With Signal, Indicator, Illuminator Or Optical Means Patents (Class 408/16)
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Publication number: 20080266841Abstract: A handheld power tool has a tool holder, which is received displaceably in a housing and is drivable via a drive unit that can be switched on and off upon an axial adjusting motion of the tool holder. A lighting unit on the handheld power tool can be switched on and/or off via the adjusting motion of the tool holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Thomas Gabriel, Markus Leupert
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Publication number: 20080252446Abstract: The invention provides a system and method of monitoring at least one operating characteristic of a hand power tool. In one embodiment, a hand power tool includes a housing, a motor within the housing and a tag mounted on the housing. The tag includes a first antenna for harvesting energy from an electromagnetic field associated with the motor, a microprocessor configured to operate using the harvested energy, a memory including stored commands which, when executed by the microprocessor, cause data associated with a sensed condition of the hand power tool to be stored within the memory, and a second antenna for coupling with a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader and for transmitting the data stored within the memory to the RFID reader.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicants: Credo Technology Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Ralph Dammertz
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Patent number: 7404696Abstract: A power tool with a tool portion and at least one attachment. The tool portion has a tool body and a drill chuck. The drill chuck includes a rotatable spindle, a plurality of jaws that are coupled to the rotatable spindle and a cover that is disposed about the jaws and which is not coupled for rotation with the rotatable spindle. The attachment is coupled the cover of the drill chuck.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventor: David C. Campbell
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Publication number: 20080175681Abstract: A floor installation system includes a hole making device for drilling holes in a solid wood strip. The hole making device comprises a linear guide assembly including at least one guiding rod, a first drill motor slidably mounted on the guiding rod of the linear guide assembly, a first fixed wood guiding sidewall non-movably mounted to the linear guide assembly and a second wood guiding sidewall mounted to the linear guide assembly. The first drill motor is provided with a first drill chuck driven by the first drill motor for drilling a hole in the solid wood strip. The first and second wood guiding sidewalls define a wood guiding channel therebetween for supporting the solid wood strip. The hole making further comprises an actuator motor provided for selectively moving the first drill motor along the guiding rod to and away from the wood guiding channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2008Publication date: July 24, 2008Inventor: Ehtesham Tataei
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Patent number: 7375361Abstract: The orientation of a machine 2 relative to a work-piece 10 is manually controlled by means of an alignment device 4. The device 4 includes a light source 24 rigidly attached to a foot 12 that is resiliently movably attached to the main body 18 of the device. The body 18 of the device 4 houses a light detector 26 for detecting a light beam from the light source 24, the position of the region on the detector 26 illuminated by the beam depending on the orientation of the machine 2 relative to the work-piece 10. The operator is provided with feedback on whether the machine 2 is correctly aligned with a target orientation (usually perpendicular to the surface) and concerning the direction of corrective movement required, if any.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2005Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Airbus UK LimitedInventors: Brian John Turner, Timothy David Hall
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Patent number: 7367761Abstract: A tool attachable to a spindle of a machine tool in the same way as an ordinary tool, capable of being driven without connecting with an external power supply etc., giving a higher rotational speed than that of the spindle of the machine tool without supplying electric power from the outside, and able to be changed automatically, provided with a machining tool for machining a workpiece, a motor for driving the machining tool, a generator for generating electric power to drive the motor by the rotation of the spindle, a rotational speed detecting device for detecting the rotational speed of the motor, and a rotational speed display for displaying the rotational speed detected by the rotational speed detecting device so as to be visually recognized from the outside of the attachable tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasunori Kato
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Patent number: 7312433Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device 5 of the type which detects the interruption of a beam of radiation (e.g. light 20) by an object (50 FIG. 1) in the beam. The device includes a light emitter 12 and a light detector 32 each enclosed in a housing 10 and 30. In order to accommodate different spacings between the housings different caps 14 having varying size apertures 11 are fittable to the housings. This allows varying amounts of light to be issued and/or detected. Other ways of adjusting the amount of light passing through the cap are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventors: Victor G. Stimpson, Benjamin J. Merrifield
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Patent number: 7273332Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a through-hole in a building structure includes selecting a first location on a first side of the building structure that will define a first opening of the through-hole; disposing a magnet at the first location; selecting a second location on a second side opposite the first side via a magnetic pointer magnetically pointing to the magnet; and drilling the through-hole from the second side through the building structure in a direction indicated by the magnetic pointer creating the through-hole defined by the first and second openings on the first and second sides, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: AT&T BLS Intellectual Property, Inc.Inventors: Paul Rivers, Frederick Diggle, III
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Patent number: 7256898Abstract: To determine the position of rotationally drivable tools in machine tools, the moment of separation of the tool to be measured and a measuring beam, for example a laser beam of a light barrier, is used. The tool to be measured is first positioned in such a manner that the measuring beam is interrupted, and is then moved to a measuring position in which the moment of separation of the tool and the measuring beam occurs, and the measuring beam is no longer interrupted by the tool during at least one complete revolution. The moment of separation is used to determine the position of the tool.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2004Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Blum-Novotest GmbHInventors: Heribert Bucher, Wolfgang Reiser
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Patent number: 7243440Abstract: A gauge for connecting with a power tool and providing a system for determining structural factors of a workpiece to be operated upon by the power tool is provided by the present invention. The gauge including a probe connected with a sensor via a spring, wherein contact by the probe with the workpiece allows a reading by the sensor which may be utilized to determine the proper operational settings of the power tool based on the determined structural factors of the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventor: Kathy DeKeyser
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Patent number: 7217069Abstract: A hand-held power tool is provided with a housing, an attachment member, and an object sensor that is removable from the attachment member. The attachment member may be removable from the tool. The object sensor, which can be used to detect studs hidden behind walls, electrical lines, and other materials, is readily accessible to tradesmen.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Eastway Fair Company LimitedInventors: Jeffrey M. Dils, Kenneth M. Brazell
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Patent number: 7217071Abstract: In the method, a tool is tested for an aligning fit or an imbalance in a tool spindle. The tool spindle is set into rotation. A light beam is used to check whether the tool wobbles. The tool spindle and the light beam are moved relative to one another until the light beam impinges on the area covered by the wobbling movement and a received signal generated from the light beam has an intermittent signal path for the first time. The then prevailing relative position between the tool spindle and the light beam is evaluated in respect of a non-aligning fit of the tool or in respect of a tool imbalance.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2006Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Cross Huller GmbHInventors: Thomas Bayha, Andreas Berger
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Patent number: 7185998Abstract: A power tool has a light unit provided at the bottom part of the handle grip. The light unit can be adjusted to change the lighting angle and can hold the desired lighting angle. The light unit thus disposed does not get in the way, the lighting angle of the light unit is variable and the emitted light does not shake, depletion of the power supply due to the light switch of the light unit being left on is prevented, shadows of the end tool are not easily produced by light from the light unit, lighting contrast is high, wiring failures and continuity faults in the light-emitting element do not occur easily, and a small, economical power tool can be provided. The light-emitting element of the light unit is a yellow LED. The light unit turns off automatically at a predetermined time after the light turns on.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2003Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsuhiro Oomori, Chikai Yoshimizu, Hidekazu Harada, Nobuhiro Takano
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Patent number: 7182148Abstract: A tool has a housing; a display unit attached to the housing; and a motion detection unit operably coupled to the housing and to the display unit, wherein the motion detection unit is configured to detect linear and rotational motion of the housing, to generate a first display signal indicative of the linear motion of the housing and to provide the first display signal to the display unit, and to generate a second display signal indicative of the rotational motion of the housing and to provide the second display signal to the display unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Inventor: William Szieff
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Patent number: 7175371Abstract: A protective shield for a drilling or cutting tool having a cylindrical-shaped housing that has a front end and a back end, the front end able to fit flush against a working surface; and a spring having a first end and a second end, the first end able to receive the back end of the cylindrical-shaped housing and the second end able to receive a drilling or cutting tool chuck; the cylindrical-shaped housing able to receive debris from the drilling or cutting tool operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Inventor: Robert J. Vidal
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Patent number: 7170076Abstract: A tool operates with a guide system to identify the orientation of a tool on a work piece. In one implementation, the tool identifies its orientation with respect to a guide signal supplied by the guide system. In an alternate embodiment, the tool determines its absolute orientation, such as a (x, y) coordinate. The tool includes an action component adapted to alter the work piece, such as a cutting head in a router. A guide detector in the tool detects a position of a guide signal from the guide system. A location detector in the tool receives the position data and employs it to determine the tool's orientation. Based on the detected orientation, the tool decides whether any tool adjustments are necessary. Examples of tool adjustments include the following: adjusting the position of the action component, enabling or disabling the action component, and providing operating indicators to direct a tool operator's use of the tool.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Robotoolz LimitedInventors: Andrew G. Butler, Christopher A. Tacklind, Lance Reisman, Aragon Burlingham, Daniel T. Adams, Eugene F. Duval, William A. Scott, Rick Feffer, Jonathan Carver
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Patent number: 7164474Abstract: The apparatus for normalization of a drilling tool to a work surface includes a light source, a beam splitter, and a screen. The beam splitter directs and the screen receives at least a portion of the light reflected off of the work surface. When the received light is located in a predetermined portion of the screen, then the drilling tool is normal to the work surface. The method for normalization of a drilling tool to a work surface includes positioning the drilling tool proximate the work surface, transmitting light toward the work surface, creating an image of the light that has reflected off of the work surface upon a screen, thereby permitting the orientation of the drilling tool to be adjusted until the image of the reflected light is located in a predetermined portion of the screen that is indicative of proper alignment.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2002Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Paul R. Arntson, Christopher D. Condliff, Robert A. Cullen, David P. Himmel, Darrell D. Jones, Ronald W. Outous, David W. Princehouse
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Patent number: 7150587Abstract: A hand-held power tool having a housing and a removably attachable portion. The removably attachable portion, which comprises an object sensor to detect studs hidden behind walls, electrical lines, and other materials, is readily accessible to tradesmen. A level may also be included on the removably attachable portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2004Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Eastway Fair Company LimitedInventors: Jeffrey M. Dils, Kenneth M. Brazell
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Patent number: 7146739Abstract: A laser-guiding coordination device for a drilling machine has a C-base, two laser-line projectors oppositely and adjustably embedded inside the C-base. Each laser-line projector has a first adjuster, a second adjuster perpendicularly and rotatably mounted inside the first adjuster, and a laser generator accommodated inside the second adjuster to generate laser lines. By rotating the first and second adjusters, two laser-lines projected to a workpiece are moved in parallel or rotation to adjust and to define a precise laser mark without need for physically drawing lines on the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Rexon Industrial Corp., Ltd.Inventors: George Ku, Eric Lo
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Patent number: 7140818Abstract: A tool attachable to a spindle of a machine tool in the same way as an ordinary tool, capable of being driven without connecting with an external power supply etc., giving a higher rotational speed than that of the spindle of the machine tool without supplying electric power from the outside, and able to be changed automatically, provided with a machining tool for machining a workpiece, a motor for driving the machining tool, a generator for generating electric power to drive the motor by the rotation of the spindle, and a rotational speed detecting device for detecting the rotational speed of the motor based on a received light signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2006Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasunori Kato
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Patent number: 7137761Abstract: A right angle drill (1) includes a motor housing (6) which defines therein a hole (18) for accommodating a motor field system (3), a cut-out (15) formed in the underside of the motor housing (6) from the front end toward the rear of the tool (1), and a light unit (16) slidably fitted in the cut-out (15). The light unit (16) is a plate member having an arcuate cross section so as to define an inwardly curved rear (i.e., inner) surface (16a) along its entire length. The unit's inner surface (16a) conforms to the inner surface of the accommodating hole (18) of the motor housing (6). The light unit (16) additionally includes a protrusion (17) at the front outer surface thereof. Furthermore, the protrusion (17) contains a pair of LEDs (21) for illuminating objects below an output spindle (12) to which a bit can be attached.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Makita CorporationInventors: Akihito Hara, Shinya Shimizu
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Patent number: 7134817Abstract: There is provided a printed board machining apparatus that is capable of improving machining efficiency without hampering machining accuracy. The printed board machining apparatus includes a pressure foot which is provided with a port whose one end is opened at a lower surface of the pressure foot facing a stiffening plate, and whose other end is connected to a compressed gas source to blow out gas from the port at a pressure which does not interfere with the pressure foot pressurizing the stiffening plate and printed boards in machining the printed boards. It is noted that the gas is blown out during a period of time at least when the pressure foot and the stiffening plate are moving relatively in the horizontal direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Hitachi Via Mechanics, Ltd.Inventors: Hirofumi Kado, Yasushi Ito, Nobuhiko Suzuki
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Patent number: 7131800Abstract: A circuit board router (10) and method thereof. De-paneling of printed circuit boards (62) off a panel 860) is efficiently increased by a router (40) which is positioned at a location above the panel (60). A fixture positions the panel 860) below the router (40) on a base (16). A controller (64) activates a first drive mechanism (20), a second drive mechanism (26), and a third drive mechanism (32) to guide an X-arm (18), a Y-arm (24) and a Z-arm (10), respectively. The router (40), located on the Z-arm (30), moves downward to engage a router bit (42) to the panel (60) to depanel the printed circuit board (62) from the panel. A fixture chip (72), which has a preprogrammed pattern of the panel (60), is embedded inside the fixture (58). A radio frequency transmitter (80) transmits the pattern to a radio frequency receiver (82) that relays the pattern to the controller (64).Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Tyco Electronics CorporationInventors: William Neil Anderson, Michael Steven Stanard, William Richard Delano
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Patent number: 7128506Abstract: A toolhead intended for a multi-axis machine tool incorporates a tool-holder rotatable about the tool axis and attached to the spindle of a spindlehead, also a stop cage element mounted slidably to the tool-holder, which is furnished with a collar presenting an active surface set transversely to the tool axis and offered to the surface of a workpiece. The stop cage element alternates between a first operating position in which the active surface of the collar is located forward of a countersink portion presented by the tool, considered in relation to the feed direction of the spindlehead as it approaches the surface of the work, and a second operating position in which the countersink portion will be located forward of the active surface, at least in part. The axial position of the stop cage element relative to the tool-holder is monitored continuously by a sensing system.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2004Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Jobs S.p.A.Inventors: Maurizio Ferrari, Bruno Schiavi
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Patent number: 7083366Abstract: A laser-positioning device for a drilling machine includes a carrier base having two accommodating slots and mounted to the outer case of the drilling machine, and a pair of laser sources respectively mounted in the accommodating slots of the carrier base to respectively generate a light beam. The light beams from the laser sources intersect at an intersection point on the piece to be machined indicating the landing point of the drill tool.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Inventor: Hsin Chih Tung
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Patent number: 7080964Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a tool chuck for a power hand tool of the type which has a generally cylindrical elongated housing with a motor contained within the housing or case and the motor having an output shaft that extends from the nose end of the hand tool, and which has one or more light producing devices located at its nose end for illuminating the work area during operation. The preferred embodiment of the tool chuck has an annular cylindrical light transmitting portion on the outside of the chuck body portion for transmitting light toward a tool bit held by the tool chuck. The preferred embodiment may have an inwardly oriented front end surface to direct the transmitted light toward the axis of the tool bit and may have an outer layer of resilient material to facilitate easy gripping of the tool chuck to tighten or loosen a tool bit.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2003Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Credo Technology CorporationInventors: Jonathan G. Riley, Timothy Baker, Ernest Fischer
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Patent number: 7048477Abstract: A depth stop for use with a drill bit comprises a tubular body having an opening therethrough. Used with a drill bit whose bit portion includes a cutting end, and a shank portion, the depth stop is frictionally positionable on the bit portion at a specified point from the cutting end, thereby indicating a specified depth. Depth stops are manufactured in different colors, each color corresponding to a specified range of drill bits that the depth stops will fit. The depth stops, manufactured from a sterilizable material, are intended for single use. The depth stop can be used with a drill bit and drill extender, where one or more depth stops provide multiple visual points of reference for the operator. The depth stops can be quickly mounted onto most any manufacturer's drill bits.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2004Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: I.D.M.S., L.L.C.Inventor: Steven Abrams
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Patent number: 7025544Abstract: A machine tool capable of jetting atomized lubricant (h) forward from the tip of a cutter (17), characterized by comprising a lubricant jetting state detector for detecting the jetting state of the atomized lubricant from the tip of the cutter, the lubricant jetting state detector further comprising a guide member (21) having a straight inner hole (21a), wherein a light detection device for detecting the degree of transmission or reflection of the detection light due to injecting the direction light (c) to a specified position (b) inside the inner hole through a transparent member installed on the peripheral wall portion of the guide member or through the transparent peripheral wall portion of the guide member, and a fluid feed device (23) for feeding clean fluid of rather thin layer flowing in a specified direction along the longitudinal direction of the inner hole is installed near the inner surface of the transparent member or so as to cover the transparent peripheral wall portion, whereby a defective partType: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Horkos Corp.Inventors: Shinsuke Sugata, Tadashi Makiyama
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Patent number: 7021872Abstract: A rock drill (1) for cutting rock comprising an elongated, helical shaft (2), which has, at one end, an insertion part (3) and, at the end opposite, a tool head (4) with cutters (5) made of hard material, wherein the helical shaft (2) is at least partially coated with a colored layer (7a, 7b) and the layer forms a lengthwise running wear indicator marking (8) inside the helical groove (8).Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2002Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Hilti AktiengesellschaftInventors: Udo Hauptmann, Tim Pröls, Thorsten Assel
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Patent number: 7006879Abstract: In a separate process from a boring process, the prealignment is performed beforehand on the circuit board, employing an alignment device, to create the positional data indicating the position of boring the hole in a pattern within the circuit board. In the boring process, the circuit board is carried into the working apparatus. The panel alignment is made on the circuit board. The positional data for positioning the circuit board on a table of the working apparatus is created. The synthesis of the positional data created by the prealignment and the positional data created by the panel alignment is performed to calculate the boring position of the circuit board on the table. The hole is bored at the calculated position in the circuit board, employing a boring machine of the working apparatus. Thereafter, the circuit board is carried out from the working apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2001Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Nitto Denko CorporationInventor: Hitoshi Ishizaka
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Patent number: 6979155Abstract: A hand-held power tool having a housing and an open top tray attached thereto is disclosed. The open top tray is oriented generally perpendicular to a handle axis for carrying small magnetic objects therein. Additionally, the tray is provided with a magnetic portion for retaining the small magnetic objects when the handle is inclined from a vertical position. Thus, the present invention allows small magnetic objects such as tool bits, drill bits, and fasteners to be carried on the hand-held power tool for quick and easy access by an operator.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2002Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: One World Technologies LimitedInventors: Jeffrey M. Dils, John B. Womble, Daniel Alex Chunn
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Patent number: 6979288Abstract: A production system for manufacturing a workpiece comprises an index system including a plurality of index devices removably mounted on the workpiece at known longitudinally spaced locations therealong, and a longitudinally extending index member releasably engaged with at least two of the index devices such that a position and orientation of the index member are fixed relative to the workpiece by the index devices, the index member having position-indicating features distributed therealong. The production system further comprises a machine module mounted for longitudinal movement along the index member and operable to perform an operation, the machine module being operable to detect the position-indicating features on the index member and thereby determine a position of the machine module relative to the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Laurance N. Hazlehurst, Bobby C. Philpott, Jr., James N. Buttrick, Darrell D. Jones, Kostadinos D. Papanikolaou, David P. Banks, Terrence J. Rowe, Ronald Outous, Charles H. Glaisyer, Harry E. Townsend, Mark Boberg, Paul Elfes Nelson, John R. Porter
