Hand-operated tool with switch actuator having three-position lock-off assembly

Claim 2

In a hand-operated, power tool of the type including a housing having an electric motor therein, tool output means exteriorly of said housing and driven by said motor, a handle connected to said housing for manipulation and control of said power tool, switch means controlling energization of said motor and operation of said tool output means; the improvement which comprises switch actuation means including a trigger on said handle and manually movable from a first position where said switch means is open and said tool off, to a second position to close said switch means and turn said tool on, means normally biasing said switch actuator means toward said first position, locking means accessible from said handle and movable from a first position cooperatively engageable with said trigger to prevent movement of said trigger from its first to its second position, said locking means being normally biased toward its first position and being manually movable toward a second position where said trigger is then manually movable to its second position, said trigger and said locking means being cooperatively engageable when each is in its second position whereby said locking means can be released and will not move back to its first position until said trigger is allowed to move to its first position, said trigger being movable from its second position to a third position where said switch is open and said tool is off, said trigger and said locking means remaining engaged when said trigger is moved from its second to said third position, whereby said trigger may be moved from its third to its second position, turning said tool off and on, without manually repositioning said locking means.

Claim 3

A portable, hand-held and manipulated power tool comprising a housing having an electric motor therein, tool means driven by said motor and supported upon said housing, said housing including a handle, switch means including a switch operator on said handle and normally engaged by an operator''s hand when the latter is in position on said handle, said switch operator being movable from a first position where said motor is off and said tool is de-energized, to a second position where said motor is on and said tool is energized, means normally biasing said switch operator toward said first position, manually releasable means locking said switch operator in said first position, said switch operator being movable through a third position intermediate said first and second position where said motor is off and said tool is de-energized, said switch operator being normally retained in said second or said third positions after said locking means has been released and as long as said operator keeps his hand in place on said handle, and being automatically movable to said first position upon removal of said operator''s hand from said handle, said locking means being retained in its released position when said switch operator is in its second or third positions, and moving to a locking position when said switch operator is moved to its first position.

Claim 4

A portable, hand-held and manipulated power tool comprising a housing having an electric motor therein, tool means driven by said motor and supported upon said housing, said housing including a handle, switch means including a switch operator on said handle and normally engaged by an operator''s hand when the latter is in position on said handle, said switch operator being movable from a first position where said motor is off and said tool is de-energized, to a second position where said motor is on and said tool is energized, means normally biasing said switch operator toward said first position, manually releasable means locking said switch operator in said first position, said switch operator being movable through a third position intermediate said first and second position where said motor is off and said tool is de-energized, said switch operator being normally retained in said second or said third positions after said locking means has been released and as long as said operator keeps his hand in place on said handle, and being automatically movable to said first position upon removal of said operator''s hand from said handle, said locking means being retained in its released position when said switch operator is in its second or third positions, and moving to a locking position when said switch operator is moved to its first position.

Claim 5

In a hand-operated, power tool of the type including a housing having an electric motor therein, tool output means exteriorly of said housing and driven by said motor, a handle connected to said housing for manipulation and control of said power tool, switch means controlling energization of said motor and operation of said tool output means; the improvement which comprises switch actuation means including a trigger on said handle and manually movable from a first postion where said switch means is open and said tool off, to a second postion to close said switch means and turn said tool on, means normally biasing said switch actuator means toward said first position, locking means accessible from said handle and movable from a first position cooperatively engageable with said trigger to prevent movement of said trigger from its first to its second position, said locking means being normally biased toward its first position and being manually movable toward a second position out of said first mentioned cooperatively engageable relation with said trigger where said trigger is then manually movable to its second position, said trigger and said locking means being cooperatively engageable in a second relation when each is in its second position whereby said locking means can be released and will not move back to its first position until said trigger is allowed to move to its first position, said trigger being movable from its second position to a third position where said switch is open and said tool is off, said trigger and said locking means remaining in said second cooperatively engageable relation when said trigger is in said third position, whereby said trigger may be moved from its third to its second position, turning said tool off and on without manually repositioning said locking means.

Claim 6

In a hand-operated, power tool of the type including a housing having an electric motor therein, tool output means exteriorly of said housing and driven by said motor, a handle connected to said housing for manipulation and control of said power tool, switch means controlling energization of said motor and operation of said tool output means; the improvement which comprises switch actuation means including a trigger on said handle and manually movable from a first postion where said switch means is open and said tool off, to a second postion to close said switch means and turn said tool on, means normally biasing said switch actuator means toward said first position, locking means accessible from said handle and movable from a first position cooperatively engageable with said trigger to prevent movement of said trigger from its first to its second position, said locking means being normally biased toward its first position and being manually movable toward a second position out of said first mentioned cooperatively engageable relation with said trigger where said trigger is then manually movable to its second position, said trigger and said locking means being cooperatively engageable in a second relation when each is in its second position whereby said locking means can be released and will not move back to its first position until said trigger is allowed to move to its first position, said trigger being movable from its second position to a third position where said switch is open and said tool is off, said trigger and said locking means remaining in said second cooperatively engageable relation when said trigger is in said third position, whereby said trigger may be moved from its third to its second position, turning said tool off and on without manually repositioning said locking means.

Claim 7

A portable, hand-held and manipulated power tool comprising a housing having an electric motor therein, tool means driven by said motor and supported upon said housing, said housing including a handle, switch means including a switch operator on said handle and normally engaged by an operator''s hand when the latter is in position on said handle, said switch operator having an aperture therein and being movable from a first position where said motor is off and said tool is de-energized, to a second position where said motor is on and said tool is energized, means normally biasing said switch operator toward said first position, manually releasable means normally positioned in confronting, abutting relationship with and locking said switch operator in said first position, said locking means being movable to a switch operator releasing position where it aligns with and includes a portion receivable in said aperture when said switch operator is moved to its second position, whereby to allow movement of said switch operator to its second position, said switch operator being movable through a third position intermediate said first and second position where said motor is off and said tool is deenergized, said locking means portion remaining received in said aperture while said switch operator is in its third position, said switch operator being normally retained in said second or said third positions after said locking means has been released and as long as said operator keeps his hand in place on said handle, and being automatically movable to said first position upon removal of said operator''s hand from said handle.

Claim 8

A portable, hand-held and manipulated power tool comprising a housing having an electric motor therein, tool means driven by said motor and supported upon said housing, said housing including a handle, switch means including a switch operator on said handle and normally engaged by an operator''s hand when the latter is in position on said handle, said switch operator having an aperture therein and being movable from a first position where said motor is off and said tool is de-energized, to a second position where said motor is on and said tool is energized, means normally biasing said switch operator toward said first position, manually releasable means normally positioned in confronting, abutting relationship with and locking said switch operator in said first position, said locking means being movable to a switch operator releasing position where it aligns with and includes a portion receivable in said aperture when said switch operator is moved to its second position, whereby to allow movement of said switch operator to its second position, said switch operator being movable through a third position intermediate said first and second position where said motor is off and said tool is deenergized, said locking means portion remaining received in said aperture while said switch operator is in its third position, said switch operator being normally retained in said second or said third positions after said locking means has been released and as long as said operator keeps his hand in place on said handle, and being automatically movable to said first position upon removal of said operator''s hand from said handle.

Claim 9

A portable, hand-held and manipulated power tool comprising a housing having an electric motor therein, tool means driven by said motor and supported upon said housing, said housing including a handle, switch means including a switch operator on said handle and normally engaged by an operator''s hand when the latter is in position on said handle, said switch operator having an aperture therein and being movable from a first position where said motor is off and said tool is de-energized, to a second position where said motor is on and said tool is energized, means normally biasing said switch operator toward said first position, manually releasable means normally positioned in confronting, abutting relationship with and locking said switch operator in said first position, said locking means being movable to a switch operator releasing position where it aligns with and includes a portion receivable in said aperture when said switch operator is moved to its second position, whereby to allow movement of said switch operator to its second position, said switch operator being movable through a third position intermediate said first and second position where said motor is off and said tool is deenergized, said locking means portion remaining received in said aperture while said switch operator is in its third position, sAid switch operator being normally retained in said second or said third positions after said locking means has been released and as long as said operator keeps his hand in place on said handle, and being automatically movable to said first position upon removal of said operator''s hand from said handle, said locking means being retained in its released position when said switch operator is in its second or third positions, and moving to a locking position when said switch operator is moved to its first position.

Claim 10

A portable, hand-held and manipulated power tool comprising a housing having an electric motor therein, tool means driven by said motor and supported upon said housing, said housing including a handle, switch means including a switch operator on said handle and normally engaged by an operator''s hand when the latter is in position on said handle, said switch operator having an aperture therein and being movable from a first position where said motor is off and said tool is de-energized, to a second position where said motor is on and said tool is energized, means normally biasing said switch operator toward said first position, manually releasable means normally positioned in confronting, abutting relationship with and locking said switch operator in said first position, said locking means being movable to a switch operator releasing position where it aligns with and includes a portion receivable in said aperture when said switch operator is moved to its second position, whereby to allow movement of said switch operator to its second position, said switch operator being movable through a third position intermediate said first and second position where said motor is off and said tool is deenergized, said locking means portion remaining received in said aperture while said switch operator is in its third position, sAid switch operator being normally retained in said second or said third positions after said locking means has been released and as long as said operator keeps his hand in place on said handle, and being automatically movable to said first position upon removal of said operator''s hand from said handle, said locking means being retained in its released position when said switch operator is in its second or third positions, and moving to a locking position when said switch operator is moved to its first position.

