Abstract
A protection device for a power tool is provided. The power tool can be, in particular, a hand-held battery-operated power tool, such as a cut-off grinder. The power tool preferably has main components in a main region, such as a motor, transmission and rechargeable batteries, which are protected effectively from mechanical damage, e.g. when dropped, by the protection device. Moreover, the protection device prevents the transmission of vibrations in the power tool to the user. In a second aspect, the invention relates to a system which comprises a protection device and a power tool.
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10: A protection device for a power tool having a motor, a transmission and at least one rechargeable battery as main components, the power tool insertable into the protection device in such a way that the protection device surrounds the power tool, the protection device comprising: a plurality of contacts points configured to establish a connection between the power tool and the protection device; and damper elements provided at the contact points and configured to be between the power tool and the protection device.
11: The protection device as recited in claim 10 wherein a number of the damper elements is two to ten.
12: The protection device as recited in claim 11 wherein the number of the damper elements is three to five.
13: The protection device as recited in claim 10 wherein the damper elements define decoupling regions each having one damper element or two damper elements.
14: The protection device as recited in claim 10 further comprising a first grip, a second grip and a protection frame.
15: The protection device as recited in claim 14 wherein the protection frame has a double-L-shaped structure configured to surround a lower side of the power tool.
16: The protection device as recited in claim 14 wherein the first grip includes at least one operating element for operating the power tool.
17: The protection device as recited in claim 14 wherein the second grip has an annular structure configured to surround a transitional region between a front region and a rear region of the power tool.
18: The protection device as recited in claim 10 further comprising stop dampers.
19: A system comprising the protection device as recited in claim 10 and the power tool, the power tool being inserted into the protection device so that the plurality of contacts points establish the connection between the power tool and the protection device and the damper elements provide the contact points between the power tool and the protection device.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] In the figures, identical components and components of identical type are designated by identical reference signs. In the figures:
[0032] FIG. 1 shows an illustration of some components of a preferred embodiment of the invention
[0033] FIG. 2 shows an illustration of the components of a preferred embodiment of the protection device with damping elements composed of a flexible material, e.g. rubber.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the protection device with damping elements which comprise springs, e.g. cylindrical compression springs.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the protection device with stop dampers
[0036] FIG. 5 shows an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the system
[0037] FIG. 6 shows an illustration of the decoupling regions of a preferred embodiment of the invention
[0038] FIG. 7 shows an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the protection device with specifically designated damping elements
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] FIG. 1 shows some components of a preferred embodiment of the protection device (1) (see, e.g., FIG. 2). In particular, FIG. 1 shows the first grip (3), which, according to the invention, is preferably also referred to as a rear grip. The first grip (3) preferably forms an upper side of the protection device (1), via which the power tool (2), which is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, can be carried. As an alternative, the power tool (2) can be carried using the second grip (4) of the protection device (1), which is preferably also referred to as the front grip of the protection device (1). Together with a protection frame (5), the grips (3, 4) form a frame-shaped device, which can surround the rear part (13) of a power tool (2), wherein the power tool (2) and the protection device (1) are connected to one another. In particular, the frame-shaped device defines an interior space into which the rear part (13) of the power tool (2) can be inserted. Most of the frame-shaped device has a clearance with respect to the power tool (2), with the result that there is contact between the power tool (2) and the protection device (1) only at a few points. At these contact points (7), damper elements (6) (see, e.g. FIGS. 2 and 3) are provided, which are preferably designed to establish a connection between the power tool (2) and the protection device (1). In particular, however, the damper elements (6) effect decoupling between the power tool (2) and the grips (3, 4) and the protection frame (5) of the protection device (1). In particular, this decoupling ensures that only a little vibration is transmitted from the power tool (2) to a user. While carrying out work, the user preferably grips the power tool (2) by the grips (3, 4) of the protection device (1), and therefore vibrational decoupling between the power tool (2) and the grips (3, 4) of the protection device (1) effectively prevents the joints, in particular, of the user from being damaged by vibrations during prolonged use of the power tool (2). Moreover, the protection device (1) ensures effective protection of the power tool (2), e.g. in the event of drops or other mechanical damage.
