GB2620569A

GB2620569A - Apparatus for marking and drilling holes

Info

Publication number: GB2620569A
Application number: GB2210112.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harisson De Sousa Costa Helbert
Original assignee: HM Tech Ltd
Current assignee: HM Tech Ltd
Priority date: 2022-07-10
Filing date: 2022-07-10
Publication date: 2024-01-17
Also published as: GB202210112D0

Abstract

The apparatus 10 includes a housing 12 having at least a top surface 16, a bottom surface, and a perimeter surface. A drill guide 20 is provided through the top surface of the housing and the bottom surface of the housing. Measurement means 34, 42, are configured to measure a distance between a centre of the drill guide and a reference point. The measurement means may include a retractable tape measure. The top surface of the housing may have a viewing window 22 and a measurement indicator 42 for a user to read the distance. The drill guide may have a wear resistant insert. A base plate (14, Figure 2) with a clamp 32 may be selectively attached to, and removed from, the bottom surface of the housing for clamping the apparatus to a surface. The base plate may include a secondary measurement means 44 and at least one dowel 26 that is received by a corresponding cut-out in the bottom surface of the housing. The top surface or side surface may include a level indicator 24. A laser may emit a visual line, its length determined by a processor and sent to a display.

Description

APPARATUS FOR MARKING AND DRILLING HOLES

FIELD

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed towards apparatus for marking and drilling holes. Such apparatus may be used by a DIY or hobbyist and/or professional carpenter or cabinetry worksperson, for example.

BACKGROUND

In many trades it is necessary for a tradesperson to measure and mark on a surface a location for drilling one or more holes. This is usually achieved through use of a conventional tape measure for measuring a distance from a reference location and a pencil or pen for marking the location to be drilled. It is not uncommon for there to be minor errors in measurement and/or marking which can result in the hole location being in the wrong position by an order of several millimetres, or greater. Such errors in measurement can cause a compound effect on additional holes to be drilled in the surface. Thus, assembly of objects and/or mounting of objects to a surface can require remedial work before a job can be completed. For example, in the cabinetry trade, it may be required to drill a series of holes in an upstanding panel to receive one or more dowels. Each dowel may be required to align with a hole in a worktop surface that is to be lame on top of the upstanding panel in a horizontal orientation. If the hole in the worktop surface does not align with the dowel, it will not be possible to accurately position the worktop surface and consequently this may result in a poor finish and/or gaps between components of a cabinet.

In a domestic environment, it is not uncommon for hobbyists or DIY enthusiasts to attempt to manufacture their own cabinets. Further, homeowners will often want to drill holes in walls for the purposes of hanging pictures and securing shelves to the wall. Again, it is critical that these holes are in the right position otherwise it may not be possible to secure two objects together or hang an object on a wall. Furthermore, if holes are not horizontally or vertically aligned on a vertical surface, any pictures or shelves that are hung or attached to the wall, for example, will not be straight. This would result in an aesthetically displeasing finish and would require remedial action. Such remedial action may require filling of the hole and painting the wall and then re-drilling additional holes in a new location. Such errors can be very frustrating and may easily be avoided through use of apparatus according to aspects and embodiments of the present invention.

It is against the aforementioned background that the present invention has arisen.

SUMMARY

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. The detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended to be given by way of example only.

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention generally comprise apparatus that is configured to accurately measure and drill precise holes in a surface. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a housing which defines a drill guide and means for measuring a distance between a centre of the drill guide and a reference point. The means for measuring the distance may comprise a tape measure that is retractable and extendable in and from the housing. The tape measure may be set so that it measures the distance between the reference point and the centre of the drill guide. The tape measure may be read through a viewing window in a surface of the housing. For example, the top surface of the housing may define a viewing window through which the tape measure may be seen. A measurement indicator may also be visible through the viewing window to indicate the distance between the reference point and the centre of the drill guide. In some embodiments, the apparatus may comprise a faceplate that is selectively removable from the bottom surface of the housing. The base plate may comprise a clamp for clamping the baseplate to a surface of predefined fitness. The baseplate may further comprise a secondary measurement means, i.e., a ruler on a side surface thereof.

Consequently, an aspect of the invention provides apparatus for marking and drilling holes, the apparatus comprising: a housing having at least a top surface, bottom surface, and perimeter surface, wherein a drill guide is provided through the top surface of the housing and the bottom surface of the housing; and measurement means that are configured to measure a distance between a centre of the drill guide and a reference point.

In one embodiment, the measurement means comprises a tape measure that is retractable into and extendable from the housing, the tape measure comprising a spring coil around which a tape displaying measurement markings is wound, the spring coil and tape being contained within the housing.

In one embodiment, the top surface of the housing comprises a viewing window and a measurement indicator to enable a user to accurately read the distance between the centre of the drill guide and the reference point, the viewing window being offset from the drill guide.

In one embodiment, the drill guide comprises a wear resistant insert.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a base plate that is configured to be selectively attached to and removed from the bottom surface of the housing, the baseplate comprising a clamp for clamping the apparatus to a surface.

In one embodiment, the baseplate further comprises a secondary measurement means configured to enable the user to identify a fixed dimension between the centre of the hole guide and a proximal end of the housing.

In one embodiment, the baseplate comprises at least one upstanding dowel that is configured to be received by a corresponding cutout in the bottom surface of the housing.

In one embodiment, the housing further comprises a level indicator in either a top surface or side surface thereof the level indicator being configured to identify to the user whether the apparatus is being held in a level orientation relative to a surface.

In one embodiment, the baseplate is selectable from a range of base plates having clamps sized to enable clamping of apparatus to surfaces having different thicknesses.

In one embodiment, the viewing window comprises a magnifying lens to increase the visible text size of the tape measure to the user.

In one embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a laser configured to emit a visual line; a processor that is configured to determine the length of the visual line; and a display that is configured to generate for display to the user the length of the visual line.

In one embodiment, the perimeter surface of the housing may comprise one or more ergonomic features to facilitate grasping of the housing by the user.

In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the housing may comprise a surface finish having a high coefficient of friction.

In one embodiment the apparatus further comprise a graphical display for generating for display to a user the length of the visual line between the centre of the drill guide and a surface at which the visual line terminates.

In one embodiment the apparatus further comprises one or more LED lights configured to activate upon a distance between the centre of the drill guide and the reference point matching a required measurement.

FIGURES

Aspects and embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of reference to the following figures.

FIG.1 is an isometric view of apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view of apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front view of apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a drill bit to be used in conjunction with apparatus of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as "lower," "upper," "horizontal," "vertical," "above," "below," "up," "down," "top" and "bottom" as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as "attached," "affixed," "connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

FIGs 1-4 illustrate various views of apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. Apparatus 10 generally comprises a housing 12 and a baseplate 14. The housing 12 is defined by a top surface 16 a bottom surface (not shown) and a perimeter surface 18 extending around the housing 12 between the top surface 16 and bottom surface. The top surface 16 of the housing 12 defines a drill guide 20, a viewing window 22, and a level guide 24. The bottom surface of the housing 12 defines a cutout which is concentric with the drill guide 20 of the top surface 16 and at least one receiving formation configured to receive respective mounting pin(s) 26 of the baseplate 14. The bottom surface of the housing 12 may define a surface having a high co-efficient of friction. The perimeter surface 16 may define one or more ergonomic features 17.

The baseplate 14 comprises a generally planar horizontal plate 28 from which the mounting pins 26 project upwardly. The horizontal plate 28 further comprises a cutout which, when the baseplate 14 is mounted to the housing 12, is concentric with the drill guide 20. The baseplate 14 further comprises a flanged edge 30 that extends downwardly from the horizontal plate 28 on one side thereof and a clamp 32 that is pivotally mounted to the baseplate 14 and extends, in use, downwardly from the horizontal plate 28 from the side opposite to the flanged edge 30.

