Cutting by use of rotating axially moving tool – With product handling or receiving means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-16
2001-03-13
Howell, Daniel W. (Department: 3722)
Cutting by use of rotating axially moving tool
With product handling or receiving means
C408S095000, C408S103000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06200075
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to vacuum attachments for use with power tools and more particularly to a vacuum attachment for use with a drill motor which is readily removable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND ART
The fabrication and assembly of many different types of panels, including aluminum, titanium, graphite carbon fiber and fiberglass fiber panels, throughout various production processes requires drilling. Currently, undesirable dust particles and chips are produced in an uncontrolled manner when drilling operations are performed. Left unchecked, the production of dust particles and chips may potentially pose several risks to both the quality of the product being produced and the health of the technician. The afore-described concerns result from spread of the typically small dust particles and chips to the surrounding area. The risk is especially critical when the panel being drilled is a metallic panel and electrical components are placed in the surrounding area. The health of the technician may be an issue where dust or chips from carbon graphite or fiberglass fiber panels collects on the technician's skin or is inhaled by the technician.
Accordingly, manufacturers and technicians have come to realize the need and benefit of vacuum attachment devices for drill motors. However, because of the added production time involved with mounting and unmounting current vacuum attachment devices to drill motors, many technicians are tempted to abstain from using vacuum attachment devices, even though they desire the protection such devices provide. The disadvantages of current vacuum attachments force technicians to choose between maintaining proper workplace environment standards, and sacrificing valuable production time.
Prior vacuum attachment devices have also met with limited success due to a variety of additional factors, including cost, functionality, weight, material strength, and material durability. One of these prior vacuum attachments includes a body or attachment foot which is clamped to the housing of the drill motor. As the attachment foot is relatively large and formed from steel, it greatly upsets the balance of the tool, rendering tools equipped with the attachment ergonomically uncomfortable. Furthermore, as the geometry of the attachment foot is rather complex to machine, the cost of the attachment is relatively high. As large manufacturing plants may have hundreds of drill motors on hand, the relatively high cost of these attachments presents a critical issue to manufacturers desiring to implement a vacuum device for removing dust and chips.
Another drawback of the known vacuum attachment devices concerns the propensity of chips to become impacted in these devices. Accumulation of chips in these devices impairs the ability with which dust and chips are removed from the work environment. Furthermore, if the cutting tool is permitted to contact the mass of impacted chips, heat generated from friction will be generated which tends to shorten the life of the cutting tool. To alleviate chip impaction, technicians employing the vacuum attachment device must service the device on a frequent basis to remove dust and chips in an attempt to prevent chip impaction. This process can be tedious and time consuming, depending on the design of the attachment and the flow path through which dust and chips are removed. Consequently, there is a continuing need in the art for a functional and cost effective vacuum attachment device that can quickly and easily mount onto a drill motor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the present invention to provide an effective vacuum attachment device for drill motors which permits chips and dust to be drawn out of the workplace environment by a vacuum source.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a relatively low-cost effective vacuum attachment device for the removal of chips and dust that are generated by a drilling operation.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a vacuum attachment device that may be easily attached to a drill motor via a snap-fit aperture.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vacuum attachment device having a highly durable construction.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a vacuum attachment device having an air chamber which prevents the accumulation of chips and debris in the vacuum attachment device.
In one preferred form, the present invention provides a vacuum attachment device for a nutplate drill motor having a footpiece and at least one cutting tool. The vacuum attachment device comprises a body portion and a nozzle portion. The body portion has a central aperture which engages the footpiece and an air chamber which extends through the body portion and intersects the central aperture to form a vacuum path. The nozzle portion is coupled to the body portion and is in fluid connection with the air chamber. The nozzle portion is coupled to a source of vacuum pressure. During the operation of the nutplate drill motor, dust and chips that are generated by the cutting tool are drawn by the source of vacuum pressure into the air chamber and through the nozzle portion.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2909049 (1959-10-01), Winslow
patent: 2935905 (1960-05-01), Winslow
patent: 4205728 (1980-06-01), Gloor et al.
patent: 5395187 (1995-03-01), Slesinski et al.
patent: 5482411 (1996-01-01), McGlasson
patent: 5584618 (1996-12-01), Blankenship et al.
patent: 5988954 (1999-11-01), Gaskin et al.
Gaskin Christopher S.
Holm Stuart E.
Lorsbach, III George W.
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
Howell Daniel W.
The Boeing Company
LandOfFree
Drill motor vacuum attachment does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Drill motor vacuum attachment, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Drill motor vacuum attachment will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2511963