US3781579A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protected lock means for electrically-operated,hand-manipulated tools
Assignee: Black and Decker Corp
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Filing: 1973-01-03
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1993-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A portable, hand-held electrically powered tool activated, during operation, by a trigger-type, handle-mounted switchoperator in a convenient position lending to efficient operation of the tool and in which the tool switch has at least an ''''on'''' and ''''off'''' position. A selectively operable lock means for the switch operator is accessible to the user of the tool but is recessed or protected so that it must be intentionally operated to a ''''lock'''' position. The lock means is constructed so that momentary reapplication of manual pressure to the switch-operator automatically de-activates the lock means and allows the electric motor to turn ''''off'''' upon release of pressure on the operator. The lock means is preferably, but not necessarily, located in a central position on the handle of the tool below the switchoperator. In addition, the switch-operator may have two or more ''''on'''' positions in which it may be locked.
Inventors
- 👤 F Rosenthal
- 👤 L Rohr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/04; H01H13/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
In hand-portable, manually-manipulated, electrically powered tool comprising in combination housing means; electricallyoperated motor means in said housing means; means for supplying electrical power to said motor means; power-output means operatively connected to said electrically operated motor means, said housing means including handle means to be gripped in a user''s hand when the tool is operated; switch means operatively connected to said motor means for activating and deactivating the motor means; switch-operator means operatively connected to said switch means for operating the tool and normally urged to an off position; and positively manipulated, switch-operator lock means on said handle means operatively connected to said switchoperator means and including means for retaining the switchoperator means in an on position and subject to release by momentary reapplication of manual operator-pressure on said switch operator, said lock means having a manually manipulated operator portion disposed in a recess in said handle, and spaced inwardly from the outer surface of said handle, said operator portion being accessible to finger engagement by a user, whereby the lock means require positive intentional actuation to be moved to the position retaining the switch operator means on and is prevented from inadvertent or accidental activation during use oF the tool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
In hand-portable, manually-manipulated, electrically powered tool comprising in combination housing means; electricallyoperated motor means in said housing means; means for supplying electrical power to said motor means; power-output means operatively connected to said electrically operated motor means, said housing means including handle means to be gripped in a user''s hand when the tool is operated; switch means operatively connected to said motor means for activating and deactivating the motor means; switch-operator means operatively connected to said switch means for operating the tool and normally urged to an off position; and positively manipulated, switch-operator lock means on said handle means operatively connected to said switchoperator means and including means for retaining the switchoperator means in an on position and subject to release by momentary reapplication of manual operator-pressure on said switch operator, said lock means having a manually manipulated operator portion disposed in a recess in said handle, and spaced inwardly from the outer surface of said handle, said operator portion being accessible to finger engagement by a user, whereby the lock means require positive intentional actuation to be moved to the position retaining the switch operator means on and is prevented from inadvertent or accidental activation during use oF the tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said handle means depends from said housing, said switch-operator means comprising a trigger element projecting from said handle means in a convenient, normal position on said handle means whereby said operator means is operable while conveniently gripped in a user''s hand through a normal, physical gripping action, said switch-operator means being normally urged toward the off position and being depressible into said handle means to turn said tool on, said lock means including spring means normally urging it toward a position released from said trigger.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The structure as claimed in claim 2 in which said switch-operator means includes a portion movable therewith and variably positionable relative to said means for retaining the switch-operator in an on position, movement lock means comprising a displaceable abutment element operatively engaged by said spring means, said displaceable abutment element being engagable with said portion movable with said switch-operator and operable to prevent the switch-operator from moving to said off position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The structure as claimed in claim 3 in which said switch-operator means has a path of movement in one direction, said displaceable abutment including a terminal portion positionable in said path of mvoement of said switch-operator means portion and engagable therewith and subject to the force applied to said switch-operator normally urging it to said off position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The structure as claimed in claim 4 in which said switch-operator comprises a finger-engagable portion exposed exteriorly of said handle means, said portion movable with said switch-operator means comprising at least one recess portion, said abutment portion being displaceably engageable in said recess portion for retaining said switch-operator means in a locked condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The structure as claimed in claim 4 in which said switch-operator means includes a recessed portion opening towards said abutment portion, said abutment portion being engagable in said recessed portion for locking said switch-operator means in a relatively fixed position subject to release by manual depression of the switch-operator by the user of the tool.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
