Patent Application
20080295918
The present invention relates to power tools, and more specifically, to routers having a lighted base.
Routers are typically used for cutting a workpiece. The design of a typical router creates, at times, a shadow over the workpiece and cutting element, and may impede a user's view. This causes the user to either work in unsatisfactory lighting conditions or provide additional light to illuminate the workpiece and surrounding area. One way to provide additional light on the workpiece is to attach a light or illumination means to a housing of the router. However, such a configuration still does not always improve the situation since other structures coupled to the housing are positioned between the light source and the workpiece. Moreover, when coupled to a plunging type router, the focus and intensity of the light varies with the vertical position of the housing. These and other problems are solved by the present invention, as summarized below.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the router comprises a housing and at least one member having a first end coupled with the housing and having a second end. A base is coupled with the second end of the at least one member and the base has a transparent portion. A light emitting source is disposed within the base so that light is emitted from the transparent portion of the base.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the router comprises a housing and a plurality of members having a first and a second end with the first end of the plurality of members coupled with the housing. A base is coupled with the second end of the plurality of members and it has a transparent portion. At least one light source is disposed within the base. A lens may be associated with the base and configured to direct light at least partially towards a central portion of the base.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the router comprises a housing having at least one handle coupled with the housing. A switch is disposed on the router. A plurality of collapsible members has a first end that is coupled with the housing and a second end that is coupled with an annular base, where the annular base has a transparent portion. At least one light source is disposed within a portion of the base. A lens is associated with the base and is configured to direct light at least partially towards a central portion of the base.
The invention is described with reference to the drawings in which like elements are referred to by like numerals. The relationship and function of the various elements of this invention are better understood by the following description. Each aspect so defined may be combined with any other aspect or aspects unless clearly indicated to the contrary. The embodiments described below are by way of example only, and the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings
Turning now to the drawings and referring to
The at least one member 14 may be a rigid member that fixes the distance between the housing 12 and the base 20, such that the base 20 and housing 12 cannot move relative to one another. Alternatively, the router 10 may have “plunging” capability, which requires the at least one member 14 to be collapsible to allow the housing 12 to reciprocate along a vertical axis 22. The collapsible feature of the at least one member 14 may be achieved through the use of, for example, a biasing member or members that are slidingly engaged to one another along the vertical axis 22. The at least one member may have a circular, triangular, or any other cross-section, independent of whether the at least one member 14 is collapsible.
The base 20 may have an annular shape, as shown in
The transparent portion 24 of the base 20 may be coupled with the non-transparent portion 26 using a series of clips 28. It can be appreciated that any known fastening method, such as an adhesive, a nut and bolt configuration, or screw configuration may be used instead. The base 20 further includes a portion 48 that contacts a workpiece or work surface 32. The portion 48 may be part of the transparent portion 24 of the base 20, or may be part of the non-transparent portion 26 of the base 20.
Disposed within the base 20 is at least one light emitting source 30, as shown in
The light emitting source 30 may be battery operated, have a hard wire electrical connection from the power source of the hand operated router 10, or be solar powered. The location of the battery may vary; however, it is advantageous if the battery is disposed within the base 20. If the light emitting source 30 is powered through the power source of the hand operated router 10, at least one wire may be disposed along the at least one member 14 to provide a source of power to the light emitting source 30.
The light emitting source 30 may include a plurality of light emitting sources 30 disposed throughout the base 20. As shown in
The light emitting source 30 may be actuated by an actuator or a switch 50 disposed on the housing 20 or the handle 52. A contact switch may also be used to actuate the light emitting source 30. The contact switch may be triggered when the housing 12 is actuated towards the base 20, and may be released when the housing 12 returns to its original, or non-use position. It can also be appreciated that the light emitting source 30 may be actuated when power to the router 10 is turned on.
The base 20 may have an annular shape 34 as shown in
A laser, or a series of lasers, may also be disposed in the base 20 to aid in displaying cross-hairs or guide lines on the workpiece. The laser may be used in conjunction with the light emitting source, or may be used independently. The illumination of the central portion 40 of the base 20 may help a user view the workpiece and a cutting element 42 during operation of the router 10. In addition, if the router 10 has plunging capability, the movement of the housing 12 along the vertical axis 22 will not adversely affect the visibility of the workpiece or the cutting element 42. The inner circumference of the base 20 may be of any other shape, such as, for example, square, rectangular, oval, or round shaped and still have the same features and characteristics as described herein.
An outer circumference 44 of the base 20, as shown in
The transparent portion 24 of the base 20 is also configured to attach to existing routers 10 as an accessory, as illustrated in
In operation, the hand-operated router 10 is powered on. The light emitting source 30 is activated either simultaneously as the router 10 is turned on or by an actuator. If the router 10 is a “plunger” style router, the light emitting source 30 may also be activated by a contact switch as the housing 12 is moved towards the base 20. The light emitting source 30 directs light on the workpiece. The lens 38 may also partially direct the light produced by the light emitting source 30 towards the central portion of the base. The light produced by the light emitting source 30 may illuminate a surrounding area around the base 20.
Once the user has completed the desired task, the hand operated router 10 and light emitting source 30 are powered off. It can also be appreciated that the router 10 may be used without activating the light emitting source 30.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only exemplary embodiments have been shown and described and do not limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The illustrative embodiments are not exclusive of each other or of other embodiments not recited herein. Accordingly, the invention also provides embodiments that comprise combinations of one or more of the illustrative embodiments described above. Modifications and variations of the invention as herein set forth can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and, therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated by the appended claims.
