Cutting tool latch assembly

Abstract

A dual-latch mechanism for a tool comprises a first latch rotatably coupled to the tool, a second latch rotatably coupled to the tool on a side opposite of the first latch, and a joint translationally moveable with respect to the tool and rotatably coupling the first latch to the second latch, wherein moving the first latch in a first direction causes the second latch to move in the first direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dual-latch mechanism for a tool, comprising:
 a first latch rotatably coupled to the tool;   a second latch rotatably coupled to the tool on a side opposite of the first latch; and   a joint translationally moveable with respect to the tool and rotatably coupling the first latch to the second latch, wherein moving the first latch in a first direction causes the second latch to move in the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a first spring interconnecting the first latch to the tool and a second spring interconnecting the second latch to the tool. 
     
     
         3 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the first latch and the second latch are also interconnected to the tool via at least one brace. 
     
     
         4 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one brace extends about the joint. 
     
     
         5 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the joint is located between where the first latch is rotatably coupled to the tool and where the second latch is rotatably coupled to the tool. 
     
     
         6 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 5 , further comprising a first spring interconnecting the first latch to the tool and a second spring interconnecting the second latch to the tool. 
     
     
         7 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein the first spring interconnects the first latch to the tool at a point between a free end of the first latch and the joint and the second spring interconnects the second latch to the tool at a point between a free end of the second latch and the joint. 
     
     
         8 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the first spring interconnects the first latch to the tool at the point between the free end of the first latch and where the first latch is rotatably coupled to the tool and the second spring interconnects the second latch to the tool at the point between the free end of the second latch and where the second latch is rotatably coupled to the tool. 
     
     
         9 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the first latch and the second latch are also interconnected to the tool via at least one brace. 
     
     
         10 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one brace extends about the joint. 
     
     
         11 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 10 , further comprising a cutting tool that cuts via rotation of at least one cam. 
     
     
         12 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 10 , further comprising a cutting tool that cuts via a saw blade. 
     
     
         13 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 10 , further comprising a cutting tool that cuts via a drill. 
     
     
         14 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 10 , further comprising a means for cutting a material. 
     
     
         15 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the joint passes through a section of the first latch that overlaps a section of the second latch. 
     
     
         16 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 15 , further comprising a first spring that interconnects the first latch to the tool and a second spring that interconnects the second latch to the tool. 
     
     
         17 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 16 , wherein the first spring interconnects the first latch to the tool via an undulating length in the first latch and the second spring interconnects the second latch to the tool via an undulating length of the second latch. 
     
     
         18 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 17 , wherein the first spring interconnects the first latch to the tool at a point along the undulating length between a free end of the first latch and the joint and the second spring interconnects the second latch to the tool at a point along the undulating length between a free end of the second latch and the joint. 
     
     
         19 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 18 , wherein the first latch and the second latch are also interconnected to the tool via at least one brace. 
     
     
         20 . The dual-latch mechanism of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one brace extends about the joint.