The application is the series application No.10/919 that the U.S. submitted on August 17th, 2004,569 part continuation application, and its full content is incorporated herein by reference.
Summary of the invention
A kind of modular tool assembly with pedestal is provided ideally, this pedestal comprises vacuum mounting arrangement, and described vacuum mounting arrangement can be arranged to support to comprise hook, clip, light source, battery powered instrument, laser level and the multiple instrument that similarly installs.A kind of modular tool assembly with vacuum mounting arrangement is provided ideally, and vacuum mounting arrangement can be easily mounted to be installed on the surface, and does not damage the finish on described surface.A kind of monitor also is provided ideally, is used to monitor vacuum seal and the surface is installed to guarantee that assembly correctly is fixed to.
Therefore, the invention provides a kind of modular tool assembly, this assembly has vacuum mounting arrangement, is used for described assembly is fixed to the installation surface.Described modular tool assembly comprises the pedestal with upper and lower housing parts.Can comprise guide member from surperficial cooperation of extended installation seal of described lower housing portion and installation between sealing part and this installation surface, to limit absorption installation region upper case portion with the one or more receiving portions that form therein.Alternatively, housing parts can be provided with installation elements with the complementary installation elements coupling of collapsible tool annex.
Be provided with the vacuum generating mechanism in upper case portion inside.In one embodiment, this a vacuum generating mechanism and a power supply (can comprise rechargeable power supply) are electrically connected.In this embodiment, the vacuum generating mechanism comprises motor and can operate the pump of driving by this motor, and this pump setting is used for removing from described absorption installation region air.In one aspect, this air can be removed by the hole in the bottom of tool base, thereby described housing is fixed near the hole of installing in the lower house part that sensor can be installed in tool base on the surface.Described sensor monitoring absorption installation region, and if this sensor monitor in the absorption installation region pressure loss arranged, then start described pump.
Can switch be set in top or other place of tool base housing, this switch operationally links to each other with the vacuum generating mechanism, allows the user to start the vacuum generating mechanism.At least one electrical fitting can for example be arranged in the end face on top of tool base housing, so that described power supply and collapsible tool annex are electrically connected.
Collapsible tool is fixed on the part of housing of tool base releasedly.Described collapsible tool can comprise the collapsible tool annex, and this annex can be fixedly mounted on the described pedestal with respect to the surface is installed.Described collapsible tool annex can comprise one or more from the extended projection of attachment housing, and this projection engages with one or more receiving portions in a part of tool base releasedly.Alternatively, described attachment housing can have complementary installation elements, and this complementation installation elements is cooperated with the installation elements on being arranged on housing, thereby releasedly the attachment housing is fixed on the described pedestal.
In another aspect of this invention, described vacuum generating mechanism comprises can manually operated pump, and this pump cooperate with the absorption installation region with from absorption installation region removal air.In one aspect, described air can be removed by the hole in the housing, so that described pedestal is fixed on the described installation surface.In alternate embodiment, described vacuum generating mechanism comprises lever, is used to activate a vacuum pad and at described device with install on the surface of described device and produce air recess or absorption.
