U.S. patent application number 12/421945 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-15 for multi-shell air-tight compartmentalized casings.
This patent application is currently assigned to X'POLE PRECISION TOOLS, INC.. Invention is credited to Robert A. Geiser, Paul W. Huber.
Application Number | 20090258584 12/421945 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41055212 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090258584 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huber; Paul W. ; et
al. |
October 15, 2009 |
Multi-Shell Air-Tight Compartmentalized Casings
Abstract
A molded tool casing of at least two sections for air-tightly
encasing a tool is taught. A seal is inserted into a groove molded
into the sealing perimeter of one section. A protruding ridge is
molded into the sealing perimeter of a second section that is to be
joined to the first casing section is adapted for compressing the
seal into the groove providing for an air-tight seal for the two
joined sections. The casing sections are contoured to provide
air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments for receiving and
encasing tool components. Opposing joining perimeters of the
air-tightly sealable compartments are adapted with the grooves and
protruding ridges, respectively. The tool casing houses a tool,
such as a pneumatic tool, such as a central or self-generating
vacuum pneumatic tool, or a non-vacuum tool. The tool casing is
molded to have a firm inner layer coated by an outer pliant
overmolded layer.
Inventors: |
Huber; Paul W.; (Lancaster,
NY) ; Geiser; Robert A.; (Elma, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATRICIA M. COSTANZO;PATS PENDING
P.O. BOX 101
ELMA
NY
14059
US
|
Assignee: |
X'POLE PRECISION TOOLS,
INC.
Chung-Li City
TW
|
Family ID: |
41055212 |
Appl. No.: |
12/421945 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61043820 |
Apr 10, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
451/451 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25F 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
451/451 |
International
Class: |
B24B 55/00 20060101
B24B055/00; B24B 55/04 20060101 B24B055/04 |
Claims
1. A tool casing, comprising: at least two casing sections so
molded that once positioned about a tool to be encased and joined
together at their sealing perimeters with seals therebetween form
an air-tight casing for encasing a tool.
2. The tool casing, as recited in claim 1, wherein a groove is
molded into the sealing perimeter of one casing section forming a
grooved casing section.
3. The tool casing, as recited in claim 2, wherein a seal is
inserted into said groove.
4. The tool casing, as recited in claim 1, wherein a protruding
ridge molded into the sealing perimeter of a casing section that is
to be joined to said grooved casing section is adapted for
compressing the seal inserted into said grooved casing section
providing for an air-tightly sealed casing when the two sections
are joined.
5. The tool casing, as recited in claim 1, wherein each of at least
two casing sections is so contoured as to provide air-tightly
sealable inner-casing compartments for receiving tool components to
be encased.
6. The tool casing, as recited in claim 4, wherein opposing joining
perimeters of said air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments
are adapted with said grooves and protruding ridges,
respectively.
7. The tool casing, as recited in claim 1, wherein the tool is a
pneumatic tool.
8. The tool casing, as recited in claim 7, wherein the pneumatic
tool is either a central or self-generating vacuum pneumatic
tool.
9. The tool casing, as recited in claim 1, wherein each casing
section comprises a molded firm inner layer coated by an outer
pliant overmolded layer.
10. The tool casing, as recited in claim 9, wherein said molded
firm inner layer comprises a firm plastic layer.
11. The tool casing, as recited in claim 9, wherein said molded
outer pliable overmolded layer comprises a urethane overmolded
layer.
12. The tool casing, as recited in claim 5, wherein said
air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments further comprise a
first air-tightly sealed molded chamber for accommodating an
exhaust chamber.
13. The tool casing, as recited in claim 12, wherein said
air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments further comprise a
second molded chamber for accommodating an exhaust tube and an
inlet tub.
14. The tool casing, as recited in claim 13, wherein said
air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments further comprise a
second air-tightly sealed molded chamber for accommodating a vacuum
chamber.
15. The tool casing, as recited in claim 7, wherein the pneumatic
tool is a non-vacuum pneumatic tool.
16. A multi-shell casing, comprising: an air-tightly sealable,
sectional casing comprising: a first molded casing section, and a
second molded casing section, said first molded casing section
molded having seal accepting grooves in its joining perimeter
edges, said second molded casing section molded having protruding
ridges in its joining perimeters edges, at least one seal for
positioning within said seal accepting grooves; said protruding
ridges adaptedly shaped for exerting a continuous pressure against
said seals once said seals are position within said grooves and
said first and second molded casing sections are joined
together.
17. The multi-shell casing, as recited in claim 16, wherein each of
said first and second sections are so shapedly contoured to form
air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments for receiving
components to be encased, where opposing joining perimeters of said
air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments are adapted with
said grooves and protruding ridges, respectively, so that when said
components to be encased are received with said compartments and
said seals are positioned within each perimeter groove, and when
said sections are joined an air-tight sealed casing having
air-tightly sealed compartments housing said components is
provided.
18. The multi-shell casing, as recited in claim 17, wherein said
components define a tool.
19. The multi-shell casing, as recited in claim 18, wherein said
tool is a pneumatic tool.
20. A method for making a multi-shell casing, comprising: providing
for an air-tightly sealable, sectional casing comprising: molding a
first casing section, molding a second casing section, molding said
first molded casing section to have seal accepting grooves in its
joining perimeter edges, molding said second molded casing section
molded to have protruding ridges in its joining perimeters edges,
positioning at least one seal within said seal accepting grooves;
adaptedly shaping said protruding ridges for exerting a continuous
pressure against said seals once said seals are position within
said grooves and said first and second molded casing sections are
joined together.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority benefit to Application No.
61043820 filed Apr. 10, 2008.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0004] The present invention relates generally to tool casings and,
more particularly, to air-tightly sealed split-shell casings,
especially for motor driven pneumatic tools, including vacuum and
non-vacuum sanding and grinding tools.
[0005] The background information discussed below is presented to
better illustrate the novelty and usefulness of the present
invention. This background information is not admitted prior
art.
[0006] Power tools require a covering or casing to protect their
electronic and/or moving components. Such tools would soon be
ruined if used without some kind of protective covering, as the
electronic and/or moving components of the tools are easily
affected by dust and moisture. Depending on the size, shape, and
power source of the tool, the tool's protective casing can be
manufactured as one-piece or multi-piece covers. Presently, all
pneumatic tools use single shelled casings because of the seal that
is required for the vacuum and/or exhaust chamber. All electric
tools whether they are a vacuum type tool or not utilize a split
shell design. Electric vacuum type tools, however, are not very
effective because their split shell casing can not completely seal
their vacuum chamber.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present Inventor realized that manufacturing pneumatic
tools using only a one-piece air-tight shell created many problems.
The size, number, shape, and complexity of each tool component must
be designed to fit into the one-piece air-tight shell.
Additionally, when designing a single shelled housing for a
pneumatic tool, the process is restricted to the mold-ability of
the housing. This means that each housing must be designed to
provide for the housing to be able to be ejected from the mold in
which it is formed. Therefore the look and feel of the tool might
be compromised to provide for the housing to be moldable. This
requirement complicates the design, manufacturing, and assembly
processes, and, furthermore, results in a heavier and perhaps
bulkier and less ergonomic than desired tool and increases
costs.
[0008] These concerns prompted the present Inventor to design an
air-tight split-shell protective casing for pneumatic and other
tools. As described below, split-shell casings, made according to
the principles of the present invention, provide for an air-tight
seal between the split-shell sections. Moreover, the degree of
shape complexity and the number of features of both the tool to be
housed and its housing easily and cost-effectively can be increased
when a two or more multiple pieces housing design is used in place
of a single-shell housing. At the same time, the air-tight sealable
split-shell housings, as taught herein, provide for a reduction in
the design complexity of the housing and tool that is required by a
single shell design to provide for a fit between the tool and the
housing, thus, simplifying manufacturing and assembly, and reducing
overall costs. These cost reductions enable the production of
split-shell housed tools that are more affordable for all.
Moreover, split-shell cased tools are able to have a higher power
to weight ratio, thus, providing for smaller, lighter tools to
accomplish the same tasks as single-shell cased tool counterparts.
Additionally, split-shell casings, made following the principles of
the present invention, are rigid, strong, and capable of
withstanding harsh operating conditions. Split-shell cased tools
are easy to hold and are ergonomic in that the casings reduce
tool-produced vibrations that otherwise would be adsorbed by a
user's hands.
[0009] It should be noted that the present invention resides not in
any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular
structure of the components and the combinations of the features
herein disclosed that distinguishes the present invention. It will
be shown that the casings made according to the principles of the
invention provide a sealing means that securely attaches two
half-shells of a two-section split-shell casing to each other, so
that for all tools so cased, without or with vacuum capabilities,
which vacuum may be self-generated or supplied from a central
vacuum device, the multiple-part protective shell provides an
air-tight seal. The addition of the sealing means of this invention
to a split-shell casing effectively creates a sealed chamber that
can be used effectively in both vacuum or exhaust sections of the
tool.
