WO2012045110A1

WO2012045110A1 - Power drill bit attachment

Info

Publication number: WO2012045110A1
Application number: PCT/AU2011/000843
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dominic Condello
Original assignee: Dominic Condello
Priority date: 2010-10-06
Filing date: 2011-07-05
Publication date: 2012-04-12

Abstract

The present invention provides a power drill bit attachment comprising a receptacle for catching debris ejected from a substrate being drilled, the receptacle comprising (i) a first opening capable of accepting the debris; (ii) a second opening to allow a drill bit to pass into the receptacle and through the first opening; (iii) one or more members extending from the wall and toward a central region of the receptacle, the one or more members capable of frictionally engaging with a drill bit when disposed within the receptacle, the frictional engagement being sufficient to retain the receptacle on the drill bit but insufficient to substantially inhibit rotation of the drill bit. In certain embodiments, the power drill bit attachment may also act as a depth gauge, limiting the depth to which the drill bit may penetrate into the substrate being drilled.

Description

POWER DRILL BIT ATTACHMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to accessories for use with power drills. In particular, the invention is directed to accessories that are capable of retaining debris generated by power drills.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Power drills are virtually ubiquitous tools, used extensively by professional tradespersons and home handymen alike. A problem arises in the use of power drills in that significant amounts of debris can be expelled from the nascent holed during drilling. Typically, a fine dust is generated, composed of plaster, wood, concrete or masonry. From an occupational health and safety standpoint, the dust can provide an inhalation hazard or even fall directly into the eyes of an operator when drilling into a ceiling.

Dust resulting from drilling may also create significant mess requiring laborious clean up by the operator. The fine dust can be difficult to clean from floor coverings, and where the dust it is coloured (e.g. debris resulting from the drilling of red brick), walls and floors may be stained.

When drilling into a ceiling, dust can also fall into the power drill casing or chuck leading to premature failure of the tool. When combined with lubricant on moving pa rts of the power drill, dust forms an abrasive paste which over a period of time may cause undue wear. The prior art provides a number of contrivances capable of controlling dust by the use of various bags, boots, vacuum devices and the like. Many are difficult to attach and detach from the drill casing, are complex to manufacture, are expensive, difficult to use or otherwise undesirable. A further problem in the use of power drills relates to controlling the depth of the hole formed. The high speeds at which power drills operate make it difficult for the operator to limit the depth. Depth control is important in many tasks (for example, when making a dowell joint in wood working), and also as a safety consideration (for example to avoid disrupting underlying electrical cable).

With the foregoing in view, it is an aspect of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate a problem of the prior art to provide an improved power drill bit attachment of the class described.

The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

I n a first aspect the present invention provides a power drill bit attachment comprising a receptacle for catching debris ejected from a substrate being drilled, the receptacle comprising (i) a first opening capable of accepting the debris; (ii) a second opening to allow a drill bit to pass into the receptacle and through the first opening; (iii) one or more members extending from the wall and toward a central region of the receptacle, the one or more members capable of frictionally engaging with a drill bit when disposed within the receptacle, the frictional engagement being sufficient to retain the receptacle on the drill bit but insufficient to substantially inhibit rotation of the drill bit.

I n one embodiment the mem bers are resiliently biased toward a position allowing the members to frictionally engage a drill bit disposed within a space defined by the one or more members. In certain embodiments, the attachment comprises 2 or more members, and preferably comprises 3 members. Preferably, the members are substantially fin shaped.

I n another embodiment the members are provided at two or more levels within the receptacle. Preferably each of the two or more levels has 3 members. In one embodiment the receptacle is rigid such that the attachment has the further function of limiting the depth to which the drill bit can penetrate. This further function can be augmented or replaced by the addition of a spacer element adapted to be disposed between the receptacle and the drill chuck. In one embodiment of the invention the first opening of the receptacle has a lip adapted to rest against a substrate to be drilled.

The attachment may be fabricated from a plastic, and preferably a light weight plastic.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a method for drilling a hole in a substrate, the method comprising the step of mounting a power drill bit attachment as described herein on a drill bit such that the members frictionally engage the drill bit. In one embodiment the method comprises the step of sliding the attachment over the free end of the drill bit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of attachment embodying the invention. In this figure, the attachment is fabricated as three parts which are subsequently assembled.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the attachment shown in FIG. 1 when assembled.

FIG. 3 is an end-on view of the assembled attachment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cut-away lateral view of the assembled attachment shown in FIG. 2, as mounted on a conventional drill.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

After considering this description it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how the invention is implemented in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention. Furthermore, statements of advantages or other aspects apply to specific exemplary embodiments, and not necessarily to all embodiments covered by the claims. Unless the contrary intention is expressed, the features presented as preferred or alternative forms of the invention can be present in any of the inventions disclosed as alone or in any combination with each other.

The present invention is predicated at least in part on the finding that a receptacle fitted with members capable of frictionally engaging with a drill bit provides advantages over drill attachments of the prior art that engage with the casing of the power drill. Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention provides a power drill bit attachment comprising a receptacle for catching debris ejected from a substrate being drilled, the receptacle comprising (i) a first opening capable of accepting the debris; (ii) a second opening to allow a drill bit to pass into the receptacle and through the first opening; (iii) one or more members extending from the wall and toward a central region of the receptacle, the one or more members capable of frictionally engaging with a drill bit when disposed within the receptacle, the frictional engagement being sufficient to retain the receptacle on the drill bit but insufficient to substantially inhibit rotation of the drill bit.

Applicant proposes that a power drill bit attachment as described herein is capable of releasably engaging with the drill bit, thereby locating the receptacle in a position such that the opening is capable of catching the debris. The members engage with the drill bit with sufficient force so as to retain the receptacle on the drill bit, while still permitting the drill bit to rotate in a normal or a substantially normal manner. This approach of utilising a receptacle having members that engage with the drill bit is a significant departure from prior art attachments that are designed to be fitted to the casing of the power drill without the need (and in a preferred embodiment of the invention, devoid of) fastening means such as clamps, screws, rubbers, bolts, brackets, clips, "snap" fittings, press studs, adhesives, and the like.

As will be appreciated, the present invention is distinguished from attachments of the prior art that engage with the casing of the power drill. Such prior art contrivances may not be amenable for use across a broad range of power drills, except possibly with specialised or complicated attachment means. For example, United States Patent 3,776,647 is representative prior art disclosing an arrangement whereby a contrivance for catching drilling debris is attached to the power drill casing by way of a complex clamping arrangement. The two frusto-cones responsible for catching the debris do not engage with the drill bit and therefore have no role in maintaining the position of the device on the drill. It will be appreciate that the present invention is a significant departure from this prior art contrivance, and those of a similar design and construction.

It will also be apparent from United States Patent 3,776,647 that the fitting and removal of the attachment would be time consuming. By contrast, the attachment of the present invention is able to be quickly attached and detached, simply by sliding the attachment over the free end of the drill bit. Advantageously, the fitting of the present attachment is not dependant on the power drill casing and can be used in conjunction with any type of power drill. While the attachment is easily removed by the operator when desired, it still remains engaged with the drill bit such that it will not dislodge when the power drill is subsequently moved by the operator.

The unique features of the present invention over the prior art may be better appreciated by discussion of an exemplary method for using the attachment. According to the present invention; before commencing drilling the operator slides the receptacle over the free end of the drill bit, allowing the members to engage with the drill bit. The lip of the receptacle and the end of the drill bit are placed flush against the wall. The drill is actuated, and the drill bit rotates with the members maintaining contact with the drill bit during rotation, with any debris expelled from the nascent hole being caught in the receptacle. At the completion of drilling, the receptacle and drill are moved away from the wall. The members maintain engagement with the drill bit at this stage, such that the operator can handle the drill without the inconvenience of the receptacle dislodging from the drill bit. Thus, the operator is able to up-end the receptacle over a trash bin to remove drilling debris, with the receptacle retaining its position on the drill bit. The operator can then proceed to drill the next hole with minimal delay. As will be appreciated, the ability to deal with the accumulated debris in this manner provides a significant time saving for the operator. As used herein, the term "receptacle" is intended to mean any structure capable of receiving and retaining drilling debris. While not essential it is preferable that the receptacle be shaped or dimensioned to retain all or even most of the debris that is ejected during drilling. For convenience, the invention will be described by reference to a receptacle that is cylindrical in shape. However it will be understood that the receptacle may be any other suitable shape. Where the receptacle is cylindrical, the second opening is preferably in the centre of the floor of the receptacle.

