CN117615857A - Tool with locking device - Google Patents

Abstract

The tool (100) includes a handle (110) defining a handle body (111). The tool (100) further includes a trigger (120) operably attached to the handle (110). The trigger (120) is actuatable to different positions to perform one or more actions by the tool (100). The trigger (120) is movable between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2), wherein the trigger (120) is biased towards the first position (P1). The locking means (130) is adapted to lock the trigger (120) in the second position (P2). The tool (100) is characterized in that the locking means (130) allow the trigger (120) to be selectively locked in one or more locking positions between the first position (P1) and the second position (P2).

Description

Tool with locking device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a tool. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a tool that allows for efficient and user friendly operation.

Background

Tools such as holders or spray guns are known to include a manually operable trigger for operation thereof. These tools often require pressing and locking the trigger to different trigger positions depending on their application. Locking the trigger to a particular trigger position requires a person to keep the trigger at that trigger position at all times. This is especially cumbersome, non-ergonomic and not user friendly for different people, such as having limited physical ability according to age, strength, etc.

An example of a tool is provided in PCT patent application 2015,135,568 (hereinafter' 568 reference). The' 568 reference provides a water application device. The water applying device includes: a body graspable by an operator along a handle portion thereof; an operable member. The body may house a flow control assembly configured to enable the device to perform a control function with respect to water flow through the device. An operable member may be attached to the body to connect with the flow control assembly to alternately cause flow and stop flow based on the position of the operable member. The length of the operable member may extend substantially parallel to the axis of the handle portion. The operable member may be connected with a locking member provided at the first surface of the operable member. The first surface may face away from the body. The locking member may be configured to enable an operator to lock the operable member in the flow providing state based on positioning the locking member in the locked state. The locking member may be configured to move between the locked and unlocked states via movement relative to the first surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the handle portion. However, the' 568 reference does not appear to disclose locking the trigger (which is an operable member therein) at different trigger positions, which may be necessary when using a tool such as a spray gun that varies its water flow (flow control) depending on the position of the trigger.

Another example is provided in japanese patent document JP 2013 136043a, which discloses a rod-type liquid ejector that changes the form of the water jet from the nozzle. The injector includes a multi-stage holding mechanism capable of holding the operation lever at a plurality of positions different in branching of the opening/closing valve. The multi-stage lock mechanism is formed by combining a plurality of lock pawls, ratchet pawls that are engageable/disengageable with respect to the lock pawls, and a lock pawl housing.

Yet another example is provided in U.S. patent 6,158,624 A1, which discloses a foam dispensing gun. The trigger arm includes a plurality of grooves or channels extending across its front surface. A locking bracket is provided that can be used to hold a trigger in a desired position. The locking bracket has a pair of side arms with a plurality of fingers at their ends that are received in holes in the sides of the handle. A front member extends between the arms and a handle extends from the member. The bracket is pivotable relative to the handle and the front member is sized to be received in the trigger arm recess. By placing the member in a desired one of the grooves, the tube will be set open by a desired amount.

Thus, there is a need for a variable locking mechanism to lock the trigger of a tool at different trigger positions, thereby making the tool user friendly and ergonomic in operation.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. This object is at least partly achieved by a tool. The tool includes a handle defining a handle body. The tool also includes a trigger operably attached to the handle. The trigger can be actuated to different positions to perform one or more actions by the tool. The trigger is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the trigger is biased toward the first position. The locking means is adapted to lock the trigger in the second position. The tool is characterized in that the locking means allow the trigger to be selectively locked in one or more locking positions between the first position and the second position.

