Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02628643 2008-04-04
VIDEO AID SYSTEM
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present patent document claims the benefit of the filing date under
35 U.S.C. 119(e) of Provisional U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
60/922,672,
filed April 10, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present application relates to tools, and more particularly, to
video-
monitoring systems for use with tools.
[0003] When using a tool, whether hand-held, a power tool or other work
device, it is often desirable to see the area being worked upon with the tool.
However, the tool often may obstruct the view of the work area. This may
require
a user to manipulate his head about the work area for an unobstructed view,
which
may be inconvenient for a user attempting to use the tool. Moreover, even if a
user's view of a work area is unobstructed, the user may have to bring his
head
closer to the work area due to the small size of the work area. Again, this
may be
inconvenient or distracting to a user attempting to use the tool.
100041 By way of example, when using a circular saw such as a miter saw, a
uscr will mark the area whcrc it is dcsircd to make a cut with a "cut linc"
prior to
cutting the workpiece with the blade. Then, prior to powering the tool and
penetrating the workpiece with the blade, the user then typically will align
the
blade with the cut line. Because the saw's blade and guard may obstruct the
user's
view of the cut line, the user may have to move his head to the side of the
blade
during the alignment process. This may be inconvenient and, because the user
may have to angle his head when moving it to the side, may nonetheless result
in
an inaccurate alignment. Moreover, to help ensure an accurate cut, the user
may
keep his head to the side of the blade and guard while the workpiece is being
cut,
which again may be inconvenient.
CA 02628643 2008-04-04
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0005] A work device is disclosed that comprises a body and a drive portion
attached with the body for working on a workpiece. At least one camera is
attached with the body, and at least one video display device is operatively
connected with the camera. The camera is positioned on the body at an angle
that
is not perpendicular to the workpiece when the workpiece is positioned to be
worked on by the drive portion. The camera transmits images to the video
display
device.
[0006) In another embodiment, a video aid system is disclosed that includes at
least one camera attached with a work device and at least one video display
device
operatively connected with the camera. The work device is for working on a
workpiece, and the camera is positioned at an angle that is not perpendicular
to the
workpiece when the workpiece is to be worked on by the work device. At least
one camera transmits images to the at least one video display.
100071 Another embodiment includes a method for transmitting a device using
a video aid system that includes at least one camera. The method includes
positioning at least one camera on a work device such that the camera can
record
an unobstructed image of a workpiece located.in a work area of the work
device.
The camera is positioned at an angle that is not perpendicular to a workpiece
located in the work area. The method also includes operatively connecting at
least
one video display device with the camera.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008) Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a circular saw.
[0009] Figure 2 is a view of a visual aid system.
[0010) Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a circular
saw.
[0011) Figure 4 is a view of a display.
[0012) Figure 5 is a perspective view of a router.
[0013) Figure 6 is a side view of a drill.
[0014J Figure 7 is a perspective view of a scroll saw.
CA 02628643 2008-04-04
100151 Figure 8 is a perspective view of a miter saw.
100161 Figure 9 is a plan view of a camera.
[0017] Figure 10 is a perspective view of goggles including a display.
[0018) Figure 11 A is a perspective view of a modular display in an open
position.
[0019] Figure 11B is a perspective view of a modular display in a closed
position.
100201 Figure 12 shows a second embodiment of goggles having a display,
with the goggles connected with a circular saw.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND THE
PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
100211 Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a visual aid system 2 is shown and
described herein for use with various tools, including but not limited to
power
tools, hand-held tools, stationary and bench top tools, floor care products
such as
polishers, and other. work devices 4. The visual aid system 2 includes at
least one
display 8 and at least one video camera 6. The display 8 and the camera 6 may
be
operationally connected through a cable 10, or, alternatively, may utilize a
wireless connection. For a wireless connection, the camera includes at least
one
transmitter that transmits a signal to a receiver associated with the display.
[0022] The visual aid system 2 may be battery powered with single use or
rechargeable batteries. Alternatively, the visual aid system may utilize a
cord that
can be plugged into a car lighter or an alternate current outlet as possible
power
sources. When the visual aid system is powered 2, the cable (or the wireless
connection) will transmit images being recorded by the camera to the display.
The
display provides a visualization of the images being recorded.
100231 The camera 6 may be any suitable camera, but, preferably, is small for
easy placement on the work device 4. Moreover, it is preferable for the camera
6
to include a lens 12 (Figure 9) so that the images are magnified and enlarged
when
displayed on the display 8.
CA 02628643 2008-04-04
100241 The display 8 preferably is a liquid crystal display screen, although
in
other embodiments other types of screens may be used. Examples include, but
are
not limited to, cathode ray tube displays, plasma display panels, and surface-
conduction electron-emitter displays. Optionally, and as shown in Figures 11 A
and I 1 B, the display may be modular such that it may be opened and closed,
respectively. Moreover, the display 8 (and/or the camera 6) may also include a
"zoom" function that allows for close-ups of images being transmitted from the
camera.
