U.S. patent application number 11/251314 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-19 for handheld rotary tool.
Invention is credited to Siu Mei Chan, Chin Hung Lam.
Application Number | 20070084616 11/251314 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37628488 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070084616 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lam; Chin Hung ; et
al. |
April 19, 2007 |
Handheld rotary tool
Abstract
A rotary tool is provided with a head section that is
selectively pivotable at a plurality of positions between an
orientation where the head section is in-line with a body section
to an orientation where the head section is perpendicular to the
body section. The rotary tool can also swivel about an arc of 360
degrees.
Inventors: |
Lam; Chin Hung; (Shatin,
HK) ; Chan; Siu Mei; (Tsing Yi, HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
P.O. BOX 10395
CHICAGO
IL
60610
US
|
Family ID: |
37628488 |
Appl. No.: |
11/251314 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
173/217 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25F 5/02 20130101; B25B
23/0028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
173/217 |
International
Class: |
E21B 17/22 20060101
E21B017/22 |
Claims
1. A rotary tool operable in at least two positions comprising: (a)
a transmission with an input end and an output end; (b) a body
section housing the input end of the transmission and a motor that
is connected to the input end of the transmission, the body section
including a longitudinal axis; (c) a head section housing the
output end of the transmission and a spindle that is connected to
the output end of the transmission; and (d) a lock to selectively
retain the head section in a selected orientation with respect to
the body section along a pivot axis, wherein the head section is
capable of being retained substantially orthogonally to the
longitudinal axis of the body section.
2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the lock comprises a lock housing
that is positioned within the body section, and a pivot housing
within the head section and pivotable with respect to the lock
housing about the pivot axis.
3. The tool of claim 2 wherein each of the lock housing and the
pivot housing include apertures, and the lock further comprises a
block retained in the lock housing aperture and selectively
positioned in the pivot housing aperture to retain the head section
in the selected orientation with respect to the body section.
4. The tool of claim 3 wherein the block may be disengaged from the
pivot housing aperture to pivot the head section with respect to
the body section.
5. The tool of claim 3 wherein the head section may be
perpendicular to the body section when the block is in the pivot
housing aperture.
6. The tool of claim 3 wherein the block includes a plurality of
radially extending arms.
7. The tool of claim 6 wherein the plurality of radially extending
arms are each perpendicular to adjacent arms.
8. The tool of claim 7 wherein the pivot housing aperture is
provided with a number of slots that is greater than the number of
arms on the block.
9. The tool of claim 8 wherein the pivot housing aperture is
provided with twice the number of slots than the number of arms on
the block.
10. The tool of claim 8 wherein the head section can be selectively
retained is at an approximate forty-five degree angle with respect
to the body section when the block is in the pivot housing
aperture.
11. The tool of claim 3 further comprising a spring positioned
between the lock housing and the block to bias the block into the
pivot housing aperture.
12. The tool of claim 3 wherein the body section further comprises
a second housing that surrounds a majority of the lock housing and
the transmission, with a majority of the second housing being
surrounded by the pivot housing.
13. The tool of claim 12 further comprising a cover plate movably
positioned between the second housing and the pivot housing.
14. The tool of claim 13 wherein the pivot housing forms an arcuate
slot with a first stop and a second stop establishing the limits of
the slot, and the outer surface of the second housing includes an
upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the range of motion of the
cover plate is defined by the arcuate slot and the upper and lower
edges.
15. The tool of claim 14 wherein the second housing and the cover
section enclose the lock housing and the transmission in each
orientation of the head section.
16. The tool of claim 13 wherein the second housing is generally
spherical, the cover plate is generally arcuate, and a portion of
the pivot housing that surrounds the cover plate and second housing
is generally spherical.
17. The tool of claim 1 wherein the transmission comprises a
universal joint.
18. The tool of claim 17 wherein the universal joint is formed of a
first section, a second section pivotably connected to the first
section, and a third section pivotably connected to the section,
wherein the first section cooperates with the input end and the
third section cooperates with the output end.
19. The tool of claim 2 further comprising a gearbox housing within
the body section supporting the motor and the input end of the
transmission, wherein the head section is rotatable about the
longitudinal axis of the body section, the lock housing being
selectively engageable with the gearbox housing to prevent the head
section from rotating with respect the body section.
20. The tool of claim 19 further comprising a rotatable cap formed
on the body section to control engagement between the lock housing
and the gearbox housing.
21. The tool of claim 20 further comprising a plurality of flanges
that project from the gearbox housing.
22. The tool of claim 21 wherein the lock housing includes a
plurality of recesses that accept the plurality of flanges.
23. The tool of claim 20 further comprising a cam surface at a
bottom end of the lock housing and a corresponding cam surface on
the rotatable cap.
24. A tool with a rotatable head section comprising: (a) a
transmission with an input end connected to a rotating member and
an output end connected to an output tool; (b) a body section that
retains an input end of the transmission and includes a gearbox
housing and a longitudinal axis; (c) a sleeve that surrounds a top
portion of the gearbox housing and is movable along the gearbox
housing; (d) a rotatable cap surrounding the sleeve to selectively
cause engagement of the sleeve and the gearbox housing; (e) a head
section that houses an output of the transmission, and that is
rotatable about the body section along the longitudinal axis of the
body section, wherein the head section is prevented from rotating
with respect to the body section when the sleeve engages the
gearbox housing.
25. The tool of claim 24 further comprising a plurality of flanges
that project from the gearbox housing.
