Hand-held tool containing a removably attachable object sensor

Abstract

A hand-held power tool having a housing and a removably attachable portion. The removably attachable portion, which comprises an object sensor to detect studs hidden behind walls, electrical lines, and other materials, is readily accessible to tradesmen. A level may also be included on the removably attachable portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A hand-held power tool comprising: 
 a housing including a drive mechanism and motor provided with a rotary output shaft aligned along a tool axis and a handle portion aligned along a handle axis, the handle portion having a power activator switch mounted thereon; and    a removably attachable portion releasably attachable to the housing of the hand-held power tool, the removable attachable portion comprising an object sensor.    
     
     
         2 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 1  wherein the housing has at least one flange formed thereon for removably affixing the removably attachable portion to the housing.  
     
     
         3 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises outwardly projecting housing flanges and housing grooves and the removably attachable portion comprises two inwardly projecting portion flanges and portion grooves and wherein the flanges and grooves on the housing cooperate with the flanges and grooves on the removably attachable portion to releasably affix the removably attachable portion to the housing.  
     
     
         4 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 1  wherein the removably attachable portion has a flat, smooth bottom surface.  
     
     
         5 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 4  wherein the removably attachable portion further comprises a level parallel with the tool axis and the flat, smooth bottom surface so as to advise of the inclination of the tool axis relative to a horizontal plane.  
     
     
         6 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 1  wherein the housing contains a bull's eye bubble level in a plane essentially perpendicular to the tool axis.  
     
     
         7 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 1  wherein the hand-held power tool is a portable electric drill.  
     
     
         8 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 1  wherein the hand-held power tool is powered by AC electrical energy.  
     
     
         9 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 1  wherein the hand-held power tool is powered by DC electrical energy.  
     
     
         10 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 1  wherein the housing of the power tool comprises at least one protrusion and the removably attachable portion comprises at lease one recess sized to receive the protrusion for releasably attaching the removably attachable portion.  
     
     
         11 . A portable hand-held power tool comprising: 
 a housing including a drive mechanism and motor provided with a rotary output shaft aligned along a tool axis and a handle portion aligned along a handle axis, the handle portion having a power activator switch mounted thereon;    a battery attached to the housing and in electrical connection with the motor for providing electrical power to the drive motor; and    a removably attachable portion releasably attachable to the battery, the removably attachable portion having an object sensor.    
     
     
         12 . The portable hand-held power tool of  claim 11  wherein the battery has at least one slot formed thereon for releasably affixing the removably attachable portion to the battery.  
     
     
         13 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 11  wherein the removably attachable portion further comprises a level parallel with the tool axis so as to advise of the inclination of the tool axis relative to a horizontal plane.  
     
     
         14 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 11  wherein the hand-held power tool is a portable drill.  
     
     
         15 . A hand-held power tool comprising a housing, a drive mechanism contained within the housing, and a removably attachable portion removably attachable to the housing wherein the removably attachable portion comprises an object sensor.  
     
     
         16 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 15  wherein the hand-held power tool is a reciprocating saw.  
     
     
         17 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 15  wherein the hand-held power tool has a rotary shaft.  
     
     
         18 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 15  wherein the hand-held power tool is powered by compressed air.  
     
     
         19 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 15  wherein the hand-held power tools is powered by electrical energy.  
     
     
         20 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 15  wherein the hand-held power tool is powered by a battery.  
     
     
         21 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 15  wherein the hand-held power tool is powered by AC energy.  
     
     
         22 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 15  wherein the housing further comprises at least one flange formed thereon and the removably attachable portion containing at least one flange and wherein the flanges cooperate to releasably attach the removably attachable portion to the housing.  
     
     
         23 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 15  wherein the housing of the power tool comprises at least one protrusion and the removably attachable portion comprises at lease one recess sized to receive the protrusion for releasably attaching the removably attachable portion.  
     
     
         24 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 15  wherein the housing comprises outwardly projecting housing flanges and housing grooves and the removably attachable portion comprises two inwardly projecting portion flanges and portion grooves and wherein the flanges and grooves on the housing cooperate with the flanges and grooves on the removably attachable portion to releasably affix the removably attachable portion to the housing.  
     
     
         25 . The hand-held power tool of  claim 17  wherein the removably attachable portion further comprises a level so as to advise of the inclination of the tool relative to a horizontal axis.