U.S. patent application number 10/870136 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-06 for vacuum attachment for drilling tool.
Invention is credited to Byles, Raymond G..
Application Number | 20050000052 10/870136 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33555675 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050000052 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Byles, Raymond G. |
January 6, 2005 |
Vacuum attachment for drilling tool
Abstract
A vacuum attachment for a drilling tool which is characterized
by a typically transparent enclosure or canister, or a canister
having a window therein, with a gasket having a gasket opening
provided on the bottom of the canister for sealing the chuck of a
drilling tool. An opening is provided on the opposite, or top end
of the canister from the gasket opening to facilitate insertion of
the drill bit through the gasket opening, into the canister and
through the top end opening to a panel or surface to be drilled, as
the drill chuck rotatably operates in the gasket opening. The top
end opening of the canister is pressed against the panel or surface
and the canister is attached to a vacuum device by means of a
vacuum hose to facilitate removal of drilling debris, particles and
dust from the interior of the canister simultaneously with
operation of the drilling tool.
Inventors: |
Byles, Raymond G.; (Many,
LA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John M. Harrison
2139 E. Bert Kouns
Shreveport
LA
71105
US
|
Family ID: |
33555675 |
Appl. No.: |
10/870136 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60484249 |
Jul 3, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/314 ; 15/301;
408/67 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 408/50 20150115;
B08B 15/04 20130101; A47L 9/02 20130101; B23Q 11/0046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/314 ;
015/301 |
International
Class: |
A47L 005/38 |
Claims
Having described my invention with the particularity set forth
above, what is claimed is:
1. A vacuum attachment for receiving a drilling tool having a chuck
and a drill bit clamped in the chuck for drilling into a surface
and collecting drilling particles, said vacuum attachment
comprising a canister for receiving the drilling particles, said
canister having a top end and a bottom end; a gasket carried by
said bottom end of said canister, said gasket adapted for
engagement with the chuck on the drilling tool and sealing the
drilling particles in said canister when the drill bit is extended
through said top end of said canister to the surface and said top
end is pressed against the surface; and a vacuum opening provided
in said canister for applying a vacuum to said canister and
removing the drilling particles from said canister.
2. The vacuum attachment of claim 1 comprising a perimeter seal
provided on said top end of said canister for removably sealing
said canister against the surface.
3. The vacuum attachment of claim 1 comprising a vacuum nipple
provided in said vacuum opening for receiving a vacuum hose
connected to a vacuum device and applying the vacuum to said
canister responsive to operation of the vacuum device.
4. The vacuum attachment of claim 3 comprising a perimeter seal
provided on said top end of said canister for removably sealing
said canister against the surface.
5. The vacuum attachment of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of
said canister is transparent.
6. The vacuum attachment of claim 1 wherein said top end is smaller
than said bottom end of said canister and comprising a perimeter
seal provided on said top end of said canister for removably
sealing said canister against the surface.
7. The vacuum attachment of claim 6 comprising a vacuum nipple
provided in said vacuum opening for receiving a vacuum hose
connected to a vacuum device and applying the vacuum to said
canister responsive to operation of the vacuum device.
8. The vacuum attachment of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of
said canister is transparent.
9. The vacuum attachment of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of
said canister is transparent and comprising a vacuum nipple
provided in said vacuum opening for receiving a vacuum hose
connected to a vacuum device and applying the vacuum to said
canister responsive to operation of the vacuum device.
10. The vacuum attachment of claim 1 comprising an opening provided
in said gasket for receiving the chuck and removably sealing the
chuck therein.
11. The vacuum attachment of claim 10 comprising a perimeter seal
provided on said top end of said canister for removably sealing
said canister against the surface
12. The vacuum attachment of claim 11 comprising a vacuum nipple
provided in said vacuum opening for receiving a vacuum hose
connected to a vacuum device and applying the vacuum to said
canister responsive to operation of the vacuum device.
13. The vacuum attachment of claim 12 wherein said top end is
smaller than said bottom end of said canister and at least a
portion of said canister is transparent.
14. A vacuum attachment for engaging a surface and receiving a
drilling tool having a chuck and a drill bit and collecting
drilling particles from the drill bit and the drilled surface, said
vacuum attachment comprising a canister for receiving the drilling
particles, said canister having an open bottom end; a gasket
carried by said open bottom end of said canister and a gasket
opening provided in said gasket, said gasket opening fitted for
sealing engagement with the chuck on the drilling tool and sealing
the drilling particles in said canister; an open top end provided
in said canister for receiving the drill bit; and a vacuum nipple
provided in said canister for receiving a vacuum hose and applying
a vacuum to said canister and removing the drilling particles from
said canister.
15. The vacuum attachment of claim 14 comprising a perimeter seal
provided on said top end of said canister for removably sealing
said canister against the surface.
16. The vacuum attachment of claim 14 wherein at least a portion of
said canister is transparent.
17. The vacuum attachment of claim 14 comprising a perimeter seal
provided on said top end of said canister for removably sealing
said canister against the surface and wherein at least a portion of
said canister is transparent.
18. The vacuum attachment of claim 14 wherein said top end is
smaller than said bottom end of said canister.
19. A vacuum attachment for removably engaging a surface to be
drilled and receiving a drilling tool having a chuck and a drill
bit and collecting drilling particles from the drill bit and the
drilled surface, said vacuum attachment comprising a canister for
receiving the drilling particles, said canister having an open top
end for accommodating the bit, a perimeter seal provided on said
open top end for removably sealing said top end against the surface
and an open bottom end; a gasket carried by said open bottom end of
said canister and a gasket opening provided in said gasket, said
gasket opening sized for sealing engagement with the chuck on the
drilling tool and sealing the drilling particles in said canister;
and a vacuum hose communicating with said canister and connected to
a vacuum device for applying a vacuum to said canister and removing
the drilling particles from said canister responsive to operation
of the vacuum device.
20. The vacuum attachment of claim 18 wherein at least a portion of
said canister is transparent.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and incorporates by
reference prior filed copending U.S. Provisional Application Ser.
No. 60/484,249, filed Jul. 3, 2003.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to drilling tools and more
particularly, to a vacuum attachment for a drilling tool, which
vacuum attachment is designed to trap drilling debris, particles
and drilling dust and remove this material by means of a vacuum
apparatus. In a preferred embodiment the vacuum attachment is
characterized by an enclosure or canister which is either
transparent or has a window therein for viewing the interior, with
a gasket provided on the bottom end. The gasket has a gasket
opening for receiving the drill bit and accommodating and sealing
the drill chuck of a drilling tool. The top of the canister is
typically provided with a lip that defines a lip opening and a
perimeter seal ring is fitted to the lip to removably seat and seal
the canister against a wall, ceiling, floor or other panel or
surface to be drilled. Accordingly, the drill bit in the drilling
tool is inserted through the gasket opening in the gasket and the
interior of the canister and through the lip opening and the
perimeter seal ring to the panel or surface, as the drill chuck
enters and rotates in the gasket opening. When the perimeter seal
ring is pressed against the panel or surface to be drilled,
particles or debris, including drilling dust, removed responsive to
the drill bit entry into the panel or surface, fall into the
interior of the canister. Furthermore, a vacuum hose, attached to
the canister and to a vacuum apparatus, removes the particles and
drilling dust to facilitate a substantially particle and dust-free
environment while operating the drilling tool. In another preferred
embodiment of the invention a vacuum hose mount or nipple is
provided in the canister for attachment to the vacuum hose and the
transparent canister wall or window located in the canister wall
facilitates observation of the canister contents to coordinate the
pace of the drilling operation and the volume of particles and
drilling dust removed from the panel or surface, with the rate of
removal of these particles and dust by the vacuum apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The invention will be better understood by reference to the
accompanying drawings wherein:
[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the vacuum attachment of this invention, illustrating an electric
drill having a chuck and bit (illustrated in phantom) disposed in
drilling configuration, with the vacuum attachment connected to the
canister and a vacuum apparatus for removing drilling particles
accumulating in the canister;
[0005] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the vacuum attachment
illustrated in FIG. 1, more particularly illustrating the gasket
and gasket opening, as well as the perimeter seal ring for sealing
the drill chuck and the top of the canister against the panel or
surface to be drilled, respectively;
[0006] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the vacuum attachment
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, more particularly illustrating a
typical perimeter seal which is fitted to the canister lip of the
canister;
[0007] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vacuum attachment
illustrated in FIG. 3, more particularly illustrating the perimeter
seal ring attached to the canister lip; and
[0008] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded view of the vacuum attachment
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, more particularly illustrating a
typical gasket and gasket keeper for removably closing the open
bottom end of the canister and orienting the gasket opening for
receiving the drill bit and drill chuck illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] Referring initially to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the drawings
the vacuum attachment of this invention is generally illustrated by
reference numeral 1. In a preferred embodiment the vacuum
attachment 1 is characterized by a container or canister 2 of
selected size and shape, which is typically transparent or fitted
with a window for viewing the contents, typically drilling
particles and dust 22 (FIG. 1). The canister 2 typically further
includes a canister lip 2a and lip opening 2b on the top end
thereof (FIG. 3) and a resilient perimeter seal ring 8, designed to
permanently or removably fit on the canister lip 2a for removably
sealing the canister 2 against a surface or panel 23, illustrated
in phantom in FIG. 1. The opposite bottom and typically larger,
open end of the canister 2 (FIG. 5), is fitted with a typically
resilient gasket 3, having a gasket flange 3b, a gasket bottom 3c
and a gasket opening 4 in the gasket bottom 3c, for snugly
receiving the drill chuck 16, carrying a bit 17 in the electric
drill 15, also illustrated in phantom in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Accordingly, referring again to FIG. 1 of the drawings, when the
vacuum attachment 1 is in functional, drilling configuration the
drill bit 17 and the drill chuck 16 are inserted into the gasket
opening 4 such that the drill chuck 16 rotatably and snugly engages
the gasket 3 around the perimeter of the gasket opening 4.
