Trigger mechanism for hand-operated power device including stationary locking device which provides lock-off and lock-on operation

Claim 2

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power device including a motor and a control operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger movable from an inoperative level to an operative level to actuate the control and operate the motor, said trigger being manually movable in its inoperative level from a lock-off position to an unlock position wherein it is movable to its operative level to actuate the control and manually movable in its operative level to a lock-on position to continuously actuate the control; a stationary locking device including a lock-off portion cooperatively engageable with said trigger in its lock-off position to prevent movement of said trigger from its inoperative level to its operative level and a lock-on portion cooperatively engageable with said trigger in its lock-on position to maintain said trigger in its operative level to continuously actuate the control and operate the motor; means for normally biasing said trigger toward its inoperative level; and means for biasing said trigger to a position in which said trigger cooperates with said lock-off portion when said trigger is at its inoperative level, and in which said trigger is released from said lock-on portion when said trigger is at its operative level.

Claim 3

A trigger mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking device includes a sloped surface extending through said neutral position for enabling said first-mentioned means to overcome said last-mentioned means whereby said trigger is automatically returned to its lock-off position from any released position other than said lock-on position.

Claim 4

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and an elongated, hollow handle which supports a switch operatively associated with the motor; comprising: a manually operable trigger mounted within the handle and including a finger engageable body extending through an opening provided in the handle, said trigger having an arm which extends from its body and includes an elongated slot for receiving a pin provided on the handle to permit slidable movement of said trigger longitudinally relative to the handle and pivotal movement of said trigger transversely relative to the handle, said trigger body including a lock-off surface and a lock-on member, said trigger being pivotable from an inoperative level to an operative level to actuate the switch and operate the motor, said trigger being longitudinally slidable relative to the handle in its inoperative level from a lock-off position to an unlock position wherein said trigger is pivotable to its operative level to actuate the switch, said trigger being longitudinally slidable relative to the handle in its operative level to a lock-on position to continuously actuate the switch, said trigger being normally biased toward its inoperative level and its lock-off position; and a locking member mounted within the handle adjacent to said trigger body, said locking member including a lower surface in registration with said lock-off surface of said trigger body when said trigger is in its lock-off position to prevent pivotal movement of said trigger from its inoperative level to its operative level, said lower surface of said locking member being out of registration with said trigger body when said trigger is in its unlock position to permit pivotal movement of said trigger to its operative level to actuate the switch, said locking member including a ridge on its upper surface for engaging said lock-on member of said trigger body to lock said trigger in its operative level to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor; means for normally biasing said trigger toward its inoperative level; and means for biasing said trigger to a position in which said trigger cooperates with said lock-off portion when said trigger is at its inoperative level, and in which said trigger is released from said lock-on portion when said trigger is at its operative level.

Claim 5

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and an elongated, hollow handle which supports a switch operatively associated with the motor; comprising: a manually operable trigger mounted within the handle and including a finger engageable body extending through an opening provided in the handle, said trigger having an arm which extends from its body and includes an elongated slot for receiving a pin provided on the handle to permit slidable movement of said trigger longitudinally relative to the handle and pivotal movement of said trigger transversely relative to the handle, said trigger body including a lock-off surface and a lock-on member, said trigger being pivotable from an inoperative level to an operative level to actuate the switch and operate the motor, said trigger being longitudinally slidable relative to the handle in its inoperative level from a lock-off position to an unlock position wherein said trigger is pivotable to its operative level to actuate the switch, said trigger being longitudinally slidable relative to the handle in its operative level to a lock-on position to continuously actuate the switch, said trigger being normally biased toward its inoperative level and its lock-off position; and a locking member mounted within the handle adjacent to said trigger body, said locking member including a lower surface in registration with said lock-off surface of said trigger body when said trigger is in its lock-off position to prevent pivotal movement of said trigger from its inoperative level to its operative level, said lower surface of said locking member being out of registration with said trigger body when said trigger is in its unlock position to permit pivotal movement of said trigger to its operative level to actuate the switch, said locking member including a ridge on its upper surface for engaging said lock-on member of said trigger body to lock said trigger in its operative level to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor; means for normally biasing said trigger toward its inoperative level; and means for biasing said trigger to a position in which said trigger cooperates with said lock-off portion when said trigger is at its inoperative level, and in which said trigger is released from said lock-on portion when said trigger is at its operative level.

