Handheld work tools

Abstract

A handheld working tool for processing a workpiece comprises: a tool nose configured to contact the workpiece at a working point; and an indicator configured to indicate a reference point on a surface of the workpiece at a predetermined distance from the working point when the tool nose contacts the workpiece at the working point.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a hand-held working tool for processing a workpiece, such as a drill or a hammer drill for producing a hole in a workpiece, or a placement tool for placing a fastening element, such as a screw, nail, bolt, pin, or staple, into a workpiece. Background Art

[0002] Handheld tools are known for processing workpieces, for example drilling holes into the workpiece or fastening fasteners to the workpiece, such as walls or ceilings, etc. It is known to provide a handheld tool having a tool nose which, when in use, contacts the workpiece at the working point in order to process the workpiece at the working point.

[0003] In some applications, a work point needs to be a certain distance from an object (e.g., an adjacent wall, a boundary of a workpiece, or an adjacent work point, etc.). For example, a hole in a workpiece may need to be a minimum distance from the edge of the workpiece, or fastening points for wires or pipes may need to be a certain distance from a sidewall and / or a maximum distance from each other to ensure proper fastening of the wires. To ensure the correct distance of the work point from the object, the user of the handheld tool needs to measure the distance, such as by using a rod whose length corresponds to the expected distance, and then contact the tool nose to the work point, which may be imprecise and / or time consuming. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a handheld working tool for processing a workpiece comprises: a tool nose, which is configured to contact the workpiece at a working point; and an indicator, which is configured to indicate a reference point on the surface of the workpiece at a predetermined distance from the working point when the tool nose contacts the workpiece at the working point.

[0005] According to an embodiment, the indicator is arranged for indicating a plurality of reference points on the surface of the workpiece at the predetermined distance from the working point. According to a preferred embodiment, the reference points form a reference line. According to another embodiment, the reference line is at least partially an arc of a circle. According to another embodiment, the indicator comprises an adjustment element, which is arranged for the predetermined distance to be adjusted by a user of the tool.

[0006] According to another embodiment, the indicator comprises a light source and a projector, the projector projects a light beam emitted by the light source onto the reference point. According to a preferred embodiment, the light source comprises a light emitting diode or a laser diode.

[0007] According to another embodiment, the projector comprises a first axicon having a first optical axis, wherein the first axicon transforms the light beam emitted by the light source into a first annular light beam having a propagation direction at a first annular angle relative to the first optical axis. According to a preferred embodiment, the first optical axis extends through the working point when the tool nose contacts the workpiece at the working point. According to another preferred embodiment, the first axicon is concave. According to an alternative embodiment, the first axicon is convex.

[0008] According to another preferred embodiment, the first axicon is transparent. According to an alternative embodiment, the first axicon is reflective. According to another preferred embodiment, the indicator comprises an adjustment element, which controls the position of the first axicon along the first optical axis to adjust the predetermined distance. According to another preferred embodiment, the projector comprises a collimator, which is arranged between the light source and the first axicon and collimates the light beam emitted by the light source onto the first axicon.

[0009] According to another embodiment, the projector comprises a second axicon having a second optical axis, wherein the second axicon transforms the first annular light beam emitted by the first axicon into a second annular light beam having a propagation direction at a second annular angle relative to the second optical axis, the second annular angle being different from the first annular angle. According to a preferred embodiment, the second optical axis extends through the working point when the tool nose contacts the workpiece at the working point. According to another preferred embodiment, the second optical axis coincides with the first optical axis. According to another preferred embodiment, the second axicon is concave. According to an alternative embodiment, the second axicon is convex. According to another preferred embodiment, the second axicon is transparent. According to an alternative embodiment, the second axicon is reflective.

[0010] According to another preferred embodiment, the distance from the second optical axis where the first annular light beam enters the second axicon determines the second annular angle, and wherein the indicator comprises an adjustment element that controls the distance between the first axicon and the second axicon along the second optical axis to adjust the predetermined distance. According to another preferred embodiment, the second axicon is concave.

[0011] According to another embodiment, the tool further comprises a housing, wherein the indicator is attached to the housing. According to a preferred embodiment, the indicator is fastened to the housing.

[0012] According to a further embodiment, the tool is formed as a setting tool for fastening a fastening element in the workpiece at the working point. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present invention will be described in more detail below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. The described embodiments are only possible configurations, in which individual features can however be implemented independently of one another or can be omitted.

