Abstract:
A hole cleaning apparatus includes a handle, mandrel, spool holder, cleaning material, and cutting edge. The handle having a first end and a second end. The handle having a bore extending from the first end to the second end. The mandrel having a first end and a second end mounted to the first end of the handle. The mandrel having a central bore that extends therethrough. The spool holder connected to the second end of the handle. The cleaning material attached to the spool holder. The cutting edge is disposed on the mandrel. The cleaning material extends from the spool holder through the bore of the handle and through the central bore of the mandrel.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a Division of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/638,362, filed on Aug. 12, 2003, titled “CLEANING APPARATUS,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in the entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present disclosure relates generally to a cleaning apparatus and method. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning openings or holes, such as for example, fastener holes.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The skin of an aircraft is typically composed of multiple, individual pieces that must be securely attached to both one another and/or to a support structure. During the manufacture and assembly process, the aforementioned individual skin pieces are drilled with holes so that they may be via fasteners and/or rivets. It is oftentimes required to prepare the holes of these components prior to attachment. This preparation of the holes typically requires that the holes be cleaned prior to rivet insertion, because they may contain residual dirt and contaminants, such as lubricant and/or solvent.  
         [0004]     Preparation techniques currently used in the art include inserting or pushing a swab of gauze through an open fastener hole using a tool or poking device such as a screw driver. Other techniques currently utilized in the art entail inserting a cotton tipped stick or swab through an open fastener hole. Prior to insertion into the holes, the gauze or cotton tipped stick of the aforementioned techniques are oftentimes soaked or saturated in Methyl Propyl Ketone (MPK) or other cleaning solvents to aid in the removal of contaminants and dirt from the holes.  
         [0005]     The above-described hole preparation techniques have drawbacks however. For example, hole preparation, specifically the cleaning of the hole prior to fastener installation, accounts for a significant amount of time, manpower and resources during the aircraft assembly process. Furthermore, the aforementioned hole preparation techniques can be somewhat tedious and fatiguing to the mechanic operator performing the task. In addition, waste is generated as a result of the techniques currently employed to prepare holes which must be disposed of properly, adding additional cost to the assembly process. Therefore, given the number of holes on a standard commercial aircraft, and given the fact that typically, each and every hole must be manually prepared, it would be desirable if hole preparation techniques were made more efficient in terms of time consumption and cost.  
         [0006]     The hole preparation process is typically a multi-step process. During the process the mechanic or technician may prepare upwards of 1000 holes during his or her shift. This process is oftentimes preceded by a process of saturating the cotton swabs or gauze with cleaning solvents prior to insertion into the hole to aid in the removal of contaminants, which requires additional time. Next, the swab is forced or inserted into the hole. The force required by the mechanic or technician to pass a cotton swab through an individual hole can oftentimes be significant, making the process laborious when repeated many times. Once the swab is passed through the hole, the next step the mechanic or technician performs is to analyze both the hole and swab for dirt and contaminants to determine if an additional treatment is required. Oftentimes a second pass with a new swab is required to ensure the hole is, in fact, clean. As a result, hole preparation sometimes requires a significant amount of time due to the number of holes on an aircraft structure and the multiple steps involved to insure they are prepared properly, requiring the employment of multiple operators or technicians.  
         [0007]     Furthermore, as previously mentioned, the current preparation techniques can generate large amounts of waste. Each time a piece of gauze or a cotton swab is passed through a hole, waste is generated. Also, as previously mentioned, a single gauze swab may not be enough to thoroughly clean a hole, necessitating multiple passes through a hole using multiple swabs. Thus, to thoroughly and correctly clean holes prior to rivet or fastener insertion, a large amount of waste material may be generated. In addition, the gauze or cotton is typically treated with solvents, and therefore may require additional disposal steps.  
         [0008]     Also, another drawback typically associated with the above-described techniques is that as a swab is pushed through a hole, it exits out the opposite site of the hole where it typically drops onto the factory floor or another section of the aircraft structure. When the swab contacts the aircraft or after exiting the hole, it can transfer contaminants to the other aircraft structure. As a result, the aircraft must be cleaned to remove the contaminants that were possibly transferred and the used swabs that have accumulated as a result of the cleaning must be collected and disposed of, both of which can contribute additional time and manpower to the preparation process.  
         [0009]     Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide a cleaning apparatus and method that allows for convenient and efficient preparation and cleaning of holes prior to rivet or fastener insertion. Also, there is a further need for an apparatus and method for preparing holes prior to fastener insertion that reduces the amount of waste produced during the preparation process.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The foregoing needs are met, at least to some extent, by the present disclosure, wherein in one respect an apparatus and method is provided that in some embodiments cleans holes bored in structures such as aircraft, other vehicles, and the like.  
         [0011]     An embodiment relates to a hole cleaning apparatus. The hole cleaning apparatus including a handle, mandrel, spool holder, cleaning material, and cutting edge. The handle having a first end and a second end. The handle having a bore extending from the first end to the second end. The mandrel having a first end and a second end mounted to the first end of the handle. The mandrel having a central bore that extends therethrough. The spool holder connected to the second end of the handle. The cleaning material attached to the spool holder. The cutting edge is disposed on the mandrel. The cleaning material extends from the spool holder through the bore of the handle and through the central bore of the mandrel.  
         [0012]     Another embodiment pertains to an apparatus for cleaning a hole. The apparatus including a means for inserting a first end of a mandrel into the hole and a means for pulling a cleaning material. The mandrel includes a bore passing longitudinally therethrough. The means for pulling the cleaning material includes a path over the first end of the mandrel. Unsoiled cleaning material is drawn through the bore from a second end of the mandrel and drawn over and around the first end of the mandrel in response to pulling the cleaning material.  
         [0013]     Yet another embodiment relates to a method of cleaning a hole. In this method, a first end of a mandrel is inserted into the hole and cleaning material is pulled. The mandrel includes a bore passing longitudinally therethrough. Cleaning material is pulled over the first end of the mandrel. Unsoiled cleaning material is drawn through the bore from a second end of the mandrel and drawn over and around the first end of the mandrel in response to pulling the cleaning material.  
         [0014]     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.  
         [0015]     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the various embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Other embodiments in addition to those described are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0016]     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the various embodiments. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a front, perspective view of a hole cleaning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a detailed view showing a cutting feature utilized on the embodiment of the cleaning apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a rear, perspective view of the hole cleaning apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side, perspective view of a hole cleaning apparatus in accordance with another embodiment.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view showing a cutting feature utilized on the embodiment of the cleaning apparatus depicted in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is an opposite side view of the hole cleaning apparatus depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     Various preferred embodiments provide for cleaning holes prior to insertion of a bolt, screw, fastener and/or rivet. In some arrangements, the apparatus and method are utilized for cleaning fastener holes located on components that cover the frame and internal components of a commercial aircraft. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments are not limited in its application to aircraft manufacture, or the aircraft industry, but, for example, can be used with other manufacturing processes and industries that require the preparation or cleaning of holes or bores prior to the insertion of a screw, bolt, fastener, or the like. An embodiment will now be further described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.  
         [0024]     Referring now to the figures,  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a hole cleaning apparatus, generally designated  10 , in accordance with an embodiment. The apparatus  10  includes a handle  12 , a frame  14  connected to the handle  12 , a pay-out reel  16  connected to the frame  14  and a take-up reel  18  also connected to the frame  14 . The apparatus  10  further includes a hollow mandrel  20  that has a blade  22  preferably connected to one side. The mandrel  20  is connected to the frame  14  and extends outward away from the handle  12 . The cleaning apparatus  10  also includes a drive motor  24  connected to the frame  14 , and an actuating switch or trigger  26 .  
         [0025]     As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the pay-out reel  16  and the take-up reel  18  are mounted to the frame  14 . The reels  16 ,  18  are mounted to the frame  14  via a mounting means  28 , preferably a bolt. Although a bolt  28  is depicted, alternative mounting means known in the art may also be utilized to mount the reels  16 ,  18  to their respective frame  14  components.  
