Power Tool Handle Mounting Apparatus with Flexible Strap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handle assemblies for power tools, particularly hammer drills, face challenges in distributing mechanical stresses effectively, leading to high construction costs and potential robustness issues due to concentrated stress points in clamping mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A mounting apparatus with a support, flexible member, retaining mechanism, and adjustment means that allows for sliding movement of first members relative to the support, distributing tensioning forces along the loop and enabling adjustable clamping, thereby reducing costs and improving robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid injection moulded clamping collar is used to clamp the handle to the power tool, then the clamping mechanism is robust, but mechanical stresses are concentrated in certain regions resulting in high construction costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible member (such as a rubber band or elastic strap) to replace the rigid injection moulded clamping collar. This flexible member forms a loop that engages the support at first and second locations, distributing clamping stresses along the length of the loop rather than concentrating them in specific regions. The flexibility of this member allows it to deform elastically under load, spreading the mechanical stresses uniformly and enabling a more cost-effective construction without sacrificing robustness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the clamping mechanism from rigid to flexible. By using a flexible member with elastic properties, the system can dynamically adjust to stress distributions, allowing stresses to be redistributed along the loop length. This parameter change from rigidity to flexibility enables both robust clamping and cost-effective construction
2Stability of the object's composition
If the first members are fixed relative to the support, then the clamping force is constant, but the loop size cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the clamping mechanism through adjustment means that enable movement of the first members relative to each other in a first direction to reduce loop size and in a second direction to increase loop size. The sliding mechanism with mutually engaging surfaces allows the system to transition between different clamping configurations while maintaining stability during operation. This dynamic capability provides both adaptability for different handle sizes and stability for secure clamping
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding mechanism with mutually engaging surfaces provides mechanical feedback that maintains optimal clamping force. As the first members slide relative to each other and to the support, the geometry of the engaging surfaces ensures that the clamping force is automatically adjusted to maintain proper tension on the flexible member, balancing adaptability with stability
Data Source
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AI summary
A mounting apparatus for mounting a handle (14) to a power tool is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a base for supporting a handle and engaging a body of the power tool, a flexible strap (10) for engaging the base at first and second locations to form a loop for retaining the support in engagement with the body of the power tool, and a clamping mechanism (30) comprising a pair of wedges (32) for engaging the base and the flexible strap, and a bolt (44) for retaining the wedges in position relative to the base. A knob (12) enables movement of the wedges relative to each other in a first direction to reduce the size of the loop and in a second direction to increase the size of the loop.