U.S. patent application number 10/555945 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-26 for tool adapter.
Invention is credited to Thomas Schomisch.
Application Number | 20070093190 10/555945 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34683709 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070093190 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schomisch; Thomas |
April 26, 2007 |
Tool adapter
Abstract
The invention is based on a tool adapter (30), for fastening a
disklike tool (12) on a slaving device (16) of a hand power tool,
that has a tool retention means (36) for connection to the tool
(12). It is proposed that the tool adapter (30) includes a
fastening means (52, 54) for form-locking connection with the
slaving device (16).
Inventors: |
Schomisch; Thomas;
(Filderstadt, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Striker Striker & Stenby
103 East Neck Road
Huntington
NY
11743
US
|
Family ID: |
34683709 |
Appl. No.: |
10/555945 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
November 8, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP04/52871 |
371 Date: |
November 7, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
451/490 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24B 23/02 20130101;
B24B 45/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
451/490 |
International
Class: |
B24D 17/00 20060101
B24D017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2003 |
DE |
10360252.6 |
Claims
1. A tool adapter (30), for fastening a disklike tool (12) on a
slaving device (16) of a hand power tool, that has a tool retention
means (36) for connection to the tool (12), characterized by a
fastening means (52, 54) for form-locking connection with the
slaving device (16).
2. The tool adapter (30) in accordance with claim 1, characterized
in that the tool retention means (36) is provided for force-locking
connection of the tool (12) in the tangential direction (14) and
for form-locking connection of the tool (12) in the axial
direction.
3. The tool adapter (30) in accordance with claim 1, characterized
in that the fastening means (52) is provided for form-locking
connection in the tangential direction (14) with the slaving device
(16).
4. The tool adapter (30) in accordance with claim 1, characterized
in that the fastening means (52) is formed by a cup-shaped
element.
5. The tool adapter (30) in accordance with claim 1, characterized
in that the fastening means (54) is provided for form-locking
connection with the slaving device (16) in the axial direction.
6. The tool adapter (30) in accordance with claim 1, characterized
in that the fastening means (54) includes an opening (56) through a
plate element (50) that extends in the radial direction.
7. The tool adapter (30) in accordance with claim 1, characterized
by a centering element (58) for centered mounting on the slaving
device (16).
8. The tool adapter (30) in accordance with claim 7, characterized
in that the centering element (58) has at least one recess (60) in
the radial direction.
9. The tool adapter (30) in accordance with claim 1, characterized
by a pushbutton element (42) located on one side of the tool.
10. The tool adapter (30) in accordance with claim 9, characterized
in that the pushbutton element (42) is located at least partly in
the tool retention means (36).
11. The tool adapter (30) in accordance with claim 9, characterized
in that the pushbutton element (42) can be operated from one side
of the tool, and on a slaving side diametrically opposite that side
of the tool, it includes a function element (46).
12. The tool adapter (30) in accordance with claim 1, characterized
by a first main element (32) that includes the tool retention means
(36) and a second main element (34), separable from the first main
element (32), that includes the fastening means (52, 54).
Description
PRIOR ART
[0001] The invention is based on a tool adapter as generically
defined by the preamble to claim 1.
[0002] Rubber plates for fastening sheets of sandpaper To a power
drill, for instance, are known that are fastened in force-locking
fashion in the chuck of the power drill. The sheet of sandpaper is
retained on the rubber plate by a larger slaving disk, which in
turn is connected to the rubber plate by a screw.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention is based on a tool adapter, for fastening a
disklike tool on a slaving device of a hand power tool, that has a
tool retention means for connection to the tool.
[0004] It is proposed that the tool adapter includes a fastening
means for form-locking connection with the slaving device. Tools
can be connected to the slaving device of the hand power tool and
need not be adapted in their design to the slaving device. For
instance, a tool with a simple hub that has no special fastening
means can be located on a slaving device with specially designed
fastening elements. By means of the form lock, an especially stable
retention of the tool adapter on the slaving device can be
assured.
[0005] The tool adapter is prepared such that it can be secured to
the slaving device of a complete hand power tool. The slaving
device of the hand power tool is thus a tool slaving device. The
tool adapter is therefore not part of the hand power tool but
instead is a separate component, independent of the hand power
tool, and can be secured like a tool to the slaving device.
