Patent Publication Number: US-2012024118-A1

Title: Magnetic hinge tool

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates in general to a tool utilized for servicing an appliance. More specifically, the present invention relates to a tool utilized to compress safety interlock switches commonly found on appliances. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many home and commercial appliances present a silent danger mainly electric shock during maintenance and repair. The repair technician cannot identify it beforehand, but if electricity jolts through the body, the pain is not forgotten, and the injury to person can be lasting if not deadly. 
     Electrical appliances such as dryers, HVAC units, and the like are well known in the art and understood to be commonplace in industrial and residential applications. The common appliance configuration includes a door or panel and mechanically interacts with a safety interlock switch. The switch is compressed when the access door or panel is in the closed position the appliance is “hot” or electrically powered. When the access door or panel is opened, the switch is decompressed. In the decompressed position the switch shuts off the electrical power to the appliance for safety, and to avoid electrical shock. For a dryer, the interlock switch goes to open when the door is open thereby disabling the electrical power while wet clothes are put in the tumbler thereby preventing the dryer from starting when the door is open. For an HVAC unit, the access panel or door has a safety interlock switch that shuts down all power within the unit when the panel or door is open. 
     When the safety interlock switch is open, a trained professional would be unable to test the electrical components without electrical power to the appliance. Common methods used by technicians for circumventing the purpose of the switch is to tape over it or jam a small knife blade into the switch forcing it to remain in the closed position while performing diagnosis. The circumvention of the switch reconnects the electrical power to the appliance facilitating hot testing and diagnosis. However, technicians often forget to remove the tape from the switch after the maintenance or repair is complete. The access door is closed over the tape and the switch is disabled, creating dangerous circumstances for the homeowner. 
     Most conventional HVAC units utilize a switching system to control various functions of the HVAC system including the safety interlock switch. This switching system could be complicated in accordance with its operation and construction. The technician may also use a lock-out device which works with a safety interlock switch to shut off the electricity and pneumatic power system during maintenance. Such a lock-out device can be cumbersome and too large to fit into a pocket. Another drawback of interlock tools is that the mechanism requires the technician to use both hands to operate it. 
     Therefore, as can be appreciated, there is a need for a simple tool utilized for compressing a safety interlock switch on an appliance to provide power ‘on’ diagnostic and repair work. Such a needed tool would be removably engageable on the appliance and small enough to fit easily in a pocket. Further, the tool would enable the technician to easily operate it with one hand. The tool would be simple in construction and economical in price. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To minimize the limitations found in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon the reading of the specifications, the present invention provides a tool for compressing a safety interlock switch on appliances such as Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) units, dryers, water coolers, and some gas heaters. The tool comprises of a first portion having an upper end and a lower end and a second portion connected to the first portion by a hinge means. At least one magnet may be secured to the first portion and at least one ferrous portion may be integrated within the second portion. The at least one magnet may be configured to fixedly contact with a smooth metal surface of the appliance while compressing the safety interlock switch with the second portion. A spacer of desired thickness may be secured to the at least one ferrous portion by a spacer magnet to provide maximum compression of the safety interlock switch. A notch may be provided on the upper end of the first portion to allow for easy one hand opening of the tool. 
     The first portion and the second portion may be overlaid with a layer of material selected from a group consisting of soft rubber and silicone. This layer of material prevents ferrous objects from getting between the first portion and the second portion in the closed position. The layer of material on the first portion encases all sides of the at least one magnet leaving only one flat side exposed. The exposed flat side may be layered with a material selected from a group consisting of soft rubber and silicone to provide a more secure grip to the smooth metal surface of the appliance. The tool is removable engageable with the smooth metal surface and fits easily in a technician&#39;s pocket. 
     One objective of the invention is to provide a tool capable of enabling technicians and repair specialist to safely diagnose, maintain, and repair appliances commonly found in the home. 
     Another objective of the invention is to provide a tool capable of being opened with one hand and that secures to and compresses a safety interlock switch on the appliance, thereby providing power on diagnostic and repair work. 
     A third objective of the invention is to provide a tool capable of allowing safe “hot” diagnostic and repair, while preventing the inadvertent disablement of the safety interlock switch after the technician leaves. 
     Another objective of the invention is to provide a tool having a hinge means that allows for motion of the tool from a closed position to an open position allowing for compact storage and quick application. 
     Another objective of the invention is to provide a tool that can replace the large and cumbersome lock-out device. 
     Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a tool having at least one magnet being encased in non-conductive material on all sides but one, thereby preventing the unwanted attraction of screws, nails, and/or other ferrous objects when the tool is in the closed position. 
     These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention, thus the drawings are generalized in form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention, illustrating a tool for compressing a safety interlock switch on an appliance in an open position; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention, illustrating a hinge means utilized for connecting a first portion and a second portion; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the second portion of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the tool in a partially open position, illustrating a notch on an upper end of the first portion and at least one ferrous portion on the second portion; 
         FIG. 5   a  is an exploded view of the present invention, illustrating a layer of material overlaying the first portion and the second portion; 
         FIG. 5   b  is an exploded view of the present invention in a partially open position, illustrating at least one magnet completely encased by the layer of material; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the first portion of the present invention, illustrating the at least one magnet and the notch on the upper end; 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the present invention, illustrating a spacer secured to the second portion; 
         FIG. 9   a  is a perspective view of a dryer with a safety interlock switch associated with the present invention; 
         FIG. 9   b  is a perspective view of the present invention in use with the dryer, illustrating the safety interlock switch and the tool magnetically attached onto the dryer; 
         FIG. 9   c  is a perspective view of the present invention in use with the dryer, illustrating the compression of the safety interlock switch with the tool by means of the spacer; 
         FIG. 10   a  is a perspective view of a water cooler with a safety interlock switch associated with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10   b  is a perspective view of the present invention in use with the water cooler, illustrating the compression of the safety interlock switch with the tool by means of the spacer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part of hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tool  10  utilized for compressing a safety interlock switch (not shown) on appliances such as Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) units, dryers, water coolers, and some gas heaters. The tool  10  comprises of a first portion  12  having an upper end  14  and a lower end  16  and a second portion  18  connected to the first portion  12  by a hinge means  20 . At least one magnet  22  may be secured to the first portion  12  and at least one ferrous portion  24  may be integrated within the second portion  18 . The at least one magnet  22  may be configured to fixedly contact with a smooth metal surface of the appliance (not shown) while compressing the safety interlock switch (not shown) with the second portion  18 . 
