GB2353243A

GB2353243A - Actuation handle with adjustable circumference

Info

Publication number: GB2353243A
Application number: GB0014782A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Zweigle
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 1999-06-24
Filing date: 2000-06-19
Publication date: 2001-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2020-06-19
Also published as: GB0014782D0; JP2001025983A; DE29911042U1; GB2353243B

Abstract

An actuation handle 1 for machines, especially for machine tools, having two half shells 2, 3 which are adapted to a hand and are positioned at a specified distance from one another and which form a handle circumference corresponding to the size of a hand, whereby the handle circumference can be adjusted by altering the distance between the interconnected half shells 2,3. Preferably, one of the shells 1 has a number of steps 13 on two spacing elements 11,12, webs 14 on the other shell 2 resting on the step 13 which provides the desired distance between the shells 2,3. The shells 2,3 are preferably secured in position by clamping screw 9.

Description

2353243

DESCRIPTION ACTUATION HANDLE

The invention relates to an actuation handle for machines, especially for machine tools, having two half shells which are adapted to a hand and are positioned at a specified distance from one another and which form a handle circumference corresponding to the size of a hand.

Actuation handles for machines which are attached to the machine in order to guide the machine by hand or to switch the machine on or off are known. Actuation handles are used by preference with electrical tools, such as hand-held circular saws, boring machines etc.. These actuation handles are generally designed ergonomically on the basis of an average, European male hand. Actuation handles of this type may be designed in the form of a pistol grip with a front and rear half shell which are interconnected by means of a fastening means.

The use of an actuation handle with a fixed, predetermined handle circumference can be disadvantageous especially if an actuation switch intended for operation by the index finger is arranged in the region of the front half-shell. If the actuation handle of the machine is used by machine operators with different hand sizes, as for instance with women and men, Asians and Europeans, it may occur that the switch or a safety button can only be operated with difficulty when the ball of the thumb is resting on the rear half shell. As a result, users with different hand sizes cannot work safely and without feeling tired.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an actuation handle -2for machines which allows reliable and non-fatiguing operation by users with particularly small or particularly large hands.

The present object is resolved in accordance with the invention in that the handle circumference can be adjusted by altering the distance between the two interconnected half shells.

In accordance with the invention, it has been realised that the actuation handle can be simply adjusted to the size of a hand by altering the distance between the half shells. Accordingly, the actuation handle may be formed at least by two half shells whereby the distance between the said half shells, for instance, the distance between their centres of gravity, can be simply adjusted. The first half shell can form an outer handle circumference against which one or more fingers of one hand rest. The second half shell can form a further handle circumference against which the ball of the user's thumb rests. By changing the distance between half shells interconnected to form the actuation handle, the overall handle circumference can be enlarged or reduced to correspond to the user's hand. In this manner the actuation handle can be adjusted in a simple manner to different hand sizes. The machine can therefore also be used with particularly small or large hands.

By preference, one half shell forms the front area of the handle circumference and the other half shell forms the rear of the handle circumference. In the simplest case, each half shell is designed as half of a hollow cylinder made of synthetic material and cut longitudinally. The front half shell may be designed to be somewhat larger and to exhibit in the rear region a recess into which the rear half shell can be -3introduced. On the other hand, both half shells can be designed to be essentially solid. In their interconnected state, both half shells form a dust-tight, water-resistant hollow space in which a mechanism is provided for altering the distance between the half shells.

The two half shells are preferably interconnected by a fastening means through which the specified distance between the half shells can be adjusted. The first half shell is connected directly to the second half shell by the fastening means. On the other hand, each half shell could also be fastened separately to the machine and could be mounted within a guide rail of the housing so that it is adjustable. In both cases, the mutual distance between the half shells can be adjusted in such a manner that the outer handle circumference of the actuation handle is enlarged or reduced.

A spacing component is additionally provided between the two half shells. The fastening means is connected to the two half shells and cooperates with the spacing component. In the simplest case, the fastening means is a clamping screw which holds the half shells together in their intended position when it is tightened. When the clamping screw is released, the distance between the two half shells can be adjusted. After the distance between half shells corresponding to the respective hand size has been set, the clamping screw is again tightened. The fastening means then clamps both of the half shells against the spacing component. The said spacing component exhibits a special mechanism so that a given distance between the half shells can be set. The fimetion of the fastening means is to hold the two half shells firmly in their position and thereby to adjust the half shells to a required handle -4circumference.

However, the fastening means may also exhibit a pin with a metal part positioned vertically to its longitudinal axis. The pin may then, for example, be attached to the rear half shell and the metal part latches into a groove provided in the other half shell when the pin is rotated about its longitudinal axis. The position of the rear half shell can also be fixed in this manner relative to the front half shell.

The spacing component is preferably designed as a stepped bearing surface on one of the half shells which bears webs of the other half shell. For example, the front half shell may exhibit a step-like bearing surface which guarantees an enlargement or reduction of the distance between half shells when the rear half shell is displaced in the direction of the increasing or diminishing steps.

In one preferred embodiment, the rear half shell exhibits two inwardly positioned webs which are bome on two corresponding step-like spacing components so that the half shells are arranged parallel to one another when the distance is adjusted. Instead of a step-like spacing component, the said spacing component may also be designed as a sloping plane with or without ribbing, so that the distance between the two half shells can be adjusted by it and fixed by a clamping screw. The spacing component and/or the fastening means can be provided between the two half shells. In this manner the handle circumference of the actuation handle can be adjusted very simply and the actuation handle can be designed to be compact.

The handle circumference is preferably adjusted by releasing the fastening means and displacing one half shell in the direction of the ascending or descending steps of the spacing component. In as much as the two half shells form an essentially hollow cylinder, the handle circumference can be adjusted by displacing the rear half shell in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylinder and, because of the step-like spacing component, the distance between the half shells is at the same time enlarged or reduced. For example, the webs of the rear half shell may be displaced along the increasing or reducing steps of the spacing component so that the distance between the half shells vertically to the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylinder is enlarged or reduced.

In a further embodiment of the invention, one half shell exhibits a slot in which the fastening means can be displaced vertically to its longitudinal axis. In the other half shell, a threaded bush, for instance, is provided into which the fastening means, designed as a screw, can be screwed. Now, if the rear half shell is displaced in the direction of the steps of the spacing component when the distance is altered, the fastening means can be displaced in the slot of the rear half shell. In the position which allows the required handle circumference, the fastening means is then screwed tight in order to prevent alteration of the handle circumference.

On the other hand, a longitudinally threaded part which can be moved simultaneously when the handle circumference is adjusted may also be provided in one half shell. In this case, when the handle circumference is adjusted, the fastening means moves together with the movable threaded part until the fastening means is fixed again.

-6finally, several fastening bushes arranged adjacently may be provided in one half shell. To adjust the handle circumference of the actuation handle, the screw or pin is first released, then the rear half shell is displaced in the direction of the steps of the spacing component until the required handle circumference is obtained and also until the position of the fastening means simultaneously coincides with one of the fastening bushes. To fix the handle circumference, the screw or the pin is again tightened or twisted into the fastening bush.

In the case of one particularly preferred flirther embodiment of the invention, a switch is provided on one half shell, especially in the front half shell. The switch serves, for example, to switch the machine on and off or to control the speed of rotation, for instance in the case of a boring machine. One advantage of the further embodiment in accordance with the invention is that the switch can be operated particularly safely and without tiring the user when the handle circumference has been adjusted to the optimum setting.

When adjusting the half shell, the distance between the switch and the rear half shell is also preferably adjusted so that the switch can be operated comfortably with one of the fingers while the ball of the thumb is resting against the handle circumference. In this context, the switch may be arranged at a fixed position in the front part of the half shell, and its distance from the rear half shell may be adjustable together with the front half shell. On one hand, the handle circumference is altered when the distance between the two half shells is adjusted, and, at the same time, the position of the switch is adjusted in such a manner that it is arranged in the correct position for the appropriate finger of the hand.

The two interconnected half shells essentially exhibit the form of a pistol grip. With this embodiment, the two half shells are ergonomically adapted to the gripping shape of the hand. The particular form of the actuation handle leads to especially good handling of the machine tools during operation.

By preference, the rear half shell is provided to support the ball of the thumb. The form of the rear half shell is therefore adapted to the ball of the thumb. The rear half shell can be smaller in dimension than the front half shell and may be introduced into a recess in the rear side of the front half shell. On the other hand, the front half shell could also be designed in its entirety as a switch and could be introduced into a recess at the front side of the rear half shell.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, one half shell overlaps the border regions of the other half shell, this guarantees that dust and water cannot enter the hollow space enclosed within the half shells. In the border region of one half shell, a groove or also a stepped wall into which the border region of the other half shell engages may be provided.

A covering plate which prevents the penetration of dust or water in the region of the fastening means may be provided on the inner surface of one half shell. On the other hand, the covering plate may also be arranged in the region of the switch in order to seal the actuation handle from environmental influences in the region of the switch.

A safety button may additionally be positioned on the circumference of the -8handle. The safety button is preferably arranged on the side of the front half shell and can therefore be operated by the thumb of one hand. The position of the safety button can be adjusted with reference to the rear half shell. Especially if the safety button is arranged in the front half shell, the safety button will be moved simultaneously when the distance is adjusted. Accordingly, when the front half shell is moved relative to the rear half shell, both the position of switch and of the accompanying safety button will be altered. As a result, the switch and the safety button are always adapted optimally to the given hand size.

