With Illuminating Or Viewing Means For Work Patents (Class 83/520)
  • Patent number: 7207251
    Abstract: A cutter including a base, a holder, a cutter blade portion, and a laser generator. The holder is supported on the base portion in an upright posture. The cutter blade portion supports a moving blade. The cutter blade portion is supported on the holder movable between an upper position and a lower position. The cutter blade portion is moved into the lower position to cut a workpiece supported on the base using the moving blade. The laser generator is attached to the holder or the cutter blade portion in an orientation to direct at least a portion of the laser light onto a position on the workpiece that is directly beneath the cutter blade portion when the cutter blade portion is in the upper position. Alternatively, a holder has a shaft support portion, and a slide shaft is axially slidably supported by the shaft support portion. A front end of the slide shaft has a hinge holder which pivotally supports the cutting blade portion. A laser generator is fixed to a front side of the hinge holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeharu Ushiwata, Shinji Takano, Hideaki Terashima, Kenichi Matsunaga, Ryuichi Imamura
  • Patent number: 7168180
    Abstract: An optical aligning apparatus includes: a pendulum disk having a laser illuminator mounted in a lower portion of the pendulum disk, a multiple-pole magnet annularly formed on a collar concentrically secured on a shaft of a rotary machine, an electromagnetic coil device secured in the pendulum disk and rotatably disposed around the multiple-pole magnet formed on the collar; whereby upon rotation of the rotary machine to simultaneously rotate the magnet on the collar secured on the shaft relative to the electromagnetic coil device on the pendulum disk which is gravitationally pendent and stationary, the electromagnetic coil will be electromagnetically induced to produce electricity to power the laser illuminator for projecting a laser optical line to an object for alignment or marking in order to be processed by the rotary machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventors: Chyi-Yiing Wu, Ming-Chun Hu
  • Patent number: 7162809
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a guide for a power saw or router of the type having a blade and a housing wider than the blade which directly overlies the blade during the cutting operation. The guide includes a guide bar having a straight outer edge configured for guiding a peripheral edge of the saw housing and a gauge device. The gauge device includes an elongated holder and a light beam projector mounted on the holder for projecting a beam of light at an angle relative to a lengthwise axis of the holder. In this respect, the light beam projector is mounted on the holder for projecting a beam of light at a right angle relative to a lengthwise axis of the holder such that the beam of light is parallel to the straight outer edge of the guide bar. The light beam projector is preferably a laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Random Innovation
    Inventors: Jon A. Haas, Andrew D. Ketch
  • Patent number: 7159497
    Abstract: A saw such as a chop saw, a circular saw, a compound miter saw or a sliding compound miter saw having a rotatable saw blade is provided with a laser arbor alignment system. The laser arbor may include a power generator that generates power as the saw blade and the laser arbor are rotated by a spindle. The generator may include a stator comprising an electrical magnet or a permanent magnet mounted on a fixed portion of the saw. The other portion of the generator is a rotor comprising a coil that is rotated with the laser arbor to generate power for the laser. Power may also be provided to the laser by slip ring contacts from a stationary source to the laser arbor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Eastway Fair Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerhard Josef Karl Weusthof, John Ka Ki Chan
  • Patent number: 7104666
    Abstract: A cooling chamber 10 for a microtome 1 is disclosed. A knife 2 having a cutting edge 16 is arranged in the cooling chamber 10 opposite a sample holder 4 having a sample 4a retained therein. The microtome 1 further possesses a stereomicroscope 12 having an optical system 14, the optical system 14 defining an optical axis 11. The region of the sample 4a and of the cutting edge 16 of the knife 2 is observable with the stereomicroscope 12. There is mounted in the cooling chamber 10 an illumination system 20 that emits light 20a and is directed onto a surface 2a of the knife 2 in such a way that the light 20a reflects from the surface 2a parallel to the optical axis 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Leica Microsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Lihl, Siegfried Tanki, Michael Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7096587
    Abstract: A laser emitter projects a planer light beam to form an optical guideline on a work piece extending in a cutting direction of saw blade. The laser emitter is arranged behind, in the cutting direction, a tangential line of the circumference of the saw blade at an intersection of a bottom surface of the base and the circumference at a front side of the base in the cutting direction. The laser emitter forms the optical guideline behind the intersection in the cutting direction. The laser emitter is supported in respect of the saw blade slidingly in a direction defined by a rotation axis of the saw blade. The saw cover may have a window to transmit the laser beam toward the cutting point. A shutter selectively shutting the window may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Onose, Naoya Etou, Shinji Takano
  • Patent number: 7066627
    Abstract: A laser light beam guiding device on a stone cutter includes a tubular main body pivoted to a lug of a seat which is secured to a front top of a blade guard of the stone cutter, a battery chamber in the main body controlled by a switch button on the top, a tubular sleeve on the rear portion of the main body and a laser projector rotatably engaged with the front end of the main body to emit the light beam on a working piece to decide a cutting line for the saw blade to follow up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Yueh-Ting Chen
  • Patent number: 7044039
    Abstract: A radial arm saw is adapted with a safety top configured with cutting box enclosure that contains and collects substantially all of the sawdust generated during use. A dust collection system is in fluid communication with the cutting box for removing the sawdust contained therein. Spring biased push blocks function to hold the work piece in place during the sawing process while maintaining the user's hands safely away from the saw blade. A laser alignment device projects a beam within the cutting box along the cutting plane. A control panel is provided to allow use by authorized users upon entry of an authorization code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: Michael S. Powell
  • Patent number: 6997089
    Abstract: A method of classifying slices or a portion cut from a food product according to an optical image of the slice. After a slice is removed from a food product loaf the slice is passed into an image field of a digital image receiving device. A control generates a pixel-by-pixel image data of the slice using input from the digital image receiving device. The control calculates a surface area of the slice from the data, and a fat content of the slice on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The fat content data is compared to at least one predetermined limit and the slice is classified accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Formax, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Thomas C. Wolcott
  • Patent number: 6988439
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a base, a blade-holding arm mounted rotatably on the base, a blade mounted rotatably on the blade-holding arm and rotatable about an axis, and a light-emitting unit mounted on the blade-holding arm and adapted to project an image line on the workpiece. The light-emitting unit is movable in a transverse direction relative to the blade between a first position, in which the image line is disposed at a first lateral side with respect to the blade, and a second position, in which the image line is disposed at a second lateral side with respect to the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: P & F Brother Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Ta-Chung Liu, Yueh-Hsun Chang
  • Patent number: 6937336
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime E. Garcia, Craig Allen Carroll
  • Patent number: 6918331
    Abstract: A cutting tool includes a saw blade and a blade case adapted to cover the saw blade. A light may have a light for illuminating a portion of a workpiece that will be cut by the saw blade during a cutting operation. The light may be mounted within the blade case, so that the light is laterally displaced from the saw blade. A mounting device may be utilized to receive the light and the mounting device may be disposed within the blade case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Katsumi Okouchi
  • Patent number: 6895844
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a place where a saw may be performed. An oscillating laser beam is provided to a target according to a user preference. The user selects at least one characteristic of the oscillating laser beam in order to identify the target in an outdoor environment. The selected at least one characteristic is then provided to a motor which executes the oscillating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Cemar Electro Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Spirig, Young Chul Shin
  • Patent number: 6890135
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Credo Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Kopras, Jason R. Kopras, Scott Adler, Douglas Seals, Ryan Rindy, Larry Gunseor, Daniel Bullis
  • Publication number: 20040261592
    Abstract: A laser guiding device for a table saw machine is connected to a splitter on the work table and includes a carrier in which a laser generating device is received. A power supply member is connected to the splitter and electrically connected to the laser generating device. The laser generating device emits a laser beam which is located in front of the circular blade and is not covered by debris and powder of the object to be cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: REXON INDUSTRIAL CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Jung-Huo Chen
  • Patent number: 6820528
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a base, a blade-holding arm pivoted to the base through a pivot and co-rotatable with the pivot, a light-emitting unit pivoted to the blade-holding arm, and a position-adjusting unit including a first linkage that is secured to the pivot, and a second linkage that has two opposite ends which are respectively pivoted to the first linkage and the light-emitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: P&F Brother Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Ta-Chang Liu, Yueh-Hsun Chang
  • Publication number: 20040221704
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a base, a blade-holding arm mounted rotatably on the base, a blade mounted rotatably on the blade-holding arm and rotatable about an axis, and a light-emitting unit mounted on the blade-holding arm and adapted to project an image line on the workpiece. The light-emitting unit is movable in a transverse direction relative to the blade between a first position, in which the image line is disposed at a first lateral side with respect to the blade, and a second position, in which the image line is disposed at a second lateral side with respect to the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Ta-Chang Liu, Yueh-Hsun Chang
