EP1431998A2 - Safety switch device - Google Patents

Safety switch device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1431998A2
EP1431998A2 EP03257590A EP03257590A EP1431998A2 EP 1431998 A2 EP1431998 A2 EP 1431998A2 EP 03257590 A EP03257590 A EP 03257590A EP 03257590 A EP03257590 A EP 03257590A EP 1431998 A2 EP1431998 A2 EP 1431998A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
slidable rod
housing
safety
handle
button
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Withdrawn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
EP03257590A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1431998A3 (en
Inventor
Xiahong Zha
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Positec Power Tools Suzhou Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Positec Power Tools Suzhou Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Positec Power Tools Suzhou Co Ltd filed Critical Positec Power Tools Suzhou Co Ltd
Publication of EP1431998A2 publication Critical patent/EP1431998A2/en
Publication of EP1431998A3 publication Critical patent/EP1431998A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H21/00—Switches operated by an operating part in the form of a pivotable member acted upon directly by a solid body, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H21/02—Details
    • H01H21/18—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H21/22—Operating parts, e.g. handle
    • H01H21/24—Operating parts, e.g. handle biased to return to normal position upon removal of operating force
    • H01H21/26—Operating parts, e.g. handle biased to return to normal position upon removal of operating force adapted for operation by a part of the human body other than the hand, e.g. by foot
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a safety switch device.
  • a conventional safety switch device comprises a housing, a handle pivotally connected to the housing via an internal pivot, an electric switch accommodated within the housing, a pressing member in the housing for activating the switch and a safety press-button slidably provided on the housing.
  • the pressing member is fixed on a slideable rod which is inserted in a guiding groove on the interior of the housing. An inner portion of the handle inside the housing presses against the slidable rod. When the safety press-button is not depressed, it presses against the lateral side portion of the inner portion of the handle such that the handle cannot be rotated by the operator (the safety position).
  • the safety press-button When the safety press-button is depressed, it moves apart from the lateral side portion of the inner portion of the handle so that the handle can be rotated about the pivot to cause the inner portion of the handle to press down the slidable rod and cause the pressing member to activate the electric switch (the non-safety position).
  • the handle and the electric switch By wholly constraining the handle in the safety position, there is a risk that the handle and the electric switch may be damaged wholly or partly if the operator forcibly wrenches the handle.
  • the present invention seeks to ensure that the handle and other components of a safety switch device cannot be damaged when the safety press-button is in a safety position by giving the arrangement for activating the electric switch an additional degree of freedom.
  • the arrangement for activating the electric switch when the safety press button is in the safety position is free to move non-linearly and when the safety press button is in the non-safety position is free to move linearly only.
  • safety switch device comprising:
  • the present invention relates to a safety switch device comprising a housing and a handle pivotally connected to the housing via a pivot.
  • An electric switch is accommodated within the housing.
  • a safety press-button is slidably provided on the housing.
  • a pressing member is fixedly mounted on a slideable rod in the housing.
  • An internal portion of the handle presses against the slidable rod.
  • the slidable rod is inserted in a guiding groove on the interior of the housing. A clearance between the slidable rod in the guiding groove and the edge of the guiding groove is sufficient to advantageously permit the slidable rod to swing in the guiding groove when the safety press-button is in the non-depressed state.
  • the safety press-button has at least two working positions.
  • the present invention provides a safety switch device comprising a housing, a handle pivotally connected to the housing via a pivot, an electric switch accommodated within the housing, a pressure member provided in the housing, a safety press-button slidably provided on the housing, the pressure member fixedly mounted on a slidable rod which is inserted in a guiding groove disposed on the interior of the housing, an inner handle partly composed of a portion of the handle inserted into the housing and pressing against the slidable rod, characterized in that:
  • FIGs 1-3 illustrate an embodiment of the safety switch device of the present invention in various operating positions and with the cover 40 (see Figure 4) removed for convenience.
  • the safety switch device comprises a housing 9 upon which is mounted (on an internal pivot 2) an externally extending handle 13 and in which is accommodated a pressure activatable electric switch 10.
  • a pressing member 8 is fixed on a slidable rod 12 which is inserted in a guiding groove in the interior of the housing 9. There are clearances 1 and 11 between the slideable rod 12 and the walls of the guiding groove.
  • An engagement surface 5 on an internal portion 6 of the handle 13 presses against a curved surface 4 on an end portion of the slidable rod 12 so as to permit the slidable rod 12 to swing or move linearly (depending on the position of a safety press-button 3 - see below).
  • the safety press-button 3 is slidably provided on the housing 9 and is shown in isolation in Figures 4 and 5.
  • the safety press-button 3 comprises a main body 42 from which depends an arm 43.
  • the safety press-button 3 has two working positions which advantageously leave the movement of the handle 13 unfettered. In the first working position, the safety press-button 3 is depressed and the arm 43 engages the lateral edge of the slideable rod 12. In the second working position, the safety press-button 3 is not depressed and the arm 43 is spaced apart from the lateral edge of the slideable rod 12.
  • a retaining hook 41 retains the safety press button 3 in the housing 9. With the assistance of the guiding member 14, the safety press-button switches between the first and second press button.
  • the safety switch device itself has essentially three operating positions.
  • a spring 7 retains the slideable rod 12 in the guiding groove and generally biases the safety switch device to the third operating position illustrated in Figure 3.

