Patent ID: 7414211

Claim:
A modular electric tool system comprising: a power handle module including a housing, the housing having an elongate portion providing a hand grip, a trigger switch within the housing and a trigger projecting from the housing for actuation by a user having his hand on the hand grip, the trigger actuating the trigger switch, an interlock operator projecting from the housing for movement between a guard position and first and second armed positions, the interlock operator, in the guard position, resisting movement of the trigger, and the interlock operator, in each of the first and second armed positions, allowing the trigger to actuate the trigger switch, a first connector on the housing, the first connector including a plurality of electrical contacts, a secondary switch disposed within the housing and selectively switchable between respective secondary switch positions, power supply means, and a circuit inside the housing for electrically connecting the first plurality of contacts, the trigger switch, the secondary switch, and the power supply means; and a special-purpose tool including a casing, an electrically powered device inside the casing, a second connector on the casing for selective engagement of and disengagement from the first connector, the second connector including a second plurality of electrical contacts, wherein mechanical connection of the first connector to the second connector mechanically connects the power handle module to the special-purpose tool and electrically connects the first plurality of contacts to the second plurality of contact for supplying electrical power to the electrically powered device from the power supply means, and a link on the casing mechanically joining the secondary switch to the interlock operator upon connection of the first connector to the second connector so that, by moving the interlock operator between the first armed position and the second armed position, the secondary switch is moved between the respective secondary switch positions to supply electrical power to the electrically-powered device.