Locating Device for Use with Power Tools

Abstract

A powered high-speed cutting tool that also locates objects behind sheet material and subsequently cuts around the object. The tool incorporates at least one sensor having a transceiver emitting a signal to detect at least one from the group of object density, conductivity, distance, and identification. The sensor is housed within a sensor unit that is part of the body of the cutting tool. The sensor unit can be incorporated into the body or removable from the cutting tool. A marking unit is used to mark the cutting area of the sheet material and is generally part of or located near a sensor unit. Indicator members, such as lights, audio, and/or display screen, are used to provide information to the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A high speed cutting tool having:
 a body, said body containing a bit receiving area at a first end, a battery area at a second end distal to said bit receiving area and a motor controlled by electronics within said body, at least one multi-position exterior switch connected to said electronics, and having:   at least one integrated sensor unit, said at least integrated one sensor containing at least one sensor and having a flat outer surface, said outer surface equidistant to or extending beyond an exterior of said body defined by a linear line along said flat outer surface,   said at least one sensor transmitting and receiving signals to detect characteristics of objects external to said body, said characteristics being at least one from the group of object density, conductivity, distance from said sensor, and object identification, each of said at least one sensor being controlled by one of said at least one multi-position exterior switch,   wherein one position of said multi-position exterior switch is an “off” position, another position is an “on” position for said motor and another position an “on” position for said sensor unit.   
     
     
         2 . The high speed cutting tool of  claim 1  further comprising at least one indicator, said at least one indicator responding to readings received from each of said at least one sensor. 
     
     
         3 . The high speed cutting tool of  claim 2  wherein said at least one indicator is at least one from the group of audio and visual. 
     
     
         4 . The high speed cutting tool of  claim 1  wherein said sensor unit is proximate said bit receiving area. 
     
     
         5 . The high speed cutting tool of  claim 1  wherein said at least one sensor receives power from said battery. 
     
     
         6 . The high speed cutting tool of  claim 1  wherein said sensor unit further incorporates a marking point at a first end positioned to contact sheet material upon tilting said body toward said sheet material. 
     
     
         7 . The high speed cutting tool of  claim 1  further comprising a screen, said screen to display images and data received from each of said at least one sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The high speed cutting tool of  claim 1  wherein said transmitted signal of each of said at least one sensor has an adjustable signal strength. 
     
     
         9 . The high speed cutting tool of  claim 8  further comprising control members, said control members adjusting said signal strength. 
     
     
         10 . The high speed cutting tool of  claim 7  wherein said screen further comprises control means to adjust signal strength of said at least one sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The high speed cutting tool of  claim 3  further comprising a second multi position exterior switch, second multi position exterior switch controlling said at least one indicator. 
     
     
         12 . A high speed cutting tool having:
 a body, said body containing a bit receiving area at a first end, a battery area at a second end distal to said bit receiving area, a motor and electronics within said body, at least one multi position exterior switch connected to said electronics, and having:   at least one sensor to transmit and receive signals to detect characteristics of objects external to said body, said characteristics being at least one from the group of object density, conductivity, distance from said sensor, and object identification, each of said at least one sensor being controlled by one of said at least one multi position exterior switch,   a sensor unit proximate said bit receiving area, said sensor unit containing said at least one sensor and having a first end and a second end, a flat outer surface, said outer surface equidistant to or beyond the exterior of said body delineated by a linear line along said fiat outer surface, and a marking point at said first end to contact sheet material upon tilting said body toward said sheet material,   at least one indicator, said at least one indicator is at least one from the group of audio and visual and responding to readings received from each of said at least one sensor,   said at least one multi position exterior switch controlling power to said motor, said at least one indicator, and said at least one sensor.   
     
     
         13 . The high speed cutting tool of  claim 12  wherein said at least one sensor receives power from said battery. 
     
     
         14 . The high speed cutting tool of  claim 12  further comprising a screen, said screen to display images and data received from each of said at least one sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The high speed cutting tool of  claim 12  wherein said transmitted signal of each of said at least one sensor has an adjustable signal strength.