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Patent number: 6964545Abstract: Apparatus for releasable attachment to an electric drill housing includes a flexible base member, a bit holder and a flashlight. The positions of the bit holder and the flashlight are adjustable relative to the base member and a flashlight head of the flashlight can be adjusted relative to the flashlight body.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Inventor: Ronald S. Languasco
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Patent number: 6945741Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser positioning system for an aperture-processing machine and is an accessory of an aperture-processing machine. The present invention is a type of laser positioning system for an aperture-processing machine that includes two laser transmission devices each of which emits a beam of light. The two light beams form an angular set up. A common line of intersection is formed at the point of intersection in space. After the two laser transmission devices have been fixed relative to the aperture-processing machine, the common line of intersection formed at the point of intersection of the two light beams mentioned above and the axial line of the main bearing cutter of the aperture-processing machine coincide exactly, thus forming the reference for positioning. In the application of the present invention, adjustment is easy, positioning is rapid and observation is direct with high accuracy and low cost.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2002Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Qingdao DayMaster Hardware & Tools Co. Ltd.Inventors: Winston Wang, Jianjin Guo
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Patent number: 6937336Abstract: A power tool having a work surface and a spindle attached to the power tool and defining an axis of operation of the power tool. In one embodiment, the power tool may include a bracket above the work surface. The bracket may include first and second bracket receptacles and first second holders movably supported in the first and second bracket receptacles. A first laser generator may be mounted in the first holder at a first angle relative to an axis of the first holder, and it may adjustably project a first fan beam. A second laser generator may be mounted in the send holder at a second angle relative to an axis of the second holder, and it may adjustably project a second fan beam. The first and second fan beams may be adjusted to intersect along the axis of operation of the power tool.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2002Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.Inventors: Jaime E. Garcia, Craig Allen Carroll
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Patent number: 6926473Abstract: A power hand drill has a subsurface object locator for detecting the presence of an object beneath a surface being probed with the locator. The drill has a housing with a flat accessory mounting surface having a pair of attachment tabs. The locator has a locator housing with a flat base and a pair of key hole slots engaged with the tabs for detachably mounting the locator housing to the accessory mounting surface of the drill housing. The locator includes sensing circuitry contained within the locator housing for detecting subsurface objects and has an object indicator mounted to the locator housing and connected to the sensing circuitry for indicating the presence of a subsurface object. A contoured surface on the locator housing provides a handrest for gripping when operating the drill.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Actuant CorporationInventor: Thomas M. Luebke
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Patent number: 6921235Abstract: A laser centering mechanism of a drilling machine includes a clamp ring fitted around a drill chunk of a drilling machine, upper and lower knobs, and two laser modules. The clamp ring has several spaced upwards-sticking flexible plates, and several downwards-sticking flexible plates. The knobs are fitted around an upper end, and a lower end of the clamp ring respectively. The knobs are securely screwed to each other so that inner annular portions thereof make corresponding flexible plates tightly and securely pressed against the drill chunk. The laser modules are fixed to an inner edge of the lower knob, and are equipped with such lenses that laser lights emitted therefrom form intersecting straight light lines on a plane under them, which will form a centering light point on a central axis of the lower knob in rotation of the present mechanism together with the drill chunk.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2003Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Sean & Stephen Corp.Inventor: Sean Chen