  • Publication number: 20040221702
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a base, a blade-holding arm pivoted to the base through a pivot and co-rotatable with the pivot, a light-emitting unit pivoted to the blade-holding arm, and a position-adjusting unit including a first linkage that is secured to the pivot, and a second linkage that has two opposite ends which are respectively pivoted to the first linkage and the light-emitting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: P & F Brother Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Ta-Chang Liu, Yueh-Hsun Chang
  • Publication number: 20040194600
    Abstract: An optical aligning apparatus includes: a pendulum disk having a laser illuminator mounted in a lower portion of the pendulum disk, a multiple-pole magnet annularly formed on a collar concentrically secured on a shaft of a rotary machine, an electromagnetic coil device secured in the pendulum disk and rotatably disposed around the multiple-pole magnet formed on the collar; whereby upon rotation of the rotary machine to simultaneously rotate the magnet on the collar secured on the shaft relative to the electromagnetic coil device on the pendulum disk which is gravitationally pendent and stationary, the electromagnetic coil will be electromagnetically induced to produce electricity to power the laser illuminator for projecting a laser optical line to an object for alignment or marking in order to be processed by the rotary machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Chyi-Yiing Wu, Ming-Chun Hu
  • Patent number: 6786124
    Abstract: A marking device for a table saw includes a laser radiating device mounted to align with a saw blade of the table saw. The laser radiating device emits a light plane aligning with a saw plane of the table saw and marking a light straight line on the top surface of the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Sung Shan Yin Huang
  • Publication number: 20040163522
    Abstract: A marking device for a table saw includes a laser radiating device mounted to align with a saw blade of the table saw. The laser radiating device emits a light plane aligning with a saw plane of the table saw and marking a light straight line on the top surface of the work piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Sung Shan Yin Huang
  • Patent number: 6778680
    Abstract: A peeler block is formed previously on its opposite end faces with markings the centers of which define an optimum axis about which the block should be rotated for achieving maximum yield in peeling veneer from the block in a rotary veneer lathe. An apparatus is disclosed herein which is designed to detecting such markings at two different detecting stations and finally positioning the block such that its optimum axis is set parallel to the axes of spindles of a rotary veneer lathe is disclosed. At the first station, the markings are detected by a first pair of image sensors such as CCD cameras having lenses with a short focal length hence wide-angle viewing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Meinan Machinery Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Masaru Koike
  • Patent number: 6755107
    Abstract: A table saw such as a chop saw, a miter saw, compound miter saw or a sliding compound miter saw that is provided with a laser arbor alignment system. An opaque shield or transparent shield having an opaque mask blocks the laser beam from being projected into a range of normal operator eye positions. One or more openings in the shield or opaque mask provide a sight line on a workpiece initially. As the saw is moved into engagement with the workpiece, the shield is pivoted away from the workpiece and a solid laser line is projected on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: One World Technologies Lmt.
    Inventors: David G. Peot, Philip F. Minalga, George M. Hornick, William C. Buck, William E. Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20040112191
    Abstract: A work tool is provided that includes a housing. A blower provides one of a positive or negative pressure and is connected to the housing. A hose has a first end connected with the blower and an opposite second end. An optical device for illuminating a work area is positioned at least partially within the second end of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: ONE WORLD TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventor: Bryan Scott Whiffen
  • Patent number: 6742430
    Abstract: A circular sawing machine having a hidden-type infrared guide device includes a main frame, a saw base pivotally mounted on the main frame, an infrared guide device, and an operation set. The infrared guide device is mounted on the saw base and includes a slide slidably mounted on the saw base, and an infrared indication lamp mounted on the slide. The slide is formed with an elongated slot. The operation set is mounted on the infrared guide device, and includes a drive plate, a movable pin, and an elastic plate. The movable pin is extended through the elongated slot of the slide and has a first end pivoted with the drive plate, and a second end combined with the elastic plate. The elastic plate is mounted on the movable pin and rested on the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Rexon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ruey Zon Chen
  • Publication number: 20040083869
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a guide for use with rotary components such as a rotary saw. In the preferred embodiment the invention is comprised of a rotary saw with a blade, a reflector affixed adjacent and coaxial to said blade, a light beam source, preferably a laser projecting a beam of light co-planer to and at said reflector. The reflector acts as a curved mirror to fan the beam of light creating a guideline coplanar with the rotary component or blade of the rotary saw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Edmund J. Aziz, John E. Aziz
  • Publication number: 20040035275
    Abstract: The microtome or ultramicrotome comprises a knife (7) and a specimen arm (3) movable relative to the knife (7). At least one light source for illuminating a region around the preparation (5) is also provided. The at least one light source comprises at least one light-emitting diode (31, 41, 51).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Reinhard Lihl, Hubert Goll, Anton Lang
  • Patent number: 6688203
    Abstract: A circular sawing machine includes a work table, a saw seat having a first end provided with a saw blade and a second end pivotally mounted the work table, and an indication device mounted on the saw seat. The indication device includes a support seat secured on the saw seat, a slide seat mounted on the support seat, and an indication light source mounted on the slide seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Rexon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ruey Zou Chen
  • Publication number: 20030233921
    Abstract: An optical system mounted on a cutter that has a base and a housing supporting a blade. In one embodiment, the optical system may projects first and second indicator lines on the base. The optical system may also include a mechanism selectively operable to adjust the first and second lines to indicate the width of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Jaime E. Garcia, Joseph L. Jenkins, Jeffrey D. Weston
  • Patent number: 6662457
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning and cutting pipes to extract and install piping in industrial plants is characterized by the use of lasers on a ring for aligning the cutting tool. By adjusting the ring so that beams from the lasers strike specified targets at a remote location corresponding with a pipe end, a cutting location is defined so that the trimmed end of a first pipe will properly align with a remote pipe. When the pipes welded together, their ends will match, thereby minimizing stress in the pipe. A cutting tool can be provided directly on the ring so that the pipe can be cut without removing the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Laser Alignment Systems
    Inventor: Dennis Dameron
  • Publication number: 20030172789
    Abstract: A circular sawing machine having a hidden-type infrared guide device includes a main frame, a saw base pivotally mounted on the main frame, an infrared guide device, and an operation set. The infrared guide device is mounted on the saw base and includes a slide slidably mounted on the saw base, and an infrared indication lamp mounted on the slide. The slide is formed with an elongated slot. The operation set is mounted on the infrared guide device, and includes a drive plate, a movable pin, and an elastic plate. The movable pin is extended through the elongated slot of the slide and has a first end pivoted with the drive plate, and a second end combined with the elastic plate. The elastic plate is mounted on the movable pin and rested on the slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Ruey Zon Chen
  • Publication number: 20030140758
    Abstract: A saw such as a chop saw, a circular saw, a compound miter saw or a sliding compound miter saw having a rotatable saw blade is provided with a laser arbor alignment system. The laser arbor may include a power generator that generates power as the saw blade and the laser arbor are rotated by a spindle. The generator may include a stator comprising an electrical magnet or a permanent magnet mounted on a fixed portion of the saw. The other portion of the generator is a rotor comprising a coil that is rotated with the laser arbor to generate power for the laser. Power may also be provided to the laser by slip ring contacts from a stationary source to the laser arbor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: One World Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Gerhard Josef Karl Weusthof, John Ka Ki Chan
  • Publication number: 20030131704
    Abstract: A cutting table for cutting pieces of fabric. The table has a fabric supporting surface mounted on a frame. A cutter is manually movable along a linear cutting path that is substantially perpendicular to an edge guide. First and second light emitting devices emit respective first and second lights in a direction substantially parallel to the linear cutting path. A manually powered drive supports the first and second light emitting devices in a spaced apart relationship, and the drive is manually operable to move the light emitting devices through equal displacements in opposite directions substantially perpendicular to the linear cutting path. The light emitting devices are used to quickly align the fabric, so that it can be cut to a desired width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Richard S. Villacis
  • Publication number: 20030116000
    Abstract: A cut alignment device for a rotary saw having a motor which spins a cutting unit which includes a rotary shaft driven by the motor, a circular blade having a central aperture through which the shaft fits, and a blade mounting device for holding the blade on the shaft, the cut alignment device including: a battery power source carried by the cutting unit; and a beam light source, operatively connected to this power source, and carried by the cutting unit; wherein the light source projects a light beam at a shallow angle from the cutting unit directed to intersect the plane of the rotary cutting tool or saw blade, to assist the operator in cutting accurately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Raymond Caluori
  • Patent number: 6578459
