South Boston Toolworks Router Adapter

The present invention is an inlay wood router adapter designed to easily convert a handheld rotary tool into a miniature precision wood router. The adapter can be used to precisely set the cutting depth, as well as provide finer control to the user. The adapter includes a cylindrical body and a head. The rotary tool is inserted into a bore hole of the cylindrical body. Once the rotary tool is properly positioned and the desired cutting depth is set, the user tightens a pair of set screws to lock the rotary tool in place. An exhaust port is routed through the cylindrical body, which can be used to direct pressurized air onto the work surface to clear away chipped material. A pair of beehive-shaped knobs are attached to the head. The pair of knobs allow the user to make precise movements while engraving or carving into a work surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to adapters. More specifically the present invention is a wood router adapter capable of precisely setting the depth of which the cutter removes material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pneumatic pen grinders, otherwise known as pencil die grinders, are commonly used among craftsmen and artisans to make intricate cuts into wood, stone, or any other work surface. Most pen grinders have variable speed control, allowing the user to adjust the cutter speed setting. Due to their compact size, pen grinders are popular among woodworkers for engraving unique designs into wood surfaces. Unlike a standard wood router, pneumatic pen grinders are held like a pencil, giving the user more freedom to make precision cuts along the work surface.

The drawback to this increased mobility is that the user cannot set the cutting depth. Instead, the user must continually adjust the downward pressure of the cutter to ensure the cutting depth remains consistent throughout the routing path. This can be a tedious and challenging task when making multiple cuts and engravings on a single piece of wood. Thus, a need exists to develop a product that combines the precision and mobility of a pen grinder with the added capability of setting the cutting depth like a standard wood router.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a solution to the aforementioned problem. The present invention is an inlay wood router adapter designed to easily convert a pneumatic pen grinder into a miniature precision wood router. The adapter fits around the pen grinder and allows the user to precisely set the depth of which the cutter removes the material. With this device, the user can focus more on the engraved design, rather than having to worry about maintaining a consistent cutting depth.

SUMMARY

The present invention is an inlay wood router adapter. The adapter mechanically affixes a pneumatic pen grinder in place, effectively converting the pen grinder into a miniature precision wood router. It is an aim of the present invention to enhance the functionality of the pen grinder by allowing the user to precisely set the cutting depth of which the cutter removes material, as well as providing finer control to the user. The adapter comprises a handle and a head. The handle is in the form of a cylindrical body, with a bore hole that runs longitudinally through the center. The bore hole is sized to receive the pen grinder. The bell-shaped head is connected to the bottom of the handle.

To properly attach the adapter, the user first slides the pen grinder through the handle until the cutter reaches the desired cutting depth. The cutting depth is measured by how far the end of the cutter extends past the bottom of the head. Once set, the user can then tighten the pair of set screws positioned on the side of the handle to lock the pen grinder in place.

The handle further includes an exhaust port positioned next to the bore hole. The exhaust port is routed through the handle and exits out through the head. The user can attach a high-pressure hose to the top of the exhaust port so that pressurized air is routed through the handle and onto the work surface to clear away chipped material. The head has a pair of cutouts formed along the outer sidewall that act as viewing windows. This allows the user to see the cut being made. To control the movement of the adapter, a pair of brass knobs are attached to the outer sidewall of the head. Each knob is shaped in the form of a beehive, which provides superior handling over a traditional knob. The pair of knobs allows the user to make precise movements while engraving or carving into the work surface.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the term “rotary tool” refers to any handheld, electric or pneumatic power tool commonly used for cutting, polishing, sanding, deburring, or engraving a work surface (e.g., wood). Examples of rotary tools include but are not limited to pencil die grinders, pneumatic pen grinders, and electrically-powered rotary tools.

In reference toFIG.1throughFIG.5, the present invention is an inlay wood router adapter1. The adapter1mechanically affixes a pneumatic pen grinder (rotary tool) in place, effectively converting the rotary tool9into a miniature precision wood router. It is an aim of the present invention to enhance the functionality of the rotary tool9by allowing the user to precisely set the cutting depth of which the cutter removes material, as well as providing finer control to the user. In reference toFIG.6throughFIG.12, the present invention comprises a cylindrical body2, a head3, and at least one set screw4. The cylindrical body2is axially aligned with the head3. Moreover, the head3is terminally connected to the bottom surface22of the cylindrical body2to form a single unitary piece. Preferably, the cylindrical body2and the head3are constructed from aluminum. However, the material of the cylindrical body2and the head3are not limited and can be made from any other suitable material.

To use the present invention, the user begins by first inserting the rotary tool9through the bore hole24of the cylindrical body2, and sliding the rotary tool9through until the cutter92reaches the desired cutting depth L1. Hereinafter, the cutting depth L1is defined as the distance measured between the bottom of the head3and the tip of the cutter92, as best seen inFIG.5. Once the desired cutting depth L1is set, the user tightens the at least one set screw4to secure the rotary tool9in place. As best seen inFIG.4, a high-pressure hose8can be routed to the exhaust port26, via a connector27located at the top of the cylindrical body2. The exhaust port26guides a stream of pressurized air through the cylindrical body2and into the head3. The stream of air is then directed to the work surface, which aids in clearing away chipped material, allowing the user to make precision cuts along a scribe. As best seen inFIG.6, at least one knob33is attached to the outer sidewall31of the head3. The at least one knob33is used as an ergonomic handle, providing finer control during the scribe. For enhanced visibility, the sidewall31has at least one cutout34that forms a viewing window. The viewing window gives the user a clear line of sight of the cutter92while cutting into the work surface.

