Rechargeable Battery Operated Patents (Class 30/DIG1)
  • Patent number: 6161293
    Abstract: A battery powered circular saw is provided with a novel motor housing and handle assembly having a rearwardly extending primary handle inclined 15.degree. to 40.degree. relative to a rearwardly longitudinally extending tubular housing member. A battery pack is attached to the rear end of the primary handle and is provided with an elongated projection which extends into the elongate tubular housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: One World Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James B. Watson
  • Patent number: 6158126
    Abstract: A small, lightweight, efficient, quiet electric shaver is provided in which one or more piezoelectric drivers are mechanically coupled to a cutting blade. The cutting action of the blade is generated by the piezoelectric drivers which, when electrically energized, oscillate at a predetermined frequency. The piezoelectric driver is electrically energized by a regenerative drive circuit. Hair shafts, which protrude from the surface to be shaved through a perforated foil member, are sheared at their base by the oscillating action of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Face International Corp.
    Inventors: Norvell S. Rose, Jr., Brennan C. Swain, Stephen E. Clark
  • Patent number: 6112414
    Abstract: A hand-held beauty appliance assembly comprising a hand-held beauty appliance and a battery charger. The hand-held beauty appliance includes an appliance housing portion including a rechargeable battery socket having therein a keyway groove, a frame fixedly supported within the appliance housing portion, an electrical motor fixedly supported on the frame, and a pair of electrical terminals connected to the electrical motor and fixedly supported on the frame. The hand-held appliance also includes a rechargeable battery portion insertable into the battery socket and including a pair of electrical terminals in engagement with the pair of electrical terminals of the appliance housing portion when the rechargeable battery portion is located in the battery socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Andis Company
    Inventors: Matthew L. Andis, Robert E. Derby, John M. Piwaron
  • Patent number: 5902080
    Abstract: A detachable battery pack is connectable to hand-held power tools, such as spiral cutting tools, in which cuts are made by positioning the axis of the cutting tool motor housing perpendicular to a workpiece surface, and moving a cutting tool bit through the workpiece in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the bit to remove material from the workpiece. The battery pack allows the cutting tool to be utilized without an electric cord and without the need of a power source near-by, thereby increasing maneuverability, safety, and range of use. The battery pack is connected to the motor housing of the power tool by being received by a receptacle. The receptacle is preferably formed to include one or more storage compartments therein, accessible through apertures in the receptacle for storage of additional cutting tool bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Roto Zip Tool Corporation
    Inventor: Robert K. Kopras
  • Patent number: 5809653
    Abstract: A battery powered tool includes a housing adapted to carry a battery. A shaft having first and second ends is connected to the housing at the first end thereof. A first mechanical joint is adapted for rotatably receiving and supporting an attachment. The first mechanical joint is mounted at the second end of the shaft. The first electrical connector contained within the first mechanical joint is adapted to cooperate with a second electrical connector in the attachment to provide electric thereto. A first electrical conductor extends within the shaft from the housing to the first electrical connector for carrying electric current from the battery to operate the attachment. A second electrical connector engages with the first electrical connector, and is connected to a boom. A second electrical conductor extends within the boom, and the other end of the boom carries a hedge trimmer, a line trimmer, a pruner, a blower or an extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Ryobi North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Everts, Kenneth M. Brazell
  • Patent number: 5685080
    Abstract: A gear housing is arranged at or by the center of a main body housing of a chain saw and a handle housing extends backward therefrom. A motor housing is formed on the left side of the gear housing perpendicularly. A support member and a cover are attached on the right side of the gear housing. A guide bar extends forward from the main body housing and the guide bar retrains an endless saw chain therearound. The handle housing includes a trigger beside a connecting portion between the handle housing and the gear housing. A battery is disposed in a detachable manner at a rear end of the handle housing.The center of gravity of the chain saw is located at or by the trigger of the handle housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Kunio Amano, Kazuya Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5675896
