Abstract: The laser reference tool of the invention consists of a base that can be releasably mounted to a surface. A housing is mounted on the base such that it can be repositioned relative to the base in a direction parallel to the surface. A turret carrying the laser module is rotatable about first and second orthogonal axes. The laser module is also rotatable relative to the turret about a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes.

Abstract: A tight-buffered optical fiber includes an optical fiber, at least a first buffer layer of a polymer material enclosing the optical fiber, and a plurality of strength members embedded in the first buffer layer and longitudinally disposed around the optical fiber. A second buffer layer of polymer material may also be formed to enclose the first buffer layer. The first and second buffer layer may be made of acrylate and may be either radiation or thermally curable. The second buffer layer may also have a plurality of strength members embedded in it and longitudinally disposed around the optical fiber.

Abstract: An air filtration unit for use in a work environment includes a housing disposed with an air filtration system and light source. The housing includes a handle and corner caps to prevent damage and provide stability. The air filtration system draws air into the housing, via a blower, through a first and second inlet gate, the air is at least partially filtered by a first and second filter assembly, which provide a two stage filtering, and then the at least partially filtered air is blown through an exhaust conduit back out into the work environment.

Abstract: The laser reference tool of the invention consists of a base that can be releasably mounted to a surface. A housing is mounted on the base such that it can be repositioned relative to the base in a direction parallel to the surface. A turret carrying the laser module is rotatable about first and second orthogonal axes. The laser module is also rotatable relative to the turret about a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes.

Abstract: A reflector for projecting a laser beam in a fan-shaped plane of light are provided. Associated with each reflector is at least one light source. Each light source is oriented relative to its associated reflector such that the axis of the beam of light hits the reflector off-center to generate a plane of light that is dispersed less than 360 degrees. Multiple planes of light generated by the reflector and light sources are projected in a common plane such that the independently generated planes of light overlap to create a single plane of light dispersed up to 360 degrees.

Abstract: A line generating device generates two fan-shaped beams of light at an angle to each other, and projects the beams onto an adjacent surface, where the beams are visible as lines on the surface. A user has access to the intersection of the lines, so that the intersection can be marked or otherwise used in combination with the lines, such as in aligning objects.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of woodworking tools and particularly to an indexing assembly for a lathe. An aspect of the present invention is directed to a lathe, including a frame; a bed coupled with the frame; a head stock configured for mechanically engaging a first end of a workpiece, the head stock being coupled with the bed; and a tail stock, including a housing, the housing including a fine adjustment assembly for mechanically engaging with a second end of the workpiece, wherein the tail stock is adjustably and slidably coupled with the bed via an indexing assembly, the indexing assembly configured to provide the lathe with positive locking capabilities.

Abstract: An electronic measuring device is disclosed which includes a pair of wheels connected to an axle that passes through a drive gear. The drive gear is enmeshed to a second gear which, in turn, is coaxially connected to an encoder disk. The encoder disk has spaced-apart fins around its outer periphery. As the wheels turn and the encoder disk rotates, the fins and openings between the fins pass between an emitter and a receiver. The emitter and receiver are linked to a controller which calculates the distance traversed by the wheels based upon the number of fins that pass between the emitter and receiver, or with an active counting system (ACS). The controller also includes functions to establish start and stop points for a measurement and an easy means for dividing a measured distance into equal parts or segments and a means for marking the boundary points that define the segments when the measuring device is rolled back across the measured distance. The device can be used on both planar and non-planar surfaces.

Abstract: A laser alignment device includes a laser generating device, an upper attachment portion, and a lower attachment portion. The laser generating device includes a housing and a laser generator. The upper attachment portion is disposed near a bottom of the housing, and the lower attachment portion is pivotally and/or rotationally connected to the upper attachment portion.

Abstract: A combined stud finder and tape measure device includes a housing having any traditional stud finder circuitry integrally disposed therein along with a tape measure having a tape strip wound on a spindle. The tape measure is oriented so that the width of the tape strip lies parallel to the surface being scanned for studs or other obstacles. This orientation accommodates a wide viewing angle of the scale markings on the tape strip, making it easier to use the stud finder and the tape measure at the same time. Additionally, the tape measure can be re-oriented over at least 180 degrees so that the tape strip can be directed to either side of or from the bottom of the combined stud finder and tape measure device. Detents may be located at, for example, 90 degree intervals to provide a manner of locking the tape measure at predetermined angles with respect to the housing.

