Snap-on Inc.

Snap-on Tools Company

Snap-on Technologies, Inc.

James R Brehm

Daniel S Pusateri

Joshua M Beer

Kenneth C Happ

Raymond E Kinsley

Dennis A Nowak, Jr

John A Pierman

Dennis A Nowak

Susan C Melvin

Daniel J Pusateri

A variable speed trigger mechanism that allows a user to reverse a direction of a motor and supply variable amounts of power to the motor using a single trigger mechanism. In a first motion, the user can actuate the reversing module to change the direction of the motor coupled to the trigger mechanism. In a second motion, the user can actuate the same trigger and apply variable amounts of power to the motor.

Variable speed trigger mechanism

A variable speed toggle switch that allows a user to reverse a rotational direction of a motor and supply variable amounts of power to a motor, such as in a power tool, for example, a power drill. A trigger can include a gear segment that meshingly engages a gear on a potentiometer to electrically communicate the actuation direction and actuation amount of the trigger to a microprocessor. The microprocessor can then signal to an H-bridge, or to a series of transistors, the actuation direction and actuation amount of the trigger. A motor or other device can be powered by a power source in an amount corresponding to the actuation amount, and in a direction corresponding to the actuation direction of the trigger.

Variable speed toggle trigger

A tip valve assembly for a pneumatic tool with an integrated wear surface. The tool has a portion with an air channel bore housing. The tip valve assembly includes a first valve member having a bore and defining a valve seat about the bore and a second valve member capable of forming a seal with the valve seat. The second valve member can be tilted from the valve seat to permit air flow through the bore of the first valve member. The wear surface projects over only a portion of the cylindrical wall in the bore housing in conjunction with an edge of the second valve member that can be tilted farthest, so the second valve member does not contact the cylindrical wall of the bore housing. As an anti-rotation feature, the second valve member may have an outer periphery with a shaped recess between lobes. The first valve member may have a complementary shaped integrated wear surface disposed in the recess so the second valve member moves without internally rotating as well as not contacting the cylindrical wall of the air channel bore housing.

Trigger-actuated tip-type air valve with integrated wear surface

Impact wrench

A housing for a pneumatic tool includes a head portion, a middle portion, and a handle portion. A sleeve is disposed over the middle portion of a pneumatic tool with a rear portion of the sleeve spaced from the outer surface of the housing. A grip made of pliant material, preferably rubber or a synthetic rubber compound encloses the handle portion. The grip includes a front lip, and a rear flange. Once fully inserted on the handle, the sleeve and the external surface of the housing cooperate to retain the front lip therebetween, preventing the front lip from peeling off the handle portion. An adaptor engages an air inlet at a distal end of the handle portion. The adaptor can include a washer engageable with the air inlet for limiting the depth of insertion of the adaptor in the air inlet and for inhibiting rearward movement of the grip.

Elongated pneumatic tool with replaceable soft grip

Air ratchet

A replaceable, flexible and resilient grip is slidably fitted over a generally cylindrical handle portion of a power hand tool housing. In one embodiment, for use with a pistol grip housing with a separable end cap, the grip has a flange which is clamped between the end cap and the barrel of the housing and has lugs which fit in recesses in the barrel and end cap. The grip also has a strap portion which fits between the trigger and the barrel and a flange which fits in a groove adjacent to the barrel. In another embodiment, the tool has an air exhaust port adjacent to the handle portion and the grip defines an exhaust air passage alongside the handle portion, the grip being held in place by a retaining plate.

Interchangeable grips for power hand tools

A pneumatic tool includes a housing defining an air inlet and first and second exhaust passages and an air motor fluidly coupled to the air inlet and disposed in the housing. The motor produces exhaust air in operation and is fluidly coupled to the first and second exhaust passages. The tool also includes an exhaust valve carried by housing for selectively opening and closing only the second exhaust passage.

Growing community of inventors

Racine, WI, United States of America

James R Brehm