Optical alignment system for power tools

• US 20050270531A1
• Filed: 06/02/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Weston, Jeffrey D., Garcia, Jaime E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,226,179 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/399
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/003 Indicating the cutting plane on the workpiece, e.g. by projecting a laser beam
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/2404 Arrangements for improving direct observation of the working space, e.g. using mirrors or lamps structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for, F21V33/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/828 With illuminating or viewing means for work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/839 Mirror or lens

Abstract

An optical alignment system. In an embodiment, the system includes an optical emitting device for projecting an optical indicator onto a workpiece surface area. Further, a lateral arm may be coupled to the optical emitting device for supporting such device. In addition, a vertical support is constructed to receive the lateral arm allowing the lateral arm and optical emitting device to cantilever over the workpiece surface area. Moreover, a securing mechanism for securing the vertical support to the workpiece surface area such as a horizontal platform may be included. Additionally, at least one optical emitting device housing which substantially encloses the optical emitting device is present for operationally coupling the optical device to the lateral arm. The at least one optical emitting device housing is configured so that the optical emitting device may cantilever above the workpiece surface area and project a line-of-cut indicator onto the workpiece surface area.

Claims

1. An optical alignment system for providing a line-of-cut indicator onto a workpiece surface area, comprising:

an optical emitting device for projecting an optical indicator onto the workpiece surface area;

a lateral arm operationally coupled to the optical emitting device for supporting the optical emitting device;

a vertical support constructed to receive the lateral arm for allowing the lateral arm and optical emitting device to cantilever over the workpiece surface area;

means for securing the vertical support to the workpiece surface area; and

at least one optical emitting device housing substantially enclosing the optical emitting device for operationally coupling the optical emitting device to the lateral arm,

wherein the at least one optical emitting device housing is configured so that the optical emitting device may cantilever above the workpiece surface area and project a line-of-cut indicator onto the workpiece surface area.

2. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical emitting device is a laser.

3. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical emitting device is a helium-neon laser.

4. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one optical emitting device housing includes an interior optical emitting device housing and an exterior optical emitting device housing.

5. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the interior optical emitting device housing is a housing which substantially encloses the optical emitting device.

6. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the exterior optical emitting device housing is a cylindrical housing including a recess for receiving the interior optical emitting device housing which is substantially enclosing the optical emitting device, the exterior optical emitting device housing attaches to the lateral arm.

7. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the exterior optical emitting device housing attaches to the lateral arm via an aperture present within one end of the exterior optical emitting device housing.

8. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for securing the vertical support to the table saw is a horizontal platform configured to be positioned within a slot defined within the workpiece surface area.

9. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a means for adjustment of the optical emitting device so that the optical emitting device emits an optical indicator at a desired position on a workpiece surface area.

10. An optical alignment system for providing a line-of-cut indicator onto a workpiece surface area, comprising:

an optical emitting system for projecting an optical indicator onto a workpiece surface area, the optical emitting system including a laser, an interior laser housing, an exterior laser housing, and a laser adjustment mechansim, the interior laser housing substantially enclosing the optical emitting system and the exterior laser housing allowing the optical emitting system to be cantilever above the workpiece surface area;

a lateral arm operationally coupled to the exterior laser housing of the optical emitting system for allowing the optical emitting system to be cantilever above the workpiece surface area; and

an adjustable base for supporting the lateral arm, the adjustable base including a vertical support constructed to receive the lateral arm and a horizontal platform for securing the vertical support to the workpiece surface area, the horizontal platform being configured to be positioned within a slot defined within the workpiece surface area,

wherein the optical emitting device system and the lateral arm are configured so that the optical emitting system may cantilever above the workpiece surface area and project a line-of-cut indicator onto the workpiece surface area.

11. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the laser is a helium-neon laser.

12. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the exterior laser housing is a cylindrical housing including a recess for receiving the interior laser housing.

13. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the exterior laser housing attaches to the lateral arm via an aperture present within one end of the exterior laser housing.

14. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the vertical support includes a horizontal aperture extending into a side of the vertical support for receiving the lateral arm.

15. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lateral arm is secured within the vertical support via a fastener.

16. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lateral arm is coupled generally perpendicular to the vertical support to allow for easy rotation and repositioning of the lateral arm.

17. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the laser adjustment mechanism is operationally coupled to the interior laser housing for adjusting the optical indicator emitted from the optical emitting system.

18. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the slot defined within the workpiece surface area is configured to accept a horizontal platform generally in the shape of a letter T.

19. The optical alignment system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the horizontal platform includes a recess which houses a fastener for allowing the tension between the horizontal platform and the slot defined within the workpiece surface area to be adjusted.

20. An optical alignment system for providing a line-of-cut indicator onto a workpiece surface area, comprising:

an optical emitting system for projecting an optical indicator onto a workpiece surface area, the optical emitting system including a laser, an interior laser housing, and an exterior laser housing, the interior laser housing substantially enclosing the optical emitting system and the exterior laser housing allowing the optical emitting system to be cantilever above the workpiece surface area;

a lateral arm operationally coupled to the exterior laser housing of the optical emitting system for allowing the optical emitting system to be cantilever above the workpiece surface area;

an adjustable base for supporting the lateral arm, the adjustable base including a vertical support constructed to receive the lateral arm and a horizontal platform for securing the vertical support to the workpiece surface area, the horizontal platform being configured to be positioned within a slot defined within the workpiece surface area; and

means for adjusting the optical emitting system,

wherein the means for adjusting the optical emitting system is configured so that the optical emitting system may be adjusted to project a line-of-cut indicator onto the workpiece surface area.