Power tool

Abstract

A power sander ( 2 ) has a housing ( 4 ) supporting a mounting platen ( 6 ) for supporting a sanding head for oscillatory orbital motion of the platen ( 6 ) and sanding head relative to the housing. The housing has side surfaces, a curved front surface ( 14 ) containing an on/off switch ( 16 ) for switching electrical power to a motor in the housing, a curved upper surface ( 20 ) and a generally saddle shaped graspable surface ( 22 ) located between the front surface and upper surface. The graspable surface has a concave upper portion ( 24 ) and concave side portions ( 26 ) arranged on opposite sides of the upper portion. For ergonomic handling of the sander by a user, the saddle shaped graspable surface has a concaved upper portion and side portions.

1 . A power tool comprising:- 
 a housing defining at least one handle portion having a graspable surface having first and second concave portions and a third concave portion between said first and second concave portions; and    a motor located in the housing for actuating a working member of the tool.    
   
   
       2 . A power tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the graspable surface is generally saddle shaped.  
   
   
       3 . A power tool according to  claim 1 , further comprising a platen mounted to said housing on a side thereof remote from at least one said handle portion.  
   
   
       4 . A power tool according to  claim 3 , wherein the platen includes a narrower portion at a forward end thereof.  
   
   
       5 . A power tool according to  claim 3 , wherein the platen tapers inwardly in a longitudinal direction of the tool.  
   
   
       6 . A power tool according to  claim 3 , wherein a majority of the housing as measured in a longitudinal direction is disposed in use over the platen.  
   
   
       7 . A power tool according to  claim 6 , wherein approximately two thirds of said housing as measured in said longitudinal direction is disposed in use over said platen.  
   
   
       8 . A power tool according to  claim 3 , wherein substantially all of said housing as measured in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction is disposed in use over said platen.  
   
   
       9 . A power tool according to  claim 8 , wherein the housing further defines a curved forward surface, and the tool further comprises a motor on/off switch disposed on said curved forward surface.  
   
   
       10 . A power tool according to  claim 9 , wherein at least one said first and/or said second concave portion has a radius of curvature of 5 mm to 40 mm.  
   
   
       11 . A power tool according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one said first and/or said second concave portion has a radius of curvature of 5 mm to 15 mm.  
   
   
       12 . A power tool according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one said first and/or said second concave portion has a radius of curvature of 8 mm to 12 mm.  
   
   
       13 . A power tool according to  claim 12 , wherein said third concave portion has a radius of curvature of 5 mm to 40 mm.  
   
   
       14 . A power tool according to  claim 13 , wherein said third concave portion has a radius of curvature of 15 mm to 30 mm.  
   
   
       15 . A power tool according to  claim 14 , wherein said third concave portion has a radius of curvature of 20 mm to 25 mm.  
   
   
       16 . A power tool according to  claim 15 , wherein the tool is a power sander.  
   
   
       17 . A power tool comprising:- 
 a housing defining a forward surface and an upper surface, and a notch defined in said upper surface rearwardly of said forward surface;    a platen moveably mounted to said housing; and    a motor located in the housing for causing oscillatory movement of the platen relative to the housing;    wherein a majority of the housing as measured in a longitudinal direction of the tool and a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction is disposed over said platen in use.    
   
   
       18 . A power tool according to  claim 17 , wherein the upper surface is curved downwardly in a rearward direction from an upper edge of said forward surface to define a recessed surface area and then curved upwardly rearwardly from said recessed surface area to define said notch.  
   
   
       19 . A power tool according to  claim 17 , wherein the forward surface is curved.  
   
   
       20 . A power tool according to  claim 17 , wherein substantially all of said portion of said housing disposed over said platen in use as measured in the longitudinal direction is also disposed over said platen in use as measured in a direction transverse thereto.  
   
   
       21 . A power tool according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one said first and/or said second concave portion has a radius of curvature of 5 mm to 40 mm.  
   
   
       22 . A power tool according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one said first and/or said second concave portion has a radius of curvature of 5 mm to 15 mm.  
   
   
       23 . A power tool according to  claim 22 , wherein at least one said first and/or said second concave portion has a radius of curvature of 8 mm to 12 mm.  
   
   
       24 . A power tool according to  claim 17 , wherein said third concave portion has a radius of curvature of 5 mm to 40 mm.  
   
   
       25 . A power tool according to  claim 24 , wherein said third concave portion has a radius of curvature of 15 mm to 30 mm.  
   
   
       26 . A power tool according to  claim 25 , wherein said third concave portion has a radius of curvature of 20 mm to 25 mm.  
   
   
       27 . A power tool according to  claim 17 , wherein the tool is a power sander.  
   
   
       28 . A power tool comprising:- 
 a housing having side surfaces below an upper surface to form a graspable handle portion;    a platen mounted to said housing, wherein a majority of said housing as measured in a longitudinal direction of the tool and in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction is disposed over said platen in use;    a motor located in the housing for causing oscillatory movement of said platen relative to the housing; and    at least one chamber containing at least one gel material protruding from each said side surface.    
   
   
       29 . A power tool according to  claim 28 , further comprising a third chamber containing a gel material disposed on said upper surface.