Trigger mechanism for hand-operated power device including independently operable locking devices providing automatic lock off and manual 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 trigger manually movable from an inoperative position to an operative position to actuate the control and operate the motor; first locking means for normally locking said trigger in its inoperative position, said first locking means being movable from a first lock-off position, cooperatively engageable with said trigger to prevent movement of said trigger from its inoperative position to its operative positIon, toward a second, unlock position wherein said trigger is manually movable to its operative position to actuate the control; and second locking means operable independently of said first locking means for locking said trigger in its operative position, said second locking means being movable from a first, unlock position out of the path of movement of said trigger to a second, lock-on position cooperatively engageable with said trigger to lock said trigger in its operative position to continuously actuate the control and operate the motor.

Claim 3

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power device including a motor and a control operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a trigger manually movable from an inoperative position to an operative position to actuate the control and operate the motor; and first and second independently operable locking means, said first locking means being movable from a first position, cooperatively engageable with said trigger to prevent movement of said trigger to its operative position, toward a second position wherein said trigger is manually movable to its operative position to actuate the control, said second locking means being movable from a first position out of the path of movement of said trigger to a second position cooperatively engageable with said trigger to lock said trigger in its operative position to continuously actuate the control and operate the motor.

Claim 4

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power device including a motor and a control operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a trigger manually movable from an inoperative position to an operative position to actuate the control and operate the motor; and first and second independently operable locking means, said first locking means being movable from a first position, cooperatively engageable with said trigger to prevent movement of said trigger to its operative position, toward a second position wherein said trigger is manually movable to its operative position to actuate the control, said second locking means being movable from a first position out of the path of movement of said trigger to a second position cooperatively engageable with said trigger to lock said trigger in its operative position to continuously actuate the control and operate the motor.

Claim 5

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and a switch operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a trigger manually movable from a first, inoperative position to a second, operative position to actuate the switch to turn on the motor, said trigger being normally biased toward its inoperative position; and first and second independently operable locking means, said first locking means being movable from a first, lock-off position, cooperatively engageable with said trigger to prevent movement of said trigger from its inoperative position to its operative position, toward a second, unlock position wherein said trigger in manually movable to its operative position to actuate the switch, said first locking means being normally biased toward its first, lock-off position and cooperatively engageable with said trigger when each is in its second position to permit said first locking means to be released without movement to its first, lock-off position until said trigger is allowed to return to its inoperative position, said second locking means being normally biased into a first, unlock position out of the path of movement of said trigger and movable to a second, lock-on position cooperatively engageable with said trigger to lock said trigger in its operative position to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor.

Claim 6

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and a switch operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a trigger manually movable from a first, inoperative position to a second, operative position to actuate the switch to turn on the motor, said trigger being normally biased toward its inoperative position; and first and second independently operable locking means, said first locking means being movable from a first, lock-off position, cooperatively engageable with said trigger to prevent movement of said trigger from its inoperative position to its operative position, toward a second, unlock position wherein said trigger in manually movable to its operative position to actuate the switch, said first locking means being normally biased toward its first, lock-off position and cooperatively engageable with said trigger when each is in its second position to permit said first locking means to be released without movement to its first, lock-off position until said trigger is allowed to return to its inoperative position, said second locking means being normally biased into a first, unlock position out of the path of movement of said trigger and movable to a second, lock-on position cooperatively engageable with said trigger to lock said trigger in its operative position 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 a handle which supports a switch operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a trigger mounted on the handle and manually movable from an inoperative position to an operative position to actuate the switch and operate the motor, said trigger being normally biased toward its inoperative position; a first manually operable locking device pivotally mounted on the handle and movable from a lock-off position, cooperatively engageable with said trigger to prevent movement of said trigger from its inoperative position to its operative position, toward an unlock position wherein said trigger is manually movable to its operative position to actuate the switch; a first biasing means for normally biasing said first locking device toward its lock-off position to lock the trigger in its inoperative position, said trigger and said first locking device being cooperatively engageable when said trigger is in its operative position and said first locking device is in its unlock position to permit said first locking device to be released without movement back to its lock-off position until saiD trigger is allowed to return to its inoperative position; a second manually operable locking device pivotally mounted on the handle and movable from an unlock position out of engagement with said trigger toward a lock-on position cooperatively engageable with said trigger when said trigger is moved to its operative position to lock said trigger in its operative position to continuously acutate the switch and operate the motor; and second biasing means for normally biasing said second locking device toward its unlock position.