In another aspect of this invention, described collapsible tool comprises the laser leveling instrument apparatus, this laser leveling instrument apparatus has housing, the LASER Light Source that is arranged on described enclosure interior is operably connected with power supply, described LASER Light Source comprises at least one diode, and this diode comes along indication datum plane in surface is installed by the projection collimated beam of the hole in the described housing.One or more block levels (bubble level) can be arranged on the described laser level housing.Described collapsible tool can also comprise flashlight, clip, tape measure or other measurement mechanism, two tool supports (such as transmission drill bit support), calibrating installation, hook, electronic (comprising powered battery) and on-electric instrument.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the decomposition diagram according to modular tool assembly of the present invention, and this assembly has the collapsible tool annex on the tool base of being fixed to;
Fig. 2 is the perspective view according to the tool base of modular tool assembly of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is the cutaway view along the tool base of Fig. 2 center line 3-3;
Fig. 4 a is the perspective view that is used to be connected to the laser calibration collapsible tool annex on the modular tool assembly;
Fig. 4 b is the perspective view that is used to be connected to the flashlight collapsible tool annex on the modular tool assembly;
Fig. 4 c is the perspective view that is used to be connected to the clip collapsible tool annex on the combined type workpiece assembly;
Fig. 5 is the perspective view of an embodiment with modular tool assembly of a collapsible tool annex, and this modular tool assembly has can manually operated vacuum accessory;
Fig. 6 is the perspective view of an embodiment, and except the manual pump position difference that illustrates, this embodiment is similar to embodiment illustrated in fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is the perspective view of the embodiment of a modular tool assembly, and this modular tool assembly has can manually operated vacuum accessory;
Fig. 8 be with assembly shown in Figure 7 use can manually operated vacuum accessory perspective view, and removed described modular tool assembly and pedestal;
Fig. 9 be with assembly shown in Figure 7 use can manually operated vacuum accessory perspective view, and schematically shown the operation of lever and vacuum pad.
The specific embodiment
Referring now to Fig. 1 and 2,, show a kind of modular tool assembly 10 that is used for fixing releasedly multiple portable dam, described portable dam comprises electronic and the on-electric instrument.Modular tool assembly 10 comprises tool base 12, and this tool base has the collapsible tool annex 14 that is used for this tool base 12 and removable installation and is fixed to the vacuum mounting arrangement of installing on the surface 16.Tool base 12 comprises the housing 18 with bottom 20 and top 22.Sucker or installation seal 24 begin to extend from described lower house part 20.
Guide member 26 extends from lower house part 20 beginning is vertical basically, so that provide the outer guide portion of installing for collapsible tool annex 14.Being formed with one or more receiving portions 28 in guide member 26 begins to extend from collapsible tool annex 14 to admit and to fix one or more linking arms or projection 30, described protruding 30.Guide member 26 is cooperated with the tool housing 32 of collapsible tool annex 14 so that attachment 14 is located and is fixed on the tool base 12.
Referring now to Fig. 1 and 4a,, the collapsible tool annex is a laser level 34 that is suitable for being attached on the collapsible tool pedestal 12.One LASER Light Source (not shown) is installed to housing 32 inside.This LASER Light Source comprises at least one diode (not shown), and this diode is by the one or more collimated beam 36 of 38 projections of the opening in the end wall 40 of housing 32.In one aspect of the invention, lens 42 are arranged in the opening 38, are used for cooperating so that described collimated beam 36 focuses on at least one diode.But, should be understood that described collimated beam 36 can be by the projection of the standard openings in the housing 32, thereby along 16 indications datum plane in surface is installed.
In one aspect of the invention, described LASER Light Source is rotatably installed in described housing 32 inside, in case thereby laser level annex 34 on being installed to tool base 12 time with surface 16 is installed with the fixing setting that concerns, allow the user to adjust the position of LASER Light Source.But should be understood that LASER Light Source can be fixedly secured to a part of housing.It is contemplated that also the laser level annex can comprise the LASER Light Source of the pair of diodes with coplane, described pair of diodes is by the projection of the opening in the opposite end walls of laser level housing collimated beam.In addition, this LASER Light Source can comprise first diode and second diode, this first diode throws first collimated beam by the end wall of housing or first opening in the sidewall, end wall or second opening in sidewall of this second diode by housing, is substantially perpendicular to described first collimated beam and throws second collimated beam.
One or more block levels 44 can be for example be provided with along the top 46 of laser level device case 32.The laser level annex 34 that block level 44,48 helps the operator will be installed on the tool base 12 navigates on the installation surface 16, passes surface 16 projections so that guarantee collimated beam 36 with required angle.At the one aspect of the present invention shown in Fig. 4 a, a pair of block level 44,48 is arranged on the top 46 of laser level housing 32, so that provided level and vertical calibration information for the operator before guaranteeing to be fixed to tool assembly 10 on the installation surface 16.Should be understood that also and the single isolated bubbles spirit level can be arranged on the aligned position that shows modular tool assembly on the laser level housing.