    Abstract: A portable electric working machine of the present invention includes a motor case portion housing an electric motor, a working portion driven by the electric motor, a handle connected to the motor case portion or the working portion and a power source switch disposed within a grip portion of the handle. Electric power is supplied to the electric motor through the power source switch. A spark-preventing capacitor accommodated within the motor case portion is interposed between a pair of terminals of the electric motor. The portable electric working machine of the present invention does not require a large-sized grip portion of a handle, and can prevent a locking of contacts of a power source switch due to contact transition by preventing sparking between the contacts so that a small-sized microswitch can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Fumihiko Aiyama, Tatsuhiko Matsubayashi, Naoki Tsuda
  • Patent number: 5653033
    Abstract: A hand-held cordless power tool housing an onboard battery powered motor driving a power take-off gear, meshing with a driven gear on a shaft extension carrying a bevel drive gear meshing with an enlarged bevel gear for driving a cutting disc in a counterclockwise direction, and housing enclosing structure carrying the enlarged bevel gear to drive the work engaging cutter disc. The power tool is structured to control the depth of cut in a work piece of the cutting disc, and carries a roller element to ride on a work piece during cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Tommy M. McDowell
  • Patent number: 5367773
    Abstract: A pruning device is provided which includes an elongate support member having distal and proximal ends. A cutting mechanism is pivotably mounted on the distal end of the support member and includes a cutting member. An actuating mechanism including a motor and a drive member is provided for actuating the cutting member. The device further includes structure for mounting the actuating mechanism on the support member near the proximal end thereof and structure for coupling the drive member to the cutting member whereby rotational movement of the actuating mechanism pivots the cutting member from an inoperative position to an operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Inventor: Everette P. Robbins
  • Patent number: 5368424
    Abstract: The present invention provides a small, portable hand-held tool having a rotating cutter blade therein. The blade is adjustable to extend within to a very small degree above the base of the tool to engage and trim off such imperfections in the surface of the paint job without cutting into the surface itself. In its preferred embodiment, the present invention contains a lubricant dispenser for providing lubricant to the surface being treated and may include a light source to aid in detecting imperfections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Inventor: Jerome H. Bettenhausen
  • Patent number: 5287786
    Abstract: A portable electric cutting and scoring saw for use on laminated or veneer products is disclosed. The scoring saw is disposed in front of the cutting saw and turns in the opposite direction. The saw is designed primarily for the craftsman cabinet maker where the use of large industrial bench saws is not feasible. In one embodiment, the scoring saw cuts at a fixed depth and the cutting saw depth of cut can be varied by changing the blade with one of a different diameter. In another embodiment, the cutting and scoring saw depth of cut and angle of cut can be adjusted simultaneously with depth and tilt adjustments. In addition, in this embodiment, the saw motor can be easily removed and replaced with one of different horsepower and R.P.M. In yet another embodiment the electric motor has a battery power-pack attached thereto that can be readily recharged. The battery power-pack makes the portable electric cutting and scoring saw completely self contained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventor: Paul E. Fiala
  • Patent number: 5259116
    Abstract: The hair grooming clipper is driven by an improved eccentric coupling to a motor housed in the handle. The motor is incorporated in the clipper casing and utilizes an improved eccentric coupling that results in more power to the clipper head and less wear in the coupling. The improved design delivers more power to the clipper head, generating less heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventor: Kim Laube
  • Patent number: 5230155
    Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting vegetables or fruits and stripping the skin therefrom. The cutting tool includes a blade cutter reciprocated by a motor through a steering shaft for stripping the skin from a vegetable or fruit, a power supply unit electrically connected to the motor through an On/Off switch, and a spring-supported cutting-in tool controlled by a press button to extend out of the casing of the cutting tool for cutting fruits and vegetables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Inventor: Chung-Jen Pai
  • Patent number: 5213913
    Abstract: A cordless electric device has a main body portion extending along an axis and a handle portion extending at an obtuse angle with respect to the axis, the handle portion receiving therein along a second axis a battery pack. The device has a two-part housing, with the parts respectively defining the front and rear of the body and handle portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Snap-on Tools Corporation
    Inventors: Philip M. Anthony, III, Edward S. Wahoski, Michael A. Norris
  • Patent number: 5159256
