Hammer having integral stud and mains sensor
First Claim
1. Apparatus comprising, in combination, a hammer an a capacitive measurement circuit for sensing an object behind an opaque surface, the apparatus comprising indicator means for indicating the proximity of the sensed object to an operator, the apparatus characterized in that:
- a metal striking head of the hammer comprises a sensing plate electrically coupled to the capacitive measurement circuit which is disposed in a handle of the hammer, the capacitive measurement circuit adapted to measure a capacitance between the head of the hammer and an electric ground; and
wherein;
the indicator means is adapted to indicate a representation of the measured capacitance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A composite tool and instrument is configured as a hammer having a metal striking head electrically coupled to capacitive sensing electronics disposed in a handle of the hammer. The head can thus serve as a sensing plate portion of a capacitive sensor responsive to a change in the effective dielectric constant of a building surface caused by the proximity of a structural member hidden behind that surface. The head can also serve as a sensing electrode portion of a sensor used to sense the proximity of AC power lines hidden behind the surface. In a preferred composite tool, the hammer has a handle made of an electrically insulating polymeric material and has an electrical conductor axially threaded through the handle so as to electrically couple the striking head to sensing electronics located in a cavity at the end of the handle distal from the head.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising, in combination, a hammer an a capacitive measurement circuit for sensing an object behind an opaque surface, the apparatus comprising indicator means for indicating the proximity of the sensed object to an operator, the apparatus characterized in that:
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a metal striking head of the hammer comprises a sensing plate electrically coupled to the capacitive measurement circuit which is disposed in a handle of the hammer, the capacitive measurement circuit adapted to measure a capacitance between the head of the hammer and an electric ground; and
wherein;
the indicator means is adapted to indicate a representation of the measured capacitance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Apparatus comprising, in combination, a hammer and a capacitive measurement circuit adapted to measure a first electrical capacitance between a metallic head of the hammer and an electrical ground and to indicate the proximate presence of an object hidden behind a wall when an operator grasps the hammer by a handle thereof and moves the head of the hammer across the wall, the apparatus further comprising:
a touch sensing plate disposed on the handle, the capacitive measurement circuit adapted to measure a second electrical capacitance between the touch sensing plate and the ground at each of a plurality of predetermined times and to thereby sense the presence of the operator. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. Apparatus for sensing an object behind an opaque building surface and for driving a nail into the sensed object, the apparatus comprising, in combination:
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a hammer having a metal striking head for driving the nail; and
a capacitive measurement circuit disposed within the hammer, the capacitive measurement circuit adapted to indicate when the striking head is proximate the object. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification