Non-Pneumatic Scaler

Abstract

A non-pneumatic scaler includes a linear motion gearbox and an electric motor in communication with the gearbox for selectively actuating it. An implement is removably coupled to the linear motion gearbox such that actuation of the gearbox causes the implement to oscillate. A housing contains the linear motion gearbox such that the implement extends partially outside the housing. A rechargeable battery is coupled to the housing for supplying power to the motor. The scaler includes a trigger for actuating the motor. Another input device is included for varying the rate of oscillation of the implement. One or more light emitting diodes may be mounted to the housing for illuminating a work area. The scaler may include a force transmitter that transfers the motor's force to cause the implement to rotate. A clutch may be manipulated to allow either the linear motion gearbox or the force transmitter to be selected.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to handheld or cordless tools and, more particular to a non-pneumatic slag scaler for use in removing slag from welding jobs or similar applications. With interchangeable implements and a rechargeable battery, the non-pneumatic scaler provides improved utility and increased convenience over traditional slag scalers.

[0002] Various surfaces often require a level of cleaning or smoothing than can not be accomplished by hand. A scaler is a device that is useful for removing paint, rust, weld slag, or other hard to remove and unattractive residue. Some scalers have a chisel or needle head that is particularly suited for chipping away hardened weld slag. Although assembly effective, for their intended purposes, the existing scalers must be connected to a pneumatic or electric power supply and are thus limited in their range of movement away from the power source. In addition, the existing scalers may be limited by their inability to accommodate multiple interchangeable implements or to selectively facilitate both linear and rotational movement.

[0003] Therefore, it would be desirable to have a non-pneumatic scaler that is handheld and powered by a removable and rechargeable battery. Further, it would be desirable to have a non-pneumatic scaler having interchangeable implements. In addition, it would be desirable to have a non-pneumatic scaler capable of linear or rotational movement and adjustable speeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, a non-pneumatic scaler according to the present invention includes a linear motion gearbox and a motor, the motor being in communication with the gearbox for selectively actuating it. An implement may be removably coupled to the linear motion gearbox such that actuation of the linear motion gearbox causes the implement to oscillate. The non-pneumatic scaler includes a housing containing the linear motion gearbox and is situated such that the implement extends partially outside the housing. A rechargeable battery is coupled to the housing for supplying power to the motor. The scaler includes an input trigger for actuating the motor. Another input device is included for varying the rate of oscillation of the implement. One or more light emitting diodes may be mounted to the housing for illuminating an area adjacent to the implement. In addition, the scaler may include a force transmitter that may transfer the force of the motor to cause the implement to rotate. A clutch may be manipulated to allow either the linear motion gearbox or the alternate force transmitter to be selected.

[0005] A wide range of implements may be removably and interchangeably coupled to the scaler housing such that the scaler is useful for many applications. For example, a chisel head or needle head are useful for removing weld slag whereas an aluminum oxide preparation disc may be attached in order to grind down light welds or to prepare surfaces for painting. Star Brite pads may also be used with the non-pneumatic scaler for paint and rust removal, bead sanding, removal of auto body scuffing, and paint preparation. Carbide burs and wire brushes are also attachable for use with the non-pneumatic scaler for a multitude of cleaning or smoothing applications.

[0006] Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a non-pneumatic scaler for preparing or cleaning a surface of rust, paint, weld slag, or the like.

[0007] Another object of this invention is to provide a non-pneumatic scaler, as aforesaid, having an electric motor and linear motion gearbox powered by a rechargeable battery.

[0008] Still another object of this invention is to provide a non-pneumatic scaler, as aforesaid, having multiple removable and interchangeable implements for a wide variety of applications.

[0009] A further object of this invention is to provide a non-pneumatic scaler, as aforesaid, that is lightweight and easy to use.

[0010] A still further object of this invention is to provide a non-pneumatic scaler, as aforesaid, having lights for illuminating a work area.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a non-pneumatic scaler according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a another perspective view of the non-pneumatic scaler as in FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 3a is a side view of the non-pneumatic scaler as in FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 3b is a sectional view taken along line 3b-3b in FIG. 3a;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of implements removed from the scaler as in FIG. 1; and

[0017] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a non-pneumatic scaler according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] A scaler 100 according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5 of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, according to the current invention, a non-pneumatic scaler 100 includes a linear motion gearbox 110 (FIG. 3b).

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3b, a motor 120 is in communication with the linear motion gearbox 110 to selectively actuate the linear motion gearbox 110. An implement 130 (i.e., a scaler head) is operatively coupled to the linear motion gearbox 110 (e.g., by a quick release member 112 or another suitable fastener) so that actuation of the linear motion gearbox 110 causes the implement 130 to oscillate. FIG. 4 shows one implement 130 that is a chisel head 132 and another implement 130 that is a needle head 134. Though not shown, other appropriate implements 130 include, for example, a preparation grinding disc, a star-brite pad, a wire brush, and a bur. While the implement 130 is preferably removably coupled to the linear motion gearbox 110, it may alternately be permanently affixed thereto. A housing 140 may contain the linear motion gearbox 110 and the motor 120, as shown in FIG. 3b, and the implement 130 must be at least partially outside the housing 140. The housing 140 may include a rubber handle 142 to dampen the force imparted to the user from using the scaler 100. It should be understood that the housing 140 may also include a handle having a pistol grip configuration such that the scaler 100 may be used in the manner of, say, a drill or similar tool.

