US 11,986,927 B2
Tool with pivoting portion and locking mechanism
Devin W. Herritz, Sussex, WI (US)
Assigned to Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, Brookfield, WI (US)
Filed by Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, Brookfield, WI (US)
Filed on Jan. 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/573,337.
Application 17/573,337 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2021/065215, filed on Dec. 27, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/131,045, filed on Dec. 28, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0203506 A1, Jun. 30, 2022
Int. Cl. B25B 13/46 (2006.01); B25B 13/48 (2006.01); B25G 1/06 (2006.01)
CPC B25B 13/461 (2013.01) [B25B 13/481 (2013.01); B25G 1/063 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A driving tool, comprising:
a body;
a head;
a workpiece engagement structure coupled to the head;
a ratchet mechanism supported by the head and coupled to the workpiece engagement structure;
a pivot joint positioned between the body and the head, the pivot joint coupling the body to the head such that the head is pivotable about the pivot joint to a plurality of angular positions relative to the body; and
a locking mechanism comprising:
an engagement member, the engagement member including an open section defined between a pair of opposing sidewalls and a base wall;
a control mechanism including a shaft coupled to and extending from an actuator, wherein the shaft extends into the open section of the engagement member and passes completely through the engagement member, the shaft comprises:
an end section of the shaft opposite the actuator and positioned within the body, the end section having a first diameter;
a cam section positioned between the actuator and the end section of the shaft, the cam section extending within the open section of the engagement member; and
a reduced diameter section positioned between the cam section and the end section of the shaft, the reduced diameter section having a second diameter less than the first diameter; and
a biasing element that engages with the engagement member, biasing the engagement member toward the head;
wherein the locking mechanism is rotatable between a locked position in which the angular position of the head relative to the body is fixed and an unlocked position in which the head is pivotable about the pivot joint.