Abstract:
A device uses an electromagnet to retrieve magnetic objects that are located in hard-to-reach places. The magnet is directed toward the object without being attracted to the surrounding components. The tool also incorporates a selectively actuated light for better illumination of the object in remote locations. The shaft of tool may flexible or telescopic, and incorporates a joint near the magnet and light for greater articulation. In one version, the tool uses as a contact and wiper system to deliver power to the magnet and light, and a magnetic strip to allow the tool to magnetically adhere to a toolbox.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     The present invention relates in general to an improved tool for locating and acquiring small magnetic objects and, in particular, to an improved system, method, and apparatus for locating and acquiring magnetic objects with a highly articulated electromagnetic pick-up tool.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Professional and home mechanics occasionally drop objects while working in confined spaces. For example, bolts, nuts, parts, and tools may be dropped by an automobile mechanic while working under the hood of a motor vehicle. The tool of choice to retrieve these dropped items is a simple, common pick-up tool with a permanent magnet attached to one end. There are a number of prior art solutions available for this type of tool including small pocket type tools, extendable tools, and tools with flexible shafts.  
         [0005]     A common problem encountered by users of these tools occurs when the item dropped falls in a location that is manually inaccessible, such as in a small space between the body and engine of the vehicle. Prior art pick-up tools with permanent magnets are not only attracted to the dropped object itself, but also to the surrounding magnetic parts of the vehicle as well, which makes retrieval of the dropped object even more difficult.  
         [0006]     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,535,618 shows a flexible electromagnet that may be bent in any desired shape to enable it to be introduced into inaccessible places to allow the user to enable the end of the magnet to reach objects that cannot otherwise be reached.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 1,772,126 discloses an automobile electromagnetic specialty tool primarily for use in garages which tool has a flexible shank containing electrical conductors attached to a single pole electromagnet having an adjustable fishing head and which is selectively connectable to a power source.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 2,993,723 discloses a magnetic retriever having a resiliently flexible shaft with a permanent magnet at one end so the retriever may be inserted through the dipstick passage into the crankcase of an engine to reach metallic objects inadvertently dropped into the crankcase.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,924,115 shows a portable hand-held device for locating and retrieving objects that has a source of electrical current controllable to energize a light source and an electromagnet. The electromagnet is disposed at one end of a flexible member or gooseneck that is connected to a hand-held device adjacent the light source. Optical fibers within the flexible member transmit light from the light source to the end of the flexible member.  
         [0010]     Another type of retriever is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,697 in which a tool is disposed having a snap-lock handle connected to one end of a flexible cable. The other end has a releasable gripping end that may be mechanically or electromagnetically operated. A viewing system utilizes fiber optics.  
         [0011]     While the devices described above and other similar devices which can be found in the prior art provide improved pick-up devices, there exists a need for an improved device of this type which is simple in construction, efficient and versatile to use and that provides the user with a greater ability to illuminate, view, and retrieve magnetic objects from hard-to-reach locations.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     One embodiment of a system, method, and apparatus for retrieving magnetic objects that are located in hard-to-reach places comprises a portable, battery-powered, electromagnetic pick-up tool with a momentary switch. This type of switch allows the user to direct the tool toward the object to be retrieved without the tool being attracted to the surrounding vehicle components. The switch also may employ a locking feature that is useful for some applications to alleviate the need for constant user engagement of the switch. Additionally, the tool incorporates a light, such as an LED, for better illumination of the object in remote locations.  
         [0013]     The tool replaces standard magnetic pick-up tools in its ability to lift common fasteners and hand tools. In addition, the present invention requires no maintenance other than the replacement of its batteries from time to time. The electromagnet is capable of lifting magnetic objects up to a weight of approximately 5 pounds.  
         [0014]     The tool of the present invention is small, lightweight, highly portable and uses commonly available batteries or rechargeable batteries such as those that use a charging stand as part of the tool system. For example, the device may utilize AA, AAA, C, D, or 9-volt batteries, depending on the application, desired power density, and the desired overall compactness and weight of the tool itself. Yet another option is to provide the power source through a connection to the battery of vehicle, such as the vehicle being worked on by the user. This solution provides a very high power density for the electromagnet.  
         [0015]     The light source of the present invention may be provided by incandescent bulb, light emitting diode (LED), etc. Incandescent bulbs are widely available in many different sizes, and can be very compact. Small incandescent bulbs are relatively efficient in terms of power consumption. Additionally, many base configurations are available ranging from threaded-types to bayonet bulbs. LEDs are available in a wide variety of colors and use a fraction of the power of incandescent bulbs. LEDs are very compact, can operate over a relatively wide range of voltages while, and have a virtually indefinite life.  
