Wireless electrical control system

• US 20060113171A1
• Filed: 10/13/2005
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Porter-Cable Corporation (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Porter-Cable Corporation (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Patton, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,608,790 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/52.R
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/306608 End mill [e.g., router, etc.]

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a wireless electrical control system for power tool and specifically to a wireless control device for a router. The electrical control system may include a handle suitable for manipulating a router. A switch and a wireless transmitter are disposed in the handle. Communicatively coupled to the transmitter is a wireless receiver capable of receiving the transmissions from the transmitter in the handle. In alternative embodiments the wireless receiver is disposed in the router itself or the receiver is disposed in an outlet unit, which is capable of electrically coupling to the router'"'"'s electrical cord and an electrical outlet. The wireless receiver of the present invention is capable of controlling the flow of electricity to the electrical system of the router so that the router is capable of being altered from the switch mounted on the handle, thus allowing users to change the power setting while retaining secure control of the router.

Claims

1. A wireless electrical control system for a power tool, comprising:

an auxiliary handle suitable for connecting to a power tool, said auxiliary handle is capable of manipulating the power tool;

a wireless transmitter disposed in said auxiliary handle;

a switch coupled to said wireless transmitter, said switch is mounted to said auxiliary handle; and

an outlet unit capable of electrically coupling to an electrical outlet and the power tool'"'"'s electrical cord; and

a wireless receiver communicatively coupled to said wireless transmitter disposed in the outlet unit;

wherein said wireless receiver is capable of controlling electricity entering the electrical system of the power tool.

2. The wireless electrical control system for a router of claim 1, further comprising an indicator capable of providing an indication of the status of the power tool'"'"'s electrical system, said indicator being mounted to the outlet unit.

3. The wireless electrical control system for a power tool of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver are capable of implementing coded communication.

4. The wireless electrical control system for a power tool of claim 3, wherein coded communication is selected from the group consisting of spread spectrum, frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, pulse modulation, frequency hopping, time hopping, and direct signaling.

5. The wireless electrical control system for a power tool of claim 1, wherein the switch requires constant actuation for the power tool'"'"'s electrical system to activate.

6. The wireless electrical control system for a power tool of claim 1, wherein a power tool is at least one of a drill, a saw, a sander, a biscuit joiner, a joiner, a saber saw or a jig saw.

51. The wireless electrical control system for a power tool of claim 1, further comprising a visual indicator capable of providing a visual indication of the status of the power tool electrical system.

7. A wireless electrical control system for a power tool, comprising:

a handle connected to the power tool, suitable for manipulating the power tool;

a wireless transmitter disposed at least partially in said handle;

a switch coupled to said wireless transmitter, said switch is mounted to said handle; and

a wireless receiver capable of receiving transmission from said wireless transmitter, said receiver is disposed in the power tool;

wherein said wireless receiver is capable of controlling the power tool'"'"'s electrical system.

8. The wireless electrical control system for a power tool of claim 7, further comprising an indicator capable of providing an indication of the status of the power tool'"'"'s electrical system, said indicator being mounted to the power tool.

9. The wireless electrical control system for a power tool of claim 7, wherein the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver are capable of implementing coded communication.

10. The wireless electrical control system for a power tool of claim 9, wherein coded communication selected from the group consisting of spread spectrum, frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, pulse modulation, frequency hopping, time hopping, and direct signaling.

11. The wireless electrical control system for a power tool of claim 7, wherein the switch requires constant actuation for the power tool'"'"'s electrical system to activate.

12. The wireless electrical control system for a power tool of claim 7, wherein a power tool is selected from the group consisting of a drill, a saw, a sander, a biscuit joiner, a joiner, a saber saw, and a jig saw.

52. The wireless electrical control system for a router of claim 7, further comprising a visual indicator capable of providing a visual indication of the status of the power tool'"'"'s electrical system, said indicator being mounted to the power tool.

13-50. -50. (canceled)

53. A wireless electrical control system for a power tool, the power tool having an electrical system, including a power cord, for operating the power tool, comprising:

a handle connected to the power tool, suitable for manipulating the power tool, and means for wirelessly controlling the power tool electrical system from the handle.

54. The wireless electrical control system for a power tool of claim 53, wherein the wirelessly controlling means includes a wireless receiver included in an outlet unit capable of electrically coupling to the power cord included in the electrical system.

55. The wireless electrical control system for a power tool of claim 53, wherein the wirelessly controlling means is capable of implementing coded communication.

56. The wireless electrical control system for a power tool of claim 53, wherein the wirelessly controlling means requires constant actuation for the power tool'"'"'s electrical system to activate.

57. The wireless electrical control system for a power tool of claim 53, wherein a power tool is at least one of a drill, a saw, a sander, a biscuit joiner, a joiner, a saber saw, or a jig saw.