The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 16, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 07, 1998
Kenneth G Parker, Williamsville, NY (US);
Gary E Weber, Buffalo, NY (US);
John D DeRubes, North Tonawanda, NY (US);
Jerry May, Colden, NY (US);
Joseph E Hoppy, East Aurora, NY (US);
Mattel, Inc., El Segundo, CA (US);
Abstract
A toy power tool is shown having a tool-holding housing and a handle housing rotatably connected at interfacing surfaces inclined to the central axes of both housings. Relative rotation of the housing about a transformation axis perpendicular to the inclined interfacing surfaces transforms the tool from one desired configuration to another. A 180.degree. rotation of the tool-holding housing relative to the handle housing transforms the tool between a straight configuration with the central axes of the housings being aligned, and a L-shaped configuration with the central axes of the housings being at right-angles. Detents between the interfacing surfaces position the housings at the desired configurations, and double as switches that are connected to a sound producing circuit on a printed circuit board mounted parallel to the interfacing surfaces. An internal gear mechanism converts linear input motion to the relative rotary motion of the housings. The detents between the interfacing surfaces create more resistance to relative rotation of the housings in one direction than the other, thus causing the clutch spur gear to slip relative to the clutch bevel gear in one direction and engage in the other, causing transformation of the housings. Tools are mounted for movement into and out of the housings, with simulated cutting sounds being produced when a trigger is actuated at the same time as the tool is pressed into the housing.