[0020] The scaler 100 may include means for powering the motor 120, such as a battery 150 in electrical communication with the motor 120. More particularly, the battery 150 may be a rechargeable battery removably coupled to the housing 140 (FIG. 3b). In addition, means for actuating the motor 120, such as an input trigger 155 (FIGS. 1 and 2), may be included. As shown in FIGS. 1-3b and 5, one or more LED 158 may be in electrical communication with the battery 150 and coupled to the housing 140 for selectively providing a lighted environment adjacent the implement 130.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, an input device 160 may be in communication with the motor 120 or the linear motion gearbox 110 for varying a rate of oscillation of the implement 130.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows that the scaler 100 may further include means for selectively rotating the implement 130. More particularly, an alternate force transmitter 170, such as a gear train, may transfer force from the motor 120 to the implement 130 to rotate the implement 130. An input device 172 and a clutch 175 or another appropriate device may allow either the linear motion gearbox 110 or the alternate force transmitter 170 to be selected.

[0023] In use, a respective implement 130 may be selected (e.g., depending on the task to be completed) and coupled to the linear motion gearbox 110 by the quick release member 112. The battery 150 may be charged and coupled to the housing 140, placing the battery 150 in electrical communication with the motor 120. The input trigger 155 may then be used to actuate the motor 120, causing the linear motion gearbox 110 to oscillate the implement 130. The LED 158 may provide a lighted environment adjacent the implement 130, and the rubber handle 142 may dampen the force imparted to the user from the implement 130 interacting with a work surface. To rotate (instead of oscillate) the implement 130, the user may utilize the input device 172, causing the clutch 175 to select the alternate force transmitter 170 instead of the linear motion gearbox 110. When selected, the alternate force transmitter 170 may rotate the implement 130 upon actuation of the motor 120 by the input trigger 155.

[0024] It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A scaler, comprising: a linear motion gearbox; a motor in communication with said linear motion gearbox for selectively actuating said linear motion gearbox; an implement operatively coupled to said linear motion gearbox, wherein actuation of said linear motion gearbox causes said implement to oscillate; a battery in electrical communication with said motor to power said motor; a housing containing said linear motion gearbox, said implement being at least partially outside said housing; and means for actuating said motor.

2. The scaler as in claim 1, further comprising a LED coupled to said housing and in electrical communication with said battery for selectively providing a lighted environment adjacent said implement.

3. The scaler as in claim 1, wherein said battery is a rechargeable battery removably coupled to said housing.

4. The scaler as in claim 1, further comprising an input device in communication with said motor or said linear motion gearbox for varying a rate of oscillation of said implement.

5. The scaler as in claim 4, further comprising a LED coupled to said housing and in electrical communication with said battery for selectively providing a lighted environment adjacent said implement, and wherein said housing includes a rubber handle.

6. The scaler as in claim 1, further comprising: means for selectively rotating said implement; and an input device for selecting one of and deselecting another of said linear motion gearbox and said means for selectively rotating said implement.

7. The scaler as in claim 6, wherein said implement is one of a chisel head, a needle head, a preparation grinding disc, a star-brite pad, a wire brush, or a bur.

8. The scaler as in claim 6, further comprising a LED coupled to said housing and in electrical communication with said battery for selectively providing a lighted environment adjacent said implement, and wherein: said housing includes a rubber handle; said battery is a rechargeable battery removably coupled to said housing; and said implement is removable.

9. The scaler as in claim 1, wherein said implement is selected from a group consisting of a chisel head and a needle head.

10. The scaler as in claim 1, wherein said implement is removable.

11. A non-pneumatic scaler, comprising: a linear motion gearbox; a motor in communication with said linear motion gearbox for selectively actuating said linear motion gearbox; an implement removably coupled to said linear motion gearbox, wherein actuation of said linear motion gearbox causes said implement to oscillate; a housing containing said linear motion gearbox, said implement being at least partially outside said housing; means for powering said motor; and means for actuating said motor.

12. The non-pneumatic scaler as in claim 11, further comprising a LED coupled to said housing and in electrical communication with said means for powering said motor for selectively providing a lighted environment adjacent said implement.

13. The non-pneumatic scaler as in claim 12, further comprising an input device in communication with said motor or said linear motion gearbox for varying a rate of oscillation of said implement.

14. The non-pneumatic scaler as in claim 13, further comprising: means for selectively rotating said implement; and an input device for selecting one of and deselecting another of said linear motion gearbox and said means for selectively rotating said implement.

15. The non-pneumatic scaler as in claim 14, wherein said means for powering said motor includes a rechargeable battery removably coupled to said housing.

16. The non-pneumatic scaler as in claim 11, further comprising an input device in communication with said motor or said linear motion gearbox for varying a rate of oscillation of said implement.

17. The non-pneumatic scaler as in claim 11, further comprising: means for selectively rotating said implement; and an input device for selecting one of and deselecting another of said linear motion gearbox and said means for selectively rotating said implement.

18. The non-pneumatic scaler as in claim 17, further comprising a LED coupled to said housing and in electrical communication with said means for powering said motor for selectively providing a lighted environment adjacent said implement.

19. The non-pneumatic scaler as in claim 11, wherein said means for actuating said motor includes an input trigger.

20. The non-pneumatic scaler as in claim 11, wherein said means for powering said motor includes a rechargeable battery removably coupled to said housing.