26. The tool of claim 25 wherein the sleeve includes a plurality of
recesses that accept the plurality of flanges to cause engagement
of the sleeve and the gearbox housing.
27. The tool of claim 26 wherein the number of the plurality of
recesses is the same as the number of flanges.
28. The tool of claim 25 wherein the number of the plurality of
recesses is a positive multiple of the number of flanges.
29. The tool of claim 24 further comprising a cam surface at a
bottom end of the sleeve and a corresponding cam surface on the
rotatable cap.
30. The tool of claim 24 further comprising: (a) a plurality of
flanges that project from the gearbox housing; (b) a plurality of
recesses provided on a bottom surface of the sleeve to accept the
plurality flanges; (c) a cam surface at the bottom end of the
sleeve; and (d) a cam surface on the rotatable cap, wherein the cap
can be rotated to cause engagement between the cam surfaces to
cause the recesses in the sleeve to engage the flanges in the
gearbox housing.
31. The tool of claim 30 wherein the sleeve is biased away from
engagement with the gearbox housing.
32. A tool operable in at least two positions comprising: (a) a
transmission with an input end and an output end; (b) a body
section with a longitudinal axis including: (i) a gearbox housing,
(ii) a lock housing that surrounds a top portion of the gearbox
housing and that can move along the gearbox housing, (iii) a motor,
(iv) a rotatable cap surrounding a bottom portion of the lock
housing to selectively cause engagement between the lock housing
and the gearbox housing; (c) a head section rotatably connected to
the body section to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the body
section, with the head section being prevented from rotating with
respect to the body section when the lock housing engages the
gearbox housing; (d) a pivot housing disposed between the head
section and the body section and being pivotably connected to the
lock housing about a pivot axis, wherein each of the pivot housing
and the lock housing include an aperture; and (e) a block
positioned in the lock housing aperture and selectively inserted in
the pivot housing aperture to retain the head section in a selected
orientation with respect to the body section.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to power tools, and in
particular to a rotary tool with a head section that can pivot with
respect to the body of the tool. Additionally, the present
invention relates to a rotary tool with a head section that can
rotate with respect to the body section of the tool. The present
invention also contemplates a rotary tool having a head section
that can pivot and rotate with respect to the body section. The
tool of the present invention improves on previous designs because
it includes a head section that can pivot and/or rotate with
respect to a body section with the motor positioned within the body
section. Previous rotary tool designs included a motor that was
located within the head section, which caused the head section to
be significantly larger than the head section of the present
invention, which limited the operability of the previous tools in
tight spaces.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0002] The present invention provides a rotary tool operable in at
least two positions. The rotary tool includes a transmission with
an input end and an output end, a body section housing the input
end of the transmission and a motor that is connected to the input
end of the transmission. The body section includes a longitudinal
axis. The rotary tool additionally includes a head section housing
the output end of the transmission and a spindle that is connected
to the output end of the transmission. The rotary tool also
includes a lock to selectively retain the head section in a
selected orientation with respect to the body section along a pivot
axis, wherein the head section is capable of being retained
substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the body
section.
[0003] The rotary tool may include a head section that can rotate,
or swivel about the longitudinal axis of the body section. A body
section is provided with a gearbox housing, a sleeve that surrounds
a top portion of the gearbox housing and that moves axially along
the gearbox housing. A rotatable cap surrounds the sleeve to
selectively cause engagement of the sleeve and the gearbox housing.
The head section is prevented from rotating with respect the body
section when the sleeve engages the gearbox housing.
[0004] Advantages of the present invention will become more
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description
of the preferred embodiments of the invention that have been shown
and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the
invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its
details are capable of modification in various respects.
Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the rotary tool,
showing the head section of the tool in-line with the body section
of the tool of the present invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a side view of the tool of FIG. 1, with the head
section perpendicular to the body section of the tool.
[0007] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the tool of FIG. 1, showing
the components aligned with the head section in-line with the body
section.
[0008] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the tool of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tool of FIG. 1,
showing the components of the locking mechanism in the locked
position.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view FIG. 5 in the unlocked
position.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
rotary tool of the present invention, showing the head section of
the tool in-line with the body section of the tool.
[0012] FIG. 8 is the view of FIG. 7, showing the head section of
the tool perpendicular to the body section of the tool.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a partial exploded view of the tool of FIG. 7.
[0014] FIG. 9a is a perspective view of the pivot housing.
[0015] FIG. 9b is a perspective view of the second housing
cover.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a side view of the pivot housing and the cover
section when the head section of the tool is in-line with the body
section of the tool.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a side view of the pivot housing, cover section,
and middle housing cover when the head section is in-line with the
body section of the tool.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a side view of FIG. 10, of the pivot housing and
the cover section when the head section is at a first oblique angle
with respect to the body section of the tool.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a side view of FIG. 11, of the pivot housing,
cover section, and middle housing cover when the head section is at
a first oblique angle with respect to the body section.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a side view of FIG. 10, of the pivot housing and
the cover section when the head section is at a second oblique
angle with respect to the body section.
[0021] FIG. 15 is the view of FIG. 11, of the pivot housing, cover
section, and middle housing cover when the head section is at a
second oblique angle with respect to the body section.
[0022] FIG. 16 is the view of FIG. 10, of the pivot housing and the
cover section when the head section is perpendicular to the body
section.
[0023] FIG. 17 is the view of FIG. 11, of the pivot housing, cover
section, and middle housing cover when the head section is
perpendicular to the body section.
[0024] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the pivot housing.
[0025] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of tool of FIG. 18, with the
lock button removed to show the head section in-line with the body
section.
