EP0950474A1 - Device to adapt portable electric tools for left- or righthanded users - Google Patents

Device to adapt portable electric tools for left- or righthanded users Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0950474A1
EP0950474A1 EP99440073A EP99440073A EP0950474A1 EP 0950474 A1 EP0950474 A1 EP 0950474A1 EP 99440073 A EP99440073 A EP 99440073A EP 99440073 A EP99440073 A EP 99440073A EP 0950474 A1 EP0950474 A1 EP 0950474A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
button
locking button
locking
switch
housing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99440073A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jean-Marc Behe
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Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0950474A1 publication Critical patent/EP0950474A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25F—COMBINATION OR MULTI-PURPOSE TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DETAILS OR COMPONENTS OF PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS NOT PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE OPERATIONS PERFORMED AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B25F5/00—Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
    • B25F5/02—Construction of casings, bodies or handles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/02—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
    • H01H3/20—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch wherein an auxiliary movement thereof, or of an attachment thereto, is necessary before the main movement is possible or effective, e.g. for unlatching, for coupling
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2217/00—Facilitation of operation; Human engineering
    • H01H2217/048—Facilitation of operation; Human engineering adapted for operation by left- and right-handed

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for adapting power tools such as drills for example to authorize their use without distinction by right-handers or by left-handers.
  • the drill is operated by exerting slight pressure with the index finger of right hand on the switch trigger and pressing with the thumb of the right hand on the locking button.
  • the lock button pressed to rotate the drill continuously.
  • the lock button is not located on the appropriate side and use by a left-hander will be difficult.
  • the document US 4 240 771 describes a hand drill, actuated at by means of a crank which can be detached and positioned on one side or on the other side of the housing, at the user's choice.
  • the invention remedies the drawbacks set out above and allows left-handers to work with the same ease as right-handers thanks to a device for operating the drill using the left hand.
  • a locking button adaptable to both sides of the handle will complete this device and a threaded plug will be screwed onto the orifice of the casing not used.
  • the device according to the invention comprises, apart from the visible transformation operated on the casing of the drill, a new locking button whose mechanism will no longer be fixed directly to the switch but which will constitute a separate element comprising a threaded housing (10) receiving the lock button.
  • Said button has a hole at the end opposite the locking button centering (13) in which is guided a locking rod (12) integral of the locking button (2), said locking rod being disposed opposite a window (5) formed in the switch (14) and an orifice blocking (6) formed in the rod supporting the trigger (1) of the switch.
  • the locking button (2) is held in place and guided by an axis (8) integral with the threaded housing (10) and an oblong (9) allows said button to blocking forward or backward.
  • a spring arranged between the button blocking (2) and the circumference of the centering hole makes it possible to bring the button to its clear position.
  • Reversing the locking button (2) and the threaded plug (3) allows to adapt the use of drills to right-handers or left-handers.
  • a new start switch (14) has a window (5) of each side, unlike the material previously available on the market which had only one window on the left side.
  • the blocking hole (6) is brought up to the level of the switch window (5) thus allowing the locking rod (12) to enter the orifice of blocking (6) and thus maintaining the drill in continuous operation.
  • the rod blocking (12) integral with the blocking button (2) can enter the window (5) formed in the switch (14) regardless of the side on which the lock button has been fixed.
  • the device according to the invention can be adapted to any type of portable electric devices, and the means described can be simplified, without going beyond the ambit of the invention.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)

Abstract

The adapter device comprises a new interchangeable locking button (2) able to be fixed on the right of the handle for the use of left handers. The locking button is placed in a threaded housing and is held on a spindle which is advanced and reversed by the means of an oblong. The handle comprises a tapping (4) passing right through able to receive either the locking button or the threaded button (3).

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif permettant d'adapter des appareils électroportatifs tels que par exemple des perceuses afin d'autoriser leur utilisation indistinctement par des droitiers ou par des gauchers.The present invention relates to a device for adapting power tools such as drills for example to authorize their use without distinction by right-handers or by left-handers.

