Abstract:
A modular reverse switch assembly having a rotating disc actuation member with a plurality of extending tabs which are spaced apart to project to opposite sides of the tool thereby permitting ease of operation by either hand. The modular design permits a wide degree of selection in assembly location and practice.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to reversing switches for electric motors and the like and more particularly to a modular reversing switch for brushless D.C. electric hand tools. 
     Present known art for electric hand tool reversing switches include simple slide switches which may be mounted anywhere on the tool. The disadvantage of the known prior art is that even if the switches are located in relatively convenient locations, they are nearly impossible to operate with one hand, particularly if the operator is wearing gloves. This makes the reversing operation generally a two handed operation and, depending on the selected location of the switch, may be inconvenient for either right-handed or left-handed tool operation. 
     In addition, the switch mountings do not accommodate well to modern methods of modular assembly and, as such, often require special stake or screw type mountings which are inconvenient to assemble and remove for replacement or repair. 
     The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in the present electric hand tool art. Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to provide an alternative directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including features more fully disclosed hereinafter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention this is accomplished by providing a reverse switch assembly comprising a housing; a switch plate means mounted for rotation in the housing for operation of a switch; a plurality of spaced apart tab means projecting from the switch plate and through a plurality of spaced apart apertures in the housing for rotating the switch plate to select a forward or reverse position of the switch; and means for mounting the housing in a position on the tool whereby the tab means projecting from the switch plate are accessible from both sides of the power tool. 
     The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned front elevation of a reverse switch assembly according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 2 is a cross sectioned side elevation view of the reverse switch assembly taken at section A--A of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 shows a reverse switch assembly for use with D.C. brushless electric hand tools and the like according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 a hollow cylinder-like housing 1 is shown which contains the assembly. The housing 1 is provided with an end plate closure 2 which cooperates with the housing to form a container for the switch assembly. Mounted for rotation within the housing about a centerline of the housing is a rotary switch plate 3 which is in the form of a semicircular half cup having substantially spaced apart extending tabs 5 and 5&#39; which extend through elongated rectangular apertures 20 formed in the periphery of the housing. 
     A microswitch 4 is mounted to the nonremovable end 21 of the housing 1 by means of two mounting pins 17 which project into switch mounting holes 16 provided in the microswitch for mounting purposes. The removable end plate or housing closure 2 is provided with a bearing boss 11 which mounts the rotary switch plate 3 for rotation about a bearing hole 12 provided in the rotary plate 3. Bearing boss 11 and a closure spring 22 cooperate to maintain the switch 4 on the mounting pins 17 and the rotary plate 3 in close contact with the microswitch 4. 
     It should be now appreciated by one skilled in the art that assembly of the switch requires merely that the switch 4 be placed on mounting pin 17 and that the rotary plate 3 be assembled on the bearing boss 11 prior to placing the housing closure 2 on the housing 1. With this assembly the rotary plate 3 may rotate about the bearing boss 11 on bearing hole 12 in rotary relationship to the housing. The rotary plate may further be rotated by means of tabs 5 or 5&#39; which are substantially spaced apart on the rotary plate for operation on either side of the switch. The switch 4 is provided with an accurately bent switch tine 7 which cooperates with a switch cam 8 on the rotary plate 3 to effect switch operation in a forward and reverse mode. 
     As best seen in FIG. 1, the rotary plate 3 is provided with a pair of detent notches 10 and 10&#39; which for purposes of discussion here may be considered a forward detent notch 10 and a reverse detent notch 10&#39;. However, the functions may be simply reversed by switching the connecting wires on the terminals 15 provided on the switch 4 in conventional manner. 
     A wire access hole 14 is provided in the housing 1 to facilitate connections of the reverse switch to the appropriate motor circuitry (not shown). Cooperating with the detent notches 10, 10&#39; is a spring loaded detent 9 which is mounted to a slot formed leaf spring 18 formed in the switch housing. 
     It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the detent 9 cooperating with the detent notches 10, 10&#39; retain the selected position of the rotary plate 3 which in turn selects the forward or reverse switching of the microswitch as determined by switch cam 8&#39;s position relative to the switch tine 7. 
     It should be appreciated that rotating the rotary plate 3 counterclockwise to the position, as shown in FIG. 1, will result in the switch cam 8 being placed in a position under the switch tine 7 forcing the switch tine 7 to move upwards and to activate the switch into the reverse position. 
     A particular feature of the present invention resides in the mounting ears 6 provided on the housing 1. The mounting ears 6 provide both a reversible and readily assembled means of positioning the reversing switch relative to the power tool in assembly practice. The construction of the switch further permits ready manufacture by plastic injection molding techniques. Suitable plastics for such construction are well known in the art. 
     In operation, the construction of the reverse switch, according to the present invention permits installation, for example above or below a pistol grip type trigger or any other centerline location of the tool which is accessible by the thumb, the forefinger, or any other dextrous digit of either hand thus permitting the ready reversing of the tool without switching of hands. With the projecting nature of the tabs, as shown, the switch may be readily operated even with a gloved hand and the switch tabs protected from accidental operation in use.