    Abstract: The mechanism for operating a rechargeable electrical tool having a rechargeable battery for line-powered operation or for battery-powered operation includes an adapter for electrical connection of a tool portion to a current source; a holder shaped to hold the adapter alone and also the adapter together with the tool portion when the adapter is connected with the tool portion; a device for releasably attaching the tool portion to the adapter; a device for releasably attaching the adapter to the holder; means for detaching the adapter from the holder at least partially located in the adapter and cooperating with the means for releasably attaching the tool portion to the adapter, so that when the adapter is in the holder and when the means for releasably attaching the tool portion to the adapter is actuated to attach the tool portion to the adapter, the means for detaching the adapter detaches the adapter from the holder; and a device for detaching the tool portion from the adapter cooperating with the means f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Wella AG per parent
    Inventors: Detlef Mattinger, Karl Trinkaus
  • Patent number: 5140249
    Abstract: An electric motor-operated grass cutter includes a housing; an electric motor; a plurality of cutting blades projecting from the housing, at least one of which is driven by the electric motor so as to reciprocate, and a chargeable storage battery connectable electrically with the electric motor. The storage battery also has a plurality of electrical contact lugs for charging. So that it can be charged safely and rapidly without disassembly the grass cutter also includes a charging socket mounted on the housing and accessible from the outside. The charging socket can have a plurality of additional contact lugs to facilitate electrical connection of a plug of an external charging device with the storage battery. The chargeable storage battery is structured so as to be quick-chargeable and external devices for quick-charging and trickle charging can be provided. A temperature contact lug can be provided for transmitting measured values of temperature for monitoring the quick charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Scintilla AG
    Inventors: Walter Linder, Urs Ruepp
  • Patent number: 5138245
    Abstract: The holder releasably receives and holds a rechargeable tool portion and is associated with a cable electrically connecting the tool portion for line-powered operation or battery-powered operation with a current source. The holder has a shell-like rest enclosing a lower portion of the tool portion and is structured to be changeable from a first configuration, in which the tool portion is supported by the holder and is removable for battery-powered operation, to a second configuration, in which the tool portion with the holder attached can be used for line-powered operation. The holder has a first leg extending longitudinally along a larger part of one side of the tool portion when the tool portion is in the holder, a second leg pivotally connected to one end of the first leg and acting as a supporting limb and a spreading spring connected to the second leg to urge the second leg from the first leg into a spread position so the tool portion and holder can stand together on a surface during battery charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Wella Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Detlef Mattinger, Karl Trinkaus
  • Patent number: 5030902
    Abstract: The mechanism for the electrical appliance, especially for a hair cutting device, for line voltage or battery-powered operation comprises a tool portion with a rechargeable battery and an adapter, which is easily connected by a cable with a current source and which has means for easy maintenance and for easy connection and disconnection with the tool portion. The electrical appliance may also have a holder for the tool portion in which the tool portion can be held with the adapter connected. The tool portion may be easily detachable from the adapter held in the holder during battery powered operation or alternatively the tool portion with the adapter connected may be easily removed from the holder when the tool portion is energized by the line voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Wella Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Detlef Mattinger, Karl Trinkaus
  • Patent number: 4949464
    Abstract: A cordless, electric handsaw. A U-shaped frame is removably mounted to the saw main frame to support the outer end of a coping saw blade having an inner end removably mounted to a reciprocably driven linkage connected to a battery operated motor contained in the handle. A keyhole saw blade is mountable to the reciprocably driven cylinder once the coping saw blade is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: Brandon J. Adomatis
  • Patent number: 4918819
    Abstract: An electric shaving apparatus comprises at least one drivable shaving member, a first housing section which accommodates the drive mechanism for the shaving member and a detachable second housing section which accommodates an electric power source, for example a rechargeable battery, a switching device, which comprises an actuating member, being arranged in an electric circuit which also includes the drive mechanism and the power source and a contact member. The actuating member is arranged on a wall of the first housing section and is detachably coupled to the contact member in the second housing section by mechanical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corp.
