CA2497753A1 - Portable articulating tool support - Google Patents
Portable articulating tool support Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2497753A1 CA2497753A1 CA002497753A CA2497753A CA2497753A1 CA 2497753 A1 CA2497753 A1 CA 2497753A1 CA 002497753 A CA002497753 A CA 002497753A CA 2497753 A CA2497753 A CA 2497753A CA 2497753 A1 CA2497753 A1 CA 2497753A1
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- Prior art keywords
- tool
- arm
- hand
- section
- distal end
- Prior art date
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- Granted
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- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 abstract description 41
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- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005065 mining Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000896693 Disa Species 0.000 description 1
- 206010049565 Muscle fatigue Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 102100026827 Protein associated with UVRAG as autophagy enhancer Human genes 0.000 description 1
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- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
- B25J9/00—Programme-controlled manipulators
- B25J9/10—Programme-controlled manipulators characterised by positioning means for manipulator elements
- B25J9/106—Programme-controlled manipulators characterised by positioning means for manipulator elements with articulated links
- B25J9/1065—Programme-controlled manipulators characterised by positioning means for manipulator elements with articulated links with parallelograms
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25D—PERCUSSIVE TOOLS
- B25D17/00—Details of, or accessories for, portable power-driven percussive tools
- B25D17/28—Supports; Devices for holding power-driven percussive tools in working position
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
- B25J19/00—Accessories fitted to manipulators, e.g. for monitoring, for viewing; Safety devices combined with or specially adapted for use in connection with manipulators
- B25J19/0008—Balancing devices
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/02—Heads
- F16M11/04—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
- F16M11/06—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting
- F16M11/10—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting around a horizontal axis
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
- F16M11/2007—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment
- F16M11/2014—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment around a vertical axis
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
- F16M11/2092—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
- F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
- F16M11/24—Undercarriages with or without wheels changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each other
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M13/00—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M13/00—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles
- F16M13/02—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
- F16M2200/02—Locking means
- F16M2200/021—Locking means for rotational movement
- F16M2200/024—Locking means for rotational movement by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
- F16M2200/04—Balancing means
- F16M2200/044—Balancing means for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
- F16M2200/06—Arms
- F16M2200/063—Parallelogram arms
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Robotics (AREA)
- Manipulator (AREA)
- Workshop Equipment, Work Benches, Supports, Or Storage Means (AREA)
Abstract
A portable multiple-component articulating support apparatus for engaging, moving, orientating and manipulating a hand-operated power tool within and throughout a three-dimensional workspace. The apparatus includes a clamping device for demountable engagement with a structural element, an elongate double-link hinge member, a spacer arm having opposite ends adapted for detachable engagement and rotational communication with the clamping device and the double-link hinge member, a vertically disposed pivotably connected counterbalance arm assembly adapted for detachable engagement and rotational communication with the double-link hinge member. The counterbalan ce arm assembly is equipped with a gas-charged cylinder for balancing the weigh t of hand-operated power tools. The clamping device, spacer arm, double-link hing e and counterbalance arm assembly are interconnected with removable hinge pins . A tool-mounting bracket is provided for grippingly engaging a power tool. T he tool-mounting bracket pivotably engages a power tool-bearing member which slidingly and rotatably communicates with the counterbalance arm assembly.</ SDOAB>
Description
TITLE: PORTABLE ARTICULATING TOOL SUPPORT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to articulating supports for hand power tools, and more particularly, to portable articulating supports for manual-controlled movement and operation of hand power tools within and throughout three-dimensional work spaces.
BACKGROUND OF ''CHE INVENTION:
Electric and pneumatic-powered hand power tools such as jackhammers, hammer drills, air hammers, impact wrenches and reciprocating saws among 10 others, are commonly used in construction and demolition industries, in heavy equipment repair, and :in under-ground mining activities. The weights of these types of tools range between 4.5 kg (i.e., 10 lbs) to 22. 7 kg (i.e., 50 lbs) and in some cases, e.g., jackhammers, may reach 34 kg (i.e., 75 lbs) or more. Such tools typically generate considerable torque and vibratory forces which are transmitted 15 to the operators' hands, arms and bodies making precise manipulation of the tools difficult. Quite often, it is necessary for operators to wield, manipulate, orientate and operate these tools in three-dimensional work spaces that include multiple outward and upward-directed planes, while the tools are being held at elevations ranging from the waistline to above the shoulders. Extended operation of such 20 tools in these positions may cause muscle fatigue and/or numbness in the operators' hands and arms thereby affecting not only operator efficiency, but also their safe handling of the tools. Furthermore, the nature of uses to which such tools are applied often result in the tools being inadvertently jammed, stuck or deflected thereby causing unexpected transmission of torque forces that may 25 cause operators to lose their balance resulting in twisting of their bodies or falls causing injuries.
Multi-component articulating supports for enabling the engagement and manipulation of tools in three-dimensional work spaces are known. Examples
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to articulating supports for hand power tools, and more particularly, to portable articulating supports for manual-controlled movement and operation of hand power tools within and throughout three-dimensional work spaces.
BACKGROUND OF ''CHE INVENTION:
Electric and pneumatic-powered hand power tools such as jackhammers, hammer drills, air hammers, impact wrenches and reciprocating saws among 10 others, are commonly used in construction and demolition industries, in heavy equipment repair, and :in under-ground mining activities. The weights of these types of tools range between 4.5 kg (i.e., 10 lbs) to 22. 7 kg (i.e., 50 lbs) and in some cases, e.g., jackhammers, may reach 34 kg (i.e., 75 lbs) or more. Such tools typically generate considerable torque and vibratory forces which are transmitted 15 to the operators' hands, arms and bodies making precise manipulation of the tools difficult. Quite often, it is necessary for operators to wield, manipulate, orientate and operate these tools in three-dimensional work spaces that include multiple outward and upward-directed planes, while the tools are being held at elevations ranging from the waistline to above the shoulders. Extended operation of such 20 tools in these positions may cause muscle fatigue and/or numbness in the operators' hands and arms thereby affecting not only operator efficiency, but also their safe handling of the tools. Furthermore, the nature of uses to which such tools are applied often result in the tools being inadvertently jammed, stuck or deflected thereby causing unexpected transmission of torque forces that may 25 cause operators to lose their balance resulting in twisting of their bodies or falls causing injuries.
Multi-component articulating supports for enabling the engagement and manipulation of tools in three-dimensional work spaces are known. Examples
2 include those disclosed. in U.S. patent application publication US
2004/0026584 to Libbey et al., published on February 12, 2004; PCT application WO 00/16950 to Casun AB Bygg Och I:ndustriservis, published on March 30, 2000; and European Patent Application 0 1!~2 253 A1 to Construction Robotics, Inc. published on August 27, 1986.
The proximal ends of these types of supports are typically securely and permanently fastened to structural members or platforms that are integral components of the work spaces or alternatively, are mounted to transportable platforms, e.g., truck beds or trailers. The distal ends of these supports are 10 provided with tool-engaging devices that securely clamp onto power tools.
The tool-engaging devices may be permanently positioned in pre-set orientations, or alternatively, may provide limited movement of the tools in one plane, e.g., a vertical arc or a horizontal arc. Typically, theses types of tool supports are comprised of pluralities of members that are pivotably connected to: (a) each 15 other, (b) to structural ~slements at the proximal ends of the supports, and (c) to tool-engaging devices at the distal ends of the supports. Most commonly, the first member adjacent the distal end of the support is an articulated arm adapted to move in a vertical plane, and is equipped with a weight-balancing and/or positional control means for a power tool clamped to its distal end. The first 20 member is pivotably connected to a second member whereby the first member can swing in a horizontal arc around its connection point to the second member.
The second member is usually pivotably connected to a structural element at the proximal end of the support whereby the second member can swing in limited horizontal arc around its connection point to the structural element. Some 25 articulated supports prnvide one or more additional members inserted between the first and second member, with each member pivotably connected to its adjacent members thereby enabling each member to swing in a limited horizontal arc around its connection points. Positioning of the tools within three-dimensional workspaces is accomplished by concurrent (a) lateral movements of the members 30 through horizontal arcs around their connection points, and (b) vertical movements of the first members adjacent the distal end of the supports.
The known mufti-component articulating supports are typically permanently assembled by means of secured pivot shafts connecting adjacent members, most commonly through clevis-type brackets that are integral to the member bodies. The width of the member bodies restricts the horizontal arc 5 movement of adjacent members, i.e., to about 270° or less, so that adjacent members cannot be completely folded against each other. The rugged nature of the tool-engaging devices and their connection to the first members provide only limited operator-controlled positioning and manipulation of hand power tools relative to the first members. Consequently, such supports are not suitable for use 10 in three-dimensional workspaces where space is restricted or limited and where the tools must be manipulated in multiple radial outward and upward orientations relative to the first member. Another disadvantage is that, due to the permanent assembly of the supports, they can not be easily modified to extend or reduce their scope of movement through disassembly and the addition or removal of one or 15 more members. Furthermore, due to the secure fastenings required to attach the distal ends of the supports to structural members in order to provide stability to the supports when in use, they are not portable, i.e., quickly and easily dismounted from the structural member for transport.
There is a need therefore, to improve the adaptability and maneuverability 20 of multiple-component articulating supports for hand power tools within and throughout restricted tlnee-dimensional workspaces, and the portability of such supports between jobsites.
SUMMARY OF THE fNVENTION:
It is an object of the present invention, at least in preferred forms, to 25 provide a portable articulating support for improving ease-of use of hand-operated power tools within and throughout three-dimensional work spaces, and which can be quickly assembled for use, then disassembled for storage or transport.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable articulating support apparatus for supporting a hand-manipulated power tool while allowing movement of the tool in three dimensions, the apparatus comprising: a mounting device for the apparatus capable of disengageable attachment to a support element; one or more hinge members each having two spaced, parallel bores for receiving hinge pins therein; a tool holder capable of engaging and supporting a hand-operated power tool while allowing swivelling of said tool about horizontal and vertical axes; one or more spacer elements; a counterbalance element having opposite ends, with one end detachably engaged with one said hinge member and an opposite end engaged with the tool holder, said opposite end bein~; movable in a vertical plane while said one end is supported by said one hinge member, and having a balancing arrangement generating a force counteracting weight applied to said one end by said tool holder. A portable articulating support apparatus for supporting a hand-manipulated power tool while allowing movement of the tool in three dimensions, the apparatus comprising: a mounting device for the apparatus capable of disengageable attachmf;nt to a support element; one or more hinge members each having two spaced, parallel bores for receiving hinge pins therein; a tool holder capable of engaging and supporting a hand-operated power tool while allowing swivelling of said tool about horizontal and vertical axes; one or more spacer elements; a counterbalance element having opposite ends, with one end detachably engaged wii:h one said hinge member and an opposite end engaged with the tool holder, said opposite end being movable in a vertical plane while said one end is supportc;d by said one hinge member, and having a balancing arrangement generating; a force counteracting weight applied to said one end by said tool holder; wherein said mounting device, said one or more spacer elements, said one or more hinge members and said counterbalance element are arranged to form interconnecting parts of an articulating arm having said mounting device at one end of the articulating arm, said counterbalance element at an opposite end of the articulating arm, and said one or more spacer elements and said one or more hinge members alternating therebetween; and a plurality of vertically disposed hinge pins passing through vertically aligned bores, including said spaced, parallel bores of said one or more hinge members, in said interconnecting parts of said articulating arm to allow pivotal rotation of said parts around said hinge pins, at least one of said hinge pins being slidably removable from one said bores and having an enlarged head at an upper end thereof shaped to be graspable by hand to facilitate complete removal of said pin, thereby allowing at least partial disassembly of said articulating arm for ease of transportation of said apparatus.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided portable articulating support apparatus for supporting a hand-operated power tool while allowing movement of the tool in three dimensions, the apparatus comprising: a mounting device capable of disengageable attachment to a support element; a hinge member having two juxtaposed bores for receiving hinge pins therethrough;
a tool holder capable oi" engaging and supporting a hand-operated power tool while allowing swivelling of said tool about horizontal and vertical axes; a spacer arm having opposite ends with one end detachably engaged with the mounting device, and another end detachably engaged with the hinge member; and a counterbalance arm having opposite ends, with one end detachably engaged with the hinge member and urn opposite end detachably engaged with the tool holder, said opposite end being; movable in a vertical plane while said one end is supported by said hinge: element, and having a balancing arrangement generating a force counteracting weight applied to said one end by said tool holder;
wherein said mounting device, spacer arm, hinge member and counterbalance arm are detachably and rotatably engaged one with another by a plurality of removable vertically disposed hinge pins passing through vertically aligned bores in overlapping parts of said mounting device, spacer arm, hinge member and counterbalance arm, said removable hinge pins having enlarged heads at upper ends thereof shaped to be graspable by hand to facilitate complete removal of the pins from said bores, thereby allowing separation of said mounting device, spacer arm, hinge member and. counterbalance arm for ease of replacement, storage and transport thereof.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a tool holder for supporting a power tool from an articulating arm while allowing movement of the tool in three dimensions, the holder comprising: a tool-mounting bracket equipped with a~ tool-clamping device; a bracket support connected to said tool-mounting bracket while allowing the bracket to swivel around a horizontal axis; and a load-bearing shaft interconnected with the bracket support, said shaft being capable of attachment to a movable support while permitting swivelling of said tool holder about a vertical axis.
5 In a preferred form, the invention provides a multiple-component articulating tool support wherein the components are detachably engaged with removable hinge pins. The tool support has a proximal end and a distal end wherein a clamping device is provided at the proximal end for demountably engaging a structural seupport element, and a vertically disposed counterbalance 10 arm assembly is provided at the distal end for slidingly receiving and supporting therein a tool-bearing member. The counterbalance arm assembly is preferably provided with a gas-charged cylinder for balancing and supporting the weight of a hand-operated power tool, and is configured to pivotably move in a vertical axis.
There is also provided a double-link hinge component configured to receive 1 S therethrough two opposing removable hinge pins for detachably engaging the counterbalance arm assembly and one or more spacer arms intermediate the clamping device. The ;>pacer arm can be detachably engaged with the clamping device or alternatively. the spacer arm can be detachably engaged to a double-link hinge which is also detachably engaged with the clamping device. The 20 components of this invention can easily be moved rotatably around the removable hinge pins by which they are detachably engaged so that the components can be folded tightly together.. partially folded, or unfolded so that the combination of components form a str,~ight line. A hand-operated power tool mounted in the tool-bearing member can easily be moved, orientated, manipulated, and operated 25 within and throughout a three-dimensional workspace with minimal physical exertion.
In another prefi~rred form, the invention provides a tool-mounting bracket for communicating wil;h the tool-bearing member wherein the tool-mounting bracket comprises two opposing plates integrally conjoined by a bottom plate.
The 30 bottom plate is provided with a bore for a clamping device to grippingly engage a hand-operated power tool therethrough. The opposing plates are provided with one or more pairs of aligned bores for receiving therein connecting devices for pivotably communicating with the tool-bearing member.
In another prefi:rred form, the invention provides a tool-bearing member in the form of an elongate continuous loop provided with one or more pairs of 5 aligned opposing sleeves for receiving therein connecting devices for pivotably communicating with the tool mounting bracket. The elongate continuous loop is integrally connected at one end to a load-bearing shaft for slidingly and rotatably communicating with the counterbalance arm assembly. A stop collar is provided for demountable engagement with the load-bearing shaft. The tool-bearing 10 member can be inserted into the counterbalance arm assembly from above whereby the stop collar rotatably communicates with the arm assembly.
Alternatively, the tool-bearing member can be inserted into the counterbalance arm assembly from below whereby the stop collar is engaged with the portion of load-bearing shaft protruding from the top of the counterbalance arm assembly, 15 thereby suspending the; tool-bearing member below the counterbalance arm assembly.
In another preferred form, the invention provides a tool-bearing member in the form of a rod assembly comprised of a load-bearing shaft connected at one end to a universal joint. 'The universal joint is also connected to a tool-bearing 20 shaft having a threaded bore in its free end for grippingly engaging therein the clamping device of the; tool-mounting bracket. The load-bearing shaft is inserted into the counterbalance arm assembly from below whereby the stop collar is engaged with the portion of load-bearing shaft protruding from the top of the counterbalance arm assembly, thereby suspending the tool-bearing member below 25 the counterbalance arnn assembly.
In still another preferred form, the invention provides a plurality of devices for retaining power cords adjacent the counterbalance arm assembly and the spacer arms.
g BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
The present invention will be described in conjunction with reference to the following drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the portable articulating tool support of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a partial view of the proximal end of the embodiment shown in Fig.
1;
Fig. 3 is a partial view of the distal end of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the portable articulating tool support of the present invention;
Figs. Sa and Sb are a side view and bottom view of one component of the portable articulating tool support of the present invention;
Fig. Sc is a side view of a component which cooperates with the component shown in Figs Sa and S~b;
1 S Fig. 6 is a view of another component of the portable articulating tool support of the present invention;
Fig. 7 shows the ~~omponent of Fig. 6 cooperating with another component at the distal end of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a view of an alternative component to the component shown in Fig.
6;
Fig. 9 shows the component of Fig. 8 cooperating with another component at the distal end of the present invention;
Figs l0a and l Ob show two embodiments for another component of the portable articulating tool support of the present invention; and Fig. 11 is a side view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
As shown in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a portable, mufti-component articulating support apparatus 10 for a hand-manipulated power tool 61, e.g. a 5 rock drill as shown. The support 10 has a proximal end 11 and a distal end 12, and is equipped with a mounting device 15 for detachable engagement with a support element 5 at proximal ~~nd 11. Mounting device 15 is detachably coupled to the proximal end of an elongated rigid spacer element 20 by means of a hinge pin 45, while the distal end of spacer element 20 is detachably coupled to one side of 10 double-axis hinge element 22 by means of another hinge pin 45. The distal end 12 of support apparatus 10 includes an articulating elongated counterbalance element 30 detachably coupled to the other side of the double-axis hinge element 22 by means of another hinge pin 45. Articulating counterbalance element 30 has a distal bracket 31 and a proximal bracket 32, both pivotably connected to a lower 15 control rod 34 and an upper control rod 35 whereby distal bracket 31, proximal bracket 32, lower conb-ol rod 34 and upper control rod 35 form a freely articulating parallelogram. Located diagonally within the articulating parallelogram is a balancing arrangement 36 in the form of a gas-charged cylinder interconnected between proximal bracket 31 and distal bracket 32 using the same 20 rotatable attachment points as the respective ends of control rods 34 and 35. Distal bracket 31 is provided with shaft receptacle 33 in the form of a longitudinal bore coincident with its longitudinal axis for slidingly and rotatably receiving a load-bearing shaft 72 (see Fig. 6) which is integrally connected to a tool holder which includes a tool-mounting bracket 60 and a bracket support 71 in the form of 25 a continuous stiff wire loop as shown. Hand-manipulated power tool 61 is securely held within the tool-mounting bracket 60 which, in turn, is pivotably held within bracket support 70. The balancing arrangement 36 in the form of the gas-charged cylinder provides weight-balancing support for power tool 61 enabling the tool to be suspended hands-free at an elevation at which the force generated by 30 the cylinder balances the weight of the tool and tool holder. The distal end of the counterbalance element 30 is movable in a vertical plane by virtue of the articulation of rods 34 and 35 while the proximal end remains at the height of hinge member 22. Thf; operator can therefore raise or lower the tool and tool holder from the position of counterbalance by applying minimal force without having to support the full weight of the tool.
The tool holder 70 also allows the tool 60 to be swivelled about a horizontal axis at the point where the bracket 60 is mounted within the bracket support 71, and about a vertical axis where the load-bearing shaft 72 fits within shaft receptacle 33.
As shown more; clearly in Fig. 2, mounting device 15 is provided with a 10 sleeve 40 sized to slip over and slide along a support element 5, e.g. a scaffold bar or an upright bar supported on a movable base member (not shown). Mounting device 15 is provided with hand operable tightening devices for rigidly connecting sleeve 40 with support element 5. In this preferred embodiment for example, threaded bolts 41 are screwed into and through threaded bores 42 in the sleeve 15 to bear against the structural element S. The position of mounting device 15 along the vertical axis of support element 5 can be quickly and easily changed by loosening the threaded bolts 42, thereby disengaging structural element 5 from sleeve 40, moving mounting device 15 to a different selected position (i.e.
height), and then re-engaging support element 5 by re-tightening bolts 41. It should be 20 noted that other devices can be provided for engaging mounting device 15 with support element 5. For example, threaded bolts 42 may be replaced by spring loaded pins slidingly communicating with unthreaded bores for releasably engaging support element 5, or alternatively, clamping devices may be provided for engaging the wall of sleeve 40 with support element 5. It should also be noted 25 that sleeve 40 can be shaped to slidingly communicate with solid or tubular structural elements having circular cross-sections, or alternatively, square, rectangular or other cross-sections. Mounting device 15 is also provided with upper and lower outwardly projecting brackets 43 and 44, respectively, both having bores aligned along a common a vertical axis for receiving graspable 30 removable hinge pin 45 therein. Proximal end of a spacer element 20 fits within a gap formed between brackets 43 and 44 to form overlapping parts. The proximal end of the spacer element is supported by the upper surface of lower bracket 44, and is provided with bore 46 for receiving hinge pin 45 therethrough. Thus, the proximal end of spacer element 20 is detachably coupled to mounting device 15 by means of removale hinge pin 45 passing through the bore on upper bracket 43, through bore 46 at the proximal end of spacer arm 20, and then through the bore on lower bracket 44 thereby enabling spacer arm 20 to rotate in a horizontal arc around the non-rotatable mounting device 15.
As shown more; clearly in Fig. 3, double-axis elongated hinge element 22 has an upper hinge bracket 50 and lower hinge bracket 51 integrally connected by 10 a vertical web 52. Upper hinge bracket 50 is provided with bores on either side of vertical web 52, the bores being aligned with opposing bores provided on lower hinge bracket 51 wherE~by each set of upper and lower bores is adapted to receive hinge pin 45 therethrough. The distal end of spacer element 20 fits snugly between the upper upper and lower hinge brackets to form overlapping parts, and 15 is supported by an upper surface of the lower hinge bracket 51. The distal end is provided with a bore 47 for receiving a hinge pin 45 therethrough. The distal end of spacer arm 20 is thus detachably coupled at respective overlapping parts with double-axis hinge element 22 by sliding hinge pin 45 through a bore on upper hinge bracket 50, through bore 47, and then through aligned bore on lower bracket 20 44 thereby enabling spacer element 20 to rotate in a horizontal arc around double-link hinge element 22. Proximal bracket 32 of the counter balance element 30 has opposing vertical flanges 55 connected by vertical web 56 having an upper surface 57 and lower surface 58. The web 56 is provided with a vertical bore for receiving a hinge pin 4~5 therethrough. The proximal bracket 32 is detachably 25 coupled to double-axis hinge element 22 at the overlapping parts by sliding hinge pin 45 through the bore on upper hinge bracket 50 opposite the bore connected to spacer element 20, through the bores in the vertical web 56, and then through the aligned bore on lower bracket 44, thereby enabling proximal bracket 32 to rotate in a horizontal arc around double-axis hinge element 22. The bores in the double 30 axis hinge member are: separated from each other by a distance sufficient to allow counter balance element 30 to rotate 360° around double-axis hinge element 22 relative to spacer elemc;nt 20 thereby making it possible to fold the counter balance element 30 flat against either side of spacer element 20 for compact storage as shown in Fig;. 4. If the counter-balance element and spacer element are of the same lateral thickness, then the centres of the bores should be separated by 5 a distance at least equal to the lateral thickness of one of those elements in order to allow flat-folding in this way.
Tool-mounting bracket 60 is exemplified in more detail in Figs. Sa, 5b, and Sc. The bracket releasably but firmly engages power tool 61 as shown in Fig.l. In this embodiment, bracket 60 comprises two opposing flanges 62 10 conjoined by web 63 with bracket 60 stabilized by spacer rib 64 that is welded to the opposing flanges 6 2. Web 63 has a bore positioned at its centre for receiving therethrough tool-clamping device 65 to firmly secure power tool 61 within bracket 60, e.g. by haviing a threaded end screwed into a threaded bore positioned within the power tool li~ody. The clamping device 65 may also act as a handle for 15 manipulation of the power tool via bracket 60. Opposing flanges 62 are provided with at least one pair of aligned bores 66. If so desired, one or more additional pairs of bores (e.g., 67)~ can be added to opposing flanges 62. Threaded bolts with a terminal pin portion 69 are provided for pivotably communicating with aligned bores 66 or 67, thereby allowing the bracket to swivel around a horizontal 20 axis.
Bracket support 70, as exemplified in more detail in Figs. 6 and 7, has a bracket support 71 in the form of an elongated continuous wire loop integrally connected at one end to load-bearing shaft 72. A pair of opposing sleeves 73 is integrally attached to the loop for slidingly receiving therethrough pin portion 69 25 of threaded bolt 68, for releasably engaging and pivotably communicating therewith bores 66 or E.7 in bracket 60. If so desired, bracket support 70 may be provided with multiple sets of opposing sleeves 73 (two are shown in Fig. 6) to provide a variety of positioning to accommodate power tools of different shapes and dimentions. Load-bearing shaft 72 is adapted to slidingly and rotatingly 30 communicate with shaft receptacle 33 of the distal bracket 31 of the counter-balance element 30 shown in Fig. 1. If so desired, a stop collar 75 can be engaged with load-bearing shaft 72 at a selected point to prevent direct contact between the bracket support 71 and. distal bracket 32.
It will be apparent from the figures described above that the various elements of the apparatus together form an articulating arm having a mounting 5 device 15 at one end and a counter-balance element 30, rotatably mounting a tool holder 70, at an opposite end with the spacer element 20 and the double-axis hinge element 22 located therebetween. The various elements of the arm are rotatably attached together at overlapping parts by means of vertically-oriented hinge pins extending through aligned bores in the overlapping parts. The arm can thus be articulated freely in a horizontal plane.
It is preferable in some construction, mining and equipment repair applications, to suspend hand-manipulated power tools underneath the portable mufti-component articulating support apparatus of the present invention for ease of access to and manoeuvrability around power tool engagement targets. A
15 preferred embodiment of such an arrangement is shown in Figs. 8 and 9. In this embodiment, a bracket support is provided in the form of a tool rod 80 attached at its lower end to tool-clamping device 60, and thus to a power tool 61 (not shown) via a universal joint 83. Tool rod 80 has an upper end 81 adapted to slidingly and rotatably communicate with shaft receptacle 33 of the counter-balance element 20 and a stop collar 84 provided to allow the rod to be suspended from the counter-balance element while allowing for rotation. A lower end 82 of the rod is adapted to engage clamping device 60, and the universal joint 83 is intermediate the first and second ends 81 and 82. End 82 is provided with a threaded bore therein (not shown) for receiving a clamping device of the tool-mounting bracket similar to 25 device 65 of Figs. Sa and Sb, for pivotably manipulating therefrom power tool 61 (not shown) in multiple: planes within a three-dimensional workspace.
Another prefewed embodiment provides spacer elements having carrying handles to further enhance portability of the articulating tool support of the present invention. Fig. l0a shows a spacer element 85 provided with a carrying 30 handle 86 integrally connected to a top surface 87 of spacer element 85.
Fig. lOb shows spacer element !~2 having an elongated hole 93 therethrough adjacent spacer arm top surface 94 thereby providing a graspable handle portion 95.
Use of electric ;anl pneumatic-powered hand tools on jobsites typically requires significant lengths of extension cords or pneumatic hoses to supply 5 power to the hand power tools over extended distances. As the operators of such tools move about in three-dimensional workspaces, the distances between the power tools and the source of power vary constantly and considerably resulting in periods of time during which the lengths of extension cords or hoses are folded on themselves and/or are bunched on the floor surfaces whereon the operators are 10 moving about thereby creating worker safety hazards. Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides devices for passing through and retaining power cords and hoses close to the multiple components of the articulating tool support of the present invention as exemplified in Fig. l0a by discontinuous retainer hoop 88, retainer hook 89, and continuous retainer loop 15 attached to bottom surface 91 of spacer arm 85. However, it is to be understood that other types of retainers for power cords and hoses known to those skilled in this art are within the scope of this embodiment of the present invention.
Furthermore, while the retainer devices of this embodiment are shown attached to the bottom surface 91 of spacer arm 85, it is also within the scope of this 20 invention to provide the retainer devices on the side surfaces and top surfaces of spacer arms if so desired.
The portable mufti-component articulating support apparatus of the present invention can be partially or fully disassembled for transport to a job site, and then quickly assembled on site. This can be achieved by first securing mounting 25 device 15 on a selected support element 5 such as a pole, post, pillar, column, and scaffolding. The support element may be an integral component of the work site or alternatively, portable in the form of an adjustable shoring pole designed to engage the floor and ceiling surfaces of a job site. Alternatively, the present invention may be fixed to a portable structural element having a collapsible 30 framework as exemplified by scaffolding and a tripod. As shown in the preceding figures, the proximal end of spacer element 20 is detachably coupled to mounting device 15 with hinge pin 45, while the distal end of spacer element 20 is detachably coupled to one side of double-axis hinge element 22 with another hinge pin 45. The proximal bracket 31 of counter-balance element 30 is detachably coupled to 'the other side of double-axis hinge element 22 with another hinge pin 45. Tool-mounting bracket 60 is fitted to a power tool 61 by clamping device 65, after which the bracket is pivotingly engaged with bracket support by pin portions 69 of threaded bolts 68 pivotably communicating with opposing sleeves 73. The load-bearing shaft 72 of tool cage 70 is slidingly engaged with shaft receptacle 33 of the distal bracket 31 of counter-balance element 30.
10 An operator can easily and with minimal effort manipulate, orientate and operate power tool 61 throughout an entire three-dimensional workspace. This is possible because of vertical movement in a horizontal plane via the distal end of the counter-balance element 30, forward and backward movement permitted by the double-axis hinge element 22 and other rotation around hinge pins 45 that 15 allows concertina-like folding of the support apparatus, as well as swivelling around the mounting device 15 and swivelling around vertical and horizontal axes permitted by the mounting arrangement of the tool-mounting bracket 70. Such manipulation is facilitated by the counter-balancing of the weight of the tool by the counter-balance element 30 (which most preferably includes a gas-charged 20 cylinder 36 having a pressure regulating valve to enable release or addition of compressed air/gas to enable adjustable weight balancing for a variety of power tools having different weights). Power tool 61 may be positioned in a 360°
outward oriented horiz~~ntal plane by slidingly rotating load-bearing shaft 72 within shaft receptacle 33 of vertical control arm 30, and additionally, can be 25 concurrently pivoted and oriented in a range of approximately 160°
to 180° in vertical planes by pin f~ortions 69 of threaded bolts 68 pivotingly communicating with tool cage sleeves '73.
The portable multiple-component support of the present invention can be quickly and easily disa~~sembled by removing tool-mounting bracket 60 engaged 30 with power tool 61, from bracket support 70, then removing bracket support ?0 from counter-balance element proximal bracket 32, then removing all hinge pins 45, and finally, removing clamping device 15 from structural element 5.
It is to be noted that hinge pins 45 (or, in some embodiments, at least one and preferably two or more of them), are provided with enlarged upper ends having T-shaped handles that facilitate grasping and removal of the pins form their respective bores when dis-assembly is required. The enlarged upper ends stand proud of the elements that they connect and are therefore readily accessible, but are retained by gravity in the bores. The lower ends of the pins are not enlarged (and may be ~rapered) so that they do not resist removal from the bores when they are pulled upwardly during dis-assembly.
It is to be noted while the foregoing disclosure for the portable multi-component articulating; tool support apparatus of the invention illustrates the use of a only one spacer element 20 and only one double-axis hinge element 22, it is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a plurality of such elements arranged in a.n alternating fashion between the counter-balance element and the mounting device, to increase the maximum length of the apparatus when desired. Such an arrangement having two spacer elements and two double-axis hinge elements is exemplified in Fig. 11.
While this invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that various alterations and modifications can be made to components of the portable articulating tool support within the scope of this invention, which are limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
2004/0026584 to Libbey et al., published on February 12, 2004; PCT application WO 00/16950 to Casun AB Bygg Och I:ndustriservis, published on March 30, 2000; and European Patent Application 0 1!~2 253 A1 to Construction Robotics, Inc. published on August 27, 1986.
The proximal ends of these types of supports are typically securely and permanently fastened to structural members or platforms that are integral components of the work spaces or alternatively, are mounted to transportable platforms, e.g., truck beds or trailers. The distal ends of these supports are 10 provided with tool-engaging devices that securely clamp onto power tools.
The tool-engaging devices may be permanently positioned in pre-set orientations, or alternatively, may provide limited movement of the tools in one plane, e.g., a vertical arc or a horizontal arc. Typically, theses types of tool supports are comprised of pluralities of members that are pivotably connected to: (a) each 15 other, (b) to structural ~slements at the proximal ends of the supports, and (c) to tool-engaging devices at the distal ends of the supports. Most commonly, the first member adjacent the distal end of the support is an articulated arm adapted to move in a vertical plane, and is equipped with a weight-balancing and/or positional control means for a power tool clamped to its distal end. The first 20 member is pivotably connected to a second member whereby the first member can swing in a horizontal arc around its connection point to the second member.
The second member is usually pivotably connected to a structural element at the proximal end of the support whereby the second member can swing in limited horizontal arc around its connection point to the structural element. Some 25 articulated supports prnvide one or more additional members inserted between the first and second member, with each member pivotably connected to its adjacent members thereby enabling each member to swing in a limited horizontal arc around its connection points. Positioning of the tools within three-dimensional workspaces is accomplished by concurrent (a) lateral movements of the members 30 through horizontal arcs around their connection points, and (b) vertical movements of the first members adjacent the distal end of the supports.
The known mufti-component articulating supports are typically permanently assembled by means of secured pivot shafts connecting adjacent members, most commonly through clevis-type brackets that are integral to the member bodies. The width of the member bodies restricts the horizontal arc 5 movement of adjacent members, i.e., to about 270° or less, so that adjacent members cannot be completely folded against each other. The rugged nature of the tool-engaging devices and their connection to the first members provide only limited operator-controlled positioning and manipulation of hand power tools relative to the first members. Consequently, such supports are not suitable for use 10 in three-dimensional workspaces where space is restricted or limited and where the tools must be manipulated in multiple radial outward and upward orientations relative to the first member. Another disadvantage is that, due to the permanent assembly of the supports, they can not be easily modified to extend or reduce their scope of movement through disassembly and the addition or removal of one or 15 more members. Furthermore, due to the secure fastenings required to attach the distal ends of the supports to structural members in order to provide stability to the supports when in use, they are not portable, i.e., quickly and easily dismounted from the structural member for transport.
There is a need therefore, to improve the adaptability and maneuverability 20 of multiple-component articulating supports for hand power tools within and throughout restricted tlnee-dimensional workspaces, and the portability of such supports between jobsites.
SUMMARY OF THE fNVENTION:
It is an object of the present invention, at least in preferred forms, to 25 provide a portable articulating support for improving ease-of use of hand-operated power tools within and throughout three-dimensional work spaces, and which can be quickly assembled for use, then disassembled for storage or transport.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable articulating support apparatus for supporting a hand-manipulated power tool while allowing movement of the tool in three dimensions, the apparatus comprising: a mounting device for the apparatus capable of disengageable attachment to a support element; one or more hinge members each having two spaced, parallel bores for receiving hinge pins therein; a tool holder capable of engaging and supporting a hand-operated power tool while allowing swivelling of said tool about horizontal and vertical axes; one or more spacer elements; a counterbalance element having opposite ends, with one end detachably engaged with one said hinge member and an opposite end engaged with the tool holder, said opposite end bein~; movable in a vertical plane while said one end is supported by said one hinge member, and having a balancing arrangement generating a force counteracting weight applied to said one end by said tool holder. A portable articulating support apparatus for supporting a hand-manipulated power tool while allowing movement of the tool in three dimensions, the apparatus comprising: a mounting device for the apparatus capable of disengageable attachmf;nt to a support element; one or more hinge members each having two spaced, parallel bores for receiving hinge pins therein; a tool holder capable of engaging and supporting a hand-operated power tool while allowing swivelling of said tool about horizontal and vertical axes; one or more spacer elements; a counterbalance element having opposite ends, with one end detachably engaged wii:h one said hinge member and an opposite end engaged with the tool holder, said opposite end being movable in a vertical plane while said one end is supportc;d by said one hinge member, and having a balancing arrangement generating; a force counteracting weight applied to said one end by said tool holder; wherein said mounting device, said one or more spacer elements, said one or more hinge members and said counterbalance element are arranged to form interconnecting parts of an articulating arm having said mounting device at one end of the articulating arm, said counterbalance element at an opposite end of the articulating arm, and said one or more spacer elements and said one or more hinge members alternating therebetween; and a plurality of vertically disposed hinge pins passing through vertically aligned bores, including said spaced, parallel bores of said one or more hinge members, in said interconnecting parts of said articulating arm to allow pivotal rotation of said parts around said hinge pins, at least one of said hinge pins being slidably removable from one said bores and having an enlarged head at an upper end thereof shaped to be graspable by hand to facilitate complete removal of said pin, thereby allowing at least partial disassembly of said articulating arm for ease of transportation of said apparatus.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided portable articulating support apparatus for supporting a hand-operated power tool while allowing movement of the tool in three dimensions, the apparatus comprising: a mounting device capable of disengageable attachment to a support element; a hinge member having two juxtaposed bores for receiving hinge pins therethrough;
a tool holder capable oi" engaging and supporting a hand-operated power tool while allowing swivelling of said tool about horizontal and vertical axes; a spacer arm having opposite ends with one end detachably engaged with the mounting device, and another end detachably engaged with the hinge member; and a counterbalance arm having opposite ends, with one end detachably engaged with the hinge member and urn opposite end detachably engaged with the tool holder, said opposite end being; movable in a vertical plane while said one end is supported by said hinge: element, and having a balancing arrangement generating a force counteracting weight applied to said one end by said tool holder;
wherein said mounting device, spacer arm, hinge member and counterbalance arm are detachably and rotatably engaged one with another by a plurality of removable vertically disposed hinge pins passing through vertically aligned bores in overlapping parts of said mounting device, spacer arm, hinge member and counterbalance arm, said removable hinge pins having enlarged heads at upper ends thereof shaped to be graspable by hand to facilitate complete removal of the pins from said bores, thereby allowing separation of said mounting device, spacer arm, hinge member and. counterbalance arm for ease of replacement, storage and transport thereof.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a tool holder for supporting a power tool from an articulating arm while allowing movement of the tool in three dimensions, the holder comprising: a tool-mounting bracket equipped with a~ tool-clamping device; a bracket support connected to said tool-mounting bracket while allowing the bracket to swivel around a horizontal axis; and a load-bearing shaft interconnected with the bracket support, said shaft being capable of attachment to a movable support while permitting swivelling of said tool holder about a vertical axis.
5 In a preferred form, the invention provides a multiple-component articulating tool support wherein the components are detachably engaged with removable hinge pins. The tool support has a proximal end and a distal end wherein a clamping device is provided at the proximal end for demountably engaging a structural seupport element, and a vertically disposed counterbalance 10 arm assembly is provided at the distal end for slidingly receiving and supporting therein a tool-bearing member. The counterbalance arm assembly is preferably provided with a gas-charged cylinder for balancing and supporting the weight of a hand-operated power tool, and is configured to pivotably move in a vertical axis.
There is also provided a double-link hinge component configured to receive 1 S therethrough two opposing removable hinge pins for detachably engaging the counterbalance arm assembly and one or more spacer arms intermediate the clamping device. The ;>pacer arm can be detachably engaged with the clamping device or alternatively. the spacer arm can be detachably engaged to a double-link hinge which is also detachably engaged with the clamping device. The 20 components of this invention can easily be moved rotatably around the removable hinge pins by which they are detachably engaged so that the components can be folded tightly together.. partially folded, or unfolded so that the combination of components form a str,~ight line. A hand-operated power tool mounted in the tool-bearing member can easily be moved, orientated, manipulated, and operated 25 within and throughout a three-dimensional workspace with minimal physical exertion.
In another prefi~rred form, the invention provides a tool-mounting bracket for communicating wil;h the tool-bearing member wherein the tool-mounting bracket comprises two opposing plates integrally conjoined by a bottom plate.
The 30 bottom plate is provided with a bore for a clamping device to grippingly engage a hand-operated power tool therethrough. The opposing plates are provided with one or more pairs of aligned bores for receiving therein connecting devices for pivotably communicating with the tool-bearing member.
In another prefi:rred form, the invention provides a tool-bearing member in the form of an elongate continuous loop provided with one or more pairs of 5 aligned opposing sleeves for receiving therein connecting devices for pivotably communicating with the tool mounting bracket. The elongate continuous loop is integrally connected at one end to a load-bearing shaft for slidingly and rotatably communicating with the counterbalance arm assembly. A stop collar is provided for demountable engagement with the load-bearing shaft. The tool-bearing 10 member can be inserted into the counterbalance arm assembly from above whereby the stop collar rotatably communicates with the arm assembly.
Alternatively, the tool-bearing member can be inserted into the counterbalance arm assembly from below whereby the stop collar is engaged with the portion of load-bearing shaft protruding from the top of the counterbalance arm assembly, 15 thereby suspending the; tool-bearing member below the counterbalance arm assembly.
In another preferred form, the invention provides a tool-bearing member in the form of a rod assembly comprised of a load-bearing shaft connected at one end to a universal joint. 'The universal joint is also connected to a tool-bearing 20 shaft having a threaded bore in its free end for grippingly engaging therein the clamping device of the; tool-mounting bracket. The load-bearing shaft is inserted into the counterbalance arm assembly from below whereby the stop collar is engaged with the portion of load-bearing shaft protruding from the top of the counterbalance arm assembly, thereby suspending the tool-bearing member below 25 the counterbalance arnn assembly.
In still another preferred form, the invention provides a plurality of devices for retaining power cords adjacent the counterbalance arm assembly and the spacer arms.
g BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
The present invention will be described in conjunction with reference to the following drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the portable articulating tool support of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a partial view of the proximal end of the embodiment shown in Fig.
1;
Fig. 3 is a partial view of the distal end of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the portable articulating tool support of the present invention;
Figs. Sa and Sb are a side view and bottom view of one component of the portable articulating tool support of the present invention;
Fig. Sc is a side view of a component which cooperates with the component shown in Figs Sa and S~b;
1 S Fig. 6 is a view of another component of the portable articulating tool support of the present invention;
Fig. 7 shows the ~~omponent of Fig. 6 cooperating with another component at the distal end of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a view of an alternative component to the component shown in Fig.
6;
Fig. 9 shows the component of Fig. 8 cooperating with another component at the distal end of the present invention;
Figs l0a and l Ob show two embodiments for another component of the portable articulating tool support of the present invention; and Fig. 11 is a side view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
As shown in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a portable, mufti-component articulating support apparatus 10 for a hand-manipulated power tool 61, e.g. a 5 rock drill as shown. The support 10 has a proximal end 11 and a distal end 12, and is equipped with a mounting device 15 for detachable engagement with a support element 5 at proximal ~~nd 11. Mounting device 15 is detachably coupled to the proximal end of an elongated rigid spacer element 20 by means of a hinge pin 45, while the distal end of spacer element 20 is detachably coupled to one side of 10 double-axis hinge element 22 by means of another hinge pin 45. The distal end 12 of support apparatus 10 includes an articulating elongated counterbalance element 30 detachably coupled to the other side of the double-axis hinge element 22 by means of another hinge pin 45. Articulating counterbalance element 30 has a distal bracket 31 and a proximal bracket 32, both pivotably connected to a lower 15 control rod 34 and an upper control rod 35 whereby distal bracket 31, proximal bracket 32, lower conb-ol rod 34 and upper control rod 35 form a freely articulating parallelogram. Located diagonally within the articulating parallelogram is a balancing arrangement 36 in the form of a gas-charged cylinder interconnected between proximal bracket 31 and distal bracket 32 using the same 20 rotatable attachment points as the respective ends of control rods 34 and 35. Distal bracket 31 is provided with shaft receptacle 33 in the form of a longitudinal bore coincident with its longitudinal axis for slidingly and rotatably receiving a load-bearing shaft 72 (see Fig. 6) which is integrally connected to a tool holder which includes a tool-mounting bracket 60 and a bracket support 71 in the form of 25 a continuous stiff wire loop as shown. Hand-manipulated power tool 61 is securely held within the tool-mounting bracket 60 which, in turn, is pivotably held within bracket support 70. The balancing arrangement 36 in the form of the gas-charged cylinder provides weight-balancing support for power tool 61 enabling the tool to be suspended hands-free at an elevation at which the force generated by 30 the cylinder balances the weight of the tool and tool holder. The distal end of the counterbalance element 30 is movable in a vertical plane by virtue of the articulation of rods 34 and 35 while the proximal end remains at the height of hinge member 22. Thf; operator can therefore raise or lower the tool and tool holder from the position of counterbalance by applying minimal force without having to support the full weight of the tool.
The tool holder 70 also allows the tool 60 to be swivelled about a horizontal axis at the point where the bracket 60 is mounted within the bracket support 71, and about a vertical axis where the load-bearing shaft 72 fits within shaft receptacle 33.
As shown more; clearly in Fig. 2, mounting device 15 is provided with a 10 sleeve 40 sized to slip over and slide along a support element 5, e.g. a scaffold bar or an upright bar supported on a movable base member (not shown). Mounting device 15 is provided with hand operable tightening devices for rigidly connecting sleeve 40 with support element 5. In this preferred embodiment for example, threaded bolts 41 are screwed into and through threaded bores 42 in the sleeve 15 to bear against the structural element S. The position of mounting device 15 along the vertical axis of support element 5 can be quickly and easily changed by loosening the threaded bolts 42, thereby disengaging structural element 5 from sleeve 40, moving mounting device 15 to a different selected position (i.e.
height), and then re-engaging support element 5 by re-tightening bolts 41. It should be 20 noted that other devices can be provided for engaging mounting device 15 with support element 5. For example, threaded bolts 42 may be replaced by spring loaded pins slidingly communicating with unthreaded bores for releasably engaging support element 5, or alternatively, clamping devices may be provided for engaging the wall of sleeve 40 with support element 5. It should also be noted 25 that sleeve 40 can be shaped to slidingly communicate with solid or tubular structural elements having circular cross-sections, or alternatively, square, rectangular or other cross-sections. Mounting device 15 is also provided with upper and lower outwardly projecting brackets 43 and 44, respectively, both having bores aligned along a common a vertical axis for receiving graspable 30 removable hinge pin 45 therein. Proximal end of a spacer element 20 fits within a gap formed between brackets 43 and 44 to form overlapping parts. The proximal end of the spacer element is supported by the upper surface of lower bracket 44, and is provided with bore 46 for receiving hinge pin 45 therethrough. Thus, the proximal end of spacer element 20 is detachably coupled to mounting device 15 by means of removale hinge pin 45 passing through the bore on upper bracket 43, through bore 46 at the proximal end of spacer arm 20, and then through the bore on lower bracket 44 thereby enabling spacer arm 20 to rotate in a horizontal arc around the non-rotatable mounting device 15.
As shown more; clearly in Fig. 3, double-axis elongated hinge element 22 has an upper hinge bracket 50 and lower hinge bracket 51 integrally connected by 10 a vertical web 52. Upper hinge bracket 50 is provided with bores on either side of vertical web 52, the bores being aligned with opposing bores provided on lower hinge bracket 51 wherE~by each set of upper and lower bores is adapted to receive hinge pin 45 therethrough. The distal end of spacer element 20 fits snugly between the upper upper and lower hinge brackets to form overlapping parts, and 15 is supported by an upper surface of the lower hinge bracket 51. The distal end is provided with a bore 47 for receiving a hinge pin 45 therethrough. The distal end of spacer arm 20 is thus detachably coupled at respective overlapping parts with double-axis hinge element 22 by sliding hinge pin 45 through a bore on upper hinge bracket 50, through bore 47, and then through aligned bore on lower bracket 20 44 thereby enabling spacer element 20 to rotate in a horizontal arc around double-link hinge element 22. Proximal bracket 32 of the counter balance element 30 has opposing vertical flanges 55 connected by vertical web 56 having an upper surface 57 and lower surface 58. The web 56 is provided with a vertical bore for receiving a hinge pin 4~5 therethrough. The proximal bracket 32 is detachably 25 coupled to double-axis hinge element 22 at the overlapping parts by sliding hinge pin 45 through the bore on upper hinge bracket 50 opposite the bore connected to spacer element 20, through the bores in the vertical web 56, and then through the aligned bore on lower bracket 44, thereby enabling proximal bracket 32 to rotate in a horizontal arc around double-axis hinge element 22. The bores in the double 30 axis hinge member are: separated from each other by a distance sufficient to allow counter balance element 30 to rotate 360° around double-axis hinge element 22 relative to spacer elemc;nt 20 thereby making it possible to fold the counter balance element 30 flat against either side of spacer element 20 for compact storage as shown in Fig;. 4. If the counter-balance element and spacer element are of the same lateral thickness, then the centres of the bores should be separated by 5 a distance at least equal to the lateral thickness of one of those elements in order to allow flat-folding in this way.
Tool-mounting bracket 60 is exemplified in more detail in Figs. Sa, 5b, and Sc. The bracket releasably but firmly engages power tool 61 as shown in Fig.l. In this embodiment, bracket 60 comprises two opposing flanges 62 10 conjoined by web 63 with bracket 60 stabilized by spacer rib 64 that is welded to the opposing flanges 6 2. Web 63 has a bore positioned at its centre for receiving therethrough tool-clamping device 65 to firmly secure power tool 61 within bracket 60, e.g. by haviing a threaded end screwed into a threaded bore positioned within the power tool li~ody. The clamping device 65 may also act as a handle for 15 manipulation of the power tool via bracket 60. Opposing flanges 62 are provided with at least one pair of aligned bores 66. If so desired, one or more additional pairs of bores (e.g., 67)~ can be added to opposing flanges 62. Threaded bolts with a terminal pin portion 69 are provided for pivotably communicating with aligned bores 66 or 67, thereby allowing the bracket to swivel around a horizontal 20 axis.
