Insulating tool cover assembly

Abstract

The present specification relates to an electrically insulating tool cover assembly (1) adapted to cover at least a front portion of a power tool (PT), the tool cover assembly (1) comprising first and second cover parts (10, 20) adapted to together cover the front portion of the power tool in use, and a removable retaining element (30) adapted to cooperate with corresponding mating formations (11) on the first and second cover parts to hold the first and second cover parts together. The first and second cover parts and the retaining element are made of electrically insulating material and are adapted to provide electrical insulation to at least a portion of the front portion of the power tool in use, and the first end is a front end of the tool cover assembly adapted to be disposed on the front end of the power tool in use.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THEINVENTION This invention relates generally to a tool cover for at least the front portion of a power tool, and more particularly to an electrically insulating tool cover. [Background technology]

[0002] In various industrial fields, power tools are known, for example fastening tools used for fastening screw joints. Generally, some or most of the parts of such tools are made of metal, for example steel, in particular the housing, which is also the part that is in contact with the operator, is partly or entirely made of metal.

[0003] Apart from strength and durability, such materials tend to be good electrical conductors and therefore can present issues related to operator safety when screw fastening is performed near a power source, such as a battery or other live component. Because the tool housing is conductive, there is a high risk of electrical shock if the tool comes into contact with a live part. Such an electrical shock is not only harmful to an operator who touches the socket or a part of the tool that is in electrical contact with the socket, but can also cause a short circuit that damages components near the joint being fastened.

[0004] To alleviate these problems, attempts have been made to provide an insulating layer, such as a cover or sleeve, on the outside of the power tool to provide insulation for operator protection.

[0005] However, problems remain, for example, in that such covers tend to be complicated to handle and place on tools, increasing the complexity of the work and the work environment. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Thus, a need exists for improvements in the area of ​​insulation and electric shock protection for power tools. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] It would therefore be desirable to provide an insulating tool cover that can be easily and securely attached to a power tool. In particular, it would be desirable to provide a cover that improves the versatility of the cover and improves the efficiency of the working environment. To better address one or more of these problems, there are provided insulating tool covers, kits and methods as defined in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrically insulating tool cover assembly adapted to at least partially cover at least a front of a hand held power tool, the cover assembly comprising a first cover part and a second cover part adapted to together cover at least a front part of the power tool in use, and a removable retaining element adapted to cooperate with corresponding mating formations located at a first end of each of the first and second cover parts to hold the first and second cover parts together, the first and second cover parts and the retaining element being made from an electrically insulating material and adapted to provide electrical insulation to at least a part of the front part of the power tool in use, the first end being a front end of the tool cover assembly adapted to be located on the front of the power tool in use.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the insulating tool cover provides an inventive solution to the above-mentioned problem by a design incorporating first and second cover parts and a removable retaining element arranged at the front end of the cover assembly, i.e., the end that can be described as the front end and thus the front end of the power tool in use, which facilitates the placement of the cover on the tool. Furthermore, since the retaining element is not only removable but also arranged at the front end of the cover and thus of the tool, the adaptability and usability of the cover assembly is significantly improved in that the retaining element can also provide an exchangeable adapter function that gives the possibility to easily adapt the currently insulated tool to the tool accessory, for example, in the case of a fastening tool, to the type of socket used. Thus, proper insulation can be achieved by a simple change of the first retaining element, regardless of the shape and size of the socket, while the first and second cover parts remain in place on the power tool, without a time-consuming change of the entire cover assembly.

[0010] The inventive design of the cover assembly according to independent claim 1 therefore successfully provides for a convenient positioning of the cover on the tool and reduces the complexity of adapting the tool to different tasks.

[0011] The power tools referred to which the cover assemblies of the present invention are intended to at least partially cover may be hand-held power tools, such as pneumatic or electric tools, and possibly battery-operated tools. Examples include fastening tools, such as any screwdriver of the type mentioned above.

[0012] The actual design, i.e., the shape of the cover assembly, and more particularly the cover formed by the first and second cover portions, may be appropriately adapted to the shape of the tool on which the cover is intended to be placed. For example, the shape of the first and second cover portions may in some embodiments be described as matching the shape of the surface of the tool to be covered, while in other embodiments a more general shape may suffice.