Referring to Fig. 2 and 3, vacuum generating mechanism 50 is positioned at tool base 12 inside, is used for producing adsorption effect and installs on the surface 16 so that tool base 12 is fixed to.In one embodiment, vacuum generating mechanism 50 comprises motor 52, is operably connected to the vavuum pump 54 on this motor 52, and described motor is arranged in the upper case portion 22.Should be understood that motor 52 and pump 54 can be used as individual unit and form.Flexible pipe 56 is connected to the inlet on the pump 54 58 in the hole 60 in the bottom surface 62 of lower house part 20.By this hole 60, with pump 54 suction airs.
The power supply 64 that is arranged on upper case portion 22 inside is electrically connected with motor 52.Power supply 64 can comprise the rechargeable battery group, such as lithium ion or nickel-cadmium cell, and perhaps detachable recharging or alkaline battery.In one aspect of the invention, the end face 68 that the one or more contacts 66 that are electrically connected with power supply 64 pass upper case portion 22 extends, so that provide energy to collapsible tool annex 14.It is contemplated that also collapsible tool annex 14 can comprise independently power supply.
The motor 52 of vacuum generating mechanism 50 and pump 54 are cooperated with seal 24 is installed, thereby produce vacuum recess or absorption installation region 70 between the bottom surface 62 of the lower house part 20 that surface 16, installation seal 24 and tool base 12 are installed.
A preferably rubber suction cups of seal 24 is installed, and this sucker is cooperated to limit a vacuum recess 70 betwixt with installation surface 16.In one aspect of the invention, the bottom surface 62 of lower house part 20 is configured as arc with formation and installation seal 24 and installation surface 16 cavitys of cooperating, thereby strengthens the adsorption effect of generation in vacuum recess 70.At this on the one hand, collapsible tool annex 14 especially should be installed seal 24, was placed with that contact and be pressed against this installations surperficial upward to discharge air from vacuum recess 70 with surface 16 is installed.
In another aspect of this invention, utilize pump from vacuum recess 70, to remove air.In an alternate embodiment, the switch 72 that is arranged on the upper case portion 22 operationally is connected with pump 54, comes to remove air from vacuum recess 70 thereby allow the user to start this pump 54.Switch 72 also can be controlled the electrical contact 66 of the device power supply in collapsible tool annex 14, thus the pump 54 of control vacuum generating mechanism 50 and the startup of collapsible tool annex 14.Alternatively, collapsible tool annex 14 can comprise a switch, and this switch is with the described collapsible tool annex of independent operation.
In case the user makes the installation seal 24 of tool base 12 contact user's actuation switch 72, this switch activated pump 54 with installation surface 16.Pump 54 is by the air in the inlet 60 emptying vacuum recesses 70.Be arranged on the sensor 74 monitoring vacuum recesses 70 in the bottom surface 62 of lower house part 20.If sensor 74 monitors in the vacuum recess 70 pressure loss is arranged, then sensor 74 startup pumps 54 remove air from vacuum recess 70.Loss of vacuum pressure may be to be caused by the defective of installing in surface 16 or the seal 24, for example gap or crack, and the validity that seal 24 is installed has been limited in these gaps and crack.Sensor 74 is compensated 54 pairs of described surface blemishes of pump, to guarantee the appropriate seal between tool base 12 and the installation surface 16.
The third aspect of vacuum generating mechanism comprises can manually operated pump, this pump with seal 24 is installed cooperate with from vacuum recess 70 removal air.As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, switch 72a can be arranged on the bottom 20 or top 22 of tool base.Switch 72a can be used for discharging air from vacuum recess 70 simply when starting, and for example can realize starting by pressing this switch.Alternatively, switch 72a can make pump operation, thereby when switch 72a is pressed, discharges air from this vacuum recess.
Referring to Fig. 4 b, show second kind of collapsible tool annex.In this example, the collapsible tool annex comprises flashlight 76, and this flashlight 76 has flashlight lamp holder 78 and flashlight body 80, and this flashlight body 80 is used for fixing on the tool base 12.Flashlight body 80 is included in the handle 82 that forms in the end face 84 of main body 80.One or more linking arms 86 begin to extend to engage one or more receiving portions 28 the guide member 26 of tool base 12 releasedly from flashlight body 80.Alternatively, top 22 can be provided with installation elements such as end face 60 or other place, is used for engaging with a complementary installation elements on the flashlight body 80.For example, described installation elements can comprise a complementary portion, coupling rib and other installation elements commonly known in the art of magnetic surface, hook or hook-and-loop fasteners (hook-and-loop type fastener).Flashlight lamp holder 78 comprises the lens 92 that cover 88, reflecting element 90 and contiguous bulb (not shown) are installed.Be contained in vacuum generating mechanism in the pedestal 12 and allow flashlight 76, use without hand being installed on when installing on the surface 16.
Referring to Fig. 4 c, show the third collapsible tool annex that is used for modular tool assembly of the present invention.This third collapsible tool annex comprises clip 94, and this clip has pivot and is connected to the handle 96 that presss from both sides on the sandwich type element 98.Handle 96 comprises that formation handle portion 100 is for the far-end of user's grasping and the relative clamping part 102 with setting long pawl 104 thereon.Handle 96 pivots around a fexible bias pressure pillar 106, and this fexible bias pressure pillar 106 is arranged in the folder sandwich type element 98.Folder sandwich type element 98 comprises the pawl 108 of level substantially, and this pawl 108 is cooperated with the pawl 104 on the handle 96 workpiece is fixed between these two pawls.Folder sandwich type element 98 comprises one or more protruding 110, and described projection engages the one or more receiving portions in the guide member 26 of described tool base 12 releasedly.Identical with flashlight 76, by be arranged on top 22 on the engaging an of installation elements, folder sandwich type element 98 can be installed on the top 22.
Referring to Fig. 1 and 4a-4c, the switch 112 that is arranged in the wall 114 of the box-like attachment embodiment of respective sets can be cooperated with the switch 72 on the collapsible tool pedestal 12, so that start the pump 54 of vacuum generating mechanism 50, collapsible tool pedestal 10 is installed on the installation surface 16.As mentioned above, should be understood that switch 72 can start the bulb in the flashlight lamp holder 78 of the LASER Light Source of laser leveling instrument apparatus 34, flashlight 76 or start other collapsible tool annex.Alternatively, switch 112 can only start vacuum generating mechanism 50, simultaneously one independently switch the parts of collapsible tool annex are controlled.
Referring to Fig. 7-9, show another embodiment of the device of the present invention with manual absorption erecting device.In this embodiment, it is identical with aforesaid other optional embodiment to have a pedestal 12 that seal 16 is installed.This installation seal 16 has end face 200, bottom surface 202 and wall 204, and this wall begins to extend to contact and to form sealing with surface 16 is installed from described end face 200, and is as mentioned below.
The hoisting mechanism 210 that is arranged on the end face 200 that seal is installed is cooperated with bottom surface 202, thereby the startup of hoisting mechanism 210 makes bottom surface 202 rise to produce cavity 70.Hoisting mechanism 210 can be provided with lever 212, and this lever begins to extend from the part of tool base 12, thus the motion actuated hoisting mechanism 210 of lever 212.Shown in Fig. 7-9, lever 212 rotates to the second place (counterclockwise) from primary importance, thereby does not form absorption in primary importance, and in the second place, when cavity 70 produces, forms absorption or vacuum.
Ideally, lever 212 be fixed on first or the second place on, until manually being moved to the another location.As shown in Figure 8, hoisting mechanism 210 can comprise cam 220, and this cam is operably connected with bottom surface 202, thereby the rotation of lever 212 causes cam 220 and cause bottom surface 202 to be moved towards end face 200 thus, thereby produces cavity 70.
Though illustrated and described embodiments of the invention, these embodiment are used for illustrating and illustrating all possible form of the present invention.On the contrary, the term that uses in specification is descriptive term, rather than restrictive, should be understood that to make multiple variation when not breaking away from spirit of the present invention and protection domain.