    Abstract: A method for use with a power saw having a frame with a first blade rotatably mounted thereon, the first blade having a cutting edge with a maximum first thickness. A light source is mounted on the frame. An opaque barrier has a first slot with a first width. The opaque barrier is positioned in alignment with the light source such that light from the light source passes through the first slot and shines on the first blade so as to produce a shadow of the first blade. The method includes exchanging the first blade with a second blade, the second blade having a maximum second thickness. The opaque barrier is adjusted such that the first slot is replaced with a second slot having a second width, the second width of the second slot being greater than or smaller than the first width of the first slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Lance Waite
  • Publication number: 20030097922
    Abstract: A circular sawing machine includes a work table, a saw seat having a first end provided with a saw blade and a second end pivotally mounted the work table, and an indication device mounted on the saw seat. The indication device includes a support seat secured on the saw seat, a slide seat mounted on the support seat, and an indication light source mounted on the slide seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Ruey Zou Chen
  • Publication number: 20030010173
    Abstract: The invention is an attachment for a stationary power saw, attaching to an operationally non-moving base or frame member of the power saw, as opposed to the retractable saw blade portion of the power saw, providing a fully adjustable laser cutting guide for designating the strike point of the rotating saw blade on the material being cut by the saw blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: James Alan Hayden
  • Publication number: 20030000355
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Andrew G. Butler, Christopher A. Tacklind, Lance Reisman, Aragon Burlingham, Daniel T. Adams, Eugene F. Duval, William A. Scott, Rick Feffer, Jonathan Carver
  • Patent number: 6497168
    Abstract: A saw having a rotating blade and a laser beam alignment system, a rotating, multi-sided member having reflecting surfaces formed on each edge being mounted to one side of the rotating saw blade. A laser device is positioned in front of the blade guard with a mounting bracket, the beam generated thereby being reflected by the multi-sided member onto a work piece. The laser beam provides a visual cutting line to enable the saw operator to align the work piece accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventor: Bernard I. Levine
  • Patent number: 6494590
    Abstract: Lighting devices are taught for machine tools. The lighting devices may include one or more light emitters controlled by an electric circuit, which can be connected via one or more conductors to the inner circuit of an electric machine tool. The electric circuit may comprise at least one photometer and a controller that automatically controls the illumination level of the light emitters in response to the ambient light intensity detected by the photometer. The present invention also relates to machine tools comprising such lighting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Mauro Paganini, Giorgio Paganini
  • Publication number: 20020170404
    Abstract: A table saw such as a chop saw, a miter saw, compound miter saw or a sliding compound miter saw that is provided with a laser arbor alignment system. An opaque shield or transparent shield having an opaque mask blocks the laser beam from being projected into a range of normal operator eye positions. One or more openings in the shield or opaque mask provide a sight line on a workpiece initially. As the saw is moved into engagement with the workpiece, the shield is pivoted away from the workpiece and a solid laser line is projected on the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: David G. Peot, Philip F. Minalga, George M. Hornick, William C. Buck, William E. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 6481322
    Abstract: A marking device is provided for sawing apparatus having a sawing blade and a blade rack behind the sawing blade and supporting the sawing blade. The marking device comprises a fixing frame arranged on the blade rack, a marker arranged within the fixing frame and having a light source therein, a cylinder lens arranged on the fixing frame. A light emitted from the light source and passing through the cylinder lens forms a straight cutting indication line projecting on an article to be cut. The power of the marker and the trigger of the sawing blade can be simultaneously or independently turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Limate Corporation
    Inventor: Bear Hsiung
  • Publication number: 20020166427
    Abstract: To shorten the processing time in modern plants for cutting away pieces or sections from a continously moving endless material, e.g. a glass strip, one after the other by flying cutting the cutting bridge carrying the cutting device (6) is accelerated until at a speed within a predetermined tolerance range of the feed speed of the continuously running endless material. Then the cutting bridge speed is synchronized for each piece or section to be cutaway and the cutting away of each piece or section takes place after the synchronization. To attain a very high precision cutting the spacing of the front cut edge formed when the previous piece or section is cut away from the cutting device is measured by means of an image-taking device (7) prior to cutting away of the next piece or section. Then the measured spacing is compared with a set value for the spacing and the speed of the cutting bridge is synchronized or fine tuned according to the comparison prior to cutting away the next piece or section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Johannes Wagner, Ruediger Hepp, Holger Wegener, Helmut Larm, Dirk Hauer, Heinz-Georg Geissler
  • Publication number: 20020124699
