Abstract:
A combination kit includes an oscillating power tool and accessory. The tool includes a housing, motor, transmission to convert rotational motion to oscillating motion, output spindle, and accessory attachment mechanism. The mechanism has a first clamping face with projections, a second clamping face, and a central post. The accessory includes a working end, an opposite rear end, and a fitment adjacent the rear end. The fitment includes a generally U-shaped opening open at the rear end that receives the post, a first plurality of openings in communication with and extending radially outward from the U-shaped opening, and a second plurality of openings not in communication with and positioned radially outward from the U-shaped opening.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/664,454, filed on Jun. 26, 2012 and United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/622,894 filed Apr. 11, 2012, which are continuation-in-parts of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/362,637 filed on Jan. 31, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/942,098 filed on Nov. 9, 2010, which claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/329,480, filed Apr. 29, 2010. The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This application relates to accessories (such as cutting tools, saw blades, and sanding tools) for oscillating power tools. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Oscillating power tools generally have a motor, an output shaft, and a transmission that connects the motor to the output shaft and converts rotary motion of the motor to oscillating motion of the output shaft. The output shaft is coupled to an accessory attachment mechanism that is used to removably attach various types of accessories, such as cutting tools, saw blades, and sanding tools, to the output shaft. Different brands of oscillating power tools tend to have different, often proprietary, accessory attachment mechanisms. It is desirable to have oscillating accessories with a universal attachment portion that can be attached to a multitude of different brands of oscillating power tools. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In an aspect, an accessory for coupling to an attachment mechanism of an oscillating power tool includes a working end, an opposite rear end, and a a fitment portion adjacent the rear end. The fitment portion comprises a plurality of openings configured to receive projections on the attachment mechanisms of each of the Porter-Cable®, Mastercraft®, Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, Skil®, Fein®, Craftsman®, and Ridgid® branded oscillating power tools. 
         [0005]    The plurality of openings include a generally U-shaped opening that is open at the rear end, a first set of openings in communication with and extending radially outward from the U-shaped opening, a second set of openings not in communication with and positioned radially outward from the U-shaped opening, and a third set of openings adjacent the rear end. The U-shaped opening is configured to receive a post of a Porter-Cable® branded oscillating power tool, and a central projection a Fein®, a Ridgid®, and a Mastercraft® branded oscillating power tool. The first set of openings is configured to receive round projections of Porter-Cable® branded oscillating power tools, round projections of Mastercraft® banded oscillating power tools, oblong projections of Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded oscillating power tools, radial projections Fein® branded oscillating power tools, radial projections of Craftsman® branded oscillating power tools, and radial projections of Ridgid® branded oscillating power tools. The second set of openings is configured to receive round projections of Porter-Cable® branded power tools, and oblong projections of Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded power tools. The third set of recesses is configured to receive round projections of Porter-Cable® branded oscillating power tools, and oblong projections of Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded oscillating power tools. 
         [0006]    The first set of openings may include radial arm slots at 90, 180, and 270 degrees. The second set of openings may include arc-shaped slots between pairs of openings the first set of openings. Alternatively, the second set of openings may include radial slots not connected with the U-shaped opening. The third set of openings may include notches in the rear end. Alternatively, the third set of openings may include notches formed in the U-shaped slot. In another alternative, the third set of openings may include chamfers tapering outward from the U-shaped opening to the rear end. 
         [0007]    Advantages may include being able to couple the accessories to numerous different brands and configurations of oscillating power tools, including, but not limited to Cable®, Mastercraft®, Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, Skil®, Fein®, Craftsman®, and Ridgid® branded oscillating power tools. Other advantages and features will be apparent from the description and the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of one brand of oscillating power tool. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of an accessory attachment mechanism for the oscillating power tool of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0010]      FIGS. 2A-2F  are schematic views of accessory attachment mechanisms for various brands of oscillating power tools. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a first embodiment of a universal accessory attachment mechanism, showing how the accessory fits to the accessory attachment mechanisms of  FIGS. 2A-2F . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a second embodiment of a universal accessory attachment mechanism, showing how the accessory fits to the accessory attachment mechanisms of  FIGS. 2A-2F . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a third embodiment of a universal accessory attachment mechanism, showing how the accessory fits to the accessory attachment mechanisms of  FIGS. 2A-2F . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a fourth embodiment of a universal accessory attachment mechanism, showing how the accessory fits to the accessory attachment mechanisms of  FIGS. 2A-2F . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an oscillating power tool  12  generally includes a tool body  18  including a housing  20  that generally contains a motor  22  that drives an output member  24 . The output member  24  can be coupled to a spindle  26  via a transmission  25  that converts rotary motion of the output member  24  to oscillating motion of the spindle  26 . The output of the spindle  26  is coupled to an accessory attachment mechanism in the form of a clamp arrangement  10 . The clamp arrangement  10  includes a clamp assembly  30  that operatively cooperates with an actuator such as a lever  32 . The clamp assembly  30  can generally include a first clamp member  36  and a second clamp member  38 . The lever  32  can include a lever arm  40  that includes a user engagement portion  42  and a block  44 . The lever  32  can further include a pivot portion  46  having a pivot axle  48 . 
         [0016]    Referring also to  FIG. 1B , the second clamp member  38  includes a second clamp body  70  generally in the form of a ring having a central opening  72 . The second clamp body  70  has a second clamping surface  74  having a plurality of mounting features  76  formed thereon. In the example shown, the plurality of mounting features  76  are in the form of male protrusions  78 . In the particular example shown, eight protrusions each having a circular cross section and a tapered shape or form are provided. An oscillating accessory  14   a  (in this case a saw blade) is removably clamped between the first and second clamp members  36 ,  38 , and includes a plurality of openings that receive the male protrusions  78  so as to inhibit rotation of the oscillating accessory  14   a  relative to the clamp members  36 ,  38 . 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2F , different brands of oscillating power tools have accessory attachment mechanisms with different patterns of projections for engaging openings in an accessory.  FIG. 2A  illustrates a projection pattern  100  on Porter-Cable® branded oscillating power tools, which includes eight round projections  100   a - 100   h  arranged clockwise about a support post  102  for the clamping mechanism at angles of 0, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 270, and 300 degrees, respectively, relative to an imaginary vertical line  104  extending from the central hole  102  through the projection  100   a.    FIG. 2B  illustrates a projection pattern  200  on Mastercraft® branded oscillating power tools, which includes four round projections  200   a - 200   d  arranged clockwise about a central circular projection  202  at angles of 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees, respectively, relative to an imaginary vertical line  204  extending from the central projection  202  through the projection  200   a.    FIG. 2C  illustrates a projection pattern  300  on Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded oscillating power tools, which includes twelve oblong projections  300   a - 300   l  arranged clockwise about a central point  302  at angles of 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, and 330 degrees, respectively, relative to an imaginary vertical line  204  extending from the central point  302  through the projection  300   a.    
         [0018]      FIG. 2D  illustrates a projection pattern  400  on Fein® branded oscillating power tools, which includes a central, circular projection  402 , and four radial projections  400   a - 400   d  extending radially outward from the central projection  402  clockwise at angles of 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees, respectively, relative to an imaginary vertical line  404  extending from the central projection  402  through the radial projection  400   a.    FIG. 2E  illustrates a projection pattern  500  on Craftsman® branded oscillating power tools, which includes a four radial projections  500   a - 500   d  extending radially outward, and arranged clockwise about a central point  502  at angles of 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees, respectively, relative to an imaginary vertical line  504  extending from the central point  502  through the radial projection  500   a.    FIG. 2F  illustrates a projection pattern  600  on Ridgid® branded oscillating power tools, which includes a central, circular projection  602 , and four radial projections  600   a - 600   d  extending radially outward from the central projection  602  clockwise at angles of 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees, respectively, relative to an imaginary vertical line  604  extending from the central projection  602  through the radial projection  600   a.    
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a first embodiment of an oscillating accessory  700  includes a working end  702  and a rear end  704 . The rear end  704  has a fitment portion having a plurality of openings  706  configured to couple the accessory  700  to each of the projection patterns illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2F . The openings  706  include a generally U-shaped opening  708  extending from a rear end portion  710  of the accessory  700 . Three radial openings  712   a - 712   c  are in communication with and extend radially outward from the U-shaped opening  708  at 90, 180, and 270 degree positions. A pair of arc-shaped openings  714   a,    714   b  each are not in communication with the U-shaped opening, and are disposed between adjacent pairs of the radial openings  712   a ,  712   b,  and  712   b,    712   c,  respectively. The rear end portion  710  includes a pair of notches  716   a ,  716   b  adjacent to the U-shaped opening  708 . 
         [0020]    The U-shaped opening  708  is opened at the rear end portion  710  in order to be able to receive the support post  102  of the Porter-Cable® branded power tool. The U-shaped opening  708  is also configured to receive the central projections  202 ,  402 , and  602  of the Fein®, Ridgid®, and Mastercraft® branded power tools, respectively. The radial openings  712   a - 712   c  are configured to receive the round projections  100   c,    100   e,    100   g  of the Porter-Cable® branded power tools, the round projections  200   b,    200   c,    200   d  of the Mastercraft® banded power tools, the oblong projections  300   d,    300   g,    300   j  of the Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded power tools, the radial projections  400   b - 400   d  of the Fein® branded power tools, the radial projections  500   b - 500   d  of the Craftsman® branded power tools, and the radial projections  600   b - 600   d  of the Ridgid® branded power tools. The arc-shaped openings  714   a,    714   b  are configured to receive the round projections  100   d,    100   f  of the Porter-Cable® branded power tools, and the oblong projections  300   e,    300   f,    300   h,    300   i  of the Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded power tools. The notches  716   a,    716   b  are configured to receive the round projections  100   b,    100   h  of the Porter-Cable® branded power tools, and the oblong projections  300   c,    300   k  of the Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded power tools. In this manner, the openings  700  can universally engage the attachment mechanism of any of the aforementioned oscillating power tools. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a second embodiment of an oscillating accessory  800  includes a working end  802  and a rear end  804 . The rear end  804  has a fitment with a plurality of openings  806  configured to couple the accessory  800  to each of the projection patterns illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2F . The openings  806  include a generally U-shaped opening  808  extending from a rear end portion  810  of the accessory  800 . Three radial openings  812   a - 812   c  are in communication with and extend radially outward from the U-shaped opening  808  at 90, 180, and 270 degree positions. A first pair of arc-shaped openings  814   a,    814   b  are not in communication with the U-shaped opening and each are disposed between adjacent pairs of the radial openings  812   a,    812   b , and  812   b,    812   c,  respectively. A second pair of arc-shaped openings  816   a,    816   b  extend circumferentially from the U-shaped opening  808  toward the radial openings  812   c,    812   a , respectively. 
         [0022]    The U-shaped opening  808  is opened at the rear end portion  810  in order to be able to receive the support post  102  of the Porter-Cable® branded power tool. The U-shaped opening  808  is also configured to receive the central projections  202 ,  402 , and  602  of the Fein®, Ridgid®, and Mastercraft® branded power tools, respectively. The radial openings  812   a - 812   c  are configured to receive the round projections  100   c,    100   e,    100   g  of the Porter-Cable® branded power tools, the round projections  200   b,    200   c,    200   d  of the Mastercraft® banded power tools, the oblong projections  300   d,    300   g,    300   j  of the Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded power tools, the radial projections  400   b - 400   d  of the Fein® branded power tools, the radial projections  500   b - 500   d  of the Craftsman® branded power tools, and the radial projections  600   b - 600   d  of the Ridgid® branded power tools. The first set of arc-shaped openings  814   a,    814   b  are configured to receive the round projections  100   d,    100   f  of the Porter-Cable® branded power tools, and the oblong projections  300   e,    300   f,    300   h,    300   i  of the Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded power tools. The second set of arc-shaped openings  816   a,    816   b  are configured to receive the round projections  100   b,    100   h  of the Porter-Cable® branded power tools, and the oblong projections  300   c,    300   k  of the Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded power tools. In this manner, the openings  800  can universally engage the attachment mechanism of any of the aforementioned oscillating power tools. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a third embodiment of an oscillating accessory  900  includes a working end  902  and a rear end  904 . The rear end  904  has a fitment with a plurality of openings  906  configured to couple the accessory  900  to each of the projection patterns illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2F . The openings  906  include a generally U-shaped opening  908  extending from a rear end portion  910  of the accessory  900 . A first set of three radial openings  912   a - 912   c  are in communication with and and extend radially outward from the U-shaped opening  908  at 90, 180, and 270 degree positions. A second set of six radial openings  914   a - 914   e  extend radially outward, but are not in communication with, the U-shaped opening  908  at 60, 120, 150, 210, 240, and 300 degree positions. A pair of chamfers  916   a,    916   b  are taper outward from the U-shaped opening  908  to the rear end portion  910  of the accessory  900 . 
         [0024]    The U-shaped opening  908  is opened at the rear end portion  910  in order to be able to receive the support post  102  of the Porter-Cable® branded power tool. The U-shaped opening  908  is also configured to receive the central projections  202 ,  402 , and  602  of the Fein®, Ridgid®, and Mastercraft® branded power tools, respectively. The first set of radial openings  912   a - 912   c  are configured to receive the round projections  100   c,    100   e,    100   g  of the Porter-Cable® branded power tools, the round projections  200   b,    200   c,    200   d  of the Mastercraft® banded power tools, the oblong projections  300   d,    300   g,    300   j  of the Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded power tools, the radial projections  400   b - 400   d  of the Fein® branded power tools, the radial projections  500   b - 500   d  of the Craftsman® branded power tools, and the radial projections  600   b - 600   d  of the Ridgid® branded power tools. The second set of radial openings  914   a - 914   e  are configured to receive the round projections  100   b,    100   d,    100   f,    100   h  of the Porter-Cable® branded power tools, and the oblong projections  300   c,    300   e,    300   f,    300   h,    300   i,    300   k  of the Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded power tools. The chamfers  916   a,    916   b  are configured to receive and provide clearance for the oblong projections  300   b,    300   l  of the Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded power tools. In this manner, the openings  900  can universally engage the attachment mechanism of any of the aforementioned oscillating power tools. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a fourth embodiment of an oscillating accessory  1000  includes a working end  1002  and a rear end  1004 . The rear end  1004  has a fitment with a plurality of openings  1006  configured to couple the accessory  1000  to each of the projection patterns illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2F . The openings  1006  include a generally U-shaped opening  1008  extending from a rear end portion  1010  of the accessory  1000 . A first set of three radial openings  1012   a - 1012   c  are in communication with and extend radially outward from the U-shaped opening  1008  at 90, 180, and 270 degree positions. A second set of six radial openings  1014   a - 1014   e  extend radially outward, but are not in communication with, the U-shaped opening  908  at 60, 120, 150, 210, 240, and 300 degree positions. A pair of notches  1016   a,    1016   b  are formed in the U-shaped opening  1008  at 30 and 330 degree positions. 
         [0026]    The U-shaped opening  1008  is opened at the rear end portion  1010  in order to be able to receive the support post  102  of the Porter-Cable® branded power tool. The U-shaped opening  1008  is also configured to receive the central projections  202 ,  402 , and  602  of the Fein®, Ridgid®, and Mastercraft® branded power tools, respectively. The first set of radial openings  1012   a - 1012   c  are configured to receive the round projections  100   c,    100   e,    100   g  of the Porter-Cable® branded power tools, the round projections  200   b,    200   c,    200   d  of the Mastercraft® banded power tools, the oblong projections  300   d,    300   g,    300   j  of the Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded power tools, the radial projections  400   b - 400   d  of the Fein® branded power tools, the radial projections  500   b - 500   d  of the Craftsman® branded power tools, and the radial projections  600   b - 600   d  of the Ridgid® branded power tools. The second set of radial openings  1014   a - 1014   e  are configured to receive the round projections  100   b,    100   d,    100   f ,  100   h  of the Porter-Cable® branded power tools, and the oblong projections  300   c,    300   e,    300   f ,  300   h,    300   i,    300   k  of the Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded power tools. The notches  1016   a,    1016   b  are configured to receive the oblong projections  300   b,    300   l  of the Dremel®, Bosch®, Milwaukee®, and Skil® branded power tools. In this manner, the openings  1000  can universally engage the attachment mechanism of any of the aforementioned oscillating power tools. 
         [0027]    Numerous modifications may be made to the exemplary implementations described above. For example, the shapes and configurations of the openings could be modified, or the openings could be made as recesses. The oscillating accessory may be any type of accessory used with oscillating tool such as a cutting tool, a saw blade, or a sanding or abrading tool. These and other implementations are within the scope of this application.