         [0016]     The shaft of the present invention may comprise several different types. For example, the shaft may comprise a straight shaft, with or without a “knuckle” (e.g., a ball joint) for additional articulation. The magnetic head is manipulated to different angles via the ball joint design. The shaft also may be provided in a variety of lengths. The shaft is hollow to allow conductors for the electromagnet and light to be readily passed through the shaft. In another embodiment, the shaft is extendable (e.g., telescopic and/or flexible) with the optional ball joint. Power is provided from the switch to the electromagnet and light via conductors that may be coiled or of the slip-type. If the shaft is hollow, the conductors are easily passed though the shaft. Other features of the present invention include snap-fits between its parts wherever possible so that the use of screws and other fasteners is very limited.  
         [0017]     In one embodiment of the tool, a hollow, flexible shaft with a white LED light source is employed. The electromagnet is equipped with as many windings as practical to increase its electromotive force. Two 9-volt batteries are employed to assure adequate power is available. A two-position, momentary switch is mounted on a small printed wiring board (PWB) with a step-down voltage regulator. The handle may be formed from glass reinforced plastic (GRP), due to its moldability, strength, thermal stability and shock resistance. The handle has separate compartments for the PWB and batteries so that the PWB is not damaged when the batteries are replaced. The PWB is secured with a snap-in cover, and the battery cover only requires one screw to secure it to the handle. The electromagnet assembly is press fit into the distal end of the flexible shaft.  
         [0018]     The conductors for the electromagnet windings and LED are fed through the shaft, and the shaft is threaded into the handle. The conductors may have shrink tubing placed around them to aid in running the conductors through the shaft. Small connectors are also available to eliminate having to solder conductors to the PWB at final assembly. The handle has threaded inserts molded into it for the battery cover screw and the flexible shaft. The flexible shaft is chrome plated for durability and the electromagnet has a protective sleeve over the windings to prevent damage.  
         [0019]     In one alternate embodiment, a straight, extendable (e.g., telescopic) shaft is employed. The tool has an efficient mechanism to get power from the power source to the electromagnet and LED, such as a contact and wiper system, or a coiled wire system. In addition, the optional knuckle (e.g., universal or ball joint) accommodates the conductors as well. Still other embodiments include a flexible or extendable shaft with no light source, and a tool having a cast metal housing. The latter type of tool also may be provided with a magnetic strip on its side to allow it to magnetic adhere to a toolbox.  
         [0020]     The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in view of the following detailed description of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     So that the manner in which the features and advantages of the invention, as well as others which will become apparent are attained and can be understood in more detail, more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the appended drawings, which drawings form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only an embodiment of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting of its scope as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a pick-up tool constructed in accordance with the present invention, and is shown with an extendable shaft in a collapsed position.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the pick-up tool of  FIG. 1  with the extendable shaft in an extended position.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged isometric view of a distal end of the pick-up tool of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged isometric view of the distal end of the pick-up tool of  FIG. 3  illustrating a portion of a flexible range of the distal end.  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged isometric view of one embodiment of the slip contacts located inside a knuckle on the distal end of the pick-up tool of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged isometric view of one embodiment of the alignment ribs and sliding conductors located inside the shaft of the pick-up tool of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is a further enlarged isometric view of conductive strips located inside the shaft of the pick-up tool of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a subassembly of the sliding contacts and conductive strips of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , respectively, in operation.  
         [0030]      FIG. 9  is a side view of another embodiment of the pick-up tool constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 10  is an exploded isometric view of the pick-up tool of  FIG. 9 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a portable system and apparatus for retrieving magnetic objects that are located in hard-to-reach places, comprises a pick-up tool  11 . The pick-up tool  11  has a small, lightweight, ergonomic handle  13 . The handle  13  includes a first compartment  15  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ) for supporting a battery  17 , a second compartment  19  for supporting a voltage regulator circuit on a circuit board  21 , a cover  23  for concealing and providing access to only the first compartment  15 , and a hanging loop  24 . The handle  13  is also provided with a permanent magnet  25  mounted to the handle  13  and adapted to allow the pick-up tool  11  to magnetically adhere to and be retained on a magnetic object, such as a toolbox.  
         [0033]     The pick-up tool  11  may be electrically powered by a variety of power sources including but not limited to conventional disposable batteries (e.g., AAA, AA, C, D, or 9-volt), rechargeable batteries that couple to a charging stand  27  ( FIG. 1 ) to recharge the rechargeable batteries, and/or adapted to receive electrical power from a motor vehicle battery.  
