Abstract:
A saddle coupling and saddle base assembly is provided for use with power hand tools. The assembly is mounted atop a variably-adjustable stand for drilling holes or inserting fasteners into concrete ceilings, drywall ceilings or other overhead surfaces. The assembly comprises a saddle base and a saddle coupling that is removably attachable to the saddle base. The saddle coupling is configured to attach a single power hand tool or a plurality of power hand tools to the coupling. A plurality of like-configured saddle couplings can be attached to different power hand tools to allow the user to quickly and easily remove one saddle coupling and power hand tool and replace it for another. A spring-loaded locking feature is included in the assembly as a primary securement means for the assembly. A secondary securement means is also provided in the event of a failure of the primary means.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to power hand tools of the type that are used for drilling or cutting into surfaces. More specifically, the present invention relates to a power hand tool saddle coupling and saddle base assembly that can be used with a movable stand for supporting and variably elevating at least one power hand tool proximate to an overhead surface for drilling, nailing or cutting into such surface. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many applications where it is necessary to drill, nail or cut into an overhead surface, such as a concrete ceiling or a drywall ceiling. Such overhead surfaces can vary in their height from the floor. For example, before installing fasteners into concrete ceilings for overhead surfaces, it is usually necessary to first drill holes. Such holes are typically drilled using a hand-held power drill. In most applications, many such holes must be drilled within a single area. This means repetitive use and repositioning of the drill by the user. This repetitive overhead drilling creates a great deal of physical strain for a worker because, not only must the worker support the weight of the drill, but the worker must apply upwardly drilling force as well. 
     A fundamental problem with this type of work is reaching the overhead surface in the first place. In order to do that, the worker must typically construct scaffolding or ascend a ladder or other elevating device to drill each hole. For taller ceilings, a ladder may not reach or, because obstacles may not be able to be placed directly under the surface to be drilled or close enough to the drilling surface, the worker must dangerously overextend to drill the holes. In addition, standing on a ladder or other elevating device places the worker in close proximity to the dust and debris associated with the drilling of overhead concrete or other surfaces. 
     Stands for supporting a drill are known in the art. One example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,724 (Hurt &#39;724). For height adjustment, the stand taught by Hurt &#39;724 uses a lever pivotally connected at a pivot point to a support collar, which is connected to the lower end of an outer column. An inner column is slidably located within the outer column. A linkage pivotally connects the lever to a locking compression collar and locking clamp. To adjust the height of the drill stand, the worker must unlock the locking clamp and then manually slide, in unison, the locking compression collar and locking clamp, the linkage, the support collar and outer column, and the lever upward or downward on the inner column, all while holding the inner column steady by positioning one of his or her feet on a foot plate. When the desired position is reached, the worker must manually lock the locking clamp. 
     The height adjustment and locking mechanism taught by Hurt &#39;724 is not desirable because it is cumbersome to use. The worker must use both of his or her hands to move all the necessary components and at least one of his or her feet to steady the drill stand. When the selected height is reached, the worker must remove one of his or her hands from the adjustment and locking mechanism components to lock the locking clamp, while supporting all components with the remaining hand. In addition, drill stand taught by Hurt &#39;724 must be picked up and carried from one drilling location to the next. Further, the drill stand of Hurt &#39;724 does not use, teach or suggest the use of a structure that can be used to quickly and easily remove the power hand tool from atop the stand such that a second power hand tool can replace the first. This inventor has overcome these shortcomings as is described in greater detail in his co-pending application, U.S. Pub. No. US 2011/0255929 titled Universal Drill Stand, which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     In view of the foregoing, however, this inventor has found that it is also desirable to have an assembly that is easily mounted to the top of a height-adjustable power hand tool stand. It is also desirable to have such an assembly where a first power hand tool can quickly and easily be removed and replaced with a second such tool. It is also desirable to have such an assembly where a plurality of hand tools can be used simultaneously. Further, it is desirable to have such an assembly that secures the power hand tool, or the plurality of hand tools, in a way that provides safety redundancy and ensures that the power hand tool or tools cannot be removed unless such is desired or required. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a saddle coupling and saddle base assembly for use with power hand tools. The assembly is mounted to the top of a variably-adjustable stand for drilling holes or inserting fasteners in concrete ceilings or other overhead surfaces. The assembly comprises a saddle base and a saddle coupling that is removably attachable to the saddle base. A plurality of like-configured saddle couplings can be attached to different power hand tools, providing the user with quick and easy capabilities for removing one saddle coupling and power hand tool for another. A single saddle coupling could also allow the user to use the single coupling with a plurality of power hand tools. A spring-loaded locking feature is included in the assembly of the present invention. This is a primary securement means of the assembly. A secondary securement means is also provided in the event of a failure of the primary means. 