(0025] The visual aid system 2 may be used with a variety of work devices 4
that include a drive portion 34. To further explain, on a circular saw 4a, for
example, "the drive portion" is the saw blade 34 (Figure 3). Figure 5 shows a
router 4b whose drive portion 34 is a router bit. Figure 6 shows a drill 4c
whose
drive portion 34 is a drill bit. Figure 7 shows a scroll saw 4d whose drive
portion
34 is a blade.
100261 The camera and display are attached to a body 36 of the work area, and,
the drive portion 34 is attached to the body. In one example, Figure 3 shows
the
visual aid system attached with a circular saw 4a. The camera 6 is located
inside
an upper guard 14 of the circular saw 4a and the display 8 is located on an
outer
surface 16 of the upper guard 14. Note that both the camera and display could
be
located on other portions of circular saw. For example, the camera 6 could be
located on the outer surface 16 of the upper guard 14. By way of further
example,
the display 8 may be located on the saw's handle 18.
(0027] In general, it is desirable to position the camera 6 so that images of
a
desired work area associated with the drive portion 34 are displayed as an
unobstructed= image on the display. As shown in Figure 4, when using a
circular
saw, it is customarily to mark a workpiece 22 to be cut with a cut line 24.
Generally, it is desirable to align a blade 26 of the saw with the cut line 24
prior to
penetrating the workpiece 22 with the saw blade 26. With the visual aid
system, it
is preferable to position the camera so that the image is displayed as a plan
view,
simulating a user looking directly down upon the work area 20. Furthermore, it
is
CA 02628643 2008-04-04
preferable to position the camera at an angle, depicted as a in Figures 1 and
6, that
is not perpendicular to the workpiece 22.
[0028] Advantageously, the image transmitted show-s an unobstructed view of
the alignment of the blade 26 and the cut line 24. Furthermore, such a view
allows
the user to continually adjust the workpiece 22 and work device 4 without a
user
having to move about the work area 20 for an unobstructed view.
[0029] Notably, the visual aid system 2 need not be positioned as shown in
Figures 1 and 3. By was of further examples, Figures 5-8 show the camera 6 and
display 8 of the visual aid system 2 in use with the router 4b, the drill 4c,
the scroll
saw 4d, and a miter saw 4e, respectively.
[0030] The visual aid system may be fixedly mounted or removable mounted
to the work device. Fasteners, clips, hook-and-loop fasteners such as VELCRO,
clamps, nuts and bolts, adhesives, or the like, may be used to attach the
visual aid
system to a work device. Advantageously, with removable visual aid systems, a
single visual aid system may be used with a variety of work devices.
[0031] In additional embodiments, the display and camera may be adjustable
so that they may be manipulated (i.e., rotated and/or tilted). By way of
example,
the display and/or camera may be attached to a joint so that each may be
adjusted
about the joint's axis, or axes if a universal joint, of rotation. By way of
further
example, the display and/or camera may be adjusted through the use of a gimbal
that, upon being moved to a desired position, is retained in position with the
use of
a screw or knob.
[0032] Figure 10 shows an alternate embodiment of the visual aid system. In
this embodiment, the display 8 is remotely located with respect to the camera
and
is attached to a pair of glasses or goggles 28. As shown in Figure 12, which
shows
another embodiment of goggles 28 having a display 6, the camera 8 is attached
to
the work device 4 as described above and images being recorded by the camera
are transmitted to the display 8. In the embodiment in Figure 12, the display
8 and
camera 6 aie connected via cables 10 that may be attached to various portions
of
the work device 4. In an alternate embodiment, a wireless connection may be
utilized as described above. Preferably, the display 8 is attached to an outer
CA 02628643 2008-04-04
portion 30 of the glasses to minimize any interference with the glasses'
associated
lens 32. In addition to glasses, the monitor may be attached to visors,
helmets,
hats, or other items that may be worn by the user so that the user can see the
image
on the display.
[0033] Thus, a visual aid system has been described herein. The advantages
associated with the visual aid system are numerous. The visual aid system
allows
a user visual access to a work area without the user having to move about the
work
device for an unobstructed view. In addition, the removable nature of the
visual
aid system is convenient for its use with a variety of work devices. Further,
the
magnification of the displayed image on the display provides improves
visibility.
As an additional advantage, the unobstructed view of the work area allows a
user
to continually make adjustments to the work device, and/or workpiece without
having to move about the work device or turn off the work device or move
[0034] It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be
regarded as illustrative rather than limiting. For example, the camera may
incorporate a light to illuminate the work area displayed on the display.
Therefore, it is to be understood that it is the following claims, including
all
equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this
invention.
