Claims
- 1. An alignment system for a hand-held tool having an axial bit to be aligned at a preselected angle to the surface of a workpiece comprising:
a laser beam source fixed to the tool emitting a beam extending toward the workpiece along a path substantially parallel to the axis of the bit; a planar mirror adapted to be positioned on the workpiece surface at said preselected angle thereto and in the path of the beam so as to intercept the incident beam and reflect it therefrom; and means disposed between said laser beam source and said planar mirror detecting both the incident beam and the reflected beam and indicating when the beams are coincident.
- 2. The alignment system of claim 1 wherein said detection means comprises a screen.
- 3. The alignment system of claim 1 wherein said detection means comprises a photoelectric cell.
- 4. The alignment system of claim 2 wherein said screen is translucent and displays images of both the incident beam and the reflected beam.
- 5. The alignment system of claim 2 wherein said screen has a central region which permits transmission of the incident beam therethrough but which is otherwise substantially opaque and on which an image of the reflected beam is displayed.
- 6. A method for aligning a hand-held tool having an axial bit at a predetermined angle to the surface of a workpiece, comprising the steps of:
providing a laser beam source fixed to the tool emitting a beam extending forwardly toward the workpiece along a path substantially parallel to the axis of the bit; providing a planar mirror on the workpiece surface at said predetermined angle thereto in the path of the beam so as to intercept the incident beam and reflect it backwardly toward the tool; and providing detection means disposed between the laser beam source and the mirror detecting both the incident beam and the reflected beam, and manipulating the tool so that the beams are coincident.
- 7. The method of claim 6 wherein said detection means comprises a screen.
- 8. The method of claim 6 wherein said detection means comprises a photoelectric cell.
- 9. The method of claim 7 wherein said screen is translucent and displays images of both the incident beam and the reflected beam.
- 10. The method of claim 7 wherein said screen has a central region which permits transmission of the incident beam therethrough but which is otherwise opaque and on which an image of reflected beam is displayed.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a utility patent based on provisional U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/288,251 filed May 2, 2001.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60288251 |
May 2001 |
US |