Patent ID: 8382402
Filing Date: 2013-02-26
Classification: B23B,B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A drilling apparatus configured to be mounted between first and second workpiece structures, the drilling apparatus comprising: a housing comprising oppositely-disposed first and second housing ends and a housing bore therebetween; a spindle rotatably supported within the housing bore, the spindle comprising means for securing a shank of a drill bit to the spindle at a first end thereof exposed at the first housing end, the spindle further comprising a flange that protrudes from a circumference of the spindle between the first end thereof and an oppositely-disposed second end thereof; bearing means within the housing bore and surrounding the spindle so as to rotatably support the spindle within the housing, the bearing means being disposed on either side of the flange of the spindle and abutting the flange to support axial loads imposed on the spindle; drive means for rotating the spindle, the drive means being transversely offset in a radial direction from an axis of rotation of the spindle; a support structure attached to the housing and supporting the drive means therefrom; a mounting structure adapted for securing the drilling apparatus to the first workpiece structure, the mounting structure being axially spaced from the second housing end and configured to orient the housing relative to the first and second workpiece structures so that the housing and the mounting structure are between the first and second workpiece structures and the first housing end and the shank securing means face away from the first workpiece structure toward the second workpiece structure; and means coupled to the mounting structure and the housing for moving the housing, the support structure and the drive means in unison toward and away from the mounting structure in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the spindle.