     The foregoing and other features of the saddle coupling and saddle base assembly of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a left side elevational view of the saddle coupling and saddle base assembly that is constructed in accordance with the present invention and attached to a stand, the assembly shown in a first vertical position. 
         FIG. 2  is the same view as that shown in  FIG. 1  and illustrating the assembly in an elevated second vertical position. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged top, front and right side perspective view of the saddle coupling and saddle base of the assembly as attached to one another. 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to that shown in  FIG. 3  and showing the saddle coupling and saddle base of the assembly as detached from one another. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged and exploded top, front and right side perspective view of the saddle coupling of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partially sectioned right side elevational view of the saddle coupling prior to its attachment to the saddle base and taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is the same view as  FIG. 6  but showing the saddle coupling in the process of being attached to the saddle base. 
         FIG. 8  is the same view as  FIGS. 6 and 7  but showing the saddle coupling and saddle base when they are fully attached. 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom, front and right side perspective view of the saddle base of the assembly. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectioned front elevational view of the saddle base of the assembly taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbered elements refer to like elements throughout,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate side elevational views of an exemplary embodiment of the saddle coupling and saddle base assembly, generally identified  10 , that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The assembly  10  is configured to be mounted atop a movable stand  1 . The stand  1  comprises a first vertically-disposed tubular section  2  that is attached to a base  3 , the base comprising wheels or casters  5  which allow for movement of the stand  1  about a work area having a ceiling surface (not shown). The first tubular section  2  is vertically movable relative to the base  3  and a second tubular section  4 . It is to be understood that the precise configuration of the stand  1  is not a limitation of the present invention. For example, the stand  1  could comprise the like structure numbered 100 in applicant&#39;s co-pending application, U.S. Pub. No. US 2011/0255929 titled Universal Drill Stand. Further, the stand  1  could comprise a pneumatically-actuated means for elevating the first tubular section  2  such that the power hand tool  8  is elevated or lowered relative to the ceiling of a work area. The assembly  10  is perched atop, or at an upper portion of, the first tubular section  2  by means of a tube cap  6 . See also  FIG. 3 . The tube cap  6  is used to provide a fastening surface for the saddle coupling and saddle base assembly  10 . 
     Continuing with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , it will be seen that the assembly  10  comprises a saddle base, generally identified  20 , and a saddle coupling, the coupling being generally identified  30 . The base  20  and the coupling  30  are configured such that the coupling  30  can be securely, but removably, attached to the base  20 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the saddle base  20  of the present invention, it will be seen in  FIG. 4  that the base  20  comprises a base body  22  having a front face  28  with a front face opening  21  defined in it. The opening  21  further comprises a top horizontally-disposed receiving slot  23  and a bottom horizontally-disposed receiving slot  25 . Forward of the top receiving slot  23  of the base body  22  is a top base protrusion  24 . The top base protrusion  24  extends substantially downwardly in relation to the base opening  21 . The top base protrusion further comprises a bottom surface  27 . See  FIG. 9 . Forward of the bottom receiving slot  25  is a bottom base protrusion  26  that extends substantially upwardly in relation to the base opening  21 . A top base opening  29  is also defined within the base body  22 . Other structure of the base  20  will be referenced later in this detailed description. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , it shows the elements of the saddle coupling  30  in an exploded view. As shown, it will be seen that the coupling  30  comprises a substantially horizontal and planar surface portion  32 . A plurality of apertures  31  is defined in that surface portion  32 . To each side of the horizontal surface portion  32  is a downwardly-extending and vertically-disposed planar side surface portion  36   a ,  36   b . Each side surface portion  36   a ,  36   b  comprises a substantially circular upper aperture  35   a ,  35   b  and a substantially circular lower aperture  39   a ,  39   b , respectively. Disposed between those circular apertures  35   a ,  35   b ,  39   a ,  39   b  is a substantially vertical and slot-like aperture  37   a ,  37   b , respectively. Extending generally upwardly from the rear side of the horizontal surface portion  32  is a planar rear surface portion  34 . The rear surface portion  34  comprising a plurality of vertically-disposed slot-like apertures  33 . 
       FIG. 5  also illustrates a saddle coupling sliding post  80  having a substantially horizontal and planar surface portion  82 . A plurality of apertures  81  is defined in that surface portion  82 . Extending from the horizontal surface portion  82  is an upwardly-extending and planar side surface portion  84 . That side surface portion  84  comprises a plurality of vertically-disposed slot-like apertures  83 . A plurality of fasteners  89  is also illustrated. Referring back to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , it will be appreciated that the sliding post  80  can be secured to the horizontal planar surface portion  32  of the coupling  30  using those fasteners  89  and the apertures  31 ,  81  defined within the respective elements the use of which secures the sliding post  80  to the coupling  30 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , it also illustrates several other components of the assembly  10  that are used with the saddle coupling  30 . Specifically, there is shown a screw pin  40 , a retracting pin  50 , an extension spring  60  and a load pin  70 . The screw pin  40 , the retracting pin  50  and the load pin  70  are substantially round rod-like structures. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the screw pin  40  in the assembly  10  of the present invention comprises a centrally-disposed portion  42  which has a circumferentially-defined groove  43  in it. The screw pin  40  further comprises opposing end portions  45   a ,  45   b . The screw pin  40  is configured such that it is received within the upper apertures  35   a ,  35   b  of the side surface portions  36   a ,  36   b  of the saddle coupling  30 . The screw pin  40  is held in a fixed and generally horizontal position and is secured in that position by a pair of C-clips  49   a ,  49   b . The C-clips  49   a ,  49   b  are received within circumferentially-defined grooves  47   a ,  47   b  that are defined in the end portions  45   a ,  45   b  of the screw pin  40 . Other known fastening means are well known in the art and are understood to be suitable replacements for this structural element. 
     Similarly, the load pin  70 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , is held in a fixed, or stationary, and generally horizontal position and is secured in that position by a pair of fasteners  79   a ,  79   b  that are inserted through the lower apertures  39   a ,  39   b  of the side surface portions  36   a ,  36   b  of the saddle coupling  30 . The load pin  70  comprises opposing end portions  75   a ,  75   b , each end portion  75   a ,  75   b  comprises a fastener-receiving aperture  77   a ,  77   b  defined in it. Again, other known fastening means are well known in the art and are understood to be suitable replacements for this structural element. 
     Unlike the foregoing pins  40 ,  70 , the retracting pin  50  is intended to be movable within the assembly  10 . More specifically, the retracting pin  50  comprises a centrally-disposed portion  52  which has a circumferentially-defined groove  53  in it. The retracting pin  50  further comprises opposing end portions  55   a ,  55   b . The retracting pin end portions  55   a ,  55   b  are configured to be received and vertically-movable within the slot-like apertures  37   a ,  37   b  of the side surface portions  36   a ,  36   b  of the saddle coupling  30 . The retracting pin  50  is, however, restricted to vertical movement by virtue of a pair of fasteners  59   a ,  59   b . The fasteners  59   a ,  59   b  are received within the end portions  55   a ,  55   b  of the retracting pin  50 . Here again, other known fastening means are well known in the art and are understood to be suitable replacements for this structural element as well. 
     The assembly  10  further comprises the extension spring  60 . The spring  60  comprises a top attachment loop  62  and a bottom attachment loop  64 . The top attachment loop  62  of the spring  60  is configured to be received and held within the groove  43  that is centrally-disposed in the screw pin  40 . The bottom attachment loop  64  is configured to be received and held within the groove  53  that is centrally-disposed in the retracting pin  50 . When attached to the pins  40 ,  50 , the spring  60  exerts a force that pulls the pins  40 ,  50  toward one another. More specifically, however, and because the screw pin  40  is in a fixed or stationary position, the spring  60  is used to urge the retracting pin  50  upwardly within and along the slot-like apertures  37   a ,  37   b.    
     In application, the saddle base  20  is first mounted to the tube cap  6  by means of fasteners  7 , as are shown in  FIG. 8 . Next, a power hand tool  8  is securely attached to the saddle coupling  30  and sliding post  80 . At this point, the combined structure of the saddle coupling  30 , the sliding post  80  and the attached power hand tool  8  is ready for mounting to the saddle base  20 . Reference is now made to  FIGS. 6 through 8  which do not, however, show the hand tool  8  for ease of reference. It should also be noted that the saddle coupling could be configured as a structure that could support a plurality of power hand tools  8 , such as where two or more collated screw guns or two or more drills are used simultaneously. This would, of course, require modification of the saddle coupling  30  to make it a structure that has the capacity to mount the plurality of such tools  8  in a spaced-apart relation, which is within the scope of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the saddle coupling  30  is presented to the saddle base  20  at an angle and in such a way that the load pin  70  enters the front face opening  21  of the base  20 . The load pin  70  is then introduced into the bottom receiving slot  25 . With the load pin  70  in this position, the saddle coupling  30  is then tilted upwardly. This results in the retracting pin  70  engaging the bottom surface  27  of the top base protrusion  24 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the retracting pin  70  is moved away from the screw pin  40  while force of the extension spring  60  urges the retracting pin  70  into contact with the bottom surface  27  of the top base protrusion  24 . As the saddle coupling  30  is moved into a fully-upright position, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the retracting pin  70  moves into the top receiving slot  23  of the saddle base  20 . The spring force of the extension spring  60  maintains the position of the retracting pin  70  and the saddle coupling  30  such that the power hand tool  8  can be moved upwardly and downwardly relative to a ceiling surface (not shown). This is also a “primary” retracting pin  70  retention means. To “swap out” another power hand tool  8  and coupling  30 , the reverse of this action is made, the user first applying a downward force on the retracting pin fasteners  59   a ,  59   b  to release the retracting pin  50  from within the top receiving slot  23  of the saddle base  20 . 
     To further ensure that the retracting pin  50  remains in position, as shown in  FIG. 8 , during use of the power hand tool  8 , a supplemental or “secondary” retention means is provided. More specifically, a pair of neodymium magnets  90  are inserted into and fastened, preferably by gluing them, within the pair of apertures  92  formed within the top portion of the saddle base  20 . See  FIGS. 9 and 10 . In this fashion, and should the extension spring  60  fail, the retracting pin  70 , which is preferably made of a metal material, continues to remain in position within the top receiving slot  23  of the saddle base  20 . This built-in redundancy is a safety measure to prevent the power hand tool  8  and the saddle coupling  30  from becoming inadvertently detached from the saddle base  20  during use. 
     It should also be understood that that certain alternate but functionally equivalent fasteners and other structures may be used in the assembly  10  of the present invention. Specific elements disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention. 
     It should also be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Instead, emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.