Oscillating tool
First Claim
1. A power tool configured to hold an accessory so as to be operable by a user of the tool to drive the accessory, the power tool comprising:
- a motor;
a housing in which the motor is contained;
a spindle mounted in the housing and drivable by the motor; and
a clamp assembly arranged at a lower end of the spindle, the clamp assembly comprising opposed first and second clamping members between which a central portion of the spindle assembly extends, said portion being able to be received in an open-ended aperture in the accessory, the first clamping member being moveable, in a direction parallel to the spindle axis, from a first position which is such that the clamp assumes a closed condition whereby, when said central portion is so received, the accessory is clamped by the clamping members so as to be fixedly coupled to the spindle, to a second position which is such that the clamp assumes an open condition permitting the accessory to be moved in a direction transverse to the spindle axis such that the central portion is passed through the open end of the aperture and the accessory is thus removed from the power tool;
an actuator operable by the user to effect the movement of the first clamping member from the first position to the second position, wherein the actuator is configured such that operation of the actuator alone can effect the movement of the first clamping member from the first position to the second position;
wherein the actuator comprises an elongate member;
wherein at least one of the first clamping member and the second clamping member are located outside of the housing;
wherein the clamp assembly is configured such that the accessory can be clamped by the clamp assembly with the open end facing in a transverse direction away from the motor;
wherein the actuator is rotatable about a rotational axis; and
wherein the rotational axis is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the motor and is perpendicular to the spindle axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A clamp arrangement for securing an accessory to an oscillating power tool can include a clamp assembly including a first clamp member that moves relative to the accessory between a closed position wherein the clamp assembly retains the accessory and an open position wherein the first clamp is offset from the accessory permitting removal of the first accessory from the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly can further comprise a second clamp member having a first portion that opposes the first clamp member and cooperates with the first clamp member to clamp the accessory between the first and second clamp members. An attachment plate can carry the clamp assembly. The attachment plate can have a first mating detail formed thereon that is configured to selectively and removably mate with a complementary second mating detail on the power tool in an assembled position.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A power tool configured to hold an accessory so as to be operable by a user of the tool to drive the accessory, the power tool comprising:
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a motor; a housing in which the motor is contained; a spindle mounted in the housing and drivable by the motor; and a clamp assembly arranged at a lower end of the spindle, the clamp assembly comprising opposed first and second clamping members between which a central portion of the spindle assembly extends, said portion being able to be received in an open-ended aperture in the accessory, the first clamping member being moveable, in a direction parallel to the spindle axis, from a first position which is such that the clamp assumes a closed condition whereby, when said central portion is so received, the accessory is clamped by the clamping members so as to be fixedly coupled to the spindle, to a second position which is such that the clamp assumes an open condition permitting the accessory to be moved in a direction transverse to the spindle axis such that the central portion is passed through the open end of the aperture and the accessory is thus removed from the power tool; an actuator operable by the user to effect the movement of the first clamping member from the first position to the second position, wherein the actuator is configured such that operation of the actuator alone can effect the movement of the first clamping member from the first position to the second position; wherein the actuator comprises an elongate member; wherein at least one of the first clamping member and the second clamping member are located outside of the housing; wherein the clamp assembly is configured such that the accessory can be clamped by the clamp assembly with the open end facing in a transverse direction away from the motor; wherein the actuator is rotatable about a rotational axis; and wherein the rotational axis is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the motor and is perpendicular to the spindle axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A power tool comprising:
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a housing; a motor mounted in the housing; an output member driven by the motor; a spindle coupled to the output member and driven by the motor, through the output member, in an oscillating motion; a clamp assembly coupled to the spindle and configured to retain an accessory, the clamp assembly including a first clamp member that moves between a closed position wherein the clamp assembly retains the accessory in a clamped condition with a clamping force for holding the accessory during operation of the power tool and an open position permitting removal of the accessory from the clamp assembly while the first clamp member remains coupled to the clamp assembly, the clamp assembly further comprising a second clamp member having a first portion that opposes the first clamp member and cooperates with the first clamp member to clamp the accessory between the first and second clamp members; and an actuator operable to cause the first clamp member to move between the closed position and the open position; wherein the spindle is arranged vertically and the clamp assembly is located at a lower end of the spindle; wherein the actuator comprises an elongate member; wherein the actuator is configured such that operation of the actuator alone can effect the movement of the first clamping member from the closed position to the open position; wherein the clamp assembly is configured such that the accessory can be clamped by the clamp assembly in at least in four positions, the four positions spaced 90 degrees apart around the clamp assembly; and wherein the actuator comprises a lever which is rotatable about an axis. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A power tool comprising:
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a housing; a motor mounted in the housing; an output member driven by the motor; a spindle coupled to the output member and driven by the motor, through the output member, in an oscillating motion; a clamp assembly coupled to the spindle; and an accessory comprising an attachment portion with an open ended aperture; wherein the clamp assembly includes a first clamp member that moves between a closed position wherein the clamp assembly retains the accessory in a clamped position with a clamping force for holding the accessory during operation of the power tool and an open position permitting removal of the accessory from the clamp assembly while the first clamp member remains coupled to the clamp assembly, the clamp assembly further comprising a second clamp member having a first portion that opposes the first clamp member and cooperates with the first clamp member to clamp the accessory between the first and second clamp members; and further comprising an actuator operable to cause the first clamp member to move between the closed position and the open position, the open position providing sufficient clearance between the first clamp member and the second clamp member to permit the removal of the accessory from the clamp assembly; wherein the spindle is arranged vertically and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the motor and the clamp assembly is located at a lower end of the spindle; wherein at least one of the first clamping member and the second clamping member are located outside of the housing; wherein the actuator is configured such that operation of the actuator alone can effect the movement of the first clamping member from the first position to the second position; wherein the actuator is a tool-free mechanism; wherein the clamp assembly is configured such that the accessory can be clamped by the clamp assembly with the open end facing in a transverse direction away from the motor; wherein the clamp assembly is configured such that the accessory can be clamped by the clamp assembly in at least in four positions, the four positions spaced 90 degrees apart around the clamp assembly; and wherein the actuator comprises a lever. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification