Patent Publication Number: US-2023158631-A1

Title: Angle grinder

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/282,713 filed on Nov. 24, 2021, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to abrasive tools, and more particularly to battery powered angle grinders. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Angle grinders are standard tools in most machine shops. Depending on the application, angled grinders may be used with thin cut-off discs, abrasive discs, sanding discs, wire brushes, etc. in order to cut a workpiece, grind a workpiece, sand a workpiece, or clean a workpiece (e.g., with a brush). 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides, in one aspect, an angle grinder includes a housing, a motor within the housing, a gearcase extending from the housing, wherein the gearcase includes a spindle and the spindle is driven by the motor, a rotating tool removable engaged with the spindle, a flange removably engaged with the spindle to secure the rotating tool on the spindle, and a flange retainer disposed on the grinder, wherein the flange retainer is configured to receive and retain the flange when the flange is disengaged from the spindle. 
     The present disclosure provides, in another aspect, an angle grinder includes a housing, a motor within the housing, a gearcase extending from the housing, wherein the gearcase includes a spindle and the spindle is driven by the motor, a rotating tool removable engaged with the spindle, a flange removably engaged with the spindle to secure the rotating tool on the spindle, and a flange retainer disposed on the grinder, wherein the flange retainer is a generally U-shaped spring clip that receives and retains the flange when the flange is disengaged from the spindle. 
     The present disclosure provides, in still another aspect, an angle grinder having a housing, a motor within the housing, a gearcase extending from the housing, wherein the gearcase includes a spindle and the spindle is driven by the motor, a rotating tool removable engaged with the spindle, a guard mounted on the gearcase and at least partially surrounds the rotating tool, a flange removably engaged with the spindle to secure the rotating tool on the spindle, and a flange retainer disposed on the guard, wherein the flange retainer is configured to receive and retain the flange when the flange is disengaged from the spindle. 
     Other features and aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a top view of the first angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a first perspective view of a flange holder of the first angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a second perspective view of the flange holder of the first angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a top view of the second angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a first perspective view of a flange holder of the second angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a second perspective view of the flange holder of the second angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    is a side view of the third angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of a flange holder of the third angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  13    is a side view of the fourth angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of a flange holder of the fourth angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of an angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  16    is a top view of the fifth angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  17    is a perspective view of a flange holder of the fifth angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of an angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  19    is a top view of the sixth angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  20    is a perspective view of a flange holder of the sixth angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  21    is a partial side view of a seventh angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  22    is a partial end view of the seventh angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  21    is a partial side view of a seventh angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  22    is a partial end view of the seventh angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  23    is a partial side view of an eighth angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  24    is a partial perspective view of the eighth angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  25    is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of an angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  26    is a side view of the tenth angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  27    is a perspective view of a flange holder of the tenth angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  28    is a perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of an angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  29    is a perspective view of a flange holder of the eleventh angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  30    is a perspective view of a twelfth embodiment of an angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  31    is a side view of a flange holder of the twelfth angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  32    is a partial perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of an angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  33    is an end view of a flange holder of the thirteenth angle grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiments of the present disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are not limited in scope or application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the following drawings. The devices described herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the invention. 
     As used herein, the terms “first”, “second”, and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “coupled,” “fixed,” “attached to,” and the like refer to both direct coupling, fixing, or attaching, as well as indirect coupling, fixing, or attaching through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited only to those features but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive- or and not to an exclusive- or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). 
     Terms of approximation, such as “generally,” “approximately,” or “substantially,” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise. 
     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems are described below with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature of any or all the claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  4   , a first embodiment of an angle grinder is illustrated and is generally designated  100 . As shown, the angle grinder  100  includes a housing  102 . The housing  102  defines a proximal end  104  and a distal end  106 . A motor  108  is disposed, or otherwise installed, within the housing  102 . The motor  108  is powered by a battery that is insertable into a battery receptacle  110  formed in the proximal end  104  of the housing  102 . It is to be understood that the battery may be removably engaged with the battery receptacle  110  formed in the housing  102  (e.g., to facilitate charging). 
