GB2443805A

GB2443805A - Modular power hand drill adaptor

Info

Publication number: GB2443805A
Application number: GB0622710A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Andrews
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-15
Filing date: 2006-11-15
Publication date: 2008-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-15
Also published as: GB2443805B; GB0622710D0

Abstract

The adaptor includes a clamp section 42, a tool section (18, figure 4), and a drive shaft 3. The clamp section 42 is secured to a portion of a power hand drill 1 by a clamp 19, such that the clamp section 42 is fixed relative to the drill body 40. The tool section comprises a body section and a drivable tool member movably supported by the body section. The tool section is removably connectable to the clamp section to rotationally fix the body section relative to the drill body 40. The drive shaft 3 includes a first end adapted to be received by the drill chuck 2, and a second end to operatively engage a portion of the tool section at the other, to transfer drive from the power hand drill 1 to the drivable tool member when the tool section is connected to the clamp section 42. The tool section may be one of a number of interchangeable tool sections with different tool members such as a saw blade, a strimmer reel, a grinding disc, a sanding disc, a tile cutting disc, a cutting blade, or a buffing wheel.

Description

MODULAR POWER HAND DRILL ADAPTOR

The present invention relates to an modular drill adaptor, and in particular to a modular adaptor for transferring drive from an power held drill to a drivable tool member, such as a circular saw.

In recent years, interest in home improvement, and DIY has risen considerably. It is now common for home owners to carry our a variety of maintenance and repair work to their home which would previously have been contracted to a professional builder or decorator. However, many projects require power tools such as circular saws, tile cutters etc. to perform specific tasks. Often such tools are uneconomical, or impractical, for a home owner to purchase.

The cost of power tools can be prohibitive, with their purchase often being unjustifiable for a single task.

Furthermore, the storage space required for such tools can also be restrictive.

It is common to convert power tools such as power hand drills, which provide rotary motion, to perform other functions, for example a power driven screw driver.

Attachment tools, such as screw driver attachments, sanding discs etc, fit directly into the chuck of a drill, and are used as simple hand held tools. Converting a power hand drill for other uses is an economical alternative to buying several individual tools, as often the bulk of the cost of such power tools lies in the motor and drive mechanisms. In addition, a small tool attachment requires significantly less storage space than an entire power tool.

However, for larger or more complex tools, for example a circular saw, tool housings, safety guards, etc are required. In addition, for certain tools a drive train mechanism may be required to provide appropriate drive to the tool. It is therefore not possible to convert a power hand held drill for such applications using a simple tool adaptor of the kind described above.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved power hand drill adaptor which enables a power hand drill to be adapted for use as a variety of other driven tools, which addresses the above described problems, and/or which offers improvements generally.

According to the present invention there is provided a modular power hand drill adaptor as described in the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment of one aspect of the invention there is provided a modular power hand drill adaptor, comprising a clamp section, a tool section, and a drive shaft. The clamp section comprises a clamp for securing the clamp section to a portion of a power hand drill comprising a drill body and a drill chuck, such that the clamp section is fixed relative to the drill body. The tool section comprises a body section and a drivable tool member movably supported by the body section. The tool section is removably connectable to the clamp section to rotationally fix the body section relative to the drill body. The drive shaft has a first end adapted to be received by the drill chuck, and a second end adapted to operatively engage a portion of the tool section, to transfer drive from the power hand drill to the drivable tool member when the tool section is connected to the clamp section. Hence the power hand drill may be adapted for use as an alternative tool by attachment of the tool section using the clamp section.

-3-p3 The tool section may be one of a plurality of interchangeable tool sections, each comprising a different drivable tool member.

The module power hand drill adaptor may further comprise attachment means for releaseably attaching the tool section to the clamp section.

The attachment means may be arranged such that when the tool section is connected to the clamp section, the portion of the tool section which engages the drive shaft is axially aligned with the drill chuck.

The attachment means may comprise at least one lug extending from one of the clamping section or the tool section, and at least one of the clamping section and the tool section has a corresponding channel for receiving said lug, the attachment means further comprising a locking member for locking the lug within said channel.

The drivable tool member may be one of a saw blade, a strimrner reel, a grinding disc, a sanding disc, a tile cutting disc, a cutting blade, or a buffing wheel.

The clamp may comprise a collar, a collar holder, and clamping means. The clamping means may comprise at least one screw.