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Patent number: 6898860Abstract: An auxiliary handle with a laser alignment device for drills comprises a grip portion for grasping, an opened collar which can be engaged with shoulder of the drill, and a clamp means for locking or loosing the opened collar. The auxiliary handle also comprises a first laser generator which can project a fanned planar laser beam, a battery pack which can be used to power the first laser generator, and a switch for turning on or turning off the first laser generator, the fanned laser beam which is projected by the first laser generator is in alignment with the central axis of the opened collar. Such that the fanned laser beam is in alignment with the central axis of the chuck when the auxiliary handle is mounted on the drill.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Chervon International Trading Co. Ltd.Inventor: Shuming Wu
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Patent number: 6890135Abstract: A rotary cutting tool includes a housing and a motor provided within the housing for rotating a cutting accessory coupled to the rotary cutting tool. The rotary cutting tool also includes a plurality of light emitting diodes for illuminating a point of cut of the rotary cutting tool. Each of the plurality of light emitting diodes have a central longitudinal axis, and at least one of the light emitting diodes is couple to the housing such that the central longitudinal axis of the light emitting diode is not parallel to a rotation axis of the cutting accessory.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2004Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Credo Technology CorporationInventors: Robert Kopras, Jason R. Kopras, Scott Adler, Douglas Seals, Ryan Rindy, Larry Gunseor, Daniel Bullis
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Patent number: 6878954Abstract: A tool is employed in conjunction with alignment, depth, and level detectors. The tool can use all or some of these detectors. The alignment detector provides an orthogonal laser line grid on an incident surface when the detector has a predefined relationship with the surface. The depth detector emits two sets of parallel laser planes that converge with each other. When the laser planes impact on an incident surface two sets of lines are formed. The laser lines from one laser plane set move closer to the lines from the other laser plane set as the depth detector moves closer to the surface—showing changes in depth or distance. The level detector employs two converging laser planes. An operator positions the level detector above an incident surface, so the laser planes' line of intersection appears on the surface if the surface is level. If the surface is not level, lines separate from each laser plane appear on the surface—signaling the need for a level adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Toolz, Ltd.Inventors: Andrew G. Butler, Christopher A. Tacklind, Lance Reisman, Aragon Burlingham, Daniel T. Adams, Eugene F. Duval, William A. Scott, Rick Feffer, Jonathan Carver
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Patent number: 6855099Abstract: A production system for manufacturing a workpiece comprises an index system including a plurality of index devices removably mounted on the workpiece at known longitudinally spaced locations therealong, and a longitudinally extending index member releasably engaged with at least two of the index devices such that a position and orientation of the index member are fixed relative to the workpiece by the index devices, the index member having position-indicating features distributed therealong. The production system further comprises a machine module mounted for longitudinal movement along the index member and operable to perform an operation, the machine module being operable to detect the position-indicating features on the index member and thereby determine a position of the machine module relative to the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2001Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Laurance N. Hazlehurst, Bobby C. Philpott, Jr., James N. Buttrick, Darrell D. Jones, Kostadinos D. Papanikolaou, David P. Banks, Terrence J. Rowe, Ronald Outous, Charles H. Glaisyer, Harry E. Townsend, Mark Boberg, Paul Elfes Nelson, John R. Porter
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Publication number: 20040265079Abstract: A hand-held power tool having a housing and a removably attachable portion. The removably attachable portion, which comprises an object sensor to detect studs hidden behind walls, electrical lines, and other materials, is readily accessible to tradesmen. A level may also be included on the removably attachable portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Jeffrey M. Dils, Kenneth M. Brazell
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Patent number: 6786683Abstract: A hand tool device (1), for a partially rotationally driven drill tool (2), including an electronic depth stop (3) with a sensor (4) for non-contacting gauging of a distance and a calculator component (5) for calculating the depth (T) of a drill bit tip (8) relative to a reference surface (10), and signaling when a measured value attains a set value (S). The set value (S) can be transmitted into a set value memory (6) using a single manually operated transfer accept actuation.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Hilti AktiengesellschaftInventors: Roland Schaer, Christoph Würsch
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Publication number: 20040136795Abstract: A laser centering mechanism of a drilling machine includes a support ring fitted around a support tube disposed right above the drill, first and second laser modules disposed on an edge of the support ring, and first and second adjustment combinations for holding the support ring around the support tube, and respectively for adjusting orientation of the first and the second laser modules relative to the tube. The laser modules are equipped with such lenses that laser lights emitted therefrom can form respective straight light lines on a plane thereunder, and the light lines will intersect to form a centering point on the plane. After rectification, under which the intersection is adjusted to be right under the sharp end of the drill, a predetermined point of a workpiece, on which a hole is to be drilled, can be easily positioned right under the drill precisely owing to the intersection.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventor: Sean Chen
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Publication number: 20040136796Abstract: A laser centering mechanism of a drilling machine includes a clamp ring fitted around a drill chunk of a drilling machine, upper and lower knobs, and two laser modules. The clamp ring has several spaced upwards-sticking flexible plates, and several downwards-sticking flexible plates. The knobs are fitted around an upper end, and a lower end of the clamp ring respectively. The knobs are securely screwed to each other so that inner annular portions thereof make corresponding flexible plates tightly and securely pressed against the drill chunk. The laser modules are fixed to an inner edge of the lower knob, and are equipped with such lenses that laser lights emitted therefrom form intersecting straight light lines on a plane under them, which will form a centering light point on a central axis of the lower knob in rotation of the present mechanism together with the drill chunk.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventor: Sean Chen
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Patent number: 6758640Abstract: A method of controlling a relative movement of a cutting blade and a workpiece which are moved relative to each other by a movement device in an operation with a machine tool. The method includes a step of bringing the cutting blade and an object into contact with each other, by moving at least one of the cutting blade and the object toward each other by the movement device, and a step of controlling the relative movement on the basis of a relative position of the cutting blade and the object which is detected by the movement device upon the contact of the cutting blade and the object with each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Fuji Seiko LimitedInventors: Hajime Mizutani, Yoshihiro Takasu, Eiji Goto, Katsumi Isogai, Yoshikazu Satow
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Patent number: 6694631Abstract: A level indicator utilizing an alignment device, together with a power tool utilizing such a level indicator to determine when such a tool is held in a horizontal or vertical plane. An alignment device (10) has a first component part (12) with an arcuate track (14) with a track following member in the form of a ball bearing (28) to follow the track under the influence of gravity to seek an equilibrium position.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Daniel Bone, George Ch Fung
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Patent number: 6692200Abstract: A system for aligning the bit of a hand-held tool with the surface of a workpiece wherein a laser beam essentially parallel to the axis of the bit is projected forwardly toward the workpiece and onto a mirror maintained at a preselected angle to the workpiece surface. The incident beam is reflected backwardly onto means detecting both the incident beam and the reflected beam and indicating when the beams are coincident.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Nesson EnterprisesInventor: Francis C. Peterson
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Patent number: 6665948Abstract: A drill bit penetration measurement system and method for determining a depth of penetration of a rotating drill bit in a bore. A first sensor outputs a first signal representative of a displacement of the leading edge of the drill bit in the bore. A second sensor outputs a second signal representative of a force applied to the leading edge of the drill bit. A processor outputs a third signal representative of the depth of penetration of the leading edge of the drill bit when the leading edge of the drill bit passes from a first medium having a first density to a second medium having a second density. The third signal is based on the first and second signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Inventors: Scott Hal Kozin, Joseph C. McGinley, Scott T. Porter
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Patent number: 6647840Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating a reference point on a workpiece for a program in a CNC machine tool is disclosed. A camera is mounted in a CNC toolholder so that the lens of the camera is coaxial with a rotational axis of the CNC toolholder. A pair of crosshairs or other indica are provided in the view from the camera, the crosshairs being centered in the view so that when the camera is mounted in the toolholder, the crosshairs indicate the center of rotation of the toolholder. The camera may then be positioned with respect to the workpiece so that it images an area of the workpiece containing a reference point with respect to the coordinate system of the CNC program. The toolholder is then adjusted so that the crosshairs are directly on the desired reference point, and this reference point entered into the CNC program.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Inventor: Ilmar Luik