Furthermore, the extending drilling end of the drill bit 17 extends
through the lip opening 2b of the canister lip 2a and the perimeter
seal ring 8 and engages the panel 23 for drilling purposes.
[0010] As further illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 of the drawings a
vacuum hose mount or nipple 5, having a nipple bore 6 (FIG. 5) that
communicates with the interior of the canister 2, is provided in
the wall of the canister 2 for receiving the mount nipple end 11 of
a flexible vacuum hose 10. The opposite, or vacuum apparatus end 12
of the vacuum hose 10 is attached to a vacuum device or apparatus
13 of conventional design, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Accordingly,
referring again to FIG. 1, when the vacuum attachment 1 is in the
operational mode illustrated therein, the trigger 19 of the
electric drill 15 is depressed and power is supplied to the motor
(not illustrated), typically by operation of the battery pack 18,
while the handle 20 is grasped to maintain the extending cutting
end of the drill bit 17 against the panel 23, and as the perimeter
seal ring 8 is pressed against the panel 23. Rotation of the drill
bit 17 responsive to operation of the electric drill 15 thus drills
a hole in the panel 23 and the drilling particles and dust 22
removed by the drill bit 17 fall through the perimeter seal ring 8
and the lip opening 2b (FIG. 3) and into the canister 2 and are
removed through the vacuum hose mount 5 and vacuum hose 10 by
operation of the vacuum apparatus 13. Since the canister 2 is
either transparent or provided with a transparent window, the
contents of the canister 2 are easily observed and the operator of
the electric drill 15 is able to maintain a drilling speed
consistent with the capacity of the vacuum apparatus 13 to remove
the drilling particles and dust 22 that fall into the canister
2.
[0011] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 3-5 of the drawings in a
preferred embodiment of the invention the removable resilient
perimeter seal ring 8 fits either removably or fixedly on the
canister lip 2a, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, to facilitate a
tight seal between the canister 2 and the panel 23 during the
drilling operation illustrated in FIG. 1. Accordingly, in a most
preferred embodiment of the invention the perimeter seal ring 8 is
characterized by a resilient material such as rubber or plastic,
that is able to tightly fit against the panel 23 and effect an
essentially particle and dust-free drilling of the drill bit 17
through the panel 23 to contain essentially all of the drilling
particles and dust 22 from the panel 23 in the canister 2. As
heretofore described and as illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings,
in another preferred embodiment of the invention the typically
rubber or plastic gasket 3 is preferably characterized by a
cup-shaped design having a gasket opening 4 in the gasket bottom 3c
thereof and adapted to receive a typically rubber or plastic gasket
keeper 3a which fits snugly over the gasket flange 3b of the gasket
3 to removably seat the gasket 3 on the open end of the canister 2.
Alternatively, the gasket flange 3b may be constructed slightly
undersized with respect to the bottom end of the canister 2 to
facilitate a friction-fit of the gasket 3 on the canister without
the use of the gasket keeper 3a. Furthermore, as further
illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings the vacuum hose nipple 5 is
typically molded integrally with, or may be secured in an opening
(not illustrated) in the wall of the canister 2 and is also
sufficiently sized, along with the vacuum hose 10, to facilitate a
friction fit between the mount nipple end 11 of the vacuum hose 10
on the vacuum hose nipple 5.
[0012] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
vacuum attachment 1 of this invention is easily utilized as
illustrated in FIG. 1 and as heretofore described, to facilitate
the removal of bits and pieces, including drilling dust, identified
as drilling particles and dust 22, from the panel 23 that are
removed by the drill bit 17, mounted in the drill chuck 16 of the
electric drill 15. The rate of removal of these drilling particles
and dust 22 from the panel 23 by the vacuum apparatus 13 is a
function of the design of the drill bit 17, the material of
construction and composition of the panel 23, the size of the
canister 2 and the pressure exerted on the electric drill 15 at the
handle 20 during the drilling operation. On any selected project,
the rate of removal of these drilling particles and dust 22 can
therefore be controlled by adjusting the pressure exerted on the
handle 20 of the electric drill 15. Accordingly, the operator can
control the rate of ejection of the drilling particles and dust 22
from the panel 23 and the drill bit 17 into the canister 2, so as
not to overload the vacuum apparatus 13 as the drilling particles
and dust 22 are removed by vacuum through the vacuum hose nipple 5
and the vacuum hose 10. Generally, under normal circumstances, the
drilling operation can proceed in as rapid fashion as desired,
since the vacuum apparatus 13 and the vacuum hose 10 will usually
be sufficiently sized to remove the drilling particles and dust 22
from the canister 2 as fast as they are deposited therein by the
rotating drill bit 17.