Thus, the present disclosure provides a simple and efficient tool (such as a holder or spray gun) with a trigger that allows the trigger to be locked at different trigger positions. Furthermore, this avoids the need to keep the trigger in a specific trigger position for a longer period of time. The trigger may simply be locked in any desired trigger position, depending on the use. Thus, the tool prevents fatigue of the person using the tool and is easy to use for persons having different physical abilities based on age, strength, skills, etc.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking device comprises a slot and a locking member such that the locking member moves within the slot. The slot allows movement of the locking member to effect locking of the trigger at different trigger positions. The slot allows the locking member to be simply suspended when not in use. Thus, there is no accidental dislocation of the locking member.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking means comprises an opposing surface such that when the trigger is locked, the locking member contacts the trigger against the opposing surface. The opposing surface provides support to the locking member and helps to effectively secure or lock the trigger in a particular trigger position.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the one or more locking positions are defined by one or more grooves defined in the opposing surfaces. The locking member engages with the one or more grooves to lock the trigger in the one or more locked positions. One or more grooves provided in the opposing surfaces provide better grip and check for unintentional movement of the locking member when the locking member holds the trigger to a particular trigger position. The one or more recesses also facilitate selectively locking the trigger into one or more locked positions.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the tool is one or more of a holder and a spray gun. The tool may be applied in various technical fields, such as in the field of portable devices for gripping and handling objects, garden watering or surface cleaning etc., which require that the trigger is operable at various trigger positions.

Other features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a tool with a trigger in a first position in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of a holder in an open state in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of a gripper in a closed state in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of a holder having a jaw attachment in an open state in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of a holder having a jaw attachment in a closed state in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of a tool with a trigger locked in a second position in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of a tool with a trigger locked in a locked position between a first position and a second position in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side perspective view of a tool with a trigger locked in another locked position between a first position and a second position in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and

fig. 7 illustrates a side perspective view of a locking device of a tool according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention may be used in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upward", "downward", "forward", "rearward", "sideways", "left", "right", "horizontal", "vertical", "upward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "upper", "above", "below", "center", "middle", "between …", "end", "adjacent", "near", "distal", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", etc. only describe the configurations shown in the drawings. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

Fig. 1, 2A and 2B illustrate a tool 100. The tool 100 of the present disclosure may be applied to various technical fields, such as those pertaining to portable devices for gripping and manipulating objects, garden watering or surface cleaning, etc. The tool 100 may be applied to applications requiring that the trigger be operable at different trigger positions. In some embodiments, the tool 100 is one or more of a holder 140 (shown in fig. 2A and 2B) and a spray gun (not shown). Gripper 140 includes a pair of jaws 142, as shown in fig. 2A and 2B in an open state and a closed state, respectively. The open state of holder 140 may indicate the free or disengaged state of trigger 120. Further, the tool 100 is typically provided with various trigger positions/states/modes of the trigger 120, depending on the application, the object to be engaged, etc. The extent of the opening of the jaws 142 may depend on the object to be gripped or other relevant operation of the tool 100.

In some embodiments, gripper 140 or jaw 142 can include a jaw attachment 144 as shown in fig. 3A and 3B. The jaw attachment 144 may enable the jaw 142 to be closed in a different variety of triggers/states/modes of the trigger 120. The jaw attachment 144 may be any attachment such as, but not limited to, a rake, broom, shovel, open collection bin, and bag. Furthermore, there may be application constraints when different objects are picked up by gripper 140 and should be further held without interference from the user.

As shown in fig. 1, the tool 100 includes a handle 110 defining a handle body 111. The handle body 111 includes a bottom portion 112, a front portion 116, and a rear portion 118. The bottom portion 112 of the handle body 111 is provided with a removable cover (not shown). The cover may be removed to gain access to the interior of the handle body 111 of the tool 100. The cover may also be removed to attach the hose to the tool 100 (such as for a spray gun). The tool 100 includes a trigger 120 operably attached to the front portion 116 of the handle 110. The extension of the front portion 116 of the handle body 111 includes a locking device 130 and the tube 114 connects the jaw 142 with the tool 100. The tool 100 of the present disclosure includes a locking device 130 for providing various trigger positions.

The handle 110 may be molded plastic, composite material, metal, or any other suitable material having sufficient rigidity. In some embodiments, the handle 110 may also include a forearm brace that extends from the rear portion 118 along the forearm of the user to assist in supporting the tool 100. Such braces are particularly useful for users with low wrist strength. Thus, the rear portion 118 of the handle 110 may include an overmolded layer of rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or the like. In some embodiments, the trigger 120 may include a thermoplastic elastomer and/or thermoplastic rubber (e.g., as an over-molded layer on Lexan, etc., for example).