[0026] FIG. 20 is the view of FIG. 19, showing the head section at
a forty five degree angle with respect to the body section.
[0027] FIG. 21 is the view of FIG. 19, showing the head section
perpendicular to the body section.
[0028] FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the a third embodiment of the
handheld rotary tool.
[0029] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 22,
showing the gearbox housing connected to the universal joint.
[0030] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 22,
showing the lock housing.
[0031] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 22,
showing the lock housing.
[0032] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 22,
showing the upper swivel cap.
[0033] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the pivot housing and the lock housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, a handheld pivotable tool 10
according to the present invention is shown. As an example, the
handheld pivotable tool 10 can be a handheld drill or a handheld
impact driver. FIGS. 3 and 4 are exploded views of the components
of the handheld pivotable tool 10. The handheld pivotable tool 10
has a head section 12 that rotatably moves an output tool or bit.
The head section 12 can freely pivot about a body section 14 that
is held by a user during operation. The head section 12 may be
retained in one position where the longitudinal axis 13a of the
head section 12 is aligned along the longitudinal axis 13 of the
body section 14. The head section 12 may also be selectively
pivoted to positions other than aligned with the longitudinal axis
13. Desirably, the head section 12 can be pivoted about a pivot
axis 13b (FIGS. 3 and 4) to a plurality of positions between an
orientation where the head section 12 is in-line with the body
section 14 and an orientation where the head section 12 is
orthogonal to the body section 14. For example, FIG. 20 shows the
head section 12 at a 45 degree angle with respect to the body
section 14. In other embodiments, the head section 12 can be
retained at other angles with respect to the body section 14. The
handheld pivotable tool 10 is provided with a locking mechanism 19
to retain the head section 12 in the selected position with respect
to the body section 14.
[0035] In embodiments where the handheld pivotable tool 10 is an
impact driver, the impact mechanism can either be located inside
the body section 14 behind an input end of the transmission or
universal joint 80, or in the head section 12 engaging with the
output end of the universal joint 80 behind the spindle 124.
[0036] The pivotable handheld pivotable tool 10 includes a carrier
20, a gearbox housing 40, a lock housing 60, a universal joint 80,
a pivot housing 100, and a spindle lock housing 120. The locking
mechanism 19 includes a lock housing 60, a pivot housing 100, a
block 108, and a lock button 110. Apertures 68, 106 formed in the
lock housing 60 and the pivot housing 100, respectively, receive
the lock button 110 that retains the block 108 within the apertures
68, 106.
[0037] The body section 14 of the handheld rotary tool 10 includes
the motor 17, the gearbox 18, the carrier 20, the gearbox housing
40, and the lock housing 60. The body section 14 also retains a
rear section 83 of the universal joint 80. In other embodiments,
the handheld rotary tool 10 can be formed without a gearbox 18 such
that the output spindle 124 rotates at the same angular velocity as
the motor shaft 17a. In these embodiments, the output shaft 17a of
the motor 17 engages directly with the carrier 20, or similar
structure known to those in the art to accept torque from a motor
and transfer the torque to the remaining members of the handheld
rotary tool 10. In these embodiments, the tool is still formed with
a structure similar to the gearbox housing 40. Specifically, the
tool in these embodiments includes a structure that includes at
least the shoulder 44 and the neck 46 of the gearbox housing 40
described herein including all of the structure that is discussed
below that is a part of the shoulder 44 and the neck 46 of the
gearbox housing 40. The term "gearbox housing" is used throughout
the specification and claims for the sake of simplicity. It should
be understood that the term "gearbox housing" is the name for the
structure shown as element 40, but should not be understood to
require that the structure 40 enclose and support a speed reduction
gearbox nor that the use of a speed reduction gearbox is a required
element of the embodiments or the claims.
[0038] It is contemplated to provide a control mechanism within the
body section to allow the user to control the output torque of the
handheld pivotable tool 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a
clutch 16 is included in the body section 14 between the gearbox
housing 40 and the lock housing 60 to control the transfer of
torque between the gear train 18 and the carrier 20.
[0039] The head section 12 includes a pivot housing 100 and a
spindle lock housing 120, which supports a spindle lock mechanism
(not shown). The spindle lock housing 120 receives a front section
92 of the universal joint 80. The spindle lock housing 120 further
includes an output spindle 124 with a hexagonal collet to accept an
output tool (not shown). As is discussed in detail below, the head
section 12 is maintained in a selected position with respect to the
body section 14 with a connection between the lock housing 60 and
the pivot housing 100. The head section further includes a bearing
130, which is mounted on the front section 92 of the universal
joint 80, discussed below.
[0040] The carrier 20 is provided within the body section 14 and is
enclosed within the gearbox housing 40 (along with portions of the
gear train 18). The carrier 20 is disc-shaped with a plurality of
posts 22 extending from the rear surface of the discs and a hollow
cylinder 24 extending from the front surface. Each of the posts 22
are preferably inserted into a center aperture of a planet gear 18a
that is included within a planetary gear train 18. Therefore, the
carrier 20 rotates along with the rotation of the planet gears,
which rotate about an internal sun gear 18b, normally attached to
an output shaft 17a of a motor 17. The planetary gear train 18 may
include multiple stages. Therefore, the carrier 20 rotates within
the body section 14 based on the rotation of the motor 17. The
carrier 20 is retained within a body section 42 of the gearbox
housing 40, with the front surface of the carrier located in close
vicinity to the rear surface of the body section 42. When the
carrier 20 is in this position, the hollow cylinder 24 extends into
a shoulder portion 44 of the gearbox housing 40.