Abstract: An electronic measuring device is disclosed which includes a pair of wheels connected to an axle that passes through a drive gear. The drive gear is enmeshed to a second gear which, in turn, is coaxially connected to an encoder disk. The encoder disk has spaced-apart fins around its outer periphery. As the wheels turn and the encoder disk rotates, the fins and openings between the fins pass between an emitter and a receiver. The emitter and receiver are linked to a controller which calculates the distance traversed by the wheels based upon the number of fins that pass between the emitter and receiver, or with an active counting system (ACS). The controller also includes functions to establish start and stop points for a measurement and an easy means for dividing a measured distance into equal parts or segments and a means for marking the boundary points that define the segments when the measuring device is rolled back across the measured distance. The device can be used on both planar and non-planar surfaces.

Abstract: A line generating device generates two fan-shaped beams of light at an angle to each other, and projects the beams onto an adjacent surface, where the beams are visible as lines on the surface. A user has access to the intersection of the lines, so that the intersection can be marked or otherwise used in combination with the lines, such as in aligning objects.

Abstract: An air filtration unit for use in a work environment includes a housing disposed with an air filtration system and light source. The housing includes a handle and corner caps to prevent damage and provide stability. The air filtration system draws air into the housing, via a blower, through a first and second inlet gate, the air is at least partially filtered by a first and second filter assembly, which provide a two stage filtering, and then the at least partially filtered air is blown through an exhaust conduit back out into the work environment.

Abstract: A plate joiner including a fence support, a drive, and a fence system. The fence support includes a cutter and a contact surface, which defines a cutter slot. The cutter is arranged and configured to protrude from fence support through cutter slot to make a plunge cut into a surface of a workpiece when the contact surface is pressed against the surface and the cutter is plunged into the workpiece by pushing on a rearward handle portion of the tool. The drive is arranged and configured to rotatably drive the cutter through a motor. A preferred fence system includes an angle adjustment system arranged and configured to position the fence at a wide range of fence angles and, at any selected distance from a top face of the workpiece to the fence, the distance from the top face of the workpiece to the cutter remains constant as the front fence angle is adjusted. A preferred fence system includes a trunnion which pivotally couples the front fence to the fence system.

Abstract: An electronic measuring device is disclosed which includes a pair of wheels connected to an axle that passes through a drive gear. The drive gear is enmeshed to a second gear which, in turn, is coaxially connected to an encoder disk. The encoder disk has spaced-apart fins around its outer periphery. As the wheels turn and the encoder disk rotates, the fins and openings between the fins pass between an emitter and a receiver. The emitter and receiver are linked to a controller which calculates the distance traversed by the wheels based upon the number of fins that pass between the emitter and receiver, or with an active counting system (ACS). The controller also includes functions to establish start and stop points for a measurement and an easy means for dividing a measured distance into equal parts or segments and a means for marking the boundary points that define the segments when the measuring device is rolled back across the measured distance. The device can be used on both planar and non-planar surfaces.

Abstract: A plate joiner including a fence support, a drive, and a fence system. The fence support includes a cutter and a contact surface, which defines a cutter slot. The cutter is arranged and configured to protrude from fence support through cutter slot to make a plunge cut into a surface of a workpiece when the contact surface is pressed against the surface and the cutter is plunged into the workpiece by pushing on a rearward handle portion of the tool. The drive is arranged and configured to rotatably drive the cutter through a motor. A preferred fence system includes an angle adjustment system arranged and configured to position the fence at a wide range of fence angles and, at any selected distance from a top face of the workpiece to the fence, the distance from the top face of the workpiece to the cutter remains constant as the front fence angle is adjusted. A preferred fence system includes a trunnion which pivotally couples the front fence to the fence system.

Abstract: An article is marked with image indicia for authentication, information, or decoration by providing a plurality of inks having a plurality of fluorescence colors when exposed to excitation energy, separating colors of the image indicia into a plurality of image levels in accordance with the fluorescence colors of the inks, and printing each image level in mutual registration on the article using the corresponding ink. The image printed with each ink may be substantially invisible under illumination within the visible spectrum. The invisibly printed images have multiple authentication features, including the use of covert UV-fluorescent materials, IR-fluorophores, microparticles, and other chemical taggants. Ink compositions, methods for making the inks, and methods and apparatus for using the inks are also disclosed.