Claim 8

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and a handle which supports a switch operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a trigger mounted on the handle and manually movable from an inoperative position to an operative position to actuate the switch and operate the motor, said trigger being normally biased toward its inoperative position; a first manually operable locking device pivotally mounted on the handle and movable from a lock-off position, cooperatively engageable with said trigger to prevent movement of said trigger from its inoperative position to its operative position, toward an unlock position wherein said trigger is manually movable to its operative position to actuate the switch; a first biasing means for normally biasing said first locking device toward its lock-off position to lock the trigger in its inoperative position, said trigger and said first locking device being cooperatively engageable when said trigger is in its operative position and said first locking device is in its unlock position to permit said first locking device to be released without movement back to its lock-off position until saiD trigger is allowed to return to its inoperative position; a second manually operable locking device pivotally mounted on the handle and movable from an unlock position out of engagement with said trigger toward a lock-on position cooperatively engageable with said trigger when said trigger is moved to its operative position to lock said trigger in its operative position to continuously acutate the switch and operate the motor; and second biasing means for normally biasing said second locking device toward its unlock position.

Claim 9

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and a handle which supports an on-off switch operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a trigger mounted on the handle and manually movable from an inoperative position to an operative position to actuate the switch to turn on the motor, said trigger including spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said trigger into its inoperative position; a first manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted on the handle, said locking lever including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said lever into a lock-off position cooperatively engageable with said trigger too prevent movement of said trigger from its inoperative position to its operative position, said first locking lever being pivotable to an unlock position wherein said trigger is manually movable to its operative position to actuate the switch; and a second manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted on the handle, said locking lever including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said second locking lever out of the path of movement of said trigger, said second locking lever being pivotable to a lock-on position cooperatively engageable with said trigger to lock said trigger in its operative position to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor.

Claim 10

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and a handle which supports an on-off switch operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a trigger mounted on the handle and manually movable from an inoperative position to an operative position to actuate the switch to turn on the motor, said trigger including spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said trigger into its inoperative position; a first manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted on the handle, said locking lever including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said lever into a lock-off position cooperatively engageable with said trigger too prevent movement of said trigger from its inoperative position to its operative position, said first locking lever being pivotable to an unlock position wherein said trigger is manually movable to its operative position to actuate the switch; and a second manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted on the handle, said locking lever including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said second locking lever out of the path of movement of said trigger, said second locking lever being pivotable to a lock-on position cooperatively engageable with said trigger to lock said trigger in its operative position to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor.

Claim 11

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and a hollow handle which support an on-off switch operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger mounted within the hollow handle and including a finger engageable body extending through a first opening provided in the handle, said trigger body being movable from an inoperative position to an operative position to actuate the switch to turn on the motor, and trigger including spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said trigger body toward its inoperative position; a first manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle, said first locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending through a second opening provided in the handle, said locking lever further including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said lever into a lock-off position cooperatively engageable with said trigger body to prevent movement of said trigger body from its inoperative position to its operative position, said first locking lever being pivotable to an unlock position wherein said trigger body is manually movable to its operative position to actuate the switch; and a second manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle, said second locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending through a third opening provided in the handle, said second locking lever further including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said lever out of the path of movement of said trigger body, said second locking lever being pivotable to a lock-on position cooperatively engageable with said trigger body to lock said trigger body in its operative position to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor.

Claim 12

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and a hollow handle which support an on-off switch operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger mounted within the hollow handle and including a finger engageable body extending through a first opening provided in the handle, said trigger body being movable from an inoperative position to an operative position to actuate the switch to turn on the motor, and trigger including spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said trigger body toward its inoperative position; a first manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle, said first locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending through a second opening provided in the handle, said locking lever further including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said lever into a lock-off position cooperatively engageable with said trigger body to prevent movement of said trigger body from its inoperative position to its operative position, said first locking lever being pivotable to an unlock position wherein said trigger body is manually movable to its operative position to actuate the switch; and a second manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle, said second locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending through a third opening provided in the handle, said second locking lever further including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said lever out of the path of movement of said trigger body, said second locking lever being pivotable to a lock-on position cooperatively engageable with said trigger body to lock said trigger body in its operative position to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor.