[0041] The hollow cylinder 24 of the carrier 20 is formed with an
aperture 25 through which the rear end 83 of the rear section 82 of
the universal joint 80 is inserted. Preferably, the aperture 25 and
rear end 83 are formed to prohibit relative rotation between the
two when the end 83 is inserted into the aperture 25. The aperture
25 and the rear end 83 may have complementary shapes. In some
embodiments, the rear end 83 and the aperture 25 are each formed as
a "D" or a similar shape to prevent relative rotation between the
universal joint 80 and carrier 20. Upstream of the carrier 20, the
rear section 82 of the universal gear is rotationally supported by
a needle roller bearing 26 that is housed within the shoulder
portion 44 of the gearbox housing 40. Additionally, the rear
section 82 of the universal joint 80 can be rotationally supported
by a bushing 27. The universal joint 80 therefore accepts the
torque transferred to the carrier 20 by the motor 17 and the gear
train 18 and allows the torque to be transferred to the head
section 12.
[0042] The gearbox housing 40 is formed from three sections, the
body section 42, the shoulder 44, and the neck 46. The body section
42 is formed with the largest circumference and is formed to house
or at least partially enclose the front end of the motor 17, the
gear train 18, and the carrier 20, with the hollow cylinder 24 of
the carrier 20 extending into the shoulder 44.
[0043] The neck 46 of the gearbox housing 40 extends from the front
end of the shoulder 44 along the same axis as the shoulder 44 and
body section 42. The rear section 82 of the universal joint extends
from its connection with the carrier within the shoulder 44 into
the neck 46. The neck 46 preferably includes a U-shaped cutout 48
formed along one side of the neck 46 that extends from the forward
surface of the neck 46 toward, but not reaching, the shoulder 44.
The universal joint 80 is positioned with respect to the neck 46
such that a center section 88 of the universal joint 80 pivots from
a position where the center section 88 is in line with the rear
section 82 of the universal joint 80 to a position where the center
section 88 is at an oblique angle with respect to the rear section
82. When the center section 88 is not positioned along the same
line as the rear section 82, the center section 88 extends through
the U-shaped cutout 48. In other embodiments, other structures to
movably support the rear section 83 of the universal joint 80 may
be used.
[0044] The neck 46 additionally includes two through holes 50 that
are along the same axis on the walls of the neck 46. The holes 50
are positioned to accept a press fit connector 54 with the lock
housing 60 to mount the lock housing 60 onto the neck 46, which
prevents any relative motion between the lock housing 60 and the
gearbox housing 40. When the lock housing 60 is connected to the
neck, the bottom surface of the lock housing 60 rests on a ledge 45
between the shoulder and the neck 46.
[0045] The lock housing 60 includes a U-shaped aperture 64 that is
substantially the same shape and in the same location as the
U-shaped aperture 48 in the neck 46. Similar to the U-shaped
aperture 48 in the gearbox housing 40, the U-shaped aperture 64 in
the lock housing 60 provides an opening to allow the center section
88 of the universal joint 80 to extend through the circumference of
the lock housing 60. The lock housing 60 also includes a round
projection 66 that extends from the outer circumference of the lock
housing 60. The projection 66 has a centerline that is
perpendicular to a plane that bisects the U-shaped aperture 64.
Preferably, the centerline of the projection 66 is along the pivot
axis 13b that the head section 12 pivots with respect to the body
section 14. The projection 66 includes a recess 68 (or aperture)
that blindly extends into the projection 66. The recess 68 has a
shape to receive a portion of the block 108, as further described
below. The lock housing 60 has a second projection 70 that extends
along the same axis as the projection 66 and extends from the
opposite external surface of the lock housing 60. The second
projection 70 is round and is preferably the same height as the
projection 66.
[0046] In other embodiments, the lock housing 60 can be formed
integral with the gearbox housing 40. In this embodiment, the neck
46 of the gearbox housing 40 is formed in the shape of the lock
housing 60, including the projection 66 with the recess 68 and the
opposite second projection 70. In embodiments where the gearbox
housing 40 also forms the lock housing 60, the U-shaped aperture 48
in the neck 46 is integral with the U-shaped aperture 64 in the
lock housing.
[0047] As noted above, the universal joint 80 includes three
sections, a rear section 82, a center section 88, and a front
section 92. The rear section 82 is mounted to the carrier 20 with
an end 83 having a shape complementary to the aperture 25 in the
carrier 20 to cause the rear section 82 to rotate with the rotation
of the carrier 20. Each of the sections 82, 88, 92 are connected
together with pins 85 and a center hub (not shown). The pins 85 and
the center hub allow the transfer of torque from the rear section
82 to the center section 88, and from the center section 88 to the
front section 92, so the front section 92 rotates when the rear
section 82 rotates. The pins 85 and the center hub also allow
relative pivoting with respect to each of the sections. While the
rear section 82 is constrained from pivoting with respect to the
body section 14 by the connection between the rear section 82 and
the carrier 20, the center section 88 can pivot with respect to the
rear section 82. Similarly, the front section 92 can pivot with
respect to the center section 88. Also, as discussed above, the
U-shaped apertures in the neck 46 of the gearbox housing 40 and the
lock housing 60 (48, 64) permit clearance for the center section 88
and the front section 92 to pivot within the tool. This pivoting
motion of the center and front sections 88, 92 allows the head
section 12 to pivot with respect to the body section 14 along the
pivot axis 13b.
