CUTTING TOOL LATCH ASSEMBLY
A dual-latch mechanism for a tool comprises a first latch rotatably coupled to the tool, a second latch rotatably coupled to the tool on a side opposite of the first latch, and a joint translationally moveable with respect to the tool and rotatably coupling the first latch to the second latch, wherein moving the first latch in a first direction causes the second latch to move in the first direction.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/768,597, filed Nov. 16, 2018, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to engagement/disengagement assemblies for use with tools involving cutting, chopping, or other machining applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn certain cutting tools, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 10,086,524, a known engagement/disengagement assembly utilizes interlocking gears between the latch and latch connectors that allow one latch to transmit movement into the opposite latch. Typically, this is done so that a user can keep one hand free while operating the particular tool. However, latches that utilize gear teeth are prone to mechanical wear and interference as well as misalignment and jamming during assembly and operation.
In certain other cutting tools, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,702,016, a known engagement/disengagement assembly utilizes a plurality of linkages, springs, and revolute joints to allow pressing action at one point of the tool to cause a corresponding movement at another point on the tool.
Consequently, the foregoing latch mechanisms usually contain numerous parts and very complex routes by which a motion of one latch is transmitted to another. Given the tight cost constraints for the manufacture of cutting tools and ease of repair and replacement of damaged parts, it is desirable to simplify the method by which latches or other structures transmit movement from one side of the cutting tool to the other to allow the user to use his or her hand for another application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn an exemplary embodiment, a dual-latch mechanism for a tool includes a first latch rotatably coupled to the tool, a second latch rotatably coupled to the tool on a side opposite of the first latch, and a joint translationally moveable with respect to the tool and rotatably coupling the first latch to the second latch, wherein moving the first latch in a first direction causes the second latch to move in the first direction.
In another exemplary embodiment, a dual-latch mechanism for a tool includes a first latch rotatably coupled to the tool, a second latch rotatably coupled to the tool on a side opposite of the first latch, and a joint translationally moveable with respect to the tool and rotatably coupling the first latch to the second latch, wherein moving the first latch in a first direction causes the second latch to move in the first direction. The dual-latch mechanism further comprises a first spring interconnecting the first latch to the tool and a second spring interconnecting the second latch to the tool.
In another exemplary embodiment, a dual-latch mechanism for a tool includes a first latch rotatably coupled to the tool, a second latch rotatably coupled to the tool on a side opposite of the first latch, and a joint translationally moveable with respect to the tool and rotatably coupling the first latch to the second latch, wherein moving the first latch in a first direction causes the second latch to move in the first direction. The dual-latch mechanism further comprises a first spring interconnecting the first latch to the tool and a second spring interconnecting the second latch to the tool. According to this exemplary embodiment the first latch and the second latch are also interconnected to the tool via at least one brace.
In another exemplary embodiment, a dual-latch mechanism for a tool includes a first latch rotatably coupled to the tool, a second latch rotatably coupled to the tool on a side opposite of the first latch, and a joint translationally moveable with respect to the tool and rotatably coupling the first latch to the second latch, wherein moving the first latch in a first direction causes the second latch to move in the first direction. The dual-latch mechanism further comprises a first spring interconnecting the first latch to the tool and a second spring interconnecting the second latch to the tool. According to this exemplary embodiment the first latch and the second latch are also interconnected to the tool via at least one brace and the at least one brace extends about the joint.
In another exemplary embodiment, a dual-latch mechanism for a tool includes a first latch rotatably coupled to the tool, a second latch rotatably coupled to the tool on a side opposite of the first latch, and a joint translationally moveable with respect to the tool and rotatably coupling the first latch to the second latch, wherein the joint is located between where the first latch is rotatably coupled to the tool and where the second latch is rotatably coupled to the tool, and wherein moving the first latch in a first direction causes the second latch to move in the first direction.
