Electric tool system with detachable level gauge

Abstract

A power tool system includes a power tool having a socket, and a removable level configured to be removably received in the socket. The detachable level gauge comprises a leveling device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to power tool systems, and more particularly to power tool systems having a removable level. Background Art

[0002] Power tools are often used for drilling, cutting, and otherwise performing machining operations. Often, users desire to cut a horizontal line, or drill or insert fasteners along a horizontal line. Generally, a level is used to assist the user in marking a horizontal line and then performing machining along this line.

[0003] However, levels are generally relatively short, which limits the length and accuracy of the horizontal lines marked by the user. One known solution is to use a laser level to create a horizontal line on the surface to be machined. However, laser levels are generally relatively large and expensive. In addition, the laser level must be mounted in a suitable position to project the laser line onto the surface. Further, since the laser level is an additional component, it requires additional space in the user's toolbox and requires the user to keep track of another tool.

[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a leveling device that is small and easy to mount to a surface and can be stored with the associated power tool. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one embodiment, a power tool system includes a power tool having a socket, and a removable level configured to be removably received in the socket. The removable level includes a leveling device.

[0006] In another embodiment, a power tool system includes a power tool having a socket, and a removable level configured to be removably received in the socket. The removable level includes a self-leveling laser line generator configured to generate at least one horizontal laser line, and at least one power source operably connected to the laser line generator and configured to receive electrical energy from the power tool.

[0007] In yet another embodiment according to the present disclosure, a laser level configured to be removably received in a socket of a power tool includes: a housing that defines at least one window; at least one laser line generator configured to emit at least one laser line through the at least one window of the housing; a power source configured to supply power to the at least one laser line generator; a switch configured to automatically activate the at least one laser generator when the removable level is removed from the socket and to automatically deactivate the at least one laser generator when the removable level is inserted into the socket; and a pendulum unit on which the at least one laser line generator, the power source, and the housing are disposed, the pendulum unit being pivotally disposed in the housing such that the at least one laser line generator is self-leveling. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a power tool with a detachable level according to the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a front view of the lower part of the power tool, showing the socket for the detachable level.

[0010] Figure 3 is for Figure 1 a top cross-sectional view of the detachable level of the power tool, in which a part of the housing is removed to show the internal features of the detachable level.

[0011] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a lower left perspective view of the detachable level.

[0012] Figure 5 is Figure 3 an upper right perspective view of the detachable level.

[0013] Figure 6 is for Figure 1 a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of the detachable level of the power tool. Detailed Description

[0014] To facilitate understanding of the principles of the embodiments described herein, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings and description in the following written specification. It is not intended to limit the scope of the subject matter by reference. The present disclosure also includes any changes and modifications to the illustrated embodiments, and includes further applications of the principles of the described embodiments, which would typically occur to those skilled in the art to which this document pertains.

[0015] Figure 1Shows a power tool 100 with a removable level 200. The power tool 100 can be any suitable power tool, particularly a machining power tool, configured to remove material from a workpiece by machining the workpiece. The power tool 100 can be, for example, a rotary tool (e.g., a hammer drill, a drill driver, an electric drill, an impact wrench, an electric screwdriver, etc.), a cutting tool (e.g., a jigsaw, a reciprocating saw, a pendulum saw, a circular saw, an angle grinder, etc.) or other suitable tool. In one embodiment, the power tool 100 is a portable battery-powered machining power tool, shown as an electric drill in the illustrated embodiment. The power tool 100 includes an electric motor 104, which is operably connected to a drill chuck 108 through, for example, a transmission 112, such that when activated by a switch such as a trigger switch 116, the electric motor 104 drives the drill chuck 108 to rotate about an output axis 120. The drill chuck 108 receives a tool bit (not shown), such that the rotational movement of the drill chuck 108 drives the tool bit to rotate about the output axis 120 to perform, for example, a drilling or screw driving operation. The electric motor 104 is operably connected to a power source, which can be, for example, a removable rechargeable battery 124, a fixed rechargeable battery configured to be recharged through a wired connection (e.g., a USB cable) or a power cord. The power source provides electrical energy to operate the electric motor 104.