[0048] The front section 92 of the universal joint 80 may be
integrally formed with a spindle lock housing 120 or the two
components may be formed separately and attached together by
structure that is known to those of skill in the art. The spindle
lock housing 120 is rotatably supported by a bearing 130 that is
mounted within the pivot housing 100.
[0049] As best seen in FIG. 3, the pivot housing 100 is formed from
at least two clamshell halves. The pivot housing 100 surrounds the
rear portion 126 of the spindle lock housing 120, as well as the
universal joint 80, the lock housing 60, and a portion of the neck
46 of the gearbox housing 40. When assembled, in this embodiment,
the pivot housing 100 is generally cylindrical, with a removed
section 102 that corresponds to the U-shaped apertures 48, 64 in
the neck 46 and lock housing 60, respectively. The removed section
102 provides clearance between the pivot housing 100 and the
components that form the body section 14 so that the head section
12 can pivot with respect to the body section 14.
[0050] The pivot housing 100 includes a recessed section 104 along
an outer surface of the pivot housing 100. The recessed section 104
may have any suitable shape, but in one embodiment, it is circular.
A centerline of the recessed section 104 is perpendicular to a
plane that bisects the removed section 102. Preferably, the
centerline of the recessed section 104 is positioned co-linear with
the pivot axis 13b when the pivot housing 100 is positioned with
respect to the lock housing 60. An aperture 106 is formed in the
recessed section 104 with the center of the aperture 106 being
along the centerline of the recessed section 104. In some
embodiments (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), the aperture 106 is formed in
a cross shape, with four legs 107 radiating from the centerline and
perpendicular to each other. In other embodiments (shown in FIGS.
18-21) the aperture 106 is formed with eight legs 107 radiating
from the centerline and at a forty-five degree angle from the
neighboring legs 107. In either embodiment, the legs 107 may have
the same length. The recessed section 104 further includes a
plurality of holes 112 along the periphery of the aperture 106. The
holes 112 may be rectangular.
[0051] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 27, the aperture 106 may
be replaced with an arcuate track 106a with a center point of the
arcuate track 106a located at the pivot axis 13b. In this
embodiment, the recess 68 on the lock housing 60 is formed at the
same distance R from the pivot axis 13b as the radius R of the
arcuate track 106a, such that the recess 68 is in line with the
track 106a throughout the range of motion of the head section 12
with respect to the body section 14.
[0052] It is contemplated that the aperture can be formed with a
structure other than four or more legs. Desirably, the aperture
will have a shape complementary to the shape of the lock block 108,
as described below and also will have a shape to permit a plurality
of selective discrete orientations of the head section 12 with
respect to the body section 14. In other embodiments of the lock
block 108, the aperture 106, and the recess 68 can be formed of
alternate, non-circular, shapes such that when the lock block 108
engages both the aperture 106 and the recess 68, the head section
12 cannot pivot with respect to the body section 14. For example,
the lock block 108, aperture 106, and the recess 68 can each be
formed as a square, a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, etc.
[0053] The pivot housing 100 additionally includes a hollow,
circular projection 118 that extends from the inner surface of the
pivot housing 100 toward the centerline of the pivot housing 100.
The circular projection 118 extends along the same centerline as
the aperture 106 and is formed with an inner diameter slightly
larger than the second projection 70 that extends from the lock
housing 60. When the pivot housing 100 is assembled to surround the
lock housing 60, the connection between the second projection 70 of
the lock housing 60 and the circular projection 118 of the pivot
housing 100 provides a stable rotational connection between the
pivot housing 100 and the lock housing 60.
[0054] As best shown in FIG. 3, a lock block 108 is provided with a
shape complementary to that of recess 68 of the lock housing 60. In
one embodiment, the lock block 108 is formed as a cross, or a plus
symbol (+), with four arms 109 that extend from the center of the
lock block 108 and are perpendicular to each other. The height of
the lock block 108 is slightly smaller than the length of the
projection 68 from the lock housing 60 and is the same depth as the
recess 68 of the lock housing 60. When the handheld pivotable tool
10 is assembled, the lock block 108 is inserted into the aperture
106 of the pivot housing 100 and further into the recess 68 of the
lock housing 60. A spring 116 (FIGS. 5 and 6) is provided between
the bottom of the recess 68 in the lock housing 60 and the bottom
of the lock block 108, to bias the lock block 108 upwards away from
the bottom of the recess 68 in the lock housing 60.
[0055] Normally, as shown in FIG. 5, the spring 116 biases the lock
block 108 into a position where the top portion of the lock block
108 extends into the aperture 106 within the pivot housing 100 and
the bottom portion of the lock block 108 extends into the recess 68
within the pivot housing 60. In this situation, the pivot housing
100 cannot rotate or move with respect to the lock housing 60
because the arms 109 of the lock block 108 are inserted within the
four of the mutually perpendicular legs 107 of the aperture 106 in
the pivot housing 100, as well as within the legs 69 of the recess
68 of the lock housing 60.
[0056] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, with a
cross-shaped aperture 106 on the pivot housing 100, the pivot
housing 100 (and output tool) can be retained in a position where
it is along the same line as the body section 14 of the handheld
pivotable tool 10 (FIG. 3) and in a position where the pivot
section 100 (and output tool) is perpendicular to the body section
14 of the handheld pivotable tool 10 (FIG. 4). In the embodiments
shown in FIGS. 18-21, the aperture 106 in the pivot housing is
formed with eight legs 107, the pivot housing 100 (and output tool)
can be retained in a position where the pivot housing 100 is either
along the same line as the body section 14 (FIG. 19), at a
forty-five degree angle to the body section 14 (FIG. 20), or
perpendicular to the body section 14 (FIG. 21).
