Hand tools

Abstract

A hand-held tool for machining a workpiece, comprising: a tool tip provided for contacting the workpiece at a working point; and an indicator provided for indicating a reference point on the surface of the workpiece at a predetermined distance from the working point when the tool tip contacts the workpiece at the working point.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hand-held tool for processing workpieces, such as a drill machine or drill hammer for drilling holes in the workpiece, or a driving tool for driving fastening elements, such as screws, nails, bolts, pins, staples, etc., into the workpiece. [Background technology]

[0002] Hand tools are known that are used to process a workpiece, such as for drilling holes in the workpiece or fastening fastening elements to the workpiece, such as a wall or ceiling. In order to process the workpiece at a work point, it is known to provide a hand tool with a tool tip that, in use, contacts the workpiece at the work point.

[0003] In some applications, the work point must be a certain distance to a target, such as an adjacent wall, a workpiece boundary, an adjacent work point, etc. For example, a hole in a workpiece may need to be a minimum distance to an edge of the workpiece, or fastening points for electrical wires or tubing may need to be a particular distance to a sidewall and / or a maximum distance relative to each other to ensure proper fastening of the electrical wires. To ensure the correct distance from the work point to the target, a hand tool user must measure the distance, such as by using a rod whose length matches the intended distance, before contacting the tool tip with the work point, which can be inaccurate and / or time consuming. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a hand-held tool for machining a workpiece includes a tool tip provided for contacting the workpiece at a work point, and an indicator provided for indicating a reference point on a surface of the workpiece a predetermined distance from the work point when the tool tip contacts the workpiece at the work point.

[0005] According to an aspect of the invention, an indicator is provided for indicating a number of reference points on the surface of the workpiece at a predetermined distance to the working point. According to a preferred aspect, the reference points form a reference line. According to a further aspect, the reference line is at least partially a circular arc. According to a further aspect, the indicator includes an adjustment element provided for adjustment of the predetermined distance by a user of the tool.

[0006] According to a further aspect, the display includes a light source and a projector that projects a light beam emitted from the light source onto a reference point. According to a preferred aspect, the light source includes a light emitting diode or a laser diode.

[0007] According to a further aspect, the projector includes a first axicon having a first optical axis, which changes the light beam emitted by the light source into a first ring-shaped light beam having a propagation direction that forms a first ring angle with respect to the first optical axis. According to a preferred aspect, the first optical axis extends through the work point when the tool tip contacts the workpiece at the work point. According to a further preferred aspect, the first axicon is concave. According to an alternative aspect, 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 display includes an adjustment element for controlling a position of the first axicon along the first optical axis to adjust the predetermined distance. According to another preferred embodiment, the projector includes a collimator arranged between the light source and the first axicon, the collimator collimating the light beam emitted by the light source towards the first axicon.

[0009] According to a further aspect, the projector includes a second axicon having a second optical axis, which transforms the first ring-shaped light beam emitted from the first axicon into a second ring-shaped light beam having a propagation direction that forms a second ring angle with respect to the second optical axis, the second ring angle being different from the first ring angle. According to a preferred aspect, the second optical axis extends through the work point when the tool tip contacts the workpiece at the work point. According to another preferred aspect, the second optical axis coincides with the first optical axis. According to a further preferred aspect, the second axicon is concave. According to an alternative aspect, the second axicon is convex. According to another preferred aspect, the second axicon is transparent. According to an alternative aspect, the second axicon is reflective.

[0010] According to a further preferred embodiment, the second ring angle is determined by the distance from the second optical axis at which the first ring-shaped light beam enters the second axicon, and the indicator includes an adjustment element for controlling the distance between the first and second axicon along the second optical axis to adjust the predetermined distance. According to a further preferred embodiment, the second axicon is concave.

[0011] According to a further aspect, the tool further includes a housing, and the indicator is attached to the housing. According to a preferred aspect, the indicator is fastened to the housing.

[0012] According to a further aspect, the tool is formed as a driving tool for fastening the fastening element to the workpiece at the working point.

