Cutting tools having lighting devices

• US 20030024368A1
• Filed: 08/01/2002
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Makita Corporation
• Original Assignee: Makita Corporation
• Inventors: Fukuoka, Toru
• Granted Patent: US 7,918,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 83/698.41
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/00 Accessories specially designed for sawing machines or sawing devices lubricating or cooling machine tools in general B23Q11/12
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/2404 Arrangements for improving direct observation of the working space, e.g. using mirrors or lamps structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for, F21V33/00
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/021 with guiding devices guiding devices for hand tools on stands or supports B25H1/0078
• CPC Class Codes: B27B 9/02 Arrangements for adjusting the cutting depth or the amount of tilting
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0084 Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4795 Rotary tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/828 With illuminating or viewing means for work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/9464 For rotary tool

Abstract

Cutting tools (1) may include a lighting device (5). The lighting device may be mounted on a tool unit (3) adjacent to a grip portion (26). Preferably, the grip portion serves to protect the lighting device from being damaged by an external force. The tool unit may include a motor case (21) for accommodating a motor. The grip portion may extend from the motor case and the lighting device may be mounted on or within the motor case. The tool unit may further include a blade case (20) that at least partly covers a cutting blade (22). The blade case may be joined to the motor case via a joining portion J defined on the motor case. In this case, the lighting device is preferably disposed proximal to the joining portion. The lighting device may include at least a first light (5a) and a second light (5b) that are arranged and constructed to illuminate different areas.

Claims

1. A cutting tool, comprising:

a tool unit,

a grip portion extending from the tool unit and

a lighting device mounted on or within the tool unit proximal to the grip portion, wherein the lighting device is disposed so that the grip portion shields the lighting device from being damaged.

2. A cutting tool as in claim 1, wherein the tool unit includes a motor case for accommodating a motor, the grip portion extends from the motor case, and the lighting device is mounted on or within the motor case.

3. A cutting tool as in claim 2, wherein the tool unit further includes a blade case that at least partly covers a cutting blade, the blade case is joined to the motor case at a joining portion defined on the motor case, and the lighting device is disposed proximal to the joining portion.

4. A cutting tool as in claim 3, further including an exhaust window defined within the blade case for discharging cooling air from the motor, wherein the lighting device is disposed proximal to the exhaust window.

5. A cutting tool as in claim 3, further including a shoe arranged and constructed to support the tool unit with respect to a workpiece, the shoe being coupled to the tool unit via a support arm that extends from the motor case, wherein the lighting device is disposed at an intermediate position between the grip portion and the support arm.

6. A cutting tool as in claim 5, wherein the cutting blade includes a front or leading edge defined in a cutting direction with respect to the workpiece and the lighting device is positioned rearward of the front or leading edge of the cutting blade.

7. A cutting tool as in claim 1, wherein the lighting device comprises at least a first light and a second light that are arranged and constructed to illuminate different areas.

8. A cutting tool as in claim 7, wherein the first light is arranged and constructed to illuminate a portion of the workpiece that will be cut.

9. A cutting tool as in claim 8, further including at least one alignment edge defined on the shoe, the at least one alignment edge being arranged and constructed to be aligned with a cutting line marked on the workpiece during the cutting operation, wherein the second light is arranged and constructed to illuminate an area around the at least one alignment edge.

10. A cutting tool as in claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second lights comprises a light emitting diode.

11. A cutting tool as in claim 10, wherein the lighting device comprises a substantially transparent cover that is flush, or substantially flush, with an outer surface of the tool unit and the lighting device is substantially disposed within the interior of the tool unit.

12. A cutting tool as in claim 1, wherein the lighting device comprises a substantially transparent cover that is flush, or substantially flush, with an outer surface of the tool unit and the lighting device is substantially disposed within the interior of the tool unit.

13. A cutting tool as in claim 1, further including a main handle and a lighting switch mounted on the main handle, the main handle extending from the tool unit, wherein the lighting switch is electrically connected to the lighting device and is operable to turn ON and OFF the lighting device.

14. A cutting tool as in claim 6, further including a shoe arranged and constructed to be support the tool unit with respect to a workpiece, the shoe being pivotably coupled to the tool unit via a support arm that extends from the motor case, wherein the lighting device is disposed at an intermediate position between the grip portion and the pivotable support arm.

15. A cutting tool as in claim 14, wherein the lighting device comprises at least a first light and a second light that are arranged and constructed to illuminate different areas, wherein at least the first light is arranged and constructed to illuminate a portion of the workpiece that will be cut.

16. A cutting tool as in claim 15, further including at least one alignment edge defined on the shoe, the at least one alignment edge being arranged and constructed to be aligned with a cutting line marked on the workpiece during the cutting operation, wherein the second light is arranged and constructed to illuminate an area around the at least one alignment edge.

17. A cutting tool as in claim 16, wherein the lighting device comprises a substantially transparent cover that is flush, or substantially flush, with an outer surface of the tool unit and the lighting device is substantially disposed within the interior of thc motor case.

18. A cutting tool as in claim 17, wherein the first and second lights comprise light emitting diodes.

19. A cutting tool as in claim 18, further including a main handle and a lighting switch mounted on the main handle, the main handle extending from the motor case, wherein the lighting switch is electrically connected to the lighting device and is operable to turn ON and OFF the lighting device.

20. A cutting tool as in claim 4, wherein the lighting device includes a cover, and the cooling air is directed to flow substantially along the cover.

21. An apparatus, comprising:

a motor housing arranged and constructed to accommodate a motor, wherein a joining surface is defined on the motor housing,

a blade housing attached to the motor housing along the joining surface,

a front handle extending from the motor housing, wherein a first base portion is defined between the front handle and the motor housing, and

a lighting device disposed on or within the motor case proximal to the joining surface and the first base portion.

22. An apparatus as in claim 21, further comprising:

a support arm extending from the motor housing proximal to the first base portion, wherein a second base portion is defined between the support arm and the motor housing and the lighting device is disposed between the first base portion and the second base portion, and

a shoe coupled to the support arm.

23. An apparatus as in claim 22, further comprising a cutting blade disposed within the blade housing and having a leading edge, wherein the lighting device is disposed rearward of the leading edge.

24. An apparatus as in claim 23, wherein the lighting device comprises a first light and a second light, the first light is arranged and constructed to illuminate a portion of a workpiece that will be cut, and the second light is arranged and constructed to illuminate at least one alignment edge that is defined on the shoe.

25. An apparatus as in claim 24, further comprising an exhaust window defined on the blade housing, wherein the lighting device is positioned adjacent to the exhaust window.

26. An apparatus as in claim 25, wherein each of the first and second lights comprises a light emitting diode.

27. An apparatus as in claim 26, further comprising a rear handle and a lighting switch mounted on the rear handle, the rear handle extending from the motor housing, wherein the lighting switch is electrically connected to the lighting device and is operable to turn ON and OFF the lighting device.

28. An apparatus as in claim 27, wherein the lighting device comprises a substantially transparent cover that is flush, or substantially flush, with an outer surface of the motor housing and the lighting device is substantially disposed within the interior of the motor housing.

29. An apparatus as in claim 28, wherein the lighting device is positioned so as to be shielded from contact in the event that the apparatus is dropped.