Tools Of The Near Future

 

Tools Of The (Near) Future

Anthropologists believe that the use of tools was an important step in the evolution of mankind*.  We use tools everyday without thinking too much about them.  Basic hand tools have been around for hundreds of years.  Power tools are a more recent invention but are commonplace as well.  You probably have a few in your garage, basement, or workshop.  Advances in technology are not limited to a laboratory or computing devices.  Manufactures are racing to integrate state-of-the art technology into common tools to make them perform more efficiently, safer, and smarter.

Crystal ball not required 

To get a glimpse of the tools of the future, a crystal ball is not required.  Tool manufactures are constantly evolving their designs or creating new concepts sometimes with unique innovations.  To keep competitors at bay, many of these manufactures will pursue patenting their innovations with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  The first step in the process is to submit a patent application to the patent office.  Once the application is accepted, the manufacture gains some protection of their invention.  But at the same time, their invention becomes published and known to the world.  It may take years before a patent is granted.  It may also takes years before the manufacture's tool innovation is brought to market after a lengthy product development cycle.  There are no guarantees that the innovation will either be granted a patent or will available for sale.  In any case, scouring patent applications can reveal some potential new tools of the near future.  Here's a look at few innovations coming to a power tool near you soon!

Power Tools With Voice Control

Patent Application: Electric Tool System, Charger, Electric Tool, And Voice Control Method Thereof, Automatic Working System, Charging Station, Self. DUNCAN; Thomas Ellis; (Charlotte, NC).

Power Tools With Voice Control

Talk To Your Drill

"You taking to me?"  "No, I'm talking to my power drill!", Might be something you hear around the shop in the future.  This patent application integrates voice recognition technology into power tools.  Why would you do this?  Maybe your hands are full holding your work-piece and the drill and you want the drill to stop and reverse, or turn its light on, or tell you how much charge is left in the battery.  This innovation goes beyond simple control applications.  If your power tool is connected to a server via wireless technology like WiFi, the tool may become your assistant ready to answer any question you throw at it like - "What size pilot hole is needed for a #10 wood screw?".  You get the idea, once you can talk to your power tools, the applications are endless.

High-Precision Kickback Detection

High-Precision Kickback Detection For Power Tools

Patent Application: High-Precision Kickback Detection For Power Tools. Lantern Holdings, LLC SterlingVA.

Kickback Safety Improvement

Using a power tool such as a circular saw can have its risks.  If the work-piece jams, the saw can violently kickback potentially causing great harm to the user.  This invention processes information obtained from multiple embedded sensors in the power tool to predict the occurrence of a kickback.  Once the abnormal motion from the onset of the kickback is detected, the power tool can automatically take actions such as stopping the blade to reduce the risk of injury to the user.

Intelligent Mowing System

Patent Application: Intelligent Mowing System.  Nanjing Chervon Industry Co., Ltd. Nanjing 

Intelligent Mowing System

Sit back, relax, and mow your lawn?

Yep, if this innovation makes it to market, it will be possible.  This patent application details the concept of a lawn mower that follows any irregular mowing path guided by Global Navigation Satellite System signals received by the lawn mowing and a nearby fixed base station.  The invention claims not be be disrupted by poor satellite signals and can position the mover to a fraction of an inch.

Intelligent Mowing System

Magnetic Safety Glasses

Patent Application: Magnetic Safety Glasses. Walker; Daniel; (Placerville, CA)

Magnetic Safety Glasses

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best ideas

Are you always looking for a place to set your safety glasses down where they'll stay in place and won't get scratched?  These safety glasses have two magnets located near temple arm hinges so that surfaces of both magnets become exposed when the glasses are closed. The magnets provide two separated areas of coupling that keep the glasses in place when jarring forces are present. According the the inventor, the safety glasses can be stored on magnetically active surfaces and may be kept close to where they will be used.  They'll also be in a visible location as a safety reminder and will be in safe location to protect the glasses.

Non-Binding Fence For A Table Saw

Patent Application: Non-Binding Fence For A Table Saw.  Robert Bosch Tool Corporation.

Non-Binding Fence For A Table Saw

Safer Table Saw

If you've ever used a table saw, you probably had times where your work-piece chattered or jammed against the rip fence.  This can cause inaccurate cuts and can be a major safety issue as well if the work-piece binds and kicks back.  To solve these issues, the Robert Bosch Tool Corporation has created a new table saw rip fence design.  This invention uses multiple rip fence contact locations some with pre-load mechanisms.  This design creates a rip fence that is self-aligned with the table and stays in place once clamped into position.

Smart Tool System

Patent Application: Smart Tool Systems. Ridge Tool Company, Elyria OH

Smart Tool System

Phone app unlocks power tools

Do you want a theft deterrent for your power tools?  Do you want to keep unauthorized people like kids or untrained personnel from using your power tools?  If so, the Smart Tool System invention from Ridge Tool Company might be in your future.  Their idea adds an electronic lock-out feature with wireless communications to a power tool.  Once setup, a phone app will unlock your power tool just for you or other authorized users.  Registration and management of multiple tools and users is done in the cloud.

Power Tool Automatic Update

Patent Application: Power Tool System And Data Processing Method. Nanjing Chervon Industry Co., Ltd. Nanjing

Lawn Mower Software Update

Automatic Power Tool Software Updates

As power tools add more and more technology, these automation systems need to be kept up-to-date.  For example, to keep a battery powered electric lawn mover performing optimally, periodic mower software updates may be required.  These updates may include any changes to your mowing preferences or your mower use and charging history.  In addition, mower components like the battery may require software updates to improve performance or safety aspects.  This invention uses a wireless interface on the lawn mower which connects to your smartphone and a cloud server to make it all happen automatically for you.

*Sam Lilley, Men, Machines and History: The Story of Tools and Machines in Relation to Social Progress, 1948 Cobbett Press.