[0006] The tool retention means is advantageously provided for
force-locking connection to the tool, and as a result simple
fastening of the tool can be achieved. The tool can, in addition to
the force lock, be retained by an additional form lock. The force
lock is expediently effected in the tangential direction, while the
additional form lock is effected in the axial direction. The tool
can be retained especially simply and yet firmly and securely on
the tool adapter. The tool retention means may have a threaded
element, by which the force and form lock are established.
[0007] Expediently, the tool retention means includes a centering
element. An imbalance of the tool during a machining operation can
be counteracted.
[0008] In a further feature of the invention, it is proposed that
the fastening means is provided for form-locking connection in the
tangential direction with the slaving device. A strong force moment
can be transmitted to a rotating tool without requiring that the
tool adapter be chucked in force-locking fashion.
[0009] Advantageously, the fastening means is formed by a
cup-shaped element. A relatively large area for absorbing a strong
driving force can be used on the inner or outer wall of the
cup-shaped element. Wear of the fastening means and hence of the
tool adapter can be counteracted. The cup-shaped element may be
embodied with a cap or a partial cap, or it may be embodied
entirely without a cap, for instance in the form of a
hollow-cylindrical element.
[0010] The tool adapter can be securely connected to the slaving
device without chucking if the fastening means is provided for
form-locking connection with the slaving device in the axial
direction. In addition, a form lock with the slaving device in the
tangential direction may be provided. An especially secure form
lock in the axial direction can be attained if the fastening means
includes a retaining element, which can be grasped from behind in
the axial direction. The retaining element thus has one side facing
away from the slaving device that can be braced in the axial
direction by a retaining means, which for instance is hook-shaped,
of the slaving device. The retaining element is designed in
particular in the form of a segment of a circle, so that by a
rotary motion of at least part of the tool adapter it can be
rotated underneath a retaining means of the slaving device. By this
rotation, locking of the tool adapter in the axial direction on the
slaving device can be attained.
[0011] A form-locking connection of the tool adapter with the
slaving device, especially in the axial direction, can be attained
in an especially simple way if the fastening means includes an
opening through a plate element that extends in the radial
direction. A retaining means, guided through this opening, of the
slaving device can secure the plate element and thus the tool
adapter in the axial direction and expediently also in the
tangential direction by force-locking engagement. The main element
is platelike, at least in part, and is for instance a metal
sheet.
[0012] By means of a centering element for centered mounting on the
slaving device, an imbalance of the tool adapter during a machining
operation can be counteracted in a simple way. The centering
element is for instance a centering opening, particularly through
the plate element, and as a result centering can be achieved even
without a corresponding opening in the slaving device. The slaving
device can be constructed in compact form.
[0013] Advantageously, the centering element has at least one
recess in the radial direction. As a result, the tool adapter can
be adapted to a code on the slaving device, and an unambiguous
association can be made between the tool adapter and a coded
slaving device.
[0014] Suitability of the tool adapter for a fast-action chucking
system can be attained by means of a pushbutton element located on
one side of the tool. The pushbutton element can be operated from
the side on which the tool is located on the tool adapter and is
thus easily accessible. By means of the pushbutton element, a
release device in the slaving device can be actuated, and the tool
adapter can be released from the slaving device in an especially
simple way. The pushbutton element may have any suitable shape and
is a function element that is displaceable by pressure relative to
its surroundings.
[0015] Expediently, the pushbutton element is located at least
partly in the tool retention means. As a result, a central position
of the pushbutton element in the tool adapter can be attained and
hence an imbalance of the tool adapter can be counteracted.
[0016] Advantageously, the pushbutton element can be operated from
one side of the tool, and on a slaving side diametrically opposite
that side of the tool, it includes a function element. The slaving
side, during a work operation, is oriented toward the slaving
device, and therefore the slaving-side function element can actuate
a corresponding function element of the slaving device, such as a
pushbutton element, directly or indirectly.
[0017] To avoid unintentional actuation of the pushbutton element,
the pushbutton element has an operation element, which in the
unactuated state is at least for the most part sunken in an
indentation. Additional safety can be achieved by means of a spring
element, which is prestressed for preloading the pushbutton element
counter to an actuation direction.
