CN100393482C - Modular tool assembly with vacuum mounting - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular tool assembly including a tool base for releasably securing a modular tool apparatus in a fixed relationship relative to a mounting surface. The tool base includes an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion including a mounting seal extending from the lower housing portion. The mounting seal cooperates with the mounting surface to define a vacuum recess between the seal and the mounting surface. A vacuum generating mechanism is provided for removing air from the vacuum recess through an aperture in the lower housing portion. A modular tool accessory is releasably engageable with a portion of the tool base to secure the modular tool assembly to the tool base.

Description

Combination tool assembly with vacuum mount

This application is a continuation-in-part of Serial Application No. 10/919,569, filed August 17, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

technical field

The present invention relates to a modular tool assembly having a base including vacuum mounting means for securing said modular tool assembly to a mounting surface.

Background technique

Suction mount devices are often associated with tools for transferring material between locations or attaching the device to a surface. Battery powered adsorption devices are commonly used in the construction and assembly industries. For example, autoworkers often use handheld suction devices to manipulate automotive glass panels between multiple assembly positions.

More recently, power tool manufacturers have developed shared battery devices that support multiple power tools sold in combo packs. Such kits may include tools such as drills, saws and flashlights. Manufacturers are focusing on adding laser calibration products, such as laser levels, to these kits. Laser levels have replaced chalk lines and torpedo levels as the preferred tool for creating and displaying horizontal lines on a surface. These tools are commonly used for interior work such as hanging pictures and installing cabinetry, and exterior work such as bricklaying and deck assembly.

Laser levels are easy to install and produce a calibrated beam that does not mark the mounting surface. Current laser level products are mounted on an adjustable frame or secured to a mounting surface with fasteners. Laser levels typically include a laser light source mounted in a housing. The laser light source may be rotatably mounted in the housing to allow horizontal or vertical transmission of the beam.

One limitation of current laser alignment devices is that, once installed, the laser level cannot be easily repositioned on the surface. Many laser levels utilize a pin or fastener to mount the level on a vertical surface to create a calibration line. If the laser level is not properly positioned on the wall, the user has to remove the device and reinstall it in the correct location, adding extra marks and holes in the surface to repair.

Contents of the invention

It is desirable to provide a modular tool assembly having a base that includes a vacuum mount that can be configured to support a tool that includes hooks, clips, light sources, battery powered tools, laser levels, and the like. Various tools. It would be desirable to provide a combination tool assembly having a vacuum mounting device that can be easily mounted to a mounting surface without damaging the finish of said surface. It would also be desirable to provide a monitor for monitoring the vacuum seal to ensure that the assembly is properly secured to the mounting surface.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a combination tool assembly having vacuum mounting means for securing said assembly to a mounting surface. The combination tool assembly includes a base having upper and lower housing portions. A mounting seal extending from the lower portion of the housing cooperates with a mounting surface to define a suction mounting area between the seal and the mounting surface. The upper housing portion may include a housing having one or more receiving portions formed therein. boot parts. Optionally, the housing portion may be provided with mounting elements to mate with complementary mounting elements of the combination tool accessory.

A vacuum generating mechanism is provided inside the upper housing part. In one embodiment, the vacuum generating mechanism is electrically connected to a power source (which may include a rechargeable power source). In this embodiment, the vacuum generating mechanism includes a motor and a pump operably driven by the motor, and the pump is arranged to remove air from the suction mounting area. In one aspect, this air can be removed through a hole in the lower portion of the tool base so that securing the housing to a mounting surface mounts the sensor near a hole in the lower housing portion of the tool base. The sensor monitors the sorption installation area, and if the sensor detects a pressure loss in the sorption installation area, the pump is activated.

A switch may be located on the upper portion of the tool base housing or elsewhere, the switch being operatively connected to the vacuum generating mechanism, allowing a user to activate the vacuum generating mechanism. At least one electrical connection can be provided, for example, in the upper top side of the tool base housing in order to electrically connect the power supply to the combination tool accessory.

A combination tool is releasably secured to a portion of the tool base housing. The combination tool may include a combination tool accessory which may be fixedly mounted on the base relative to a mounting surface. The combination tool accessory may include one or more projections extending from the tool accessory housing, such projections releasably engaging one or more receiving portions in a portion of the tool base. Optionally, the tool accessory housing may have complementary mounting elements cooperating with mounting elements provided on the housing to releasably secure the tool accessory housing to the base.

In another aspect of the invention, the vacuum-generating mechanism includes a manually operable pump cooperating with the suction mounted area to remove air from the suction mounted area. In one aspect, the air can be removed through holes in the housing to secure the base to the mounting surface. In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum generating mechanism includes a lever for actuating a vacuum pad and creating an air pocket or suction on the device and the surface on which the device is mounted.

