Patent ID: 6086292
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
A vacuum adapter for connecting a drill with an external source of vacuum, said drill including a body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a shank having a first end connected to said proximal end of said body and a second end adapted to be connected to a drive mechanism, said body including an axial hole extending from distal end to said first end of said shank, and said shank including at least one radial hole communicated with said axial hole, said shank having an outer peripheral surface, said vacuum adapter being relatively rotatably mounted on said outer peripheral surface of said shank, said vacuum adapter comprising:a generally cylindrical hollow body adapted to be fitted around said outer peripheral surface of said shank and including a radial through port having one end adapted to be fluidly communicated with said at least one radial hole of said shank and the other end adapted to be fluidly communicated with an external source of vacuum, said generally cylindrical hollow body having an inner surface and an outer surface,said hollow body having an engagement portion, said shank having a corresponding engagement portion in said outer peripheral surface thereof, said engagement portion of said hollow body being lockingly engaged with said engagement portion of said shank so as to prevent axial displacement of said vacuum adapter relative to said drill,said engagement portion of said hollow body being capable of radial displacement so as to be movable between an engaged position where said engagement portion of said hollow body is lockingly engaged with said engagement portion of said shank and a disengaged position where said engagement portion of said hollow body is disengaged from said engagement portion of said shank to permit removal of said vacuum adapter from said drill.