[0057] The lock block 108 is moveably retained in its position
inserted within at least the recess 68 of the lock housing (and
when biased upward by the spring 116 within the aperture 106 of the
pivot housing) by a lock button 110. The lock button 110 includes a
center projection 110a (best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) that is sized
to fit within the center of the aperture 106 in the pivot housing
100. The lock button 110 also includes a plurality of legs 111 that
extend in the same direction as the center projection 110a that are
inserted into the plurality of apertures 112 in the recessed
section 104 of the pivot housing 100. The legs 111 each preferably
include outwardly facing tabs 111a that maintain the legs 111
inserted within the apertures 112.
[0058] Normally, as shown in FIG. 5, when no inward force is
applied to the button 110, the biasing force of the spring 116
pushes the lock block 106 outward to contact the center projection
110a of the lock button 110. As discussed above, in this position,
the lock block 108 extends within the aperture 106 in the pivot
housing 100 and the recess 68 in the lock housing 60, to prevent
relative motion between the head section 12 and the body section
14. As shown in FIG. 6, when the lock button 110 is pushed inward,
the center projection 110a urges the lock block 108 inward against
the biasing force of the spring 116 until it no longer is inserted
within the aperture 106 in the pivot housing 100. In this
orientation, the pivot housing 100 (and the head section 12) is
free to pivot with respect to the body section 14 of the handheld
pivotable tool 10. When the lock button 110 is released, the spring
116 urges the lock block 108 (and the lock button 110) outward
until the lock block 108 again is inserted within the aperture 106
in the pivot housing 100 to retain the pivot housing 100 and head
section 12 in the selected position with respect to the body
section 14.
[0059] If the pivot housing 100 is not either in-line, at a
forty-five degree angle (in embodiments shown in FIGS. 18-21), or
perpendicular with respect to the body section 14 the lock block
108 will not enter the aperture 106 in the pivot housing due to the
specific shapes of the lock block 108 and aperture 106 in the pivot
housing 100. The tool can be pivoted until it reaches one of these
positions to allow the lock block 108 to again move into the
aperture 106.
[0060] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 27, and as partially
discussed above, an arcuate slot 106a is provided instead of the
aperture 106 on the pivot housing 100, and the lock button 110 is
formed with legs 111 that ride within tracks 113 in the pivot
housing 100. The lock button 110 has a projection (not shown in
FIG. 27 but similar to the projection 110a shown in FIGS. 5 and 6)
that engages the top portion of the lock block 108. The lock block
108 is sized so that it can be inserted into enlarged portions 106b
at predetermined positions on the arcuate slot 106a (i.e. positions
where the head section 12 will be retained with respect to the body
section 14). FIG. 27 shows the enlarged portions 106b formed at the
extreme ends of the arcuate slot 106a. In other embodiments, the
arcuate slot 106a can include enlarged portions 106b at other
positions within the arcuate slot 106a. To change the orientation
of the head section 12 with respect to the body section 14, the
lock button 110 is pressed against the biasing force of the spring
116, so that the lock block 108 moves out of engagement with the
arcuate slot 106a, to allow the head section 12 to be pivoted with
respect to the body section. When the tool is in the required
orientation, the lock button 110 is released and the lock block
again engages the arcuate slot 106a within the pivot housing to
retain the tool in the selected orientation.
[0061] A second embodiment of the handheld pivotable tool 10 is
shown in FIGS. 7-17. This handheld pivotable tool 10 includes all
of the structure discussed in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6
(and 18-21) above, including the structure that encloses and
protects the internal components of the lock housing 60, pivot
housing 100, and universal joint 80 throughout the range of motion
of the head section 12 with respect to the body section 14. This
embodiment however, includes a second housing cover 140 and a cover
piece 160. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 7-17 include a pivot
housing 100 that has a spherical profile, instead of the
cylindrical pivot housing 100 shown in FIGS. 1-6. The structure
disclosed below can be modified to include the second housing cover
140 and cover piece 160 in embodiments where the pivot housing 100
has a cylindrical profile. Similarly, the embodiments shown in
FIGS. 1-6 and discussed above can be modified to form the pivot
housing 100 with a spherical profile, as shown in FIGS. 18-21.
[0062] The second housing cover 140 is formed from two clamshell
halves (a slotted piece 142 and a unslotted piece 144) that are
connected together to surround a majority of the lock housing 60
and allow the motion of the universal joint 80 discussed above for
the head section 12 to pivot with respect to the body section 14.
The second housing cover 140 is surrounded by the pivot housing
100. The clamshell halves of the second housing cover 140 are
connected along a plane that is perpendicular to the plane formed
by the edges of the clamshell halves of the pivot housing, and also
extends through a centerline of the body section 14 of the handheld
pivotable tool 10.
[0063] As best seen in FIG. 9, the second housing cover 140 forms
two circular holes 141, 143 with the centerline of each extending
through the plane formed by the connection between the clamshell
halves of the second housing cover 140. The holes 141, 143 are
positioned to allow the projections 66, 70 of the lock housing 60
to extend through. The second housing cover 140 further includes a
bottom aperture 148a, which is sized to allow the second housing
cover 140 to surround the lock housing 60 and a top aperture 148b.
The top aperture 148b is sized to allow the second housing cover
140 to surround the lock housing 60, and also to allow the
universal joint 80 to pivot with respect to the body section
14.