[0016] The power tool 100 further includes a socket 132, best visible in Figure 2 for receiving the removable level 200. A plurality of electrical contacts 136 are arranged in the socket 132, which are operably connected to the battery 124 to transfer power to the removable level 200. In some embodiments, instead of electrical contacts, the power tool 100 can alternatively include an induction loop, an RF charging coil, a wire or plug for a power cord, or other suitable charging means.

[0017] In addition, the power tool 100 includes a locking device 140 that locks the removable level 200 in the socket 132. The locking device 140 can include, for example, a locking member 144. The locking member 144 can be configured to hold the removable level 200 with sufficient force such that the removable level 200 does not inadvertently fall out of the socket 132, but allows the user to remove it by pulling out the removable level 200. Alternatively, the locking member 144 can be configured to lock the removable level 200 in a conforming fit in the socket 132 and be actuated by a button, a lever, or a slide switch to release the removable level 200, enabling the removable level to be removed from the power tool 100.

[0018] Now refer to Figures 3 - 5, the detachable level 200 includes a housing 204 and a pendulum unit 208 mounted in the housing 204 via a bearing 212. Respective windows 220 are defined on each lateral side of the housing 204. In some embodiments, the detachable level 200 is configured to interact with the locking member 144 of the power tool 100 such that the locking member 144 engages the surface of the housing 204 defining the windows 220 to lock the detachable level 200 in the socket 132.

[0019] In addition, the detachable level 200 includes a mounting means 228 which is disposed within or on the housing 204 and is configured to enable the detachable level 200 to be attached to a desired surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting means 228 is an adhesive pad mounted in a recess 232 of the housing 204. In other embodiments, the mounting means 228 may include, for example, double-sided tape, micro-suction adhesives, sticky gels, one or more magnets, thumbtacks, etc.

[0020] The housing 204 further includes a plurality of housing electrical contacts 236 disposed on the outer surface of the housing 204. The housing electrical contacts 236 are configured to contact the electrical contacts 136 in the socket 132 when the detachable level 200 is mounted in the socket 132 such that the housing 204 receives electrical energy from the battery 124 of the power tool 100.

[0021] The pendulum unit 208 supports a leveling device 246 which has at least one laser line generator 248, as well as a power supply 252, control electronics 254 and a switch 256. In the illustrated embodiment, the leveling device 246 includes a single laser line generator which is configured to emit two laser lines, one line passing through each of the windows 220 in each lateral direction. In another embodiment, the at least one laser line generator 248 may include two different laser line generators, each laser line generator emitting a laser line through one of the two windows 220. In yet another embodiment, the at least one laser line generator may include only one laser line generator which is configured to emit a single laser line in only one lateral direction. Further, the reader should understand that the at least one laser line generator 248 may be configured to generate one or more of a horizontal laser line, a vertical laser line and a laser line in another desired orientation in various embodiments.

[0022] At least one laser line generator 248 is powered by a power source 252, which is also mounted on the pendulum unit 208. The power source 252 can be, for example, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The power source 252 is charged by a charging device 260. In the illustrated embodiment, the charging device 260 is a wireless charging device, such as an induction loop device including an induction loop 264 on the housing and a corresponding induction loop 268 on the pendulum unit, which interacts with a corresponding induction loop installed inside the housing 204 to receive electrical energy wirelessly from the housing. The induction loop 264 of the housing 204 is electrically connected to the electrical contact 236 of the housing 204 to receive electrical energy from the battery 124 through the electrical contacts 136, 236. The induction loop 268 of the pendulum unit 208 is paired with the induction loop 264 of the housing 204 such that the induction loop 268 receives electrical energy from the battery 124 through the electrical contacts 136, 236 and the induction loop 264 of the housing 204. In another embodiment, the charging device can include one or more electrical contacts that directly electrically connect the pendulum unit 208 to the housing 204 such that the power source 232 receives electrical energy from the power tool 100 through the electrical contact 136 of the power tool 100 and a corresponding contact 236 on the housing 204.

[0023] The control electronics 254 includes a charging circuit that is designed to monitor the charge state of the power source 252 and activate and deactivate the charging of the power source 252 based on the charge state. In addition, as described below, the control electronics 254 controls the activation and deactivation of at least one laser line generator 248.

[0024] Specifically, the switch 256 is designed to generate an electrical signal that indicates whether the detachable level 200 is present in the socket 132 or has been removed from the socket 132. In response to the generated electrical signal, the control electronics 254 is configured to activate and deactivate at least one laser line generator 248. In the illustrated embodiment, the switch 256 is a reed switch that cooperates with a corresponding magnet 276 installed inside the socket 132 ( Figure 1) Interaction. The switch 256 is configured to generate a signal in the presence of the magnet 276, indicating that the detachable level 200 is present in the socket 132, and the control electronics 254 deactivate at least one laser line generator 248 in response to the signal indicating the presence of the magnet 276. Alternatively, when the switch 256 fails to detect the presence of the magnet 276, indicating that the detachable level 200 is not in the socket 132, the control electronics 254 are configured to activate at least one laser line generator 248. Thus, at least one laser line generator 248 automatically activates when removed from the socket 132 and automatically deactivates when reinserted into the socket 132. In other embodiments, alternatively, the switch 256 can be a mechanical switch actuated by a corresponding mechanical switch element (such as a post or wedge) in the socket, or an electrical switch actuated by electrical energy received through the charging device 260 or by corresponding electrical contacts in the socket. In another embodiment, the switch 256 can be a manually actuated switch, such as a rocker, toggle or slide switch, control knob or button, which is actuated by the user to activate and deactivate at least one laser line generator 248.

[0025] As described above, the pendulum unit 208 is mounted in the housing 204 by bearings 212. Specifically, the pendulum unit 208 is rotatable about a pivot 288 defined at the center of the bearings 212. The pendulum unit 208 is designed such that almost all of its weight is located on one side of the pivot 288. Specifically, when the detachable level 200 is mounted in a generally upright orientation, at least the laser line generator 248 and the power supply 252 are located below the pivot 288. In the illustrated embodiment, the control electronics 254 and the switch 256 are also on the same side of the pivot 288 as the laser line generator 248 and the power supply 252. Thus, the pendulum unit 208 is suspended from the bearings 212.

[0026] In addition, the weight of the pendulum unit 208 is evenly balanced about a plane 292 in which the pivot 288 lies, and the plane 292 is thus perpendicular to the axis 296 of at least one laser line generator 248 along which the laser line generator 248 projects a horizontal line. Thus, the pendulum unit 208 is suspended in such a way that the laser line generator 248 projects a horizontally level laser line to each side of the detachable level 200, even when the detachable level 200 is mounted at an angle to the horizontal. In other words, the pendulum unit 208 is configured such that the detachable level is self-leveling.

[0027] In addition, the pendulum unit 208 is designed to interact with the locking member 144 to reduce or prohibit relative movement of the pendulum unit 208. Specifically, when the detachable level 200 is installed in the socket 132, the locking member 144 extends through the window 220 and engages the lateral side of the pendulum unit 208. As a result, the pendulum unit 208 is generally fixed in place such that the pendulum unit 208 does not rotate about the pivot 288 and thus does not swing within the socket 132. Accordingly, if the power tool 100 is moved, impacted, or dropped, the locking member 144 prevents the pendulum unit 208 from being damaged by the sides of the socket 132.

[0028] As described above, the detachable level 200 is detachable from the power tool 100. Specifically, as used herein, the term "detachable" means that the detachable level 200 is designed to be removable from the power tool 100 without the use of tools, without damaging or destroying the functionality of the power tool 100 or the detachable level 200, and such that the detachable level 200 is functional when removed from the power tool 100. When the user desires to use the detachable level 200, the user simply grasps the detachable level 200 and slides it out of the socket 132, or in some embodiments, releases the locking member 144 and removes the detachable level 200 from the power tool 100.

[0029] When the detachable level 200 is removed from the power tool 100, the switch 256 is separated from the magnet 276. As a result, the switch 256 is activated and, in response, the control electronics 254 activates at least one laser line generator 248 to emit a laser line along the laser generator axis 296. The user can then use the mounting means 228 to attach the detachable level 200 to a surface on which a leveling line is to be projected. For example, the user can use the adhesive of the mounting means 228 to stick the detachable level 200 to a wall.

[0030] Since the pendulum unit 208 of the detachable level 200 is balanced with respect to a plane perpendicular to the laser generator axis 296, the pendulum unit 208 is suspended on the bearing 212 for automatic leveling. Accordingly, even if the detachable level 200 is not aligned horizontally, the laser generator axis 296 produces a horizontal laser line. Thus, the detachable level 200 is simple to use because the user can place the detachable level 200 on a surface with a significant offset from the horizontal plane and still obtain a horizontal leveling line. For example, in one particular embodiment, the detachable level 200 can produce a horizontal leveling line even if the housing 204 of the detachable level 200 is offset from the vertical direction by up to 15 degrees on the surface.

[0031] When the user finishes the machining process using the horizontal laser line, the user removes the removable level 200 from the surface by disengaging the mounting device 228 from the surface. Then, the removable level 200 can be reinserted into the socket 132. Once reinserted, the locking member 144 engages with the housing 204 of the removable level 200 to lock the removable level 200 in the power tool 100. The switch 256 detects the presence of the magnet 276 and, in response, the control electronics 254 deactivate at least one laser line generator 248.

[0032] When the removable level 200 is present in the socket, the electrical contacts 236 of the housing 204 are in electrical contact with the electrical contacts 136 in the socket 136. Accordingly, the battery 124 of the power tool 100 transfers electrical energy to the power supply 252 of the removable level 200 through the contacts 136, 236, and the charging device 260 to charge the power supply 252 of the removable level 200. Thus, when the removable level 200 is inserted into the socket 124, the removable level 200 is charged by the battery 124 of the power tool 100.

[0033] Figure 6 Another embodiment of the removable level 300 is shown. The removable level 300 is configured to be substantially the same as Figures 1 - 5 the embodiment, except that the removable level 300 does not include a pendulum unit. Specifically, the housing 304 of the removable level 300 includes a vertically oriented level or bubble level 308 and a horizontally oriented level or bubble level 312, both of which are mounted to or visible from the exterior of the housing 304. Additionally, the removable level 300 includes a leveling device 346 that includes a laser line generator 348 that is powered in a manner similar to Figures 1 - 5 the embodiment by a power supply (not shown) and generates a laser line projected through a window 320 of the housing 304. Figure 6 The removable level 300 is received in the socket 128 of the power tool 100 in a manner similar to Figures 3 - 5 the removable level 200, and its power supply receives electrical energy through the charging device and electrical contacts in a manner similar to that described above for the removable level 200.

[0034] As described above, in the removable level 300, the leveling device 306 including the laser line generator 348 and the battery are not mounted on the pendulum unit but are fixedly connected to the housing 304. To use the removable level 300, the user removes the removable level from the socket 128 of the power tool 100. The removable level 300 can be configured to automatically activate the laser line generator 348 in response to being removed from the socket 128 in a manner similar to that described above, or the laser line generator 348 can be manually activated in a manner similar to that described above.

[0035] Then, the user aligns the housing 304 with the surface on which the laser line will be generated such that one of the two levels or bubble levels 308, 312 indicates that the housing is in a horizontal position on the surface. Specifically, to project a horizontal line, the user aligns the horizontal level or bubble level 312 horizontally, and to project a vertical line, the user rotates the housing 304 such that the vertical level or bubble level 308 is in a horizontal position. The removable level 300 is attached to the surface using the mounting means described above, enabling the removable level to project a horizontal laser line on the surface. When the laser line is no longer needed, the user removes the removable level 300 from the surface and inserts it back into the socket 128.

[0036] It should be understood that variations and other features and functions or alternatives thereof of the above can be desirably combined into many other different systems, applications, or methods. Those skilled in the art may subsequently make various alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements that are currently unforeseen or unanticipated, and these are also intended to be included in this disclosure.

Claims

1. An electric tool system, comprising: Power tools with sockets; as well as A detachable level is configured to be removably received in the socket, the detachable level including a leveling device.

