Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Having work engaging and force exerting portion inserted...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-04
2001-06-26
Smith, James G. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Having work engaging and force exerting portion inserted...
C081S488000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250186
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for fastening woodworking materials, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for specifically driving screws to join at least two pieces of wood, with minimal repair work or finishing afterwards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to secure two or more pieces of woodworking material together, it is desirable to use a screw to join two pieces of wood together. The joined pieces of wood may be used to form a cabinet or other piece of furniture. Many steps are required to properly use a screw and have a final product with an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
By woodworking is meant any material used by a woodworker to build framing, molding, cabinets, and similar items. This woodworking material may be assembled with screws, and may made with or without doors.
By cabinet is meant any piece of wooden furniture, the pieces of which can be joined with at least one screw. Typical examples thereof include, but are not limited to, a bookcase, a china cabinet, an end table, a coffee table, lamp table, a credenza, a hutch, a curio cabinet, and similar items. This wooden furniture may be assembled with screws, and may be with or without doors.
The common practice in cabinet making, when it is desired to fasten two pieces of wood together, is to (1) drill a pilot hole, (2) countersink the hole to accommodate the head of the screw, (3) drive a screw into the pilot hole so that the head of screw is below the surface of the wood, and (4) then cover the hole with a dowel or wood filler. The hole to be filled is typically about six millimeters to seven millimeters in diameter.
The size of the aperture where the screw is used in cabinet making creates a major problem, due to the size of the head of the screw. It is both very difficult and time-consuming to fill in the aperture for the head of screw. It also requires great skill to provide a smooth skin cabinet finish. The size of problem increases in direct proportion to the size of the hole. In other words, the size of the hole is directly proportional to the difficulty of providing a pleasing appearance for the cabinet.
If a dowel is used to cover and fill the hole, the dowel is first glued and then placed in the aperture. The glue must then be allowed to dry. Then the portion of the dowel protruding from the hole must be cut off, usually by using a flush cutting saw. The cut surface of the dowel is then sanded smooth before a finish is applied.
The use of filler putty is more desirable, than the dowel. As the size of the aperture increases, the use of putty requires a geometrical increase in difficulty, time and skill. As putty dries, a concave dimple is formed. The depth of the dimple increase with the size of the aperture. The dimple has an adverse effect on the overall appearances of the wood, and additional putty may be required. Unless great skill is used, the putty and the resulting dimple can cause an unsightly blemish on the cabinet.
With this appearance, the attractiveness of the material and suitability of the material for decorative purposes is relatively decreased. It is desired to achieve this outstanding holding power of a screw without having to patch or conceal a large aperture.
It is furthermore difficult to place the screw in a proper hole with the proper guidance. The driving of the screw into the pilot hole requires great skill on the part of the woodworker. Use of that skill requires the woodworker's time. If a device can be developed to reduce the woodworker's time, while maintaining the excellent appearance of the material as used in a cabinet or other piece of furniture, a great advantage can be obtained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of an apparatus using a scored screw capable of joining two or more pieces of woodworking material.
A further objective of this invention is to provide an alignment fixture for inserting a screw into woodworking material.
A still further objective of this invention is to provide an accurate method for driving a screw into woodworking material.
Yet a further objective of this invention is to provide an accurate method of driving a screw into a cabinet.
Also an objective of this invention is to provide a method of restoring a decorative appearance to a screw aperture in woodworking material.
Another objective of this invention is to provide a simplified method of joining pieces of wood using a scored screw.
Yet another objective of this invention is to provide an accurate alignment and depth control fixture for driving a screw into a cabinet.
Still another objective of this invention is to provide a method for driving a screw an appropriate distance into a material efficiently.
A further objective of this invention is to provide a scored screw capable being driven into at least two pieces of wood accurately, with a proper breaking point for the screw.
These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing at least one scored screw to be driven into at least two pieces of wood with a specialized driving bit and an alignment and depth control fixture to provide a proper position for the screw. The alignment and depth control fixture can be used to direct the scored screw to the proper point while the driving bit can stop driving the screw at the desired position in wood. The alignment and depth control fixture includes a device which applies torque or force to the screw, and breaks the screw at the prescored position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5371992 (1994-12-01), O'Berry
patent: 5372466 (1994-12-01), O'Berry
O'Berry Enterprises, Inc.
Perrone, Jr. Mathew R. P.
Smith James G.
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