[0018] Simple manufacture of the tool adapter can be attained by a
first main element that includes the tool retention means and a
second main element, separable from the first main element, that
includes the fastening means. The tool retention means and the
fastening means can thus be produced separately and connected
firmly to one another indirectly or directly by means of suitable
connection means for firm connection of the two main elements, such
as screws.
DRAWINGS
[0019] Further advantages will become apparent from the ensuing
description of the drawings. In the drawings, one exemplary
embodiment of the invention is shown. The drawings, description and
claims include numerous characteristics in combination. One skilled
in the art will expediently consider these characteristics
individually as well and put them together to make useful further
combinations.
[0020] Shown are:
[0021] FIG. 1, a right-angle grinder with a cutting wheel;
[0022] FIG. 2, a slaving device of the right-angle grinder;
[0023] FIG. 3, an exploded view of a tool adapter; and
[0024] FIG. 4, a main element of the tool adapter, with the cutting
wheel secured to it.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a right-angle grinder 2 from above, with an
electric motor, not identified by reference numeral, supported in a
housing 4. The right-angle grinder 2 can be guided via two handles
6, 8. Via the electric motor, a gear, not shown, in a gearbox 10,
and a likewise not visible driveshaft, a tool 12 embodied as a
cutting wheel can be driven in a tangential direction 14.
[0026] If the right-angle grinder 2 is viewed not from above as in
FIG. 1 but rather from below and the tool 12 is removed, then a
slaving device 16 of the right-angle grinder 2 becomes visible.
This slaving device 16 is shown in FIG. 2 in perspective, isolated
from the other components of the right-angle grinder. The slaving
device 16 includes a slaving flange 18, a centering collar 20,
three identical fastening elements embodied as detent bolts 22, and
three likewise identical fastening elements 24, embodied as
clamping hooks. An actuation button 26 is located centrally inside
the centering collar 20. Three encoding projections 28 protrude
radially outward from the centering collar 20.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a tool adapter 30 with a first main element 32,
shown at the top in FIG. 3, and a second main element 34, shown
below the first main element 32. A tool retention means 36, which
includes a threaded element 38 and a centering element 40, is a
component of the first main element 32. A pushbutton element 42 is
located partly inside the tool retention means 36; on a side toward
the tool, it includes an actuating element 44, and on a slaving
side it includes a function element 46. The actuating element 44,
for the sake of simple assembly, is screwed onto a central core of
the pushbutton element 42.
[0028] The second main element 34 includes a plate element 50
inside a connecting flange 48; the plate element includes three
first fastening means 52, embodied as a cup-shaped indentation, and
three fastening means 54 each with one opening 56. A centering
element 58 embodied as an opening is located centrally in the plate
element 50 and has three radial recesses 60, of which only one,
however, is visible. For firmly connecting the two main elements
32, 34 to one another, the tool adapter 30 includes four screws 62,
each passed through a respective hole 64 in the connecting flange
48 and screwed into a threaded bore 66 in the first main element
32. It is also possible for the two main elements 32, 34, after
their manufacture, to be connected by material engagement to one
another, for instance by welding. Manufacturing the tool adapter 30
in one piece is also conceivable.
[0029] The slaving device 16 shown in FIG. 2 is designed as a
fast-action chucking system, onto which tools can be fastened
simply, quickly and securely with a tool hub designed to suit the
plate element 50. Disklike tools such as grinding wheels, roughing
disks, cutting wheels, sawblades, or the like of simple design,
however, typically have only a single circular centering opening
and cannot be connected to the slaving device 16. It may be
desirable, however, for even such simple tools to be connected to
the slaving device 16. To that end, the tool adapter 30 is
provided. The tool adapter 30 can be connected to the slaving
device 16 and can in turn itself receive simple disklike tools.
[0030] For connecting the tool adapter 30 to the slaving device 16,
the centering element 58 is slipped onto the centering collar 20.