       FIGS.  1 - 4    illustrate that a gearcase  112  is attached to the distal end  106  of the housing  102 . The gearcase  112  includes a spindle  114  that is driven by the motor  108 . As shown, a rotating tool  116  (e.g., an abrasive disk, a thin cut-off disc, a sanding disc, a wire brush, etc.) is coupled to the spindle  114 . The rotating tool  116  may be removable engaged with the spindle  114 . The angle grinder  100  further includes a guard  118  that is mounted on the gearcase  112  and that at least partially surrounds the rotating tool  116 . The guard  118  may protect a user from sparks and debris created while using the angle grinder  100  (e.g., to shape, clean, or cut a workpiece). 
     During operation, a user can grip the housing  102  of the angle grinder  100  and the housing  102  can act as a primary handle. To provide greater stability against torsional forces during use, the angle grinder  100  may include a side handle  120  (e.g., acting as a secondary handle) that is removably engaged with the gearcase  112 . In a particular embodiment, the gearcase  112  includes a first handle attachment point  122  on a first side of the gearcase  112  and a second handle attachment point  124  on a second side of the gearcase  112  that is disposed opposite the first side. The handle attachment points  122 ,  124  may be formed with internal threads that are sized and shaped to engage corresponding male threads formed on a threaded shaft (not shown) that extends from an end of the handle  120 . As shown in  FIG.  4   , the angle grinder  100  includes a power switch  126  that extends from the housing  102 . A user may depress, or actuate, the power switch  126  to power on the angle grinder  100 . On release of the power switch  126 , the angle grinder  100  may be powered off. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the angle grinder  100  includes a flange retainer  130  that is mounted on the housing  102  at the proximal end  104 . As illustrated, the flange retainer  130  is a generally U-shaped spring clip that includes a base  132 . A first arm  134  extends in a generally perpendicular direction to the base  132 . A second arm  136  also extends in a generally perpendicular direction to the base  132 . The arms  134 ,  136  are formed with similarly-sized and shaped undulations, and the arms  134 ,  136  are spaced apart from each other so that a distance between the undulations varies from a value that corresponds to an inner diameter of one or more flanges  138 ,  140  that are removably engaged with the flange retainer  130  to a value that is greater than the inner diameter of the flanges  138 ,  140 . 
     During use, the arms  134 ,  136  of the flange retainer  130  may be squeezed toward each other to reduce the distance between the undulations formed on the arms  134 ,  136 . When released, the springiness of the arms  134 ,  136  may bias the arms  134 ,  136  away from each other and return the arms  134 ,  136  to the starting position. As shown, the flanges  138 ,  140  can be fitted over the arms  134 ,  136  of the flange retainer  130  and the outward spring force of the arms  134 ,  136 , in conjunction with the undulations formed on the arms  134 ,  136 , may retain the flanges  138 ,  140  on the flange retainer  130  until they are needed to hold the rotating tool  116  in place on the spindle  114  of the gearcase  112 . 
       FIGS.  5 - 8    illustrate another exemplary angle grinder  500 . The angle grinder  500  is substantially the same as the angle grinder  100  described and illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 4    except with regard to the construction of the flange retainer  530 . As shown, the flange retainer  530  is affixed, or otherwise attached, to the proximal end  504  of the housing  502 . The flange retainer  530  is a generally U-shaped spring clip that includes a base  532 . A first arm  534  extends in a generally perpendicular direction to the base  532 . A second arm  536  extends in a generally perpendicular direction to the base  532 . The arms  534 ,  536  are formed with similarly sized and shaped undulations and the arms  534 ,  536  are spaced apart from each other so that a distance between the undulations varies from a value that corresponds to an outer diameter of one or more flanges  538 ,  540  that are removably engaged with the flange retainer  530  to a value that is less than the outer diameter of the flanges  538 ,  540 . 