Traditionnellement les perceuses existantes sur le marché sont prévues et équipées de manière à être utilisées principalement par les droitiers.Traditionally existing drills on the market are provided and equipped to be used mainly by right-handers.

Ainsi le bouton de blocage destiné à maintenir les perceuses en marche se situe toujours sur le côté gauche de la carcasse de la poignée.Thus the locking button intended to keep the drills running is always located on the left side of the handle frame.

La perceuse est actionnée en exerçant une légère pression avec l'index de la main droite sur la gâchette de l'interrupteur et en appuyant avec le pouce de la main droite sur le bouton de blocage. Le bouton de blocage enfoncé permet de faire tourner la perceuse en marche continue.The drill is operated by exerting slight pressure with the index finger of right hand on the switch trigger and pressing with the thumb of the right hand on the locking button. The lock button pressed to rotate the drill continuously.

Cette disposition est donc inverse de celle qui conviendrait à un utilisateur gaucher, qui préférera actionner la gâchette avec l'index de la main gauche et le bouton de blocage avec le pouce de cette même main.This provision is therefore the reverse of that which would suit a user. left-handed, who will prefer to operate the trigger with the index finger of the left hand and the lock button with the thumb of that same hand.

Dans ce cas, le bouton de blocage n'est pas situé du côté approprié et l'utilisation par un gaucher sera malaisée.In this case, the lock button is not located on the appropriate side and use by a left-hander will be difficult.

Quelques dispositifs ont été proposés pour palier ces inconvénients, mais ils ne sont pas satisfaisants.Some devices have been proposed to overcome these drawbacks, but they are not satisfactory.

Ainsi, le document US 4 240 771 décrit une perceuse à main, actionnée au moyen d'une manivelle pouvant être détachée et positionnée d'un côté ou de l'autre du carter, au choix de l'utilisateur.Thus, the document US 4 240 771 describes a hand drill, actuated at by means of a crank which can be detached and positioned on one side or on the other side of the housing, at the user's choice.

L'invention remédie aux inconvénients exposés ci-dessus et permet à des gauchers de travailler avec la même aisance que les droitiers grâce à un dispositif permettant d'actionner la perceuse à l'aide de la main gauche.The invention remedies the drawbacks set out above and allows left-handers to work with the same ease as right-handers thanks to a device for operating the drill using the left hand.

Cette amélioration d'utilisation est obtenue grâce à la possibilité offerte par ledit dispositif de déplacer le bouton de blocage, au choix de l'utilisateur, du côté gauche vers le côté droit de la poignée.This improvement in use is obtained thanks to the possibility offered by said device for moving the blocking button, at the user's choice, from the left side to the right side of the handle.

Pour réaliser cette opération il y a lieu d'effectuer des taraudages sur la partie droite et gauche du carterTo carry out this operation, it is necessary to perform tapping on the right and left part of the housing

Ceux-ci sont réalisés au même emplacement et à la même hauteur que l'orifice ayant reçu anciennement le bouton de blocage sur le côté gauche de la poignée.These are made at the same location and at the same height as the hole having received in the past the blocking button on the left side of the handle.

Ces deux orifices seront ménagés sur un carter vide, l'un en face de l'autre, et traverseront le carter de part en part.These two orifices will be formed on an empty casing, one opposite the other, and will go right through the casing.

Un bouton de blocage adaptable aux deux côtés de la poignée complétera ce dispositif et un bouchon fileté sera vissé sur l'orifice du carter non utilisé.A locking button adaptable to both sides of the handle will complete this device and a threaded plug will be screwed onto the orifice of the casing not used.

Les dessins annexés illustrent l'invention.