2. The electric tool system according to claim 1, wherein: The detachable level also includes a housing in which the leveling device is disposed, the housing being configured to interact with the socket to retain the detachable level in the socket.

3. The electric tool system according to claim 2, wherein: The leveling device includes at least one laser line generator configured to emit at least one laser line through the window of the housing.

4. The electric tool system according to claim 3, wherein: The detachable level also includes a power source configured to supply power to the at least one laser line generator.

5. The electric tool system according to claim 4, wherein: The power tool also includes a battery operably connected to the power source of the detachable level and configured to provide electrical energy to charge the power source.

6. The electric tool system according to claim 5, wherein: The detachable level further comprises a pendulum unit on which the leveling device is arranged, the pendulum unit being pivotably arranged in the housing such that at least one laser line emitted by the at least one laser line generator is horizontal.

7. The power tool system according to claim 6, wherein: A battery for the power tool is operably connected to a plurality of socket electrical contacts arranged in the socket, The housing of the detachable level includes a plurality of electrical contacts corresponding to the plurality of socket contacts, and When the detachable level is received in the receptacle, a power source of the detachable level receives power from the battery through the plurality of receptacle electrical contacts and the plurality of electrical contacts.

8. The electric tool system according to claim 7, wherein: The detachable level also includes a wireless charging device configured to wirelessly transmit power from the housing to the pendulum unit to charge the power source.

9. The power tool system according to claim 8, wherein: The wireless charging device includes a first inductive loop in a housing operably connected to a plurality of electrical contacts and a second inductive loop disposed on a pendulum unit operably connected to a power source.

10. The power tool system according to claim 6, wherein: The socket includes a locking device having at least one locking member that engages the pendulum unit and inhibits movement of the pendulum unit relative to the housing when the detachable level is received in the socket.

11. The power tool system according to claim 5, wherein: The detachable level also includes at least one bubble level or level, and the laser device is fixedly connected to and supported by the housing.

12. The power tool system according to claim 3, wherein: The detachable level also includes a switch configured to automatically activate the at least one laser generator when the detachable level is removed from the receptacle and to automatically deactivate the at least one laser generator when the detachable level is inserted into the receptacle.

13. The power tool system of claim 12, wherein the switch is configured as a reed switch that interacts with a corresponding magnet disposed in or adjacent to the socket to detect whether the detachable level is received in the socket.

14. An electric tool system, comprising: Power tools with sockets; as well as A detachable level is configured to be detachably received in the socket, the detachable level including a self-leveling laser line generator configured to generate at least one horizontal laser line, the detachable level also including at least one power source operably connected to the laser line generator and configured to receive electrical energy from the power tool.

15. The power tool system according to claim 14, wherein: The detachable level also includes a switch configured to automatically activate the at least one laser generator when the detachable level is removed from the receptacle and to automatically deactivate the at least one laser line generator when the detachable level is inserted into the receptacle.

16. The power tool system according to claim 15, wherein: The detachable level further comprises a pendulum unit on which the laser line generator, the at least one power supply and the switch are arranged, the pendulum unit being pivotably arranged in the housing such that the laser line generator is self-leveling.

17. The power tool system according to claim 16, wherein: The detachable level also includes a wireless charging device configured to wirelessly transmit power from the housing to the pendulum unit to charge the power source.

18. The power tool system according to claim 17, wherein: The wireless charging device includes a first inductive loop in a housing operably connected to a plurality of electrical contacts and a second inductive loop disposed on a pendulum unit operably connected to a power source.

19. The power tool system of claim 15, wherein: The detachable level also includes at least one bubble level or level, and the laser device is fixedly connected to and supported by the housing.

20. A laser level configured to be removably received in a socket of a power tool, the laser level comprising: a housing defining at least one window; at least one laser line generator configured to emit at least one laser line through the at least one window of the housing; a power source configured to supply power to the at least one laser line generator; a switch configured to automatically activate the at least one laser generator when the detachable level is removed from the receptacle and to automatically deactivate the at least one laser generator when the detachable level is inserted into the receptacle; as well as A pendulum unit on which the at least one laser line generator, the power supply and the housing are arranged, the pendulum unit being pivotably arranged in the housing such that the at least one laser line generator is self-leveling.

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