     During use, the arms  534 ,  536  of the flange retainer  530  may be flexed away from each other to increase the distance between the undulations formed on the arms  534 ,  536 . When released, the springiness of the arms  534 ,  536  may bias the arms  534 ,  536  toward each other back to the starting position. As shown, the flanges  538 ,  540  can be fitted between the arms  534 ,  536  of the flange retainer  530  and the inward spring force of the arms  534 ,  536 , in conjunction with the undulations formed on the arms  534 ,  536 , may retain the flanges  538 ,  540  on the flange retainer  530  until they are needed to hold the rotating tool  516  in place on the spindle  514  of the gearcase  512 . 
       FIGS.  9 - 11    illustrate another exemplary angle grinder  900  that is substantially the same as the angle grinder  100  except for the placement or location of the flange retainer  930 . As shown, the flange retainer  930  is affixed, or otherwise attached, to the guard  918  of the angle grinder  900 . 
       FIGS.  12 - 14    illustrate another exemplary angle grinder  1200  that is substantially the same as the angle grinder  500  described and illustrated with regard to  FIGS.  5 - 8    except for the placement of the flange retainer  1230 . As shown in  FIGS.  12 - 14   , the flange retainer  1230  is affixed, or otherwise attached, to the guard  1218  of the angle grinder  1200  (e.g., coupled to an outer peripheral surface of the guard  1218 ). 
       FIGS.  15 - 17    illustrate another exemplary angle grinder  1500  that is substantially the same as the angle grinder  100  except for the placement of the flange retainer  1530 . As shown in  FIGS.  15 - 17   , the flange retainer  1530  is affixed, or otherwise attached, to the gearcase  1512  of the angle grinder  1500  (e.g., coupled to an end  1550  of the gearcase  1512 ). 
       FIGS.  18 - 20    illustrate another exemplary angle grinder  1800  that is substantially the same as the angle grinder  500  except for the placement of the flange retainer  1830 . As shown, the flange retainer  1830  is affixed, or otherwise attached, to the gearcase  1812  of the angle grinder  1800  (e.g., coupled to an end  1850  of the gearcase  1812 ). 
       FIGS.  21  and  22    illustrate another exemplary angle grinder  2100 . The angle grinder  2100  may be constructed similarly to the angle grinder  100  illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 4   . As shown, a gearcase  2112  of the angle grinder  2100  may be formed with a flange retainer  2130  that includes a pocket  2135  extending from the gearcase  2112  of the angle grinder  2100 . For example, the pocket  2135  defines the flange retainer  2130  and may extend from an end  2150  of the gearcase  2112 . The flange retainer  2130  may be sized and shaped to receive one or more flanges  2138 ,  2140  therein. The gearcase  2112 , or a portion of the gearcase  2112  that is adjacent or disposed within the flange retainer  2130 , may include a magnet to facilitate retention of certain flanges that are ferromagnetic. 
       FIGS.  23  and  24    illustrate another exemplary angle grinder  2300  that may be constructed similarly to the angle grinder  100  of  FIGS.  1 - 4   . As shown in  FIGS.  23  and  24   , a gearcase  2312  of the angle grinder  2300  may be formed with a flange retainer  2330  that defines a post extending from the gearcase  2312 . For example, the flange retainer  2330  may extend from an end  2350  of the gearcase  2312  and may be sized and shaped to receive one or more flanges  2338 ,  2340 . That is, the flanges  2338 ,  2340  may fit over the flange retainer  2330 . The gearcase  2312 , or a portion of the gearcase  2312  adjacent the flange retainer  2330  or the flange retainer  2330 , may include a magnet to facilitate the retention of certain flanges that are ferromagnetic. 