    Inventor: Hans Labrijn
  • Patent number: 4847513
    Abstract: A cordless power-operated device, such as a saw 20, is powered by a low level D.C. voltage provided by battery pack cells to operate the saw in a cordless mode. The cells are housed in a container 32 which fits into a cavity 23 formed in a housing 22 of saw 20. Another container 66 includes a first section 64 which is shaped externally in the same configuration as container 32. First section 64 houses a voltage converter 62 which converts conventional A.C. voltage, such as 120 volts at 60 Hz, to the low level D.C. voltage required to operate saw 20. Container 66 can be inserted into cavity 23 of saw 20 and voltage converter 62 can be connected to a conventional A.C. source to operate the saw in a corded mode. Container 66 also includes a second section 68 which houses a cooling motor 70. Cooling motor 70 provides powered cooling of saw motor 28, the cooling motor and voltage converter 62.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Friedrich J. Katz, Salvatore R. Abbratozzato
  • Patent number: 4744144
    Abstract: A hand held, oscillating razor for wet shaving which comprises an internally operated eccentric for forcibly, rapidly vibrating the cutting blades. Preferably the razor comprises an elongated, generally tubular housing adapted to receive a carriage which mechanically secures a rotatable eccentric, a motor for rotating the eccentric, and an associated angularly tilted battery which powers the motor. A receptacle integrally associated with the neck of the housing is adapted to removably receive a standard blade cartridge for shaving. The razor exhibits a characteristic resonant frequency, and its center of mass lies apart from its central axis, so that the razor characteristically displays a dynamic couple in operation. The motor rotates within a speed range of between 1.414 and two times the natural resonant frequency of the razor so as effectuate as comfortable a shave as possible. Within this range razor shaving characteristics are substantially unaffected by the mode or manner in which the unit is held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Wellington Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Lowery, Sr., Jimmie George
  • Patent number: 4739242
    Abstract: A multistation charging system is provided for charging batteries within a plurality of cordless tools, appliances or the like, each of which has at least one rechargeable battery therein. A plurality of modules, which act as charging stations, are arranged substantially adjacent to one another. Normally closed pairs of conductive contacts are provided in each of the modules. The electrical pairs of contacts in the modules are connected in a series circuit arrangement with each other. On one of the modules, electrical connection is provided to a single current regulated solid-state charging device which produces charging current pulses. The device may alternatively be in the one module. Each of the modules removably supports a respective tool or appliance and each tool or appliance has means for electrically connecting the respective battery therein within the series circuit arrangement and in series therewith only one wall outlet or a.c. power connection is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Solid State Chargers Research and Development Limited Partnership
    Inventors: George W. McCarty, Somers H. Smith, III
  • Patent number: 4711030
    Abstract: A portable, hand-held electric knife having dual cutting blades is powered by a DC electric motor which draws its operating current from a remote storage battery. The cutting blades are mechanically coupled to the armature shaft of the DC electric motor by a gear assembly in which a pair of bevel gears are mounted for free rotation on a support shaft and are engaged by a beveled pinion gear attached to the rotor armature. Each blade is movably coupled to a selected bevel gear by a pin. In response to rotation of the drive pinion, the beveled gears are driven in counter-rotating motion. As the driven gears rotate, the blades are extended and retracted in side-by-side relation. A fulcrum shaft is received through aligned slots formed in the blades. Linear reciprocating movement of the blades relative to each other is stabilized and arcuate reciprocating movement of the coupled blades is effected as the blades pivot about the fulcrum shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Inventor: Robert B. Ruston, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4684871
    Abstract: A self-oscillating power supply circuit for charging a battery in which energy is stored in a transformer (Tr) during the so-called forward intervals. This energy is applied as a charge current to the battery (6) during the flyback intervals. To prevent overcharge of the battery, the circuit includes a battery voltage protection circuit (10) receiving its power supply from the battery. A fraction of the battery voltage is applied to this circuit by means of a voltage divider (R.sub.3, R.sub.4) connected across the battery by means of a switch (S.sub.1) during the flyback intervals. To prevent the voltage drop across the internal resistance of the battery from influencing the measurement of the battery voltage, the battery voltage is measured after the end of a flyback interval and before the commencment of the next forward interval. This is achieved by short-circuiting the inputs (11, 12) of the protection circuit (10) by means of two diodes (D.sub.1, D.sub.2) during the flyback intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph A. M. Plagge
  • Patent number: 4675997
    Abstract: A self-contained electric shaver capable of being used with water and powered from either a main or a reserve rechargeable battery comprises a housing having thereon a shaving head and accommodating therein the main and reserve rechargeable batteries. The housing also accommodates a motor drivingly connected to the shaving head for effecting a hair shearing operation. Terminal pins adapted to be connected to an external battery charger for feeding an electric charging current to the batteries extend in a sealed manner through respective apertures formed in the lower end wall of the housing. At least one drain pipe extends in a sealed manner through a vent hole also formed in the lower end wall for passing out of the housing the gas discharged from the batteries upon charging thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Nakagawa, Masao Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 4622749
    Abstract: An electric can opener operable in one hand of a user includes a body, a rotatable can driving wheel mounted on the front surface of the body, a cutter similarly mounted on the body, an electric motor accommodated inside the body to actuate the can driving wheel, a hollow cylindrical grip portion projecting from the body, and a power source unit contained in the grip portion to feed the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Aichidenkikosakusho
    Inventor: Kunitoshi Inagaki
  • Patent number: 4616169
    Abstract: Appliance has housing with removable battery-pack section having a front end shaped to slide dovetail fashion up into the appliance housing and a spring-biased latch which holds up the rear of the section. Sets of contacts for discharge and charging have parallel contacts directed in the direction of the installing movement of the section into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Scovill Inc.
    Inventor: Richard V. Proffitt
  • Patent number: 4604800
    Abstract: A sealing construction is disclosed herein for a casing preferably for an electric shaver which is formed by first and second casing members which are to be pressed together through an annular sealing element to provide a seal between the sealing surfaces of the first and second casing members. The first casing member is formed in its sealing surface with an annular groove for retaining the annular sealing element in position, such sealing element being made of elastic material and having an axially projecting and rounded top portion above the sealing surface of the first casing member. Also projected on the second casing member is an annular plug of convex-shaped in cross section which aligns with said annular sealing element so as to be engageable with the rounded top portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Yamamoto, Mitsuo Ichiya, Keizo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 4559456
    Abstract: A portable type electric appliance powered by incorporated main and reserve batteries. The batteries are connected to an electric load selectively by means of a switching device including a main switch for connecting the main battery to the load and a subsidiary switch for connecting the reserve battery to the load. A lock locks the subsidiary switch in a disconnected position until the main switch is closed. Namely, the subsidiary switch can be closed only after the main switch is closed. Therefore, the main battery is always used prior to the reserve battery, and when the main battery is exhausted, the reserve battery remaining unexhausted is capable of taking over to operate the appliance without requiring immediate replacement of the main battery. Accordingly, the accidental interruption of the operation of the appliance can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeo Yamamoto, Makoto Tanimizu, Kenzo Shirakawa, Hideji Wataya
  • Patent number: 4451980
    Abstract: Chargeable electric instrument of watertight housing capable of still discharging abnormally generated gas or liquid from built-in storage battery. The instrument includes a gas discharging valve means provided at an open end of a storage-battery casing, a cap means fixed to the casing for liquid-tightly enclosing the open end and valve means, a charge current feeding means provided in an end part of the housing, and a gas or liquid flow-path means made through the cap means and housing while preventing an entry of any fluid from the exterior, whereby any explosive gas internally generated can be effectively discharged through the valve, cap and flow-path means to the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenzo Shirakawa, Norio Yamada, Masami Kitamura, Shinsaku Yasunaka, Masao Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 4384180
    Abstract: There is provided a battery-operated electrical appliance such as an electric shaver including a mechanism for counting the number of times the appliance is operated. A first switch for activating the appliance is positioned in the mechanism housing, together with a rotatably mounted member provided with indicia for indicating the number of times the first swtich has been operated. An actuating member brings the movable contact and the fixed contact of the first switch into and out of engagement with each other, the actuating member including an element for engagement with the indicating member to successively rotate the same one indicia unit each time the first switch is actuated. A second switch is associated in the housing with the indicating member and has a movable contact and a fixed contact arranged to be brought into engagement after a predetermined number of successive partial rotations of the indicating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Meijer, Mosayoshi Takaoka, Koichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4249313
    Abstract: A hand held portable pruning tool having a housing enclosing a motor one or more batteries and a saw blade. The saw blade is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the housing. The blade is normally protected by a telescoping guard element having a forwardly extending notch for receiving a stem or limb to be cut. The telescoping guard element retracts into the housing in response to pressure exerted on the guard element in the direction of the stem thus bring the stem into contact with the blade and also energizing the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Inventor: Richard G. H. Bates
  • Patent number: 4112271
    Abstract: A counting device for a battery operated appliance for visually displaying on a counter dial the number of uses of the appliance between recharging or replacement of the batteries. The counter dial is mounted within the appliance with an indicia portion visible at the outer surface of the casing. Movement of the dial is controlled by operation of the on/off switch for the appliance and a reset wheel is included for restoring the counter dial to an "0" or starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Assignee: Sperry Rand Corporation
    Inventor: Michael John Marchetti
  • Patent number: 4104795
    Abstract: An electrical cutting appliance is provided with a housing and cutting or shearing blades driven from a motor. The motor, incorporated in the main electrical circuit of the appliance, is connectible to a source of electrical energy through external switching contacts which are outside and separate from said housing and which also are included in the main electrical circuit, the appliance only being operable when the external contacts are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Assignee: Gardena Kress & Kastner GmbH
    Inventor: Franc Lopic
  • Patent number: 4089114
    Abstract: A cordless electric lawn edger utilizes a flexible strand of nylon monofilament rotated at high speed to effect cutting of grass and weeds. The rotating assembly mounting the strand is substantially conical in order to reduce drag and prevent grass from wrapping around the assembly. The strand is fixedly secured within a detachable and disposable tip member which easily snapfits into a rotatable truncated cone member. The cone member is, in turn, secured to the drive shaft of a DC motor. The edger is provided with both a grip handle and a loop handle arranged for optimum tool balance and handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1978
    Assignee: Disston, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Dale Doolittle, Lynn David Lineback, Charles Franklin Sherrill, Willie Lonnie Stanfield, Jr., Kelvin Howard Wildman
  • Patent number: 4084123
    Abstract: A family of cordless electric tools and devices is adapted to use one or more identical rechargeable battery packs and each pack is adapted to interchangeably fit into a pocket or any one of a plurality of pockets in the tool or device in which the pack is employed. The battery pack is positively but releasably retained in the respective pocket of the tool or device with which it is used. A pair of standard AC prongs extend from a flat sidewall of the battery pack which is of a relatively flat, rectangular box-like shape. The prongs are adapted for insertion into a standard AC receptacle for charging the battery pack through rectifier means contained in the pack thus eliminating the need for a separate charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1978
    Assignee: Disston, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn D. Lineback, James E. Edgell
  • Patent number: 4078306
    Abstract: Grass shears with one movable blade, including a crank link means for imparting simultaneous lateral and longitudinal motion to the movable blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1978
    Assignee: Wolf-Gerate GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Jorg Schreitmuller
  • Patent number: 4055890
    Abstract: The trimming device has a blade driven by a shaft to have each end pass over cutting teeth at the edge of a circular cutting plate. The drive mechanism is a motor having an enclosed speed reducing unit for driving a shaft at a low speed when rotating the blade. The circular cutting plate is secured to the bottom of the motor housing through the center of which the driven shaft extends. A bail for a handle having a switch and a receptacle for the prongs of a plug on a cord is pivotally mounted on the housing to be positioned at a small angle to the circular cutting plate and 90.degree. therefrom in a vertical position. An extension handle may be applied to the end of the short handle to have the device swing therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1977
    Inventor: Paul F. Seibold
  • Patent number: 4016802
    Abstract: A battery-operated scribing tool wherein an elongated casing defines a handle with an interior cavity serving as a battery chamber and with an opening at the outboard end leading to the cavity. A pair of spring-biased batteries are in-line receivable in the cavity and are secured in situ by a hollow head or motor housing having a rearward end sleevably received over the forward end of the casing so as to be snugly held relative thereto. A motor is nestably received within the head hollow. A slot in the head side wall allows manual actuation of the outboard free end of a switch bus extendable along the cavity wall and along the wall of the hollow of the head with a biasable extremity extending into the slot. An etching means projects outwardly from the motor and through an opening in the outboard end of the head and may be sleeved through a coupling adjacent the head opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1977