As already mentioned, at least one half shell can be adapted ergonomically to a hand. To this end, gripping recesses may be provided in the front half shell and the rear half shell may be adapted to the ball of the thumb.

There are various options for designing and further developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. In this context, reference is made on the one hand to the subordinate claims and on the other hand to the following explanation of several embodiments. Various embodiments of the actuation handle in accordance with the invention are illustrated in the drawings which in each case show schematic illustrations as follows:

Figure I shows an overall view of the actuation handle in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 shows a cross section through the actuation handle of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section through the actuation handle of Figure I; Figure 4 shows a view of the fastening means between the two half shells in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 shows a view of the fastening means between the two half shells in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

The actuation handle 1 is attached to a machine tool and exhibits two half shells 2, 3 adapted to a hand. The front half shell 2 is provided with an alterable distance relative to the rear half shell 3. In the interconnected state, the front half shell 2 and the rear half shell 3 exhibit essentially the form of a pistol grip. If the two longitudinal half shells are aligned vertically, their horizontal distance from one another can be changed by displacing the rear half shell 3 vertically downwards, whereby the distance between the half shells 2, 3 is enlarged or reduced by a special spacing component 10.

The actuation handle 1 exhibits a handle circumference which is formed by the circumference of the front half shell 2 and the rear half shell 3. The handle circumference of the actuation handle 1 can be enlarged or reduced by altering the distance between the front half shell 2 and the rear half shell 3. With a large handle circumference, the actuation handle 1 is suitable for users with large hands; with a small handle circumference, it is suitable for users with small hands.

The front half shell 2 essentially exhibits the longitudinally cut half section of a hollow cylinder. A recess into which the rear half shell 3 can be introduced is provided in the rear region of the front half shell 2. In their interconnected state, the two half shells 2, 3 form the actuation handle 1. Additionally, the outer surface may -lo- be designed ergonomically and adapted to the shape of a hand. In the present embodiment, the front half shell 2 is somewhat larger than the rear half shell 3. Accordingly, the rear half shell 3 is inserted on the rear-side into the recess 4 of the half shell 2.

The front half shell 2 exhibits a switch 5 for activating the machine tool and/or for controlling the rotational speed of the machine tool. A safety button 6 is provided at the side of the front half shell 2 in order to switch off the machine tool in emergencies. Alternatively, a button for locking the switch 5 may also be provided. When the handle circumference is adjusted, the longitudinal distance between the switch 5, the safety button 6 and the bearing surface for the ball of the thumb is adjusted at the same time.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the front half shell 2 exhibits greater wall thickness than the rear half shell 3. In the rear section, the front half shell 2 exhibits a stepped wall 7 so that the rear half shell 3 can be positioned on it and moved in a horizontal direction when the actuation handle 1 is held vertically. Accordingly, it is possible to adjust the distance between the front half shell 2 and the rear half shell 3.

Figure 3 illustrates the fastening means 8 which connects together the front half shell 2 and the rear half shell 3- The fastening means 8 is designed as a clamping screw 9. When the clamping screw 9 has been tightened, the distance between the front half shell 2 and the rear half shell 3 cannot be altered. When the clamping screw 9 is released, the rear half shell 3 can be moved in several directions relative to the front half shell 2.

On its inner side, the front half shell 2 exhibits a spacing component 10. The spacing component 10 consists of two separate spacing elements 11 and 12 each of which exhibits one or more steps 13. These steps 13 each support webs 14 which are connected on the inner side with the rear half shell 3. An appropriate distance between the front half shell 2 and the rear half shell 3 is set in dependence upon which steps 13 of the two spacing elements 11 and 12 of the spacing component 10 are supporting the webs 14 of the rear half shell 3. The distance between the two half shells 2 and 3 in the direction longitudinal to the clamping screw 9 can therefore be adjusted by first releasing the clamping screw 9 and then displacing the rear half shell 3 in a longitudinal direction and in a transverse direction to the clamping screw 9, so that the webs 14 are each located on a higher or lower step 13. After this, the clamping screw must again be tightened in order to prevent movement of the half shells 2, 3 relative to each other, thereby preventing any alteration of the distance between the half shells 2, 3.

The rear half shell is supported against the step-like spacing component 10 in the front half shell 2. The spacing component 10 allows the half shells 2, 3 to be aligned in several positions relative to each other. The positions differ in the horizontal distance of the half shells 2, 3 and in the vertical position of the rear half shell 3 relative to the front half shell 2. The half shells 2, 3 are connected to one another by the clamping screw 9, which must be released to allow adjustment.