[0013] For example, in some embodiments, the first and second cover portions form first and second halves of the cover, the first and second halves being defined by a cross section in a plane parallel to the longitudinal centerline.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the retaining element comprises a cylindrical surface portion adapted to cooperate with a corresponding cylindrical surface portion formed by a first surface portion of the first cover portion and a second surface portion of the second cover portion, thereby holding the first and second cover portions together. For example, in one embodiment, the first surface portion can be described as forming a substantially circular first end opening of the assembled cover when the cover is placed on the tool, through which the socket can receive a power tool. In some embodiments, the corresponding mating structure can form a substantially circular first end opening when assembled.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the cylindrical surface portion is provided with a thread adapted to cooperate with a corresponding thread provided on a corresponding cylindrical surface portion, i.e. the corresponding mating structure may be provided with a thread.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the cylindrical surface portion is an outer surface portion and the corresponding cylindrical surface portion formed by the first surface portion of the first cover portion and the second surface portion of the second cover portion is an inner surface portion. In such an embodiment, the retaining element may comprise male threads, while the first and second cover portions (or more particularly, their corresponding mating structures) may comprise male threads.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the cylindrical surface portion is an inner surface portion and the corresponding cylindrical surface portion formed by the first surface portion of the first cover portion and the second surface portion of the second cover portion is an outer surface portion.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the retaining element further comprises an axially extending second part adapted in use to at least partially cover a tool accessory attached to the front end of the tool. Such a tool accessory can be a socket in the case of a fastening tool. Examples can include a cylindrical axially extending second part or a slightly conical axially extending part. The axial length and radius of the second part can be selected depending on the design of the socket which the retaining element is adapted to cover. By axial direction with respect to the axially extending second part, the axial direction of the retaining element itself should be understood, which is also the axial direction of the socket.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the cover assembly further comprises a second retaining structure disposed on the second, rearward ends of the first and second cover portions and adapted to cooperate with corresponding second mating structures disposed on the second, rearward ends of the first and second cover portions to hold the first and second cover portions together. One example may include a rear retaining ring, i.e., a circular or cylindrical retaining element. Such a rear retaining ring may include threads adapted to cooperate with corresponding threads on the first and second cover portions.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the second retaining element is an elastic ring-shaped retaining element adapted to surround the rear ends of the first and second cover parts. By elasticity, a material is understood that is adapted to elastically deform without plastically deforming under the load acting when placing the ring on the cover. Such a ring-shaped element can be made of rubber or a suitable elastomer.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the second retaining element is a retaining clamp and the second mating structure includes an opening partially formed in the first cover portion and partially formed in the second portion. Such a clamp can have, for example, a partially cylindrical cross section.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the tool cover assembly is adapted to cover at least 30% of the surface area of ​​the power tool, preferably 50%, and in some embodiments up to 75% of the surface area. For example, in some embodiments, the cover is generally covered with rubber or similar non-conductive material to improve the ergonomics of the tool in terms of grip, thus covering more or less the entire tool except for the handle portion, which is inherently non-conductive. According to one embodiment, the electrically insulating material is a polymer, plastic, or rubber.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the first and second cover parts and / or the retaining element have a color different from the color of the power tool, which is advantageous in providing a clear visual indication to the user that electrical insulation is provided, and can reduce the risk that the user will select a non-insulated tool for a high voltage application.

[0024] According to one embodiment, at least one of the first and second cover parts comprises means for providing an air gap between the tool and the cover such that air can circulate between the tool and the cover in use. This is advantageous as providing electrical insulation can in some cases have a detrimental effect on heat transfer from the tool, e.g. the motor or gears, and as a result, on the performance of the tool. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by designing the tool cover assembly slightly larger than the tool so that a gap can be formed therebetween, and in such embodiments, the means can comprise a shoulder or protruding structure that supports the larger cover on the tool so that the gap can expand. In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second cover parts can comprise ribs disposed on an inner surface that faces the tool in use, and air can circulate between the tool and the cover by channels formed between the ribs. Other examples include internal channels formed in at least one of the first and second cover parts.

[0025] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power tool, optionally a hand-held tool, comprising an electrically insulating tool cover assembly according to any of the above-described embodiments. According to one embodiment of the second aspect, the power tool is a hand-held power tool, optionally a battery-powered tool.

[0026] According to a second aspect of the invention, a kit is provided comprising a first cover part, a second cover part and at least a first and a second retaining element adapted to cooperate with corresponding mating structures arranged at the first ends of the first and second cover parts, thereby retaining the first and second cover parts together, the first and second removable retaining elements being different in size from each other. In such a kit, several retaining elements can thus be provided, for example of different length and / or diameter, so that the cover assembly can be quickly adapted to the type of socket used, for example in the case of a fastening tool, so that an appropriate insulation can be achieved as described above regardless of the shape and size of the socket used. According to one embodiment, the cover assembly is adapted to at least partially cover the fastening tool, and the kit further comprises at least one socket. A suitably adapted first retaining element can thereby be provided to allow an optimal adaptation to the provided socket.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing electrical insulation for at least a front portion of a power tool, the method comprising the steps of providing a first cover part for covering the front portion of the tool, providing a second cover part for covering the front portion of the tool, and providing at least first and second retaining elements adapted to cooperate with corresponding mating structures located at first ends of the first and second cover parts to hold the first and second cover parts together, the first and second retaining elements being different in size from each other. According to one embodiment, the method may further comprise the step of selecting a retaining element from the first and second retaining elements in response to a condition of the tool. The operation may be fastening a fitting, and the condition may comprise selecting a socket for fastening.

[0028] The objects, advantages and features of the power tools, holding elements, kits and methods contemplated within each of the further aspects of the present invention will be readily understood from the above discussion referring to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0029] Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed disclosure, drawings and appended claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described below.

[0030] The present invention is described in the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary cover assembly according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary cover assembly according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary retaining element according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] All drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and generally show only those parts necessary to explain the invention, other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary insulating tool cover assembly (1) that is adapted to be placed over a power tool PT (in this case, a hand-held angled fastening tool) to provide electrical insulation by covering a front portion PT1 of the tool PT.

[0034] The cover assembly, as can be seen in Fig. 1, comprises a first cover part 10 and a second cover part 20, each forming approximately half of the assembled cover structure and together covering a front part PT1 of the power tool, and a removable retaining element 30 arranged at the front end 10a, 20a of the cover assembly for holding the first and second cover parts 10, 20 together. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second cover parts 10, 20 extend over approximately 2 / 3 of the axial length of the power tool and therefore cover approximately 2 / 3 of the surface area of ​​the tool PT. The remaining uncovered part of the power tool PT is mainly the tool handle, which is itself covered with rubber, i.e. is itself non-conductive.

[0035] The first and second cover parts 10, 20 and the retaining element 30 are made of a plastic material to provide the required insulation. Additionally, although not visible in the black and white FIG. 1, the first and second cover parts 10, 20 have a light color that is different from the color of the power tool to visually communicate to the user that the tool is insulating.

[0036] The retaining element 30 is ring-shaped, i.e. substantially cylindrical, in the embodiment shown and is disposed in a substantially circular first end opening 40 of the assembled cover. A first portion 31 of the retaining element, in this case a cylindrical first portion provided with a thread, is disposed in the opening 40. The retaining element 30 further comprises an axially extending second portion 32 which, in use, is adapted to partially cover a socket (not shown) attached to the front part PT1 of the tool.

[0037] A second retention structure 50 in the form of a resilient ring 50 is positioned a suitable distance from the rear ends 10b, 20b of the covers to retain the first and second cover parts together at said rear ends.

[0038] A second exemplary embodiment of an insulating tool cover assembly (1) is shown in Figure 2. Similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the cover assembly comprises a first cover part 10 and a second cover part made of insulating plastic material 20 which together cover the front part PT1 of the power tool, and a removable retaining element 30 arranged at the front end 10a, 20a of the cover assembly. However, the embodiment of Figure 2 is shorter compared to the first embodiment, with the first and second cover parts 10, 20 extending over approximately 1 / 3 of the axial length of the power tool.

[0039] The first retaining element 30 according to one embodiment is shown in more detail in Figure 3. The depicted retaining element 30 comprises a cylindrical surface portion 31 having threads 32 formed by a first surface portion 40a of the first cover part 10 and a second surface portion 40b of the second cover part 20, adapted to cooperate with corresponding threads on a cylindrical surface portion 40 forming a substantially circular first end opening 40 of the assembled cover. The retaining element 30 further comprises an axially extending second portion 33 adapted in use to partially cover the socket as described above.