Preferably, the receptacle is fabricated from a light weight plastic material such as a PVC, nylon, acrylic, polycarbonate, ABS, PEEK, polyamide-imide, polyethylene (such as HDPE or UHMWPE), phenolic, epoxy or melamine. By utilising a lighter receptacle, the level of frictional engagement required to retain the receptacle on the drill bit will be relatively low, as compared with a heavier receptacle. A relatively low level of frictional engagement is advantageous in the context of the present invention since (i) the attachment is more easily attached and detached from the drill bit, and (ii) the drill bit is able to rotate more freely.

Key to the invention are the one or members that extend toward a central region of the receptacle. These members are adapted to provide for frictional engagement with a drill bit that extends through the receptacle. Typically the one or members are substantially straight and extend into the central region of the receptacle in a direction allowing for engagement with the drill bit.

In one embodiment, the attachment comprises a single member. As an example of such an embodiment, a single elongate member may extend directly from the inner wall of the receptacle to the geometric centre of the receptacle. The end of the member may be equipped with a structure capable of at least partially encircling the drill bit to provide the required frictional engagement. Suitable structures include a hook, a loop or a clamp.

In another embodiment, the attachment comprises two members. In this embodiment, the members extend from opposite sides of the receptacle inner wall in a straight line toward the geometric centre of the receptacle. The ends of the members frictionally engaging with the drill bit. In this embodiment, the ends of the members may have a concave face, thereby allowing for more complete contact (and therefore engagement) with the drill bit. Alternatively, the two members may be directed eccentrically, but generally toward a central region of the receptacle such that the drill bit is engaged between the sides of the members. In order to achieve sufficient engagement the members must extend for a certain minimum distance into the receptacle. For example, where the radius of a cylindrical receptacle is r the length of the member may be 0.91r, 0.92r, 0.93r, 0.94r, 0.95r, 0.96r, 0.97r, 0.98r, 0.99r, l.Or, l.Olr, 1.02r, 1.03r, 1.04r, 1.05r, 1.06r, 1.07r, 1.08r, 1.09r or l.lr. Preferably, the members extend for a distance sufficient to allow maximum contact of the sides of the members with the drill bit. Further allowance in length may be provided to account for any lateral movement of the drill bit which may otherwise lead to disengagement with the members.

The degree to which the members frictionally engage with the drill bit may be controlled by varying one or more parameters as necessary. For example, the material from which the members are composed and the finish of the surface may be altered. Greater engagement will typically result where a softer material is used given that the member would be allowed to conform to the shape of the drill bit to at least a small extent. This would allow a larger surface area contact between the member and drill bit which in turn will improve the level of frictional engagement. Frictional engagement may be altered by cha nging the smoothness of the finish on the member surface. Clearly, a smoother surface will result in a lower level of frictional engagement. Further alteration to the level of engagement may be made by varying the size of the member. A member that contacts a greater length of the drill bit (such as a fin-shaped member described elsewhere herein) will provide a greater level of engagement due to the increased surface area contact.

The flexibility and resilience of the member will also have an effect on the level of engagement. A member composed of a material that is very resilient will tend to exert a greater force on the drill bit after being deformed to accommodate it. Furthermore, a member having a low level of flexibility is more difficult to deform in order to accommodate the drill bit but will exert a greater force on the drill bit and therefore engage it more firmly. The skilled artisan is enabled by the above teachings the common knowledge in the field to provide members having the required level of frictional engagement for any given application. I n another embodiment of the invention, the attachment comprises three members as shown in the drawings herein. For greatest stability of the receptacle on the drill bit, the members are placed equidistant about the wall of receptacle. The members extend eccentrically toward a central region to define a space within which the drill bit is frictionally engaged by the sides of the members.

