GB2412623A

GB2412623A - Handle arrangement for a hand tool machine

Info

Publication number: GB2412623A
Application number: GB0506414A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Mueller; Hubert Steinke
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2004-04-01
Filing date: 2005-03-30
Publication date: 2005-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 2025-03-30
Also published as: GB2412623B; DE102004016009A1; CN1724224B; CN1724224A; GB0506414D0

Abstract

A hand tool machine 10, in particular in the form of a drilling and/or percussion hammer, has a housing 11, which comprises a driving device for driving a tool 12 receivable in a tool holder 13 as well as a gripping device 20 for grasping and handling, which is disposed in the rear region 14 remote from the tool holder 13 and acts on the housing 11. The gripping device 20 comprises a handle 21 that is variable from one gripping position and gripping shape into another gripping position and gripping shape and that is variable from a bow-type handle e.g. into a T-shaped handle (figure 5). Through suitable selection of the handle position and shape, the hand tool machine 10 is therefore best suited for horizontal and/or vertical operation and adaptable thereto.

Description

Hand tool machine, in particular a drilling and/or percussion hammer

Background art

The invention proceeds from a hand tool machine, in particular a drilling and/or percussion hammer, of the type defined in the preamble of claim 1.

Known hand tool machines of this type, e.g. in the form of percussion hammers, are designed specifically for the respective application. Accordingly, special machines well suited in particular for vertical operation are available, which have a T-shaped handle as a gripping device in the rear housing region and are therefore best suited for vertical operation because the wide T-shaped handle during vertical work enables sure guidance, lifting and lowering of the hand tool machine. Other hand tool machines are better suited for horizontal operation and are accordingly equipped at the rear end region with a bow-type handle, which - together with an additional handle - enables a good grip and alignment of the hand tool machine during horizontal operation. The configuration of the gripping device means that, for optimum deployment, the one hand tool machine is predestined for vertical operation and the other for horizontal operation. Operation in a different, transposed spatial position with the prospect of sure guidance and safe handling is, on the other hand, not possible.

Advantages of the invention In contrast, the hand tool machine according to the invention having the features of claim 1 has the advantage that one and the same hand tool machine may be used for both vertical operation and horizontal operation combined with reliable support and guidance and with safe operation by virtue of the variable gripping device, which through variation is adaptable to the respective application. This gripping device, for example, depending on the application of the hand tool machine enables a variation from a bow type handle to a T-shaped handle, so that the hand tool machine in accordance with the respective setting of the gripping device is optimally usable for vertical operation and also for horizontal operation. This therefore eliminates the need to provide and use a different, specially adapted hand tool machine for each mode of operation. In terms of the variable gripping device, the hand tool machine is simple and inexpensive.

Advantageous developments and improvements of the hand tool machine indicated in claim 1 are possible by virtue of the measures outlined in the further claims.

Drawings The invention is described in detail below with reference to embodiments that are illustrated in the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a diagrammatic side view of a hand tool machine according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 a diagrammatic section along the line II-II in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a diagrammatic, part-sectional side view of the detail III in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a diagrammatic side view of a detail of a hand tool machine according to a second embodiment, Fig. 5 a diagrammatic side view of a hand tool machine in a modified shape and with an altered gripping position and gripping shape of the handle compared to Fig. 1, Fig. 6 a diagrammatic side view of a detail of a hand tool machine according to a fourth embodiment.

Description of the embodiments

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a hand tool machine 10, in particular e. g. in the form of a drilling and/or percussion hammer. This hammer may be e.g. a heavy-duty percussion hammer (demolition hammer), e.g. weighing around 14 kg or more. Alternatively, it may be a drilling and/or percussion hammer that selectively enables a drilling mode plus hammer mode or merely a drilling mode or merely a hammer mode.

The hand tool machine 10 has a housing generally denoted by 11. Inside, it contains a conventional driving device that is not shown in detail, e. g. an electric drive motor, which operates via a gear unit on a downstream drilling and/or percussion mechanism. The driving device is used to drive a merely diagrammatically indicated tool 12, which is exchangeably accommodated in a conventional manner in a tool holder 13. In the rear region 14 remote from the tool holder 13, a gripping device 20 attached to the housing 11 is provided for grasping and handling the hand tool machine 10.

The characteristic feature is that the gripping device 20 comprises a handle 21 that is variable from one gripping position and gripping shape into another gripping position and gripping shape. In the first embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 3, the arrangement is such that the handle 21 is variable from the gripping position and gripping shape as a bow-type handle illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 into the gripping position and gripping shape as a T-shaped handle illustrated in Fig. 5, and back again.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6, on the other hand, the handle 121 is variable from a gripping position and gripping shape as a bow-type handle indicated by dashed lines into a gripping position and gripping shape as a pistol grip illustrated by solid lines, and back again.

In all forms of design, the handle 21 and/or 121 is firmly latchable in and releasable from the respective selected gripping position and gripping shape by means of detent means. These detent means are described in detail later.

In all of the embodiments, the handle 21, 121 comprises at least one gripping part, namely in Figs. 1 to 5 two gripping parts 22 and 23 and in Fig. 6 one gripping part 122, supported on the housing 11 and/or 111 pivotably in relation thereto about an associated swivelling axis 24, 25 and/or 124 extending transversely of the axis 15 of the tool holder 13 between the gripping position and gripping shape as a bow-type handle according to Fig. 1 and/or Fig. 6 and the gripping position and gripping shape as a T- shaped handle according to Fig. 5 and/or as a pistol grip according to Fig. 6.

The housing 11; 111 comprises at least one swivel support 26, 27 and/or 126 for pivotably supporting the at least one gripping part 22 and/or 23 and/or 122. This swivel support 26, 27 and/or 126 may comprise a fork having two fork limbs, between which the at least one respective associated gripping part 22, 23 and/or 122 is supported pivotably about the swivelling axis and guided. This design as fork 28 and/or 29 is illustrated in Fig. 2 for the first embodiment of the hand tool machine 10 according to Fig. 1.

Each fork 28, 29 comprises two mutually approximately parallel fork limbs 30, 31 and/or 32, 33, which are penetrated in each case by a bolt 34 and/or 35, which is used for the pivotable support of the respective gripping part 22 and/or 23. In the embodiment in Fig. 6, the bolt is denoted by 134. In the region of the fork 28, 29 the respective gripping part 22, 23 is of such a width that it is received between the fork limbs 30 to 33 movably about the swivelling axis 24, 25 and supported and guided transversely thereof.

The respective swivel support 26, 27, in particular the fork 28, 29 and/or 128, and/or the respective gripping part 22, 23 and/or 122 comprise the detent means used to latch the gripping part 22, 23 and/or 122 in the respective gripping position. The detent means may be designed to snap in automatically. In the illustrated embodiments, the detent means comprise at least one detent bolt and a receiver for the detent bolt, e.g. an insertion opening, wherein the detent bolt extends approximately parallel to the respective swivelling axis 24, 25 and is aligned transversely of the adjacent region of the respective gripping part 22, 23 and/or 122. In the embodiment in Fig. 4, for each swivel support 26 and 27 one such detent bolt 36 and/or 37 is diagrammatically illustrated. In the gripping position and gripping shape of the handle 21 as a bow-type handle shown there, the respective detent bolt 36, 37 acts at one side of the gripping part 22, 23 as a stop for said gripping part. The detent bolt 36, 37 is accommodated in a corresponding bore of the swivel support 26, 27, into which bore it is inserted e.g. by hand for latching purposes, wherein the detent bolt 36, 37 is secured e.g. at one end against sliding out. The respective detent bolt 36 and 37 and the insertion opening as a receiver for said detent bolt extend approximately parallel to and at a distance from the respective swivelling axis 24, 25.

In the gripping position and gripping shape of the handle 21 as a bowtype handle according to Fig. 1, which extends beyond the rear end of the housing 11 and forms a handle through-opening 16 there, there are provided as detent means for latching the gripping part 22 and 23 in this gripping position automatic snap-in detent means, which are not visible in the drawings. Alternatively, in the example according to Fig. 4 for latching the handle 21 likewise in this gripping position and gripping shape as a bow-type handle the two detent bolts 36 and 37 are provided, which are inserted by hand and may be secured and secure this bow-type shape.

The same detent bolts 36 and 37 are usable for latching also when the handle 21 has been changed from the gripping position and gripping shape as a bow-type handle to the gripping position and gripping shape as a Tshaped handle, which is shown in Fig. 5. The detent bolts 36 and 37 then overlap the respective gripping part 22, 23 at the other side and act there as a stop in such a way that this T shape is positively secured.

The embodiment according to Fig. 1 differs from that according to Fig. 5 in that in the hand tool machine in Fig. 1 the swivel support 26, 27 of each gripping part 22, 23 is integral with the housing 11. In the embodiment according to Fig. 5, on the other hand, the swivel support 26, 27 is designed as a separate component that is fitted e.g. detachably on the housing 11. For this purpose, the housing 11 comprises e.g. two mutually approximately diametrically opposite holders 38 and 39 having two vertically spaced- apart arms, between which the swivel support 26 and/or 27 is received and fixed by means of fastening bolts 40, 41. The respective swivel support 26, 27 is received by means of the holder 38 and/or 39 non-rotatably in relation to the longitudinal centre line of the hand tool machine 10.

In a modified embodiment, the holders 38, 39 may alternatively each be designed as a separate component and fastened detachably to the housing 11.

It may be advantageous when damping means for axial vibration damping are provided between the respective holder 38, 39 and the housing 11 and/or between the respective holder 38, 39 and the swivel support 26, 27 received thereby.

In the embodiments according to Figs. 1 to 5, the handle 21 comprises two gripping parts 22, 23, which are each of an approximately angular design and have two limbs extending approximately at right angles to one another. Both gripping parts 22, 23 are pivotably supported at approximately diametrically opposite points of the end region 14 of the housing 11, e.g. by means of a respective swivel support 26, 27. Here, the arrangement is such that the two substantially identically designed gripping parts 22, 23 in a gripping position according to Fig. 1, in which they are swivelled towards one another, combine into an approximately U-shaped grip, simultaneously forming a bow-type handle. In a gripping position, in which they are in comparison swivelled through approximately 180 away from one another, as is shown in Fig. 5, the two gripping parts 22, 23 each project transversely of the housing 11, simultaneously forming a T- shaped handle, wherein for handling the hand tool machine 10 is then grasped at the approximately horizontally aligned limbs of the gripping parts 22, 23, by means of which the hand tool machine 10 is gripped and supported.

The two gripping parts 22, 23 are firmly latchable in the gripping position and gripping shape as a bow-type handle according to Fig. 1 at the limb ends, which are in mutual contact, and are releasable in order to form the T-shaped handle according to Fig. 5. For latching, any desired detent means are feasible, e.g. detent means that are designed to snap in automatically and are releasable e.g. under the action of force counter to spring action or the like. Equally feasible are positive detent means, e.g. in the form of a projection 42, which protrudes from one end of the one gripping part 23, and a receiver 43, which is disposed at the end of the other gripping part 22 and in which the projection 42 is positively receivable and subsequently Hatchable, e.g. by means of a sliding sleeve 44 or the like, as indicated in Fig. 3. Other detent means also lie within the scope of the invention.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the gripping part 122 is of an approximately U-shaped design and is supported by one U-limb pivotably about the swivelling axis 124 on the housing 111, e.g. by means of a swivel support 126, which may likewise take the form of a fork 128 with a bolt 134 between two fork limbs. In the pivoted gripping position indicated by dashed lines, the gripping part 122 embraces the end region 114 of the housing 111 in an approximately U-shaped manner, simultaneously forming a bow-type handle similar to the design according to Fig. 1. In this case, the gripping part 122 is supported by the other bow limb positively but releasably on a holder 138 of the housing 111. After release of this connection in the region of the holder 138, e. g. after removal of a bolt 135 there, the gripping part 122 is pivotable in comparison through approximately 90 or more, e.g. even approximately 180 , into another gripping position, which is illustrated in Fig. 6 by solid lines. In this gripping position, the gripping part 122 may project to one side approximately transversely of the housing 111 and in this shape approximately form a pistol grip. This position may also be secured by respective detent bolts 136 and 137.

The described hand tool machine 10, 110 according to the individual embodiments has in this form therefore a variable handle 21, which depending on the application of the hand tool machine may be converted from a bow-type handle according to Fig. 1 to a T-shaped handle according to Fig. 5 and back again. In the gripping position and gripping shape as a bow-type handle according to Fig. 1, it is advantageous to fit a conventional additional handle 17 detachably to the housing 11. The handle 21 in the configuration as a bow-type handle according to Fig. 1 enables good handling, in particular a good grip and alignment, of the hand tool machine 10 during horizontal operation with an approximately horizontally extending axis 15. Good operation in a downward direction is however not possible with this gripping position and gripping shape. To enable this, the gripping position and gripping shape are changed in the described manner to the gripping position and gripping shape, in which the handle 21 forms a T-shaped handle according to Fig. 5. In this form, the hand tool machine 10 is best suited for vertical operation, during which the axis 15 is directed approximately vertically. The wide T-shaped handle 21 in this case enables sure guidance and lifting and/or downward pressing as well as reliable handling of the hand tool machine 10 during vertical operation.

