Patent Publication Number: US-9889536-B2

Title: Angle grinder control systems

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of power tools and more specifically relates to angle grinder control systems. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     An angle grinder is a handheld power tool used for cutting, grinding and/or polishing. A motor drives the grinder head which is geared usually at a right-angle. On the grinder head is mounted an abrasive disc, cut-off disc, wire wheel or other attachment which is removable and replaceable. 
     Angle grinders are widely used in metalworking, construction and mechanical repair and are commonly found in shops, garages and auto body repair facilities. Generally disc size and power increase together. Common disc sizes for angle grinders range from four to twelve inches. The larger sized angle grinders generally have more power and are operated by a trigger and include an auxiliary handle for safety and control. The smaller sized angle grinders are generally operated by an on/off switch and generally do not include a handle. One limitation with the smaller size angle grinders is the lack of available handle and trigger operation for improved safety. Some small angle grinders may include a handle and trigger control switch, limiting the use of such an angle grinder to larger grinding tasks. There is a need to provide a system to allow a user to removably install a handle and trigger control on a small angle grinder, while still providing the flexibility to remove the handle and trigger. Therefore a suitable solution is desired. 
     Several attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. and foreign Pat. and Pub. Nos. CN 203,045,478 to Zhang, CN 104,117,892, CN 202,411,995 to Haodong, DE 19,707,215 to Ogawa et al., DE 19,507,955 to Nieberle et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,122 and DE 19,900,404 to Rudolf et al., US 2009/0104861 to Van Der Linde et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,204,744 to Lamprecht et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,087,977 to Gallagher et al., US 2014/0054146 to Hiller, and US 2014/0158391 to Xin et al. This art is representative of power tools. However, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
     Preferably, an angle grinder control system should provide a device to allow a user to removably install a handle and trigger control switch on a small angle grinder, while still providing the flexibility to selectively remove the handle and trigger when desired, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable angle grinder control system to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known power tools art, the present invention provides a novel angle grinder control system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a device to allow a user to removably install a handle and trigger control switch on a small angle grinder, while yet providing the desired flexibility to remove the handle and trigger as desired. The present invention serves to promote safety during angle grinder usage. 
     An angle grinder control system is disclosed herein, in a preferred embodiment, the angle grinder control system comprising an angle grinder control assembly. The angle grinder control assembly, in preferred embodiments, comprises an outer-shell, a tightening-rod, an inner-shell, a control-rod, a return-spring, a trigger, and a control-rod-pin. The outer-shell comprises a first-half-body-section and a second-half-body-section, wherein the inner-shell comprises a primary-half-body-section and a secondary-half-body-section. 
     The angle grinder control system is structured and arranged to provide a user an alternate means for controlling an angle-grinder-on/off-switch such that the angle grinder control system provides for safe use of an angle grinder in relation to the user. 
     The first-half-body-section and the second-half-body-section of the outer-shell are structured and arranged to be removably affixable to each other in a clamped condition. In a preferred embodiment, the outer-shell may comprise air vents to aid in cooling of the angle grinder and the air vents are preferably configured on opposing sides of the body of the angle grinder as to not interfere with (normal) use of the angle grinder by the user. In a preferred embodiment, the air vents are located on opposing sides of the body of the angle grinder, such that when used, at least one hand of the user does not obstruct air flow into or out of the air vents. 
     When the inner-shell and the outer-shell are in the clamped condition, the inner-shell and outer-shell are structured and arranged such that the outer-shell holds the inner-shell adjacent to the angle grinder. The outer-shell and the inner-shell provide increased impact resistance by providing a redundant-case-protection-means for the angle grinder during use. In a preferred embodiment, the first-half-body-section and the second-half-body-section are removably coupleable by a plurality of clips (or other such suitably equivalent means in alternate embodiments). The inner-shell may comprise vibration dampening material and the vibration dampening material may comprise rubber, in a preferred embodiment or other suitable material. 
     A preferred embodiment of the angle grinder control assembly may further include a handle to aid the user in controlling and manipulating the angle grinder during use. The handle is removably affixable to the angle grinder control assembly in the preferred embodiment and the handle is removably reconfigurable to be affixable to an opposite side of the angle grinder control assembly to provide ambidexterity for the user. 
     The tightening-rod is structured and arranged to allow the user to adjust the angle grinder control assembly against (in relation to) the body of the angle grinder in order to minimize vibration caused by operation of the angle grinder. The control-rod and the trigger are structured and arranged to allow the user to mechanically operate the angle-grinder-on/off-switch from an alternate location such that at least one hand of the user is in a safer position relative to the angle grinder. In a preferred embodiment the control-rod is substantially parallel to the body of the angle grinder. 
     In a preferred embodiment the return-spring and the trigger are structured and arranged such that the user must intentionally provide a force to the trigger operate the angle-grinder-on/off-switch. The control-rod-pin removably affixes the control-rod to the trigger. Using the present invention the angle grinder will not spin out of control when dropped. 
