Tool alignment indicator apparatus and method

• US 6,813,843 B1
• Filed: 05/07/2003
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Faubion, Guy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, R. Alexander
• Application Number:
  US10/430,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20040221466A1
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 336/38, 336/40, 335/20, 335/34, 335/35, 336/45, 336/13, 336/42
• US Class Current: 33/638
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/2233 for adjusting the tool relative to the workpiece

Abstract

An apparatus for indicating alignment between a work surface of a work piece includes a base having three switches that contacts the work surface. The switches each activate a respective visual indicator to indicate when a desired alignment condition is present.

Claims

1. A device for indicating alignment between a tool and a work surface of a work piece, comprising:

a foot adapted to rest on the work surface;

a first indicator;

a first switch disposed on said foot and adapted for contact with the work surface, wherein said first switch activates said first indicator;

a first leg having a first distal end connected to said foot;

a second leg having a second distal end connected to said foot, and a third leg having a third distal end connected to said foot,

wherein said first, second and third legs each comprise an edge that extends along at least a portion of said first, second and third legs, wherein said edges collectively form a chip breaker.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second indicator; and

a second switch disposed on said foot and adapted for contact with the work surface, wherein said second switch activates said second indicator.

3. The device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a third indicator; and

a third switch disposed on said foot and adapted for contact with the work surface, wherein said third switch activates said third indicator.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said foot has a central opening therethrough and said first indicator, said second indicator and said third indicator are positioned about a circle surrounding said central opening.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said foot has a central opening therethrough and said first leg, said second leg, and said third leg are positioned in triangular, opposed relation to one another about a circle concentric with said central opening.

6. The device according to claim 3, wherein said first indicator is a first light emitting diode (LED), and wherein said second indicator is a second light emitting diode (LED), and wherein said third indicator is a third light emitting diode (LED).

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein each of said first LED, said second LED and said third LED emit light when each of said first switch, said second switch and said third switch are in the closed position, respectively.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein each of said first LED, said second LED and said third LED are located substantially in a triangle corresponding to a triangle found by said first switch, said second switch, and said third switch respectively.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined angular relationship is a perpendicular relationship.

10. The device according to claim 3, wherein the tool is a drill with a drill bit having an axis of rotation, and the first, second and third indicator together indicate a predetermined angular relationship between the axis of rotation of the drill bit and the work surface.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first indicator is a first light emitting diode (LED).

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tool is a drill with a drill bit having an axis of rotation, and the first indicator indicates a predetermined angular relationship between the axis of rotation of the drill bit and the work surface.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined angular relationship is a perpendicular relationship.

14. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a drill guide connected to said foot, said drill guide comprising:

a platform having a central bore and at least two secondary bores and a bracket portion;

at least two rods that slidably engage said at least two secondary bores and connect to said foot; and

a bushing disposed within said central bore.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein said drill guide further comprises a coil spring that extends between said platform and said foot.

16. The device according to claim 3, wherein said first switch is disposed on said first distal end of said first leg, said second switch is disposed on said second distal end of said second leg and said third switch is disposed on said third distal end of said third leg.

17. A device for indicating alignment between a tool and a work surface comprising:

means for supporting a tool against the work surface wherein said means for supporting comprises;

a first leg having a first distal end;

a second leg having a second distal end; and

a third leg having a third distal end;

means for indicating disposed upon said means for supporting;

first means for switching disposed on said first leg;

second means for switching disposed on said second leg;

third means for switching disposed on said third leg; and

means for indicating an alignment condition responsive to said first, second and third switching means,

wherein said first, second and third legs each comprise an edge that extends along at least part of said first, second and third legs, wherein said edges collectively form a chip breaker.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein said means for switching comprises three contact switches and wherein said first, second and third means for indicating comprises three light emitting diodes (LEDs).

19. A method for indicating alignment between a tool and a work surface of a work piece, comprising:

pressing a foot of an alignment device against the work surface so that at least one switch on the foot is activated, wherein the foot comprises;

a first indicator;

a first switch disposed on said foot and adapted for contact with the work surface, wherein said first switch activates said first indicator;

a second switch disposed on said foot and adapted for contact with the work surface, wherein said second switch activates a second indicator;

a third switch disposed on said foot and adapted for contact with the work surface, wherein said third switch activates a third indicator;

a first leg having a first distal end connected to said foot, wherein said first switch is disposed on said first distal end of said first leg;

a second leg having a second distal end connected to said foot, wherein said second switch is disposed on said second distal end of said second leg; and

a third leg having a third distal end connected to said foot, wherein said third switch is disposed on said third distal end of said third leg,

wherein said first, second and third legs each comprise an edge that extends along at least part of said first, second and third legs, wherein said edges collectively form a chip breaker; and

reading at least one of the indicators activated by the activation of at least one of the switches.