The invention enables optimum use of a hand tool machine 10 simply by varying the gripping position and gripping shape for both applications described above, namely for horizontal operation, on the one hand, and for vertical i operation, on the other hand. The hand tool machine 10 may take the form of a percussion hammer, in particular a heavy-duty percussion hammer, which is usable for horizontal and vertical chipping and breaking work.

Alternatively, however, the hand tool machine 10 may take the form of a drilling and/or percussion hammer. t

Claims

Claims 1. Hand tool machine, in particular a drilling and/or percussion

hammer, having a housing (11), which comprises a driving device for driving a tool (12) receivable in a tool holder (13) as well as a gripping device (20) for grasping and handling, which is disposed in the rear region (14) remote from the tool holder (13) and acts on the housing (11), characterized in that the gripping device (20) comprises a handle (21; 121) that is variable from one gripping position and gripping shape into another gripping position and gripping shape.
2. Hand tool machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle (21) is variable from the gripping position and gripping shape as a bow-type handle into the gripping position and gripping shape as a Tshaped handle and back again.
3. Hand tool machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle (121) is variable from the gripping position and gripping shape as a bow-type handle into the gripping position and gripping shape as a pistol grip and back again.
4. Hand tool machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the handle (21; 121) is firmly latchable in and releasable from the respective selected gripping position and gripping shape by means of detent means (36, 37; 42 to 44; 135 to 137).
5. Hand tool machine according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the handle (21; 121) comprises at least one gripping part (22, 23; 122), which is supported on the housing (11, 111) pivotably in relation thereto about a swivelling axis (24, 25; 124) extending transversely of the axis (15) of the tool holder (13) between the gripping position and gripping shape as a bow-type handle and the gripping position and gripping shape as a T-shaped handle or pistol grip.
6. Hand tool machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the housing (11) comprises at least one swivel support (26, 27; 126) for pivotable support of the at least one gripping part (22, 23; 122).
7. Hand tool machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one swivel support (26, 27) comprises a fork (28, 29) having two fork limbs (30 to 33), between which the at least one gripping part (22, 23) is supported and guided.
8. Hand tool machine according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the swivel support (26, 27; 126), in particular the fork (28, 29), and/or the at least one gripping part (22, 23; 122) comprise the detent means for latching the gripping part (22, 23; 122) in the respective gripping position.
9. Hand tool machine according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the detent means are designed to snap in automatically.
10. Hand tool machine according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the detent means comprise at least one detent bolt (36, 37; 136, 137) and a receiver for the detent bolt (36, 37; 136, 137), e.g. an insertion opening.
11. Hand tool machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the detent bolt (36, 37; 136, 137) and the receiver extend approximately parallel to and at a distance from the swivelling axis (24, 25; 124), such that in one gripping position the detent bolt (36, 37; 136) acts at one side of the gripping part (22, 23; 122) as a stop for said gripping part.
12. Hand tool machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the detent bolt (36, 37; 136, 137) in another gripping position acts at the other side of the gripping part (22, 23; 122) as a stop for said gripping part.
13. Hand tool machine according to one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the swivel support (26, 27; 126) is integral with the housing (11; 111) or is designed as a separate component that is attached, preferably in a vibration-damped manner, to the housing (11; 111).
14. Hand tool machine according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the handle (21) comprises two gripping parts (22, 23) of an approximately angular design, which are pivotably supported, e.g. in each case by means of a swivel support (26, 27), at approximately diametrically opposite points of the housing end region.
15. Hand tool machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the two gripping parts (22, 23) in a gripping position, in which they are pivoted towards one another, combine into an approximately U-shaped grip, simultaneously forming a bow-type handle, and in a position, in which they are in comparison pivoted through approximately 180 away from one another, project in each case transversely of the housing (11), simultaneously forming a T-shaped handle.
16. Hand tool machine according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the two gripping parts (22, 23) are firmly latchable to one another in the gripping position and gripping shape as a bow-type handle and are releasable to form the T-shaped handle.
17. Hand tool machine according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the handle (121) comprises a gripping part (122) of an approximately U-shaped design, which is pivotably supported by one limb on the housing (111), e.g. by means of a swivel support (126), and in one pivoted gripping position embraces the housing end in an approximately U- shaped manner, simultaneously forming a bow-type handle, and in another gripping position, in which it is in comparison pivoted through approximately 90 or 180 , projects transversely of the housing (111), simultaneously approximately forming a pistol grip.
18. A hand tool machine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.