A measuring tape 34 extends from a front part 36 of the perimeter surface 16 through a slot 38 from the front part 36 of the perimeter surface 16. The measuring tape 34 may be wound around a spring coil (not shown) that is mounted within the housing 12. Thus, when a user pulls on the measuring tape 34 in a direction away from the housing 12, the measuring tape 34 may be extended. The spring coil acts as a biasing mechanism such that when the user releases the measuring tape 34 it is retracted into the housing 12 and wound fully around the spring coil. The measuring tape 34 may comprise an anchor 40 at a distal end thereof. The distance between the anchor 40 and the centre of the drill guide 20 is displayed through the viewing window 22 and determined by aligning a measurement marking of the measuring tape 34 with a measuring indicator 42 that is either visible through the viewing window 22 or engraved, or otherwise etched, on the viewing window 22. The measuring tape 34 may be double sided such that imperial measurements may be shown on one side and metric measurements may be shown on the other side. In some embodiments, the measuring tape may be removed from the housing 12 and inverted to change the orientation of the imperial and metric measurements. This may be achieved by way of a cover plate on the perimeter surface 16 or bottom surface of the housing 12. Alternatively, the housing 12 may come in two parts which may be separated to provide access to the measuring tape 34.

The baseplate 14 may be one of several base plates of different measurements configured to be used with materials having specific surface witnesses. For example, different baseplates might be provided for MDF panels of 12 mm, 18 mm, and 22 mm thicknesses. Assuming that the baseplate 14 of the correct size is used with a material, the clamp 32 is operable to clamp a work surface between the flanged edge 30 and clamp 32. The clamp 32 may be operated by hand to push the clamp 32 against the work surface. Resistance may be built into the clamp 32mechanism to avoid inadvertent release of the clamp 32. The flanged surface 30 may further comprise a secondary measurement guide 44 which indicates a fixed distance between and end of the housing 12 and the centre of the hole guides 22. This may be useful where it is desirable to drill a hole that is a fixed distance from a reference point. For example, specific apparatus 10 may be provided for common jobs where hole centres are the same across multiple jobs.

The drill guide 20 may comprise a toughened material insert, i.e., tungsten carbon, to avoid where of the housing 12 when it comes into contact with the drill bit 100 illustrated in FIG. 5. The drill bit 100 may comprise a mounting interface 102 to be received by an electric drill, the drill bit cutting blade 104 itself, and a sleeve 106 situated between the mounting interface 102 and drill bit cutting blade 100. The combination of the sleeve 106 and toughened material insert prolongs the life of the drill bit 100 and minimises damage to housing 12. In some embodiments, the toughened material insert may be replaceable.

In one embodiment, although not shown in the figures, the housing may further comprise a graphical display for generating for display to the user a digital representation of one or more parameters including the distance between the anchor 40 and the centre of the drill guide 20, whether a workpiece is level and/or if the measured distance between the anchor 40 and centre of the drill guide 20 is within a certain tolerance that is preset into a processor incorporated within the housing 12.

In another embodiment, although not shown in the figures, a laser may be mounted on the housing in order to project a laser line from the housing in a direction that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing 12. The processor may determine the distance between the centre of the drill guide 20 and a surface with which the laser line terminates. The determined distance may be generated for display to the user via the graphical display referred to above.

In another embodiment, although not shown in the figures, nonvolatile memory may be incorporated in conjunction with the processor. Each time a measurement is made using the apparatus 10, such a measurement may be stored within the nonvolatile memory. Furthermore, the housing 10 may define communication means to enable data stored within the nonvolatile memory to be extracted via a computing device. The communication means, may comprise a standard wired USB port and/or may comprise wireless communication means such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth in another embodiment, although not shown in the figures, at least one LED light may be provided to emit lighting of at least one colour through the housing 12. For example, in one embodiment, the at least one LED light may comprise a green LED light that is configured to activate upon the process of determining that the apparatus 10 is level on a workpiece and/or the measured distance between the anchor 40 and the centre of the drill guide 20 is within an acceptable tolerance limit of a predetermined measurement. For example, this may be useful on a job where hole centres are equal along a long workpiece to ensure that user does not need to accurately measure a distance each time he/she wishes to drill a hole. All he would need to do is enter into the processor, by way of an external device, a touchscreen, or a separate keypad, a fixed measurement. This can be achieved by way of undertaking a first measurement and then saving that measurement into the nonvolatile memory. Then, the user may simply pull the apparatus 10 across a surface of a workpiece and visually determine an accurate distance between hole centres simply by using the LED light for guidance. Alternatively, the LED light may be activated to signify that the apparatus 10 is level on a surface.

It should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment.

While some embodiments described herein include some, but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the disclosure, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by the skilled person. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Thus, while certain embodiments have been described, it will be appreciated that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, and it is intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other implementations, which fall within the true spirit and scope of this disclosure. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the scope of this disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

While various implementations of the disclosure have been described, it will be readily apparent to the skilled person that many more implementations are possible within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus for marking and drilling holes, the apparatus comprising: a housing having at least a top surface, bottom surface, and perimeter surface, wherein a drill guide is provided through the top surface of the housing and the bottom surface of the housing; and measurement means that are configured to measure a distance between a centre of the drill guide and a reference point.
2. Apparatus for marking and drilling holes according to claim 1, wherein the measurement means comprises a tape measure that is retractable into and extendable from the housing, the tape measure comprising a spring coil around which a tape displaying measurement markings is wound, the spring coil and tape being contained within the housing.
3. Apparatus for marking and drilling holes according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the top surface of the housing comprises a viewing window and a measurement indicator to enable a user to accurately read the distance between the centre of the drill guide and the reference point, the viewing window being offset from the drill guide.
4. Apparatus for marking and drilling holes according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drill guide comprises a wear resistant insert.
5. Apparatus for marking and drilling holes according to any preceding claim and further comprising a base plate that is configured to be selectively attached to and removed from the bottom surface of the housing, the baseplate comprising a clamp for clamping the apparatus to a surface.
6. Apparatus for marking and drilling holes according to claim 5, the baseplate further comprises a secondary measurement means configured to enable the user to identify a fixed dimension between the centre of the hole guide and a proximal end of the housing.
7. Apparatus for marking and drilling holes according to claim 5, wherein the baseplate comprises at least one upstanding dowel that is configured to be received by a corresponding cutout in the bottom surface of the housing.
S. Apparatus for marking and drilling holes according to any preceding claim, the housing further comprises a level indicator in either a top surface or side surface thereof the level indicator being configured to identify to the user whether the apparatus is being held in a level orientation relative to a surface.
9. Apparatus for marking and drilling holes according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the baseplate is selectable from a range of base plates having clamps sized to enable clamping of apparatus to surfaces having different thicknesses.
10. Apparatus for marking and drilling holes according to claim 3, wherein the viewing window comprises a magnifying lens to increase the visible text size of the tape measure to the user.
11. Apparatus for marking and drilling holes according to any preceding claim and further comprising a laser configured to emit a visual line; a processor that is configured to determine the length of the visual line; and a display that is configured to generate for display to the user the length of the visual line.
12. Apparatus for marking and drilling holes according to any preceding claim, wherein the perimeter surface of the housing may comprise one or more ergonomic features to facilitate grasping of the housing by the user.
13. Apparatus for marking and drilling holes according to any preceding claim, wherein the bottom surface of the housing may comprise a surface finish having a high coefficient of friction.
14. Apparatus for marking and drilling holes according to claim 11 and further comprising a graphical display for generating for display to a user the length of the visual line between the centre of the drill guide and a surface at which the visual line terminates.
15. Apparatus for marking and drilling holes according to claim 14 further comprising one or more LED lights configured to activate upon a distance between the centre of the drill guide and the reference point matching a required measurement.