    Abstract: A punching device of the present invention is proposed which can perform positional alignment with high accuracy without generating positional deviation or vibration by shifting a workpiece, and which does not deteriorate the accuracy of determining the position of an image by shifting a photographic device. In this punching device, a CCD camera, which can photograph the position of the die hole upon the lower die and the position of the pattern upon the workpiece which shows the position thereon where punching is to be performed, is fixedly provided at a position removed from the raising and lowering track of the punch plate. Furthermore, a mirror may be provided between the CCD camera and the die hole upon the lower die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Toru Ishii, Hiromichi Matsui, Yasuaki Mizuno, Makoto Teraoka
  • Patent number: 6397717
    Abstract: A kerf indicator for use with a power saw provides a source of light directed towards a blade of the saw. The light passes through a plurality of slots in an opaque barrier member. The barrier member planarizes the light such that a shadow of the saw blade is cast on a workpiece accurately indicating the location and width of a kerf, or cutting path, to be produced by the saw blade on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Lance H. Waite
  • Publication number: 20020029672
    Abstract: Web or sheet-fed segment processing apparatus (30, 300) is provided for high speed, extremely accurate operations such as die cutting or lamination. The apparatus (30, 300) includes a processing station (32, 300) adapted to receive a segment (38) forming a part of a continuous web (100, 102) or as a discrete sheet. The station (32, 300) includes a vacuum hold-down plate (142, 306) for holding initially fed segments (38); the hold-down plate (32,308) is shiftable as necessary along orthogonal X-Y axes in the plane of the segment (38), and/or &thgr; rotation about a rotational axis transverse to the segment plane, such movement being effected by a series of aligned, translatable eccentric drive units (178-182,346-350) coupled with plate (142,306). Preferably, the segments (38) carry positioning fiducials (44) and which are compared with fixed reference indicia (250, 252) in the station (32, 300).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Charles C. Raney, Hongli Du, John T. Pierson
  • Publication number: 20020000148
    Abstract: Device for trimming wane-affected planks The device makes it possible to optimize the work of a trimming machine with multiple blades. It comprises, in the plank transfer assembly located upstream of the trimming machine, between the scanner and the trimming-machine entry table, an intermediate preparation table (10) facing which are arranged means of emitting at least two light beams, particularly four laser beams (L1, L2, L3, L4) directed onto a plank (24) stopped on the preparation table (10) and forming marks on this plank. The position of the beams can be modified manually and remotely by an operator to take account of wane zones (25, 26) and defects (27, 28) in the heart of the wood. This corrected position is taken into consideration automatically by the positioning of the blades of the trimming machine accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: Georges L. Brun
  • Publication number: 20010049988
    Abstract: A cutter including a base, a holder, a cutter blade portion, and a laser generator. The holder is supported on the base portion in an upright posture. The cutter blade portion supports a moving blade. The cutter blade portion is supported on the holder movable between an upper position and a lower position. The cutter blade portion is moved into the lower position to cut a workpiece supported on the base using the moving blade. The laser generator is attached to the holder or the cutter blade portion in an orientation to direct at least a portion of the laser light onto a position on the workpiece that is directly beneath the cutter blade portion when the cutter blade portion is in the upper position. Alternatively, a holder has a shaft support portion, and a slide shaft is axially slidably supported by the shaft support portion. A front end of the slide shaft has a hinge holder which pivotally supports the cutting blade portion. A laser generator is fixed to a front side of the hinge holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: HITACHI KOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeharu Ushiwata, Shinji Takano, Hideaki Terashima, Kenichi Matsunaga, Ryuichi Imamura
  • Publication number: 20010045148
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and matching parts in a layup of material includes a cutting tool for cutting the parts and a camera for detecting and analyzing match points located on the individual parts that need to be matched to other parts. The apparatus also includes a computer having instructions for optimizing a process for matching various parts in the layup resulting in an increase of effective usable area of the cutter table and in increased efficiency in use of material in the layup. The computer includes instructions to direct the camera to process match points that are disposed within a tool offset, defined as a distance between the cutting tool and the camera, prior to advancing the layup to a take-off end of the cutter table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Thomas Gerent, Jed R. Higgins
  • Patent number: 6311597
    Abstract: A punch and die set is provided for use in a stamping press having a punch assembly and a die assembly reciprocated by a driving mechanism. The punch and die assemblies are aligned to a common center and are structured to slidably engage one another for positive guidance of the punch and die tools without the need for other guidance by shafts, bars or the like. One of the punch assembly and die assembly can be non-fixedly carried by the drive mechanism, allowing the guidance of the engaged punch and die assemblies to define the relative positions of the tools. This arrangement eliminates any stack-up of tolerances between the assemblies and substantially reduces misalignment during stamping, including any misalignment that may be introduced by the press driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Humdinger, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schroth, Thomas Rooney