Tool alignment device

• US 7,331,113 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2007
• Issued: 02/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Algird Patrick, Armen P. Sarvazyan
• Original Assignee: Algird Patrick, Armen P. Sarvazyan
• Inventors: Patrick, Algird, Sarvazyan, Armen P.
• Primary Examiner(s): GUADALUPE, YARITZA
• Application Number:
  US11/737,318
• Time in Patent Office: 306 Days
• Field of Search: 33285-286, 33333-334, 33D/IG.21, 33281-283
• US Class Current: 33/286
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/021 with guiding devices guiding devices for hand tools on stands or supports B25H1/0078
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 1/0092 by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/272 using photoelectric detection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 33/21 with laser

Abstract

Disclosed is a tool alignment device that aids the operator in positioning a hand tool such as a drill or driver perpendicular, parallel or a specific angle to the target surface. Importantly, the operator can observe the device an omni-directional line-of-sight. The device includes of a light beam emitting/detecting device, which is affixed to the tool, and a flat optical reflector, which is placed on the target surface. The light-emitting device is used to project a beam of light onto the reflector, collinearly with the axis of the tool. The beam is reflected back to the device and lights up a light guide indicating when the tool is perpendicular to or at a specific angle to the target surface.

Claims

1. A tool alignment device for aligning the tool at a preselected angle to a target surface, said tool having

a functional axis, said device comprising:

a light source emitting a narrow light beam on a path toward said target surface and substantially parallel to said functional axis of the tool,

an alignment indicator including a light guide mounted coaxially with said light beam path, said light guide made from a transparent material surrounded by reflective side walls, said light guide terminating with a back end equipped with a light diffuser, and

a reflector positioned on said target surface at said preselected angle thereto and in the path of the beam so as to intercept said beam and reflect it therefrom and toward said alignment indicator,

whereby when said tool is aligned with said target surface at said preselected angle, said reflected light beam travels through said light guide causing said back end thereof to glow, indicating the proper alignment of said tool.

2. The device as in claim 1, wherein said light guide further equipped with an optical lens mounted in front thereof and adapted to achieve a proper divergence angle for said reflecting light beam.

3. The device as in claim 1, wherein said light source is aimed at said alignment indicator at 90 degree angle, said alignment indicator containing a 45 degree flat mirror, directing a light beam from said light source towards said target surface.

4. The device as in claim 1, wherein said light source is a laser.

5. The device as in claim 1, wherein said light source is a focused light emitting diode.

6. The device as in claim 1, wherein said back end of said light guide is convex-shaped such that when illuminated by said reflecting light beam, its glowing is visible from an omni-directional line of sight.

7. The device as in claim 1, wherein said reflector is an adhesive reflective strip having a reflective coating at least on one side thereof and an indicia to indicate the target point for proper placement of said tool onto said target surface.

8. The device as in claim 1, wherein said beam emanating from said light source has crosshair cross-section shape.

9. The device as in claim 1, wherein said alignment indicator includes a plurality of light guide cylinders equally and coaxially spaced about the path of said light beam.

10. The device as in claim 9, wherein said alignment indicator including four of said light guide cylinders spaced apart at 90 degrees about said path, whereby said alignment is proper only when all four of said light guides are illuminated evenly as indicated by their glowing back ends.

11. The device as in claim 1, wherein said alignment indicator includes a central non-transparent cylinder part surrounded by a ring-shaped light guide.

12. The device as in claim 11, wherein said light source is adapted to emit a light beam with crosshair shape and said non-transparent cylinder part has a crosshair alignment indicator indicia, whereby proper tool alignment is confirmed by coinciding the crosshair light beam reflected from said target surface with said crosshair alignment indicator indicia.

13. The device as in claim 1, wherein said reflector further includes an angularly adjustable attachment adapted to be placed on said target surface and position a reflective strip at said preselected angle thereto.

14. The device as in claim 13, wherein said attachment includes an adjustable protractor indicating the angle between said target surface and said functional axis of said tool.

15. The device as in claim 1, wherein said device further including a translucent reflected beam positioning aid surrounding said alignment indicator and adapted to show the position of the reflected beam when outside said alignment indicator during initial positioning of said tool.

16. The device as in claim 1, wherein said light diffuser is a matte finish over at least a portion of said back end of the light guide.