[0014] In the attached picture:

[0015] Figure 1 is a side view of a handheld working tool according to the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another side view of the handheld working tool shown;

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an indicator according to a first embodiment;

[0018] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an indicator according to a second embodiment; and

[0019] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an indicator according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A hand-held working tool 1 is shown, which is formed as a placement tool for fastening a fastening element to a workpiece 3 at a working point 4 along an axis 2. The fastening element is formed as a nail. In an embodiment not shown, the fastening element is formed as, for example, a bolt, a pin, a clamp, a crank, or a screw. The working tool 1 includes a driver (hidden in the accompanying drawings), which is formed as, for example, a placement piston or a screwdriver bit. Further, the working tool 1 includes a housing 5 and a drive device (hidden in the accompanying drawings) received in the housing 5, which is used to drive the driver onto the fastening element to drive the fastening element into the workpiece 3. The drive device includes, for example, a combustion drive, a pneumatic drive, or a spring, a flywheel actuated by gas or gunpowder, or an electric drive driven by an electric power of an electric motor, a coil and / or a battery 11. The working tool 1 further comprises a handle 12 with a trigger (hidden in the drawing) for manually triggering the positioning, a scaffolding hook 13 and a two- or three-legged stand 14 arranged to more easily determine the orientation of the axis 2 perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece 3 .

[0021] Further, the fastening tool 1 includes a tool nose 6 configured to contact the workpiece 3 at the working point 4. The tool nose 6 has a pressing element, which is displaceable relative to the housing 5 along the axis 2 away from the workpiece 3. When the pressing element is pressed against the workpiece 3 along the axis 2, the pressing element can be displaced until the pressing position. If the pressing element is in the pressing position, the pressing element releases the driving entry operation of the working tool 1. If the pressing element is not in the pressing position, the pressing element prevents the driving entry operation of the working tool 1. The tool nose 6 includes a guide channel 7, in which the fastening element is guided when being driven into the workpiece 3. In an embodiment not shown, the tool nose includes a separate guide channel extending along the pressing element along the axis.

[0022] According to the specific application, the workpiece 4 can be made of metal, alloy, concrete, or wood, etc. The fastening elements are made of metal (e.g. iron) or alloy (e.g. steel). The fastening elements are fed and arranged into the guide channel 7. For this purpose, the fastening tool comprises a cassette 8 opening into the guide channel 7. In an embodiment not shown, the fastening elements are fed into the guide channel one by one automatically or manually.

[0023] The working tool further comprises an indicator 8 fastened to the housing 5. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, when the tool nose 6 contacts the workpiece 3 at the working point 4, the indicator 8 indicates a reference line 9 on the surface of the workpiece 3 at a predetermined distance d from the working point 4. The reference line 9 is a circular arc having a center point located at the working point 4. Since the indicator 8 is slightly offset relative to the axis 2, the optical axis of the indicator can be slightly inclined relative to the axis 2. In an embodiment not shown, the indicator indicates one or more individual reference points on the surface of the workpiece, wherein each individual reference point is at a predetermined distance from a workpiece point.

[0024] The indicator 8 comprises an adjustment element 10, which is arranged for the user of the tool to adjust the predetermined distance d. In the embodiment shown, the adjustment element 10 comprises an adjustment wheel that can be turned manually by the user. Any electrical energy used by the indicator 8 is provided by a battery 11. In an embodiment not shown, this electrical energy is provided by a separate battery arranged in the indicator or in the housing. The user of the working tool 1 can determine the working point by adjusting the predetermined distance to the desired distance of the working point from the object and placing the tool nose 6 on the workpiece 3 so that the reference point or line 9 coincides with the object. Thus, the correct distance of the working point 4 from the object is ensured within a short time.

[0025] Figure 3 An embodiment of an indicator 30 is shown, which can be used in Figure 1 and Figure 2In the working tool shown. The indicator 30 includes a light source 31 and a projector 32, which projects a light beam 33 emitted by the light source 31 onto a workpiece 34 in the form of a second annular light beam 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, as described below. The light source 31 includes a light emitting diode 35. In an embodiment not shown, the light source includes a laser diode.

[0026] The projector 32 is arranged symmetrically about an axis 36 extending through a work point 40 on a workpiece 34 and comprises a first axicon 37 having a first optical axis coinciding with the axis 36. The first axicon 37 is laterally movable (at 42) along the axis 36 and is shown in five different axial positions 371, 372, 373, 374, 375. The first axicon 37 is transparent, concave and transforms the light beam 33 emitted by the light source 31 into a first annular light beam 381, 382, ​​383, 384, 385 having a propagation direction (shown only for the light beam 381) at a first annular angle 391 relative to the first optical axis (i.e., the axis 36). The first axicon 37 may be made of glass or plastic. In an embodiment not shown, a diffractive optical element may be used instead of the first axicon. In this regard, any diffractive optical element that transforms a light beam into an annular light beam may be used. Further, the projector 32 includes a collimator 39 disposed between the light source 31 and the first axicon 37. The collimator 39 collimates the light beam 33 emitted from the light source 31 to the first axicon 37.

[0027] The projector 32 also comprises a second axicon 47 having a second optical axis which coincides with the axis 36 and thus with the first optical axis of the first axicon 37. The second axicon has five concave, annular or frustoconical optical entrance surfaces 480 which correspond to five different axial positions 371, 372, 373, 374, 375 (only axial position 371 is shown) of the first axicon 37. Further, the second axicon 47 has a concave, annular or frustoconical optical exit surface 49. Therefore, the second axis cone 47 is concave and transparent, and transforms the first annular light beams 381, 382, ​​383, 384, 385 emitted by the first axis cone 37 into second annular light beams 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, respectively, which have a propagation direction at a second annular angle 491 relative to the second optical axis (i.e., axis 36) (only shown for light beam 481).

[0028] Since the second axicon 47 is concave, the second annular angle 491 is greater than the first annular angle 391. In summary, the projector 32 transforms the light beam 33 emitted by the light source 31 into an arc-shaped reference line 404, 405 on the workpiece 34 (only light beams 484, 485 are shown), which has a center at the working point 40 and a radius 415 (only reference line 405 is shown). Figure 2 As shown, such a reference line may be obscured by a working tool carrying the indicator 30. In an embodiment not shown, the first optical axis and the second optical axis are slightly inclined relative to a direction perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece. Thus, the first optical axis and the second optical axis may be slightly offset relative to the working point.

[0029] Since the second axicon 47 is concave, the distance from the second optical axis at which the first annular beam 381, 382, ​​383, 384, 385 enters the second axicon 47 determines the second annular angle 491 and, therefore, the radius 415 of the circular reference line projected onto the workpiece 34. Thus, the radius of the circular reference line can be adjusted by controlling the distance between the first axicon 37 and the second axicon 47 along the second optical axis (i.e., the axis 36). For this purpose, the indicator 30 includes an adjustment element (not shown). Figure 3 ), the adjustment element controls the position of the first axicon 37 along the first optical axis (ie, axis 36). Figure 3 As shown, five different axial positions 371 , 372 , 373 , 374 , 375 of the first axicon 37 correspond to light beams 481 , 482 , 483 , 484 , 485 and corresponding reference lines 404 , 405 , respectively.

[0030] Figure 4 Another embodiment of an indicator 50 is shown, which can be used in Figure 1 and Figure 2 The indicator 50 includes a light source (not shown) and a projector 52, which projects a light beam 53 emitted by the light source onto a workpiece 54 in the form of a second annular light beam 581, 582, 583, 584, 585, as described below. The projector 52 is arranged symmetrically about an axis 56, which extends through a work point 60 on the workpiece 54, and includes a first axicon 57 having a first optical axis that coincides with the axis 56. The first axicon 57 is laterally movable along the axis 56 and is shown in five different axial positions 571, 572, 573, 574, 575. The first axicon 57 is convex, for example conical, and causes the light beam 53 to be transformed through a focal point into a first annular light beam 581 having a propagation direction (shown only for the axial position 571) at a first annular angle 591 relative to the first optical axis (i.e., the axis 56).

[0031] The projector 52 also comprises a second axicon 67 having a second optical axis, which coincides with the axis 56 and, therefore, with the first optical axis of the first axicon 57. The second axicon has a concave optical entrance surface 68 comprising a first radius of curvature, and a convex optical exit surface 69 comprising a second radius of curvature, the second radius of curvature being greater than the first radius of curvature. Thus, the second axicon 67 is concave and transforms the first annular beam 581 emitted by the first axicon 57 into a second annular beam 681, 682, 683, 684, 685 having a propagation direction (shown only for beam 681) at a second annular angle 691 relative to the second optical axis (i.e., axis 56). Since the second axicon 67 is concave, the second annular angle 691 is greater than the first annular angle 591. In summary, the projector 52 transforms the light beam 53 emitted by the light source into arc-shaped reference lines 604, 605 (only shown for the light beams 684, 685) on the workpiece 54, which have a center at the working point 60 and a radius 615 (only shown for the reference line 605). Figure 2 As shown, such a reference line may be obscured by the working tool carrying the indicator 50 .

[0032] Since the second axicon 67 is concave, the distance from the second optical axis at which the first annular beam 581 enters the second axicon 67 determines the second annular angle 691 and, therefore, the radius 615 of the circular reference line projected onto the workpiece 54. Thus, the radius of the circular reference line can be adjusted by controlling the distance between the first axicon 57 and the second axicon 67 along the second optical axis (i.e., the axis 56). To this end, the indicator 50 includes an adjustment element (not shown). Figure 4 ), the adjustment element controls the position of the first axicon 57 along the first optical axis (ie, axis 56). Figure 4 As shown, five different axial positions 571 , 572 , 573 , 574 , 575 of the first axicon 57 correspond to light beams 681 , 682 , 683 , 684 , 685 and corresponding reference lines 604 , 605 , respectively.