As can be seen from Figure 4, in accordance with a further embodiment, the fastening means 8 may be capable of screwing into a fixed threaded bush 15 which -12is arranged in the front half shell 2. When moving the position of the rear half shell 3 upon altering the distance between the two half shells 2, 3, the screw head 16 of the clamping screw 9 can slide in a reciprocating manner inside a slot 17. The slot 17 is arranged in the rear half shell 3 in order to allow simple adjustment of the distance between the two half shells 2 and 3. A covering plate 18 is provided on the inner side of the rear half shelf 3 in order to prevent the penetration of moisture or dust into the interior of the actuation handle 1. An annular groove 19 is provided in the shaft of the clamping screw 9, and in the said annular groove two resilient stays 20 of the covering plate 18 are supported thereby clamping the covering plate 18 against the inner wall of the rear half shell 3. The slot 17 is provided in order to allow the longitudinal adjustment of the rear half shell 3 relative to the front half shell 2.

Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of the fastening means 8 in accordance with the invention, whereby a longitudinally movable threaded part 21 is provided so that when the distance transverse to the longitudinal direction of the clamping screw 9 is adjusted, the clamping screw 9 can be displaced together with the threaded part 2 1. The clamping screw 9 is released to adjust the distance between the front half shell 2 and the rear half shell 3. When the rear half shell 3 is displaced transversely to the longitudinal axis of the clamping screw 9, the said clamping screw 9 moves together with the threaded part 21 in the direction of the steps 13 of the spacing elements 11 and 12. After setting the required distance between the two half shells 2, 3, the clamping screw 9 is then re-tightened. In this manner, the handle circumference of the actuation handle 1 can advantageously be adjusted.

Several threaded bushes may naturally also be arranged alongside one another in the front half shell 2, so that a special threaded bush is provided corresponding to each step 13 of the spacing component 10. The clamping screw 9 is then completely released for each adjustment and screwed back into the corresponding thread of the front half shell 2, in each case after the distance has been adjusted. The threaded bushes may be located in one plane or may also be stepped according to the adjustment graduations. In this latter case, the clamping screw 9 may therefore be designed to be shorter.

Claims

-14CLAIMS

1. An actuation handle for a machine, such as a machine tool, having two half shells which are adapted to a hand and are positioned at a specified distance from one another and which form a handle circumference corresponding to the size of a hand, wherein the handle circumference can be adjusted by altering the distance between the interconnected half shells.

2. An actuation handle in accordance with claim 1, wherein one half shell forms the front and the other half shell forms the rear region of the handle circumference.

3. An actuation handle in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein a spacing component is provided between the two half shells through which the predetermined distance between the half shells is adjustable.

4. An actuation handle in accordance with any of claims 1 to 3, wherein a fastening means connects the two half shells and cooperates with the spacing component in the adjustment of the distance.

5. An actuation handle in accordance with claim 4, wherein the fastening means is a pin with a vertically protruding metal part for latching into a groove or a screw.

6. An actuation handle in accordance with claim 4, wherein the spacing component on one half shell has spacing elements, on which the webs of the other half shell are borne.

7. An actuation handle in accordance with any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the - 15handle circumference can be adjusted by releasing the fastening means and by displacing one half shell in the direction of the ascending or descending steps of the spacing component.

8. An actuation handle in accordance with any of claims 4 to 7, wherein one half shell has a slot in which the fastening means can be displaced vertically to its longitudinal axis.

9. An actuation handle in accordance with any of claims 4 to 7, wherein a longitudinally movable threaded part which is intended to be moved simultaneously when the handle circumference is adjusted is provided in one half shell.

10. An actuation handle in accordance with any of claims 4 to 7, wherein one half shell exhibits several adjacently arranged fastening bushes, in which the fastening means can be fixed in the appropriate position.

11. An actuation handle in accordance with any of claims 1 to 10, wherein a switch is provided for the actuation of the machine.

12. An actuation handle in accordance with claim 11, wherein the switch is provided on the front half shell.

13. An actuation handle in accordance with claim 11 or 12, wherein when the half shells are adjusted, the distance between the switch and the rear half shell can be adjusted in such a manner that the switch can be actuated comfortably with one of the fingers while the ball of the thumb is resting against the handle circumference.

14. An actuation handle in accordance with any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the two interconnected half shells essentially exhibit the form of a pistol grip.

15. An actuation handle in accordance with any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the rear half shell is provided to support the ball of the thumb.

16. An actuation handle in accordance with any of claims 1 to 15, wherein one half shell overlaps the border regions of the other half shell.

17. An actuation handle.in accordance with any of claims 1 to 16 wherein a covering plate which protects against the entry of dust or moisture in the region of the fastening means is provided on the inner surface of one half shell.

18. An actuation handle in accordance with any of claims 1 to 17 wherein a safety button or locking button whose position is adjustable relative to the rear half shell is provided additionally on the handle circumference.

19. An actuation handle in accordance with any of claims 1 to 18, wherein at least one of the half shells is ergonomically adapted to a hand.

20. An autuation handle for a machine, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.