A motor housing for a portable, electrically powered tool including an operator-held handle, switch means in said handle including a spring-urged switch-operator element having a portion accessible exteriorly of said handle for activating said tool, and lock means in said handle operatively engageable with said switch-operator, the improvement in which said lock means include an operator element having a portion accessible from outside said handle but spaced inwardly of the outer surface of said handle, said handle protecting said operator element portion from inadvertent actuation whereby a positive physical manipulation is required to lock the switch-operator in a tool actuating attitude.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
A motor housing for a portable, electrically powered tool including an operator-held handle, switch means in said handle including a spring-urged switch-operator element having a portion accessible exteriorly of said handle for activating said tool, and lock means in said handle operatively engageable with said switch-operator, the improvement in which said lock means include an operator element having a portion accessible from outside said handle but spaced inwardly of the outer surface of said handle, said handle protecting said operator element portion from inadvertent actuation whereby a positive physical manipulation is required to lock the switch-operator in a tool actuating attitude.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structure as claimed in claim 7 in which said switch-operator element includes at least one orienting portion movable relative to said lock means, said lock means including a spring-urged abutment element normally urging said lock means to an off position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The structure as claimed in claim 8 in which said switch-operator comprises a trigger-like element displaceable in a path of travel relative to said handle, said orienting portion comprising at least one recess opening toward said lock means, said lock means comprising an elongated displaceable abutment element retained in a path of movement substantially normal to the path of travel of said trigger-like element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
The structure as claimed in claim 9 in which said lock means comprises a sleeve circumposed about and guidingly engaging said elongated element, spring means circumposed about said elongated element and normally urging it away from said trigger-like element, the portion exposed at the surface of the handle of said lock means being fixedly connected to said elongated element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The structure as claiMed in claim 7 in which said handle includes an opening into which an exposed portion of said lock means operator element projects, the outer surface of said handle at said opening being spaced outwardly from and protecting the lock means operator element from inadvertent engagement and actuation by a user''s hand.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure as claimed in claim 11 in which said handle depends from one end of the housing, the switch-operator being disposed at an upper inner portion of said handle, said operator element of said lock means being disposed immediately below said switch-operator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
169 words
A hand-held, portable, power-operated device comprising a housing enclosing a motor, output means interconnected with said motor and driven thereby and located exteriorly of said housing, said housing including a handle portion for manipulation of said device, a motor controlling operator accessibly disposed on said handle portion for operation by a user, means normally biasing said operator toward an off position, and lock means for said motor controlling operator, said lock means including a finger engageable portion located in an opening in said handle portion and spaced inwardly from the outer surface thereof, said lock means being releasably engageable with said motor controlling operator and operable to lock said operator in said on position, means normally biasing said lock means toward a position released from said operator, whereby said lock means and said operator are interconnectable when both are operator actuated against their respective biasing means, and are releasable to permit said operator to move to its off position upon momentary reengagement of said operator means by said user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
169 words
A hand-held, portable, power-operated device comprising a housing enclosing a motor, output means interconnected with said motor and driven thereby and located exteriorly of said housing, said housing including a handle portion for manipulation of said device, a motor controlling operator accessibly disposed on said handle portion for operation by a user, means normally biasing said operator toward an off position, and lock means for said motor controlling operator, said lock means including a finger engageable portion located in an opening in said handle portion and spaced inwardly from the outer surface thereof, said lock means being releasably engageable with said motor controlling operator and operable to lock said operator in said on position, means normally biasing said lock means toward a position released from said operator, whereby said lock means and said operator are interconnectable when both are operator actuated against their respective biasing means, and are releasable to permit said operator to move to its off position upon momentary reengagement of said operator means by said user.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |