US5428197A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric tool actuator switch
Assignee: Ryobi Motor Products Corp
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Filing: 1993-06-01
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Granted: 1995-06-27
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Expires: 2013-06-01
Abstract
Abstract An actuator switch (25) for an electrical power tool (10), having a housing (16) and an electric motor supported by the housing (16) for operatively driving a work implement, is provided. The actuator switch (25) includes a trigger (22) which cooperates with the housing (16) and is shiftably operable by the user between "on" and "off" positions. A power switch assembly (26) is oriented within the tool housing (16) adjacent the trigger (22) for actuation thereby. The power switch assembly includes a body (28) defining an internal cavity (30) with an aperture (32) extending therethrough. An electrical switch (34) is located within the switch assembly (26) and is electrically connected to the electric motor. A plunger (42) extends through the body aperture (32) to enable the trigger (22) to activate the electrical switch (34). An elastomeric pad (44) is operatively positioned between the plunger (42) and the trigger (22). The pad (44) is of sufficient size and thickness to sealingly engage the switch body (28) and to cover the aperture (32) when the trigger (22) is shifted to the "on" position to maintain the power tool energized during normal operation, in spite of tool vibration, and to prevent dirt and debris from entering the cavity (30) of the actuator switch body (28).
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald C. McCurry
- 👤 Robert E. McCracken
- 👤 James A. Keith, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H21/00; H01H21/02; H01H21/04; H01H21/10; B; B25; B25F; B25F5/00; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/20; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/04; H01H3/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T409/00; Y10T409/30; Y10T409/306216; Y10T409/306552; Y10T409/306608
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
An electric power tool comprising: a housing; an electric motor supported by the housing and having a rotary armature shaft for drivingly cooperating with a work implement; a trigger cooperating with the housing and shiftable by a user of the tool between an on position and an off position; a power switch assembly having a body defining an internal cavity with an aperture extending through the body into the internal cavity, an electrical switch located within the cavity, at least two electrical conductors connected to the switch and extending through the body to a location external thereto to regulate the operation of the electric motor, and a plunger extending through the aperture to actuate the electrical switch, the plunger shiftable between a depressed position in which the electric motor is energized and an extended position in which the electric motor is de-energized; and an elastomeric pad operatively positioned between the plunger and the trigger and bonded to the trigger, said pad sealingly covering the aperture and having sufficient contact area flushly engaging the switch body to limit the depression of the plunger preventing damage to the electrical switch when the trigger is depressed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
An electric power tool comprising: a housing; an electric motor supported by the housing and having a rotary armature shaft for drivingly cooperating with a work implement; a trigger cooperating with the housing and shiftable by a user of the tool between an on position and an off position; a power switch assembly having a body defining an internal cavity with an aperture extending through the body into the internal cavity, an electrical switch located within the cavity, at least two electrical conductors connected to the switch and extending through the body to a location external thereto to regulate the operation of the electric motor, and a plunger extending through the aperture to actuate the electrical switch, the plunger shiftable between a depressed position in which the electric motor is energized and an extended position in which the electric motor is de-energized; and an elastomeric pad operatively positioned between the plunger and the trigger and bonded to the trigger, said pad sealingly covering the aperture and having sufficient contact area flushly engaging the switch body to limit the depression of the plunger preventing damage to the electrical switch when the trigger is depressed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The electric power tool of claim 1 further comprising a trigger latch cooperating with the trigger and a member, which is secured relative to the housing, for releasably locking the trigger in the on position thereby providing a continued exertion of force on the trigger by the latch, the elastomeric pad sealingly cooperating with the switch body and maintaining the plunger in the depressed state once the latch is engaged with the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electric power tool of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric pad is formed of a polyurethane foam material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electric power tool of claim 3 wherein the elastomeric pad has a thickness of between 0.050 and 0.200 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electric power tool of claim 3 wherein the elastomeric pad has a density falling between 18 and 22 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electric power tool of claim 1 wherein the plunger is substantially flush with the switch body when the plunger is in the depressed state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The electric power tool of claim 1 further comprising a link cooperating with the housing and the trigger and shiftable relative to the switch assembly in response to trigger movement wherein the elastomeric pad is affixed to the link enabling the trigger to operatively actuate the plunger while the trigger is oriented remotely therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The electric power tool of claim 7 wherein the link has one end pivotably connected to the housing and an opposite end pivotably connected to the trigger, the link having a central region therebetween supporting the elastomeric pad.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
160 words
An actuator switch for an electric power tool which has a housing and an electric motor supported by the housing for operatively driving a work implement, said actuator switch comprising: a trigger cooperating with the housing and shiftably operable by a user between an on position and an off position; a power switch assembly having a body defining an internal cavity with an aperture extending through the body, a switch located within the cavity and connected to a pair of conductors extending external to the cavity for controlling the operation of the electric motor, and a plunger extending through the aperture in the body for actuating the electrical switch; and an elastomeric pad operatively positioned between the plunger and the trigger and bonded to the trigger, said pad sealingly covering the aperture and having sufficient contact area flushly engaging the switch body to limit the depression of the plunger preventing damage to the electrical switch when the trigger is depressed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
160 words
An actuator switch for an electric power tool which has a housing and an electric motor supported by the housing for operatively driving a work implement, said actuator switch comprising: a trigger cooperating with the housing and shiftably operable by a user between an on position and an off position; a power switch assembly having a body defining an internal cavity with an aperture extending through the body, a switch located within the cavity and connected to a pair of conductors extending external to the cavity for controlling the operation of the electric motor, and a plunger extending through the aperture in the body for actuating the electrical switch; and an elastomeric pad operatively positioned between the plunger and the trigger and bonded to the trigger, said pad sealingly covering the aperture and having sufficient contact area flushly engaging the switch body to limit the depression of the plunger preventing damage to the electrical switch when the trigger is depressed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The actuator switch of claim 9 further comprising a trigger latch cooperating with the trigger and the housing for releasably locking the trigger in the on position, the continued exertion of force on the trigger by the latch causing the elastomeric pad to sealingly cooperate with the switch body and maintain the plunger in the depressed state once the latch is engaged with the housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The actuator switch of claim 9 wherein the elastomeric pad is formed of polyurethane foam material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The actuator switch of claim 11 wherein the foam pad has thickness of between 0.050 and 0.200 inches.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The actuator switch of claim 11 wherein the elastomeric pad has a density falling between 18 and 22 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The actuator switch of claim 9 wherein the plunger is substantially flush with the switch body when in the depressed state.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
The actuator switch of claim 9 further comprising a link cooperating with the housing and the trigger and shiftable relative to the switch assembly in response to trigger movement wherein said elastomeric pad is affixed to the link enabling the trigger to operatively actuate the plunger while being oriented remotely therefrom.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The actuator switch of claim 15 wherein the link has one end pivotably connected to the housing and an opposite end pivotably connected to the trigger, the link having a central region therebetween supporting the elastomeric pad.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-06-26 | 1998-12-26 | 1999-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-06-26 | 2002-12-26 | 2003-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-06-26 | 2006-12-26 | 2007-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |