Push button reverse valve for power tool

Abstract: A rotary spool reversing valve is operated in rotation by two parallel opposed push buttons (25, 30). A spool (10) is positioned in line with an incoming air passage (4) permitting incoming air to flow axially through the spool directly to forward or reverse motor ports (20, 21) with a minimum of pressure loss. Thumb operation of the push buttons in a pistol grip tool permits convenient one hand operation with simple moulded mechanisms providing economy and ease of operation.

Description: This invention relates generally to reversing valves for power tools and more particularly to a reversing valve for a pneumatically operated hand held power tool. In the past, reversing valves for power tools have been complicated in structure or difficult or inconvenient to operate. US-A-3 833 068 discloses a reverse valve for a pneumatic pressure operated tool in accordance with the pre-characterising portion of claim 1. US-A-3 951 217 discloses a pneumatically powered impact wrench with a conventional push button to actuate the wrench. According to the present invention, there is provided a reverse valve for a pneumatic pressure operated power tool comprising a rotatable spool disposed in a circular passageway; a means for engaging and rotating said spool; said spool being further provided with a means for receiving air at one end thereof and selectively distributing it to one of a plurality of passages of the valve; said selected distribution being in response to selected rotation of said spool; characterised in that said passages facing the other end of said spool, through which end air is distributed, and in that said means for engaging and rotating said spool comprises a plurality of side-by-side positioned push buttons. For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a partially sectioned elevation of a push button reverse valve installed in a pneumatic operated power tool; Figure 2 is an end elevation showing the push buttons' convenient location; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 3-3 of Figure 1 showing push button actuators; Figure 4 is a view of a distributor face plate of the valve; Figure 5 is an end view of a spool distributor of the valve; and Figure 6 is a sectioned side elevation of the spool taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5. Referring to Figure 1, part of a power tool is shown in partial section. The power tool 1 is provided with a handle 2 having a pneumatic fluid or air inlet 3 for providing motive fluid to a pneumatically operated motor or air motor 13. Air is supplied to the air motor through an air inlet passageway 4. A tilt valve 5 is operated by means of a trigger 6 to admit pressure fluid to a chamber 9. Disposed within the chamber 9 is a rotary reversing valve spool 10 performing as a reversing valve means for selectively distributing pressure fluid to a forward supply port 20 or optionally a reverse port 21 (shown hidden behind the forward port 20) at a position of approximately 180 degrees opposite the forward port 20, the ports 20 and 21 being in a planar plate 12 which is located at a circular end of the chamber 9. The reversing valve spool 10 is provided with a planar segmented end which slidingly co-operates with one planar surface of the plate 12. The spool 10 contains forward and reverse ports or passages 22 and 23 and a notched area 29 which handles secondary exhaust, as will be described later in greater detail. Air entering the forward or reverse ports 20 or 21 selectively proceeds to drive the air motor 13 in forward or reverse direction as the air is expanded against motor vanes 14 in the motor cylinder 15. The motor rotates on bearings 16 and 16' to drive an output shaft 17 which in turn drives a rotating shaft 18 of the working output device. Returning now to the co-operating face between the reversing valve 10 and the plate 12, air passing the spool 10 from the air passage 4 in the chamber 9 is directed to the two face termination passages 22, 23. A partition 24, which forms a face seal of the rotary reversing valve, is semicircular and has the two passages 22 and 23, which are pie shaped, extending to the co-operating valve surface. The passages 22, 23 selectively register with either the forward port 20 or the reverse port 21 in the valve plate 12. The notched area 29 registers with the corresponding port 20 or 21 to bleed secondary exhaust which prevents recompression. The notched area 29 allows the secondary exhaust to enter a main exhaust cavity. The co-operating ports of the spool and valve plate are located about the periphery of respective circles of the same diameter. Since the passages 22 and 23 are orientated approximately 90 degrees with respect to one another and the forward and reversing ports 20, 21 are located approximately 180 degrees apart, it can be appreciated that rotating the reversing valve spool 10 approximately 90 degrees will bring one or the other passage 22, 23 in contact with one of the ports 20 or 21 leading to either the forward or reverse chambers of the motor. Thus, rotating the reversing valve spool 10 will accomplish direction of motive fluid to drive the motor either forwards or in reverse. Referring now to Figure 3, the rotary spool 10 is formed with a plurality of pinion gear teeth about its approximate midsection. A forward push button 30 is shown provided with a rack portion 27 having rack teeth 28 which co-operate with pinion teeth 35 on the rotary reversing spool valve 10. Rotating the rotary spool valve in the counterclockwise direction by depressing the push button 30 aligns the passage 23 with the forward port 20. Conversely, depressing reverse push button 25 to move rack 31 to the left with reverse rack teeth 32 will rotate the reverse valve spool in the clockwise direction to align the passage 22 with the reverse port 21. It should be understood that Figure 4 is an underneath view of the reversing valve plate 12 and Figure 5 is a plan view of the reversing valve 10. Referring to Figure 6, the reversing valve spool 10 is provided with an "O" ring 26 in each of two "O" ring grooves 37 for the purposes of sealing the rack portion against intrusion of pressure fluid, thereby preventing leakage to the operating push buttons. The length of the rack and pinion co-operating teeth and their spacing cooperate to limit the depression excursion of the push buttons and a flexible tab detent 40 and 41 on the reverse push button 25 and the forward push button 30 respectively provide a snap action retention feel to the depression of the push buttons. The detents also retain the selected rotary position of the reversing valve spool 10. A particular feature of the present construction is the straight line flow of pressure fluid to the forward and reversing motive chamber, thus minimising pressure loss in a reversing valve circuit.

Claims: A reverse valve for a pneumatic pressure operated power tool comprising a rotatable spool (10) disposed in a circular passageway (9); a means (28, 32) for engaging and rotating said spool; said spool being further provided with a means (4) for receiving air at one end thereof and selectively distributing it to one of a plurality of passages of the valve; said selected distribution being in response to selected rotation of said spool; characterised in that said passages facing the other end of said spool, through which end air is distributed, and in that said means for engaging and rotating said spool comprises a plurality of side-by-side positioned push buttons (25, 30). A valve according to claim 1, wherein said means for engaging and rotating said spool comprises rack gear means (28, 32) on said push buttons for engaging a pinion gear means (35) on opposite sides of the periphery of said spool (10) for effecting rotation of said spool in response to button movement. A valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said rotatable spool (10) is further provided with a face valving means including passages (22, 23) at said other end which co-operate with a valve plate (12) communicating with said passages. A valve according to claim 3, wherein said face valving means and said valve plate (12) are further provided with cooperating ports (20, 21). A valve according to claim 4, wherein the co-operating ports on said face valving means and said valve plate are spaced apart on the periphery of a circle of the same diameter on each of said face valving means and said valve plate. A valve according to claim 5, wherein the co-operating ports on said face valving means and said valve plate are spaced apart at a different arcuate angle. A valve according to claim 6, wherein the co-operating ports (22, 23) in said face valving means are spaced apart approximately 90 degrees and the co-operating ports (20, 21) on said valve plate are spaced apart approximately 180 degrees, whereby rotation of said spool (10) approximately 90 degrees will selectively align one or another of said passages (22, 23) to effect selected rotation of the tool. A pneumatic pressure operated tool incorporating a push button reverse valve according to any one of the preceding claims.

Inventors: GEIGER ROBERT E, GEIGER, ROBERT E.
Applicants: INGERSOLL RAND CO, INGERSOLL-RAND COMPANY
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B25F5
IPC codes: F16K31, B25F5