Illuminated power tools with switch locking arrangement

• US 9,458,996 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2013
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH, Robert Bosch Tool Corporation (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH, Robert Bosch Tool Corporation (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Francis, Noel, Groth, Brady, Laubach, Marco, DeCicco, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Negron, Ismael
• Application Number:
  US14/103,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20140160729A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 362/119
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/00 Accessories specially designed for sawing machines or sawing devices lubricating or cooling machine tools in general B23Q11/12
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/021 with guiding devices guiding devices for hand tools on stands or supports B25H1/0078
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0084 Hand tools; Toolboxes

Abstract

A power tool includes a working element, a motor, a motor actuator, a housing, a light emitting element, a locking element, and a switch element positioned between the housing and the locking element. The housing supports the motor, the motor actuator, and the light emitting element and movably supports the locking element. The light emitting element illuminates a work area around the working element, and the motor drives the working element when actuated by the motor actuator. The locking element enables operation of the motor actuator when in an unlocked position and prevents operation of the motor actuator when in a locked position. When in the unlocked position, the locking element operates the switch element to activate the light emitting element.

Claims

1. A power tool, comprising:

a working element;

a motor drivingly coupled to the working element;

a motor actuator configured to operate the motor;

a housing configured to support the motor and motor actuator;

a light emitting element supported by the housing and configured to illuminate a work area around the working element;

a locking element supported by the housing so as to be movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking element configured to enable the motor actuator when positioned in the unlocked position and configured to disable the motor actuator when positioned in the locked position; and

a switch element configured to operate the light emitting element when the locking element is in the unlocked position, the switch element disposed between the housing and the locking element and operable in relation to movement of the locking element, the switch element including two switches positioned opposite one another and an actuation element associated with the locking element and movable to activate either of the two switches.

2. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the two switches face toward one another and the actuation element is interposed between the two switches.

3. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the two switches face away from one another and the actuation element is surrounding the two switches.

4. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the locking element includes a biasing member coupled to the locking element and configured to bias the locking element toward the locked position.

5. The power tool of claim 1, wherein:

the switch element further includes a variable resistor associated with the locking element and electrically connected to and configured to activate the actuation element, and

the actuation element is configured to operate either of the switches when the locking element is in the unlocked position.

6. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the actuation element is movable to activate either of the two switches when the locking element is in the unlocked position.

7. The power tool of claim 6, wherein the switches are supported by the housing and configured such that one of the switches is operated by the actuation element when the locking element is in the unlocked position.

8. The power tool of claim 1, wherein:

the switch element includes two prongs associated with the locking element and spaced apart from one another by a gap,

the switch element further includes a rib supported by the housing and positioned in the gap such that the rib contacts a first of the two prongs when the locking element is moved in a first direction and contacts a second of the two prongs when the locking element is moved in a second direction.

9. The power tool of claim 8, wherein the switches are positioned on the prongs facing one another on opposite sides of the gap, and the switches are configured to be operated by the rib when the rib contacts the prongs.

10. The power tool of claim 8, wherein the switches are positioned on the rib facing away from one another toward opposite prongs, and the switches are configured to be operated by the prongs when the prongs contact the rib.

11. The power tool of claim 1, wherein:

the switch element includes two prongs supported by the housing and spaced apart from one another by a gap, and

the switch element further includes a rib associated with the locking element and positioned in the gap such that the rib contacts a first of the two prongs when the locking element is moved in a first direction and contacts a second of the two prongs when the locking element is moved in a second direction.

12. The power tool of claim 11, wherein the switches are positioned on the prongs facing one another on opposite sides of the gap, and the switches are configured to be operated by the rib when the rib contacts the prongs.

13. The power tool of claim 11, wherein the switches are positioned on the rib facing away from one another toward opposite prongs, and the switches are configured to be operated by the prongs when the prongs contact the rib.

14. The power tool of claim 1, wherein:

the switches are micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) switches; and

the actuation element is movable to activate either of the MEM switches when the locking element is in the unlocked position.

15. The power tool of claim 14, wherein:

the switch element further includes a printed circuit board electrically connected to the light emitting element, and

the MEM switches are surface mounted to the printed circuit board.

16. The power tool of claim 15, wherein the printed circuit board is movable relative to the housing to activate the MEM switches with the actuation element.