GB2407058A

GB2407058A - Auxiliary handle with lighting device

Info

Publication number: GB2407058A
Application number: GB0422742A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Isch
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2003-10-15
Filing date: 2004-10-13
Publication date: 2005-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-13
Also published as: CN1607077A; CN1607077B; GB2407058B; DE10347945A1; GB0422742D0

Abstract

Auxiliary handle 1 for a motor-driven hand tool, such as a drill, comprising a fixing device 2 which constitutes an upper portion of the auxiliary handle 1 and produces a frictional-force connection and/or form-fit connection to the hand-tool, and a handgrip 3 which constitutes a lower portion of the auxiliary handle 1 and adjoins the fixing device 2, the auxiliary handle 1 comprising a lighting device 5 which illuminates the working area of the hand tool by means of a lighting element (9, fig. 1) such as an incandescent bulb or a light-emitting diode (10, fig. 1). A motor-driven hand tool comprising such an auxiliary handle 1 is additionally disclosed.

Description

Auxiliary handle The invention relates to an auxiliary handle according to

the preamble of claim 1, and to a motor-driven hand tool according to claim 12.

Prior art

Auxiliary handles of the generic type are known in the art.

They offer the user of a motor-driven hand tool the possibility of holding and guiding the hand tool with both hands during operation. If, during operation, a hand tool requires the application of additional force by the user in the direction of working of the hand tool, for example, the exertion of forward pressure on a rotary hammer in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the inserted drill- bit, the user, by means of the auxiliary handle, is able to apply the required force with both hands, or both arms.

Overall, the auxiliary handle permits a more comfortable and safer use of larger hand tools or those whose operation requires a greater expenditure of force. The motor-driven hand tools of the generic type, comprising an auxiliary handle, are also known in the art. These are, for example, larger drills, impact drills, rotary hammers or screwdrivers.

In order to be able to work with a motor-driven hand tool in a precise and effective manner, it is necessary that the working area is well illuminated. This is not normally the case, particularly with the mobile use that is rendered possible by the hand tool. Thus, the working area is often only poorly illuminated, or darkened by cast shadow, in which case the shadow may be cast by the user of the hand tool.

Advantages of the invention The auxiliary handle according to the invention, having the features stated in claim 1, offers the advantage that the working area is ideally illuminated by a direct lighting provided in immediate proximity to the working area. Since the lighting device is integrated into the auxiliary handle, ideal illumination is assured even in the case of mobile use with changing working areas. The arrangement also almost precludes interference by objects present in the light path between the lighting device and the working surface. In particular, it is effective in preventing a shadow being cast by the user of the hand tool when the latter is used in the usual manner. Moreover, it can be realized cost-effectively, and can also be retrofitted on existing hand tools. Furthermore, the auxiliary hand tool offers a multiplicity of possibilities in respect of fixing to the hand tool: the fixing device may be realized as an integral component part of the hand tool, the fixing device may be made separately in the production process, but fixed to the hand tool in such a manner that it cannot be detached by the user, or the fixing device comprises a fixing means, preferably operable by means of a clamping wing screw, by which the auxiliary handle can be fixed to and detached from the hand tool.

In the case of an advantageous development of the invention, the lighting device is disposed in the upper portion of the handle, adjoining the fixing device. The light cone of the lighting device is thus formed above the user Is hand gripping the handle, with the result that the light cone is not impaired by the hand.

Advantageously, the fixing device comprises a clamping ring, and the lighting device is disposed beneath the clamping ring and above the handle. Consequently, in a simple manner, the lighting device can be brought very close to the working area without resultant limitations in the usability of the fixing device or of the handle.

It is advantageous if the lighting device is disposed in a lower portion of the handle. This effects illumination of the working area from below, so that structures in the working area, such as minor height differences, are more easily distinguished by the user of the hand tool.