[0064] The cover section 160 is formed as a curved plate and is
inserted between the second housing cover 140 and the pivot housing
100 to cover any exposed regions of either the lock housing 60 or
the universal joint 80 during the range of motion of the handheld
pivotable tool 10. The motion of the cover section 160 is
constrained by the internal structure of the pivot housing 100 and
the external structure of the second housing cover 140.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9a, the pivot housing 100 is formed
with interior sidewalls 208 that are formed with an arcuate slot
210. The arcuate slot 210 has an arc length greater than the ninety
degree range of motion of the head section 12 of the tool. The slot
210 includes a first face 212 and a second face 214. (The opposite
clamshell half of the pivot housing 100 has a similar arcuate slot
with a first and second face, not shown). When the handheld
pivotable tool 10 is assembled, the cover section 160 rides within
the arcuate slot 210 and its range of motion is partially
determined by the positions of the first face 212 and the second
face 214.
[0065] The slotted piece 142 of the second housing cover 140
includes a pair of top faces 152 and a pair of bottom faces 154
(best shown in FIG. 9b). The top and bottom faces 152, 154 are
formed at the intersection between a top and bottom section 145,
146 near the edges where the slotted piece 142 contacts the edge of
the unslotted piece 144. The top and bottom sections 145, 146 are
formed at a first diameter, and the middle section 147 (in the
region between the edge sections) is formed with a second, smaller
diameter. When the handheld pivotable tool 10 is assembled, the
cover piece 160 rides on the middle section 147 of the slotted
piece 142 of the second housing cover 140 the range of motion of
the cover section 160 is also determined by the top and bottom
faces 152, 154 of the second housing cover 140.
[0066] FIG. 10 shows the cover section 160 positioned within the
pivot housing 100 when the head section 12 is in-line with the body
section 14. FIG. 11 shows the cover section 160 assembled with the
second housing cover 140 and the pivot housing 100 in the same
position. As seen in FIG. 10, the bottom edge 164 of the cover
section 160 contacts the first face 212 of the pivot housing 100.
As seen in FIG. 11, the top edge 165 of the cover section 160
contacts the top face 152 of the second housing cover 140. These
contact points retain the cover section 160 in the required
position to protect the internal components of the handheld
pivotable tool 10.
[0067] FIG. 12 shows the cover section 160 with respect to the
pivot housing 100 when head section 12 is pivoted to an
intermediate position between a position where the head section 12
is in-line with the body section 14 and a position where they are
perpendicular to each other. FIG. 13 shows the cover section 160
with respect to the second housing cover 140 and the pivot housing
100 in the same orientation. In intermediate orientations of the
head section 12 with respect to the body section 14, the cover
section 160 does not contact either the first or second faces 212,
214 of the pivot housing 100 or the top or bottom faces 152, 154 of
the second housing cover 140. Therefore, the cover section 160 is
free to move with respect to both the second housing cover 140 and
the pivot housing 100 as constrained by the faces, and the cover
section 160 will cover the internal components of the handheld
pivotable tool 10 regardless of the position of the cover section
160.
[0068] FIG. 14 shows the cover section 160 with respect to the
pivot housing 100 when the head section 12 is at an approximate 65
degree angle with respect to the body section 14. FIG. 15 shows the
cover section 160 with respect to the second housing cover 140 and
the pivot housing 100 in the same orientation. As shown in FIG. 14,
the top edge 165 of the cover section 160 contacts the second face
214 of the arcuate slot 210 of the pivot housing 100. As shown in
FIG. 15, neither the top nor the bottom edges 165, 164 of the cover
section 160 contacts the top or bottom faces 152, 154 of the second
housing cover 140. Therefore, with additional pivoting of the head
section 12 with respect to the body section 14, the cover section
160 will move counter-clockwise (as seen in the view of FIG. 14)
closer to the position where its bottom edge 164 engages the bottom
face 154 of the second housing cover 140.
[0069] FIG. 16 shows the cover section 160 with respect to the
pivot housing 100 when the head section 12 is perpendicular to the
body section 14. FIG. 17 shows the cover section 160 with respect
to the second housing cover 140 and the pivot housing 100 in the
same orientation. As shown in FIG. 17 the bottom edge 164 of the
cover section 160 is engaged with the bottom face 154 of the second
housing cover 140.
[0070] A third embodiment of the handheld pivotable tool 10 is
shown in FIGS. 22-26. In this embodiment, the head section 12
rotates with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body section
14. The position of the spindle lock housing (not shown in FIGS.
22-26, the spindle lock housing in this embodiment is similar to
that shown in described in previous embodiments) and the pivot
housing 100, however can be modified (as shown in FIG. 22) so the
output shaft is offset from the center of the pivot housing 100
because of the formation of the universal joint 80 with three
sections. This offset positioning allows the output tool (not
shown) to be operated in tight spaces. For example, because the
spindle is positioned closer to one outside surface of the head
section 12, the handheld pivotable tool 10 can be operated to drill
a hole or insert a fastener located closer to a wall than would be
possible if the spindle was positioned at the center of the pivot
housing 100.
[0071] In this embodiment, the gearbox housing 40 is formed as a
separate member from the lock housing 60. The gearbox housing 40 is
slightly altered as discussed herein (although it is modified in a
way that will not hinder performance of the embodiments discussed
above). As shown in FIG. 23, the top surface 45 of the shoulder 44
includes a plurality of flanges 324 that project upwards into the
neck 46 of the gearbox housing 40. The flanges 324 may be equally
spaced around the circumference of the gearbox housing 40.
