Handle for a work apparatus having a drive motor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9815188-B2
Application number	US-201514626630-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 19, 2015
Priority date	Feb 19, 2014
Publication date	Nov 14, 2017
Grant date	Nov 14, 2017

Abstract

A handle for a work apparatus has an actuation member for controlling the rpm of a drive motor of the work apparatus. The actuation member is mounted in the handle and has a pressure surface for the fingers of a user hand. In an initial position, the actuation member protrudes with its pressure surface beyond the grip surface of the handle and, in a position for continuous operation of the motor, has dipped into the grip surface so that the pressure surface of the actuation member lies at the level of the grip surface. A recess extends in the longitudinal direction of the handle and is formed in the grip surface. The recess overlaps the pressure surface of the actuation member so that the actuation member is displaced into the handle via the recess to a boost position whereat the pressure surface lies within the grip surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A handle for a work apparatus having a drive motor, the handle defining a longitudinal direction and comprising:
a handle body having a grip surface for a user of the work apparatus;
an actuation member for controlling a rotational speed of said drive motor;
said actuation member being mounted in said handle body and having a pressure surface for actuation via a finger of the user;
said actuation member having an initial position whereat said actuation member with said pressure surface projects outwardly beyond said grip surface;
said actuation member being movable so as to dip into said grip surface of said handle body to assume an operating position whereat said drive motor runs continuously and whereat said pressure surface of said actuation member lies at a slightly protruding elevation in relation to said grip surface of said handle body;
said grip surface having a recess formed therein in a region of said actuation member with said recess extending in said longitudinal direction of said handle;
said actuation member being displaceable beyond said operating position to a boost position;
said recess at least partially overlapping said pressure surface of said actuation member so as to cause said actuation member to be displaced into said handle body when assuming said boost position in said recess; and,
said pressure surface of said actuation member lying within said grip surface when said actuation member is in said boost position.

2. The handle of claim 1 , wherein said recess has a length (L) which extends in said longitudinal direction of said handle; and, said length (L) of said recess is shorter than said pressure surface when viewed in said longitudinal direction.

3. The handle of claim 2 , wherein said pressure surface of said actuation member has a length (D) extending in the longitudinal direction of said handle; and, said recess lies within said length (D) of said actuation member.

4. The handle of claim 1 , wherein said actuation member has first and second side surfaces extending in said longitudinal direction of said handle and said first and second side surfaces are configured to delimit said pressure surface; and, said recess in said grip surface is configured on both of said side surfaces of said actuation member.

5. The handle of claim 2 , wherein said length (L) of said recess lies in a range of 10 mm to 50 mm.

6. The handle of claim 5 , wherein said length (L) of said recess lies in a range of 15 mm to 30 mm.

7. The handle of claim 1 , further comprising a spring operatively connected to said actuation member so as to cause said actuation member to be displaceable against the force of said spring.

8. The handle of claim 7 , wherein said spring is configured so as to require a higher force to be overcome when displacing said actuation member from said operating position into said boost position.

9. The handle of claim 8 , wherein said spring is configured to define a resilient intermediate stop determining said operating position for the continuous operation of said drive motor.

10. The handle of claim 1 , further comprising a boost stop corresponding to said boost position to delimit the travel path of said actuation member.

11. The handle of claim 1 , wherein said actuation member is a pivot lever.

12. A handle for a work apparatus having a drive motor, the handle defining a longitudinal direction and comprising:
a handle housing, a top side of which forms a grip surface of the handle for a user of the work apparatus;
an actuation member for controlling a rotational speed of said drive motor;
said actuation member being mounted in said handle housing and having a pressure surface for actuation via a finger of the user;
said actuation member having an initial position whereat said actuation member projects with its pressure surface beyond said grip surface;
said actuation member being movable so as to dip into said grip surface of said handle housing to assume an operating position whereat said drive motor runs continuously and whereat said pressure surface of said actuation member lies at a same level as said grip surface of said handle housing;
said handle housing having a recess formed in said grip surface in a region of said actuation member with said recess extending in said longitudinal direction of said handle;
said actuation member being displaceable beyond said operating position to a boost position;
said recess at least partially overlapping said pressure surface of said actuation member so as to cause said actuation member to be displaced into said handle housing beyond the operating position for continuous operation in a boost position in said recess; and,
said pressure surface of said actuation member lying within said grip surface of said handle housing when said actuation member is in said boost position.

Assignees

• Stihl Ag & Co Kg Andreas

Inventors

• Kaupp Klaus
• Gindele Cornelius
• Kotulla Lothar
• Schilling Pietro-Leon

Classifications

• B25F5/02 Primary

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

• B25G1/00

  Handle constructions · CPC title

• B25F5/00 Primary

  Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for · CPC title