Claim 6

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and an elongated, hollow handle which supports a switch operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger mounted within the handle and including a finger engageable body extending downward through an opening provided in the handle, said trigger having an arm which extends backward from its body and includes an elongated, horizontal slot for receiving a pin provided on the handle to permit slidable movement of said trigger horizontally relative to the handle and pivotal movement of said trigger vertically relative to the handle, said trigger body including a finger which extends forward from said trigger body and includes an upper, lock-off surface and a lower surface provided with a downwardly extending lock-on member, said trigger being vertically pivotable from an inoperative level to an operative level to actuate the switch and operate the motor, said trigger being slidable backward relative to the handle in its inoperative level from a lock-off position to an unlock position wherein said trigger is vertically pivotable to its operative level to actuate the switch, said trigger being slidable forward relative to the handle in its operative level to a lock-on position to continuously actuate the switch, said trigger including a first, integral leaf spring extending backward from said arm and engaging the handle to normally bias said trigger downward toward its inoperative level and a second, integral leaf spring extending upward from said arm and engaging the handle to normally bias said trigger forward toward its lock-off position; and a locking member mounted within the handle above said trigger body, said locking member including a lower surface in registration with said lock-off surface of said finger when said trigger is in its lock-off position to prevent pivotal movement of said trigger from its inoperative level to its operative level, said lower surface of said locking member being out of registration with said finger when said trigger is in its unlock position to permit pivotal movement of said trigger to its operative level to actuate the switch, said locking member including a ridge on its upper surface for engaging said lock-on member of said finger to lock said trigger in its operative level to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor.

Claim 7

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and an elongated, hollow handle which supports a switch operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger mounted within the handle and including a finger engageable body extending downward through an opening provided in the handle, said trigger having an arm which extends backward from its body and includes an elongated, horizontal slot for receiving a pin provided on the handle to permit slidable movement of said trigger horizontally relative to the handle and pivotal movement of said trigger vertically relative to the handle, said trigger body including a finger which extends forward from said trigger body and includes an upper, lock-off surface and a lower surface provided with a downwardly extending lock-on member, said trigger being vertically pivotable from an inoperative level to an operative level to actuate the switch and operate the motor, said trigger being slidable backward relative to the handle in its inoperative level from a lock-off position to an unlock position wherein said trigger is vertically pivotable to its operative level to actuate the switch, said trigger being slidable forward relative to the handle in its operative level to a lock-on position to continuously actuate the switch, said trigger including a first, integral leaf spring extending backward from said arm and engaging the handle to normally bias said trigger downward toward its inoperative level and a second, integral leaf spring extending upward from said arm and engaging the handle to normally bias said trigger forward toward its lock-off position; and a locking member mounted within the handle above said trigger body, said locking member including a lower surface in registration with said lock-off surface of said finger when said trigger is in its lock-off position to prevent pivotal movement of said trigger from its inoperative level to its operative level, said lower surface of said locking member being out of registration with said finger when said trigger is in its unlock position to permit pivotal movement of said trigger to its operative level to actuate the switch, said locking member including a ridge on its upper surface for engaging said lock-on member of said finger to lock said trigger in its operative level to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor.

Claim 8

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and an elongated, hollow handle which supports an on-off switch operatively associated with the motor and provided with a movable actuator to control its operation, comprising: a manually operable trigger mounted within the handle and including a finger engageable body extending downward through an opening provided in the handle, said trigger having an arm which extends backward from its body and includes an elongated, horizontal slot for receiving a pin provided on the handle to permit slidable movement of said trigger horizontally relative to the handle and pivotal movement of said trigger vertically relative to the handle, said trigger body including a finger which extends forward from said trigger body and includes an upper, lock-off surface and a lower surface provided with a downwardly extending lock-on member, said trigger body being located beneath the switch and including an actuating surface for engaging the switch actuator, said trigger being pivotable upward from an inoperative level to an operative level to move said actuating surface into engagement with the switch actuator to actuate the switch to turn on the motor, said trigger being slidable backward relative to the handle in its inoperative level from a lock-off position to an unlock position wherein said trigger is pivotable upward to its operative level to actuate the switch, said trigger being slidable forward relative to the handle in its operative level to a lock-on position to continuously actuate the switch, said trigger including a first, integral leaf spring extending backward from said arm and engaging the handle to normally bias said trigger downward toward its inoperative level and a second, integral leaf spring extending upward from said arm and engaging the handle to normally bias said trigger forward toward its lock-off position; and a locking member mounted within the handle above said trigger body, said locking member including a lower surface in registration with said lock-off surface of said finger when said trigger is in its lock-off position to prevent pivotal movement of said trigger from its inoperative level to its operative level, said lower surface of said locking member being out of registration with said finger when said trigger is in its unlock position to permit pivotal movement of said trigger to its operative level to actuate the switch, said locking member including a ridge on its upper surface for engaging said lock-on member of said finger to lock said trigger in its operative level to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor.