[0013] It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art
that the panel 23 can be any panel or surface, typically located
overhead in a ceiling or in a wall or floor, in non-exclusive
particular, and during the drilling operation the resilient
perimeter seal ring 8 is maintained in close contact with the panel
23 to minimize the escape from the canister 2 of drilling particles
and dust 22 ejected from the drill bit 17. Resiliency in the
perimeter seal ring 8 is preferred, to allow for variations in the
ideal perpendicular orientation of the drill bit 17 with respect to
the panel 23 and thus, to maintain a uniformly tight seal against
the panel 23. Furthermore, the rotating drill chuck 16 fits in the
gasket open 4 of the gasket 3 in such a snug manner that the gasket
3 seals the rotating drill chuck 16 to facilitate entrapment of the
vast majority of drilling particles and dust 22 inside the canister
2. Moreover, the negative air pressure applied to the interior of
the canister 2 by the vacuum apparatus 13 through the vacuum hose
10 and the vacuum hose nipple 5, further serves to remove the
drilling particles and dust 22 from the canister 2 through the
vacuum hose 10 and into the vacuum apparatus 13, rather than
allowing these particles to escape from the canister 2, either from
the gasket opening 4 interface with the drill chuck 16 or the
perimeter seal ring 8 interface with the panel 23.
[0014] It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art
that as heretofore described, the gasket 3 for sealing on the
bottom end of the canister 2 may be constructed in any desired
manner, but is preferably constructed with the gasket flange 3b
extending from the gasket bottom 3c, to facilitate removable
mounting of the gasket 3 on the bottom or large end of the canister
2, either using the gasket ring or keeper 3a, as illustrated in
FIG. 5, or in a friction-fit. In this manner the gasket 3 can be
replaced as the gasket opening 4 becomes enlarged or deformed due
to friction from rotation of the drill chuck 16 over time, in order
to maintain a close sealing fit between the drill chuck 16 and the
gasket 3 at the gasket opening 4. It is also understood that the
gasket 3 may be constructed of materials other than rubber,
including a plastic of suitable composition and resiliency, or the
like, known to those skilled in the art, as heretofore
described.
[0015] It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
the vacuum attachment 1 can be utilized with substantially any
drilling tool, including an electric drill 15 as illustrated, or
other drilling tool or implement, including smaller "Dremel"
(trademark) tools and the like, in non-exclusive particular. A
primary consideration in the design and utilization of the vacuum
attachment 1 with an electric drill 15 or the equivalent, is the
size of the canister 2 and the length of the drill bit 17, which
must be sufficiently long to extend through the interior of the
canister 2 and the lip opening 2b of the canister lip 2a, in order
to contact and drill into the panel 23, as illustrated in FIGS. 1
and 2 of the drawings. Moreover, while the canister 2 illustrated
in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings is illustrated as transparent, it will
be further appreciated that one or more windows (not illustrated)
may be provided in an otherwise translucent or opaque canister 2,
to facilitate observing the accumulation of drilling particles and
dust 22 inside the canister 2 resulting from penetration of the
drill bit 17 and the removal of this debris through the vacuum hose
10 and into the vacuum apparatus 13. It is further understood that
a vacuum apparatus 13 of any suitable design may be utilized with
the vacuum attachment 1, the only requirement being that the vacuum
apparatus 13 create a sufficient suction to form a vacuum in the
canister 2 that will adequately remove the drilling particles and
dust 22 from the canister 2 as they accumulate from the panel 23
during operation of the electric drill 15.
[0016] It is also understood that the canister 2 may be of any
selected size and shape, although a cylindrical design having an
inwardly-tapering upper surface to shape the canister lip 2a, as
indicated in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings, is preferred. This design
facilitates a gasket sufficiently large to accommodate a drill
chuck 16 in the gasket opening 4 and a canister lip opening 2b
which is sufficiently large to accommodate a drill bit 17, but
sufficiently small to minimize the peripheral surface area around
the lip opening 2b and thus, the perimeter for escape of the
drilling particles and dust 22. Another option for fitting the
mount nipple end 11 of the vacuum hose 10 on the vacuum hose mount
5 is a bayonet coupling or other coupling known to those skilled in
the art, for quickly and easily attaching and detaching the vacuum
hose 10 to and from the vacuum hose mount 5.
[0017] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described above, it will be recognized and understood that various
modifications may be made in the invention and the appended claims
are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within
the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *