Portable electric rescue tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11638842-B2
Application number	US-202017079808-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 26, 2020
Priority date	Oct 26, 2020
Publication date	May 2, 2023
Grant date	May 2, 2023

Abstract

A portable electric rescue tool, such as spreader and cutter tool, that allows for manual or remote operation, and operates on a DC power source, which may be an external power source and/or an onboard rechargeable battery. For example, the tool includes a battery cradle or battery attachment portion adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack and electrically couple the battery pack to the tool. The tool also includes a power adapter that is adapted to be removably coupled to the battery attachment portion instead of the battery pack, and allows the tool to be electrically connected to an external DC power source, such as a vehicle battery or other DC power source.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tool with first and second jaws, the tool comprising:
a housing including electrical contacts;
first and second handles coupled to the housing;
a battery adapted to removably couple to the housing substantially between the first and second handles and electrically couple to the electrical contacts;
a power adapter adapted to removably couple to the housing and electrically couple to the electrical contacts when the battery is removed from the housing, and supply power from an external power source;
a motor disposed in the housing, the motor is adapted to receive power from the battery or the power adapter, and provide output torque;
a gear assembly disposed in the housing and operably coupled to the motor, the gear assembly is adapted to receive the output torque from the motor; and
an actuator assembly operably coupled to the gear assembly and adapted to receive output torque from the gear assembly, and provide torque to operate the jaws.

2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a battery attachment portion, and the electrical contacts are exposed in the battery attachment portion.

3. The tool of claim 2 , wherein the battery attachment portion includes a latch, and the latch includes a protrusion that projects inwardly into the battery attachment portion, and a latch handle operably coupled to the protrusion.

4. The tool of claim 3 , wherein the protrusion is adapted to engage with a projection of the battery to removably couple the battery to the battery attachment portion.

5. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the battery is adapted to provide 12V DC power.

6. The tool of claim 1 , further comprising a controller assembly disposed in the housing and adapted to electrically couple to the battery.

7. The tool of claim 6 , wherein the controller assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB).

8. The tool of claim 7 , wherein the PCB is electrically coupled between the battery and the motor.

9. A portable rescue tool with first and second jaws, the tool comprising:
a housing including electrical contacts;
a battery adapted to removably couple to the housing and electrically couple to the electrical contacts;
a power adapter adapted to removably couple to the housing and electrically couple to the electrical contacts when the battery is removed from the housing, and supply power from an external power source;
a motor disposed in the housing, the motor is adapted to receive power and provide output torque;
a gear assembly disposed in the housing and operably coupled to the motor, the gear assembly is adapted to receive the output torque from the motor; and
an actuator assembly operably coupled to the gear assembly and adapted to receive output torque from the gear assembly, and provide torque to operate the jaws.

10. The tool of claim 9 , wherein the housing includes a battery attachment portion, and the electrical contacts are exposed in the battery attachment portion.

11. The tool of claim 10 , wherein the battery attachment portion includes a latch adapted to removably couple the battery to the battery attachment portion, and the power adapter to the battery attachment portion when the battery is removed from the battery attachment portion.

12. The tool of claim 11 , wherein the latch includes a protrusion that projects inwardly into the battery attachment portion, and a handle operably coupled to the protrusion.

13. The tool of claim 12 , wherein the protrusion is adapted to engage with a projection of the battery or the power adapter.

14. The tool of claim 9 , further comprising a controller assembly disposed in the housing.

15. The tool of claim 14 , wherein the controller assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB).

16. The tool of claim 15 , wherein the PCB is electrically coupled between the motor and one of the battery and power adapter.

17. A portable rescue tool with first and second jaws, the tool comprising:
a housing;
a battery adapted to removably couple to the housing and provide power;
a motor disposed in the housing, the motor is adapted to receive power via the battery, and provide output torque;
a gear assembly disposed in the housing and operably coupled to the motor, the gear assembly is adapted to receive the output torque from the motor;
an actuator assembly operably coupled to the gear assembly and adapted to receive output torque from the gear assembly, and provide torque to operate the jaws; and
a remote control port disposed on the housing and adapted to removably receive and operably couple to a remote control to allow remote operation of the tool.

18. The tool of claim 17 , further comprising a controller assembly disposed in the housing.

19. The tool of claim 18 , wherein the controller assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB).

20. The tool of claim 19 , wherein the PCB is operably coupled to the remote control connection port and electrically coupled between the motor and the battery.

Assignees

• Snap On Incorporated

Inventors

• Mccarthy Ryan D
• Modick Bruce R
• Mccarthy John D
• Barry Robert J

Classifications

• H02J7/751

  concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries · CPC title

• B25B7/00

  Pliers; Other hand-held gripping tools with jaws on pivoted limbs; Details applicable generally to pivoted-limb hand tools (implements for fastening, connecting, or tensioning wire or strip B25B25/00; adapted for other fitting or separating purposes B25B27/00; for marking animals A01K11/00; dentists' forceps A61C3/00; bending wire eyes B21F1/06; hand-held metal-shearing or metal-cutting devices B23D29/00; hand cutting tools B26B; for punching or perforating B26F1/36; devices for securing ends of binding material in bundling machines B65B13/24; specially designed for watch-making or comparable work G04D1/00) · CPC title

• A62B3/005 Primary

  Rescue tools with forcing action · CPC title

• B25F5/02

  Construction of casings, bodies or handles {(B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence)} · CPC title

• H02K7/116

  with gears · CPC title