IP Library Granted Patent US 7,089,979
Granted Patent B2
US 7,089,979 · App. 10/836,823 · Granted Aug 15, 2006

Ergonomic router

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,089,979
App. No.
10/836,823
Granted
Aug 15, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention is directed to a router including a motor housing for at least partially enclosing a motor, a base having a sleeve for receiving the motor housing therein. The base is constructed to at least partially support the motor housing on a workpiece. The router additionally includes an electrical switch disposed substantially in a quadrant, defined by a first axis extending through generally opposing handles, and a second axis, extending normal to the first axis, and generally bisecting the motor housing, of the motor housing. Preferably, the electrical switch is disposed in the range of 30° (thirty degrees) to 60° (sixty degrees) from the second axis and particularly at approximately 45° (forty-five degrees) to allow for comfortable grasping of the motor housing/base, easy repeatable switch manipulation, and the like.

Claims (32)

1. A router, comprising:

a motor housing for at least partially enclosing a motor;

an electrical switch electrically coupled to the motor, the electrical switch being configured to control the flow of electricity to the motor; and

a base constructed for at least partially supporting the router on a workpiece, said base including a sleeve for adjustably positioning the motor housing with respect to the base, while maintaining the motor housing in a fixed orientation, said base including first and second attachment points being additionally configured for securing a pair of generally opposing handles thereto, the first and second attachment points defining a first axis,

wherein the electrical switch is disposed substantially in a quadrant of the motor housing defined by the first axis and a second axis which generally bisects the motor housing and is normal to the first axis,

and further comprising a height adjustment device configured to adjust the position of the motor housing with respect to the base while maintaining the motor housing in a fixed orientation, the height adjustment device substantially completely disposed in a quadrant directly adjacent the quadrant including the electrical switch.

2. The router of claim 1 , wherein the electrical switch is disposed at approximately 45° (forty-five degrees) from the second axis.

3. The router of claim 1 , wherein the electrical switch is disposed in the range of 30° (thirty degrees) to 60° (sixty degrees) from the second axis.

4. The router of claim 1 , wherein the height adjustment device is disposed in the range of 20° (twenty degrees) to 60° (sixty degrees) from the second axis.

5. The router of claim 4 , wherein the height adjustment device is disposed at approximately 25° (twenty-five degrees) from the second axis.

6. The router of claim 1 , wherein the electrical switch is disposed in a left front quadrant defined by the first axis and the second axis.

7. The router of claim 6 , wherein the height adjustment device is disposed in a left rear quadrant defined by the first axis and the second axis.

8. A router, comprising:

a motor housing for at least partially enclosing a motor;

an electrical switch electrically coupled to the motor, the electrical switch being configured to control the flow of electricity to the motor;

a base constructed for at least partially supporting the router on a workpiece, said base including a sleeve for adjustably receiving the motor housing therein with respect to the base, while maintaining the motor housing in a fixed orientation; and

a handle mounted to the base for manipulating the router, said handle defining a first axis;

a second axis which generally bisects the motor housing and is normal to the first axis; and

a height adjustment device configured to adjust the position of the motor housing with respect to the base while maintaining the motor housing in a fixed orientation,

wherein the electrical switch is disposed substantially in a first quadrant defined by the first axis and the second axis, and the height adjustment device is disposed substantially completely in a second quadrant defined the first axis and the second axis, the second quadrant being directly adjacent to the first quadrant.

9. The router of claim 8 , wherein the electrical switch is disposed at approximately 45° (forty-five degrees) from the second axis.

10. The router of claim 8 , wherein the height adjustment device is disposed in the range of 20° (twenty degrees) to 60° (sixty degrees) from the second axis.

11. The router of claim 10 , wherein the height adjustment device is disposed at approximately 25° (twenty-five degrees) from the second axis.

12. The router of claim 8 , wherein the electrical switch is disposed in a left front quadrant defined by the first axis and the second axis.

13. The router of claim 12 , wherein the height adjustment device is disposed in a left rear quadrant.

14. The router of claim 8 , wherein the electrical switch is disposed in the first quadrant in the range of 30° (thirty degrees) to 60° (sixty degrees) from the second axis.

15. A router, comprising:

a generally cylindrical motor housing for at least partially enclosing a motor;

an electrical switch electrically coupled to the motor, the electrical switch being configured to control the flow of electricity to the motor;

a base constructed for at least partially supporting the router on a workpiece, said base including a sleeve for adjustably receiving the motor housing therein with respect to the base, while maintaining the motor housing in a fixed orientation, said base including first and second attachment points being additionally configured for securing a pair of generally opposing handles thereto, first and second attachment points defining a first axis; and

a height adjustment device configured to adjust the position of the motor housing with respect to the base while maintaining the motor housing in a fixed orientation,

wherein the electrical switch is disposed substantially in a left front quadrant, defined by the first axis and a second axis which generally bisects the motor housing and is normal to the first axis, at approximately 45° (forty-five degrees) from a second axis and the height adjustment device is disposed substantially completely in a left rear quadrant.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2007
From: PORTER CABLE COPORATION
To: BLACK & DECKER INC.
Reel/Frame 018892/0241 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 12, 2006
From: PORTER-CABLE CORPORATION
To: BLACK & DECKER INC.
Reel/Frame 017006/0374 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 7, 2004
From: COOPER, RANDY G.; ETTER, MARK A.; GRIFFIN, GREG K.; ALLEN, GINGER L.; KILBOURNE, DERRICK
To: PORTER-CABLE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015106/0272 →