In another exemplary embodiment, a dual-latch mechanism for a tool includes a first latch rotatably coupled to the tool, a second latch rotatably coupled to the tool on a side opposite of the first latch, and a joint translationally moveable with respect to the tool and rotatably coupling the first latch to the second latch, wherein the joint is located between where the first latch is rotatably coupled to the tool and where the second latch is rotatably coupled to the tool, and wherein moving the first latch in a first direction causes the second latch to move in the first direction. Additionally, according to this exemplary embodiment a first spring may interconnect the first latch to the tool and a second spring may interconnect the second latch to the tool.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, a dual-latch mechanism for a tool includes a first latch rotatably coupled to the tool, a second latch rotatably coupled to the tool on a side opposite of the first latch, and a joint translationally moveable with respect to the tool and rotatably coupling the first latch to the second latch, wherein the joint is located between where the first latch is rotatably coupled to the tool and where the second latch is rotatably coupled to the tool, and wherein moving the first latch in a first direction causes the second latch to move in the first direction. A first spring may interconnect the first latch to the tool at a point between a free end of the first latch and the joint and a second spring may interconnect the second latch to the tool at a point between a free end of the second latch and the joint.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, a dual-latch mechanism for a tool includes a first latch rotatably coupled to the tool, a second latch rotatably coupled to the tool on a side opposite of the first latch, and a joint translationally moveable with respect to the tool and rotatably coupling the first latch to the second latch, wherein the joint is located between where the first latch is rotatably coupled to the tool and where the second latch is rotatably coupled to the tool, and wherein moving the first latch in a first direction causes the second latch to move in the first direction. A first spring may interconnect the first latch to the tool at a point between the free end of the first latch and where the first latch is rotatably coupled to the tool and a second spring may interconnect the second latch to the tool at a point between the free end of the second latch and where the second latch is rotatably coupled to the tool
In a still further exemplary embodiment, a dual-latch mechanism for a tool includes a first latch rotatably coupled to the tool, a second latch rotatably coupled to the tool on a side opposite of the first latch, and a joint translationally moveable with respect to the tool and rotatably coupling the first latch to the second latch, wherein the joint passes through a section of the first latch that overlaps a section of the second latch.
In a still further exemplary embodiment, a dual-latch mechanism for a tool includes a first latch rotatably coupled to the tool, a second latch rotatably coupled to the tool on a side opposite of the first latch, and a joint translationally moveable with respect to the tool and rotatably coupling the first latch to the second latch, wherein the joint passes through a section of the first latch that overlaps a section of the second latch. According to this exemplary embodiment, a first spring interconnects the first latch to the tool via an undulating length in the first latch and a second spring interconnects the second latch to the tool via an undulating length of the second latch.
In a still further exemplary embodiment, a dual-latch mechanism for a tool includes a first latch rotatably coupled to the tool, a second latch rotatably coupled to the tool on a side opposite of the first latch, and a joint translationally moveable with respect to the tool and rotatably coupling the first latch to the second latch, wherein the joint passes through a section of the first latch that overlaps a section of the second latch. According to this exemplary embodiment, a first spring interconnects interconnects the first latch to the tool at a point along an undulating length between a free end of the first latch and the joint and a second spring interconnects the second latch to the tool at a point along an undulating length between a free end of the second latch and the joint.
In each of the foregoing embodiments, the dual-latch mechanism may be included in a cutting tool that cuts via rotation of at least one cam, a cutting tool that cuts via a saw blade, that cuts via a drill, that cuts using plasma, or that cuts using instruments and equipment known to those skilled in the art.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. The drawing figures, elements and other depictions should be understood as being interchangeable and may be combined, modified, and/or optimized in any like manner in accordance with the disclosures and objectives recited herein as would be understood to those skilled in the art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONAn exemplary cutting tool 100 may comprise a cutting section 1 and a material feeding section 2 on which material to be cut may be loaded. For purposes of establishing an orientation convention, cutting section 1 may be considered the front of the cutting tool 100 while material feeding section 2 is the back. For further purposes of orientation, and unless otherwise specified, all numerals followed by an “A” may denote a component on the left side of the cutting tool 100 while all numerals followed by a “B” may denote a component on the right side of the cutting tool 100. Exemplary cutting tool 100 may have a moveable cutting mechanism 5 comprising at least one handle 7 connected to a cutting utility 9 to enable a user to control the cutting utility 9 to cut material. Exemplary cutting tool 100 may also have a dual-latch mechanism (a portion of which may comprise the free ends of exposed latches 4A and 4B, whereby latch 4A would be the left latch and 4B the right latch) disposed within the underbody walls 20 of cutting tool 100. In an exemplary cutting tool 100 the dual-latch mechanism located within walls 20 of cutting tool 100 may be operated such that one user's hand may operate only one latch 4A/4B of the dual latch mechanism while another hand may use handle 7 so that an exemplary cutting mechanism 5 may be unlatched on both sides of the cutting tool 100, moved from a prior latched position to a second position, re-latching the cutting mechanism 5 at the second position, and all these steps via a rotation bracket 21. Where an exemplary cutting tool 100 may be a tile cutter, handle 7 may translate a user's force through a shaft 8 to a pair of cams 11a and 11b to push down the cutting utility 9 into a cutting space 10 via translation of the cutting utility 9 between two rotational columns 6A (left column) and 6B (right column).