As shown in fig. 1 and 4, the trigger 120 of the tool 100 can be actuated to different positions to perform one or more actions, such as cutting, holding, spraying, by the tool 100 depending on the application. The trigger 120 is movable between a first position P1 (shown in fig. 1) and a second position P2 (shown in fig. 4), wherein the trigger 120 is biased toward the first position P1. As shown in fig. 4, the locking device 130 is adapted to lock the trigger 120 in the second position P2. The trigger 120 experiences a substantially low (or zero) force at a first position P1 and a maximum force at a second position P2. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the locking device 130 also allows the trigger 120 to be selectively locked in one or more locking positions between the first position P1 and the second position P2. The one or more locking positions of the trigger 120 may be defined as a first intermediate position P3 and a second intermediate position P4. The force experienced by the trigger 120 at the first intermediate position P3 and the second intermediate position P4 is greater compared to the first position P1 and less compared to the second position P2. Furthermore, the force experienced by the trigger 120 at the first intermediate position P3 is greater than the force experienced at the second intermediate position P4.

As shown in fig. 4-6, the locking device 130 includes a slot member 131 and a locking member 134, wherein the slot member may alternatively be the slot 131 (best shown in fig. 1). The locking member 134 moves within the slot 131. The slot 131 allows movement of the locking member 134 to effect locking of the trigger 120 at different trigger positions. As shown in fig. 1, slot 131 allows locking member 134 to hang freely when not in use. This arrangement of the locking member 134 with the slot 131 can check for misalignment of the locking member 134. The locking device 130 further includes an opposing surface 136 such that when the trigger 120 is locked, the locking member 134 contacts the trigger 120 against the opposing surface 136. As shown in fig. 4-6, the opposing surface 136 provides support to the locking member 134 and assists in effectively securing or locking the trigger 120 in one or more locked positions. Thus, the locking member 134 against the opposing surface 136 effectively secures or locks the trigger 120 in one or more locked positions.

In some embodiments, the opposing surface 136 may include a hook portion and an arcuate portion. In particular, the opposing surface 136 may be S-shaped. This may allow the tool 100 to be suspended on nails or the like for storage after use.

The one or more locking positions are defined by one or more grooves G1, G2, G3 defined in, on or with the opposing surface 136. Grooves G1, G2, G3, defined as first, second and third grooves, are shown in detail in fig. 7. The locking member 134 engages with one or more of the grooves G1, G2, G3 to lock the trigger 120 in one or more locked positions. One or more grooves G1, G2, G3 provided in the opposing surface 136 provide better grip and check for unintentional movement of the locking member 134 when the locking member 134 holds the trigger 120 to a particular trigger position. The one or more grooves G1, G2, G3 also assist in selectively locking the trigger 120 into one or more locked positions. The one or more grooves G1, G2, G3 are sized such that the locking member 134 engages without any unintended movement, such as by an easy friction fit with the grooves. The locking member 134 is in tight engagement with the one or more grooves G1, G2, G3 and retains its position within the one or more grooves 138 until the user of the tool 100 manually presses or engages the trigger 120.

In some embodiments, during application of the tool 100 as shown in fig. 1, a user may engage the trigger 120 initially located at the first position P1. As shown in fig. 4, 5, and 6, respectively, when the tool 100 is desired to be engaged (or grasped), the trigger 120 is pressed to one or more of the second position P2, the first intermediate position P3, and the second intermediate position P4. This locking of the trigger 120 is achieved by engagement of the locking means 130 with one or more of the grooves G1, G2, G3.

In some implementations, as shown in fig. 4, the user may lock the trigger 120 at the second position P2. In the second position P2, one end of the locking member 134 of the locking device 130 engages the first groove G1 of the opposing surface 136 while the other end of the locking member 134 surrounds the right wall 132 of the slot 131.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 5, the user may lock the trigger 120 at the first intermediate position P3. In the first intermediate position P3, one end of the locking member 134 engages with the second groove G2 of the opposing surface 136, and the other end of the locking member 134 moves substantially about the middle (or any other position) of the slot 131.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 6, the user may lock the trigger 120 at the second intermediate position P4. In the second intermediate position P4, one end of the locking member 134 engages with the third groove G3 of the opposing surface 136, and the other end of the locking member 134 surrounds (or engages with) the left wall 133 of the slot 131.