     The first portion  12  and the second portion  18  may be formed of a non-conductive material. The second portion  18  may extend substantially perpendicular to the first portion  12  thereby defining an open position when the tool  10  is in use.  FIG. 2  illustrates the hinge means  20  utilized for connecting the first portion  12  and the second portion  18 . The hinge means  20  may provide a limited opening angle of no more than ninety degrees when the tool  10  is not in use. The first portion  12  and the second portion  18  may swing freely about a vertically hinged axis  26 . The first portion  12  and the second portion  18  may be constructed and arranged to provide a flush fit therebetween.  FIG. 3  shows a bottom plan view of the second portion  18  of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the tool  10  in a partially open position, illustrating a notch  28  on the upper end of the first portion  14  and the at least one ferrous portion  24  on the second portion  18 . The at least one ferrous portion  24  may be constructed and arranged in alignment with the at least one magnet  22  to provide magnetic securing of the first portion  12  to the second portion  18  thereby defining a closed position. The hinge means  20  allows for motion of the tool  10  along the vertically hinged axis  26  from the closed position to the open position. 
       FIG. 5   a  is an exploded view of the present invention, illustrating a layer of material  30  overlaying the first portion  12  and the second portion  18 . The layer of material  30  may be selected from a group consisting of soft rubber and silicone. The layer of material  30  fills the space between the first portion  12  and the second portion  18 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5   b , thereby preventing ferrous objects from getting between the first portion  12  and the second portion  18  when the tool  10  is in the closed position. The layer of material  30  on the first portion  12  encases all sides of the at least one magnet  22  leaving only one flat side  32  exposed. The exposed flat side  32  may be layered with a material selected from a group consisting of soft rubber and silicone to provide a more secure grip to the smooth metal surface of the appliance (not shown). Further, this material may be capable of enhancing mechanical friction grip through pressure applied by the magnetic attraction, decreasing the necessity for more powerful magnets, thereby decreasing cost, while increasing effectiveness. 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the first portion  12  of the present invention, illustrating the at least one magnet  22  and the notch  28  on the upper end  14 . The notch  28  may be formed of size and shape matching the end of a human finger. The notch  28  may be adapted to easily open the tool  10  with one hand. The tool  10  utilizes the at least one magnet  22  to securely fasten and interconnect with the smooth metal surface of the appliance (not shown). 
       FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the present invention showing the second portion  18  integrated with the at least one ferrous portion  24  and the hinge means  20 . The second portion  18  may be utilized to apply a compression pressure to the safety interlock switch (not shown), thus compressing the switch (not shown). A spacer  34  of desired thickness may be secured to the at least one ferrous portion  24  by a spacer magnet (not shown) to provide maximum compression of the safety interlock switch (not shown) as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 9   a  is a perspective view of a dryer  40  with a safety interlock switch  42  associated with the invention. The dryer  40  may include a containment box  44  having a hinged door  46  and the safety interlock switch  42 . The switch  42  may be commonly found disposed ninety degrees from a flat metal side surface of the dryer  48 . The switch  42  may be constructed and arranged to be conducting when the hinged door  46  is in the closed position compressing the switch  42 , and not conducting when the hinged door  46  is in the open position relaxing the switch  42 . The purpose of the safety interlock switch  42  is to shut off the power to the dryer  40  during inspection and cleaning thus protecting the homeowners from electrical shock. 
       FIG. 9   b  is a perspective view of the present invention in use with the dryer  40 , illustrating the safety interlock switch  42  and the tool  10  magnetically attached onto the dryer  40 . The tool  10  of the present invention enables a technician to perform power on diagnostic and repair work. The first portion  12  with the at least one magnet  22  may removably engage with the metal containment box  44  while the second portion  18  secured with the spacer  34  by means of the spacer magnet (not shown) may compress the safety interlock switch  42  as illustrated in  FIG. 9   c.    
       FIG. 10   a  is a perspective view of a water cooler  50  with a safety interlock switch  52  associated with the invention. The water cooler  50  contains a containment box  54  having a hinged door (not shown) and the safety interlock switch  52 . The safety interlock switch  52  may be constructed to shut off the power when the door (not shown) is in an open position and turn on the power when the door (not shown) is in a closed position. 
       FIG. 10   b  is a perspective view of the present invention in use with the water cooler  50 , illustrating the compression of the safety interlock switch  52  with the tool  10  by means of the spacer  34 . While using the tool  10  during maintenance, the at least one magnet  22  secured to the first portion of the tool  12  may magnetically engage with the metal containment box of the water cooler  54 . The interlock switch  52  may be compressed with the spacer  34  secured to the second portion  18 . With the interlock switch  52  in the compressed position, the water cooler  50  would still have power on to the circuitry facilitating the technician (not shown) to perform diagnostics. The tool  10  may also prevent the inadvertent leaving of the switch  52  compressed by mechanically blocking the door (not shown) from closing. 
     The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is intended that the scope of the present invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.