The collar may be clamped to a portion of the drill by the clamping means, and wherein the collar comprises an aperture for receiving the collar and is connected to the collar holder to fix the collar holder relative to the drill body.

The clamp section may comprise a body section, the collar holder being removably connectable to the body section to fix the clamp section relative to the drill body.

The collar may comprise a threaded section and a flange for engaging a portion of the collar holder, the clamp further comprising a locking nut for engaging with the threaded section to clamp the collar holder between the locking nut and the flange, thereby securing the collar to the collar holder.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided clamp section for use in the power hand drill adaptor described above. The clamp section having a clamp for securing the clamp section to a portion of a power hand drill comprising a drill body and a drill chuck, such that the clamp section is fixed relative to the drill body.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a tool section for use in the power hand drill adaptor of any preceding claim comprising a body section and a drivable tool member movably supported by the body section, the tool section being removably connectable to the clamp section to rotationally fix the body section relative to the drill body.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the following illustrative figures in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the clamp section according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows the collar section of the clamp section of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows an exploded side view of the collar section of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of the clamp section of Figure 1 and the tool adaptor.

Figure 5 shows the clamp section and adaptor of Figure 4 connected together.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a power drill adaptor according to an alternative embodiment of the invetiori.

Referring to Figure 1, a power hand drill 1 comprises a main body 40 and a chuck 2. The main body 40 houses an electric motor, which provides drive to rotate the chuck 2. The chuck 2 rotates relative to the main body 40. The chuck 2 comprises jaws, and a collar which is tightened to cause the jaws to close and clamp a drill bit. Rotary motion is provided to the drill bit by the drill chuck.

To enable the rotary motion of the drill 1 to be used to provide drive for tools other than drill bits, the modular drill adaptor 60 of the present invention comprises a clamp section 42, and an tool section 18.

The clamp section 42 comprises a main body 4, and a clamp 5. The main body 4 supports the body 40 of the drill 1. The clamp 5 engages and clamps a portion of the body 4 of the drill 1, such that the body 4 is rigidly connected to the clamp section 42, with the drill chuck 2 being able to rotate relative to the drill body 40, and relative to the clamp section 42.

The clamp section 42 includes a base 45, and a pair of side walls 47 having inner and outer surfaces. Channels 34 are provided on the inner surface of each of the side walls 47.

The side walls 47 are connected at their outer end by front wall 48. Front wall 48 comprises an aperture 15 for receiving the drive shaft 3 and/or the drill chuck 2.

The clamp 5 comprises a collar section 19 including a collar 14, and a collar holder 12. The collar 14 is adapted to receive the neck 46 of the drill 1. The collar 14 is securable to the neck 46 by a worm screw 16, or other suitable clamping means, or means for securing the collar to the neck 46. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, three worm screws 16 are provided at equidistant radial positions around the circumference of the collar 14 to provide even securement to the neck 46, although any suitable number of screws may used.

In use, the collar 14 is secured to the neck 46, and then to the collar holder 12. The collar holder 12 has an aperture 21 to receive the collar 14. The collar 14 is provided with a threaded section 32 and a flange member 31 extending from its rear peripheral edge, for attachment to the collar holder 12. The flange member 31 is sized such that when the collar 14 is inserted into the aperture 21, the flange 31 abuts the rear face of the collar holder 12.

The collar 14 extends through the aperture 21 and a locking member 15 engages the threaded section 32 such that the collar is clamped to the collar holder 12 between the locking member 15 and the flange member 31. As such, the collar holder 12, and collar 14 are both connected to, and fixed relative to, the drill body 40.

Alternatively, the threaded section 32 may engage a corresponding threaded section on the collar holder 12, without the requirement for the locking nut 15. It will be appreciated that any other suitable means of rigidly connecting the collar 14 to the collar holder 12 could be used.

In a further alternative arrangement, the collar 14 may be fixed to the drill chuck 2, rather than the neck 46. A bearing section is provided between the collar 14 and the collar holder 12, such that the collar 14 may be fixed to, and rotate relative to, the collar holder 12.

The clamp section 42 further comprises channels 34. The channels 34 form slots which are adapted to slidingly receive the collar holder 12, to hold the collar holder in position relative to the clamp section 42. Once the collar 14 and collar holder 12 are secured to the drill neck 46, the collar holder 12 is inserted into the slots 34 of the side walls 37, to locate the collar section 19, and laterally fix it relative to the longitudinal axis of the clamp section 42. The slots 34 are arranged along the side walls 47, such that when the collar section 19 is inserted, the drill chuck 2 is positioned rearward of the front wall 48, and aligned centrally with the aperture 50.

With the collar section 19 inserted in the slots 34, the clamp section 42 is rotatably fixed relative to the drill body 40. The drill neck 46 is supported by the collar 14, and the drill body 40 is supported by the base 45 of the clamp section 42. The base 45 may be provided with a ventilated wedge section 17, to accommodate and support the curvature of the drill body 40, and to allow suitable ventilation for the motor of the drill 1. Furthermore, the clamp member may be provided with securing means, such as screw holes 10, or additional clamping means, for securing the clamp section 42 to a work surface. The base 45 may include a flange 54 for alignment of the clamp section 42 with the front edge of a work surface.

The tool section 18 is a tool attachment which is connected to the clamp section 42, and enables the drill 1 to be converted for use as an alternative tool. The tool section 18 comprises a body section 54 and a drivable tool member 56. The body section 54 houses and movably supports the drivable tool member 56, for rotation or other movement.

The drivable tool member 56 may be any tool suitable to be driven by the drill 1, for example the drivable tool member may be a circular saw blade, a cutting disc, grinder, or lathe. The body section 54 supports the drivable tool member 56, and enables connection of the drivable tool member 56 to the drill 1. The tool section 18 may be any one of a plurality of tool sections 18, each having a different tool member. The tool section 18 is selected from the plurality of tool section 18 depending on the tool required.

The tool section 18 comprises attachment means 58 to attach the body section 54 to the clamp section 42. In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, the attachment means 58 comprises a plurality of lugs 58. Each lug 58 is received by a corresponding channel, or slot 6 in the clamp section 42. The lugs 58 have slots formed therein to enable the adaptor to be locked in position and fixed relative to the clamp section 42. The lugs 58 are inserted into the slots -9-. -- 6, and a locking panel 8 is slid downwards within a channel 19 adjacent the rear face of the front wall 48.

The locking plate 8 comprises apertures which allow entry of the lugs 58 into the slots 6. Once inserted, the locking plate 8 is slid downwards to engage the slots in the lugs 58, to prevent removal of the lugs 58 from the slots 6, thereby locking the adaptor in position. As such, the tool section 18 is rigidly connected to the clamp section 42. As an alternative to the locking plate 8, spring loaded catches may be provided in the slots 6 to engage the lugs 58 and lock them in position. It will also be appreciated that any other suitable means of connecting the tool section 18 to the clamp section 42 may be utilised. It is merely essential that the tool section 18 is fixed relative to the clamp section 42, and in particular that the tool section 18 is rotationally fixed relative to the clamp section 42, such that drive may be transferred from the drill 1 to the drivable tool member 56 by the drive shaft 3, without relative movement between the drill body 40, the clamp section 42 or the adaptor body 54.

The drive shaft 3 is a rigid member for connecting the drill 1 with the adaptor 18, such that drive may be transferred from the drill 1 to drivable tool member 56 of the adaptor 18. The drive shaft 3 has a driven end 20 which is configured to be received by the jaws of the drill chuck 2, such that when the jaws are tightened about the driven end 20, the drive shaft 3 is rotationally fixed relative to the drill chuck 2. The drive shaft 3 also has a driving end 22, adapted to be connected to the adaptor 18. The drive shaft 3 may directly connected to the drivable tool member 56, such that drive is directly transferred to the drivable tool member 56 from the drive shaft 3, or received by the driven part of a drive train mechanism operatively coupled to the drivable tool member 56.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the drivable tool member 56 comprises a hug 33, which is received by a corresponding recess in the drive shaft 3, to rotationally fix the drive shaft 3 relative to the drivable tool member 56. Alternatively, the drivable tool member 56 may Comprise an recess, for receiving the drive shaft 3, the aperture and the drive shaft 3 being configured such that the drive shaft 3 is rotationally fixed relative to the drivable tool member 56. The tool section 18 may alternatively comprise a drive train, for transferring drive from the drive shaft 3 to the drivable tool member 56. The drive train may comprise a set of gears, drive belt, or any other suitable drive train mechanism.

In this alternative embodiment, the drive shaft 3 may engage the drive train mechanism by any suitable connection means which rotatably fixes the drive shaft 3 relative to the driven part of the drive train mechanism, and enables drive in the form of rotational movement to be transferred from the drive shaft 3 to the drive train, and hence to the drivable tool member 56. The drive train mechanism may be used to provide a gearing ratio to drive the drivable tool member 56 at a suitable speed. The drive train mechanism may also be used to enable the drivable tool member 56 to be offset from the rotational axis of the drive shaft 3 and drill chuck 2.

