The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 05, 2003
Filed:
Oct. 15, 1999
Ronald William Wagner, Elgin, IL (US);
Brett Torre Crawley, Hoffman Estates, IL (US);
Videojet Systems International, Wood Dale, IL (US);
Abstract
An improved laser marking focal length setting device allows an operator of a laser marking apparatus to easily and properly set the distance between a movable laser source output and an item to be marked. The device includes a sensor which is mounted at the same distance from the item to be marked as the laser source output. The device further includes an array of light emitting diodes, each of which corresponds to a predetermined focal length. In operation, the laser source output and sensor are moved together along the axis of the laser beam. The sensor supplies a signal indicative of the distance between the sensor and item. Because the laser source output and sensor are located at the same distance from the item to be marked, this signal is also indicative of the distance from the laser source output to the item. When the distance sensed is a focal length corresponding to one of the LED's, that LED lights. When the lit LED corresponds to the focal length of the current output lens, the operator may fix the output in its current position. Alternatively, the output is drivably connected to a motor, which is responsive to the sensor to drive the output to one of a plurality of predetermined distances.