         [0026]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the pay-out reel  16  is preferably positioned at the rear of the handle  12  and dispenses or “pays-out” a cleaning material. Preferably, the cleaning material is tubular, cloth gauze, however any material used in the art for the purposes of cleaning may be employed. The clean, tubular gauze is generally designated  30 . By clean gauze, it is understood that the gauze has not contacted the hole to be cleaned. Conversely, the take-up reel  18  is preferably located at a more forward location with respect to the handle  12 , and on the opposite side of the handle  12 . The take-up reel  18  functions to collect the used or contaminated gauze, generally designated  32 , once it passes through the hole and departs from the mandrel  20 . As previously described, the apparatus  10  preferably employs gauze in tubular form. The clean gauze  30  is fed from the pay-out reel  16 , through the mandrel  20 , where it is then wrapped back over the outside of mandrel  20  where it proceeds to the take-up reel  18 . Alternatively, the reels  16 ,  18  may be oriented at different positions with respect to each other and with respect to the handle  12 .  
         [0027]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the mandrel  20  is hollow having a central bore through which the clean gauze  30  dispensed from the pay-out reel  16  travels. The mandrel  20  includes a flared out or generally cone-shaped base  34  that is connected to the frame  14  of the apparatus  10 . The mandrel  20  may be stepped or have various regions or portions having varying diameters. In addition, replacement or additional mandrels  20  may be stored on the apparatus  10 . The blade  22  is preferably located at the base  34  of the mandrel  20 . The base  34  functions to direct the gauze  32  and reduce the likelihood of it snagging.  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the blade  22  is preferably a slitter knife positioned on one side of the base  34  of the mandrel  20 . The blade  22  slits the tubular gauze along one side, converting the tubular gauze from a tubular form to a ribbon form, generally designated  32 . This enables the gauze  32  to depart for the mandrel  20  and wrap onto the take-up reel  18 .  
         [0029]     The drive motor  24 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , is connected to the take-up reel  18  and functions to rotate the reel  18  in the clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow A pulling the gauze through the apparatus  10 . In the embodiment depicted, the drive motor  24  is a pneumatic motor that is connected to a pressurized air source. Although a pneumatic drive motor is depicted, alternative motors may be employed for example, battery powered or electric powered motors.  
         [0030]     The drive motor  24  is activated and controlled by the trigger  26 . As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the trigger  26  is an actuating trigger that extends outwardly away from the frame  14 . The trigger  26  includes a shaft and is generally U-shaped so that it partially surrounds the mandrel  20 . The trigger  26  has a biasing means  36 , for example a coil spring, that biases the trigger  26  in the outward direction, away from the handle  12 . Alternatively, the trigger may be mounted on the handle  14  and be actuated or activated when depressed by the operator.  
         [0031]     In the embodiment depicted, the trigger  26  also functions to assist in keeping the mandrel  20  perpendicular and/or normal with the surface of the component in which the hole is drilled. Perpendicular positioning between the mandrel  20  and the hole to be cleaned is desired to prevent the likelihood of the gauze binding as it is pulled between the outside surface of the mandrel  20  and the surface of the hole.  
         [0032]     During operation, the mandrel  20  is inserted into the hole to be cleaned, causing the trigger  26  to come into contact with the surface of the part or component in which the hole is located. This contact causes the trigger  26  to depress or translate in the inward direction towards the handle  12 . As the trigger  26  translates, it activates the drive motor  24  which rotates the take-up reel  18  in the clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow A. As the take-up reel  18  rotates, it pulls gauze through the apparatus  10 .  
         [0033]     Alternatively, the apparatus  10  may be modified to include a component that saturates or treats the gauze with a cleaning agent or solvent prior to the gauze entering the mandrel  20 . Moreover, the gauze may be pre-treated with a solvent and/or cleaning agent prior to mounting it on the pay-out reel  16 .  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , the pulling action of the take-up reel  18 , causes the pay-out reel  16  to rotate in the clockwise direction, as indicated by arrow A. The tubular gauze is dispensed from the pay-out reel  16  through the inside of the hollow mandrel  20 , as indicated by arrow B. As the gauze exits the hollow mandrel  20 , it is wrapped back over and pulled along the outside of the mandrel  20  as indicated by arrow C. As the gauze travels along the outside of the mandrel  20 , it contacts the surface of the hole, removing dirt, sealant and any residual lubricant that may remain from the drilling process. As the gauze reaches the base  34  of the mandrel  20 , it is slit along one side by the blade  22 , converting the gauze from a tubular form to a ribbon form  32 . The gauze  32 , after it is slit, then departs from the mandrel  20  where it is wrapped onto the take-up reel  18 .  