In the case of an advantageous development, the lighting device is disposed in a holder which can be swivelled between an operating position and a home position. In its operating position, the lighting device illuminates the working area but, in its home position, it is protected against harmful conditions. Thus, for example, the lighting device can be protected during transport, during which it might otherwise be damaged by a localized impact.

Preferably, the lighting device switches on when it is swivelled from the home position into the operating position, and switches off when it is moved from the operating position into the home position.

An advantageous development of the invention is achieved if the underside of the handle comprises an actuating element, particularly a switch, for controlling the operating state of the lighting device. This enables the lighting device to be switched on and off in a simple manner.

Advantageously, the handle comprises a cavity for receiving an auxiliary element which can be detached from the handle.

The auxiliary element is advantageously an energy source, particularly a battery or accumulator arrangement, which supplies the lighting device with energy. This embodiment discloses a cost-effective energy supply to the lighting device which is effected independently of the operation of the hand tool and does not require a current-carrying connection to the hand-tool.

In the case of an advantageous development of the invention, the auxiliary element is an approximately cylindrical lamp device, comprising the lighting device, the actuating element and an energy source, particularly a battery or accumulator arrangement, which supplies energy to the lighting device. The lamp device can be separated from the handle and can thus also illuminate the working area independently of the hand tool. The lamp device can preferably be fitted on to the auxiliary handle, in order thus to achieve an ideal illumination of the working area.

In the case of a further development of the invention, the auxiliary element is approximately U-shaped, and comprises a first limb element, a second limb element which is substantially parallel to the latter, and a base element joining the two limb elements, the lighting device being disposed in the upper end of the second limb element that is distant from the base element, and the first limb element being insertable in the cavity. This results in further degrees of freedom for positioning the lighting device relative to the working area, in particular, possibilities for lateral illumination of the working area.

The position of the second limb element is preferably selected so that the lighting device is positioned even closer to the working area, compared with a direct positioning beneath the clamping ring. The lighting device may be of pivotable design, in order that an ideal illumination of the working area can also be achieved as the positioning of the second limb element is varied.

The auxiliary element in the second limb element advantageously comprises a sensor device. The favourable positioning of the second limb element relative to the working area also offers a favourable positioning of a sensor device intended to perform the function of a sensor close to the working area. In this case, in particular, the sensor device is realized, and positioned relative to the working area, in such a way that possible obstructions in the working area, in particular, electric conductors, water lines or sheathings can be detected.

The invention additionally relates to a motor-driven hand tool comprising an auxiliary handle having one or more of the preceding features.

Drawings The invention is explained more fully in the following with reference to exemplary embodiments. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a sectional side view of an example of an auxiliary handle according to the invention, along its longitudinal central axis, Figure 2 shows a perspective front-side view of the auxiliary handle, Figure 3 shows an example of a motor-driven hand tool comprising an auxiliary hand tool with a lamp device, Figure 4 shows an example of a motor-driven hand tool comprising a lighting device disposed in the lower portion of the handle, Figure 5 shows an example of a motor-driven hand tool comprising an approximately U-shaped auxiliary element, and Figure 6 shows an example of an approximately U-shaped auxiliary element for an auxiliary handle according to the invention.

Description of the exemplary embodiments

Figure 1 shows a sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of an auxiliary handle 1 according to the invention, comprising a fixing device 2 and a handle 3.

The fixing device 2 has a clamping ring 4 for producing a frictionalforce connection and/or form-fit connection to the collar of the motordriven hand tool (not shown).

Disposed beneath the clamping ring 4 is a lighting device 5 which, in the switched-on state, produces a light cone 7 indicated by the boundary lines 6. The lighting device 5 is switched on and off by means of the actuating element 8 which, here, is located on the underside of the auxiliary handle 1. In the example shown here, the alignment of the light cone 7 relative to the auxiliary handle - and therefore relative to the hand tool - is fixed.

Alternatively, it is possible for the lighting device 5 to be realized in a spherical joint, in order thus to enable the user to align the light cone 7 according to his requirements.

The lighting device 5 comprises a lighting element 9, realized here as a light-emitting diode (LED) 10, a lens element 11 and a protective pane 12. The lens element 11 improves the illumination of the working area by directing the light produced by the LED 10 on to the working area.

The lens element 11 is preferably a lens which is optimised for a radiation angle of about 10 degrees. The protective pane 12 protects the lens element 11 from damage and the ingress of dust. In the switched-on state, the LED 10 radiates light which is directed through the lens element 11 and the protective pane 12 on to the working area.

Energy is supplied to the LED 10 via four batteries 13 disposed in a cavity 14 of the handle 3. By means of the contact springs 15, the contact pins 16 and the switching spring 17, the batteries 13 can be connected in series and provide the operating voltage required for operation of the lighting device 5. The user of the hand tool can select, by means of the position of the slide switch 18 of the actuating element 8, whether the switching spring 17 is to constitute an open or a closed contact. In the position of the slide switch 18 according to Figure 1, the slide switch 18, through its tip 19, presses the switching spring 17 against the contact element 20, resulting in the establishment of the series connection and switching on the lighting device 5. If the slide switch 18 is then moved to the left in respect of the drawing, the contact pressure on the switching spring 17 produced by the tip 19 of the slide switch 18 is removed. A biasing of the switching spring 17 then causes the portion of the switching spring 17 which is bearing on the contact element 20 to be moved away from the contact element 20. Consequently, the switching spring 17 then constitutes an open contact which interrupts the series connection and switches off the lighting device 5.

It is to be pointed out that the embodiment shown permits a multiplicity of possible variants. For example, it is possible to replace the LED 10 by an incandescent bulb, to provide only two batteries 13, or to provide a pressure- operated switch instead of the slide switch 18.

Figure 2 shows a perspective front/side view of the auxiliary handle 1, the lens element 11, the clamping wing screw 25 and the nut 26 being shown in an exploded view for the purpose of clearer illustration. The positioning of the lighting element 5 beneath the clamping ring 4 and above the handle 3 becomes clear in this figure.

The clamping ring 4 has an inner circumference 21 which, due to the variably adjustable opening 22, can be enlarged or reduced in size by a certain proportion. The opening 22 is produced by a parting in the fixing device 2, whose parting surfaces 23, 24 can be separated from one another by a variable distance. In order to vary the distance between the parting surfaces 23, 24, a clamping wing screw 25 and a nut 26 are disposed so that the thread of the clamping wing screw 25 engages in the internal thread of the nut 26 and, upon the clamping wing screw 25 being screwed into the nut 26, the parting surface 23 is moved towards the parting surface 24. The opening 22 and the inner circumference 21 of the clamping ring 4 are thereby made smaller. When the clamping ring 4 is in the unclamped state, in which no force is applied to it, the opening 22 is of such magnitude that the clamping ring 4 can be slipped over the collar of a hand tool. If the clamping wing screw 25 is then tightened and the inner circumference 21 reduced in size, a frictional-force connection results between the auxiliary handle 1 and the collar of the hand tool. Additional arrangements on the fixing device 2, such as recesses, may additionally effect a supporting form-fit with corresponding arrangements on the hand tool.

Figure 3 shows a motor-driven hand tool 27, to the collar 28 of which there is fixed an auxiliary handle 1 according to the invention. The figure also shows an auxiliary element 36, realized here as a lamp device 29, comprising the lighting device 5, the actuating element 8 and an energy source 30, realized here as a battery arrangement 31, which supplies energy to the lighting device 5. The lamp device 29 may be both located in the cavity 14 of the handle 3 and removed from the cavity 14 and, as shown, fitted on to the auxiliary handle 1 by means of the retainer 32. A light cone 7, indicated symbolically by the boundary lines 6, is then produced.

In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 4, the lighting device 5 is disposed in a holder 44 in a lower portion of the handle 3. In this case, the lighting device 5 can be swivelled, by means of a rotation about the axis 33, between an operating position 34 (as shown in the Figure) and a home position 35. When rotated into the operating position 34, the lighting device 5 is switched on and produces the light cone 7 indicated by the boundary lines 6. Upon rotation into the home position, the lighting device 5 is switched off. Batteries for supplying electric power to the lighting device 5 are provided in the cavity 14 of the handle 3. Alternatively, an accumulator arrangement may be provided which can be inductively charged in a contactless manner in an appropriate charging station.

Figure 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment, in which the auxiliary element 36 is realized as a U-shaped element 37, comprising a first limb element 38 which is inserted in the cavity 14 of the handle 3, a second limb element 39 which is substantially parallel to the said first limb element 38, and a base element 40 joining the two limb elements 38, 39. In this case, the lighting device 5 is disposed in the upper end of the second limb element 39 that is distant from the base element 40. The first limb element 38 of the auxiliary element 36 can be withdrawn from the cavity 14 of the handle 3.

Figure 6 shows a variant of the auxiliary element 36, in which a sensor device 41 is disposed in the second limb element 39. Due to the sensor device 41 being disposed close to the working area of the hand tool 27 it is possible, for example, to detect a current-carrying line 42 in a wall 43 before the said line is possibly damaged during the working operation. Furthermore, the figure shows how the batteries 13 are changed when the auxiliary element 36 has been separated from the auxiliary handle 1.

Claims

Claims 1. Auxiliary handle (1) for a motor-driven hand tool (27),

particularly a drill, comprising a fixing device (2) which constitutes an upper portion of the auxiliary handle (1) and produces a frictional-force connection and/or form-fit connection to the hand-tool (27), and a handle (3) which constitutes a lower portion of the auxiliary handle (1) and adjoins the fixing device (2), characterized in that the auxiliary handle (1) comprises a lighting device (5) which illuminates the working area of the hand tool (27) by means of a lighting element (9), particularly an incandescent bulb or a light-emitting diode (10), assigned to the lighting device (5).
2. Auxiliary handle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting device (5) is disposed in the upper portion of the handle (3), adjoining the fixing device (2).
3. Auxiliary handle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing device (2) comprises a clamping ring, and the lighting device (5) is disposed beneath the clamping ring (4) and above the handle (3).
4. Auxiliary handle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting device (5) is disposed in a lower portion of the handle (3).
5. Auxiliary handle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting device (5) is disposed in a holder (44) which can be swivelled between an operating position and a home position (34, 35).
6. Auxiliary handle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the underside of the handle (3) comprises an actuating element (8), particularly a switch (18), for controlling the operating state of the lighting device (5).
7. Auxiliary handle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (3) comprises a cavity (14) for receiving an auxiliary element (36) which can be detached from the handle (3).
8. Auxiliary handle (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the auxiliary element (36) is an energy source (30), particularly a battery or accumulator arrangement (13, 31), which supplies energy to the lighting device ( 5) .
9. Auxiliary handle (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the auxiliary element (36) is an approximately cylindrical lamp device (29), comprising the lighting device (5), the actuating element (8) and an energy source (30), particularly a battery or accumulator arrangement (13, 31), which supplies energy to the lighting device ( 5) .
10. Auxiliary handle (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the auxiliary element (36) is approximately U-shaped, and comprises a first limb element (38), a second limb element (39) which is substantially parallel to the latter, and a base element (40) joining the two limb elements (38, 39), the lighting device (5) being disposed in the upper end of the second limb element (39) that is distant from the base element (40), and the first limb element (38) being insertable in the cavity (14).
11. Auxiliary handle (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the auxiliary element (36) comprises a sensor device (41) in the second limb element (39).
12. An auxiliary handle for a motor-driven tool substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. Motor-driven hand tool (27) comprising an auxiliary handle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.