Landscapes

  • Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
  • Breakers (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a safety switch device comprising a housing and a handle pivotally connected to the housing via a pivot. An electric switch is accommodated within the housing. A safety press-button is slidably provided on the housing. A pressing member is fixedly mounted on a slideable rod in the housing. An internal portion of the handle presses against the slidable rod. The slidable rod lies in a guiding groove on the interior of the housing. A clearance between the slidable rod in the guiding groove and the edge of the guiding groove is sufficient to advantageously permit the slidable rod to swing in the guiding groove when the safety button is not depressed. Irrespective of whether the safety press-button is depressed or not, the handle can always be rotated about the pivot so that the risk of damage by accidental operation of the handle or safety press button is eliminated.

Description

The present invention relates to a safety switch device.
A conventional safety switch device comprises a housing, a handle pivotally connected to the housing via an internal pivot, an electric switch accommodated within the housing, a pressing member in the housing for activating the switch and a safety press-button slidably provided on the housing. The pressing member is fixed on a slideable rod which is inserted in a guiding groove on the interior of the housing. An inner portion of the handle inside the housing presses against the slidable rod. When the safety press-button is not depressed, it presses against the lateral side portion of the inner portion of the handle such that the handle cannot be rotated by the operator (the safety position). When the safety press-button is depressed, it moves apart from the lateral side portion of the inner portion of the handle so that the handle can be rotated about the pivot to cause the inner portion of the handle to press down the slidable rod and cause the pressing member to activate the electric switch (the non-safety position). By wholly constraining the handle in the safety position, there is a risk that the handle and the electric switch may be damaged wholly or partly if the operator forcibly wrenches the handle.
The present invention seeks to ensure that the handle and other components of a safety switch device cannot be damaged when the safety press-button is in a safety position by giving the arrangement for activating the electric switch an additional degree of freedom. In particular, the arrangement for activating the electric switch when the safety press button is in the safety position is free to move non-linearly and when the safety press button is in the non-safety position is free to move linearly only.
Thus viewed from one aspect the present invention provides safety switch device comprising:
  • a housing;
  • a slidable rod slidably positioned in a guiding groove in the interior of the housing, wherein a clearance in the guiding groove is sufficient to permit the slidable rod to move non-linearly;
  • an externally extending handle pivotally mounted on an internal pivot in the housing, wherein an internal part of the handle presses against an end portion of the slidable rod such that rotation of the handle on the internal pivot causes the slidable rod to move;
  • an electric switch accommodated within the housing;
  • a pressing member mounted on the slidable rod for activating the electric switch; and
  • a safety press-button slidably provided on the housing, wherein in a first working position the safety press-button presses against a lateral edge of the slidable rod such that the slidable rod is partially constrained to move linearly and in a second working position the safety press-button is spaced apart from the lateral edge of the slidable rod such that the slidable rod is free to move non-linearly.
    • The present invention relates to a safety switch device comprising a housing and a handle pivotally connected to the housing via a pivot. An electric switch is accommodated within the housing. A safety press-button is slidably provided on the housing. A pressing member is fixedly mounted on a slideable rod in the housing. An internal portion of the handle presses against the slidable rod. The slidable rod is inserted in a guiding groove on the interior of the housing. A clearance between the slidable rod in the guiding groove and the edge of the guiding groove is sufficient to advantageously permit the slidable rod to swing in the guiding groove when the safety press-button is in the non-depressed state.
    The safety press-button has at least two working positions.
  • (1) In the first working position (non-safety), the safety press-button is depressed and engages the lateral edge of the slidable rod. The handle may be rotated to press down the slidable rod and the safety press-button partially constrains the slidable rod to move linearly and carry the pressing member down to activate the electric switch.
  • (2) In the second working position (safety), the safety press-button is not depressed and is spaced apart from the lateral edge of the slidable rod. The handle may be rotated to press down the slidable rod and the clearance between the slidable rod and the wall of the guiding groove is enough to permit the slidable rod to swing. In this position, the slidable rod is unable to carry the pressing member to press against and activate the electric switch.
