CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001 ] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/383,083, filed on November 10, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a coupling mechanism operable to receive and retain an attachment for an oscillating tool.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Oscillating tools are multi-tools that can receive a range of attachments. The oscillating tools oscillate to move the attachment coupled to the oscillating tool. For example, an oscillating saw can receive a blade as an attachment. The oscillating tool can be operable to oscillate the blade to cut a surface. With the oscillating tool, the blade can cut flush with a surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

[0005] FIG. 1 A illustrates a top perspective view of an oscillating assembly;

[0006] FIG. 1 B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the oscillating assembly;

[0007] FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of the oscillating assembly;

[0008] FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the oscillating assembly, taken along line 2B-2B of FIG. 2A;

[0009] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of an oscillating component;

[0010] FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of the oscillating component;

[0011 ] FIG. 3C illustrates a top view of the oscillating component;

[0012] FIG. 3D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the oscillating component, taken along line 2D-2D of FIG. 3C;

[0013] FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a clamping plate;

[0014] FIG. 4B illustrates a top view of the clamping plate; [0015] FIG. 4C illustrates a front view of the clamping plate;

[0016] FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a blade attachment; and

[0017] FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of the blade attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure. [0019] Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented. The term "coupled" is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantially cylindrical means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The term “about” means reasonably close to the particular value. For example, about does not require the exact measurement specified and can be reasonably close. As used herein, the word “about” can include the exact number. The term “near” as used herein is within a short distance from the particular mentioned object. The term “near” can include abutting as well as relatively small distance beyond abutting. The terms "comprising," "including" and "having" are used interchangeably in this disclosure. The terms "comprising," "including" and "having" mean to include, but not necessarily be limited to the things so described.

[0020] The present disclosure provides a coupling mechanism for an oscillating tool. The coupling mechanism is operated by a simple spring-loaded push button mechanism that when actuated opens a clamp plate, to allow free insertion of an attachment (e.g., a blade attachment), and then locks the attachment securely in place after the button is released. The process is reversed to allow easy removal of the attachment. Accordingly, the coupling mechanism provides a quick and secure method of securing an oscillating attachment to an oscillating tool.

[0021 ] Conventional oscillating tools require thumb screws or socket screws for securing the attachments in place. The presently disclosed coupling mechanism instead provides a coupling mechanism that can securely receive and lock the attachment in place by a simple actuation of a button.

[0022] FIGS. 1A and 1 B illustrate an oscillating assembly 1. The oscillating assembly 1 includes an oscillating tool 10 and an attachment 50. The oscillating tool 10 is operable to receive the attachment 50 and move the attachment 50 in an oscillating motion. The oscillating tool 10 can include a housing 12 that contains many of the components (e.g., power driver, drive shaft, and gear box) that operate the oscillating tool 12. A handle 14 can provide a place for the user to hold onto while operating the oscillating tool 10.

[0023] The attachment 50 can be removably coupled with the oscillating tool 10. In at least one example, the attachment 50 can be removed and replaced. In at least one example, the attachment 50 can be removed and another attachment 50 can be coupled with the oscillating tool 10 for another type of operation. For example, the attachment 50 can include any of the following: a blade attachment, a grout attachment, a tile attachment, a masonry attachment, a sanding attachment, a polishing attachment, and/or an arbor attachment. While the disclosure illustrates a blade attachment that can create cuts, other attachments 50 can be utilized without deviating from the scope of the disclosure. In at least one example, the configuration of the attachments 50 to couple with the oscillating tool 10 can be consistent across attachments 50 so that different attachments 50 can be utilized without needing a different oscillating tool 10. For example, referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the attachment 50 can include an attachment notch 52 that is operable to couple the attachment 50 with the oscillating tool 10 via a coupling mechanism 100, as described in more detail below.

[0024] The oscillating tool 10 can include the coupling mechanism 100 operable to securely receive the attachment 50 in the oscillating tool 10. The coupling mechanism 100 must retain the attachment 50 such that the attachment 50 does not undesirably move or detach. For example, with a blade attachment 50, the attachment 50 needs to be securely received by the oscillating tool 10 via the coupling mechanism 100 while the blade attachment 50 cuts against material. Any undesired movement or detachment can cause injury or ineffective operation of the oscillating assembly 1 . [0025] As shown in FIGS. 1A-2B, the coupling mechanism 100 can include an oscillating component 102, a clamping plate 104, and a button 106. The oscillating component 102 and the clamping plate 104 are operable to receive and retain the attachment 50. The button 106 is operable to be actuated to transition the clamping plate 104 between a closed configuration where the attachment 50 is secured and an open configuration where the attachment 50 can be inserted and/or removed from the oscillating tool 10.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1A-3D, the oscillating component 102 can form a receiving recess 302 and a transverse slot 304. The transverse slot 304 can be in communication with the receiving recess 302. In at least one example, the transverse slot 304 can be operable to receive the attachment 50. The transverse slot 304 can have a height that corresponds with a thickness of the attachment 50 and a width that corresponds with a width of the attachment 50. Accordingly, the transverse slot 304 is configured to securely receive the attachment 50 without undesired movement vertically and/or laterally. For example, the transverse slot 304 can have a width of about 19 millimeters and a height of about 1 .35 millimeters to accommodate standard attachments 50 for oscillating tools.

[0027] The clamping plate 104 can be coupled with the oscillating component 102. The clamping plate 104 can be operable to be received in the receiving recess 302. Referring to FIGS. 1A-4C, the clamping plate 104 can include a clamping shaft 401 and a clamping head 400. In at least one example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-2B, the clamping head 400 can be sized and shaped to be received in the receiving recess 302 when the clamping plate 104 is in the closed configuration. When in the closed configuration, the clamping head 400 can be received in the receiving recess 302 such that a force is placed onto the attachment 50 received in the transverse slot 304. Accordingly, when the clamping plate 104 is in the closed configuration, the attachment is locked within the transverse slot 304. Additionally, when the clamping plate 104 is in the closed configuration, the attachment 50 cannot be received by and coupled with the coupling mechanism. When the clamping plate 104 is in the open configuration, the clamping head 400 can be raised from the receiving recess 302 such that the attachment 50 is insertable into the transverse slot 304. Additionally, when the clamping plate 104 is in the open configuration, the attachment 50 can be removed from the transverse slot 304.

[0028] The button 106 can be actuated to transition the clamping plate 104 between the open and closed configurations. When the button 106 is actuated, the clamping plate 104 can be raised from the receiving recess 302 to transition to the open configuration. For example, when the button 106 is actuated (e.g., depressed), the button 106 pushes against the clamping shaft 401 (e.g., along the longitudinal axis of the clamping shaft 401 ) to raise the clamping plate 104 towards the open configuration.

[0029] When the button 106 is released, the clamping plate 104 sits into the receiving recess 302 to transition to the closed configuration. In at least one example, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the clamping shaft 401 can be coupled with a shaft return spring 108 that pulls the clamping plate 104 towards the closed configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 4C, the clamping shaft 401 can include a spring coupling portion 410 that is operable to be coupled with the shaft return spring 108. Accordingly, when the button 106 is released and the force against the clamping shaft 401 is lessened and/or removed, the pull force of the shaft return spring 108 pulls the clamping plate 104 down (e.g., along the longitudinal axis of the clamping shaft 401 and/or towards the button 106) so that the clamping head 400 is received in the receiving recess 302. The pull force of the shaft return spring 108 also prevents the clamping head 400 from undesirably rising, keeping the attachment 50 securely locked between the clamping head 400 and the oscillating component 102. The shaft return spring 108 therefore automatically secures the attachment 50 in place when the button 106 is released.

[0030] To couple the attachment 50 with the clamping plate 104, the clamping shaft 401 can be operable to be received by the attachment notch 52 of the attachment 50. For example, when the button 106 is actuated to transition the clamping plate 104 to the open configuration, the clamping head 400 is raised from the receiving recess 302 of the oscillating component 102, and the clamping shaft 401 is exposed in the transverse slot 304. For example, as shown in FIG. 4C, the clamping shaft 401 can include a receiving portion 412 that is operable to be received by the attachment notch 52 of the attachment 50. In at least one example, the receiving portion 412 can have a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the rest of the clamping shaft 401. Accordingly, the attachment 50 is retained only in the receiving portion 412 which can prevent undesired vertical movement of the attachment 50 when coupled with the clamping plate 104.

[0031 ] The process of actuating the button 108 can be reversed in order to remove the attachment 50. For example, the button 108 can be actuated to cause the clamping plate 104 to rise from the receiving recess 302. With the clamping plate 104 raised, the attachment 50 can be detached from the clamping shaft 401.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 3A-3D, the oscillating component 102 can include an oscillating shaft 301 and an oscillating plate 300. The oscillating plate 300 can form the receiving recess 302 and the transverse slot 304. Accordingly, the oscillating plate 300 can be operable to receive the attachment 50 and the clamping head 400. The oscillating shaft 301 can form an annulus 310 that is operable to receive the clamping shaft 401 . Accordingly, when the clamping plate 104 is in the closed configuration, the receiving portion 412 of the clamping shaft 401 can be at least partially hidden or received in the annulus 310. Insertion of the attachment 50 to allow for the attachment notch 52 to receive the receiving portion 412 of the clamping shaft 401 is then prevented. Additionally, when the attachment 50 has been coupled with the receiving portion 412, the receiving portion 412 is lowered such that the clamping head 400 enacts a downward force onto the attachment 50 (e.g., via the shaft return spring 108) to secure the attachment 50 in place. When the clamping plate 104 is in the open configuration, the receiving portion 412 of the clamping shaft 401 can be raised and exposed out of the annulus 310 of the oscillating component 102. The attachment 50 can then be inserted to couple with the clamping shaft 401 and/or the attachment 50 can be removed from the coupling mechanism 100.

[0033] In at least one example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2B, 3B and 3D, the annulus 310 can be in communication with an annulus portion 312 that is operable to receive the receiving portion 412 of the clamping shaft 401 , the shaft return spring 108, and/or a portion of the button 106. For example, the annulus portion 312 can provide space to receive the button 106 as the button 106 is raised and pushing the clamping plate 104 upwards when actuated. [0034] With the coupling mechanism 100, the attachment 50 can be easily received and coupled with the oscillating tool 10 via a simple button press. Similarly, the attachment 50 can be easily removed from the oscillating tool 10 via a simple button press. Accordingly, the coupling mechanism 100 as disclosed herein eliminates the use of thumb screws or socket screws for securing the attachments 50 in place, as with conventional oscillating tools.

[0035] When the attachment 50 is securely received by the oscillating tool 10 via the coupling mechanism 100, the oscillating component 102 is operable to oscillate to move the attachment 50. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the oscillating tool 10 can include a power driver 15. The attachment 50 can then be coupled to the power driver 15 via a drive shaft 16 and a gear box 18. The gear box 18 can operate an oscillating arm 20 that causes the oscillating shaft 301 to move the attachment 50, for example in an oscillating movement from side to side.

[0036] The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the attached claims. It will therefore be appreciated that the embodiments described above may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.