After it is slipped on, the plate element 50 rests on the three
encoding projections 28 and can now be rotated in the tangential
direction 14, until the three recesses 60 cover the three encoding
projections 28. In this position, the plate element 50--and with it
the entire tool adapter 30--drops somewhat lower, until it comes to
rest on the three detent bolts 22. These three detent bolts 22 are
spring-loaded and can be pressed downward by a user of the
right-angle grinder 2 by pressure on the tool adapter 30, until the
tool adapter 30 rests on the slaving flange 18. As a result, the
hook-like fastening elements 24 pass through the openings 56.
[0031] For fastening the tool adapter 30 to the slaving device 16,
the plate element 50 can now be rotated clockwise, as a result of
which a radially innermost region of the plate element 50 is moved
underneath the encoding projections 28.
[0032] Simultaneously, a retaining element 68 of the fastening
means 54, adjacent the respective openings 56 and embodied in the
tangential direction parallel to an opening 56, is thrust beneath
an obliquely oriented ramp element 70 of the fastening element 24,
whereupon the fastening element 24 is drawn upward somewhat along
the force of a prestressed spring, not shown. A precise description
of the slaving device 16, the spring-loaded detent bolts 22, and
the fastening elements 24 can be found in International Patent
Disclosure WO 03/097299.
[0033] Upon further rotation of the plate element 50 and tool
adapter 30 clockwise, the retaining element 68 is thrust beneath a
lug 72, oriented parallel to the slaving flange 18, which with the
aid of the prestressed spring, not shown, presses the plate element
50 onto the slaving flange 18. When a fastening position is
reached, the detent bolts 22 come to coincide with the cup-shaped
fastening means 52 of the tool adapter 30 and by racing upward snap
into these fastening means 52. The plate element 50--and with it
the entire tool adapter 30--is now fixed in the cup-like fastening
means 52 in the tangential direction 14 by the detent bolts 22 and
in the axial direction by the spring-loaded fastening elements 24
that engage the retaining elements 68 from behind.
[0034] The tool 12 can now be chucked on the first main element 32,
located on the tool side; the order in which the connections are
made, of the tool to the first main element 32, of the first main
element 32 to the second main element 34, and of the second main
element 34 to the slaving device 16, is arbitrary. The tool 12 is
guided, by a centrally embodied centering opening, not shown, over
the tool retention means 36 and placed around the centering element
40. Next, a pressure element 74, embodied as a lock nut, shown in
FIG. 4 is threaded with its female thread onto the threaded element
38, specifically until the tool 12 is firmly clamped between a base
plate 76 of the main element 32 and the pressure element 74.
Instead of a lock nut, some other clamping element that suitably
cooperates with the tool retention means may equally well be used;
the threaded element 38 may optionally be replaced by some other
suitable element.
[0035] For applying the force required for tensing the pressure
element 74, the pressure element 74 is embodied with a hexagonal
outer shape, like a tool nut, and can be retained by a wrench. To
generate a necessary contrary force, any spindle lock that may be
present for the right-angle grinder 2 can be actuated; this
prevents slaved rotation of the slaving device 16. For cases in
which the right-angle grinder 2 has no such spindle lock, the main
elements 32, 34 are each embodied with two flat faces 78, which can
likewise be engaged by a large wrench. Now the two wrenches can be
rotated counter to one another about the faces 78 and about the
pressure element 74 until the pressure element 74 presses the tool
12 firmly against the base plate 76. The tool 12 is now secured to
the tool adapter 30.
[0036] For releasing the tool adapter 30 from the slaving device
16, the user of the right-angle grinder 2 can press the actuating
element 44 in the axial direction toward the gearbox 10 of the
right-angle grinder 2, and as a result the function element 46 on
the slaving side presses against the actuation button 26 of the
slaving device 16. As a result, the detent bolts 22 are pulled
downward and out of the cup-shaped fastening means 52. The tool
adapter 30 can be rotated counterclockwise and released from the
slaving device 16.
[0037] To prevent unintentional actuation of the pushbutton element
42, the actuating element 44 is sunk completely inside the pressure
element 74. The pushbutton element 42 is furthermore prestressed in
the axial direction away from the gearbox by a spring element 80
embodied as a spiral spring, so that in operation, even if the tool
adapter 30 experiences strong impacts, the actuation button 26 will
not be actuated unintentionally by the weight of the pushbutton
element 42 alone.
* * * * *