Claim 11

A portable, hand-held and manipulated power tool comprising a housing having an elecric motor therein, tool means driven by said motor and supported upon said housing, said housing including a handle, switch means including a switch operator on said handle and normally engaged by an operator''s hand when the latter is in position on said handle, said switch operator having an aperture therein and being movable from a first position where said motor is off and said tool is de-energized, to a second position where said motor is on and said tool is energized, means normally biasing said switch operator toward said first position, manually releasable means normally positoned in confronting, abutting relationship with and locking said switch operator in said first position, said locking means being movable to a switch operator releasing position where it aligns with and includes a portion receivable in said aperture when said switch operator is moved to its second position, whereby to allow movement of said switch operator to its second position, said switch operator being movable through a third position intermediate said first and second position where said motor is off and said tool is deenergized, said locking means portion remaining received in said aperture while said switch operator is in its third position, said switch operator being normally retained in said second or said third positions after said locking means has been released and as long as said operator keeps his hand in place on said handle, and being automatically movable to said first position upon removal of said operator''s hand from said handle, said locking means being movable to a permanent locking position when said switch operator is in its first position whereby said locking means is not receivable in said aperture and said switch operator is permanently locked off.

Claim 12

A portable, hand-held and manipulated power tool comprising a housing having an elecric motor therein, tool means driven by said motor and supported upon said housing, said housing including a handle, switch means including a switch operator on said handle and normally engaged by an operator''s hand when the latter is in position on said handle, said switch operator having an aperture therein and being movable from a first position where said motor is off and said tool is de-energized, to a second position where said motor is on and said tool is energized, means normally biasing said switch operator toward said first position, manually releasable means normally positoned in confronting, abutting relationship with and locking said switch operator in said first position, said locking means being movable to a switch operator releasing position where it aligns with and includes a portion receivable in said aperture when said switch operator is moved to its second position, whereby to allow movement of said switch operator to its second position, said switch operator being movable through a third position intermediate said first and second position where said motor is off and said tool is deenergized, said locking means portion remaining received in said aperture while said switch operator is in its third position, said switch operator being normally retained in said second or said third positions after said locking means has been released and as long as said operator keeps his hand in place on said handle, and being automatically movable to said first position upon removal of said operator''s hand from said handle, said locking means being movable to a permanent locking position when said switch operator is in its first position whereby said locking means is not receivable in said aperture and said switch operator is permanently locked off.

Claim 13

A portable, hand-held and manipulated power tool comprising a housing having an electric motor therein, tool means driven by said motor and supported upon said housing, said housing including a handle, switch means including a switch operator on said handle and normally engaged by an operator''s hand when the latter is in position on said handle, said switch operator having an aperture therein and being movable from a first position where said motor is off and said tool is de-energized, to a second position where said motor is on and said tool is energized, means normally biasing said switch operator toward said first position, manually releasable means normally positioned in confronting, abutting relationship with and locking said switch operator in said first position, said locking means being movable to a switch operator releasing position where it aligns with and includes a portion receivable in said aperture when said switch operator is moved to its second position, whereby to allow movement of said switch operator to its second position, said switch operator being movable through a third position intermediate said first and second position where said motor is off and said tool is de-energized, said locking means portion remaining received in said aperture while said switch operator is in its third position, said switch operator being normally retained in said second or said third positions after said locking means has been released and as long as said operator keeps his hand in place on said handle, and being automatically movable to said first position upon removal of said operator''s hand from said handle, said lockIng means being retained in its released position when said switch operator is in its second or third positions, and moving to a locking position when said switch operator is moved to its first position, said locking means being movable to a permanent locking position when said switch operator is in its first position whereby said locking means is not receivable in said aperture and said switch operator is permanently locked off.

Claim 14

A portable, hand-held and manipulated power tool comprising a housing having an electric motor therein, tool means driven by said motor and supported upon said housing, said housing including a handle, switch means including a switch operator on said handle and normally engaged by an operator''s hand when the latter is in position on said handle, said switch operator having an aperture therein and being movable from a first position where said motor is off and said tool is de-energized, to a second position where said motor is on and said tool is energized, means normally biasing said switch operator toward said first position, manually releasable means normally positioned in confronting, abutting relationship with and locking said switch operator in said first position, said locking means being movable to a switch operator releasing position where it aligns with and includes a portion receivable in said aperture when said switch operator is moved to its second position, whereby to allow movement of said switch operator to its second position, said switch operator being movable through a third position intermediate said first and second position where said motor is off and said tool is de-energized, said locking means portion remaining received in said aperture while said switch operator is in its third position, said switch operator being normally retained in said second or said third positions after said locking means has been released and as long as said operator keeps his hand in place on said handle, and being automatically movable to said first position upon removal of said operator''s hand from said handle, said lockIng means being retained in its released position when said switch operator is in its second or third positions, and moving to a locking position when said switch operator is moved to its first position, said locking means being movable to a permanent locking position when said switch operator is in its first position whereby said locking means is not receivable in said aperture and said switch operator is permanently locked off.