[0033] Figure 5 Another embodiment of an indicator 70 is shown, which can be used in Figure 1 and Figure 2The indicator 70 includes a light source 71 and a projector 72, which projects a light beam 73 emitted by the light source 71 onto a workpiece not shown in the form of a second annular light beam 881, as described below. The projector 72 is arranged symmetrically about an axis 76, which extends through a working point on the workpiece, and includes a first axicon 77 having a first optical axis that coincides with the axis 76. The first axicon 77 is convex, for example conical, and transforms the light beam 73 by reflection into a first annular light beam 781, which has a propagation direction at a first annular angle 791 relative to the first optical axis (i.e., the axis 56).

[0034] The projector 72 also includes a second axicon 87 having a second optical axis that coincides with the axis 76 and, therefore, with the first optical axis of the first axicon 77. The second axicon has a convex reflecting surface 88. The second axicon 67 transforms the first annular beam 781 emitted by the first axicon 77 into a second annular beam 881 having a propagation direction at a second annular angle 891 relative to the second optical axis (i.e., the axis 76). The second annular angle 891 is smaller than the first annular angle 791. In summary, the projector 72 transforms the light beam 73 emitted by the light source 71 into a circular arc-shaped reference line (not shown) on the workpiece, the reference line having a center located at the working point.

[0035] Since the second axicon 87 is convex and reflective, the distance from the second optical axis where the first annular beam 781 is reflected at the reflective surface 88, the second axicon 87, determines the second annular angle 891, and therefore determines the radius of the circular reference line projected onto the workpiece. Therefore, the radius of the circular reference line can be adjusted by controlling the distance between the first axicon 77 and the second axicon 87 along the second optical axis (i.e., axis 76). For this purpose, the indicator 50 includes an adjustment element (not shown in FIG. 6) that controls the position of the first axicon 77 along the first optical axis (i.e., axis 76). The first axicon 77 and the second axicon 87 can be made of glass, plastic or metal. Further, the first axicon 77 and the second axicon 87 can be coated with a reflective material, such as metal.

[0036] The above description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of showing and describing. It is not intended to exhaust the present invention or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible according to the above teachings, or modifications and variations can be obtained from the practice of the present invention. The functions described can be distributed between modules that are different from the functions described herein in terms of the number and distribution of functions. In addition, the order in which the functions are performed can be changed according to the embodiment. The embodiments are selected and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention and to enable those skilled in the art to utilize the present invention in various embodiments with various modifications suitable for the specific purpose envisioned as a practical application of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is intended to be limited by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A handheld working tool for processing a workpiece (3), comprising: a tool nose (6) arranged to contact the workpiece (3) at a working point (4); and an indicator (8), which is configured to indicate a reference line (9) on the surface of the workpiece (3) at a predetermined distance from the working point (4) when the tool nose (6) contacts the workpiece (3) at the working point (4), characterized in that the reference line (9) forms an arc having a center located at the working point (4), wherein the indicator (8) includes a light source and a projector, the projector including a first axicon, a second axicon and a collimator, wherein the first axicon converts a light beam emitted by the light source into a first annular light beam and the second axicon converts the first annular light beam emitted by the first axicon into a second annular light beam.

2. The tool according to claim 1, wherein: The indicator includes an adjustment element configured for adjustment of the predetermined distance by a user of the tool.

3. A tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The projector projects the light beam emitted by the light source onto the reference line.

4. The tool according to claim 3, wherein: The light source includes a light emitting diode or a laser diode.

5. The tool according to claim 3, wherein: The first axicon has a first optical axis extending through the working point when the tool nose contacts the workpiece at the working point, wherein the first annular light beam has a propagation direction at a first annular angle relative to the first optical axis.

6. The tool according to claim 5, wherein: The first axicon is concave or convex.

7. The tool according to claim 5, wherein: The first axicon is transparent or reflective.

8. The tool according to claim 5, wherein: The indicator includes an adjustment element that controls a position of the first axicon along the first optical axis to adjust the predetermined distance.

9. The tool according to claim 5, wherein: The collimator is arranged between the light source and the first axicon and collimates the light beam emitted by the light source onto the first axicon.

10. The tool according to claim 5, wherein: The second axis cone has a second optical axis, which extends through the working point when the tool nose contacts the workpiece at the working point, and the second optical axis is consistent with the first optical axis, wherein the second annular light beam has a propagation direction at a second annular angle relative to the second optical axis, and the second annular angle is different from the first annular angle.

11. The tool according to claim 10, wherein: The second axle cone is concave.

12. The tool according to claim 10, wherein: The second axicon is transparent or reflective.

13. The tool according to claim 10, wherein: The distance from the second optical axis where the first annular light beam enters the second axicon determines the second annular angle, and wherein the indicator comprises an adjustment element that controls the distance between the first axicon and the second axicon along the second optical axis to adjust the predetermined distance.

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