While embodiments having four, five, six, seven, eight nine, ten or more members are contemplated to be useful, for reasons of simplicity and economy attachments having three members are preferred. The members may take any shape or dimension allowing for the required level of frictional engagement with the drill bit. However, greater stability of the receptacle on the drill bit is provided where the members are substantially fin-shaped. The inclusion of fin-shaped members allows for a lower level of lateral movement of the drill bit within the receptacle given that the members engage with a more significant length of the drill bit as compared with members that are stick-shaped.

I n one embodiment of the invention the members are resiliently biased toward a position allowing the members to frictionally engage a drill bit disposed within a space defined by the one or more members. For example, where the end of members are adapted to contact the drill bit the members may be equipped with a spring that urges the members toward the drill bit. Where there are two members, it will be typical that the members are disposed directly opposite to each other with the drill bit disposed between the two members. Where there are three members, it will be typical that the members are disposed equidistant to each other about circumference of the receptacle.

Where the side of the members is adapted to contact the drill bit, the resilient biasing means may be inherent in the members. For example, the members may be fabricated from a resilient plastic material and directed toward a central region (and not the exact centre) of the receptacle in a manner that the sides of the members form a space between each other that is smaller than the diameter of the drill bit. Thus, when the drill bit is inserted into the receptacle and between the members, the members moved away from each other. However, because of their resilient nature they tend to urge toward the drill bit, thereby retaining it snugly.

In one embodiment of the invention, members are provided at two or more levels within the receptacle as shown in the embodiments described by the drawings herein. An advantage of this embodiment is that the lateral movement of the drill bit within the receptacle is inhibited, creating a more stable engagement between the drill bit and receptacle. Multiple levels of members also provides for a greater level of guidance of the drill bit, such that entry to the substrate at 90 degrees is more likely. It will be appreciated that the various boots, bags, covers and the like provided in the prior art obfuscate the operator's view of the drill bit entry into the substrate. This can lead to holes that are undesirably made at an angle to the substrate surface.

The members extend toward a central region. As used herein the term "central region" is not intended to be limited to a region at the geometric centre of the receptacle. The term is intended to mean any area that is spatially removed from a wall of the receptacle.

In one embodiment, the receptacle is rigid. This embodiment provides for a further advantage that the attachment may also act as a depth gauge, limiting the depth to which the drill bit may penetrate into the substrate being drilled. In use, the drill bit can be pushed into the substrate until the chuck is stopped by contacting the receptacle. At this point, the drill bit is able to penetrate no further into the substrate. Given that the depth is controlled by the dimensions of the receptacle, it will be understood that this embodiment is not easily able to be customised to various depths. In that regard, a preferred embodiment of the invention provides for a spacer element adapted to be disposed between the receptacle and the drill chuck, with the drill bit going through the centre. In combination with the rigid receptacle, the spacer acts to limit the depth to which the drill bit can penetrate. The spacer element may have a fixed length in which case a number of different lengths may be provided and interchanged. Alternatively the length of the spacer element may be adjustable by severing a portion to achieve a desired penetration depth. The length may also be reversibly adjustable by a lockable telescopic mechanism for example.

The provision of a simple dual function drill bit attachment, capable of controlling dust and also acting as a depth gauge is of significant advantage in the art. The further advantage of being usable on any type of drill further elevates the advance provided by the present invention.

The receptacle includes an aperture to allow the drill bit to enter and pass through the receptacle. The aperture is preferably shaped and dimensioned to allow for retention of drilling debris. To that end, the aperture is shaped and dimensioned to engage with the drill chuck such that little debris is lost.

In one embodiment, the first opening of the receptacle has a lip (and preferably a broad lip) adapted to rest against the substrate to be drilled, such as a wall. The lip has the effect of distributing the force of the receptacle against the surface to prevent damage. Thus, the user may feel comfortable in forcing the lip against the wall in order to optimize the amount of drilling debris retained by the receptacle.

An attachment of the present invention can be fabricated as a unitary item, but are preferably manufactured as a multi-part product which is assembled by the user, as demonstrated by the embodiment shown in the drawings herein. This results in decreased cost of manufacture and transport, and will be advantageous in versions of the invention manufactured for domestic use where cost is more important.

The present invention is particularly useful in an industrial setting where a tradesperson may need to drill multiple holes in the course of a working day, some requiring dust containment or depth control and other not. In these circumstances, the present invention is particularly advantageous given the short amount of time required to mount and remove the attachment from a drill. In order that the present invention may be more fully understood and put into practice, the same will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The drawings show an exemplary embodiment, fabricated in three discrete parts. Turning now to FIG. 1 there is shown three parts: a receptacle wall 2, receptacle floor 4, and spacer element 6. The receptacle wall defines a first opening 8 adapted to be placed flush against a substrate surface for drilling. The first opening 8 has a lip 10 that assists in distributing the force of the receptacle against the wall, thereby minimising damage. The inner wall of the receptacle has three fin-shaped main members 12, extending from equidistant points about the circumference of the receptacle and toward a central region of the receptacle. It will be be noted that the main members overlap to define a central space 14 within which the drill bit is frictionally engaged by the flat faces of the main members 12.

The receptacle floor 4 frictionally engages with the receptacle wall 2 by way of a plurality of protruding ribs 16 disposed about the circumference of the floor 4. The floor 4 has a central channel 18 having three auxiliary members 20 on the inner wall. While smaller, these auxiliary members define a space of the same size as that defined by the main members 12.

The spacer element 6 frictionally engages with the end of the channel 18 upon assembly. The spacer is hollow, allowing a drill pit to pass through the lumen 22. The spacer element includes a number of guide marks 24 which facilitate square and accurate cutting of the spacer to a desired length.

The assembled drill bit attachment is shown in FIG. 2. Assembly may be achieved purely by the frictional engagement of the three parts 2, 4, and 6. Alternatively, an adhesive or plastic welding could be implemented to provide more secure joins. Turning now to FIG. 3, which shows the spatial arrangement of the main members 12 and auxiliary members 20. Preferably, the wall 2 and floor 4 of the receptacle are assembled as shown in order to provide the notional hexagonal space 14. The main members 12 and auxiliary members 20 are fabricated from a flexible and resilient plastic that will deform when a drill bill is urged through the notional hexagonal space 14 by virtue of the fact that the drill bit is larger than the space. The broken lines indicate the direction of movement of the members upon insertion of the drill bit. Once inserted, the members 12 and 20 attempt to regain their original position, acting thereby to frictionally engage the drill bit.

FIG. 4 shows the attachment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 as mounted on a conventional drill 24 having a chuck 26 into which is inserted a drill bit 28. It will be noted that the combined lengths of the receptacle 4 and spacer 6 (both being rigid) act to limit any hole drilled to a maximum depth which is equal to the length of drill bit extending outside the first opening 8 of the receptacle 4.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A power drill bit attachment comprising a receptacle for catching debris ejected from a substrate being drilled, the receptacle comprising (i) a first opening capable of accepting the debris; (ii) a second opening to allow a drill bit to pass into the receptacle and through the first opening; (iii) one or more members extending from the wall and toward a central region of the receptacle, the one or more members capable of frictionally engaging with a drill bit when disposed within the receptacle, the frictional engagement being sufficient to retain the receptacle on the drill bit but insufficient to substantially inhibit rotation of the drill bit.

2. A power drill bit attachment according to claim 1 wherein the members are resiliently biased toward a position allowing the members to frictionally engage a drill bit disposed within a space defined by the one or more members.

3. A power drill bit attachment according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising 2 or more members.

4. A power drill bit attachment according to claim 3 comprising 3 members.

5. A power drill bit attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the members are substantially fin shaped.

6. A power drill bit attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein members are provided at two or more levels within the receptacle.

7. A power drill attachment according to claim 6 wherein each of the two or more levels has 3 members.

8. A power drill bit attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the receptacle is rigid.

9. A power drill bit attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 8 comprising a spacer element adapted to be disposed between the receptacle and the drill chuck.

10. A power drill bit attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 9 fabricated from a plastic.

11. A power drill bit attachment according to claim 10 wherein the plastic is a light weight plastic.

12. A power drill bit attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the first opening of the receptacle has a lip adapted to rest against a substrate to be drilled.

13. A method for drilling a hole in a substrate, the method comprising the step of mounting a power drill bit attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 12 on a drill bit such that the members frictionally engage the drill bit.

14. A method according to claim 13 comprising the step of sliding the attachment over the free end of the drill bit.

15. A power drill attachment substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.