IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,594,643
Granted Patent B2
US 12,594,643 · App. 17/914,880 · Granted Apr 7, 2026

Tool

Inventors: Shin Sugiura (Anjo, JP); Takafumi Kotsuji (Anjo, JP); Ryosuke Otani (Anjo, JP); Fumiyoshi Saito (Anjo, JP)
Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
B24B23/028B24B55/052B25F5/026
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,594,643
App. No.
17/914,880
Granted
Apr 7, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tool includes a first accessory, at least two first attachment portions for detachably and selectively attaching the first accessory, and a single first intermediate member provided in common for the at least two first attachment portions. The first intermediate member includes at least one pressed portion configured to, when the first accessory is attached to one first attachment portion arbitrarily selected from the at least two first attachment portions, be directly or indirectly pressed by the first accessory. The first intermediate member is configured to be displaced when the at least one pressed portion is pressed. The tool further includes a single first sensor configured to detect that the first intermediate member is displaced.

Claims (70)

1 . A tool comprising:

a first accessory;

at least two first attachment portions for detachably and selectively attaching the first accessory;

a single first intermediate member provided in common for the at least two first attachment portions, the first intermediate member including at least one pressed portion configured to be directly or indirectly pressed by the first accessory when the first accessory is attached to one first attachment portion arbitrarily selected from the at least two first attachment portions, and to be directly or indirectly pressed by the first accessory when the first accessory is attached to another first attachment portion arbitrarily selected from the at least two first attachment portions, the first intermediate member being configured to be displaced when the at least one pressed portion is pressed; and

a single first sensor configured to detect that the first intermediate member is displaced.

2 . The tool according to claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the first intermediate member toward a position at which the first intermediate member is located when being not pressed directly or indirectly by the first accessory.

3 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one pressed portion includes a pressed surface angled with respect to a pressing direction in such a manner that the first intermediate member is displaced in a direction different from the pressing direction, the pressing direction being a direction in which the first accessory directly or indirectly presses the at least one pressed portion.

4 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the first intermediate member includes a first intermediate member main body having an annular shape or a partially annular shape, and

the at least two first attachment portions are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the annular shape or the partially annular shape, respectively.

5 . The tool according to claim 4 , wherein the at least one pressed portion includes pressed portions respectively provided at at least two positions respectively corresponding to the positions of the at least two first attachment portions.

6 . The tool according to claim 4 , wherein the at least one pressed portion protrudes radially outward from the first intermediate member main body.

7 . The tool according to claim 4 , wherein the first intermediate member is configured to be rotated in the circumferential direction when the at least one pressed portion is pressed.

8 . The tool according to claim 7 , further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the first intermediate member toward a position at which the first intermediate member is located when being not pressed directly or indirectly by the first accessory,

wherein the first intermediate member main body includes a cutout portion partially cut out along the circumferential direction, and

the biasing member is contained in the cutout portion.

9 . The tool according to claim 4 , wherein the first intermediate member includes a tilt axis, and is configured to be tilted about the tilt axis when the at least one pressed portion is pressed.

10 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the first intermediate member includes a first magnet and a magnet holding portion that holds the first magnet, and

the first sensor is a magnetic sensor configured to detect a displacement of the first magnet.

11 . The tool according to claim 10 , wherein the first intermediate member includes a first intermediate member main body having an annular shape or a partially annular shape,

the at least two first attachment portions are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the annular shape or the partially annular shape, respectively,

the first intermediate member is configured to be rotated in the circumferential direction when the at least one pressed portion is pressed, and

the magnet holding portion protrudes radially outward from the first intermediate member main body.

12 . The tool according to claim 11 , wherein the magnet holding portion is provided at a position different from the at least one pressed portion in the circumferential direction.

13 . The tool according to claim 10 , wherein the first intermediate member includes a first intermediate member main body having an annular shape or a partially annular shape,

the at least two first attachment portions are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the annular shape or the partially annular shape, respectively,

the first intermediate member includes a tilt axis, and is configured to be tilted about the tilt axis when the at least one pressed portion is pressed,

the tilt axis is located on a radially outer side with respect to the first intermediate member main body, and

the first magnet is disposed on the radially outer side with respect to the first intermediate member main body and at a position generally opposite to the tilt axis with respect to the first intermediate member main body.

14 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is a microswitch, and

the first intermediate member includes a contact portion for contacting the microswitch to bring the microswitch into an ON state when the first intermediate member is displaced.

15 . The tool according to claim 14 , wherein the at least one pressed portion includes pressed portions respectively provided at at least two positions respectively corresponding to positions of the at least two first attachment portions, and

the contact portion is provided at a position different from the at least two positions respectively corresponding to the positions of the at least two first attachment portions in a circumferential direction.

16 . The tool according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a second accessory;

a second attachment portion for detachably attaching the second accessory;

a second intermediate member configured to, when the second accessory is attached to the second attachment portion, be pivotally moved by being directly or indirectly pressed by the second accessory; and

a second sensor configured to detect that the second intermediate member is pivotally moved.

17 . The tool according to claim 16 , further comprising:

an electric motor; and

a controller configured to control driving of the electric motor,

wherein the controller is configured to:

permit the electric motor to be driven when both a first condition and a second condition are satisfied, the first condition being a condition that the first sensor detects that the first accessory is attached to any of the at least two first attachment portions, the second condition being a condition that the second sensor detects that the second accessory is attached to the second attachment portion; and

prohibit the electric motor from being driven when at least one of the first condition and the second condition is not satisfied.

18 . The tool according to claim 17 , further comprising a bearing configured to rotatably support a motor shaft of the electric motor; and

a housing including a hollow circular cylindrical portion containing and supporting the bearing,

wherein the first intermediate member includes a first intermediate member main body having an annular shape or a partially annular shape,

the at least two first attachment portions are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the annular shape or the partially annular shape, respectively, and

the first intermediate member is disposed in such a manner that the first intermediate member main body surrounds an outer periphery of the hollow circular cylindrical portion.

19 . The tool according to claim 18 , wherein the tool is a grinder including a tool accessory configured to be rotated by the electric motor,

the first accessory is a side grip, and

the second accessory is a cover that partially covers the tool accessory.

20 . A grinder comprising:

an electric motor;

a tool accessory configured to be rotated by the electric motor;

a side grip;

at least two first attachment portions for detachably and selectively attaching the side grip;

a single first intermediate member provided in common for the at least two first attachment portions, the first intermediate member including a first intermediate member main body having an annular shape or a partially annular shape and at least two pressed portions disposed at at least two positions respectively corresponding to positions of the at least two first attachment portions, the at least two pressed portions being configured to, when the side grip is attached to one first attachment portion arbitrarily selected from the at least two first attachment portions, be directly or indirectly pressed by the side grip, the first intermediate member being configured to be rotated in a circumferential direction of the annular shape or the partially annular shape when any of the at least two pressed portions is pressed;

a biasing member configured to bias the first intermediate member toward a position at which the first intermediate member is located when being not pressed directly or indirectly by the side grip; and

a single first sensor configured to detect that the first intermediate member is rotated,

wherein the at least two first attachment portions are disposed at the positions spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, respectively, and

each of the at least two pressed portions includes a pressed surface angled with respect to a pressing direction in such a manner that the first intermediate member is rotated in a direction different from the pressing direction, and wherein each of the at least two pressed portions protrudes radially outward from the first intermediate member main body, the pressing direction being a direction in which the side grip directly or indirectly presses any of the at least two pressed portions.

21 . A tool comprising:

a first accessory;

at least two first attachment portions for detachably and selectively attaching the first accessory;

a single first intermediate member provided in common for the at least two first attachment portions, the first intermediate member including at least one pressed portion configured to, when the first accessory is attached to one first attachment portion arbitrarily selected from the at least two first attachment portions, be directly or indirectly pressed by the first accessory, the first intermediate member being configured to be displaced when the at least one pressed portion is pressed; and

a single first sensor configured to detect that the first intermediate member is displaced

wherein the first sensor is a microswitch,

the first intermediate member includes a contact portion for contacting the microswitch to bring the microswitch into an ON state when the first intermediate member is displaced,

the at least one pressed portion includes pressed portions respectively provided at at least two positions respectively corresponding to positions of the at least two first attachment portions, and

the contact portion is provided at a position different from the at least two positions respectively corresponding to the positions of the at least two first attachment portions in a circumferential direction.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 27, 2022
From: SUGIURA, SHIN; KOTSUJI, TAKAFUMI; OTANI, RYOSUKE; SAITO, FUMIYOSHI
To: MAKITA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 061224/0963 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2020-071242 · Apr 10, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230119351A1 · Apr 20, 2023
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