Movable handle for a power tool

Abstract

A movable handle and a power tool. The power tool comprises a housing, a motor supported by the housing and operable to drive a tool element about an axis, and a handle supported by the housing for rotation relative to the housing about the axis. Preferably, the power tool is a circular saw. The circular saw further comprises a switch assembly supported on the handle for movement with the handle and means for connecting the switch to the motor to accommodate movement of the switch relative to the motor. The switch assembly is electrically connectable to the motor and selectively connects the motor to a power source, and the connecting means includes a wiring arrangement. The circular saw further comprises a locking assembly for locking the handle in a position relative to the housing. Also, the circular saw preferably comprises means for preventing the switch assembly from connecting the motor to the power source when the locking assembly is in the unlocked condition and means for preventing the locking assembly from being operated from the locked condition to the unlocked condition when the switch assembly is in the operated condition.

1 . A saw comprising: 
 a housing;    a motor operable to drive a saw blade;    a handle supported for movement between a first position and a second position, the handle being graspable by an operator to provide for movement of the saw blade relative to a work piece; and    a locking assembly operable to lock the handle in a position, the locking assembly having a locked condition, in which the handle is fixed in a position, and an unlocked condition, in which the handle is movable, the motor being prevented from operating when the locking assembly is in the unlocked condition.    
   
   
       2 . The saw of  claim 1 , and further comprising a switch assembly operable to connect the motor to a power source.  
   
   
       3 . The saw of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the switch assembly is supported on the handle for movement with the handle.  
   
   
       4 . The saw of  claim 2 , wherein the switch assembly includes a trigger portion engageable by an operator to operate the switch assembly.  
   
   
       5 . The saw of  claim 2 , wherein, in the unlocked condition, the locking assembly cooperates with the switch assembly to prevent the motor from operating when the locking assembly is in the unlocked condition.  
   
   
       6 . The saw of  claim 5 , wherein the locking assembly, in the unlocked condition, prevents the switch assembly from connecting the motor to the power source to thereby prevent the motor from being operated.  
   
   
       7 . The saw of  claim 6 , wherein the switch assembly includes a trigger portion, and wherein, when the locking assembly is in the unlocked condition, a portion of the trigger portion is engaged to prevent the switch assembly from connecting the motor to the power source.  
   
   
       8 . The saw of  claim 2 , wherein the switch assembly is operable between an unoperated condition, in which the motor is not connectable to the power source, and an operated condition, in which the motor is connectable to the power source, and wherein the switch assembly, in the operated condition, prevents the locking assembly from being operated from the locked condition to the unlocked condition.  
   
   
       9 . The saw of  claim 8 , wherein the locking assembly includes an actuating member, and wherein, when the switch assembly is in the operated condition, a portion of the actuating member is engaged to prevent the locking assembly from being operated from the locked condition to the unlocked condition.  
   
   
       10 . The saw of  claim 1 , wherein the saw includes a circular saw.  
   
   
       11 . The saw of  claim 10 , wherein the handle is movable between a push handle position and a top handle position.  
   
   
       12 . The saw of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is supported for movement relative to at least a portion of the housing.  
   
   
       13 . The saw of  claim 12 , wherein the housing includes a guard covering an upper portion of the blade, and wherein the handle is movable relative to the guard.  
   
   
       14 . The saw of  claim 13 , wherein the housing includes a motor housing supporting the motor.  
   
   
       15 . The saw of  claim 14 , wherein the handle is supported for movement relative to the motor housing.  
   
   
       16 . A saw comprising: 
 a housing;    a motor operable to drive a saw blade;    a handle supported for movement between a first position and a second position, the handle being graspable by an operator to provide for movement of the saw blade relative to a work piece;    a switch assembly operable to connect the motor to a power source; and    a locking assembly operable to lock the handle in a position, the locking assembly having a locked condition, in which the handle is fixed in a position, and an unlocked condition, in which the handle is movable,    wherein, in the unlocked condition, the locking assembly cooperates with the switch assembly to prevent the motor from operating when the locking assembly is in the unlocked condition.    
   
   
       17 . The saw of  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the switch assembly is supported on the handle for movement with the handle.  
   
   
       18 . The saw of  claim 16 , wherein the switch assembly includes a trigger portion engageable by an operator to operate the switch assembly.  
   
   
       19 . The saw of  claim 16 , wherein the locking assembly, in the unlocked condition, prevents the switch assembly from connecting the motor to the power source to thereby prevent the motor from being operated.  
   
   
       20 . The saw of  claim 19 , wherein the switch assembly includes a trigger portion, and wherein, when the locking assembly is in the unlocked condition, a portion of the trigger portion is engaged to prevent the switch assembly from connecting the motor to the power source.  
   
   
       21 . The saw of  claim 16 , wherein the switch assembly is operable between an unoperated condition, in which the motor is not connectable to the power source, and an operated condition, in which the motor is connectable to the power source, and wherein the switch assembly, in the operated condition, prevents the locking assembly from being operated from the locked condition to the unlocked condition.  
   
   
       22 . The saw of  claim 21 , wherein the locking assembly includes an actuating member, and wherein, when the switch assembly is in the operated condition, a portion of the actuating member is engaged to prevent the locking assembly from being operated from the locked condition to the unlocked condition.  
   
   
       23 . The saw of  claim 16 , wherein the saw includes a circular saw.  
   
   
       24 . The saw of  claim 23 , wherein the handle is movable between a push handle position and a top handle position.  
   
   
       25 . The saw of  claim 16 , wherein the handle is supported for movement relative to at least a portion of the housing.  
   
   
       26 . The saw of  claim 25 , wherein the housing includes a guard covering an upper portion of the blade, and wherein the handle is movable relative to the guard.  
   
   
       27 . The saw of  claim 26 , wherein the housing includes a motor housing supporting the motor.  
   
   
       28 . The saw of  claim 27 , wherein the handle is supported for movement relative to the motor housing.  
   
   
       29 . A circular saw comprising: 
 a housing;    a motor operable to rotatably drive a saw blade about an axis;    a handle supported for movement between a first position and a second position, the handle being graspable by an operator to provide for movement of the saw blade relative to a work piece; and    a locking assembly operable to lock the handle in a position, the locking assembly having a locked condition, in which the handle is fixed in a position, and an unlocked condition, in which the handle is movable, the motor being prevented from operating when the locking assembly is in the unlocked condition.    
   
   
       30 . The saw of  claim 29 , and further comprising a switch assembly operable to connect the motor to a power source.  
   
   
       31 . The saw of  claim 30 , wherein at least a portion of the switch assembly is supported on the handle for movement with the handle.  
   
   
       32 . The saw of  claim 30 , wherein the switch assembly includes a trigger portion engageable by an operator to operate the switch assembly.  
   
   
       33 . The saw of  claim 30 , wherein, in the unlocked condition, the locking assembly cooperates with the switch assembly to prevent the motor from operating when the locking assembly is in the unlocked condition.  
   
   
       34 . The saw of  claim 33 , wherein the locking assembly, in the unlocked condition, prevents the switch assembly from connecting the motor to the power source to thereby prevent the motor from being operated.  
   
   
       35 . The saw of  claim 34 , wherein the switch assembly includes a trigger portion, and wherein, when the locking assembly is in the unlocked condition, a portion of the trigger portion is engaged to prevent the switch assembly from connecting the motor to the power source.  
   
   
       36 . The saw of  claim 30 , wherein the switch assembly is operable between an unoperated condition, in which the motor is not connectable to the power source, and an operated condition, in which the motor is connectable to the power source, and wherein the switch assembly, in the operated condition, prevents the locking assembly from being operated from the locked condition to the unlocked condition.  
   
   
       37 . The saw of  claim 36 , wherein the locking assembly includes an actuating member, and wherein, when the switch assembly is in the operated condition, a portion of the actuating member is engaged to prevent the locking assembly from being operated from the locked condition to the unlocked condition.  
   
   
       38 . The saw of  claim 29 , wherein the handle is movable between a push handle position and a top handle position.  
   
   
       39 . The saw of  claim 29 , wherein the handle is supported for movement relative to at least a portion of the housing.  
   
   
       40 . The saw of  claim 39 , wherein the housing includes a guard covering an upper portion of the blade, and wherein the handle is movable relative to the guard.  
   
   
       41 . The saw of  claim 40 , wherein the housing includes a motor housing supporting the motor.  
   
   
       42 . The saw of  claim 41 , wherein the handle is supported for movement relative to the motor housing.  
   
   
       43 . The saw of  claim 29 , and further comprising a shoe plate connected to the housing and operable to support the saw on the workpiece.