In another aspect of the present invention, the combined tool includes a laser level device, the laser level device has a housing, a laser light source disposed inside the housing is operatively connected to a power source, and the laser light source includes at least one A diode that projects a calibration beam through an aperture in the housing to indicate a datum plane along the mounting surface. One or more bubble levels may be provided on the laser level housing. The combination tool may also include a flashlight, clips, tape measure or other measuring device, two tool stands (such as drive bit stands), alignment devices, hooks, powered (including battery powered) and non-powered tools.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a modular tool assembly having a modular tool attachment secured to a tool base in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tool base of the combination tool assembly according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tool base along line 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4a is a perspective view of a laser alignment combination tool accessory for connection to the combination tool assembly;

Figure 4b is a perspective view of a flashlight combination tool accessory for connection to the combination tool assembly;

Figure 4c is a perspective view of a clip combination tool accessory for connection to a combination work piece assembly;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a combination tool assembly having a combination tool attachment with a manually operable vacuum attachment;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment similar to that shown in Figure 5 except that the hand pump is shown in a different position;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a combination tool assembly having a manually operable vacuum attachment;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the manually operable vacuum attachment for use with the assembly shown in Figure 7, with the combination tool assembly and base removed;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the manually operable vacuum attachment for use with the assembly shown in Figure 7 and schematically illustrates the operation of the lever and vacuum pad.

Detailed ways

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a combination tool assembly 10 for releasably securing a variety of portable tools, including powered and non-powered tools. The combination tool assembly 10 includes a tool base 12 having vacuum mounting means for securing the tool base 12 and a movably mounted combination tool attachment 14 to a mounting surface 16 . The tool base 12 includes a housing 18 having a lower portion 20 and an upper portion 22 . A suction cup or mounting seal 24 extends from said lower housing part 20 .

Guide member 26 extends substantially perpendicularly from lower housing portion 20 to provide an outer mounting guide for combination tool accessory 14 . One or more receiving portions 28 are formed in the guide member 26 to receive and secure one or more connecting arms or protrusions 30 extending from the combination tool attachment 14 . The guide member 26 cooperates with the tool housing 32 of the combination tool attachment 14 to position and secure the tool attachment 14 on the tool base 12 .

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4 a , the combination tool accessory is a laser level 34 adapted to be attached to the combination tool base 12 . A laser light source (not shown) is installed inside the housing 32 . The laser light source includes at least one diode (not shown) that projects one or more collimated beams 36 through an opening 38 in end wall 40 of housing 32 . In one aspect of the invention, a lens 42 is disposed in the opening 38 for cooperating with at least one diode to focus the collimated beam 36 . However, it should be understood that the calibration beam 36 could be projected through a standard opening in the housing 32 to indicate a reference plane along the mounting surface 16 .

In one aspect of the invention, the laser light source is rotatably mounted within the housing 32, thereby allowing the use of Or adjust the position of the laser light source. It should be understood, however, that the laser light source may be fixedly mounted to a portion of the housing. It is also contemplated that the laser level attachment may include a laser light source having a coplanar pair of diodes that project a calibration beam through openings in opposing end walls of the laser level housing. Additionally, the laser light source may comprise a first diode projecting a first collimated beam through a first opening in an end wall or a side wall of the housing and a second diode, the second diode The tube projects a second calibration beam substantially perpendicular to said first calibration beam through a second opening in the end wall or side wall of the housing.

One or more bubble levels 44 may be provided, for example, along the top 46 of the laser level device housing 32 . Bubble levels 44 , 48 assist the operator in positioning laser level accessory 34 mounted on tool base 12 onto mounting surface 16 to ensure that calibration beam 36 is projected across surface 16 at the desired angle. In one aspect of the invention as shown in FIG. 4a, a pair of bubble levels 44, 48 are provided on the top 46 of the laser level housing 32 to provide the operator with Horizontal and vertical calibration information. It should be understood that a single bubble level could also be provided on the laser level housing to indicate the alignment of the combination tool assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , a vacuum generating mechanism 50 is located inside the tool base 12 for creating a suction effect to secure the tool base 12 to the mounting surface 16 . In one embodiment, the vacuum generating mechanism 50 includes a motor 52 disposed in the upper housing portion 22 , a vacuum pump 54 operably connected to the motor 52 . It should be appreciated that the motor 52 and pump 54 may be formed as a single unit. A hose 56 connects an inlet 58 on the pump 54 to a bore 60 in a bottom surface 62 of the lower housing portion 20 . Through this hole 60 air is sucked by the pump 54 .