       FIG.  25    illustrates another exemplary angle grinder  2500  that may be constructed similarly to the angle grinder  100  illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 4   . As shown in  FIG.  25   , a gearcase  2512  of the angle grinder  2500  may be formed with a flange retainer  2530  that defines a post extending from the gearcase  2512  around a handle attachment point  2524 . For example, the flange retainer  2530  may extend from a side of the gearcase  2512  around the handle attachment point  2524 . The flange retainer  2530  may be sized and shaped to receive one or more flanges  2538 ,  2540 . That is, the flanges  2538 ,  2540  may fit over the flange retainer  2530 . The gearcase  2512 , or a portion of the gearcase  2512  adjacent the flange retainer  2530  or the flange retainer  2530 , may include a magnet that may facilitate the retention of certain flanges that are ferromagnetic. 
       FIGS.  26  and  27    illustrate another exemplary angle grinder  2600  that may be constructed similarly to the angle grinder  100  illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 4   . A housing  2602  of the angle grinder  2600  may be formed with a flange retainer  2630  that includes a pocket  2635  extending into the housing  2602 . For example, the pocket  2635  may extend into a side  2652  of the housing  2602 , and the flange retainer  2630  (e.g., the pocket  2635 ) may be sized and shaped to receive one or more flanges  2638 ,  2640 . That is, the flanges  2638 ,  2640  may fit into the pocket  2635 . The housing  2602 , or a portion of the housing  2602  adjacent the flange retainer  2630 , may include a magnet that may facilitate the retention of certain flanges that are ferromagnetic. 
       FIGS.  28  and  29    illustrate another exemplary angle grinder  2800  that may be constructed similarly to the angle grinder  100  illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 4   . The angle grinder  2800  includes a guard  2818  that has or defines a flange retainer  2830  on an upper surface  2856  of the guard  2818 . As shown, the flange retainer  2830  may include a magnet, or a magnetic portion, that is incorporated into the upper surface  2856 . The magnet of the flange retainer  2830  may facilitate the retention of certain flanges  2838 ,  2840  that are ferromagnetic. 
       FIGS.  30  and  31    illustrate another exemplary angle grinder  3000  that may be constructed similarly to the angle grinder  100  illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 4   . The angle grinder  3000  includes guard  3018  that may have a flange retainer  3030  on a lower surface  3058  of the guard  3018 . As shown, the flange retainer  3030  may include a magnet, or a magnetic portion, that is incorporated into the lower surface  3058  of the guard  3018 . The magnet of the flange retainer  3030  may facilitate the retention of certain flanges  3038 ,  3040  that are ferromagnetic on the guard  3018  when the flanges  3038 ,  3040  are disengaged from the spindle of the angle grinder  3000 . 
       FIGS.  32  and  33    illustrate another exemplary angle grinder  3200  that may be constructed similarly to the angle grinder  100  illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 4   . A side handle  3220  of the angle grinder  3200  may be formed with a flange retainer  3230  that defines a pocket extending into or adjacent an end  3254  of the side handle  3220 . For example, the flange retainer  3230  may be sized and shaped to receive one or more flanges  3238 ,  3240 . That is, the flanges  3238 ,  3240  may fit into the pocket of the flange retainer  3230 . The side handle  3220 , or a portion of the side handle  3220  adjacent the flange retainer  3230 , may include a magnet that may facilitate the retention of certain flanges that are ferromagnetic. 
     It is to be understood that in any of the aforementioned embodiments, the flange retainer may include a spring clip, a magnet, a pocket, or any combination thereof. 
     As described above, some or all illustrated features may be omitted in a particular implementation within the scope of the present disclosure, and some illustrated features may not be required for implementation of all embodiments. The features described above may be implemented in an order different from the order described above and does not prohibit implementation in another order or combination. While not explained in detail for each embodiment and/or construction, the features of the disclosure described herein may be included on a tape dispenser independent of other features and are not limited to the illustrated disclosure. Embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents. 
     Embodiment 1. An angle grinder comprising: 
     a housing; 
     a motor disposed in the housing; 
     a gearcase extending from the housing and including a spindle configured to be rotationally driven by the motor; 
     a flange removably engaged with the spindle to secure a rotating tool on the spindle; and 
     a flange retainer disposed on the grinder and shaped to receive and retain the flange when the flange is disengaged from the spindle. 
     Embodiment 2. The angle grinder of embodiment 1, wherein the flange retainer includes a spring clip extending from the housing and configured to receive and engage an inner diameter of the flange. 
     Embodiment 3. The angle grinder of embodiment 1, wherein the flange retainer includes a spring clip extending from the housing and configured to receive and engage an outer diameter of the flange. 
     Embodiment 4. The angle grinder of embodiment 1, further comprising a guard extending from the gearcase, wherein the flange retainer includes a spring clip extending from the guard and configured to receive and engage an inner diameter of the flange. 
     Embodiment 5. The angle grinder of embodiment 1, further comprising a guard extending from the gearcase, wherein the flange retainer includes a spring clip extending from the guard and configured to receive and engage an outer diameter of the flange. 
     Embodiment 6. The angle grinder of embodiment 1, wherein the flange retainer comprises a spring clip extending from the gearcase, wherein the spring clip is configured to receive and engage an inner diameter of the flange. 
     Embodiment 7. The angle grinder of embodiment 1, wherein the flange retainer comprises a spring clip extending from the gearcase, wherein the spring clip is configured to receive and engage an outer diameter of the flange. 
     Embodiment 8. The angle grinder of embodiment 1, wherein the flange retainer comprises a pocket formed on the gearcase, wherein the pocket is sized and shaped to receive the flange therein. 
     Embodiment 9. The angle grinder of embodiment 1, wherein the flange retainer comprises a post extending from the gearcase, wherein the post is sized and shaped to receive the flange therein. 
     Embodiment 10. The angle grinder of embodiment 1, wherein the flange retainer comprises a pocket formed in the housing, wherein the pocket is sized and shaped to receive the flange therein. 
     Embodiment 11. The angle grinder of embodiment 1, wherein the flange retainer comprises a magnet on the angle grinder and the magnet is configured to engage the flange. 
     Embodiment 12. The angle grinder of embodiment 1, further comprising a side handle extending from the gearcase, wherein the flange retainer comprises a pocket formed in an end of the side handle and wherein the pocket is sized and shaped to receive the flange therein. 
     Embodiment 13. An angle grinder comprising: 
     a housing; 
     a motor disposed in the housing; 
     a gearcase extending from the housing and including a spindle configured to be driven by the motor; 
     a flange removably engaged with the spindle to secure a rotating tool on the spindle; and 
     a flange retainer disposed on the grinder and defining a spring clip shaped to receive and retain the flange when the flange is disengaged from the spindle. 
     Embodiment 14. The angle grinder of claim  13 , wherein the flange retainer includes a base having a first arm and a second arm each extending from the base. 
     Embodiment 15. The angle grinder of claim  14 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are biased away from each other to retain the flange, and wherein the flange is placed over the first arm and the second arm. 
     Embodiment 16. The angle grinder of claim  14 , wherein the first arm and second arm are biased toward each other, and wherein the flange is retained between the first arm and the second arm. 
     Embodiment 17. An angle grinder comprising: 
     a housing; 
     a motor disposed in the housing; 
     a gearcase extending from the housing and including a spindle configured to be driven by the motor; 
     a guard coupled to the gearcase; 
     a flange removably engaged with the spindle and configured to secure a rotating tool on the spindle; and 
     a flange retainer disposed on the guard and configured to receive and retain the flange when the flange is disengaged from the spindle. 
     Embodiment 18. The angle grinder of embodiment 17, wherein the flange retainer includes a spring clip, a magnet, or a combination thereof. 
     Embodiment 19. The angle grinder of embodiment 17, wherein the flange retainer is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the guard. 
     Embodiment 20. The angle grinder of embodiment 17, wherein the flange retainer is disposed on an upper surface of the guard. 
     Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.