Claim 13

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and a hollow handle which supports a switch operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger mounted within the hollow handle and including a fingeR engageable body extending downward through a first opening provided in the handle, said trigger body being movable upward from an inoperative position to an operative position to actuate the switch to turn on the motor, said trigger body including an upper, lock-off surface and an opening extending downward into said trigger body from said upper surface, said trigger including spring means engaging said handle to normally bias said trigger body downward into its inoperative position; a first manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle adjacent to said trigger body, said first locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending through a second opening provided in the handle and an arm extending toward said trigger body, said first locking lever further including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said lever into a lock-off position wherein its arms is in registration with said lock-off surface to prevent upward movement of said trigger body from its inoperative position to its operative position, said first locking lever being pivotable to an unlock position wherein said arm is in registration with said opening in said trigger body to permit said trigger body to be moved upward to its operative position to actuate the switch; and a second manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle adjacent to said trigger body, said second locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending through a third opening provided in the handle and integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said lever out of the path of movement of said trigger body, said second locking lever being pivotable to a lock-on position cooperatively engageable with said trigger body to lock said body in its operative position to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor.

Claim 14

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and a hollow handle which supports a switch operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger mounted within the hollow handle and including a fingeR engageable body extending downward through a first opening provided in the handle, said trigger body being movable upward from an inoperative position to an operative position to actuate the switch to turn on the motor, said trigger body including an upper, lock-off surface and an opening extending downward into said trigger body from said upper surface, said trigger including spring means engaging said handle to normally bias said trigger body downward into its inoperative position; a first manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle adjacent to said trigger body, said first locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending through a second opening provided in the handle and an arm extending toward said trigger body, said first locking lever further including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said lever into a lock-off position wherein its arms is in registration with said lock-off surface to prevent upward movement of said trigger body from its inoperative position to its operative position, said first locking lever being pivotable to an unlock position wherein said arm is in registration with said opening in said trigger body to permit said trigger body to be moved upward to its operative position to actuate the switch; and a second manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle adjacent to said trigger body, said second locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending through a third opening provided in the handle and integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said lever out of the path of movement of said trigger body, said second locking lever being pivotable to a lock-on position cooperatively engageable with said trigger body to lock said body in its operative position to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor.

Claim 15

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and a hollow handle which supports an on-off switch operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger mounted within the hollow handle and including a finger engageable body extending downward through a first opening provided in the handle, said trigger body being movable from an inoperative position to an operative position to actuate the switch to turn on the motor, said trigger body including an upper, lock-off surface and an opening extending downward into said trigger body from said upper surface, said trigger body further including a front surface provided with a lock-on member, said trigger including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said trigger body into its inoperative position; a first manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle above said trigger body, said first locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending upward through a second opening provided in the handle and an arm extending downward toward said trigger body, said first locking lever further including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said lever into a lock-off position wherein its arm is in registration with said lock-off surface to prevent upward movement of said trigger body from its inoperative position to its operative position, said first locking lever being pivotable to an unlock position wherein said arm is in registration with said opening in said trigger body to permit said trigger body to be moved upward to its operative position to actuate the switch; and a second manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle adjacent to said front surface of said trigger body, said second locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending downward through a third opening provided in the handle and a finger extending toward the front surface of said trigger body, said second locking lever including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias its finger out of the path of movement of said trigger body, saiD second locking lever being pivotable to a lock-on position wherein its finger is engageable with said lock-on member to lock said trigger body in its operative position to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor.