    Assignee: Baltimore Brushes, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard P. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 3973378
    Abstract: An upright cordless grass trimmer incorporated incoporates fixed multi-toothed bottom blade and plural sets of top blades which oscillate over the bottom blade to achieve cutting. The sets of top blades are driven by a motor through a gear and cam mechanism and are synchronized so that one top blade set cuts at a different time in the cycle from the other set to achieve a counterbalancing and load leveling effect. A clutch mechanism absorbs abrupt blade stoppage and shock situations and a rechargeable battery pack is releasably received by an elevated cavity in a shroud which mounts over the motor and drive mechanism. An upright handle and electrical control means are attached to the trimmer which allows the operator to operate the trimmer in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1976
    Assignee: Disston, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Bartasevich, James E. Edgell, John E. Jones, Lynn D. Lineback, Roger Q. Smith
  • Patent number: 3959879
    Abstract: An electrically powered grass trimmer with novel provision on the housing for maintaining the motor and housing halves in assembled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1976
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Jerry W. Sellers
  • Patent number: 3958331
    Abstract: A portable garden tool with an upper movable tool element which is provided with a blade having a plurality of cutting teeth and a lower tool element which is in two pieces so that one can be removed from the tool. The removable portion is either a shear blade attachment to perform with the upper tool element as a shear, or a cultivator attachment to perform with the upper tool element as a cultivator. The tool can also be used as a cultivator without damage to the performance of the tool as a shear, since the blades of the upper movable tool element are not sharpened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1976
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventor: Elmer C. Klebe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 3956824
    Abstract: A battery powered grass shear having improved upper and lower shear blades with improved cutting and durability characteristics and which require less power to operate. The lower shear blade, which is fixed to the housing of the battery powered grass shear, is provided with a forwardly and upwardly extending forward portion provided with transversely spaced apart cutting teeth. The upper shear blade, which is reciprocated relative to the lower shear blade, is formed of a comparatively thin, heat treatable, resilient steel and is normally flat when in a non-stressed state. The upper blade, when assembled to the lower blade is bowed upwardly and the cutting edges of the spaced apart teeth on the upper blade intersect the cutting edges of the spaced apart teeth on the lower blade and make point to point contact throughout the length of the blade as the blades are reciprocated. The cutting surfaces are preferably heat treated to an equal hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1976
    Assignee: The Black and Decker Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Charles Francis
  • Patent number: 3952239
    Abstract: Cordless electric tools or the like comprising a power handle and a plurality of diverse tool heads detachably securable thereto. The power handle includes battery means therein and operator controlled switch means, whereas each of the diverse tool heads may include an electric motor and an output means. The tool heads and power handle include interengageable means constructed for quick mechanical and electrical interconnection therebetween facilitating quick connection and disconnection of the power handle from the various tool heads without requiring any special tools or implements. Electrical interconnection is made automatically upon mechanical interconnection. In addition, a battery charger for the battery means may include similar mechanical and electrical connection means operatively engageable with the power handle to afford ready and easy charging of the battery means between uses of the power handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1976
    Assignee: The Black and Decker Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Peter Russell Owings, Jacobus Jan Beckering, Roderick Francis Bunyea
  • Patent number: 3934340
    Abstract: Pairs of planar cutting blades with angularly related cutting edges such as are used in grass shears, and the like, and which are mechanically actuated to move relative to each other and to cut by a scissors-like action are formed in a manner such that during each cutting action the contacting cutting point between each pair of coacting edges moves at a uniform speed. The improved blade construction finds application in shears, particularly cordless, i.e., battery, grass shears, by more nearly equalizing incremental power requirements; by reducing the maximum input power requirements; and by increasing time of performance between battery recharging at a given forward advancement speed of the shear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1976
    Assignee: Disston, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Lynn D. Lineback
  • Patent number: D363656
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Martin P. Gierke