Power tools attachable to removable or fixed power cords

Abstract

A power tool ( 10 ) may include a motor ( 11 ) accommodated within a housing ( 12 ). An adapter ( 32 ) may be attached to the housing. A connector fitting portion or insert ( 34 ) may be defined in a projecting portion of the adapter and the projecting portion may extend from the housing. A power cord ( 61 ) may be removably connected to the connector fitting portion. The power cord may include a cord fitting portion or plug ( 62 ), which fits into the connector fitting portion. By inserting the cord fitting portion into the connector fitting portion, the power cord can be removably connected to the connector fitting portion. The motor may be electrically connected to a commercial power source by connecting one end of the power cord to the connector fitting portion and by connecting the other end of the power cord to the commercial power source.

1 . A power tool comprising: 
 a housing having a fitting recess,    a motor disposed within the housing, the motor being adapted to drive the power tool,    an adapter providing an electrical connection to the motor, the adapter including an adapter fitting portion disposed within the fitting recess and a connector fitting portion disposed external to the housing, and    a power cord removably connectable to the connector fitting portion, the power cord including a cord fitting portion arranged and constructed to engage the connector fitting portion, thereby electrically connecting the power cord to the adapter, wherein the fitting recess is also defined in order to be capable of receiving a power cord fitting portion of a fixedly attached power cord.    
     
     
         2 . A power tool as in  claim 1 , further comprising a receiving hole defined within one of the connector fitting portion and the cord fitting portion and an insertion projection defined on the other of the connector fitting portion and the cord fitting portion, the insertion projection being arranged and constructed to be inserted into the receiving hole.  
     
     
         3 . A power tool as in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 at least one projecting terminal disposed within the receiving hole and    at least one receiving terminal disposed in the insertion projection and being arranged and constructed to receive the at least one projecting terminal.    
     
     
         4 . A power tool as in  claim 2 , wherein the receiving hole is defined within the connector fitting portion and the insertion projection is disposed on the cord fitting portion.  
     
     
         5 . A power tool as in  claim 2 , further comprising a recess defined within the receiving hole and an engaging projection defined on an outer wall of the cord fitting portion, the engaging projection being designed to engage the recess.  
     
     
         6 . A power tool as in  claim 2 , wherein the receiving hole is defined within the connector fitting portion and the insertion projection is disposed on the cord fitting portion, and further comprising: 
 at least one projecting terminal disposed within the receiving hole,    at least one receiving terminal disposed in the insertion projection and being arranged and constructed to receive the at least one projecting terminal,    a recess defined within the receiving hole and    an engaging projection defined on an outer wall of the cord fitting portion, the engaging projection being designed to engage the recess.    
     
     
         7 . A power tool as in  claim 6 , wherein the adapter further comprises a sleeve supporting the connector fitting portion, the adapter fitting portion being defined on the sleeve.  
     
     
         8 . A power tool as in  claim 7 , wherein the sleeve is attached to the housing such that the sleeve is prevented from rotating with respect to the housing.  
     
     
         9 . A power tool as in  claim 8 , wherein the sleeve rotatably supports the connector fitting portion, one end of the sleeve is disposed beyond a corresponding end of the connector fitting portion, at least one first projection is defined on an inner wall of a terminal end of the sleeve and at least one second projection is defined on an outer wall of the cord fitting portion, 
 wherein when the connector fitting portion is disposed in a first position with respect to the sleeve, the first projection does not interfere with the second projection, thereby allowing the insertion projection to be removed from and inserted into the receiving hole and    wherein when the connector fitting portion engages the cord fitting portion and is disposed in a second position with respect to the sleeve, the first projection blocks the second projection from passing out of the receiving hole, thereby preventing the insertion projection from being removed from the receiving hole.    
     
     
         10 . A power tool as in  claim 9 , further comprising a lock releasably securing the power cord to the sleeve when the connector fitting portion is disposed in the second position with respect to the sleeve.  
     
     
         11 . A power tool as in  claim 10 , wherein the lock comprises a groove defined within one of the sleeve and the power cord and a locking member defined on the other of the sleeve and the power cord, wherein the locking member and the groove are arranged and constructed to engage and disengage from each other by manipulating the locking member.  
     
     
         12 . A power tool as in  claim 11 , wherein the lock further comprises at least one stopper arranged and constructed to prevent the locking member from dislodging from the groove.  
     
     
         13 . A power tool as in  claim 12 , wherein the locking member is defined on the power cord.  
     
     
         14 . A power tool as in  claim 12 , wherein the locking member is arranged and constructed so as to be urged toward engagement with the groove.  
     
     
         15 . A power tool as in  claim 11 , wherein the locking member comprises an elastic resin body.  
     
     
         16 . A power tool as in  claim 2 , wherein the adapter further comprises a sleeve rotatably supporting the connector fitting portion, the adapter fitting portion being defined on the sleeve and the sleeve is prevented from rotating with respect to the housing, 
 one end of the sleeve is disposed beyond a corresponding end of the connector fitting portion, at least one first projection is defined on an inner wall of a terminal end of the sleeve and at least one second projection is defined on an outer wall of the cord fitting portion,    wherein when the connector fitting portion is disposed in a first position with respect to the sleeve, the first projection does not interfere with the second projection, thereby allowing the insertion projection to be removed from and inserted into the receiving hole and    wherein when the connector fitting portion engages the cord fitting portion and is disposed in a second position with respect to the sleeve, the first projection blocks the second projection from passing out of the receiving hole, thereby preventing the insertion projection from being removed from the receiving hole.    
     
     
         17 . A power tool as in  claim 16 , further comprising a lock releasably securing the power cord to the sleeve when the connector fitting portion is disposed in the second position with respect to the sleeve, wherein the lock comprises: 
 a groove defined within one of the sleeve and the power cord,    a locking member defined on the other of the sleeve and the power cord, wherein the locking member and the groove are arranged and constructed to engage and disengage from each other by manipulating the locking member and    at least one stopper arranged and constructed to prevent the locking member from dislodging from the groove.    
     
     
         18 . A power tool comprising: 
 a housing having a fitting recess,    a motor disposed within the housing, the motor being adapted to drive the power tool,    an adapter having an adapter fitting portion disposed within the fitting recess and a socket disposed external to the housing, and    a power cord having a plug that is removably engageable with the socket, whereby the adapter electrically connects the power cord to the motor, and wherein the fitting recess is also defined so as to be capable of receiving a power cord fitting portion of a fixedly attached power cord.    
     
     
         19 . A power tool as in  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a receiving hole defined within the socket, wherein at least one projecting terminal is disposed within the receiving hole and a recess is defined within the receiving hole,    an insertion projection defined on plug, wherein the insertion projection is arranged and constructed to be inserted into the receiving hole, at least one receiving terminal is disposed in the insertion projection and is arranged and constructed to receive the at least one projecting terminal, and    an engaging projection defined on an outer wall of the plug, the engaging projection being designed to engage the recess.    
     
     
         20 . A power tool as in  claim 19 , wherein the adapter further comprises a sleeve rotatably supporting the socket, the adapter fitting portion being defined on the sleeve and the sleeve is prevented from rotating with respect to the housing, 
 one end of the sleeve is disposed beyond a corresponding end of the socket, at least one first projection is defined on an inner wall of a terminal end of the sleeve and at least one second projection is defined on an outer wall of the plug,    wherein when the socket is disposed in a first position with respect to the sleeve, the first projection does not interfere with the second projection, thereby allowing the insertion projection to be removed from and inserted into the receiving hole and    wherein when the socket engages the plug and is disposed in a second position with respect to the sleeve, the first projection blocks the second projection from passing out of the receiving hole, thereby preventing the insertion projection from being removed from the receiving hole.    
     
     
         21 . A power tool as in  claim 20 , further comprising a lock releasably securing the power cord to the sleeve when the socket and plug are disposed in the second position with respect to the sleeve, wherein the lock comprises: 
 a groove defined within one of the sleeve and the power cord,    a locking member defined on the other of the sleeve and the power cord, wherein the locking member and the groove are arranged and constructed to engage and disengage from each other by manipulating the locking member and    at least one stopper arranged and constructed to prevent the locking member from dislodging from the groove.