Claim 16

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and a hollow handle which supports an on-off switch operatively associated with the motor, comprising: a manually operable trigger mounted within the hollow handle and including a finger engageable body extending downward through a first opening provided in the handle, said trigger body being movable from an inoperative position to an operative position to actuate the switch to turn on the motor, said trigger body including an upper, lock-off surface and an opening extending downward into said trigger body from said upper surface, said trigger body further including a front surface provided with a lock-on member, said trigger including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said trigger body into its inoperative position; a first manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle above said trigger body, said first locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending upward through a second opening provided in the handle and an arm extending downward toward said trigger body, said first locking lever further including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said lever into a lock-off position wherein its arm is in registration with said lock-off surface to prevent upward movement of said trigger body from its inoperative position to its operative position, said first locking lever being pivotable to an unlock position wherein said arm is in registration with said opening in said trigger body to permit said trigger body to be moved upward to its operative position to actuate the switch; and a second manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle adjacent to said front surface of said trigger body, said second locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending downward through a third opening provided in the handle and a finger extending toward the front surface of said trigger body, said second locking lever including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias its finger out of the path of movement of said trigger body, saiD second locking lever being pivotable to a lock-on position wherein its finger is engageable with said lock-on member to lock said trigger body in its operative position to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor.

Claim 17

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and a 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 hollow handle, said trigger including a lever pivotally mounted on the handle and a finger engageable body on the lever extending downward through a first opening provided in the handle, said trigger body including an upper surface having a first, actuating ledge for engaging the switch actuator, a second, lock-off ledge and an opening extending downward into said trigger body from said upper surface between said first and second ledges, said trigger body and said lever being pivotable upward from an inoperative position to an operative position to move said first ledge into engagement with the switch actuator to actuate the switch to turn on the motor, said trigger body further including a front surface provided with a notch which defines a downwardly extending lock-on lip, said trigger including spring means engaging the handle and said lever to normally bias said trigger body and said lever downward toward the inoperative position; a first manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle above said trigger body, said first locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending upward through a second opening provided in the handle and an arm extending downward toward said trigger body, said first locking lever further including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said lever into a lock-off position wherein its arm is in registration with said lock-off surface to prevent movement of said trigger body and lever from the inoperative position to the operative position, said first locking lever being pivotable to an unlock position wherein said arm is in registration with said opening in said trigger body to permit said trigger body and said lever to be pivoted upward to the operative position to actuate the switch; and a second manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle adjacent to said front surface of the trigger body, said locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending downward through a third opening provided in the handle and a finger extending toward the front surface of said trigger body, said locking lever including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias its finger out of the path of movement of said trigger body, said second locking lever being pivotable to a lock-on position wherein its finger is engageable with said lock-on lip to lock said trigger body in its operative position to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor.

Claim 18

A trigger mechanism for a hand-operated power tool including an electric motor and a 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 hollow handle, said trigger including a lever pivotally mounted on the handle and a finger engageable body on the lever extending downward through a first opening provided in the handle, said trigger body including an upper surface having a first, actuating ledge for engaging the switch actuator, a second, lock-off ledge and an opening extending downward into said trigger body from said upper surface between said first and second ledges, said trigger body and said lever being pivotable upward from an inoperative position to an operative position to move said first ledge into engagement with the switch actuator to actuate the switch to turn on the motor, said trigger body further including a front surface provided with a notch which defines a downwardly extending lock-on lip, said trigger including spring means engaging the handle and said lever to normally bias said trigger body and said lever downward toward the inoperative position; a first manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle above said trigger body, said first locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending upward through a second opening provided in the handle and an arm extending downward toward said trigger body, said first locking lever further including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias said lever into a lock-off position wherein its arm is in registration with said lock-off surface to prevent movement of said trigger body and lever from the inoperative position to the operative position, said first locking lever being pivotable to an unlock position wherein said arm is in registration with said opening in said trigger body to permit said trigger body and said lever to be pivoted upward to the operative position to actuate the switch; and a second manually operable locking lever pivotally mounted within the handle adjacent to said front surface of the trigger body, said locking lever including a finger engageable portion extending downward through a third opening provided in the handle and a finger extending toward the front surface of said trigger body, said locking lever including integral spring means engaging the handle to normally bias its finger out of the path of movement of said trigger body, said second locking lever being pivotable to a lock-on position wherein its finger is engageable with said lock-on lip to lock said trigger body in its operative position to continuously actuate the switch and operate the motor.