         [0035]     During operation of the cleaning apparatus  10 , as the mandrel  20  is further inserted into the hole to be cleaned, the trigger  26  is further depressed or translated. This additional translation of the trigger  26  causes the drive motor  24  to increase the rotational speed of the take-up reel  18 , which cause the gauze to be pulled through the mandrel  20  quicker. As a result of the aforementioned increased speed of the motor  24 , the amount of gauze fed through an individual hole increases, thereby reducing the amount of time required to clean the hole. Alternatively, if a hole requires less preparation, the trigger  26  may be only partially depressed, causing a slower rotational speed of the motor and thereby conserving gauze.  
         [0036]     While the apparatus  10  is being operated, the technician or operator can monitor the gauze as it exits the hole to determine whether the hole is still contaminated or sufficiently clean. If the gauze continues to show signs of dirt and contaminants as it exits the hole, the operator can continue to keep the trigger  26  depressed and pull more gauze through the hole. Alternatively, when the gauze begins to show no signs of dirt, the technician can remove the mandrel  20  from the hole, which causes the trigger  26  to translate in the opposite outward direction, stopping the drive motor  24 .  
         [0037]     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , a simplified embodiment of the cleaning apparatus depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , generally designated  100 , is illustrated. The cleaning apparatus  100  includes a gauze spool holder  102  mounted to a handle  104 . The handle  104  preferably has a central bore that extends its entire length. The gauze spool holder  102  is mounted to the handle via a bracket  106 . The spool holder  102  includes a spool friction clutch plate  108 . A spool of gauze is retained on a hub within the spool holder  102  and is captured by the friction clutch plate  108 . The amount of pressure exerted by the friction clutch plate  108  on the gauze spool is controlled by a clutch adjustment knob  110 .  
         [0038]     The cleaning apparatus  100  also includes a hollow mandrel  112  that is connected to the handle  104 . As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the bracket  106  has a bore  116 . The bore  116  provides an entrance for tubular gauze to enter the mandrel  112  as it is fed from the spool holder  102 . The handle  104 , bracket  106  and mandrel  112  are connected in a series as depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , so that each of their respective central bores is aligned with one another, providing a single, continuous bore that extends from the bracket  106  through the handle  104 , and on to the mandrel  112 .  
         [0039]     The cleaning apparatus  100  additionally includes a support frame  113  also connected to the bracket  106 . The support frame  113  functions to support a waste gauze retainer such as a bag. Like the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , the mandrel  112  has a cutting arrangement, preferably a slitting knife blade  114  disposed on one side. Similar to the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , the slitting knife  114  is positioned at one side of the mandrel  112  that slits the gauze along one side, converting it from the tubular form to the ribbon form. This allows the gauze to depart from the mandrel  112  and be disposed in a waste bag or container located on the support frame  113 .  
         [0040]     During operation of the cleaning apparatus  100 , tubular gauze is initially fed from the spool holder  102  through the mandrel entrance  116 . The tubular gauze then travels through the bracket  106  and the handle  104  via their respective bores to the hollow mandrel  112 . Similar to the embodiment described previously, the tubular gauze exits the mandrel  112  and is wrapped back over the mandrel  112  so that the gauze may be grasped by the cleaning apparatus  100  operator. Next, the mandrel  112  is inserted into the hole to be cleaned. The tubular gauze is then manually pulled by the operator, along the outside of the mandrel  112 . As the gauze travels along the outside of the mandrel  112 , it cleans the hole, removing dirt, sealant and any residual lubricant that may remain from the drilling process. As the tubular gauze reaches the base of the mandrel  112  near the handle  104 , it is slit along one side by the slitting knife  114 , converting the gauze from the tubular form to a ribbon form. The ribbon gauze can then be fed into a plastic bag or other container or receptacle, which is supported and held in place by the frame  113 . When the bag or container is full, it can be removed, sealed, labeled, and disposed of properly.  
         [0041]     While the cleaning apparatus  100  is being operated, the clutch adjustment knob  110  may be adjusted, controlling the amount of pressure exerted on the gauze spool by the friction clutch  108 . This enables the operator to control how easily and smoothly the gauze feeds through the mandrel  112  and the hole in the work piece. The use of the adjustment knob  110  allows the cleaning apparatus  100  to be adjusted and/or adapted to each operator who may use the cleaning apparatus  100 .  
         [0042]     The many features and advantages of the embodiments are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the various embodiments. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the various embodiments to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the various embodiments.