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US 7,540,334 B2Granted
Power tools
OwnerStephen F. Gass, David S. D'Ascenzoinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrically powered hand tool is disclosed. The tool includes a motor, a power source, a work element and a controller. Various alternative features, embodiments and operative configurations are disclosed.
Claims20
An electrically powered hand drill/driver, comprising:
- a rotatable work element adapted to receive a bit;
- a motor adapted to drive the rotation of the work element during powered operation of the drill/driver;
- a body having a housing containing at least the motor and a handle adapted to be gripped by a user while operating the drill/driver;
- a power source adapted to deliver power to the motor;
- at least one user input;
- wherein the at least one user input includes an actuator adapted to be depressed by a user to select powered operation of the drill/driver;
- at least one distance sensor adapted to measure a distance from the distance sensor to a workpiece;
- and
- a controller electrically connected to the at least one distance sensor, wherein responsive to the distance, the controller is adapted to at least one of control the delivery of power to the motor from the power source and actuate a feedback mechanism.
6 more elements
An electrically powered hand tool, comprising:
- a housing;
- a work element extending from the housing and adapted to receive a bit;
- a motor adapted to drive rotation of the work element during powered operation of the tool;
- a power source adapted to deliver power to the motor;
- a distance sensor adapted to emit and detect a distance-measuring signal;
- a user interface adapted to receive a user-selected value corresponding to a desired setting;
- and
- a controller adapted to receive a signal from the distance sensor and determine therefrom a measured distance from a reference position on the tool to a workpiece, wherein the controller is further adapted to determine when the desired setting is achieved by comparing the measured distance to the user-selected value.
5 more elements
An electrically powered hand tool, comprising:
- a housing;
- a work element extending from the housing and adapted to receive a bit;
- a motor adapted to drive rotation of the work element during powered operation of the tool;
- a power source adapted to deliver power to the motor;
- a plurality of distance sensors, each distance sensor adapted to emit and detect a distance-measuring signal;
- and
- a controller adapted to receive a signal from the plurality of distance sensors and determine therefrom an angular orientation of the tool with respect to the workpiece;
- and further wherein the controller is adapted to at least one of (1) restrict powered operation of the tool when the angular orientation is not within a predetermined tolerance of a predetermined angular orientation, (2) indicate the angular orientation to a user via a display on a user interface;
- and (3) indicate to the user via a visual or audio feedback mechanism when the angular orientation is within a predetermined tolerance of the predetermined angular orientation.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.