[0040] The frame-shaped structure surrounds, in particular, the rear part (13) of the power tool (2), wherein the main components (9, 10, 11) of the power tool (2) are situated particularly in the rear region (13) of the power tool (2). These are, in particular, the motor (9), the transmission (10) and the at least one rechargeable battery (11) of the power tool (2) (see, e.g., FIG. 5). The power tool (2) is preferably a battery-operated cut-off grinder, which, in particular, is operated with cutting disks that have a diameter of 300 mm or above. By virtue of the vibrational decoupling of the power tool (2) and the protection device (1), a particularly simple, compact and robust construction of the power tool (2) can advantageously be made possible, wherein the power tool (2) can nevertheless have a low total weight and can be operated with minimal transmission of hand-arm vibrations to the user. In particular, the invention allows splitting of the functions of the individual components of the protection device (1) and of the power tool (2), thus enabling the system components, such as the rechargeable battery (11), the motor (9), the transmission (10), the cutting disk (14), the damper elements (6) and/or the grips (3, 4) to be optimized for their respective tasks. Another advantage of the invention consists in that simple assembly of the system can be made possible by the provision of a functional unit (13) of the power tool (2) with the main components (9, 10, 11), on the one hand, and the provision of the preferably decoupled protection device (1) with integrated handgrips (3, 4), on the other hand.
[0041] In the oblique side view in FIG. 1, it is possible, in particular, to discern the double-L-shaped structure of the protection frame (5). By virtue of this structure, the protection frame (5) is configured to surround a lower side of the power tool (2) and to accommodate the main components (9, 10, 11) of the power tool (2). The longer side of the preferably L-shaped protection frame (5) preferably forms the lower side of the protection device (1), while the shorter side of the protection frame (5) forms the rear or back side thereof.
[0042] FIG. 2 shows how the components (3, 4, 5, 6) of the protection device (1) can be joined together in order to form a preferred embodiment of the protection device (1). In particular, it illustrates how the protection frame (5) can be connected to the handgrips (3, 4), thus forming the frame-shaped device with the interior space to accommodate the rear region (13) of the power tool (2). Damper elements (6) and the possible arrangement thereof in the frame-shaped structure are furthermore shown in FIG. 2. The damper elements (6) are preferably situated at those points of the frame-shaped structure at which there is contact between the protection device (1) and the power tool (2). According to the invention, these points are preferably referred to as contact points (7). The damper elements (6) or contact points (7) preferably form decoupling regions (8a, 8b, 8c) (see, e.g., FIG. 6), at which the vibrational decoupling between the protection device (1) and the power tool (2) occurs. FIGS. 2a and 2b show different views of a preferred embodiment of the protection device (1), wherein the damping elements (6) illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b are formed, in particular, from a flexible material. In particular, these damping elements (6) can preferably comprise rubber.
[0043] FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the protection device (1), which comprises springs as damping elements (6). The springs can be designed as cylindrical compression springs, for example. FIGS. 3a and 3b show different views of a preferred embodiment of the protection device (1).
[0044] FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the protection device (1) with stop dampers (15). In particular, FIG. 4 shows possible mounting locations of the stop dampers (15) in the context of the protection device (1). The stop dampers (15) can be arranged in a transitional region between the rear grip (3) and the protection frame (5), for example. Moreover, the stop dampers (15) can also be arranged in a transitional region between the front grip (4) and the protection frame (5).
[0045] FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of the system comprising the protection device (1) and the power tool (2). In particular, FIG. 5 shows how the protection device (1) and the power tool (2) can be arranged relative to one another. The protection device (1) preferably accommodates the rear part (13) of the power tool (2) with the main components, such as the motor (9), the transmission (10) and the rechargeable batteries (11). In the exemplary embodiment of the invention which is shown in FIG. 5, the rechargeable batteries (11) of the power tool (2) are illustrated in the uninstalled state.
