Optical: systems and elements – Scale or indicia reading – Prism
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-05
2001-07-17
Shafer, Ricky D. (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Scale or indicia reading
Prism
C359S831000, C359S833000, C359S436000, C409S210000, C409S214000, C409S218000, C083S522150, C083S522190, C144S114100, C144S117100, C144S116000, C408S016000, C408S116000, C033S488000, C451S009000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06262839
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an optical unit for projecting an image. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present Invention relates to a tool which includes an optical unit for projecting an image of a scale which permits the tool user to complete adjustments of the tool from a more ergonomically advantageous position without the introduction of visual parallax error.
2. Discussion
Various tools are used in woodworking and metal forming to efficiently and accurately shape workpieces to desired dimensions and surface qualities. Such tools often include a workpiece forming element such as a bit, cutting blade, or the like, which is adjustable relative to the workpiece. For example, the workpiece forming element, in many instances, is carried by a movable component which is adjustable relative to the workpiece or relative to a base plate or platen upon which the workpiece may be supported. The significant majority of workpiece forming applications require quick and accurate adjustment of the workpiece forming element relative to the workpiece in order to obtain desired results.
A wood planing machine is one example of such a tool in which a workpiece forming element is adjustable relative to a workpiece. A conventional planing machine is used for the surface planing of boards and typically includes one or more rotatably mounted cutting blades attached to a vertically movable carriage assembly. In a typical wood surface planer, a selectively adjustable workpiece opening is defined between the carriage assembly and a workplace support surface. The cutting blades are carried by the carriage assembly so as to be exposed adjacent to the workpiece opening. Generally, the carriage assembly is movably mounted to a plurality of support columns for movement with respect to the workpiece support surface, thereby permitting adjustment of the vertical dimension of the workpiece opening for selectively determining the amount of material to be removed from the workpiece and resultantly the ultimate thickness of the workpiece.
Multiple passes of the workpiece through the workpiece opening are often necessary to obtain the desired thickness and surface quality. Through adjustment of the carriage assembly relative to the support surface, the amount of material removed during a single pass can be varied. A pointer is typically fixed for movement with the carriage assembly and cooperates with a scale carried by the frame for visually indicating the desired thickness of the workpiece. As with other woodworking and metal forming operations, it is highly desirable that a planing machine accomplish workpiece preparation within precise tolerances, high surface quality, and with a significant degree of reproducible results.
While many commercially successful tools, including but not limited to known surface planers, are available which include an adjustable workpiece forming element adapted to be advanced relative to a workpiece and a scale and cooperating pointer for identifying the relative location of the workpiece forming element and the workpiece, all are subject to improvement. For example, such known tools require the user to accurately align his or her line of sight horizontally with the pointer in order to avoid the introduction of visual parallax error. This typically requires the user to bend or stoop to a position In which comfort is compromised and operation of the machine is hindered. This motion is particularly taxing on the user where repetitive adjustment is required. As a result, the quality of the forming operation is often adversely affected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an optical unit for a tool which ergonomically assists the tool user by projecting a scale and cooperating pointing mechanism to a position visible during normal operation of the tool.
One particular object of the present invention to provide an optical unit attached to a first element for projecting a substantially vertical image carried by a second element through an angle to the vertical for purposes of accurately adjusting the first element vertically with respect to the second element.
It is a related object of the present invention to provide an optical unit which substantially eliminates visual parallax error associated with visual misalignment of a scale and cooperating pointing mechanism.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an optical unit for projecting an image at an angle to the vertical without image is not inverted.
A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an optical unit for a tool of the type adapted to carry out planing of the surface of a workpiece which is operative for enabling the user of the tool to quickly, easily and accurately read a scale mounted on a substantially vertical surface of the tool without requiring the user to horizontally align his or her line of sight with the scale.
In one form, the present invention provides an optical unit for projecting an image. The optical unit includes a first side disposed adjacent the image. The first side is transparent. The optical unit further includes a second side and a third side. The second side is disposed at a first angle with respect to the first side and is preferably internally reflective. The third side is disposed at an angle with respect to the first side. A first locating line extends transversely across the third side. A second locating line extends transversely across the first side. The second locating line is positioned on the optical unit relative to the first locating line such that the first and second locating lines appear to be co-linear when viewed from a predetermined angle relative to the first side. When the image is viewed from the predetermined angle, the image enters the first side substantially perpendicular thereto, thereby minimizing visual parallax error.
In another form, the present invention provides an apparatus for performing a forming operation on a workpiece. The apparatus comprises a frame and a translatable component which includes a workpiece forming element The translatable component is mounted within the apparatus for selective bi-directional movement along a path of travel. A workpiece support surface is disposed relative to the translatable component and cooperates with the translatable component to define a selectively adjustable workpiece opening. A scale carried by the frame adjacent to the translatable component includes indicia incrementally representing the position of the translatable component relative to the workpiece. An optical unit is attached to the translatable component which is adapted to project an image of the scale through a first angle.
In a more preferred form, the present invention provides a planing machine for planing a surface of a workpiece. The planing machine includes a frame and a plurality of vertical support columns mounted within the frame. The planing machine further includes a carriage assembly interconnected to the frame. The carriage assembly includes a workpiece forming element and is mounted to the plurality of support columns for selective bi-directional movement along a path of travel. A workpiece support surface is disposed relative to the carriage assembly so as to define a selectively adjustable workpiece opening therebetween. A scale carried by the frame adjacent to the carriage assembly is marked with indicia incrementally representing a desired thickness of the workpiece. An optical unit is attached to the carriage assembly which is adapted to project an image of the scale through a first angle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1671272 (1928-05-01), Buckingham
patent: 2547731 (1951-04-01), Bailey
patent: 2873776 (1959-02-01), Buttke
patent: 3712262 (1973-01-01), Kisselmann et al.
patent: 4417834 (1983-11-01), Jagers
patent: 5795113 (1998-08-01), Wixey et al.
patent: 6141147 (2000-10-01), Wixey et al.
patent: 856178 (1960-12-01), None
patent: 0610684 (1978-06-01), None
Welsh Robert P.
Wixey Barry D.
Black & Decker Inc.
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
Shafer Ricky D.
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