         [0034]     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the pick-up tool  11  further comprises a shaft  31  having an axis  33 , a proximal end  35  mounted to the handle  13 , and a distal end  37 . The shaft  31  may be telescopic, flexible (see  FIGS. 9 and 10 ), or both, with respect to the axis  33 . A light  41  ( FIG. 4 ) is mounted to the distal end  37  of the shaft  31  and coupled to the battery  17  for illuminating objects in remote locations. The light may comprise, for example, an incandescent bulb, a light emitting diode (LED), fiber optics, or still other types of lights. An LED light is desirable as it provides maintenance-free lighting for the life of the tool  11 . The voltage regulator circuit  21  helps maintain maximum voltage to the light  41  for long life.  
         [0035]     An electromagnet  51  ( FIG. 3 ) is also mounted to the distal end  37  of the shaft  31  and coupled to the battery  17  for selectively attracting and retaining magnetic objects thereon. In the embodiment shown, the electromagnet  51  is tubular and the light  41  is located concentrically within the tubular electromagnet  51 . The electromagnet  51  is sufficiently sized and powerful enough to lift small objects (e.g., fasteners, tools, etc.) up to a weight of approximately 5 pounds, depending on the power source. For example, one embodiment of the electromagnet  51  may comprise 400 to 500 windings of 30-gage wire.  
         [0036]     A flexible end effector, “knuckle” or joint  53  is positioned in the shaft  31  between the distal end  37  of the shaft  31  and the electromagnet  51  for providing at least one additional degree of freedom of movement with respect to the shaft  31 . The joint  53  allows the light  41  and electromagnet  51  to be positioned at a variety of angles for convenience. The joint  53  may comprise a universal, a ball joint, or other types of joints also allow the light  41  and electromagnet  51  to move, flex, and/or swivel with respect to the shaft  31 .  
         [0037]     A switch  61  is provided on the handle  13  for actuating the light  41  and electromagnet  51 . In one embodiment, the switch  61  allows a user to direct the tool  11  toward an object to be retrieved without the tool  11  being attracted to surrounding magnetic components. To accomplish this, the switch  61  has a first position such that both the light  41  and the electromagnet  51  are off, a second position such that only the light  41  is on, and a third position such that both the light  41  and the electromagnet  51  are on. For example, the switch  61  may comprise a momentary, double-throw switch. This arrangement reduces power consumption as the dropped object is searched for by the user, and avoids unnecessary attraction of the electromagnet  51  to surrounding magnetic objects. Moreover, the switch  61  may be provided with a locking feature to alleviate a need for constant user engagement of the switch  61  in each of the positions.  
         [0038]     In order to provide power to the light  41  and electromagnet  51  in both the collapsed and extended positions, the shaft  31  is preferably hollow and contains sliding  63  and wiping  65  electrical contacts ( FIGS. 6-8 ). Sliding conductors eliminate discrete conductors inside the sliding telescopic shafts  31  and the knuckle  53 . The shaft  31  is equipped with alignment ribs  67  and alignment slots  69 , respectively, to facilitate alignment between the sliding and wiping contacts  63 ,  65 . The sliding and wiping contacts  63 ,  65  may be provided on inner glass-filled plastic insulators  71 ,  73 , respectively, to insulate the shaft  31  therefrom. An alternative embodiment for transmitting power along the shaft  31  is shown in  FIG. 5 . “Slip” type contacts  75  or other types of electrical conductors may be used in the joint  53  and throughout the assembly to reliably deliver power therethrough.  
         [0039]     The present invention has several advantages, including the ability to retrieve magnetic objects that are located in hard-to-reach places. The incremental acton of the double-throw switch allows the user to direct the illuminated tip of the tool toward remote objects without the tool being attracted to surrounding components. The locking feature on the switch alleviates the need for constant user engagement of the switch. The electromagnet is capable of lifting magnetic objects up to a weight of approximately 5 pounds. The tool is small, lightweight, highly portable and uses commonly available disposable batteries, rechargeable batteries, or through a connection to the battery of an automobile.  
         [0040]     In addition, the shaft may be fixed, flexible, and/or extendable, and with or without an articulated joint for the light and magnet. The shaft is also hollow to allow conductors for the electromagnet and light to be readily passed through the shaft and knuckle via, e.g., a contact and wiper system, or a coiled wire system. An optional external magnetic strip allows the tool to magnetically adhere to a toolbox.  
         [0041]     While the invention has been shown or described in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the light and electromagnet assembly may be provided as a removable attachment on the end of the shaft, such that other types of attachments (e.g., mirrors, CCD camera, etc.) may be affixed to the tool.