Connection of the tool section 18 to the clamp section 42 rotatably fixes the body 54 of the tool section 18 relative to the body 40 of the drill 1. In this way, the body 54 of the tool section 18 remains rotationally stationary relative to the drill body 40 while rotational drive force is transferred from the drill chuck 2 to the drivable tool member 56 via the drive shaft 3.

The tool section 18 may be a circular saw tool section, adapted to convert the drill 1 for use as a circular saw, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. A circular saw requires a circular blade, and a surface for supporting the material to be cut such that the material may be fed to the blade in a safe and stable manner.

Hence, the circular saw tool section 18 comprises a body 54 and a circular saw blade 56. The body 54 comprises a support surface 62 and a slot 60 formed therein. The slot 60 is adapted to enable a cutting portion of the circular blade 56 to extend outside the housing 54, and such that a portion of the support surface 62 is provided either side of the circular blade. Additional features such as a blade guard, material guide, or support surface extension may also be provided.

In an alternative embodiment, the tool section 18 may be a garden strimmer adaptor, as shown Figure 6. In this embodiment, the strirnmer tool section 18 comprises a housing, and a drivable tool member 56 comprising a strimrner head. The strimmer head may be similar to those common the art. The strimmer head is provided at the end of a extension member 62, the extension member also having a handle 64 for stabilising the strimmer adaptor 18. The drive shaft 3 may extend from the drill chuck 2 along the extension member to the strimmer head. Alternatively, an extension drive shaft may extend from the strimmer head to a point within the housing closer to the drill chuck, wherein it may connect with the drive shaft 3 to transfer drive from the drill chuck 2 to the strinimer head.

The clamp section 12 may be provided with additional accessories mounted on the base 45, such as a tool box, or storage container 11 comprising a slidable draw section.

The base 45 may be provided with an additional base plate 37. The base plate 37 may be permanently attached to a support surface such as a work bench. The base 45 is releaseably connectable to the base plate 37, such that it may be rigidly fixed relative to the support surface, and removed for use elsewhere if required. The base 45 may also be permanently fixed to a support surface, with or without the base plate 37, via attachment points 10 which enable the base to be screwed to a surface. Any other suitable attachment means may also be utilised.

The invention therefore provides a modular power drill adaptor 60 comprising tool sections 18 which are removably connectable to a clamp section 42 to enable the power hand drill 1 to be adapted for use as an alternative tool. A user may acquire the clamp section 42 separately to the tool section 18, and subsequently acquire various tool sections 18 depending on the application at hand. The tool sections 18 do not require a motor, as drive is provided by the drill 1.

In addition, only one clamp section is required which is universally connectable to every tool section 18. As such, the tool sections 18 may be manufactured at significantly lower cost than a power tool for performing the equivalent function. In addition, each tool section 18 will be significantly smaller in size than the equivalent power tool, with the bulk of the motor and main body section of such tools being redundant, thereby making the tool sections easier and more convenient to store.

It will be appreciated that in further embodiments various modifications to the specific arrangements described above and shown in the drawings may be made. For example, while the specific example of a circular saw, and strimmer adaptors are described above, it will be appreciated that the tool section 18 may be any tool adaptor which may be removably connected to the clamp section 42 to enable the drill 1 to be adapted for use as an alternative tool.

Similarly, the clamp section 42 may be any member which is attachable to a hand drill to allow releaseable attachment of a tool section, and to rotatably fix the tool adaptor relative to the drill.

Claims

1. A modular power hand drill adaptor, comprising: a clamp section, having attachment means for securing the clamp section to a portion of a power hand drill comprising a drill body and a drill chuck, such that the clamp section is fixed relative to the drill body; a tool section, comprising a body section and a drivable tool member movably supported by the body section, the tool section being removably connectable to the clamp section to rotationally fix the body section relative to the drill body; and a drive shaft, having a first end adapted to be received by the drill chuck, and a second end adapted to operatively engage a portion of the tool section, to transfer drive from the power hand drill to the drivable tool member when the tool section is connected to the clamp section.

2. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein the tool section is one of a plurality of interchangeable tool sections, each comprising a different drivable tool member.

3. The adaptor of claim 1 or 2, wherein the attachment means of the clamp section is a clamping means.

4. The adaptor of claim 1 or 2, further comprising attachment means for releaseably attaching the tool section to the clamp section.

5. The adaptor of claim 4, wherein the attachment means is arranged such that when the tool section is connected to the clamp section, the portion of the tool section which engages the drive shaft is axially aligned with the drill chuck.

6. The adaptor of claims 4 or 5, wherein the attachment means comprises at least one lug extending from one of the clamping section or the tool section, and at least one of the clamping section and the tool section has a corresponding channel for receiving said lug, the attachment means further comprising a locking member for locking the lug within said channel.

7. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein the drivable tool member is one of a saw blade, a strimmer reel, a grinding disc, a sanding disc, a tile cutting disc, a cutting blade, or a buffing wheel.

8. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein the clamp comprises a collar, a collar holder, and clamping means.

9. The adaptor of claim 8, wherein the collar is clamped to a portion of the drill by the clamping means, and wherein the collar comprises an aperture for receiving the collar and is connected to the collar holder to fix the collar holder relative to the drill body.

10. The adaptor of claim 9, wherein the clamp section comprises a body section, the collar holder being removably connectable to the body section to fix the clamp section relative to the drill body.

11. The adaptor of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the clamping means comprises at least one screw.

12. The adaptor of any on of claims, wherein the collar comprises a threaded section and a flange for engaging a portion of the collar holder, the clamp further comprising a locking nut for engaging with the threaded section to clamp the collar holder between the locking nut and the flange, thereby securing the collar to the collar holder.

13. A clamp section for use in the power hand drill adaptor of any one of claims, the clamp section having a clamp for securing the clamp section to a portion of a power hand drill comprising a drill body and a drill chuck, such that the clamp section is fixed relative to the drill body.

14. A tool section for use in the power hand drill adaptor of any preceding claim comprising a body section and a drivable tool member movably supported by the body section, the tool section being removably connectable to the clamp section to rotationally fix the body section relative to the drill body.

15. A modular power hand drill adaptor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in any one or more of figures 1 to 6.

16. A tool section substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in any one or more of figures 1 to 6. * ** * S *

* I. 0 S... * . I... 1S555 **SS

S *1*S * S..

16. A clamp section substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in any one or more of figures 4 to 6.

17. A tool section substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in any one or more of figures 1 to 6.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows -,--

1. A modular power hand drill adaptor, comprising: a clamp section including a collar configured to clamp to the power hand drill and a collar holder configured to receive and connect to the collar, the collar including at least one clamp member for clamping the collar to the power hand drill; a tool section, comprising a body section and a drivable tool member movably supported by the body section, the tool section being removably connectable to the clamp section to rotationally fix the body section relative to the drill body; and a drive shaft, having a first end adapted to be received by the drill chuck, and a second end adapted to operatively engage a portion of the tool section, to transfer drive from the power hand drill to the drivable tool member when the tool section is connected to the clamp section.

2. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the collar is rotatable relative to the collar holder ** 3. The adaptor of claim 1 or 2, wherein the tool section *.25 is one of a plurality of interchangeable tool sections, S...

each comprising a different drivable tool member.

SI.... * S

4. The adaptor of any preceding claim, further comprising attachment means for removably connecting the tool section S...

30 to the clamp section. *5I

I

6. The adaptor of claims 4 or 5, wherein the attachment means comprises at least one lug extending from one of the clamping section or the tool section, and the other of the at least one of the clamping section and the tool section has a corresponding channel for receiving said lug, the attachment means further comprising a locking member for locking the lug within said channel.

8. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein collar holder comprises an aperture for receiving the collar.

9. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein the clamp section comprises a body section, the collar holder being removably connectable to the body section to fix the clamp section relative to the drill body. * ** ** * * *.

*.25 10. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one clamp member comprises at least one screw.

****** * S 11. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein the collar comprises a threaded section and a flange for engaging a portion of the collar holder, the clamp section further * comprising a locking nut for engaging with the threaded section to clamp the collar holder between the locking nut and the flange, thereby securing the collar to the collar holder.

12. A clamp section for use in a power hand drill adaptor as defined in any preceding claim.

13. A tool section for use a power hand drill adaptor as defined any preceding claim.

14. A modular power hand drill adaptor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in any one or more of figures 1 to 6.

15. A clamp section substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in any one or more of figures 4 to 6.