[0040] To provide electrical insulation, the user places the first and second cover parts over the front of the tool, then attaches a first retaining element to the front end of the tool and a second rear retaining clamp 60 to the rear end of the cover to hold the cover parts firmly together. Preferably, the user is provided with not only one first retaining element 30, but a kit with a number of such elements 30 of different sizes and designs, and in the embodiment shown, based on the choice of socket to be attached to the tool, the user can select and attach the appropriate retaining element 30 that ensures sufficient insulation.

[0041] While the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the above description, such illustration and description are to be considered as illustrative or exemplary, and not restrictive, and the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that many modifications, variations and changes are possible within the scope defined in the appended claims. In addition, modifications to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Moreover, any reference signs in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Tool cover assembly 10 First cover member 10b Rear end 20 Second cover member 20b Rear end 30 First holding element 32 threads 40 Cylindrical surface part 50 Second retention structure PT power tools PT1 Front

Claims

1. An electrically insulating tool cover assembly (1) adapted to at least partially cover at least a front portion of a hand-held power tool (PT), said cover assembly comprising: a first cover part (10) and a second cover part (20) adapted to cover, in use, at least said front part of said power tool; - a removable retaining element (30) adapted to cooperate with corresponding mating structures arranged at the first ends (10a, 20a) of said first and second cover parts, respectively, to hold said first and second cover parts together; Equipped with the first and second cover portions and the retaining element are made of an electrically insulating material and are adapted to provide electrical insulation for at least a portion of the front portion of the power tool in use; a first end portion of the tool cover assembly adapted to be placed on a front end of the power tool in use, the retaining element (30) comprising a cylindrical surface portion (31) adapted to cooperate with a corresponding cylindrical surface portion (40) formed by a first surface portion (40a) of the first cover part (10) and a second surface portion (40b) of the second cover part (20) and forming a substantially circular first end opening of the assembled cover, thereby holding the first and second cover parts (10, 20) together, the cylindrical surface portion (31) comprising a thread (32) adapted to cooperate with a corresponding thread of the corresponding cylindrical surface portion (40).

2. 2. The tool cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical surface portion (31) is an outer surface portion and the corresponding cylindrical surface portion (40) formed by the first surface portion (40a) of the first cover part (10) and the second surface portion (40b) of the second cover part (20) is an inner surface portion.

3. 2. The tool cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical surface portion (31) is an inner surface portion and the corresponding cylindrical surface portion (40) formed by the first surface portion (40a) of the first cover part (10) and the second surface portion (40b) of the second cover part (20) is an outer surface portion.

4. A tool cover assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the retaining element (30) further comprises an axially extending second portion (32) adapted, in use, to at least partially cover a tool accessory attached to a front end of the tool.

5. 5. A tool cover assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second retaining structure (50) disposed at a second, rear end of the first and second cover portions (10a, 20a) and adapted to retain the first and second cover portions (10, 20) together.

6. 6. The tool cover assembly of claim 5, wherein the second retaining structure (50) is a resilient ring-like element (50) adapted to surround a portion of the rear ends (10b, 20b) of the first and second cover parts (10, 20).

7. A tool cover assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tool cover is adapted to cover at least 30%, preferably 50% of the surface area of ​​the power tool.

8. A tool cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second cover parts (10, 20) comprises means for providing a gap to allow air to circulate between the tool and the cover, in use.

9. A tool cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second cover parts (10, 20) and / or the retaining element (30) have a colour different from a colour of the power tool.

10. A hand-held power tool comprising an electrically insulating tool cover according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The power tool of claim 10, wherein the power tool is a power tool.

12. 1. A method for providing electrical insulation to at least a front portion of a power tool, comprising: Providing a first cover part (10) for covering a front part of the tool; providing a second cover part (20) for covering a front part of the tool; providing at least first and second retaining elements (30) adapted to cooperate with corresponding mating structures (40) located on first ends (10a, 20a) of the first and second cover portions (10, 20) to retain the first and second cover portions (10, 20) together; Including, the first and second retaining elements (30) comprise a cylindrical surface portion (31) adapted to cooperate with a corresponding cylindrical surface portion (40) formed by a first surface portion (40a) of the first cover part (10) and a second surface portion (40b) of the second cover part (20) and forming a substantially circular first end opening of the assembled cover, thereby holding the first and second cover parts (10, 20) together, the cylindrical surface portion (31) comprising a thread (32) adapted to cooperate with a corresponding thread of the corresponding cylindrical surface portion (40), and the first and second retaining elements (30) are different in size from each other.

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