[0013] The invention will now be explained in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which the embodiments described are merely possible configurations in which the individual features can be realised independently of one another or can be omitted. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a hand tool according to the present invention; [Diagram 2]2 is another side view of the hand tool shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a display according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a display according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a display according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] 1 and 2 show a hand tool 1 formed as a driving tool for fastening a fastening element at a working point 4 along an axis 2 to a workpiece 3. The fastening element is formed as a nail. In a non-illustrated embodiment, the fastening element is formed, for example, as a bolt, a pin, a fastener, a crank or a screw. The working tool 1 comprises a driver (hidden in the figures), formed, for example, as a driving piston or a driver bit. The tool 1 further comprises a housing 5 and a drive (hidden in the figures), received in the housing 5, for driving the driver relative to the fastening element in order to drive the fastening element into the workpiece 3. The drive comprises, for example, a gas-operated or pyrotechnically-operated combustion drive, a pneumatic drive or a spring-driven, flywheel-driven or electrodynamically-driven electric drive, in particular with an electric motor, a coil and / or a battery 11. The tool 1 further includes a gripping portion 12 with a trigger (hidden in the figure) for manually initiating the driving action, a foothold hook 13, and a two- or three-legged support portion 14 provided for easier determination of the orientation of the axis 2 perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece 3.

[0016] Furthermore, the fastening tool 1 comprises a tool tip 6 arranged for contacting the workpiece 3 at a working point 4. The tool tip 6 has a pressing element which is displaceable relative to the housing 5 along the axis 2 in a direction away from the workpiece 3. When the pressing element is pressed along the axis 2 against the workpiece 3, the pressing element is displaceable to a pressing position. When the pressing element is in the pressing position, the pressing element releases the driving movement of the work tool 1. When the pressing element is out of the pressing position, the pressing element blocks the driving movement of the work tool 1. The tool tip 6 comprises a guideway 7 along which the fastening element is guided when it is driven into the workpiece 3. In a not shown embodiment, the tool tip comprises a separate guideway which extends along the pressing element along the axis.

[0017] The workpiece 4 may be made of metal, alloys, concrete, wood, etc., depending on the specific application. The fastening elements are made of a metal such as iron or an alloy such as steel. The fastening elements are fed side-by-side in a guideway 7. For this purpose, the fastening tool comprises a magazine 8 which opens into the guideway 7. In a not shown embodiment, the fastening elements are fed into the guideway one by one automatically or manually.

[0018] The tool further includes an indicator 8 fastened to the housing 5. The indicator 8 indicates a reference line 9 on the surface of the workpiece 3 at a predetermined distance d to the work point 4 when the tool tip 6 contacts the workpiece 3 at the work point 4, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The reference line 9 is a circular arc having a centre point at the work point 4. The indicator 8 is slightly offset from the axis 2, so that the optical axis of the indicator may be slightly inclined with respect to the axis 2. In a not shown embodiment, the indicator indicates one or several single reference points on the surface of the workpiece, each single reference point being located at a predetermined distance to the work point.

[0019] The indicator 8 comprises an adjustment element 10 provided for adjusting the predetermined distance d by the user of the tool. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment element 10 comprises an adjustment wheel that can be turned by the user by hand. The electrical energy used by the indicator 8 is provided by a battery 11. In a non-illustrated embodiment, such electrical energy is provided by a separate battery arranged in the indicator or in the housing. The user of the tool 1 can determine the working point by adjusting the predetermined distance to the desired distance from the working point to the target and by positioning the tool tip 6 on the workpiece 3 so that the reference point or reference line 9 coincides with the target. Thus, the exact distance from the working point 4 to the target is ensured in a short time.

[0020] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a display 30 that can be used in the power tool shown in Figures 1 and 2. The display 30 includes a light source 31 and a projector 32 that projects a light beam 33 emitted from the light source 31 onto a workpiece 34 in the form of second ring-shaped light beams 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.

[0021] The projector 32 includes a first axicon 37 arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis 36 extending through a working point 40 on the workpiece 34 and 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 first ring-shaped light beams 381, 382, ​​383, 384, 385 having a propagation direction that makes a first ring angle 391 (only shown for light beam 381) with respect to the first optical axis, i.e. the axis 36. The first axicon 37 can be made of glass or plastic. In a not shown embodiment, a diffractive optical element can be used instead of the first axicon. In this regard, any diffractive optical element that transforms the light beam into a ring-shaped light beam may be used. Furthermore, 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 towards the first axicon 37.

[0022] The projector 32 also includes a second axicon 47 having a second optical axis coinciding with the axis 36 and thus with the first optical axis of the first axicon 37. The second axicon has five concave, ring or frusto-conical optical entrance surfaces 480 corresponding respectively to the five different axial positions 371, 372, 373, 374, 375 of the first axicon 37 (only axial position 371 is shown). Furthermore, the second axicon 47 has a concave, ring or frusto-conical optical exit surface 49. The second axicon 47 is thus concave and transparent and transforms the first ring-shaped light beams 381, 382, ​​383, 384, 385 emitted from the first axicon 37 into second ring-shaped light beams 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, respectively, having propagation directions that make a second ring angle 491 (shown only for light beam 481) with respect to the second optical axis, i.e., axis 36.

[0023] Since the second axicon 47 is concave, the second ring angle 491 is greater than the first ring angle 391. In short, the projector 32 transforms the light beam 33 emitted by the light source 31 into arc-shaped reference lines 404, 405 (shown only for the light beams 484, 485) on the workpiece 34, with a center at the work point 40 and a radius 415 (shown only for the reference line 405). As shown in FIG. 2, such reference lines can be shaded by a work tool supporting the indicator 30. In a not shown embodiment, the first and second optical axes are slightly inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece. And the first and second optical axes may be slightly offset with respect to the work point.

[0024] Since the second axicon 47 is concave, the distance from the second optical axis at which the first ring-shaped light beams 381, 382, ​​383, 384, 385 enter the second axicon 47 determines the second ring angle 491 and thus the radius 415 of the circular reference line projected on the workpiece 34. The radius of the circular reference line can therefore 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 display 30 includes an adjustment element (not shown in FIG. 3 ) for controlling the position of the first axicon 37 along the first optical axis, i.e. the axis 36. As shown in FIG. 3, 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.

[0025] Figure 4 shows another embodiment of an indicator 50 that can be used in the work tool shown in Figures 1 and 2. The indicator 50 includes a light source (not shown) and a projector 52 that projects a light beam 53 emitted by the light source onto a workpiece 54 in the form of second ring-shaped light beams 581, 582, 583, 584, 585, as described below. The projector 52 includes a first axicon 57 that is arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis 56 that extends through a working point 60 on the workpiece 54 and has 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, e.g. conical, and transforms the light beam 53 passing through the focal point into a first ring-shaped light beam 581 having a propagation direction that forms a first ring angle 591 with respect to the first optical axis, i.e. axis 56 (only shown for axial position 571).

[0026] The projector 52 also includes a second axicon 67 having a second optical axis coinciding with the axis 56 and thus with the first optical axis of the first axicon 57. The second axicon has a concave optical entrance surface 68 with a first radius of curvature and a convex optical exit surface 69 with a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature. The second axicon 67 is thus concave and transforms the first ring-shaped light beam 581 emerging from the first axicon 57 into second ring-shaped light beams 681, 682, 683, 684, 685 having a propagation direction that makes a second ring angle 691 (only shown for light beam 681) with respect to the second optical axis, i.e., the axis 56. Because the second axicon 67 is concave, the second ring angle 691 is larger than the first ring angle 591. In essence, projector 52 transforms light beam 53 emitted from the light source into arcuate reference lines 604, 605 (shown only for light beams 684, 685) on workpiece 54, having a center at work point 60 and a radius 615 (shown only for reference line 605). As shown in FIG. 2, such reference lines may be shaded by a tool supporting indicator 50.

[0027] Since the second axicon 67 is concave, the distance from the second optical axis at which the first ring-shaped light beam 581 enters the second axicon 67 determines the second ring angle 691 and thus the radius 615 of the circular reference line projected on the workpiece 54. The radius of the circular reference line can therefore be adjusted by controlling the distance between the first axicon 57 and the second axicon 67 along the second optical axis, i.e., axis 56. For this purpose, the display 50 includes an adjustment element (not shown in FIG. 4 ) that controls the position of the first axicon 57 along the first optical axis, i.e., axis 56. As shown in FIG. 4 , 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.