[0046] The power tool (2) illustrated in FIG. 5 has two rechargeable batteries (11), for example. However, it is also possible for just one rechargeable battery (11) or more than two rechargeable batteries (11) to be provided in the power tool (2). Adjacent to the rear region (13), the power tool (2) also has a front region (12). In this front region (12) of the power tool (2), a work-performing means (14) can be provided, which, in the case where the power tool (2) is a cut-off grinder, is preferably a cutting disk. In the case of the present invention, the diameter of the cutting disk (14) can be 300 mm or above. Although the cutting disk (14) is not illustrated in FIG. 5, it does show a blade guard, which is a conventional means of preventing particles flying off the cutting disk (14) in the direction of the user of the power tool (2). An operating element such as a button is shown schematically as 20.
[0047] The position or arrangement of the decoupling regions (8a, 8b, 8c) of the present invention is illustrated particularly in FIG. 6. A first decoupling region (8a) can preferably be situated in the transitional region between the first handgrip (3) and the power tool (2). This first decoupling region (8a) can preferably comprise two damper elements (6). A second decoupling region (8b) is preferably formed in a transitional region between the protection frame (5) and the second handgrip (4) of the protection device (1), preferably on the lower side of the frame-shaped device. The second decoupling region (8b) also preferably comprises two damper elements (6). The third decoupling region (8c) preferably comprises one damper element (6) and is preferably situated in a transitional region between the first handgrip (3) and the upper part of the protection frame (5).
[0048] FIG. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of the protection device (1) with specifically designated damping elements (6). In this case, it is possible, in particular, for individual damping elements (6a, 6b) to be arranged transversely to a working direction of the power tool (2). In this case, an upper damping element (6b) is preferably arranged above a center of gravity of the power tool (2), while a lower damping element (6a) is preferably arranged below a center of gravity of the power tool (2). By virtue of this preferred arrangement of the damping elements (6a and 6b), the power tool (2) can be of particularly stable configuration. The damping element (6c) is preferably arranged in a rear region of the power tool (2), in particular in the center of the protection device (1). The damping element (6c) is preferably arranged in a working direction of the power tool (2), thereby making it possible to achieve particularly good vibration damping in the working direction.
[0049] According to the invention, it is particularly preferred that the power tool (2) have at least one rechargeable battery (11) for supplying the power tool (2) with electric power. To this extent, the protection device (1) can preferably also be referred to as a device (1) for protecting a rechargeable battery (11) in a power tool (2). In this case, the protection device (1) can surround the power tool (2) to protect the battery (11) and can be situated on the outside of the power tool (2). In addition to the previously mentioned damping elements (6), the power tool (2) can comprise further damping elements, which can comprise a flexible material, preferably rubber. These additional damping elements on the power tool (2) are preferably designed to additionally protect the protection device (1) and/or the power tool (2) or the battery (11) thereof in the event of drops. According to the invention, it is preferred that the protection device (1) should comprise substantially three components, in particular the first handgrip (3), the second handgrip (4) and the protection frame (5). These components (3, 4, 5) are preferably connected to one another in such a way that they are in contact in three regions and form “decoupling regions” (8a, 8b, 8c). In particular, the components (3, 4, 5) of the protection device (1) form a stable unit in order to protect the rechargeable battery (11) of the power tool (2). In particular, the motor (9) of the power tool (2) can preferably be an electric motor, which is supplied with electric power by the at least one battery (11) of the power tool (2).
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0050] 1 protection device [0051] 2 power tool [0052] 3 first grip/rear grip [0053] 4 second grip/front grip [0054] 5 protection frame [0055] 6 damper elements [0056] 7 contact points [0057] 8 decoupling regions [0058] 9 motor of the power tool [0059] 10 transmission of the power tool [0060] 11 rechargeable batteries of the power tool [0061] 12 front part of the power tool [0062] 13 rear part of the power tool [0063] 14 work-performing means, e.g. cutting disk [0064] 15 stop dampers [0065] 20 operating element
