US Patent 7331113 Tool alignment device

Disclosed is a tool alignment device that aids the operator in positioning a hand tool such as a drill or driver perpendicular, parallel or a specific angle to the target surface. Importantly, the operator can observe the device an omni-directional line-of-sight. The device includes of a light beam emitting/detecting device, which is affixed to the tool, and a flat optical reflector, which is placed on the target surface. The light-emitting device is used to project a beam of light onto the reflector, collinearly with the axis of the tool. The beam is reflected back to the device and lights up a light guide indicating when the tool is perpendicular to or at a specific angle to the target surface.