[0028] Figure 5 shows another embodiment of a display 70 that can be used in the tool shown in Figures 1 and 2. The display 70 includes a light source 71 and a projector 72 that projects a light beam 73 emitted by the light source 71 onto a workpiece (not shown) in the form of a second ring-shaped light beam 881, as described below. The projector 72 includes a first axicon 77 that is arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis 76 that runs through a working point on the workpiece and has 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 ring-shaped light beam 781 having a propagation direction that makes a first ring angle 791 with respect to the first optical axis, i.e. the axis 56.

[0029] The projector 72 also includes a second axicon 87 having a second optical axis coinciding with the axis 76 and thus 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 ring-shaped light beam 781 emitted from the first axicon 77 into a second ring-shaped light beam 881 having a propagation direction that forms a second ring angle 891 with respect to the second optical axis, i.e., the axis 76. The second ring angle 891 is smaller than the first ring angle 791. In short, the projector 72 transforms the light beam 73 emitted from the light source 71 into an arc-shaped reference line (not shown) on the workpiece, centered at the working point.

[0030] Since the second axicon 87 is convex and reflective, the distance from the second optical axis at which the first ring-shaped light beam 781 is reflected by the reflecting surface 88, the second axicon 87, determines the second ring angle 891 and thus the radius of the circular reference line projected on the workpiece. The radius of the circular reference line can therefore 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 display 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. Furthermore, the first axicon 77 and the second axicon 87 can be coated with a reflective material, such as metal.

[0031] The foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise examples disclosed, as modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The described functionality may be distributed among modules differing in the number and distribution of functionality from that described herein. In addition, the order of performing the functions may vary depending on the embodiment. The embodiments were selected and described as practical applications of the invention in order to explain the principles of the invention and to enable those skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as appropriate for the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A hand-held tool for machining a workpiece at a work point, comprising: a tool tip provided for contacting the workpiece at the work point; and an indicator provided for measuring a distance to a target that should be at a fixed distance from the work point on a surface of the workpiece at a predetermined equal distance to the work point when the tool tip contacts the workpiece at the work point, and for showing a reference line for adjusting the desired distance by an adjustment element.

2. The hand tool of claim 1 , wherein the reference line forms an arc.

3. The hand-held tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display device includes a light source and a projector that projects a light beam emitted from the light source onto the reference line.

4. The hand tool of claim 3 , wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode or a laser diode.

5. 5. The hand tool of claim 3 or 4, wherein the projector includes a first axicon having a first optical axis extending through the work point when the tool tip contacts the workpiece at the work point, the first axicon transforming the light beam emitted from the light source into a first ring-shaped light beam having a propagation direction that forms a first ring angle with respect to the first optical axis.

6. The hand tool of claim 5 , wherein the first axicon is concave or convex.

7. A hand tool according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first axicon is transparent or reflective.

8. 8. The hand tool of claim 5, wherein the indicator includes an adjustment element for controlling a position of the first axicon along the first optical axis to adjust the predetermined distance.

9. 9. The hand tool according to claim 5, wherein the projector includes a collimator disposed between the light source and the first axicon, the collimator collimating the light beam emitted from the light source towards the first axicon.

10. 10. The hand tool according to claim 5, wherein the projector comprises a second axicon having a second optical axis that in particular extends through the work point when the tool tip contacts the workpiece at the work point, in particular coinciding with the first optical axis, and the second axicon changes the first ring-shaped light beam emitted from the first axicon into a second ring-shaped light beam having a propagation direction that forms a second ring angle with respect to the second optical axis, the second ring angle being different from the first ring angle.

11. The hand tool of claim 10, wherein the second axicon is concave.

12. 12. A hand tool according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second axicon is transparent or reflective.

13. 13. The hand tool according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the second ring angle is determined by a distance from the second optical axis at which the first ring-shaped light beam is incident on the second axicon, and the indicator includes an adjustment element for controlling a distance between the first and second axicon along the second optical axis to adjust the predetermined distance.

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