[0010] All of these benefits are made possible by providing for a
tool casing, comprising:
[0011] at least two casing sections so molded that once positioned
about a tool to be encased and joined together at their sealing
perimeters with seals therebetween form an air-tight casing for
encasing a tool, where a groove is molded into the sealing
perimeter of one casing section forming a grooved casing section, a
seal is inserted into the groove. A protruding ridge that is molded
into the sealing perimeter of the casing section that is to be
joined to the grooved casing section is adapted for compressing the
seal inserted into the grooved casing section providing for an
air-tightly sealed casing when the two sections are joined.
[0012] Furthermore, wherein each of at least two casing sections is
so contoured as to provide air-tightly sealable inner-casing
compartments for receiving tool components to be encased and
wherein opposing joining perimeters of the air-tightly sealable
inner-casing compartments are adapted with the grooves and
protruding ridges, respectively.
[0013] The components to be encased are contemplated to be tools,
such as a pneumatic tool, such as a central or self-generating
vacuum pneumatic tool.
[0014] Each casing section comprises a molded firm inner layer
coated by an outer pliant overmolded layer, where the molded firm
inner layer may comprise a firm plastic layer and the molded outer
pliable overmolded layer may comprise a urethane overmolded
layer.
[0015] And, where the air-tightly sealable inner-casing
compartments may comprise a first air-tightly sealed molded chamber
for accommodating an exhaust chamber, a second molded chamber for
accommodating an exhaust tube and an inlet tub, and a second
air-tightly sealed molded chamber for accommodating a vacuum
chamber.
[0016] Additionally, there is provided a method for making a
multi-shell casing, comprising:
[0017] providing for an air-tightly sealable, sectional casing
comprising: [0018] molding a first casing section, [0019] molding a
second casing section, [0020] molding the first molded casing
section to have seal accepting grooves in its joining perimeter
edges, [0021] molding the second molded casing section molded to
have protruding ridges in its joining perimeters edges, [0022]
positioning at least one seal within the seal accepting grooves;
[0023] adaptedly shaping the protruding ridges for exerting a
continuous pressure against the seals once the seals are positioned
within the grooves and the first and second molded casing sections
are joined together.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] In order that these and other objects, features, and
advantages of the present invention may be more fully comprehended
and appreciated, the invention will now be described with reference
to specific exemplar embodiments, which are illustrated in appended
drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts
throughout the several figures. It should be understood that these
drawings only depict preferred embodiments of the present invention
and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope.
Accordingly, the manner of making and using the present invention
will be described with additional specificity and detail through
the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0025] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of one section of a
two-section split-shell, central-vacuum, pneumatic tool according
to the principles of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the opposing section of a
two-section split-shell, central-vacuum, pneumatic tool, as
illustrated in FIG. 1a.
[0027] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of one section of a
two-section split-shell, self-generated-vacuum, pneumatic tool
according to the principles of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 2b is a perspective view of the opposing section of a
two-section split-shell, self-generated-vacuum, pneumatic tool, as
illustrated in FIG. 2a.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a split-shell, vacuum,
pneumatic tool illustrating the various seals of a tool and how
they relate to the tool.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the outer and inner-layers of
a shell and its seal to show how left side shell 34 compresses
upper seal 52 to form an air-tight sealed chamber.
REFERENCE NUMERALS AND PARTS OF THE INVENTION TO WHICH THEY
REFER
[0031] 2 Exhaust chamber. [0032] 4 Exhaust tube. [0033] 6 Central
vacuum adapter. [0034] 8 Vacuum chamber. [0035] 10 Motor
exhaust/vacuum chamber. [0036] 12 Inlet tube. [0037] 14 Vacuum end
cap. [0038] 20 Exhaust air. [0039] 22 Exhaust air. [0040] 26
Self-generated vacuum adapter. [0041] 32 Right hand shell part as
held in the hand of a tool user. [0042] 34 Left hand shell part as
held in the hand of a tool user. [0043] 36 A groove molded into the
edge of right hand part 32 of plastic shell 44. [0044] 42 Urethane
overmold. [0045] 44 Plastic shell. [0046] 46 Seal. [0047] 48
Muffler. [0048] 52 Upper seal. [0049] 53 Protruding ridge on edge
of left hand part 34 of plastic shell 44. [0050] 54 Tube seal.
[0051] 56 Lower seal. [0052] 56a One part of top section of lower
seal 56. [0053] 56b Another part of top section of lower seal 56.
[0054] 56c One end section of lower seal 56. [0055] 56d Bottom
section of lower seal 56. [0056] 56e Another end section of lower
seal 56. [0057] 58 O-ring. [0058] 60 Exiting air out of self
generated vacuum adapter 26. [0059] 62 Back-up pad.
DEFINITIONS
[0059] [0060] O-ring, as used herein, refers to a loop of elastomer
with a round ("o"-shaped) cross-section used as a mechanical seal
or gasket. They are designed to be seated in a groove and
compressed during assembly between two or more parts, creating a
seal at the interface. The joint may be static, or (in some
designs) have relative motion between the parts and the o-ring;
rotating pump shafts and hydraulic cylinders, for example. Joints
with motion usually require lubrication of the o-ring to reduce
wear. This is typically accomplished with the fluid being sealed.
O-rings are one of the most common seals used in machine design
because they are inexpensive and easy to make, reliable, and have
simple mounting requirements. They can seal tens of megapascals
(thousands of psi) pressure.
[0061] Successful o-ring joint design requires a rigid mechanical
mounting that applies a predictable deformation to the o-ring. The
seal is designed to have a point contact between the o-ring and
sealing faces. This allows a high local stress, able to contain
high pressure, without exceeding the yield stress of the o-ring
body. The flexible nature of o-ring materials accommodates
imperfections in the mounting parts.
[0062] In vacuum applications, higher mounting forces are used so
that the ring fills the whole groove. Also, round back-up rings are
used to save the ring from excessive deformation. As the ring feels
the ambient pressure and the partial pressure of gases only at the
seal, their gradients will be steep near the seal and shallow in
the bulk (opposite to the gradients of the point contact.
[0063] One example of a common material of an o-ring is Buna-N
(nitrile rubber), which is the most widely used type of o-ring. It
is also one of the least expensive type of o-ring seals. Due to its
excellent resistance to petroleum products, and its ability to be
compounded for service over a temperature range of -65 to +275
degrees F. (-54 to +135 degrees C.), nitrile is the most widely
used etastomer in the seal industry today. Nitrile compounds are
superior to most elastomers with regard to compression set or cold
flow, tear and abrasion resistance. [0064] Pneumatic motor, as used
herein, refers to a machine which converts energy of compressed air
into mechanical work. In industrial applications linear motion can
come from either a diaphragm or piston actuator. As for rotary
motion, either a vane type air motor or piston air motor is used.
Rotary motion vane type air motors are used to start large
industrial diesel or natural gas engines. Stored energy in the form
of compressed air, nitrogen or natural gas enters the sealed motor
chamber and exerts pressure against the vanes of a rotor. Much like
a windmill, this causes the rotor to turn at high speed. Reduction
gears are used to create high torque levels sufficient to turn the
engine flywheel when engaged by the pinion gear of the air motor or
air starter. A widespread application of small pneumatic motors is
in hand-held tools, powering ratchet wrenches, drills, sanders,
grinders, cutters, and so on. Their overall energy efficiency is
low, but due to compactness and light weight, they are often
preferred to electric tools.
[0065] It should be understood that the drawings are not
necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details which are not
necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which
render other details difficult to perceive may have been
omitted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0066] The principles underlying the invention, especially as they
relate to the production of multi-section split-shell casings or
housings for use with a variety of tools, are presented herein. To
better describe the invention, the appended drawings illustrate one
preferred embodiment of a two-section split-shell power tool
casing. Each section of a two-section split-shell power tool
casing, as illustrated, complements its companion section. Once the
tool or its components are installed into the compartment or
compartments of a first section, the companion second section is
joined to the first section. The two sections are sealed together
using sealing means that provide for air-tight seals forming an
air-tightly sealed split-shell tool casing. The seal is secure to
the point that no particulate matter, oil, or air can escape from
or get into the casing. Thus, the present invention provides
air-tight sealed split-shell casings for housing tools, such as
pneumatic tools, with or without vacuum. The invention teaches
split-shell housings specifically designed to accept specifically
designed seals that provide the air-tight sealing of the housing
parts to each other, and the method that is used to manufacture
such housings. The housings, as exemplified in the accompanying
illustrations, are made of two sections or modules, manufactured
through a low-cost molding method, and sealing means that include
upper and lower seals, rubber seal, and o-ring. Each shell section
of the split-shell is molded according to the requirements of the
tool it is designed to house. Once the parts of the desired tool
are incorporated into the split-shell sections, the sections are
joined and air-tightly sealed closed by the conjunction of the
seals that are inserted into the grooves of the sealing rims of one
of the spilt shell sections and the protruding ridges formed on the
sealing rims of the complementary spilt shell. Thus, not only are
the seals present, but the protruding ridges that press into the
seal assure a tight, secure seal is made. Heretofore, split-shell
construction could not provide such an air-tight seal, thus there
have been no pneumatic tools having air-tight split-shell housing.
As mentioned above, split-shell air-tight seal housing provides for
a reduction in the number and the complexity of a tool's
components, as split-shell design provides greater flexibility in
the internal design of the split-shell sections, thus, simplifying
manufacture and assembly and a reduction of overall costs.
Furthermore, the air-tight seal split-shell housed tool is rigid,
strong, and capable of withstanding harsh operating conditions, and
it is designed to be easy to hold and ergonomic in its ability to
reduce any vibrations that would other wise be adsorbed by a user
hands.
[0067] Thus there has been described the more important features of
the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of
course, additional features of the invention that will be described
hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims
appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0068] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1a, a perspective view,
illustrates one section (which shall be referred to as right hand
shell 32 as held in the hand of a tool user) of a two-section
split-shell casing designed for housing a known central-vacuum
pneumatic tool indicated by dashed lines. Both casing sections, the
one illustrated and its companion (see FIG. 1b) consist of an inner
plastic layer 44 molded with outer urethane overmolded layer 42. It
should be understood that the inner layer may be constructed of any
moldable material that has the strength required to house a tool,
such as a pneumatic tool. The urethane overmold, or of any other
over moldable material overmold that offers like properties,
provides several advantages, including vibration absorption, slip
resistance grip, and durability. Inner shell 44 is custom contour
molded to provide an exact fit for the tool to be encased. Inner
shell 44 also may be molded to provide discrete, air-tight sealable
compartments. The compartments or inner-chambers are shaped and
sized for receiving and encasing a desired tool component or
components. The inner-chambers may be air-tight chambers, as
required. Using molding processes to produce the casings taught
herein provides for relatively easy and cost-effective production
of the casings that are designed to be as simply or complexly
shaped and sized, as required. The molding process also provides
for relatively easy and cost-effective design and manufacture of
custom sized and shaped inner compartments, which is not the case
when the casing shells are machined out of aluminum or steel. In
the example illustrated, there is provided three inner chambers.
The first of the three inner chambers is air-tightly sealed exhaust
chamber 2 which is bounded by tube seal 54, upper seal 52, vacuum
end cap 14 and O-ring seal 58, and upper part of lower seal 56.
Air-tightly sealed exhaust chamber 2 also holds a first end of
inlet tube 12.
[0069] Also illustrated in FIG. 1a is a second chamber extending
between tube seal 54 and a second end of the housing (the end
having back-up pad 62) accommodating exhaust tube 4 and a second
end of inlet tube 12.
[0070] A third housing chamber, illustrated in FIG. 1a, is lower
vacuum chamber 8, sealed by top sections 56a and 56b of lower seal
56, end section 56e of lower seal 56, bottom section 56d of lower
seal 56, and another end section 56c of lower seal 56.
[0071] FIG. 1b, another perspective view, illustrates the opposing
section of the two-section split-shell, central-vacuum, pneumatic
tool, as illustrated in FIG. 1a (which shall be referred to as left
hand shell 34 as held in the hand of a tool user).
[0072] Compressed air travels from a compressor through vacuum end
cap 14 into inlet tube 12 towards the motor housing as depicted by
the air-path arrows illustrated within inlet tube 12. The path
traveled by exhaust air depends on the type of tool in the housing.
For central vacuum (CV) and non-vacuum (NV) machines, exhaust air
travels through vacuum adapter 6 to exhaust tube 4 into exhaust
chamber 2. The exhaust air then travels thru a material that
muffles the sound 48, such as a felt material, to exist the tool in
the direction of arrow 20. Another commonly used muffler material
is sintered bronze, which is a porous material that allows air to
pass thru but traps particulates, or other material carried by the
exhaust air. After passing through the muffler, the exhaust air
exits the machine. The inlet air does not mix with the exhaust air,
even though the inlet tube is located in the exhaust chamber to
minimize the size of tool, as the inlet air is kept contained
within the inlet tube. Upper seal 52, lower seal 56, rubber tube
seal 54, and o-ring 58 together tightly enclose exhaust chamber 2
to prohibit air and oil leakage at any point where other shell
sections are joined to the section enclosing exhaust chamber 2.
[0073] FIG. 2a, a perspective view, illustrates one section of a
two-section split-shell casing designed for housing a known
self-generated-vacuum (SGV) pneumatic tool indicated by dashed
lines. The casing of the SGV model is molded to have two inner
compartments, an upper chamber in which inlet tube 12 is positioned
and a lower chamber that is motor-exhaust/vacuum chamber 10. As the
upper chamber is not divided into two discrete chambers, upper seal
52, rubber tube seal 54, and o-ring 58 are not required. In SGV
machines, as in CV machines, compressed air travels from a
generator through vacuum end cap 14 into inlet tube 12 towards the
motor housing as depicted by the air-flow arrows. Self-generated
motor exhaust air travels through the motor housing and then
through vacuum adapter 26 into lower exhaust/vacuum chamber 10 as
shown by arrow 60 which causes air to be pulled from the upper
chamber above the back-up pad 62 and into vacuum chamber 8 and out
of the machine in the direction indicated by arrow 22. Lower
motor-exhaust/vacuum chamber is sealed by top section 56b of lower
seal 56, end section 56e of lower seal 56, bottom section 56d of
lower seal 56, and another end section 56c of lower seal 56.
[0074] FIG. 2b, a perspective view, illustrated the opposing
section of the two-section split-shell encased
self-generated-vacuum pneumatic tool, as illustrated in FIG.
2a.
[0075] FIG. 3, a perspective view, illustrates examples of the
various seals used to seal the two outer-shell sections of the
split-shell tool casing used to house a CV pneumatic tool and how
they relate to the casing. In the compartments that require and
air-tight seal, the seals, as described, prohibit air, oil, and
sanded particle leakage from one chamber to another and through the
joints that define where the two shell sections come together.
[0076] Upper seal 52 and lower seal 56 may be made from a range of
inert materials that exhibit the desired sealing properties. One
example of a common material that may be used for the seal is
Buna-N (nitrile), which is thought to be the most widely used
o-ring material. Other materials may be satisfactory as long as the
exhibit the properties required to form an air-tight seal in the
environment as described. The rubber tube seal may be made from
natural rubber (an elastic hydrocarbon polymer) or from any
synthetic rubber, as long as the rubber of choice has the physical
properties required for forming an air-tight seal.
[0077] FIG. 4, a sectional view, illustrates the seal formed
between two firm casing sections 32 and 34 that have been joined
together to form an air-tightly sealed housing about a tool and how
the sealing perimeters of the casing sections are shaped to work in
concert with the seals to assure the formation of air-tight sealing
of the casing sections. Thus, once the desired tool and/or tool
components are situated within the firm layer sections 32 and 34
adapted for receiving the tool, the sections are joined together to
form an air-tight casing seal by a reinforcing combination of the
sealing power of the seals that are inserted into the grooves of
the sealing rims of one section of the casing with the additional
of the extra sealing force provided by the protruding ridges formed
on the sealing rims of the complementary casing section. Thus, not
only are the seals present, but the protruding ridges that press
into the seal to compress the seal assure a tight, secure seal is
made. In particular, inserted into groove 36, formed during the
molding process of right hand firm part layer 32 is upper seal 52.
Once the two firm part layer sections 32 and 34 are joined together
along their joining perimeters, protruding ridge 53 on joining
perimeter edge of left hand part 34 of plastic shell 44 compresses
seal 52 to form an airtight seal between the two sections.
[0078] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses
specific and defined nomenclature to provide a thorough
understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one
skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in
order to practice the invention. For example, the shape and size of
the casing can vary to accommodate the shape and size of the tool
to be encased. The size, shape, and composition of the seals can
likely be chosen as required. The number of sections of casing and
the number and compartments within the casing depend, also, on the
tool that is to be encased. Thus, the foregoing description of the
specific embodiment is presented for purposes of illustration and
description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Those skilled in the art
will recognize that many changes may be made to the features,
embodiments, and methods of making the embodiments of the invention
described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Furthermore, the present invention includes all the
variation, methods, modifications, and combinations of features
within the scope of the appended claims, thus the invention is
limited only by the claims.
* * * * *