  • La figure 1 illustre l'aspect extérieur des perceuses actuellement sur le marché comportant un bouton de blocage sur le côté gauche de la poignée,
  • La figure 2 représente le côté extérieur droit desdites perceuses connues,
  • La figure 3 représente l'utilisation de la perceuse par un droitier se servant de l'index de la main droite pour actionner la gâchette de l'interrupteur et le pouce de la même main pour enfoncer le bouton de blocage,
  • La figure 4 illustre le taraudage effectué à l'ancien emplacement du bouton de blocage,
  • La figure 5 montre l'emplacement du taraudage sur le côté droit de la poignée, lequel se situe dans le prolongement du taraudage opposé,
  • La figure 6 illustre l'interrupteur de la perceuse qui comporte une fenêtre de chaque côté permettant ainsi de permuter et fixer le bouton de blocage et le bouchon fileté sur chaque côté de la poignée,
  • La figure 7 représente le mécanisme du nouveau bouton de blocage qui est vissé sur l'un ou l'autre des taraudages opérés sur la carcasse.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the external appearance of the drills currently on the market comprising a locking button on the left side of the handle,
  • FIG. 2 represents the right external side of said known drills,
  • FIG. 3 represents the use of the drill by a right-handed person using the index finger of the right hand to actuate the trigger of the switch and the thumb of the same hand to depress the locking button,
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the tapping carried out at the old location of the locking button,
  • Figure 5 shows the location of the thread on the right side of the handle, which is in line with the opposite thread,
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the switch of the drill which has a window on each side thus permitting to swap and fix the locking button and the threaded plug on each side of the handle,
  • Figure 7 shows the mechanism of the new locking button which is screwed onto one or other of the threads operated on the carcass.

En référence aux dessins annexés, et plus particulièrement à la figure 7, le dispositif selon l'invention comporte, hormis la transformation visible opérée sur la carcasse de la perceuse, un nouveau bouton de blocage dont le mécanisme ne sera plus fixé directement sur l'interrupteur mais qui constituera un élément à part comportant un logement fileté (10) recevant le bouton de blocage.With reference to the accompanying drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 7, the device according to the invention comprises, apart from the visible transformation operated on the casing of the drill, a new locking button whose mechanism will no longer be fixed directly to the switch but which will constitute a separate element comprising a threaded housing (10) receiving the lock button.

Ledit bouton présente à l'extrémité opposée au bouton de blocage, un trou de centrage (13) dans lequel est guidée une tige de blocage (12) solidaire du bouton de blocage (2), ladite tige de blocage étant disposée en regard d'une fenêtre (5) ménagée dans l'interrupteur (14) et d'un orifice de blocage (6) ménagé dans la tige supportant la gâchette (1) de l'interrupteur.Said button has a hole at the end opposite the locking button centering (13) in which is guided a locking rod (12) integral of the locking button (2), said locking rod being disposed opposite a window (5) formed in the switch (14) and an orifice blocking (6) formed in the rod supporting the trigger (1) of the switch.

Le bouton de blocage (2) est maintenu en place et guidé par un axe (8) solidaire du logement fileté (10) et un oblong (9) permet audit bouton de blocage d'avancer ou de reculer. Un ressort disposé entre le bouton de blocage (2) et le pourtour du trou de centrage permet d'amener le bouton à sa position dégagée.The locking button (2) is held in place and guided by an axis (8) integral with the threaded housing (10) and an oblong (9) allows said button to blocking forward or backward. A spring arranged between the button blocking (2) and the circumference of the centering hole makes it possible to bring the button to its clear position.

L'inversion du bouton de blocage (2) et du bouchon fileté (3) permet d'adapter l'utilisation des perceuses à des droitiers ou à des gauchers.Reversing the locking button (2) and the threaded plug (3) allows to adapt the use of drills to right-handers or left-handers.

Un nouvel interrupteur (14) de mise en marche présente une fenêtre (5) de chaque côté, à l'inverse du matériel jusqu'alors existant sur le marché qui n'avait qu'une seule fenêtre sur le côté gauche. A new start switch (14) has a window (5) of each side, unlike the material previously available on the market which had only one window on the left side.

Dès qu'une pression est exercée sur la gâchette (1) de l'interrupteur, l'orifice de blocage (6) est ramené à hauteur de la fenêtre de l'interrupteur (5) permettant ainsi à la tige de blocage (12) de pénétrer dans l'orifice de blocage (6) et maintenant ainsi la perceuse en marche continue.As soon as pressure is exerted on the switch trigger (1), the blocking hole (6) is brought up to the level of the switch window (5) thus allowing the locking rod (12) to enter the orifice of blocking (6) and thus maintaining the drill in continuous operation.

Grâce à la présence d'une fenêtre de chaque côté de l'interrupteur, la tige de blocage (12) solidaire du bouton de blocage (2) pourra pénétrer dans la fenêtre (5) ménagée dans l'interrupteur (14) quel que soit le côté sur lequel le bouton de blocage a été fixé.Thanks to the presence of a window on each side of the switch, the rod blocking (12) integral with the blocking button (2) can enter the window (5) formed in the switch (14) regardless of the side on which the lock button has been fixed.

L'invention n'est pas limitée au mode de réalisation donné ci-dessus à titre exclusivement d'illustration.The invention is not limited to the embodiment given above by way of exclusively for illustration.

En particulier, le dispositif selon l'invention peut être adapté à tout type d'appareils électroportatifs, et les moyens décrits peuvent être simplifiés, sans que l'on sorte du cadre de l'invention.In particular, the device according to the invention can be adapted to any type of portable electric devices, and the means described can be simplified, without going beyond the ambit of the invention.

Claims (5)

Dispositif pour l'adaptation d'appareils électroportatifs à des utilisateurs indistinctement droitiers ou gauchers, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un bouton de blocage (2) adaptable sur les deux côtés de la poignée (7) du carter de l'appareil et pouvant être permuté selon que l'utilisateur travaille préférentiellement de la main droite ou de la main gauche, ladite poignée comportant deux taraudages (4) ménagés l'un en face de l'autre sur chaque côté dudit carter, de façon à recevoir soit le bouton de blocage (2) soit le bouchon fileté (3).Device for adapting power tools to users indistinctly right-handed or left-handed, characterized in that it comprises a locking button (2) adaptable on both sides of the handle (7) of the device housing and can be swapped depending on whether the user is working preferably with the right hand or the left hand, said handle comprising two threads (4) arranged one opposite the other on each side of said housing, so as to receive either the locking button (2) or the threaded plug (3). Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que une fenêtre (5) est ménagée sur chaque côté d'un interrupteur (14) commandant l'appareil, et prévue pour recevoir une tige de blocage (12) selon que le bouton de blocage est fixé sur la partie droite ou gauche des taraudages (4).Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a window (5) is provided on each side of a switch (14) controlling the device, and provided to receive a locking rod (12) depending on whether the button blocking is fixed on the right or left part of the threads (4). Dispositif selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le bouton de blocage (2) prend place dans un logement fileté (10), ledit logement fileté présentant à l'extrémité opposée au bouton de blocage, un trou de centrage (13) dans lequel est guidée la tige de blocage (12) solidaire du bouton de blocage (2), ladite tige de blocage étant disposée en regard d'une fenêtre (5) ménagée dans l'interrupteur (14) et d'un orifice de blocage (6) ménagé dans la tige supportant la gâchette (1) de l'interrupteur.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the locking button (2) takes place in a threaded housing (10), said threaded housing having at the end opposite the locking button, a centering hole (13) in which the locking rod (12) is guided integral with the locking button (2), said locking rod being disposed opposite a window (5) formed in the switch (14) and an orifice blocking (6) formed in the rod supporting the trigger (1) of the switch. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le bouton de blocage (2) comporte un oblong (9) guidé par un axe (8) solidaire du logement fileté (10) de sorte à assurer le guidage et le maintien dudit bouton de blocage.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the locking button (2) has an oblong (9) guided by an axis (8) integral with the threaded housing (10) so as to provide guidance and maintaining said locking button. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que un ressort est disposé entre le bouton de blocage (2) et le pourtour du trou de centrage pour amener le bouton à sa position dégagée.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that a spring is arranged between the locking button (2) and the periphery of the centering hole to bring the button to its released position.
EP99440073A 1998-04-15 1999-04-15 Device to adapt portable electric tools for left- or righthanded users Withdrawn EP0950474A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9804892A FR2777486B1 (en) 1998-04-15 1998-04-15 DEVICE ADAPTABLE TO DRILLS TO ALLOW THE USE OF THE SAME INDISTINCTLY BY RIGHT AND LEFT HANDERS
FR9804892 1998-04-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0950474A1 true EP0950474A1 (en) 1999-10-20

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EP99440073A Withdrawn EP0950474A1 (en) 1998-04-15 1999-04-15 Device to adapt portable electric tools for left- or righthanded users

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EP (1) EP0950474A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2777486B1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2426481B (en) * 2004-03-23 2008-09-03 Ross Wark Medical Ltd Cast-cutter

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2929320A1 (en) * 1978-07-31 1980-02-21 Rockwell International Corp Latch for holding on switch of hand power tool - is positioned at end of switch trigger and is released by additional pressure on trigger
DE2903146A1 (en) * 1979-01-27 1980-08-07 Metabowerke Kg Trigger switch for pistol grip of electric drill - has locking lever and spring attached for optional permanent engagement
US4240771A (en) * 1978-11-28 1980-12-23 The Jabobs Manufacturing Company, Ltd. Breast drills
DE3104733A1 (en) * 1981-02-11 1982-08-19 Karl M. Reich Maschinenfabrik GmbH, 7440 Nürtingen Switch for electric tools
US4369546A (en) * 1979-12-28 1983-01-25 Zientara Stanley V Hand held tools and utensils stabilizer bar, adjustable and non-adjustable
US5347764A (en) * 1993-03-02 1994-09-20 Indresco Inc. Handle arrangement for air power tool
DE4438045A1 (en) * 1994-10-25 1996-05-02 Atlas Copco Elektrowerkzeuge Switch device e.g. for hand-held electric tool such as screwdriver,

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2929320A1 (en) * 1978-07-31 1980-02-21 Rockwell International Corp Latch for holding on switch of hand power tool - is positioned at end of switch trigger and is released by additional pressure on trigger
US4240771A (en) * 1978-11-28 1980-12-23 The Jabobs Manufacturing Company, Ltd. Breast drills
DE2903146A1 (en) * 1979-01-27 1980-08-07 Metabowerke Kg Trigger switch for pistol grip of electric drill - has locking lever and spring attached for optional permanent engagement
US4369546A (en) * 1979-12-28 1983-01-25 Zientara Stanley V Hand held tools and utensils stabilizer bar, adjustable and non-adjustable
DE3104733A1 (en) * 1981-02-11 1982-08-19 Karl M. Reich Maschinenfabrik GmbH, 7440 Nürtingen Switch for electric tools
US5347764A (en) * 1993-03-02 1994-09-20 Indresco Inc. Handle arrangement for air power tool
DE4438045A1 (en) * 1994-10-25 1996-05-02 Atlas Copco Elektrowerkzeuge Switch device e.g. for hand-held electric tool such as screwdriver,

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2426481B (en) * 2004-03-23 2008-09-03 Ross Wark Medical Ltd Cast-cutter
US8453546B2 (en) 2004-03-23 2013-06-04 Ross Wark Medical Limited Cast-cutter and method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2777486B1 (en) 2000-06-09
FR2777486A1 (en) 1999-10-22

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