As can be seen inFIG.6, the cylindrical body2functions as the primary structural component of the present invention, as the remaining components of the present invention are configured upon the cylindrical body2. The cylindrical body2further comprises a top surface21, a bottom surface22, an outer surface23, a bore hole24, and at least one threaded aperture25. The bore hole24is axially disposed on the top surface21, traversing through the cylindrical body2. The bore hole24has a bore hole diameter D1defined by the rotary tool9. Stated another way, the bore hole24is sized to match the handle91of the rotary tool9, as seen inFIG.2. This allows the rotary tool9to slidably engage with the bore hole24, which in turn, allows the user to adjust the cutting depth L1. The at least one threaded aperture25is disposed on the outer surface23of the cylindrical body2, traversing inward and intersecting the bore hole24, as seen inFIG.10. Thus, the at least one threaded aperture25is in communication with the bore hole24. The at least one set screw4is configured to engage the at least one threaded aperture25. Once the rotary tool9is properly positioned within the bore hole24and the cutting depth L1is set, the user can then tighten down the at least one set screw4to lock the rotary tool9in place.

In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical body2comprises an upper threaded aperture25aand a lower threaded aperture25b, as seen inFIG.7. In this embodiment, the upper threaded aperture25ais vertically aligned with the lower threaded aperture25b. Moreover, the upper threaded aperture25ais spaced apart from the lower threaded aperture25bby a predefined gap L2. This arrangement increases the clamping force, ensuring the rotary tool9does not shift or slide out of position during use.

Continuing with the preferred embodiment, the cylindrical body2further comprises an exhaust port26, a connector27, and a bottom opening28. As best seen inFIGS.10and11, the exhaust port26is disposed on the top surface21of the cylindrical body2, traversing through the bottom surface22. Preferably, the exhaust port26is positioned offset from the bore hole24by a predefined distance L3, and located opposite of the at least one threaded aperture25. The connector27is press fitted into the exhaust port26at the top surface21of the cylindrical body2, such that a portion of the connector27protrudes above the top surface21. Preferably, the connector27is a piece of copper tubing. However, the shape of the connector27is not limited and may take the form of any other suitable component. A high-pressure hose8can be attached to the connector27, which directs incoming air to pass through the cylindrical body2and onto the work surface to clear away chipped material. The bottom opening28is axially disposed on the bottom surface22of the cylindrical body2, traversing longitudinally at a predefined distance L4. As can be seen inFIG.10, the bottom opening28has a diameter D2that is larger than the bore hole diameter D1, such that the bottom opening28partially traverses into the bottom of the exhaust port26. In this arrangement, the bottom opening28further aids in guiding the flow of air onto the work surface.

The head3further comprises a sidewall31, an annular flange32, and at least one knob33. As best seen inFIG.8, the sidewall31is perimetrically attached the bottom surface22of the cylindrical body2, extending longitudinally to the annular flange32. The at least one knob33is positioned on the sidewall31, extending outward. The at least one knob33allows the user to make precise movements of the adapter1along the routing path. As seen inFIG.9, the annular flange32has a diameter D3that is larger than the cylindrical body diameter D4, thereby creating a large stable platform for the head3to rest on the work surface.

In the preferred embodiment, the head3further comprises at least one cutout34disposed on the sidewall31. As can be seen inFIG.6, the cutout34functions as a viewing window, giving the user a clear line of sight of the cutter92while routing the work surface. Thus, the user can monitor the routing path in real time without having to remove the adapter1from the work surface. Preferably, as best seen inFIG.11, the present invention comprises a pair of cutouts34aand34bpositioned opposite of each other on the sidewall31. The pair of cutouts34aand34bgives the user a clear line of sight from both sides of the head3, while still retaining portions of the sidewall31for structural integrity.

Continuing with the preferred embodiment, the at least one knob33is shaped in the form of a beehive. The beehive shape provides an ergonomic grip for making precise movements of the adapter1. As best seen inFIG.8, the at least one knob33is detachably mounted to the head3via at least one fastener36. In this embodiment, the at least one knob33has a threaded opening331on the proximal end. The sidewall31has at least one mounting hole35positioned over the at least one knob33. The at least one fastener36is configured to be inserted through the at least one mounting hole35and fastened into the threaded opening331of the at least one knob33. Preferably, the head3comprises a pair of knobs33aand33bpositioned opposite of each other on the sidewall31. This arrangement provides improved handling of the adapter1during use. It is understood that the means of attaching the at least one knob33to the sidewall31is not limited to fasteners, and can be attached by any other suitable means, including but not limited to adhesive bonding and welding.