Modular power tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10537983-B2
Application number	US-201715635044-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 27, 2017
Priority date	Oct 17, 2016
Publication date	Jan 21, 2020
Grant date	Jan 21, 2020

Abstract

According to examples, a modular power tool may include a motor housing including an electric motor, a drive member connected to the electric motor, the drive member being connected to a drive coupler, an extension pole including an input shaft having a first end connector and a second end connector, in which the first end connector is configured to mate with the drive coupler, and an attachment component having an attachment connector and a working implement, in which the attachment component is configured to mate with either of the drive coupler and the second end connector.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A modular power tool comprising:
a motor housing including, an electric motor and a drive member connected to the electric motor, the drive member being connected to a drive coupler;
an extension pole including an input shaft having a first end connector and a second end connector, wherein the first end connector is configured to mate with the drive coupler;
an attachment component having an attachment connector and a working implement, wherein the attachment component is configured to mate with either of the drive coupler or the second end connector;
a motor housing locking ring having a plurality of locking pins, the motor housing locking ring being rotatably mounted to the motor housing;
the extension pole having a connection member having a plurality of detents that are configured for releasable engagement with the plurality of motor housing locking pins in the first end connector and an extension pole locking ring having a plurality of locking pins in the second end connector; and
an attachment component connection member having a plurality of detents that are configured for releasable engagement with the plurality of locking pins of either the motor housing locking ring or the extension pole locking ring.

2. The modular power tool according to claim 1 , further comprising:
the motor housing locking ring having a lever that is depressed to release the plurality of detents of the extension pole or the attachment component from the plurality of motor housing locking pins; and
the extension pole locking ring having a lever that is depressed to release the plurality of detents of the attachment component connection member from the plurality of extension pole locking pins, wherein the extension pole includes a first cutout and the attachment component includes a second cutout, and wherein the lever is accessible through the first and second cutouts.

3. The modular power tool according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an extension pole sheath that is configured to mate with the motor housing to form a unitary power tool housing, wherein a mating surface of the extension pole sheath to the motor housing is non-planar; and
an attachment component sheath that is configured to mate with either the motor housing or the extension pole to form a unitary component, wherein a mating surface of the attachment component sheath to the motor housing or the extension pole is non-planar.

4. The modular power tool according to claim 3 , wherein the motor housing includes a groove, the extension pole sheath includes a support rail and the attachment component sheath includes a support rail, and wherein the support rail of the extension pole sheath and the support rail of the attachment component sheath are configured to be inserted into the groove.

5. The modular power tool according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a blocking element mounted to the motor housing; and
a folding guard mounted to the attachment component, wherein the folding guard is rotatable between an upright position and a folded position and wherein the blocking element is positioned to block the folding guard and prevent mating of the attachment component to the motor housing when the folding guard is in the folded position.

6. The modular power tool according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an override switch in the motor housing that prevents the electric motor from operating when activated; and
the extension pole having a feature to deactivate the override switch when the extension pole is attached to the motor housing.

7. The modular power tool according to claim 6 , further comprising:
an auxiliary handle mounted to the motor housing; and
an auxiliary handle actuator provided on the auxiliary handle, wherein depressing of the auxiliary handle actuator deactivates the override switch.

8. The modular power tool according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment component is a hedge trimmer having a rotational gear and a trimmer blade, wherein the rotational gear is configured to rotate the trimmer blade in multiple angles with respect to the drive member.

9. A modular power tool comprising:
an attachment component having a connection member;
an extension pole having a connection member;
a motor housing including an electric motor, a drive member connected to the electric motor, a connection coupler having an opening, wherein the drive member extends through the opening and a locking ring configured to couple the connection member of either the extension pole or the attachment component to the connection coupler when the locking ring is in an engaged position and to free the connection member from the connection coupler when the locking ring is in a disengaged position;
wherein the extension pole includes an extension pole locking ring configured to releasably couple the connection member of the attachment component to the extension pole; and
wherein the locking ring is rotatably mounted to the connection coupler and includes at least one locking pin, wherein the connection member of the attachment component and the extension pole each comprises at least one protrusion extending from a surface of the connection member, the at least one protrusion including a ramp and a detent, and wherein the locking pin is to slide along the ramp and engage the detent during insertion of the connection member into the locking ring to engage the connection member of either the attachment component or the extension pole to the connection coupler.

10. The modular power tool according to claim 9 , wherein the locking ring includes a locking ring lever, wherein application of pressure on the locking ring lever causes the locking ring to move from the engaged position to the disengaged position and wherein the locking ring is biased toward the engaged position when pressure is not applied on the locking ring lever.

11. The modular power tool according to claim 9 , further comprising:
an extension pole sheath that is configured to mate with the motor housing to form a unitary power tool housing, wherein a mating surface of the extension pole sheath is non-planar; and
an attachment component sheath that is configured to mate with either the motor housing or the extension pole to form a unitary component, wherein a mating surface of the attachment component sheath is non-planar.

12. The modular power tool according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a blocking element mounted to the motor housing; and
a folding guard mounted to the attachment component, wherein the folding guard is rotatable between an upright position and a folded position and wherein the blocking element is positioned to block the folding guard and prevent mating of the attachment component to the motor housing when the folding guard is in the folded position.

13. The modular power tool according to claim 9 , further comprising:
an override switch in the motor housing that prevents the electric motor from operating when activated; and
the extension pole having a feature to depress an override tab that deactivates the override switch when the extension pole is attached to the motor housing.

14. A modular power tool comprising:
a motor housing having an electric motor, a drive member to be driven by the electric motor, the drive member being connected to a drive coupler, a locking ring having a plurality of locking pins, the locking ring being movable relative to the motor housing;
an extension pole having an input shaft having a first end connector and a second end connector, wherein the first end connector is to mate with the drive coupler, a plurality of detents to releasably engage the

Assignees

• Black & Decker Inc

Inventors

• Dyer Kelly E
• Edwards Elyse
• Chou Mark
• Reth Anthony
• Cussins Erik
• Miller David A
• Fisher Drake L

Classifications

• A01D42/00

  Mowers convertible to apparatus for purposes other than mowing; Mowers capable of performing operations other than mowing (mowers combined with apparatus performing additional operations while mowing A01D43/00) · CPC title

• A01D34/4165

  Mounting of the cutter head · CPC title

• A01G3/086

  Chain saws · CPC title

• B27B17/0016

  Devices to adapt the chain saw for other purposes, e.g. drilling · CPC title

• A01G3/053

  motor-driven · CPC title