Claim 9

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and an elongated, hollow handle which supports an on-off switch operatively associated with the motor and provided with a movable actuator to control its operation, comprising: a manually operable trigger mounted within the handle and including a finger engageable body extending downward through an opening provided in the handle, said trigger having an arm which extends backward from its body and includes an elongated, horizontal slot for receiving a pin provided on the handle to permit slidable movement of said trigger horizontally relative to the handle and pivotal movement of said trigger vertically relative to the handle, said trigger body including a finger which extends forward from said trigger body and includes an upper, lock-off surface and a lower surface provided with a downwardly extending lock-on member, said trigger body being located beneath the switch and including an actuating surface for engaging the switch actuator, said trigger being pivotable upward from an inoperative level to an operative level to move said actuating surface into engagement with the switch actuator to actuate the switch to turn on the motor, said trigger being slidable backward relative to the handle in its inoperative level from a lock-off position to an unlock position wherein said trigger is pivotable upward to its operative level to actuate the switch, said trigger being slidable forward relative to the handle in its operative level to a lock-on position to continuously actuate the switch, said trigger including a first, integral leaf spring extending backward from said arm and engaging the handle to normally bias said trigger downward toward its inoperative level and a second, integral leaf spring extending upward from said arm and engaging the handle to normally bias said trigger forward toward its lock-off position; and a locking member mounted within the handle above said trigger body, said locking member including a lower surface in registration with said lock-off surface of said finger when said trigger is in its lock-off position to prevent pivotal movement of said trigger from its inoperative level to its operative level, said lower surface of said locking member being out of registration with said finger when said trigger is in its unlock position to permit pivotal movement of said trigger to its operative level to actuate the switch, said locking member including a ridge on its upper surface for engaging said lock-on member of said finger to lock said trigger in its operative level to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor.

Claim 10

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power device including a motor and a control operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger movable from an inoperative level to an operative level to actuate the control and operate the motor, means normally biasing said trigger toward said inoperative level, said trigger being manually movable in its inoperative level from a lock-off position to an unlock position wherein it is movable to its operative level to actuate the control, and manually movable in its operative level to a lock-on position to continuously actuate the control; locking means including a lock-off portion cooperatively engageable with said trigger in its lock-off position to prevent movement of said trigger fRom its inoperative level to its operative level, and a lock-on portion cooperatively engageable with said trigger in its lock-on position to maintain said trigger in its operative level to continuously actuate the control and operate the motor; and means normally biasing said trigger into cooperable lock-off engagement with said locking means when said trigger is in its inoperative level.

Claim 11

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power device including a motor and a control operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger movable from an inoperative level to an operative level to actuate the control and operate the motor, means normally biasing said trigger toward said inoperative level, said trigger being manually movable in its inoperative level from a lock-off position to an unlock position wherein it is movable to its operative level to actuate the control, and manually movable in its operative level to a lock-on position to continuously actuate the control; locking means including a lock-off portion cooperatively engageable with said trigger in its lock-off position to prevent movement of said trigger fRom its inoperative level to its operative level, and a lock-on portion cooperatively engageable with said trigger in its lock-on position to maintain said trigger in its operative level to continuously actuate the control and operate the motor; and means normally biasing said trigger into cooperable lock-off engagement with said locking means when said trigger is in its inoperative level.

Claim 12

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including a motor and a handle which supports a control operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger mounted on the handle for both slidable and pivotal movement relative to the handle, said trigger being pivotable from an inoperative level to an operative level to actuate the control and operate the motor, said trigger being slidable in its inoperative level from a lock-off position to an unlock position wherein said trigger is pivotable to its operative level to actuate the control and slidable in its operative level to a lock-on position to continuously actuate the control; and a locking device on the handle adjacent to said trigger, said locking device including a lock-off portion in registration with said trigger in its lock-off position to prevent pivotal movement of said trigger to its operative level, means normally biasing said trigger toward lock-off registration with said locking device when said trigger is in said inoperative level, said lock-off portion being out of registration with said trigger in its unlock position to permit pivotal movement of said trigger to its operative level to actuate the control, said locking device including a lock-on portion cooperatively engageable with to releasably retain said trigger in its lock-on position to maintain said trigger in its operative level to continuously actuate the control and operate the motor, and means normally biasing said trigger away from cooperative engagement with said lock-on portion when said trigger is in its operative level.

Claim 13

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including a motor and a handle which supports a control operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger mounted on the handle for both slidable and pivotal movement relative to the handle, said trigger being pivotable from an inoperative level to an operative level to actuate the control and operate the motor, said trigger being slidable in its inoperative level from a lock-off position to an unlock position wherein said trigger is pivotable to its operative level to actuate the control and slidable in its operative level to a lock-on position to continuously actuate the control; and a locking device on the handle adjacent to said trigger, said locking device including a lock-off portion in registration with said trigger in its lock-off position to prevent pivotal movement of said trigger to its operative level, means normally biasing said trigger toward lock-off registration with said locking device when said trigger is in said inoperative level, said lock-off portion being out of registration with said trigger in its unlock position to permit pivotal movement of said trigger to its operative level to actuate the control, said locking device including a lock-on portion cooperatively engageable with to releasably retain said trigger in its lock-on position to maintain said trigger in its operative level to continuously actuate the control and operate the motor, and means normally biasing said trigger away from cooperative engagement with said lock-on portion when said trigger is in its operative level.

Claim 14

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power device including a motor and a control operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger movable from an inoperative level to an operative level to actuate the control and operate the motor, said trigger being manually movable in its inoperative level from a lock-off position to an unlock position wherein it is movable to its operative level to actuate the control, and manually movable in its operative level to a lock-on position to continuously actuate the control; first biasing means arranged to constantly urge said trigger to its inoperative position; and second biasing means for urging said trigger into a position where said trigger is in engagement with said lock-off portion when said trigger is at its inoperative level and for urging said trigger out of said lock-on position when said trigger is at its operative level.

Claim 15

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power device including a motor and a control operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger movable from an inoperative level to an operative level to actuate the control and operate the motor, said trigger being manually movable in its inoperative level from a lock-off position to an unlock position wherein it is movable to its operative level to actuate the control, and manually movable in its operative level to a lock-on position to continuously actuate the control; first biasing means arranged to constantly urge said trigger to its inoperative position; and second biasing means for urging said trigger into a position where said trigger is in engagement with said lock-off portion when said trigger is at its inoperative level and for urging said trigger out of said lock-on position when said trigger is at its operative level.

Claim 16

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and a switch for controlling the application of power to said motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger for controlling said switch; means mounting said trigger for pivotal movement between a first position in which said switch is off and a second position in which said switch is on; means biasing said trigger toward said first position; locking means including a lock-off portion engageable with said trigger for maintaining said trigger in said first position, and a lock-on portion for maintaining said trigger in said second position; second biasing means associated with said trigger, said second biasing means being arranged to urge said trigger into engagement with said lock-off portion when said trigger is in said first position and to urge said trigger out of engagement with said lock-on portion when said trigger is in said second position.

Claim 17

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and a switch for controlling the application of power to said motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger for controlling said switch; means mounting said trigger for pivotal movement between a first position in which said switch is off and a second position in which said switch is on; means biasing said trigger toward said first position; locking means including a lock-off portion engageable with said trigger for maintaining said trigger in said first position, and a lock-on portion for maintaining said trigger in said second position; second biasing means associated with said trigger, said second biasing means being arranged to urge said trigger into engagement with said lock-off portion when said trigger is in said first position and to urge said trigger out of engagement with said lock-on portion when said trigger is in said second position.

Claim 18

A trigger mechanism as claimed in claim 9 wherein said locking device comprises a stop member, wherein said lock-oFf portion is a first surface of said stop member and wherein said lock-on portion is a second surface of said stop member; and said mounting means for said trigger comprises means permitting movement of said trigger into engagement with said first surface when said trigger is in said first position and into engagement with said second surface when said trigger is in said second position.

Claim 19

A trigger mechanism as claimed in claim 10 wherein said mounting means for said trigger permits both pivotal movement of said trigger between said first position and said second position and lateral movement of said trigger into engagement with one of said first and said second surfaces of said locking device, said first surface being positioned closer to said trigger than said second surface, and said second biasing means urges said trigger into an intermediate lateral position relative to said first and said second surfaces whereby, at said first level, said trigger is engaged with said first surface and, at said second level, said trigger is normally spaced from said second surface.

Claim 20

A trigger mechanism as claimed in claim 11 wherein retaining means are provided for holding said trigger in engagement with said second surface upon movement of said trigger into such engagement.

Claim 21

A trigger mechanism as claimed in claim 11 wherein a sloped surface is provided between said first and said second surfaces, said sloped surface and said first biasing means cooperating to oppose said second biasing means to urge said trigger into its inoperative, lock-off position unless said trigger is engaged with said lock-on portion.