Preferably, the gearbox housing 40 includes four flanges 324 spaced
ninety degrees apart. In some embodiments, the flanges 324 can be
formed as rectangular blocks, in other embodiments, the flanges 324
can be formed as different shapes. The shoulder 44 also includes
two grooves 352 around the circumference of the shoulder 44 that
accept two retaining rings 350, which are discussed below.
[0072] The lock housing 60 is also slightly modified from the
structure discussed above (although it is modified in a way that
will not hinder performance of the embodiments discussed above). In
embodiments that do not include structure to allow the head section
12 to pivot with respect to the body section 14, a cylindrical
sleeve is provided that surrounds the neck 46 of the gearbox
housing 40 and can move axially about the gearbox housing 40. This
sleeve is formed with the structure of the lock housing 60
disclosed specifically with this embodiment. For simplicity, only
the lock housing 60 is discussed here (and shown in the figures),
but the reference to the lock housing 60 should be interpreted to
also refer to a sleeve with the specific structure discussed
herein.
[0073] The lock housing 60 includes a cam surface 310 (best shown
in FIG. 25) formed around the outer surface of the lock housing 60.
The cam surface 310 is formed as an inclined plane that wraps
around a substantial portion of the circumference of the lock
housing 60 starting at the bottom edge. As shown in FIG. 24, the
lock housing 60 also includes a plurality of recesses 316 formed on
the bottom edge. Desirably, the recesses 316 are equally spaced at
uniform positions around the inner circumference of the lock
housing 60. The recesses 316 are sized and positioned to engage the
flanges 324 when the lock housing 60 engages the upper surface of
the shoulder 44 of the gearbox housing 40. In one embodiment, the
lock housing 60 includes twice the number of recesses 316 than the
number of flanges 324 formed in the gearbox housing 40. In other
embodiments, the lock housing 60 can have the same number of
recesses 316 as flanges 324, or a greater number of recesses 316 to
flanges 324.
[0074] The handheld pivotable tool 10 also includes a swivel cap
330 formed from an upper cap 342 and a lower cap 332, as best seen
in FIG. 22. The swivel cap 330 is rotatably connected to the
shoulder 44 of the gearbox housing 40 with two retaining rings 350
placed above and below the lower cap 332 and tightened to engage
each of the grooves 352 in the shoulder 44. As shown in FIG. 26,
the upper cap 342 has a cam surface 344 that opposes the cam
surface 310 on the lock housing 60. The cam surface 344 of the
upper cap 342 is formed on the lower surface of the upper cap
342.
[0075] When the handheld pivotable tool 10 is assembled, the upper
cap 342 is positioned such that it is above the cam surface 310 of
the lock housing 60, which allows the cam surface 344 on the upper
cap to engage the cam surface 310 on the lock housing 60. The upper
and lower caps 342, 332 are connected with fasteners (not shown)
that extend through holes in the respective caps 342, 332 so that
the upper cap 342 and the lock housing 60 are positioned with
respect to the gearbox housing 40. FIGS. 7-9 show the upper and
lower swivel caps 342, 332 positioned on the handheld rotary tool
10 with respect to the lock housing 60 and the gearbox housing 40.
A spring 336 (best seen in FIG. 22) is provided within the swivel
cap 330 between the lower cap 332 and the lower surface 315 of the
lock housing 60 to push the lock housing upwards away from the
lower cap 332.
[0076] In operation, rotation of the swivel cap 330 moves the lock
housing 60 with respect to the gearbox housing 40. For example,
when the swivel cap is rotated clockwise the cam surface 344 of the
upper cap 342 engages the cam surface 310 of the lock housing,
which forces the lock housing 60 downward against the biasing force
of the spring 336. With sufficient clockwise rotation, the lock
housing 60 is moved far enough downward so that the flanges 324 of
the gearbox housing 40 are inserted into the recesses 316 of the
lock housing. Because the flanges 324 are positioned within the
recesses 316, the lock housing 60 and the head section 12 are
selectively positioned and cannot rotate with respect to the body
section 14.
[0077] When the swivel cap 330 is rotated in the counter-clockwise
direction with respect to the body section 14, the lock housing 60
moves upward due to the biasing force of the spring and releases
the engagement between the cam surfaces 310, 344. The upward
movement of the lock housing 60 causes the flanges 324 to disengage
the recesses 316 of the lock housing 60, so that the lock housing
60 and the head section 12 can rotate with respect to the body
section 14. When the head section 12 is in the desired orientation
with respect to the body section 14, the swivel cap 330 is rotated
clockwise to engage the flanges 324 with the recesses 316 in the
lock housing, which prevents rotation of the head section 12 with
respect to the body section 14.
[0078] Alternatively, other structures that are known to those of
skill in the art can be used to selectively secure the lock housing
60 to the gearbox housing 40 to prevent the head section 12 from
rotating with respect to the body section 14 when the head section
12 is in a position selected by the user.
[0079] Each of the embodiments discussed above may include a clutch
16 that allows the maximum output torque of the torque to be
selected by the user. Clutch designs that are known by those of
skill in the art may be used in conjunction with these embodiments
to allow selection of a maximum output torque of the tool.
Additionally, a suitable clutch design, for use with the handheld
pivotable tool 10 is described in U.S. Ser. No. 11/090,947, which
is fully incorporated herein by reference.
[0080] It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed
description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and
that it be understood that it is the following claims, including
all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope
of this invention.
* * * * *