Hardware installation tool

An in line drilling device for boring holes an equal distance from one another in wood, plastic or metal, comprising a set of geared together shafts equipped with drilling bits. The bit holder shafts are guided by bearings housed in a frame biased upwardly by springs. The fully compressed springs act to limit the extent of projection of the drill bits into a workpiece.

FIELD OF INVENTION 
This invention relates to cabinetry and arose from the need to drill a 
series of holes in a row spaced an equal distance apart, to accept various 
types of cabinetry hardware installation. 
DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART 
The present methods for in line hole boring involves either large expensive 
machinery or very simple drill guide bushing devices. The large machines 
are efficient but beyond the financial capabilities of most users. The 
drill guide bushing method is inexpensive but labor intensive, making this 
method very inefficient. 
To overcome the disadvantages of both methods, the present invention is 
developed to provide line boring capabilities that is totally portable yet 
efficient in accomplishing in line drilling operations, while remaining 
affordable to the individual craftsman or business. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the invention to drill a line of holes simultaneously in 
a workpiece with a multispindle portable device. The device may then be 
repositioned to drill a series of holes in line with the first holes. This 
may be continued at the discretion of the operator, producing a line of 
holes all spaced the same distance from one another. The depth of the 
holes being determined by the axial travel of the drill bit holders. 
An embodiment of the invention provides that a downwardly biased 
positioning pin, with a tapered point of such an angle, as to 
automatically locate the device in varying sizes of previously drilled 
holes. 
Another object of the invention is to be able to position the drilling 
device on a corner of a workpiece. The distance to the first hole may be 
varied to the requirements of the user, by lateral adjustment of two 
intermittent turn stops. 
A further object of the invention is the provision of both laterally 
adjustable guide stops and intermittent downwardly biased guide stop pins 
on the base of the device. The intermittent guide stop pins position the 
drill bits in from the edge of a workpiece a given distance. The laterally 
adjustable guide stops can be varied to a user's requirements, and 
likewise, position the drill bits in from the edge of a workpiece when the 
laterally adjustable guide stops are employed, the intermittent guide stop 
pins retract up into the base of the device. 
The principle object and essence of the device is therefore to provide a 
drilling assembly of the character here within described which enables a 
series of holes to be drilled at one time, a given distance in from the 
edge and corner of a workpiece to provide a line of holes spaced equally 
apart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
FIG. 3 shows the in line boring tool positioned on a workpiece. The first 
set of holes have been drilled by positioning the tool on the corner of 
the workpiece using turn stop 13 in a vertical posture in relation to the 
tools base 1, to catch the end of the workpiece and employing intermittent 
stops 16 against the edge of the workpiece. This aligns the tool with the 
edge of the workpiece and maintains a given distance from the workpiece 
edge to drill axis. 
The distance from the end of a workpiece to the drill axis can be increased 
by loosening set screw 29 and unscrewing screw 15. This laterally extends 
turn stop 13 relative to base 1 collar 26 with set screw 11 maintains 
washers 14 and turn stop 13 against the head of fastener 15 (FIG. 1). Set 
screw 29 can be retightened to retain turn stop 13 in an extended posture. 
If a distance from edge of a workpiece to drill axis is required that is 
greater than the fixed distance from intermittent stop 16 to the drill 
axis, laterally adjustable stop guide assembly screw 33, washer 32, collar 
31, with set screw 11 (FIG. 1,) can be used. By loosening screw 29 (FIG. 
1) and unscrewing screw 33, the distance from washer 32 to drill axis can 
be increased. Set screw 11 in collar 31 maintains washer 32 against the 
head of fastener 33. Screw 29 can be tightened against the shaft of 
fastener 33, maintaining the laterally adjustable assembly in an extended 
position. 
Intermittent stops 16 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 3) are biased downwardly by internal 
springs, and retract up into base 1 when employing laterally adjustable 
stop guide 32. 
By returning turn stop 13 to a horizontal position as shown in FIG. 3, the 
device can be moved down the edge of the workpiece. Indexing pin 6 (FIG. 1 
and FIG. 3) has a tapered point to accommodate different diameter holes. 
Indexing pin 6 is biased downward by spring 19 retained by ring 27, and is 
guided by bearing 20 housed in bridge 2 (FIG. 1). When the point of 
indexing pin 6 is located in the last drilled hole, this positions the 
device for the next set of holes. Clearance holes 38 (FIG. 1) in base 1 
(FIG. 1) allow for passage of indexing pin 6 and drill bits 28 as seen in 
FIG. 1. The device uses drill bits that are housed in holders 7 and 8 and 
retained by set screw 11. The center holder 8 is prevented from passing up 
through bearing 35 (FIG. 1) by a spring ring 36. Referring to FIG. 3, 
spring ring 36 acts as a stop against bearing 35 for the entire bit holder 
and gear assembly. Bit holders 7 are provided with a gear 24 for rotative 
motion. A portion of bit holder 7 protrudes out of gear 24 to couple with 
bearing 10 (FIG. 1) housed in safety hood 3 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 3). Bit 
holder 7 is biased upward by spring 23 captured between bearing 25 and 
gear 24. 
FIG. 3 shows washer 21 above gear 24 on bit holder 8, retained by collar 
22. Washer 21 is constructed of a size to catch the lip of gear 24 on bit 
holder 7. The axial travel of bit holders 7 and 8 is controlled by the 
full compression of spring 23. Safety hood 2 rests on the shank portion of 
bit holders 7 and 8 that pass through bearings 10. Safety hood 2 retained 
in place by collar 22 (FIG. 3). The remaining shank length on bit holder 8 
is for connection to an electric drill motor. 
When downward pressure is applied to bit holder shaft 8, the gear assembly 
and hood move downward. When downward pressure is removed from bit holder 
shaft 8, the gear assembly and hood 3 are moved upward by springs 23.