Abstract:
A preferred embodiment comprises a power hand tool (10) of the type which has a generally cylindrical elongated plastic housing (14) with a motor contained within the housing (14) and having an output shaft (30) that extends from the front end portion (22) of the hand tool (10), and which has a metal front end portion (22) that cooperates with the plastic housing (14) to strengthen a shaft locking mechanism (32) located at the front end of the hand tool (10). The metal front end portion (22) not only strengthens the outer , surface of the housing (14) in the front end portion (22) of the tool, but also has a pair of internal structural ribs (72) positioned to absorb stress that may be present in the housing (14) as a result of force applied to the shaft locking mechanism. The preferred embodiment is also designed to enable the shaft locking pin mechanism (32) to be easily assembled and retained without the need for an E-clip or C-clip as is commonly the practice in commercially available spiral saw hand tools (10).
Abstract:
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a detachable flexible handle (30) for a power hand tool (20) and an attachment system associated with the handle and the tool for releasably attaching either a rigid or the flexible handle (30) to the power hand tool (20). The system has housing (22) attachment recesses (38, 42) on the tool that receive attachment clips (52, 54) located at opposite end portions of the flexible handle (30) or structure of a rigid handle (32).