Lighting features for tools
A lighting assembly that is incorporated into a tool, and includes a plurality of illumination elements, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), that can be activated/illuminated individually or together. The illumination elements may be part of one or more lighting elements that cooperatively form the lighting assembly. In an example, the lighting assembly may include a lighting element that is coupled to an elongated housing portion or neck housing of a tool, such as a powered ratchet or powered torque wrench, to provide enhanced illumination, compared to current light features built into cordless tools.
1 . A tool comprising:
a motor housing portion housing a motor;
an elongated housing portion coupled to the motor housing portion and housing a drive shaft that is operably coupled to the motor;
an output assembly coupled to the elongated housing portion; and
a first lighting element coupled to and arranged longitudinally along at least a portion of the elongated housing portion.
2 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the elongated housing portion includes a groove, and the first lighting element is disposed in the groove.
3 . The tool of claim 1 , further comprising a protective cover with a lens portion disposed over the first lighting element and coupled to the elongated housing portion.
4 . The tool of claim 1 , further comprising an actuatable trigger that when actuated causes power to be supplied to the motor and the first lighting element.
5 . The tool of claim 1 , further comprising a switch that when actuated causes power to be supplied to the first lighting element.
6 . A tool comprising:
a motor housing portion housing a motor;
an elongated housing portion coupled to the motor housing portion and housing a drive shaft that is operably coupled to the motor;
an output assembly coupled to the elongated housing portion;
a first lighting element coupled to the elongated housing portion; and
a second lighting element disposed circumferentially around the elongated housing portion substantially at an area of intersection between the elongated housing portion and the motor housing portion.
7 . The tool of claim 6 , further comprising an actuatable trigger that when actuated causes power to be supplied to each of the motor, the first lighting element, and the second lighting element.
8 . The tool of claim 6 , further comprising a switch that when actuated causes power to be supplied to at least one of the first and second lighting elements.
9 . The tool of claim 6 , further comprising a protective cover with a first lens portion disposed over the first lighting element and a second lens portion disposed over the second lighting element.
10 . The tool of claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second lighting elements includes a plurality of illumination elements.
11 . A lighting assembly for a tool having an actuatable trigger, a motor operably coupled to the actuatable trigger, and an elongated housing portion with a longitudinal length, the lighting assembly comprising:
a first lighting element including a plurality of first illumination elements that are longitudinally arranged, and the first lighting element is adapted to be coupled to and extend longitudinally along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the elongated housing portion.
12 . The lighting assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first lighting element includes a first circuit board and the plurality of first illumination elements are disposed on the first circuit board.
13 . The lighting assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first plurality of illumination elements are adapted to turn ON when the actuatable trigger is actuated.
14 . The lighting assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a switch that when actuated is adapted to cause the first plurality of illumination elements to turn ON.
15 . The lighting assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a second lighting element including a plurality of second illumination elements, and adapted to be disposed circumferentially around the elongated housing portion.
16 . The lighting assembly of claim 15 , wherein the second lighting element includes a second circuit board and the plurality of second illumination elements are disposed on the second circuit board.
17 . The lighting assembly of claim 15 , wherein the first and second plurality of illumination elements are light emitting diodes.
18 . The lighting assembly of claim 15 , wherein the first and second plurality of illumination elements are adapted to turn ON when the actuatable trigger is actuated.
19 . The lighting assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a switch that when actuated is adapted to cause at least one of the first plurality of illumination elements and the second plurality of illumination elements to turn ON.
20 . The lighting assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a protective cover with a first lens portion disposed over the first plurality of illumination elements and a second lens portion disposed over the second plurality of illumination elements.