Bracket support 70, as exemplified in more detail in Figs. 6 and 7, has a bracket support 71 in the form of an elongated continuous wire loop integrally connected at one end to load-bearing shaft 72. A pair of opposing sleeves 73 is integrally attached to the loop for slidingly receiving therethrough pin portion 69 25 of threaded bolt 68, for releasably engaging and pivotably communicating therewith bores 66 or E.7 in bracket 60. If so desired, bracket support 70 may be provided with multiple sets of opposing sleeves 73 (two are shown in Fig. 6) to provide a variety of positioning to accommodate power tools of different shapes and dimentions. Load-bearing shaft 72 is adapted to slidingly and rotatingly 30 communicate with shaft receptacle 33 of the distal bracket 31 of the counter-balance element 30 shown in Fig. 1. If so desired, a stop collar 75 can be engaged with load-bearing shaft 72 at a selected point to prevent direct contact between the bracket support 71 and. distal bracket 32.
It will be apparent from the figures described above that the various elements of the apparatus together form an articulating arm having a mounting 5 device 15 at one end and a counter-balance element 30, rotatably mounting a tool holder 70, at an opposite end with the spacer element 20 and the double-axis hinge element 22 located therebetween. The various elements of the arm are rotatably attached together at overlapping parts by means of vertically-oriented hinge pins extending through aligned bores in the overlapping parts. The arm can thus be articulated freely in a horizontal plane.
It is preferable in some construction, mining and equipment repair applications, to suspend hand-manipulated power tools underneath the portable mufti-component articulating support apparatus of the present invention for ease of access to and manoeuvrability around power tool engagement targets. A
15 preferred embodiment of such an arrangement is shown in Figs. 8 and 9. In this embodiment, a bracket support is provided in the form of a tool rod 80 attached at its lower end to tool-clamping device 60, and thus to a power tool 61 (not shown) via a universal joint 83. Tool rod 80 has an upper end 81 adapted to slidingly and rotatably communicate with shaft receptacle 33 of the counter-balance element 20 and a stop collar 84 provided to allow the rod to be suspended from the counter-balance element while allowing for rotation. A lower end 82 of the rod is adapted to engage clamping device 60, and the universal joint 83 is intermediate the first and second ends 81 and 82. End 82 is provided with a threaded bore therein (not shown) for receiving a clamping device of the tool-mounting bracket similar to 25 device 65 of Figs. Sa and Sb, for pivotably manipulating therefrom power tool 61 (not shown) in multiple: planes within a three-dimensional workspace.
Another prefewed embodiment provides spacer elements having carrying handles to further enhance portability of the articulating tool support of the present invention. Fig. l0a shows a spacer element 85 provided with a carrying 30 handle 86 integrally connected to a top surface 87 of spacer element 85.
Fig. lOb shows spacer element !~2 having an elongated hole 93 therethrough adjacent spacer arm top surface 94 thereby providing a graspable handle portion 95.
Use of electric ;anl pneumatic-powered hand tools on jobsites typically requires significant lengths of extension cords or pneumatic hoses to supply 5 power to the hand power tools over extended distances. As the operators of such tools move about in three-dimensional workspaces, the distances between the power tools and the source of power vary constantly and considerably resulting in periods of time during which the lengths of extension cords or hoses are folded on themselves and/or are bunched on the floor surfaces whereon the operators are 10 moving about thereby creating worker safety hazards. Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides devices for passing through and retaining power cords and hoses close to the multiple components of the articulating tool support of the present invention as exemplified in Fig. l0a by discontinuous retainer hoop 88, retainer hook 89, and continuous retainer loop 15 attached to bottom surface 91 of spacer arm 85. However, it is to be understood that other types of retainers for power cords and hoses known to those skilled in this art are within the scope of this embodiment of the present invention.
Furthermore, while the retainer devices of this embodiment are shown attached to the bottom surface 91 of spacer arm 85, it is also within the scope of this 20 invention to provide the retainer devices on the side surfaces and top surfaces of spacer arms if so desired.
The portable mufti-component articulating support apparatus of the present invention can be partially or fully disassembled for transport to a job site, and then quickly assembled on site. This can be achieved by first securing mounting 25 device 15 on a selected support element 5 such as a pole, post, pillar, column, and scaffolding. The support element may be an integral component of the work site or alternatively, portable in the form of an adjustable shoring pole designed to engage the floor and ceiling surfaces of a job site. Alternatively, the present invention may be fixed to a portable structural element having a collapsible 30 framework as exemplified by scaffolding and a tripod. As shown in the preceding figures, the proximal end of spacer element 20 is detachably coupled to mounting device 15 with hinge pin 45, while the distal end of spacer element 20 is detachably coupled to one side of double-axis hinge element 22 with another hinge pin 45. The proximal bracket 31 of counter-balance element 30 is detachably coupled to 'the other side of double-axis hinge element 22 with another hinge pin 45. Tool-mounting bracket 60 is fitted to a power tool 61 by clamping device 65, after which the bracket is pivotingly engaged with bracket support by pin portions 69 of threaded bolts 68 pivotably communicating with opposing sleeves 73. The load-bearing shaft 72 of tool cage 70 is slidingly engaged with shaft receptacle 33 of the distal bracket 31 of counter-balance element 30.
10 An operator can easily and with minimal effort manipulate, orientate and operate power tool 61 throughout an entire three-dimensional workspace. This is possible because of vertical movement in a horizontal plane via the distal end of the counter-balance element 30, forward and backward movement permitted by the double-axis hinge element 22 and other rotation around hinge pins 45 that 15 allows concertina-like folding of the support apparatus, as well as swivelling around the mounting device 15 and swivelling around vertical and horizontal axes permitted by the mounting arrangement of the tool-mounting bracket 70. Such manipulation is facilitated by the counter-balancing of the weight of the tool by the counter-balance element 30 (which most preferably includes a gas-charged 20 cylinder 36 having a pressure regulating valve to enable release or addition of compressed air/gas to enable adjustable weight balancing for a variety of power tools having different weights). Power tool 61 may be positioned in a 360°
outward oriented horiz~~ntal plane by slidingly rotating load-bearing shaft 72 within shaft receptacle 33 of vertical control arm 30, and additionally, can be 25 concurrently pivoted and oriented in a range of approximately 160°
to 180° in vertical planes by pin f~ortions 69 of threaded bolts 68 pivotingly communicating with tool cage sleeves '73.
The portable multiple-component support of the present invention can be quickly and easily disa~~sembled by removing tool-mounting bracket 60 engaged 30 with power tool 61, from bracket support 70, then removing bracket support ?0 from counter-balance element proximal bracket 32, then removing all hinge pins 45, and finally, removing clamping device 15 from structural element 5.
It is to be noted that hinge pins 45 (or, in some embodiments, at least one and preferably two or more of them), are provided with enlarged upper ends having T-shaped handles that facilitate grasping and removal of the pins form their respective bores when dis-assembly is required. The enlarged upper ends stand proud of the elements that they connect and are therefore readily accessible, but are retained by gravity in the bores. The lower ends of the pins are not enlarged (and may be ~rapered) so that they do not resist removal from the bores when they are pulled upwardly during dis-assembly.
It is to be noted while the foregoing disclosure for the portable multi-component articulating; tool support apparatus of the invention illustrates the use of a only one spacer element 20 and only one double-axis hinge element 22, it is also within the scope of the present invention to provide a plurality of such elements arranged in a.n alternating fashion between the counter-balance element and the mounting device, to increase the maximum length of the apparatus when desired. Such an arrangement having two spacer elements and two double-axis hinge elements is exemplified in Fig. 11.
While this invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that various alterations and modifications can be made to components of the portable articulating tool support within the scope of this invention, which are limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (14)
1. A power hand-tool support apparatus adapted to support a manually operated power hand-tool and allow an operator to move the hand-tool to a multiplicity of chosen locations in a three-dimensional space, the apparatus comprising:
a multi-component articulating arm, comprising a length with a proximal end adapted to be structurally attached to an external support, a distal end adapted to be detachably attached to the hand-tool, and a plurality of sections, each section capable of moving in a separate direction relative to an other section, wherein the arm is capable of allowing the operator to move the hand-tool to any of the chosen locations in the space; and at least three positional feedback means, each capable of communicating a position of the positional feedback means, the positional feedback means being located at separated positions along the length of the arm, each position chosen to allow measurement of a position of a section of the arm relative to another section of the arm, such that a combination of the positions defines a selectable datum position of the hand-tool;
wherein the three positional feedback means are adapted to be connected to an electrical controlling means to receive the angular positions of the positional feedback means and correlate the positions, and wherein at least one of the three positional feedback means is an optical encoder to digitally measure a position of a component of the arm.
a multi-component articulating arm, comprising a length with a proximal end adapted to be structurally attached to an external support, a distal end adapted to be detachably attached to the hand-tool, and a plurality of sections, each section capable of moving in a separate direction relative to an other section, wherein the arm is capable of allowing the operator to move the hand-tool to any of the chosen locations in the space; and at least three positional feedback means, each capable of communicating a position of the positional feedback means, the positional feedback means being located at separated positions along the length of the arm, each position chosen to allow measurement of a position of a section of the arm relative to another section of the arm, such that a combination of the positions defines a selectable datum position of the hand-tool;
wherein the three positional feedback means are adapted to be connected to an electrical controlling means to receive the angular positions of the positional feedback means and correlate the positions, and wherein at least one of the three positional feedback means is an optical encoder to digitally measure a position of a component of the arm.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising three positional feedback means and all of said means are optical encoders.
3. The apparatus of anyone of claims 1 and 2, wherein the feedback means are adapted to be connected to an electrical controlling means that further comprises an apparatus chosen from the group consisting of a computer, a dedicated control board, and an industrial programmable logic controller and said controlling means is capable of receiving signals from said positional feedback means and processing the signals through a conventional program to compute the angular position of each positional feedback means relative to a predefined datum, or start point, thereby, establishing a position in the space.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of the positional feedback means are further adapted to be electrically connected to separate digital-to-analog converter modules for signal conversion to a scaled voltage, said voltage signal then communicated to said controlling means.
5. The apparatus of anyone of claims land 2, wherein the feedback means are adapted to be connected to electrical controlling means that further comprises means to electrically and pneumatically control the distal end of the arm, said control being established by means of a user-defined set of programmable parameters, and display means to graphically instruct the user for tool setup and in-process parameters feedback during tool use.
6. The apparatus of anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein the apparatus further comprises latching means to electrically lock the tool upon receiving a signal from the controlling means that the position of the hand-tool is in an incorrect position in the space.
7. The apparatus of anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein the distal end is adapted to be detachably attached to a power hand-tool capable of transmitting a torque-induced rotation to the operator and the arm further comprises a first guiding means allowing a proximal section of the arm to articulate only in a single first direction, a second guiding means allowing a second section of the arm coupled to the proximal section to articulate only in a single second direction normal with first direction, and a third guiding means allowing the distal end of the arm to articulate only in a single third direction at an angle with a plane or the first and second directions.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the third guiding means comprises a plurality of rotateably mounted support members in a vertically disposed parallelogram alignment allowing the distal end of the arm to articulate only in a vertical direction.
9. The apparatus of anyone of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a weight countering means to counter the weight of the arm and hand-tool, the means comprising a pneumatic cylinder comprising clevis ends connected to proximal and distal ends of a section of the arm moving in a vertical direction, whereas the pneumatic cylinder is adapted to be fluid connectable to a pressurized fluid source.
10. The apparatus of anyone of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a tool mounting device comprising a primary V-block member rigidly attached to the distal end of the arm, a detachable opposing V-block, and clamping means comprising threaded fasteners to attach the detachable V-block to the primary V-block and exert clamping pressure on the detachable V-block adapted to retain a hand-tool between the V-blocks.
11. The apparatus of anyone of claims 1 to 10, wherein said arm comprises a first arm section comprising a proximal end rotateably connected to a mounting means adapted to be connectable to the external support and distal end to which is rotateably connected to a proximal end of a second arm section comprising a distal end attached to connection means connecting to a tool mounting means to detachably hold the hand-tool.
12. The apparatus of anyone of claims 1 to 11, wherein the controlling means further comprises an apparatus chosen from the group consisting of a computer, a dedicated control board, and an industrial programmable logic controller and said apparatus is capable of receiving said signals from said converter modules and processing the signals through a conventional program to compute the angular position of each three positional feedback means relative to a predefined datum, or start point, thereby establishing a position in the space.
13. The apparatus of anyone of claims 1 to 12, wherein the controlling means further comprises means to electrically and pneumatically control the distal end of the arm, said control being established by means of a user-defined set of programmable parameters, and display means to graphically instruct the user for tool setup and in-process parameters feedback during tool use.
14. A power hand-tool support apparatus adapted to support a manually operated power hand-tool and allow an operator to move the hand-tool to a multiplicity of chosen locations in a three-dimensional space, the apparatus comprising:
a multi-component articulating arm, comprising a length with a proximal end adapted to be structurally attached to an external support, a distal end adapted to be detachably attached to the hand-tool, and a plurality of sections, each section capable of moving in a separate direction relative to an other section, wherein the arm is capable of allowing the operator to move the hand-tool to any of the chosen locations in the space;
wherein the power hand-tool is capable of transmitting a torque-induced rotation to the operator and the arm further comprises a first guiding means allowing a proximal section of the arm to articulate only in a single first direction, a second guiding means allowing a second section of the arm coupled to the proximal section to articulate only in a single second direction normal with first direction, and a third guiding means allowing the distal end of the arm to articulate only in a single third direction at an angle with a plane or the first and second directions;
at least three positional feedback means, each capable of communicating a position of the positional feedback means, the positional feedback means being located at separated positions along the length of the arm, each position chosen to allow measurement of a position of a section of the arm relative to another section of the arm, such that a combination of the positions defines a selectable datum position of the hand-tool; and latching means to electrically lock the tool upon receiving a signal from the controlling means that the position of the hand-tool is in an incorrect position in the space;
wherein at least one of the three positional feedback means is an optical encoder to digitally measure a position of a section of the arm, and wherein the positional feedback means are adapted to be connected to an electrical controlling means to receive the angular positions of the encoder means and record the positions.
a multi-component articulating arm, comprising a length with a proximal end adapted to be structurally attached to an external support, a distal end adapted to be detachably attached to the hand-tool, and a plurality of sections, each section capable of moving in a separate direction relative to an other section, wherein the arm is capable of allowing the operator to move the hand-tool to any of the chosen locations in the space;
wherein the power hand-tool is capable of transmitting a torque-induced rotation to the operator and the arm further comprises a first guiding means allowing a proximal section of the arm to articulate only in a single first direction, a second guiding means allowing a second section of the arm coupled to the proximal section to articulate only in a single second direction normal with first direction, and a third guiding means allowing the distal end of the arm to articulate only in a single third direction at an angle with a plane or the first and second directions;
at least three positional feedback means, each capable of communicating a position of the positional feedback means, the positional feedback means being located at separated positions along the length of the arm, each position chosen to allow measurement of a position of a section of the arm relative to another section of the arm, such that a combination of the positions defines a selectable datum position of the hand-tool; and latching means to electrically lock the tool upon receiving a signal from the controlling means that the position of the hand-tool is in an incorrect position in the space;
wherein at least one of the three positional feedback means is an optical encoder to digitally measure a position of a section of the arm, and wherein the positional feedback means are adapted to be connected to an electrical controlling means to receive the angular positions of the encoder means and record the positions.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2497753A CA2497753C (en) | 2005-02-18 | 2005-02-18 | Portable articulating tool support |
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| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2497753A CA2497753C (en) | 2005-02-18 | 2005-02-18 | Portable articulating tool support |
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|---|---|
| CA2497753A1 true CA2497753A1 (en) | 2006-08-18 |
| CA2497753C CA2497753C (en) | 2015-01-13 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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| CA2497753A Active CA2497753C (en) | 2005-02-18 | 2005-02-18 | Portable articulating tool support |
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Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN108621204A (en) * | 2018-06-13 | 2018-10-09 | 重庆合聚达智能装备有限公司 | Mechanical arm provision for disengagement |
| CN110919620A (en) * | 2020-01-08 | 2020-03-27 | 朱倩慧 | Polymorphic easily accomodates and gets thing ware of adopting fast-assembling jack catch module |
-
2005
- 2005-02-18 CA CA2497753A patent/CA2497753C/en active Active
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN108621204A (en) * | 2018-06-13 | 2018-10-09 | 重庆合聚达智能装备有限公司 | Mechanical arm provision for disengagement |
| CN110919620A (en) * | 2020-01-08 | 2020-03-27 | 朱倩慧 | Polymorphic easily accomodates and gets thing ware of adopting fast-assembling jack catch module |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2497753C (en) | 2015-01-13 |
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