Cutting tools having lighting devices

• US 7,918,030 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2002
• Issued: 04/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Makita Corporation
• Original Assignee: Makita Corporation
• Inventors: Fukuoka, Toru
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Phong H
• Application Number:
  US10/209,665
• Publication Number:
  US 20030024368A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,169 Days
• Field of Search: 303/91, 303/88, 301/23, 30D/IG.1, 303/76, 362/33, 362/227, 362/232, 835/20, 83/13, 834/71, 834/713, 833/31, 836/984.1, 835/21
• US Class Current: 30/388
• 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, including

a motor case;

a blade case for covering a blade;

a gear case positioned between the motor case and the blade case, wherein the gear case includes an exhaust portion; and

a handle extending radially outward from the motor case;

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 pivotable arm that extends from the motor case; and

a lighting device positioned in a compartment mounted on the motor case, wherein the compartment includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the compartment is positioned at an intermediate position between the handle and the pivotable arm, and wherein the first side of the compartment is directly attached to the handle and the second side of the compartment is directly attached to the pivotable arm, further wherein the compartment includes a transparent cover substantially parallel to the blade, said transparent cover allowing light to be emitted to a location outside of the tool unit, and further wherein the lighting device is positioned opposite the blade case and in front of the gear case.

2. 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.

3. A cutting tool as in claim 2, wherein the first light is arranged and constructed to illuminate a portion of the workpiece, and the second light is arranged and constructed to illuminate an area in front of the shoe.

4. A cutting tool as in claim 1, wherein air from the exhaust portion is capable of contact with the lighting device.

5. 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 the same area.

6. A cutting tool as in claim 1, further comprising a cutting blade having 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 gear 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.

8. A cutting tool as in claim 7, wherein the lighting device is positioned in a fitting recess, further wherein the handle, the joining portion, and the pivotable arm each are positioned adjacent a side of the fitting recess.

9. A cutting tool as in claim 8, wherein the transparent cover is substantially parallel to a joining surface of the joining portion.

10. A cutting tool as in claim 9, wherein a portion of the handle is positioned over a portion of the fitting recess to secure the fitting recess to the motor housing.

11. A cutting tool as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second lights comprises a light emitting diode.

12. A cutting tool as in claim 1, wherein the transparent cover is substantially parallel to a joining surface of the joining portion.

13. A cutting tool as in claim 1, wherein the handle includes a grip portion positioned toward a front portion of the handle.

14. A cutting tool, comprising:

a tool unit, including

a motor case;

a blade case for covering a blade;

a gear case positioned between the motor case and the blade case, wherein the gear case includes an exhaust portion; and

a handle including a first member and a second member, wherein the second member is a grip portion, further wherein the handle extends from the motor case;

a shoe arranged and constructed to support the tool unit with respect to a workpiece, the shoe being coupled to the tool unit by a pivotable arm that extends from the motor case; and

a lighting device positioned in a compartment on the motor case, wherein the compartment includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the compartment is directly connected to the handle and the pivotable arm, and wherein the first side of the compartment is attached to the handle and the second side of the compartment is attached to he pivotable arm, further wherein the lighting device is positioned opposite the blade case and in front of the gear case, and further wherein the compartment includes a transparent cover substantially parallel to the blade.

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.

16. A cutting tool as in claim 15, wherein the compartment includes a transparent cover substantially parallel to a joining surface of a joining portion.

17. A cutting tool as in claim 16, wherein air from the exhaust portion is capable of contact with the lighting device.

18. An apparatus, comprising:

a motor housing having a first side defining a joining member;

a blade housing for a blade;

a gear housing positioned between the motor housing and the blade housing;

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

a pivotable arm extending radially outward from the motor housing, wherein a second base portion is defined between the pivotable arm and the motor housing;

a lighting device positioned in a compartment disposed on the motor housing adjacent to and a distance away from the gear housing, wherein the compartment includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the compartment is disposed between the first base portion, the second base portion, and the joining member; and

wherein the first side of the compartment is directly attached to the handle and the second side of the compartment is directly attached to the pivotable arm;

wherein the compartment includes a transparent cover substantially parallel to the blade; and

a shoe coupled to the pivotable arm.

19. An apparatus as in claim 18, 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.

20. An apparatus as in claim 18, 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, and the second light is arranged and constructed to illuminate a front portion of the shoe.

21. An apparatus as in claim 18, wherein the gear housing further comprising an exhaust window configured to release air from the motor housing to the outside, wherein the lighting device is positioned adjacent to the exhaust window.

22. An apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising a lighting switch mounted on a rear portion of the handle, wherein the lighting switch is electrically connected to the lighting device and is operable to turn ON and OFF the lighting device.

23. An apparatus as in claim 18, wherein the lighting device includes a cover that is substantially parallel to the first side of the motor housing.

24. An apparatus as in claim 18, wherein the lighting device includes a fitting member, further wherein a portion of the handle is positioned over a portion of the fitting member.

25. An apparatus as in claim 18, wherein the handle includes a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion includes a switch capable of turning on the lighting device.