Patent ID: 7210542
Filing Date: 2007-05-01
Classification: H01H,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A safety device for a power tool having an electric motor and a trigger to activate the motor via a primary trigger-activated switch, comprising: an auxiliary switch in circuit with the motor; and an activator movable between a first position in which the auxiliary switch is opened by the activator and the activator prevents depression of the trigger, and a second position in which the auxiliary switch is closed by the activator and the activator allows depression of the trigger, wherein the activator is mounted pivotably upon a shaft, and the auxiliary switch comprises a conductive contact plate pivoting with the shaft and having a non-conductive region or gap, and a pair of fixed contact points bearing upon the contact plate to close the auxiliary switch, whereupon pivoting of the contact plate to align the non-conductive region or gap with one of the fixed contact points opens the auxiliary switch.