TRIGGER-ACTIVATED TOOLS THAT HAVE ACTIVATION LOCKS.

Abstract

Trigger-activated tools are provided that have one or more trigger locks. Trigger locks include electrical resets, variable-position locks, mechanical locks, guard locks, and any combination thereof. Trigger-activated tools are provided that include trigger locks, which prevent accidental activation of the tools. In some models, the trigger lock is an electrical reset. Unless the electrical reset has been pressed, the trigger, regardless of whether it is in the normal or activated position, is prevented from activating the tool.

Description

TRIGGER-ACTIVATED TOOLS THAT HAVE ACTIVATION LOCKS FIELD OF INVENTION This description relates to trigger-activated tools. More specifically, this description relates to trigger-activated tools that have activation locks. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Trigger-activated tools are commonly used in various industries, including power, construction, telecommunications, petrochemicals, data centers, transportation, and building. These tools may include, but are not limited to, C-head crimping tools, jaw crimping tools, cutting tools, and others. When activation of such tools is desired, the trigger is moved from a normal position to an activation position. Unfortunately, the use of such trigger-activated tools frequently occurs under conditions that can lead to accidental movement of the trigger from the normal position to the activation position. Therefore, it is determined from the present description that there is a need for active tools Ref. 280433 by trigger that overcome, alleviate, and / or mitigate one or more of the defects mentioned above and other harmful defects of trigger-activated tools of the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Trigger-activated tools are provided that include trigger locks, which prevent accidental activation of the tools. In some models, the trigger lock is an electrical reset. Unless the electrical reset button has been pressed, the trigger, regardless of whether it is in the normal or activated position, is prevented from activating the tool. In other configurations, the trigger lock is a variable-position lock with a first and a second position. In the first position, the variable-position lock allows the trigger to be moved to the activation position, but prevents this movement from activating the tool. Conversely, in the second position, the variable-position lock allows the trigger to be moved to the activation position to activate the tool. In some models, the trigger lock is a mechanical lock with a first and a second position. In the first position, the mechanical lock prevents the trigger from moving to the activation position. Conversely, in the second position, the mechanical lock allows the trigger to be moved to the activation position to activate the tool. Even in other configurations, the trigger lock is a safety lock with a first and a second position. In the first position, the safety lock covers or otherwise prevents the trigger from moving to the activation position. Conversely, in the second position, the safety lock allows access to the trigger so it can be moved to the activation position to activate the tool. A trigger-activated tool is provided, comprising an actuating device, an activation trigger, and a lock. The activation trigger is engaged by a portion of the handle and is configured to activate the actuating device. The lock has a locked state and an unlocked state, where the locked state prevents activation of the actuating device by the activation trigger. In some configurations, either alone or in combination with the configurations mentioned above or below, the trigger-activated tool may include a drain trigger, depending on the grip portion. The drain trigger relieves potential energy within the triggerable device when the blockage is in both the locked and unlocked states. In some modalities, either alone or in combination with the modalities mentioned above or below, the blocking is normally diverted to the blocked state. In some modes, either alone or in combination with the modes mentioned above or below, the actuatable device includes a power source. The activation trigger moves between a first position in which the power source is not communicating with the actuatable device and a second position in which the power source is communicating with the actuatable device. The lockout is a reset that selectively prevents communication between the power source and the actuatable device when the activation trigger is in the second position, unless the reset is in the unlocked state. In some configurations, either alone or in combination with the configurations mentioned above or below, the trigger-activated tool may include a control circuit in communication with the reset. This control circuit maintains the lock in the unlocked state for a predetermined period of time after the reset is moved. In some modalities, either alone or in combination with the modalities mentioned above or below, the block is a variable position block such that the blocked state is a first position and the unblocked state is a second position. In some modalities, either alone or in combination with the modalities mentioned above or below, the variable position lock, when in the first position, allows movement of the activation trigger, but prevents such movement from activating the activatable device, and when in the second position, allows movement of the activation trigger to activate the activatable device. In some configurations, either alone or in combination with the configurations mentioned above or below, the variable-position lock includes an L-shaped lever secured by rotation to the activation trigger for movement between the first and second positions. The L-shaped lever has an activation arm and a drain arm. When the L-shaped lever is in the first position, the drain arm is aligned with a drain trigger so that movement of the activation trigger causes the drain arm to activate the drain trigger to release potential energy within the activatable device. When the L-shaped lever is in the second position, the activation arm is aligned with an activation switch so that movement of the activation trigger causes the activation arm to activate the activation switch to energize the activatable device. In some modalities, either alone or in combination with the modalities mentioned above or below, the block is a mechanical block, so the blocked state is a first position and the unblocked state is a second position. In some modes, either alone or in combination with the modes mentioned above or below, the mechanical lock, when in the first position, prevents movement of the activation trigger and, when in the second position, allows movement of the activation trigger. In some modalities, either alone or in combination with the modalities mentioned above or below, the mechanical lock, when in the first position, makes contact with an inside of the grip portion to an outside portion of the grip portion. In some modalities, either alone or in combination with the modalities mentioned above or below, the block is a protective block such that the blocked state is a first position and the unblocked state is a second position. In some modes, either alone or in combination with the modes mentioned above or below, the protective lock, when in the first position, covers or protects the activation trigger to prevent movement of the activation trigger and, when in the second position, allows access to the activation trigger to allow movement of the activation trigger. In some modalities, either alone or in combination with the modalities mentioned above or below, the grip portion is a pistol grip and the protection block is a rotating guard, or it is an in-line grip and the protection block is a pivoting cover. In other embodiments, a trigger-activated tool is provided. The tool includes a jaw, a power source, a hydraulic unit operatively connected to the jaw, a gripper portion having an activation trigger and a drain trigger (depending on the trigger), and a trigger lock rotatably secured to the activation trigger. The activation trigger moves between a normal position and an activated position. When in the activated position, the activation trigger connects the hydraulic unit electrically to the battery, causing the hydraulic unit to move the jaw. The drain trigger moves between a normal position and a drain position. When in the drain position, the drain trigger releases potential energy within the hydraulic unit. The trigger lock also moves between a normal position and an activated position.The activation trigger, the drain trigger, and the trigger lock are each deflected to their respective normal positions. The trigger lock, when in the normal position, provides mechanical interference to prevent movement of the activation trigger to the activated position, and when in the activated position, it allows movement of the activation trigger to the activated position. In some modalities, either alone or in combination with the modalities mentioned above or below, the grip portion is an in-line grip or a pistol grip. In some modes, either alone or in combination with the modes mentioned above or below, the drain trigger moves between the normal position and the drain position when the trigger lock is in both the normal and activated positions. In some modalities, either alone or in combination with the modalities mentioned above or below, the mechanical interference is internal to the gripping portion or external to the gripping portion. The features and advantages described above and others in this description will be appreciated and understood by those technically skilled in the subject matter from the following detailed description, figures, and attached claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a pistol-style trigger-activated tool having an illustrative modality of an electrical reset lock in accordance with the present description; Figure 2 is a top perspective view of an alternate illustrative modality of the electrical reset of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top perspective view of an in-line style trigger-activated tool having an illustrative modality of an electrical reset lock in accordance with the present description; Figure 4 is a top perspective view of a pistol-style trigger-activated tool having an illustrative modality of a variable position lock in accordance with the present description, wherein the variable position lock is shown in a first position or a locked position. Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the pistol-style trigger-activated tool of Figure 4 having the variable position lock shown in a second or unlocked position; Figure 6 is a top perspective view of an in-line style trigger-activated tool having an illustrative mode of a variable position lock in accordance with the present description shown in a first position or a locked position; Figure 7 is a top perspective view of the in-line style trigger-activated tool of Figure 6 having the variable position lock shown in a second position to an unlocked one; Figure 8 is a top perspective view of a pistol-style trigger-activated tool having an illustrative modality of a mechanical lock in accordance with the present description; Figure 9 is a top perspective view of an alternate illustrative modality of the mechanical lock of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a top perspective view of an in-line style trigger-activated tool having an illustrative modality of a mechanical lock in accordance with the present description; Figure 11 is a top perspective view of a portion of an in-line style trigger-activated tool having an illustrative modality of a mechanical lock in accordance with the present description; Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanical lock of Figure 11 shown in the locked position; Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanical lock of Figure 11 shown in the unlocked position; Figure 14 is a sectional view of the mechanical lock of Figure 11 shown in the unlocked position; but with the trigger in the engaged position; Figure 15 is a top perspective view of an in-line style trigger-activated tool having in another illustrative form a mechanical lock in accordance with the present description, the mechanical lock shown in a first position or locked; Figure 16 is a top perspective view of the mechanical lock of Figure 15 shown in a second or unlocked position; Figure 17 is a top perspective view of a pistol-style trigger-activated tool having an illustrative modality of a protective lock shown in accordance with the present description, the protective lock shown in a first or protected position; Figure 18 is a top perspective view of the protective lock of Figure 17 shown in a second or unprotected position; Figure 19 is a top perspective view of an in-line style trigger-activated tool having an illustrative modality of a protective lock shown in accordance with the present description, the protective lock shown in a first or protected position; and Figure 20 is a top perspective view of the protective lock of Figure 19 shown in a second or unprotected position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION When referring to the figures, and in particular to Figures 1 and 2, illustrative modalities of a pistol-style trigger-activated tool in accordance with the present description are shown and generally indicated by reference number 10. Advantageously, tool 10 includes an activation lock 12, which prevents accidental activation of the tool. Here, activation lock 12 is an electrical reset lock that allows movement of the activation trigger from the normal position to the activation position, but prevents such movement from activating tool 10 unless the activation lock has been pressed. In this way, the activation lock 12, when in the form of an electrical reset lock, prevents accidental activation of tool 10 by requiring both pressing the lock and activating the trigger. In the configuration shown in Figure 1, the activation lock 12 is placed on a portion of the tool handle 10, illustrated as an upper wall 14. In this way, the user can hold the tool 10 with one hand on the pistol grip 16 and a second hand to stabilize the tool by holding the upper wall 14 of the tool, with easy access to the activation lock 12 through their second hand. In the configuration shown in Figure 2, an activation lock 12 is placed on a side wall 18 of the tool 10, where the side wall is sufficiently close to the handle 16. This allows the user to hold the tool 10 with their first hand on the pistol grip 16 and their second hand to stabilize the tool by holding the top wall 14, with easy access to the activation lock 12 via the thumb of their first hand. Although the tool 10 is illustrated in Figure 2 with the activation lock 12 on the left side wall 18 for activation by the user's right thumb, this description also contemplates the tool 10 being configured with the activation lock 12 on the right side wall 18 for left-handed operation, or on both the left and right side walls. Tool 10 will be described in more detail with simultaneous reference to Figures 1 and 2. Tool 10 includes an actuatable device, which in this embodiment is illustrated as including a jaw 20, a battery 22, a hydraulic unit 24. The jaw 20 can be a pressing jaw or a cutting jaw, as well as any other jaw. The hydraulic unit 24 is a battery-operated, independent unit, which is configured to actuate the jaw 20. The hydraulic unit 24 includes an activation trigger 26 and a drain trigger 28 that depend on and / or extend from the gripper portion. The activation trigger 26 moves between a normal position (shown) and a depressed or activated position (not shown). The tool 10 is activated by moving the activation trigger 26 from the normal position to the activated position, which puts the battery 22 into electrical communication with the hydraulic unit 24 to actuate the jaw 20. It should be recognized that tool 10 is described by way of example only as having the actuatable device illustrated as a combination of jaw 20, battery 22, and hydraulic unit 24. Of course, the actuatable device is intended by the present description to include any device that can be actuated by the trigger 26. Advantageously, the tool 10 is configured so that, regardless of whether the activation trigger 26 is in the normal position or the activation position, the battery 22 is prevented from activating the hydraulic unit 24 unless the trigger lock 12 is pressed, in the form of the electric reset lock. In this way, in some modes, tool 10 is configured to prevent accidental activation of tool 10 by requiring simultaneous pressure of the lock 12 and activation of the trigger 26. In other embodiments, the tool 10 also includes a control circuit (not shown) that provides a predetermined time period after the lock 12 is pressed, during which trigger 26 activates the jaw 20. This allows the user to press the lock 12 and then activate trigger 26 within the predetermined time period. The control circuit can be configured to activate only one movement of the trigger 26 or multiple movements within the time period. The control circuit can be solid-state, digital, hardware, software, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, it is understood herein that the tool 10 is user-programmable to adjust one or more aspects of the control circuit. The drain trigger 28 similarly moves between a normal position (not shown) and a depressed or activated position (not shown). Once the jaw 20 has completed its action, moving the drain trigger 28 from the normal position to the activated position relieves the pressure (i.e., potential energy) within the hydraulic unit 24, allowing the jaw 20 to retract. It should be recognized that Tool 10 is described above with respect to Figures 1 and 2 as a battery-operated hydraulic tool with a pistol-grip style handle and a C-head crimping tool. Of course, it is intended by the present description that Tool 10 be any type of trigger-operated tool such as, but not limited to, crimping tools, both C-head and jaw styles, cutting tools, and others. Additionally, tool 10 can have any power source, such as, but not limited to, battery power, line power, hydraulic power, pneumatic power, and any combination thereof. Furthermore, tool 10 can have a handle with any grip style, such as, but not limited to, pistol grip or in-line grip. For example, the tool is illustrated in Figure 3 as a trigger-activated tool in line 110. Here, component parts that perform similar or analogous functions are labeled in multiples of one hundred. Tool 110 includes an activation block 112 mounted on an upper wall 114 of an in-line style handle 116. Tool 110 further includes a vise 120, a battery 122, and a hydraulic unit 124. The hydraulic unit 124 includes a three-position switch comprising an activation trigger 126 and a drain trigger 128, which move between a normal position (shown), an activated position (not shown) where the trigger 126 is depressed, and a drain position (not shown) where the trigger 128 is depressed. As discussed above, tool 110 can be configured to prevent accidental activation of the tool by requiring simultaneous pressing of lock 112 and activation of trigger 126. Alternatively, and as also discussed above, tool 110 may include a control circuit (not shown) that provides a predetermined period of time after pressing lock 122 during which activation of trigger 126 activates jaw 120. Thus, the locks 12, 112 in Figures 1-3 are electronic resets that prevent accidental activation of the tool 10, 110, respectively, by preventing the movement of the trigger 26, 126 to the activation button from activating the hydraulic unit 24, 126 unless the electronic resets have been pressed. Alternative trigger-lock configurations 212 and 312 that prevent accidental activation of the tool are described in use with a pistol-grip style tool 210 with respect to Figures 4-5 and in use with an in-line style tool 310 with respect to Figures 6-7, respectively. However, since the operation and structure of trigger-lock 312 will be appreciated with the description of trigger-lock 212, the discussion that follows will be directed solely to trigger-lock 212. The 212 trigger lock takes the form of a variable position lock, which also functions as the on / off trigger for the tool. 210. Specifically, the trigger lock 212 has a trigger lever 230 and an L-shaped lever 232. The trigger lever 230 is rotatably secured to the tool 210 for movement between a normal position (Figures 4-5) and a depressed position (not shown). The L-shaped lever 232 is rotatably secured to the trigger lever 230 for movement between a first position (Figure 4) and a second position (Figure 5). Additionally, the L-shaped lever 232 is normally deflected to the first position, for example, by a spring (not shown). The L-shaped lever 232 has an activation arm 226 and a drain arm 228. When in the first position shown in Figure 4, the L-shaped lever 232 is positioned with the drain arm 228 aligned with a hydraulic drain lever 234 of the tool 210. In this position, movement of the trigger lever 230 from the normal position (Figures 4-5) to the depressed position will cause the drain arm 228 to move the hydraulic drain lever 234, releasing hydraulic pressure from the tool 210. Simply put, the L-shaped lever 232 is normally deflected to a safe position where accidental depression of the trigger lever 230 will not activate the tool 230, but rather release hydraulic pressure from within the tool. Conversely, the L-shaped lever 232, when in the second position of Figure 5, is positioned with the activation arm 226 aligned with an activation switch 236 of the tool 210. In this position, movement of the trigger lever 230 from the normal position (Figures 4-5) to the depressed position will cause the activation arm 226 to make contact, thereby activating the activation switch 236 to engage the tool 210. Simply put, the deflection of the L-shaped lever 232 to the safe position (Figure 4) can be overcome so that depression of the trigger lever 230 will engage the tool 210. Therefore, tool 210 is configured, by way of lock 212 in the form of a variable-position lock, to require the operator to rotate the L-shaped lever 232 from the first normally deflected position to the second position, and then to move the trigger lever 230 from the normally deflected position to the depressed position to activate the tool. Furthermore, tool 210 is configured, by way of lock 212 in the form of a variable-position lock, to require the operator to return the L-shaped lever 232 to the first normally deflected position after activation, and then to move the trigger lever 230 from the normally deflected position to the depressed position to drain and retract the tool. Other alternative forms of trigger locks 412, 512, 612, 612' that prevent accidental activation of the tool are described in use with pistol-grip style tools 410, 510 with respect to Figures 8-9 and in use with in-line style grip tools 610, 610' with respect to Figures 10-14, respectively. However, since the operation and structure of trigger locks 512, 612 will be appreciated after the description of trigger lock 412, the decision below will be directed solely to trigger lock 412. The trigger lock 412 takes the form of a mechanical lock that prevents movement of the tool's activation trigger 426. Specifically, the trigger lock 412 can move between a normal or safe position (Figure 8) and an activated position (not shown). In the normal or safe position, the trigger lock 412 provides mechanical interference between the activation trigger 426 and the tool 410 to prevent movement of the activation trigger. Regardless of the position of the trigger lock 412, the drain trigger 428 can move between its normal position (Figure 8) and its drain position (not shown). In this way, the trigger lock 412 prevents accidental activation of the tool 410. It should be noted that tool 410, shown in Figure 8, has an activation trigger 426 positioned below the drain trigger 428. This description, of course, assumes the activation and drain triggers can be positioned in any desired way relative to each other. For example, tool 510, shown in Figure 9, has an activation trigger 526 positioned above the drain trigger 528, although it functions differently, as described above with respect to tool 410. In this way, the trigger lock 512 provides mechanical interference between the activation trigger 526 and tool 510 to prevent accidental activation of the tool. Tool 610 is shown in Figure 10 as an in-line style tool. Very similar to Tool 110 discussed earlier, Tool 610 includes a three-position switch comprising an activation trigger 626 and a drain trigger 628. These positions move between a normal position (shown), an activated position (not shown) where trigger 626 is pressed, and a drain position (not shown) where trigger 628 is pressed. The trigger lock 612 provides mechanical interference between the activation trigger 626 and Tool 610 to prevent accidental activation of the tool. Another illustrative embodiment of an inline tool 610' is shown in Figures 11-14 as an inline-style tool. Again, tool 610', very similar to tool 110 discussed earlier, includes a three-position switch comprising an activation trigger 626' and a drain trigger 628'. The activation trigger 626' moves between a normal position (Figures 11-13) and an activated position (Figure 14) where the activation trigger 626 is pressed, while the drain trigger 628' moves between a normal position (Figures 11-14) and a drain position (not shown) where the drain trigger is pressed. Tool 610' includes another illustrative form of mechanical lock 612', which is configured to prevent accidental movement of the activation trigger 626'. Here, the mechanical lock 612' is configured to move between a normal or safe position (Figures 11-12) and an activation position (Figures 13-14). In the normal or safe position, the lock 612' is configured to provide a mechanical interference or panel between a portion 638' of the lock and a portion 640' of tool 610' to prevent movement of the activation trigger to the activated position. However, in the activated position, portion 638' of the lock 612' no longer interferes with or splices with portion 640' of tool 610' to permit movement of the activation trigger 626' to the activated position. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock 612' is rotatably secured to the activation trigger 626' around an axis 642' and is normally deflected around the axis by a spring 644' to the normal or safe position shown in Figures 11-12. The tool 610' is thus configured to require the operator to rotate the lock 612' around the axis 642' from the normally deflected safe position (Figures 11-12) upon overcoming the spring force 634' to the activation position (Figures 13-14). After pressure is released from the lock 612', the spring 644' will deflect the lock to rotate around the axis 642' back to the normal or safe position. However, once the lock 612' is in the activated position, the activation trigger 626' can be moved from the normally deflected position (Figures 11-13) to the depressed position (Figure 14) to activate the tool. Regardless of the position of the lock 612', the drain trigger 628' can move between its normal position (Figures 11-14) and its drain position (not shown). In this way, the mechanical lock 612' is configured to prevent accidental activation of the tool 610' or to require movement of the lock 612' to the activation position before movement of the trigger 626' to the activation position. It should be acknowledged that the trigger locks 612 and 612', described above with respect to Figures 10-14, form mechanical interferences with tools 610 and 610', respectively, within the tool. However, it is also contemplated that the trigger locks 612 and 612' form the mechanical interference external to the tool, as shown in Figures 15-16. Alternate trigger-lock modes 712, 812 that prevent accidental activation of the tool are described in use with a pistol-grip style tool 710 with respect to Figures 17-18 and in use with an in-line style tool 810 with respect to Figures 19-20, respectively. Trigger locks 712, 812 take the form of a protective lock, which protect or otherwise cover the trigger for tools 710, 810, respectively, to prevent accidental activation of the tool. In tool 710, the trigger lock 712 includes a rotating guard 750 that moves between a first or protected position (Figure 17) and a second or unprotected position (Figure 18). In the first or protected position, the rotating guard 750 is close enough to the trigger 726 to prevent accidental activation. In contrast, when in the second or unprotected position, the rotating guard 750 provides sufficient clearance between the guard and the trigger 726 to prevent easy activation of tool 710. The rotating guard 750 has a pivot point 752 that includes a spring (not shown), which is configured to deflect the guard to the first or a protected position. In some embodiments, the rotating guard 750 is shaped to define an opening 754 under activation and drain triggers 726, 728, where the opening is sufficient to provide an area under the triggers large enough to receive the user's fingers or hand for rotating the guard. In other embodiments, the rotating guard 750 may also include a maximum position limiter 756, which limits the maximum rotation of the rotating guard to the second position. In the embodiment illustrated, the limiter 756 includes a hook or other reference structure that captures or splices a tool portion 710 to limit the movement of the rotating guard 750. In operation, the user can slide their hand or fingers into opening 754, which will cause the rotating guard 750 to move from the first position to the second position. The user can then press the activation trigger 726 to activate and / or release the trigger 728 to deactivate the tool 710. In tool 810, the trigger lock 812 includes a pivoting cover guard 840 that moves between a first or protected position (Figure 19) and a second or unprotected position (Figure 20). In the first or protected position, the pivoting cover guard 840 is close enough to the trigger 826 to prevent accidental triggering. In contrast, when in the second or unprotected position, the pivoting cover guard 840 provides sufficient clearance between the cover guard and the trigger 826 to allow the tool 810 to be easily activated. The pivoting cover guard 840 has a pivot point 842 that includes a spring (not shown), which is configured to deflect the guard to the first or protected position. In operation, the user can slide their hand or fingers under the pivoting 840 cover guard to move it from the first position to the second position. Then, the user can press the activation trigger. 826 to activate tool 810. It should be recognized that the interlocks 12, 112 in Figures 1-3, illustrated as electronic resets, are shown without any of the variable position interlocks, mechanical interlocks, and protective interlocks of Figures 4-20. It is, of course, contemplated by the present description that the trigger-activated tools of the present application include both the electronic reset and one of the variable position interlocks, mechanical interlocks, and protective interlocks. Additionally, it should be recognized that the tool 510 in Figure 9, which has a trigger lock 512 in the form of a mechanical interference, is the only modality of the illustrated pistol-style tool having the activation trigger 526 over the drain trigger 528. Of course, it is contemplated by the present description that any of the other activation locks described, such as electronic resets, variable-position locks, and guards, will find equal use with top-trigger activation modalities. It should also be noted that terms such as first, second, third, superior, inferior, and similar terms can be used here to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated. Although the present description has been given with reference to one or more illustrative embodiments, it shall be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present description. Furthermore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the description without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present description is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) described as the best contemplated mode, but that the description shall include all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

1. A trigger-activated tool, characterized in that it comprises: an actuating device including a power source; a gripping portion having an activation trigger and a drain trigger, both of which depend on a common pivot axis; and a trigger lock slidably received on the activation trigger, the trigger lock being slidable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the activation trigger is movable about the common pivot axis between a normal position in which the power source is not in communication with the actuating device and an activated position in which the power source is in communication with the actuating device, wherein the trigger lock, when in the locked position, prevents movement of the activation trigger to the activated position and, when in the unlocked position,It allows movement of the activation trigger to the activation position, wherein the drain trigger can be moved around the common pivot axis between a normal position and a drain position in which potential energy is relieved within the actuatable device, and wherein the drain trigger is configured to move to the drain position when the trigger lock is in both the locked and unlocked positions.

2. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the trigger lock is normally deflected to the locked position and the activation and drain triggers are normally deflected to the normal positions.

3. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the trigger lock, when in the locked position, makes contact with an interior of the gripping portion.

4. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the trigger lock, when in the locked position, makes contact with an external portion of the gripping portion. oeocnn / zznz / E / YiAi 5. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the gripping portion is an in-line handle.

6. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip portion is a pistol grip.

7. A trigger-activated tool, characterized in that it comprises: a jaw; a power source; a hydraulic unit operatively connected to the jaw; a gripper portion having an activation trigger and a drain trigger, both of which depend on a common pivot axis; and a trigger lock secured on the activation trigger for sliding movement of the activation trigger between a locked position and an unlocked position, the activation trigger being configured to move around the common pivot axis between a normal position and an activated position, the activation trigger, when in the activated position, placing the hydraulic unit in electrical communication with the power source so that the hydraulic unit activates the jaw, the drain trigger being configured to move around the common pivot axis between a normal position and a drain position.The drain trigger, when in the drain position, relieves potential energy within the hydraulic unit; and the trigger lock, when in the locked position, provides mechanical interference to prevent movement of the activation trigger to the activated position and, when in the unlocked position, permits movement of the activation trigger to the activated position; and the drain trigger is configured to move between the normal position and the drain position when the trigger lock is in both the locked and unlocked positions.

8. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 7, characterized in that the gripping portion is an in-line handle.

9. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 7, characterized in that the grip portion is a pistol grip.

10. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 7, characterized in that the mechanical interference is internal to the gripping portion.

11. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 7, characterized in that the mechanical interference is external to the gripping portion.

12. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 7, characterized in that the jaw comprises a pressing jaw.

13. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 7, characterized in that the jaw comprises a cutting jaw.

14. A trigger-activated tool, characterized in that it comprises: an actuating device; an activation trigger dependent on a gripping portion, the activation trigger being configured for movement from a normal position and an activation position; and an electrical reset lock having a locked state and an unlocked state, the electrical reset lock being configured such that movement of the activation trigger from the normal position to the activation position does not activate the actuating device unless the activation lock is in the locked state.

15. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 14, characterized in that the gripping portion defines a pistol grip or an in-line grip. Qrocnn / zznz / E / YiAi 16. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 14, characterized in that the electric reset lock prevents activation of the tool without simultaneous movement of the actuator to the activation position and change of the electric reset lock to the unlocked state.

17. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 14, characterized in that the grip portion comprises a pistol-style handle, and wherein the electric reset lock is located on an upper wall of the pistol-style handle.

18. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 14, characterized in that the grip portion comprises a pistol-style handle, and wherein the electric reset lock is located on a side wall of the pistol-style handle.

19. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 14, characterized in that the grip portion comprises a pistol-style handle, and wherein the electric reset lock is located on both opposite side walls of the pistol-style handle.

20. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 14, characterized in that the activating device comprises a jaw, a power source, and a drive unit operatively connected with the jaw, and wherein the activation trigger, when in the activated position together with the electrical reset lock in the unlocked state, places the drive unit in electrical communication with the power source so that the drive unit operates the jaw.

21. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 20, characterized in that the driving unit is a hydraulic unit.

22. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 21, characterized in that it further comprises a drain trigger dependent on the gripping portion, the drain trigger being configured to relieve potential energy in the hydraulic unit.

23. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 20, characterized in that the electrical reset lock prevents communication between the power source and the drive unit when the activation trigger is in the activated position unless the electrical reset lock is in the unlocked state. 24.- The trigger-activated tool of 37 in accordance with claim 20, characterized in that the jaw comprises a pressing jaw or cutting jaw.

25. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises a control circuit in communication with the electric reset lock.

26. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 25, characterized in that the control circuit maintains the electrical reset lock in the unlocked state for a predetermined period of time after movement of the electrical reset lock.

27. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 25, characterized in that the control circuit comprises a solid-state circuit, a digital circuit, hardware, software, and any combination thereof.

28. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 25, characterized in that the control circuit is user-programmable.

29. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 14, characterized in that the gripping portion comprises an in-line handle.

30. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 29, characterized in that orocnn / zznz / E / YiAi further comprises a three-position switch including the activation trigger and a drain trigger.

31. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 30, characterized in that the actuatable device comprises a jaw, a power source, and a drive unit operatively connected with the jaw, and wherein the activation trigger, when in the activated position together with the electrical reset lock in the unlocked state, places the drive unit in electrical communication with the power source so that the drive unit operates the jaw.

32. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 31, characterized in that the driving unit is a hydraulic unit and wherein the drain trigger is configured to relieve potential energy in the hydraulic unit.

33. The trigger-activated tool according to claim 30, characterized in that the electric reset lock is positioned on the grip portion of the handle in line between the three-position switch and the jaw.

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