A power source 64 disposed inside the upper housing portion 22 is electrically connected to the motor 52 . The power source 64 may include a rechargeable battery pack, such as a lithium ion or nickel cadmium battery, or a removable rechargeable or alkaline battery. In one aspect of the invention, one or more contacts 66 electrically connected to a power source 64 extend through a top surface 68 of the upper housing portion 22 to provide power to the combination tool attachment 14 . It is also contemplated that the combination tool attachment 14 may include a separate power source.

The motor 52 and pump 54 of the vacuum generating mechanism 50 cooperate with the mounting seal 24 to create a vacuum recess or suction mounting area between the mounting surface 16 , the mounting seal 24 and the bottom surface 62 of the lower housing portion 20 of the tool base 12 70.

Mounting seal 24 is preferably a rubber suction cup that cooperates with mounting surface 16 to define a vacuum recess 70 therebetween. In one aspect of the invention, the bottom surface 62 of the lower housing portion 20 is arcuately shaped to form a cavity that cooperates with the mounting seal 24 and the mounting surface 16 to enhance the suction effect created in the vacuum recess 70 . In this regard, the combination tool attachment 14 , and particularly the mounting seal 24 , is placed in contact with and pressed against the mounting surface 16 to expel air from the vacuum recess 70 .

In another aspect of the invention, air is removed from the vacuum recess 70 using a pump. In an alternate embodiment, a switch 72 disposed on the upper housing portion 22 is operatively connected to the pump 54 to allow a user to activate the pump 54 to remove air from the vacuum recess 70 . Switch 72 may also control electrical contacts 66 that provide power to a device in combination tool attachment 14 , thereby controlling activation of pump 54 of vacuum generating mechanism 50 and combination tool attachment 14 . Optionally, the combination tool attachment 14 may include a switch which will independently operate the combination tool attachment.

Once the user brings the mounting seal 24 of the tool base 12 into contact with the mounting surface 16 , the user actuates the switch 72 which activates the pump 54 . The pump 54 evacuates the air in the vacuum recess 70 through the inlet 60 . A sensor 74 disposed in the bottom surface 62 of the lower housing portion 20 monitors the vacuum recess 70 . If sensor 74 detects a loss of pressure in vacuum recess 70 , sensor 74 activates pump 54 to remove air from vacuum recess 70 . Vacuum pressure loss may be caused by imperfections in the mounting surface 16 or the seal 24 , such as gaps or cracks, which limit the effectiveness of the mounting seal 24 . The sensor 74 causes the pump 54 to compensate for the surface imperfections to ensure a proper seal between the tool base 12 and the mounting surface 16 .

A third aspect of the vacuum generating mechanism includes a manually operable pump that cooperates with the mounting seal 24 to remove air from the vacuum recess 70 . As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the switch 72a may be located on either the lower portion 20 or the upper portion 22 of the tool base. The switch 72a may simply be used to evacuate air from the vacuum recess 70 upon activation, for example by pressing the switch. Optionally, switch 72a may operate a pump to expel air from the vacuum recess when switch 72a is depressed.

Referring to Figure 4b, a second combination tool attachment is shown. In this example, the combination tool attachment includes a flashlight 76 having a flashlight head 78 and a flashlight body 80 for securing to the tool base 12 . The flashlight body 80 includes a handle 82 formed in a top surface 84 of the body 80 . One or more connecting arms 86 extend from the flashlight body 80 to releasably engage one or more receiving portions 28 in the guide member 26 of the tool base 12 . Optionally, upper portion 22 may be provided with mounting elements, such as top surface 60 or elsewhere, for engaging a complementary mounting element on flashlight body 80 . For example, the mounting elements may include magnetic surfaces, hooks, or a complementary portion of a hook-and-loop type fastener, mating ribs, and other mounting elements known in the art. The flashlight base 78 includes a cover 88, a reflector 90, and a lens 92 mounted adjacent the bulb (not shown). A vacuum generating mechanism housed in the base 12 allows the flashlight 76 to be used hands-free when mounted on the mounting surface 16 .

Referring to Figure 4c, a third combination tool attachment for the combination tool assembly of the present invention is shown. This third combination tool attachment includes a clip 94 having a handle 96 pivotally connected to a clip housing 98 . The handle 96 includes a distal end forming a handle portion 100 for grasping by a user, and an opposing gripping portion 102 having an elongated claw 104 disposed thereon. The handle 96 pivots about a resiliently biased post 106 disposed within the clip-on housing 98 . Clip housing 98 includes generally horizontal jaws 108 that cooperate with jaws 104 on handle 96 to secure a workpiece therebetween. The clip housing 98 includes one or more protrusions 110 that releasably engage one or more receiving portions in the guide member 26 of the tool base 12 . As with flashlight 76 , clip-on housing 98 may be mounted to upper portion 22 by engagement with a mounting element provided on upper portion 22 .

Referring to Figures 1 and 4a-4c, a switch 112 disposed in a wall 114 of a corresponding combination tool attachment embodiment may cooperate with a switch 72 on the combination tool base 12 to activate the pump 54 of the vacuum generating mechanism 50 to remove The combination tool base 10 is mounted to a mounting surface 16 . As noted above, it should be appreciated that the switch 72 can activate the laser light source of the laser level device 34, the light bulb in the flashlight head 78 of the flashlight 76, or activate another combination tool accessory. Alternatively, switch 112 may activate vacuum generating mechanism 50 only, while a separate switch operates components of the combination tool attachment.

Referring to Figures 7-9, there is shown another embodiment of the device of the present invention having a manual suction installation device. In this embodiment, the base 12 with the mounting seal 16 is the same as described above for the other alternative embodiments. The mounting seal 16 has a top surface 200, a bottom surface 202, and a wall 204 extending from the top surface 200 to contact and form a seal with the mounting surface 16, as described below.

A lift mechanism 210 disposed on the top surface 200 of the mounting seal cooperates with the bottom surface 202 such that actuation of the lift mechanism 210 lifts the bottom surface 202 to create the cavity 70 . Lift mechanism 210 may be provided with a lever 212 extending from a portion of tool base 12 such that movement of lever 212 activates lift mechanism 210 . As shown in Figures 7-9, the lever 212 is rotated from the first position to the second position (counterclockwise), so that no suction is formed in the first position, and in the second position, suction or vacuum is formed when the cavity 70 is created .

Ideally, the lever 212 is fixed in the first or second position until manually moved to the other position. As shown in FIG. 8 , the lift mechanism 210 may include a cam 220 operatively connected to the bottom surface 202 such that rotation of the lever 212 causes the cam 220 and thus the bottom surface 202 to move toward the top surface 200 to create the cavity 70 .

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the terms used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. modular tool assembly comprises:

Tool base, this pedestal comprises vacuum mounting arrangement, and it is used for described tool base is fixed to the installation surface, and described pedestal comprises:

Housing with upper case portion and lower house part,

From the extended installation seal of described lower house part, cooperate with described installation surface between described installation seal and described installation surface, limiting the vacuum recess,

The vacuum generating mechanism, it is arranged on described upper case portion inside, and described vacuum generating mechanism comprises pump and motor, and described pump is used for removing air from described vacuum recess, thereby described housing is fixed on the described installation surface, and described motor drives described pump;

The collapsible tool annex is with respect to described the fixing relation in surface being installed, being fixed on the part of described tool base housing releasedly;

Power supply, it is arranged in the described upper case portion and with described motor and is electrically connected;

It is characterized in that at least one electrical fitting is arranged in the end face of upper case portion of described tool base, so that described power supply and described collapsible tool annex are electrically connected.

2. modular tool assembly as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, described collapsible tool annex also comprises one or more from the extended linking arm of attachment housing, this linking arm releasedly with the upper case portion of tool base in guide member in one or more receiving portions of forming engage, thereby releasedly the collapsible tool annex is fixed to tool base.

3. modular tool assembly as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, also comprises sensor, and this sensor is monitored described vacuum recess, and if this sensor monitor in the described vacuum recess pressure loss arranged, then start described pump.

4. modular tool assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, also comprises the switch on the upper case portion that is arranged on tool base, and this switch operationally links to each other with described vacuum generating mechanism, allows the user to start described vacuum generating mechanism.

5. modular tool assembly as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, the vacuum generating mechanism of going back comprises lever, this lever is operationally cooperated with the part of described installation seal, and wherein said lever is in primary importance, at described attachment surface with install between the described part of seal and produce cavity.

6. modular tool assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, is formed with a cavity in the lower house bottom surface partly of described tool base, and this cavity is with described installation seal and surperficial the cooperation to produce described vacuum recess is installed.

7. modular tool assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described power supply comprises the battery of removably installing.

8. modular tool assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described power supply comprises the rechargeable power supply that is installed in described enclosure interior.

9. modular tool assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described collapsible tool annex comprises laser level.

10. modular tool assembly device as claimed in claim 9, it is characterized in that, described laser level also comprises the housing of described laser level, the LASER Light Source that is arranged on the enclosure interior of described laser level is operably connected with a power supply, described LASER Light Source comprises at least one diode, and this diode comes along described installation surface indication datum plane by the projection collimated beam of the hole in the housing of described laser level.

11. modular tool assembly as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, described laser level also comprises one or more block levels that are arranged on the described laser level housing.

12. modular tool assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described collapsible tool annex comprises flashlight.

13. modular tool assembly as claimed in claim 12 is characterized in that, described flashlight is connected with described power sourced electric in the described tool base.

14. modular tool assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described collapsible tool annex comprises clip.

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