provided.

Claims

1. A trigger assembly for a power tool having a motor disposed within a housing, the trigger assembly comprising:

a switch disposed within the housing for activating the motor;

a trigger extending from the housing and engageable by a user, the trigger having a first arm and a second arm and pivotably moveable between a first position and a second position;

a locking member engageable with the second arm of the trigger,

wherein when the trigger is in the first position the second arm is not engaged with the switch and the locking member is not engageable with the second arm and when the trigger is in the second position the second arm is engaged with the switch to activate the motor and the locking member is engageable with the second arm.

2. The trigger assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking member extends from the housing and is engageable by a user to move the locking member from a first position to a second position where the locking member engages the second arm of the trigger in the second position holding the trigger in the second position thereby holding the second arm of the trigger in contact with the switch.

3. The trigger assembly of claim 2, wherein the locking member is biased to the first position by a biasing member.

4. The trigger assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking member has a first end and a second end and the first end and the second end are supported by the housing.

5. The trigger assembly of claim 1, wherein the trigger is disposed away from the housing when the trigger is in the first position, and the trigger is disposed generally flush with the housing when the trigger is in the second position.

6. The trigger assembly of claim 1, wherein the trigger is biased to the first position by a biasing member.