As previously described, a dual-latch mechanism may be utilized to control movement of the cutting utility 9 for cutting tool 100. One such dual-latch mechanism may be illustratively embodied in
With further reference to
In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of
With reference to the embodiment of dual-latch mechanism 200 as illustratively provided for in
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to a side view of a portion of a cutting tool 100 employing the dual-latch mechanism 400 as illustratively provided for in
Referring to the illustrative embodiment of dual-latch mechanism 500 as shown in
With reference to a side view of a portion of a cutting tool 100 employing the dual-latch mechanism 500 as illustratively provided for in
As illustrated in
This present invention disclosure and exemplary embodiments are meant for the purpose of illustration and description. The invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications in the illustrative and descriptive details, and embodiments may be made by someone skilled in the art. These modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims without departing from the scope and spirit of the several interrelated embodiments of the present invention.
Claims
1. A dual-latch mechanism for a tool, comprising:
- a first latch rotatably coupled to the tool;
- a second latch rotatably coupled to the tool on a side opposite of the first latch; and
- a joint translationally moveable with respect to the tool and rotatably coupling the first latch to the second latch, wherein moving the first latch in a first direction causes the second latch to move in the first direction.
2. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a first spring interconnecting the first latch to the tool and a second spring interconnecting the second latch to the tool.
3. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 2, wherein the first latch and the second latch are also interconnected to the tool via at least one brace.
4. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 3, wherein the at least one brace extends about the joint.
5. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 1, wherein the joint is located between where the first latch is rotatably coupled to the tool and where the second latch is rotatably coupled to the tool.
6. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 5, further comprising a first spring interconnecting the first latch to the tool and a second spring interconnecting the second latch to the tool.
7. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 6, wherein the first spring interconnects the first latch to the tool at a point between a free end of the first latch and the joint and the second spring interconnects the second latch to the tool at a point between a free end of the second latch and the joint.
8. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 7, wherein the first spring interconnects the first latch to the tool at the point between the free end of the first latch and where the first latch is rotatably coupled to the tool and the second spring interconnects the second latch to the tool at the point between the free end of the second latch and where the second latch is rotatably coupled to the tool.
9. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 8, wherein the first latch and the second latch are also interconnected to the tool via at least one brace.
10. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 9, wherein the at least one brace extends about the joint.
11. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 10, further comprising a cutting tool that cuts via rotation of at least one cam.
12. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 10, further comprising a cutting tool that cuts via a saw blade.
13. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 10, further comprising a cutting tool that cuts via a drill.
14. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 10, further comprising a means for cutting a material.
15. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 1, wherein the joint passes through a section of the first latch that overlaps a section of the second latch.
16. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 15, further comprising a first spring that interconnects the first latch to the tool and a second spring that interconnects the second latch to the tool.
17. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 16, wherein the first spring interconnects the first latch to the tool via an undulating length in the first latch and the second spring interconnects the second latch to the tool via an undulating length of the second latch.
18. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 17, wherein the first spring interconnects the first latch to the tool at a point along the undulating length between a free end of the first latch and the joint and the second spring interconnects the second latch to the tool at a point along the undulating length between a free end of the second latch and the joint.
19. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 18, wherein the first latch and the second latch are also interconnected to the tool via at least one brace.
20. The dual-latch mechanism of claim 19, wherein the at least one brace extends about the joint.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 16, 2020
Publication Date: May 21, 2020
Inventor: Xu Wen Sheng (Qingdao)
Application Number: 16/744,362