As used herein, "locking device 130" includes one or more of a locking member 134, an opposing surface 136, and a slot 131. Further, the locking member 134 engages with the one or more grooves G1, G2, G3 and the slot 131 while being biased by the opposing surface 136 to lock the trigger 120 in a plurality of trigger positions, such as a second position P2, a first intermediate position P3, and a second intermediate position P4. The present disclosure shows different positions, engagements of the locking member 134, however, practical implementations of the present disclosure may have many different positions, types, shapes, numbers, engagements of the locking member 134 with one or more of the opposing surface 136, the slot 131, and even one or more grooves G1, G2, G3.

In some embodiments, the user may disengage the locking device 130 simply by pressing the trigger 120 locked at the first intermediate position P3 or the second intermediate position P4. As shown in fig. 1, this may free the locking member 134, which may then be safely disengaged from the trigger 120, such as toward the opposing surface 136, or from the slot 131. Further, the locking member 134 can move within the slot 131 to disengage the locking member 134 from either the groove G2 or the groove G3, as the case may be.

In some embodiments, the trigger 120 can be easily unlocked to switch between different trigger positions. For exemplary purposes, the trigger 120 may be locked in the second position P2. In order to disengage the locking device 130 from the second position P2, the user may need to grasp the locking member 134 and apply little force in a downward direction in order to disengage the locking member 134 from the first groove G1. In this disengagement with the first groove G1, the locking member 134 is free to disengage from the opposing surface 136 and the trigger 120. Thereby, the locking device 130 is disengaged and the locking member 134 remains free (e.g., suspended over the slot 131). Such unlocking of the trigger 120 may similarly be applied to unlocking from the first intermediate position P3 or the second intermediate position P4.

The present disclosure provides a simple and efficient tool 100 with a trigger 120 that allows easy locking, unlocking at different trigger positions by means of a locking device 130. Furthermore, the present disclosure avoids the manual effort and skill of engaging a trigger at a particular trigger position for a comparable (e.g., longer) duration of application. By the presence of a user friendly device of the locking device 120 with the locking member 134 together with the opposing surface 136 and the slot 131, the trigger 120 can be locked in any desired trigger position simply by one or more of the grooves G1, G2, G3. Thus, the tool 100 prevents fatigue of the person using the tool 100 and is easy to use for persons with different physical abilities (regardless of age, strength, skill).

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Element list

100. Tool for cutting tools

110. Handle

111. Handle body

112. Bottom portion

114. Pipe

116. Front part

118. Rear part

120. Trigger device

130 locking device

131 slot member/slot

132. Right wall

133. Left wall

134. Locking member

136. Opposed surfaces

140. Clamp holder

142. Clamping jaw

144. Clamping jaw accessory

PI first position

P2 second position

P3 first intermediate position

P4 second intermediate position

G1 First groove

G2 Second groove

G3 third groove

Claims (2)

1. A tool (100), comprising:

a handle (110) defining a handle body (111);

a trigger (120) operably attached to the handle (110), wherein the trigger (120) is actuatable to different positions to perform one or more actions with the tool (100), and

wherein the trigger (120) is movable between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2), wherein the trigger (120) is biased towards the first position (P1); and

-a locking device (130) adapted to lock the trigger (120) at the second position (P2), wherein the locking device (130) allows the trigger (120) to be selectively locked at one or more locking positions between the first position (P1) and the second position (P2);

the method is characterized in that:

the locking device (130) comprises a slot (131) and a locking member (134) such that the locking member (134) moves within the slot (131) and the slot (131) allows the locking member (134) to be freely suspended when not in use;

the locking device (130) comprises an opposing surface (136) such that when the trigger (120) is locked, the locking member (134) contacts the trigger (120) against the opposing surface (136); and is also provided with

One or more of the locking positions is defined by one or more grooves (G1, G2, G3) defined in the opposing surface (136), wherein the locking member (134) engages with one or more of the grooves (G1, G2, G3) to lock the trigger (120) in one or more of the locking positions.

2. The tool (100) according to claim 1, wherein the tool (100) is one or more of a holder (140) and a spray gun.