Carrying mechanism for power tools

This invention relates generally to in general to power tools, and, in particular to a power tool with a carrying mechanism.

Typically, power tools are carried by a carrying handle. Sometimes, the power tools may weigh too much for carrying it comfortably by the carrying handle. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved carrying mechanism.

In accordance with the present invention, an improved power tool is employed. The power tool includes a motor, a housing having first and second holes, first and second plugs disposed within the first and second holes, respectively, the first and second plugs each connectable to a belt. One of the first plug and the belt has a hole and the other of the first plug and the belt has a hook insertable into the hole.

Additional features and benefits of the present invention are described, and will be apparent from, the accompanying drawings and the detailed description below.

The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention according to the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a miter saw having a first embodiment of a carrying mechanism constructed with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-section of the portion circled by line II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view of a second embodiment of the carrying mechanism according to the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view along line IV—IV of FIG. 3, where FIGS. 4A-4B show two alternate arrangements, respectively.

The invention is now described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals designate like parts. Persons skilled in the art shall recognize that while a miter saw has been used to illustrate the invention, the invention can be used in other power tools.

Miter saws designed for cutting a workpiece are well known in the art. Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a miter saw 10 typically has a base 11 , which may include a rotatable table 12 rotatably attached to base 11 . A pivot arm 14 is pivotally attached to a trunnion 18 to allow a chopping function. The trunnion 18 in turn may be pivotally attached to the base 11 and/or table 12 , to allow the trunnion 18 and pivot arm 14 to pivot relative to the base 11 .

The pivot arm 14 carries a saw assembly which includes motor housing 20 H, a motor 20 M disposed in motor housing 20 H, a blade 17 driven by motor 20 M, an upper blade guard 15 covering an upper part of the blade 17 , and a lower blade guard 16 pivotally attached to upper blade guard 15 for covering a lower part of the blade 17 .

A fence assembly 19 may be provided on both sides of blade 17 . Persons skilled in the art are referred to the fence assemblies disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,297,463 and 5,733,148, which are wholly incorporated herein by reference. Fence assembly 19 has a fixed fence 19 F disposed on base 11 , and a movable fence 19 M slidably disposed on fixed fence 19 F.

Miter saw 10 may be provided with carrying mechanism 20 . Base 11 may have openings 11 O. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that, while openings 11 O have been disposed on base 11 , such openings may be disposed in any other part of miter saw 10 .

Plugs 21 may be inserted through openings 11 O. Plugs 21 are preferably made of plastic, such as nylon, rubber, etc.

Plugs 21 are preferably shaped as a truncated cone. However, persons skilled in the art will recognize that plugs 21 can be shaped into any shape necessary to engage openings 11 O.

An eyelet 22 defining a hole 22 H may be screwed unto plug 21 . Nevertheless, persons skilled in the art should recognize that eyelet 22 can be attached to plug 21 in other ways as well. In addition, hole 22 H could be formed unto plug 21 itself.

A belt 24 can be attached to eyelets 22 via hooks 23 disposed at each end of belt 24 . Preferably, belt 24 is made of nylon. Hooks 23 are preferably self-closing hooks.

With such construction, the user can push plugs 21 through openings 11 O, screw on the eyelets 22 , attach belt 24 to eyelets 22 , and carry the miter saw 10 . Preferably, openings 11 O will be disposed on both left and right sides of base 11 . However, persons skilled in the art should recognize that openings 11 O may be disposed on the same side of base 11 . Furthermore, persons skilled in the art should recognize that belt 24 may be attached to only one eyelet 22 .

FIGS. 3-4 disclose an alternate embodiment of carrying mechanism 20 , where like numerals refer to like parts. Persons skilled in the art should recognize that all the lessons taught by the previous embodiment are incorporated into the present embodiment by reference.

The main difference between the present and previous embodiments is that, instead of attaching plugs 21 to a side wall of base 11 , plugs 21 are attached to feet portions of base 11 . In particular, miter saw 10 has at least one front foot 11 FF and at least one rear foot 11 RF. Each foot preferably has at least one opening 11 OF defined by a wall 11 FW.

Plugs 21 may be inserted through openings 11 OF. Plugs 21 are preferably made of plastic, such as nylon, rubber, etc. Plugs 21 are preferably shaped as a truncated cone. Alternatively, plugs 21 are substantially cylindrical. However, persons skilled in the art will recognize that plugs 21 can be shaped into any shape necessary to engage openings 11 FO.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the user can push plugs 21 ′ through openings 11 FO from the underside of base 11 , screw on the eyelets 22 , attach belt 24 to eyelets 22 , and carry the miter saw 10 . Alternatively, referring to FIG. 4B, the user can push plugs 21 ″ through openings 11 FO from the top of base 11 , screw on the eyelets 22 , attach belt 24 to eyelets 22 , and carry the miter saw 10 . Plug 21 ″ may have split ends 21 E which expand as eyelet 22 is screwed thereon to maintain plug 21 ″ within opening 11 FO.

As mentioned above, openings 11 FO are preferably disposed on both front and rear feet 11 FF, 11 RF of base 11 . However, persons skilled in the art should recognize that openings 11 FO may be disposed on the same foot. Furthermore, persons skilled in the art should recognize that belt 24 may be attached to only one eyelet 22 .

Persons skilled in the art may recognize other additions or alternatives to the means disclosed herein. However, all these additions and/or alterations are considered to be equivalents of the present invention.