    • Thus it will be apparent that irrespective of whether the safety press-button is depressed or not, the handle can always be rotated about the pivot so that the risk of damage by accidental operation of the handle or safety press button is eliminated.
    Viewed from a further aspect the present invention provides a safety switch device comprising a housing, a handle pivotally connected to the housing via a pivot, an electric switch accommodated within the housing, a pressure member provided in the housing, a safety press-button slidably provided on the housing, the pressure member fixedly mounted on a slidable rod which is inserted in a guiding groove disposed on the interior of the housing, an inner handle partly composed of a portion of the handle inserted into the housing and pressing against the slidable rod, characterized in that:
  • a guiding groove clearance enough to permit the slidable rod to swing is provided between the slidable rod in the guiding groove and the side wall of the guiding groove, the safety press-button at least has two working positions, wherein in the first working position the safety press-button presses against the lateral edge portion of the slidable rod and in the second working position the safety press-button is spaced away from the lateral edge portion of the slidable rod.
    • The present invention will now be described in a non-limitative sense with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:
  • Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the safety switch device of the present invention in a first operating position
  • Figure 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the safety switch device of the present invention in a second operating position;
  • Figure 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the safety switch device of the present invention in a third operating position; and
  • Figure 4 illustrates in isolation the hosuing and safety press button of the first embodiment; and
  • Figure 5 illustrates in isolation the safety press button of the first embodiment.
    • Figures 1-3 illustrate an embodiment of the safety switch device of the present invention in various operating positions and with the cover 40 (see Figure 4) removed for convenience. The safety switch device comprises a housing 9 upon which is mounted (on an internal pivot 2) an externally extending handle 13 and in which is accommodated a pressure activatable electric switch 10. A pressing member 8 is fixed on a slidable rod 12 which is inserted in a guiding groove in the interior of the housing 9. There are clearances 1 and 11 between the slideable rod 12 and the walls of the guiding groove. An engagement surface 5 on an internal portion 6 of the handle 13 presses against a curved surface 4 on an end portion of the slidable rod 12 so as to permit the slidable rod 12 to swing or move linearly (depending on the position of a safety press-button 3 - see below).
    The safety press-button 3 is slidably provided on the housing 9 and is shown in isolation in Figures 4 and 5. The safety press-button 3 comprises a main body 42 from which depends an arm 43. The safety press-button 3 has two working positions which advantageously leave the movement of the handle 13 unfettered. In the first working position, the safety press-button 3 is depressed and the arm 43 engages the lateral edge of the slideable rod 12. In the second working position, the safety press-button 3 is not depressed and the arm 43 is spaced apart from the lateral edge of the slideable rod 12. A retaining hook 41 retains the safety press button 3 in the housing 9. With the assistance of the guiding member 14, the safety press-button switches between the first and second press button.
    Thus the safety switch device itself has essentially three operating positions.
  • (1) In the first operating position (see Figure 1), the safety press-button 3 (in its second working position) is not depressed and is spaced apart from the lateral edge of the slideable rod 12 to leave it free to move non-linearly. The handle is lifted upwardly by the operator such that clearances I and 11 between the slideable rod 12 and the walls of the guiding groove permit the slideable rod 12 to swing freely as illustrated. In this first operating position, the pressing member 8 fails to press down and activate the electric switch 10.
  • (2) In the second operating position (see Figure 2), the safety press-button 3 (in its first working position) is depressed and engages the lateral edge of the slideable rod 12 to constrain it to linear movement. The handle is lifted upwardly by the operator allowing the partially constrained slidable rod 12 to move linearly and carry the pressing member 8 to press down and activate the electric switch 10.
  • (3) In the third operating position (see Figure 3), the safety press-button 3 (in its second working position) is not depressed and is, spaced apart from the lateral edge of the slideable rod 12. The handle 13 is unmoved. In this third operating position, the pressing member 8 is spaced apart from (and therefore is unable to activate) the electric switch 10.
    • A spring 7 retains the slideable rod 12 in the guiding groove and generally biases the safety switch device to the third operating position illustrated in Figure 3.

    Claims (8)

    1. A safety switch device comprising:
      a housing [9];
      a slidable rod [12] slidably positioned in a guiding groove in the interior of the housing [9], wherein a clearance [1,11] in the guiding groove is sufficient to permit the slidable rod [12] to move non-linearly;
      an externally extending handle [13] pivotally mounted on an internal pivot [2] in the housing [9], wherein an internal part [6] of the handle [13] presses against an end portion of the slidable rod [12] such that rotation of the handle [13] on the internal pivot [2] causes the slidable rod [12] to move;
      an electric switch [10] accommodated within the housing [9];
      a pressing member [8] mounted on the slidable rod [12] for activating the electric switch [10]; and
      a safety press-button [3] slidably provided on the housing [9], wherein in a first working position the safety press-button [3] presses against a lateral edge of the slidable rod [12] such that the slidable rod [12] is partially constrained to move linearly and in a second working position the safety press-button [3] is spaced apart from the lateral edge of the slidable rod [12] such that the slidable rod [12] is free to move non-linearly.
    2. A safety switch device as claimed in claim 1 wherein in a second working position the safety press-button [3] is spaced apart from the lateral edge of the slidable rod [12] such that the slidable rod [12] is free to swing.
    3. A safety switch device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein when the handle [13] rotates a first engagement surface [5] on the end of the internal part of the handle [6] presses against a second engagement surface [4] of the end portion of the slideable rod [12].
    4. A safety switch device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pressing member is adapted to activate the electric switch [10] when the slidable rod [12] is partially constrained to move linearly.
    5. A safety switch device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pressing member is adapted not to activate the electric switch [10] when the slidable rod [12] is free to move non-linearly.
    6. A safety switch device comprising:
      a housing [9];
      a slidable rod [12] slidably lies in a guiding groove in the interior of the housing [9];
      an externally extending handle [13] pivotally mounted on an internal pivot [2] in the housing [9], wherein an internal part [6] of the handle [13] presses against an end portion of the slidable rod [12] such that rotation of the handle [13] on the internal pivot [2] causes the slidable rod [12] to move;
      an electric switch [10] accommodated within the housing [9];
      a pressing member [8] mounted on the slidable rod [12] for activating the electric switch [10]; and
      a safety press-button [3] slidably provided on the housing [9];
      wherein in a first working position at least one side of the safety press-button [3] orientedly presses against a lateral edge of the slidable rod [12] such that the slidable rod [12] is partially constrained to move linearly and in a second working position a sufficient room [1,11] around said slidable rod [12] is provided such that the slidable rod [12] is free to move non-linearly.
    7. A safety switch device as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the handle [13] rotates a first engagement surface [5] on the end of the internal part of the handle [6] slidably presses against a second engagement surface [4] of the end portion of the slidable rod [12].
    8. A safety switch device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein said first engagement surface [5] on the end of the internal part of the handle [6] is a curved surface.
    EP03257590A 2002-12-16 2003-12-02 Safety switch device Withdrawn EP1431998A3 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (2)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    CN02287611 2002-12-16
    CN02287611U CN2593341Y (en) 2002-12-16 2002-12-16 Safety switch

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1431998A2 true EP1431998A2 (en) 2004-06-23
    EP1431998A3 EP1431998A3 (en) 2006-02-01

    Family

    ID=29746757

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP03257590A Withdrawn EP1431998A3 (en) 2002-12-16 2003-12-02 Safety switch device

    Country Status (2)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP1431998A3 (en)
    CN (1) CN2593341Y (en)

    Cited By (5)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US11638397B2 (en) 2020-02-10 2023-05-02 Techtronic Cordless Gp Control assembly coupled to handle of an implement
    US12108702B2 (en) 2012-10-15 2024-10-08 Chervon (Hk) Limited Gardening tool, particularly a mower
    US12279552B2 (en) 2021-12-08 2025-04-22 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Blade control assembly, lawnmower, and method for operating a blade control assembly
    US12364192B2 (en) 2012-10-15 2025-07-22 Chervon (Hk) Limited Lawncare apparatus
    US12520754B2 (en) 2012-10-15 2026-01-13 Chervon (Hk) Limited Handle and control assembly for a mower

