Power tool control system

• US 8,004,664 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2003
• Issued: 08/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chang Yue Industrial Corporation
• Original Assignee: Chang Yue Industrial Corporation
• Inventors: Etter, Mark A., Burkholder, Robert F., Hearn, Melinda J., DeKeyser, Kathy, Phillips, Alan, Weston, Jeffrey D., Garcia, Jaime E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza; Thomas H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ratcliffe; Luke D
• Application Number:
  US10/744,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20060106482A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,800 Days
• Field of Search: 835/20, 835/81, 835/221.1, 834/713, 834/73, 834/77, 334/73, 33/1, 33227-286, 73 101- 189, 356 2- 22, 356/28, 356/28.5, 35613901-1391, 173/13, 173/170, 173/213, 144/130, 324/510, 324/511, 446/144, 446/145
• US Class Current: 356/139.04
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2260/092 Lasers
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 25/06 Measuring, gauging, or adjusting equipment on turning-machines for setting-on, feeding, controlling, or monitoring the cutting tools or work measuring devices or gauges G01B
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 49/00 Measuring or gauging equipment on boring machines for positioning or guiding the drill; Devices for indicating failure of drills during boring; Centering devices for holes to be bored marking-out equipment B25H7/00; measuring devices, gauges G01B
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/002 for the position of the saw blade B27B5/36 and B27B9/02 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/008 comprising computers
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/24 using optics or electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 49/12 involving optical means
• CPC Class Codes: B25C 7/00 Accessories for nailing or stapling tools, e.g. supports for tools operated by detonation of a cartridge B25C1/18
• 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: B27B 27/02 arranged laterally and parallel with respect to the plane of the saw blade
• CPC Class Codes: B27B 27/06 arranged angularly with respect to the plane of the saw blade, e.g. for mitring devices for mitring wood B27G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/002 Active optical surveying means optical plumbing G01C15/105
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7705 Adjustable angular relationship
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/849 With signal, scale, or indicator

Abstract

A power tool control system includes a non-contact measurement and alignment device operative with the power tool and enabled to establish various readings, such as power tool settings. A graphical user interface communicatively coupled with the non-contact measurement and alignment device enables user control over and display of the readings from the non-contact measurement and alignment device.

Claims

1. A bevel indication assembly, comprising:

a non-contact measurement and alignment device attached to an adjustment mechanism of an adjustable power tool, the non-contact measurement and alignment device being configured to indicate a beveled angle of the adjustable power tool by emitting light onto a visual marker during operation of the adjustable power tool,

wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to rotate the adjustable power tool and the non-contact measurement and alignment device relative to a power tool assembly which supports the adjustable power tool.

2. The bevel indication assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-contact measurement and alignment device comprises a laser source.

6. The bevel indication assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-contact measurement and alignment device is mounted to the adjustment mechanism.

7. The bevel indication assembly of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to rotate proportionately to the power tool.

8. The bevel indication assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-contact measurement and alignment device is mechanically coupled to the adjustment mechanism of the power tool.

9. The bevel indication assembly of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment flange.

10. The bevel indication assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-contact measurement and alignment device is mounted to the adjustment mechanism.

11. The bevel indication assembly of claim 1, wherein the visual marker includes a scale for indicating the beveled angle.

12. The bevel indication assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-contact measurement and alignment device includes an imaging device.

3. A bevel indication assembly, comprising:

an integrated non-contact measurement and alignment device mechanically attached to an adjustment mechanism of a power tool, the integrated non-contact measurement and alignment device being configured to indicate a beveled angle of the power tool by emitting light onto a visual marker and receiving reflected light therefrom at one of a plurality of sensors configured to correspond to possible values of the beveled angle during operation of the power tool,

wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to rotate the power tool and the integrated non-contact measurement and alignment device relative to a power tool assembly which supports the power tool.

4. The bevel indication assembly of claim 3, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to rotate proportionately to the power tool.

5. The bevel indication assembly of claim 3, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment flange.

13. A bevel indication assembly comprising:

an imaging device attached to an adjustment mechanism of a power tool, the imaging device being configured to receive an image of a visual marker during operation of the power tool; and

the visual marker, the visual marker being remote from the power tool,

wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to rotate the power tool and the imaging device relative to a power tool assembly.

14. The bevel indication assembly of claim 13, wherein the imaging device includes a camera.

15. The bevel indication assembly of claim 13, wherein:

the imaging device includes a plurality of sensors, each of the sensors representing an angular position for the power tool; and

the visual marker is configured to activate one of the plurality of sensors which corresponds to a beveled angle of the power tool.

16. The bevel indication assembly of claim 13, wherein the imaging device is wirelessly coupled to a user interface.

17. The bevel indication assembly of claim 13, further comprising a light emitter coupled to the imaging device, the light emitter being configured to emit light in a direction of the visual marker and thereby reflect light onto the imaging device.