     The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as an angle grinder control system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, angle grinder control systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating an angle grinder control system during an ‘in-use’ condition showing the relative position of the hand of the user while operating the angle grinder control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the angle grinder control system comprising an angle grinder control assembly including an inner-shell, and outer-shell, a plurality of clips, and a handle according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the angle grinder control system comprising an outer-shell, a tightening-rod, a control-rod, a return-spring, a trigger, and a control-rod-pin according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the angle grinder control system including the handle according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the angle grinder control system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a power tools and more particularly to an angle grinder control system as used to improve the safety and reliability of an angle grinder during use. Generally speaking, an angle grinder control assembly can be easily operated by a user with a design that provides the user a safer use of an angle grinder while increasing the longevity of the angle grinder. 
     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , an angle grinder control system  100  comprising angle grinder control assembly  102 . Referring specifically to  FIG. 1 , showing angle grinder control system  100  during ‘in-use’ condition  150  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In embodiments, angle grinder control system  100  comprises angle grinder control assembly  102 . Angle grinder control system  100  provides safe use of angle grinder  146  in relation to user  140 . Angle grinder control assembly  102  comprises outer-shell  110 , inner-shell  118 , tightening-rod  116 , control-rod  124 , return-spring  126 , trigger  128 , and control-rod-pin  130 . Outer shell  110  comprises first-half-body-section  112  and second-half-body-section  114 . Inner-shell  118  comprises primary-half-body-section  120  and secondary-half-body-section  122 . Inner-shell  118  and outer-shell  110  are structured and arranged such that outer-shell  110 , when in clamped condition, holds inner-shell  118  adjacent to angle grinder  146 . 
     First-half-body-section  112  and second-half-body-section  114  of outer-shell  110  are structured and arranged to be removably affixable to each other in a clamped condition according to some embodiments. Further, outer-shell  110  and inner-shell  118  may provide increased impact resistance for angle grinder  146  during use, embodiments. Tightening-rod  116  may be structured and arranged to allow user  140  to adjust angle grinder control assembly  102  against a body of angle grinder  146  in order to minimize vibration caused by operation of angle grinder  146 . 
     Control-rod  125  and trigger  128  are structured and arranged to allow user  140  to mechanically operate angle-grinder-on/off-switch  142  from an alternate location such that at least one hand  148  of user  140  is in a safer position relative to angle grinder  146 . Embodiments may include configurations such that control-rod  124  is substantially parallel to body of angle grinder  146 . Return-spring  126  and trigger  128  are structured and arranged such that user  146  must purposely provide a force to trigger  128  operate angle-grinder-on/off-switch  142 . Control-rod-pin  130  removably affixes control-rod  124  to trigger  128 . 
     Embodiments of angle grinder control system  100  may further include outer-shell  110  which comprises air vents  132  to aid in cooling of angle grinder  146 . Such embodiments may include air vents  132  which are configured on opposing sides of the body of angle grinder  146  so as to not interfere with use of angle grinder  146  by user  140 . Additional embodiments may include air vents  132  located on opposing sides of the body of angle grinder  146  such that when used at least one hand of user  140  does not substantially obstruct air flow into air vents  132 . 
     Alternate embodiments of angle grinder control assembly  102  may further comprise handle  134  to aid user  140  in controlling and manipulating angle grinder  146  during use and handle  134  may be removably affixable to angle grinder control assembly  102  in some embodiments. Additionally, handle  134  may be removably reconfigurable to be affixable to an opposite side of angle grinder control assembly  102  to provide ambidexterity (alternate left—and right-hand usage) for user  140 . 
     Embodiments of angle grinder control system may include first-half-body-section  112  and second-half-body-section  114  removably coupleable by a plurality of fasteners. Alternate embodiments may include first-half-body-section  112  and second-half-body-section  114  removably coupleable by hook and loop strips (i.e., Velcro). Further embodiments may include first-half-body-section  112  and second-half-body-section  114  removably coupleable by plurality of clips  136  or first-half-body-section  112  and second-half-body-section  114  may be removably coupleable by a plurality of biasers. 
     Inner-shell  118  of angle grinder control system  100  may comprise vibration dampening material, in embodiments, and may include vibration dampening material comprised of rubber or other deformable material. 
     Angle grinder control system  100  is structured and arranged to provide user  140  an alternate means for controlling angle-grinder-on/off-switch  142  and angle grinder control system  100  may increase longevity of angle grinder  146  due to a decrease in integral loads on angle grinder  146  during use. 
     An angle grinder control system  100  may be sold as kit  440  comprising the following parts: at least one angle grinder control assembly  102 ; at least one plurality of clips  136 ; and at least one set of user instructions. The kit has instructions such that functional relationships are detailed in relation to the structure of the invention (such that the invention can be used, maintained, or the like in a preferred manner). Angle grinder control system  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different fastening, clamping, vibration dampening combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  showing flowchart  550  illustrating method of use  500  for angle grinder control system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     As shown, method of use  500  may comprise the steps of: step one  501 , providing angle grinder control assembly  102 ; step two  502 , providing plurality of clips  136 ; step three  503 , affixing angle grinder control assembly  102  to angle grinder  146 ; step four  504 , affixing plurality of clips  136  to angle grinder control assembly  102 ; step five  505 , operating angle grinder  146 ; step six  506 , ceasing operation of angle grinder  146 ; step seven  507 , removing plurality of clips from angle grinder control assembly  102 ; and step eight  508 , removing angle grinder control assembly  102  from angle grinder  146 . 
     It should be noted that steps six  506 - 508  are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use  500 . 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.