    Families Citing this family (1)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    CN111029200B (en) * 2020-01-07 2020-11-06 国网上海市电力公司 A current overload protection knife for easy replacement of fuses

    Family Cites Families (6)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    DE3006405A1 (en) * 1980-02-21 1981-08-27 Gardena Kress + Kastner Gmbh, 7900 Ulm Hand held power tool with two operating pushbuttons - which cooperate and move shared rod that actuates shared switch, when both buttons are depressed
    DE8414594U1 (en) * 1984-05-12 1985-10-10 Schulte-Elektrotechnik GmbH & Co KG, 5880 Lüdenscheid Switch arrangement with switch-on lock
    DE8511477U1 (en) * 1985-04-18 1986-03-06 TRIPUS-Kunststoffteile GmbH, 8870 Günzburg Device for switching electrical devices on and off
    DE3926098C2 (en) * 1989-08-08 1995-08-10 Brill Produktions Gmbh Switch-on device for electrically operated devices
    JP3329654B2 (en) * 1996-03-22 2002-09-30 株式会社マキタ Operation switch of electric lawn mower
    GB2316458A (en) * 1996-08-23 1998-02-25 Electrolux Outdoor Prod Ltd A switch actuating mechanism having lost motion means

    Cited By (7)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US12108702B2 (en) 2012-10-15 2024-10-08 Chervon (Hk) Limited Gardening tool, particularly a mower
    US12364192B2 (en) 2012-10-15 2025-07-22 Chervon (Hk) Limited Lawncare apparatus
    US12520755B2 (en) 2012-10-15 2026-01-13 Chervon (Hk) Limited Mower with a controller device
    US12520754B2 (en) 2012-10-15 2026-01-13 Chervon (Hk) Limited Handle and control assembly for a mower
    US12532807B2 (en) 2012-10-15 2026-01-27 Chervon (Hk) Limited Handle and safety control device for a mower
    US11638397B2 (en) 2020-02-10 2023-05-02 Techtronic Cordless Gp Control assembly coupled to handle of an implement
    US12279552B2 (en) 2021-12-08 2025-04-22 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Blade control assembly, lawnmower, and method for operating a blade control assembly

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    EP1431998A3 (en) 2006-02-01
    CN2593341Y (en) 2003-12-17

    Similar Documents

    Publication Publication Date Title
    US4280026A (en) Actuator mechanism for a portable, hand-held tool
    EP0028029B1 (en) Portable electric tool
    US4757612A (en) Fixed-blade knife with retractable blade cover
    EP1431998A2 (en) Safety switch device
    WO2007088373A1 (en) Power tool with removable handle portion
    ITMI971363A1 (en) ELECTRIC HAMMER COMBINED
    EP1411534A1 (en) Ambidextrous switch lockout system
    EP0333179A2 (en) Improved trigger switch
    US8288670B2 (en) Electric deadman switch for blast system
    JP4345371B2 (en) Driving machine having an anti-missing device
    GB2380761A (en) Electrical appliance with a removable power source
    CN102047815A (en) Pruning shear
    US20020026717A1 (en) Electrical power tool with a rotatable working tool
    JPH0142263Y2 (en)
    EP0392428A2 (en) Trigger switch
    EP0736886A3 (en) Electric safety control assembly, particularly for gardening tools
    US20250046542A1 (en) Trigger switch
    JP6932884B2 (en) Enable switch
    JP3080822U (en) Two-stage self-locking hand-held tool switch structure
    CN217086502U (en) Control accessory and switch device
    JPH11114847A (en) Screw fastening device
    AU2020102604A4 (en) Switch for power tool
    JP2524664Y2 (en) Trigger switch
    US20250132106A1 (en) Trigger switch
    NL8001275A (en) SWITCHING DEVICE.

    Legal Events

    Date Code Title Description
    PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: A2

    Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

    AX Request for extension of the european patent

    Extension state: AL LT LV MK

    PUAL Search report despatched

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: A3

    Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

    AX Request for extension of the european patent

    Extension state: AL LT LV MK

    AKX Designation fees paid
    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: DE

    Ref legal event code: 8566

    STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

    Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

    18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

    Effective date: 20060701