Abstract:
A fitting having a cover tube connected to one end and a pressure line in the fitting, connected to a rigid tube projecting from the fitting and through the cover tube. The method includes projecting a rigid tube in a masonry bore, and applying pressurized air to blow debris from the bore to be captured in a cover tube.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/872,508 which was filed May 18, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,381,841. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Device for cleaning bore holes. 
         [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to construction tools and particularly to device for cleaning debris from a bore built in concrete. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0006]    In construction and remodeling the occasion frequently arises for inserting reinforcement and anchoring dowels which typically requires drilling of bores in concrete foundational or structural side walls. Debris must then be cleaned from the bores for insertion of the dowels and a bonding such as epoxy. This typically involves the insertion of a nozzle or the like in the bore and for the application of high pressured air to swirl the dust and debris about the bore and elevate the particles and chunks by the flow stream generated by high pressure air. This then typically involves release of robust plumes of dust and debris to the atmosphere thus resulting in discomfort and health hazards to the workman on site and, as the dust and dirt settles, coated walkways and a generally untidy and dangerous workplace. 
         [0007]    In other areas of the art, efforts have been made to vacuum dust from a masonry drill bit as by utilizing a hollow drill bit and connecting a flex hose to a vacuum pump. A device of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,947 to McCarty. Such devices require relatively expensive customized drill bits and manifolding arrangements and, in any event, can be rather ineffective in their application. 
         [0008]    Similar problems have been encountered in procedures involving large diameter earth drills wherein efforts have been made to manifold the drill bit and pressurize down hole, purportedly to drive drillings to the earth&#39;s surface. A device of this type is shown U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,001 to Hoffman. 
         [0009]    Other efforts have been to control dust from a down hole drill bit and have led to a proposal that manifolding be divided down hole for applying high pressure air to drive dust and debris from the hole. Devices of this type are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,800,890 to Gyongyosi et al. 
         [0010]    Other work has been undertaken in the area of hand drills wherein hollow drill bits covering a boot have been proposed. As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,036,308 to Dellenberg shows a hollow bit with manifolding for compressed air. U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,561 to May shows a axially collapsible boot for connection on one end with a drill chuck and constructed to coaxial with a drill bit and house swarf from the working bit. 
         [0011]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2002/0104687 published Aug. 8, 2002 to Boners-Ambrosius et al. addresses problems with debris from a masonry drill bit for installing dowels but his solution again relied on hollow drill bits and manifolding. 
         [0012]    Other efforts to address the debris from drill bit swarfing has led to the proposal of a multi-chamber collection device coupled with a longitudinally compressible tube through which a drill bit might extend. A device of this type is shown in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2007/0243031, published Oct. 18, 2007 to Yun. 
         [0013]    Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the features of the invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention includes a fitting for connection on one end with a longitudinally compressible cover tube to assume variable lengths allowing a pressure tube to project from the distal end thereof for delivering high pressure air to a blind masonry bore to remove debris and dust therefrom. 
         [0015]    A method of using the device involves pressing the cover tube to project the pressure tube into the bore and applying air pressure to flow the airborne debris out the fitting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a cleaning device embodying the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a view, similar to  FIG. 1  but partially broken away and depicting the device positioned for cleaning a masonry bore; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are partial vertical sectional views, in enlarged scale, taken along the lines  5 - 5  and  6 - 6 , respectively; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a front view similar to  FIG. 4  but depicting a pressure tube projecting into the masonry bore; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a transverse sectional view, in enlarged scale, taken along the line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the bore cleaning device of the present invention includes, generally, a fitting  21  which may be elbow shaped and is constructed at one end with a vacuum coupling  23  and on the opposite end with a tube connector  25  for connecting with one end of a contractible cover tube  27 . Connected with the fitting  21  is a pressure line, generally designated  29 , which joins interiorly with one end of a pressure tube  31  configured in its distal side wall with orifices  33  for release of high pressure air in a masonry bore  35  ( FIG. 4 ). Thus, the vacuum coupling  23  may be coupled with a vacuum pump, the pressure line  29  with a compressor and the tube  27  abutted at its distal end over the bore  35  as shown in  FIG. 4  and compressed to project the pressure tube  31  into the bore as shown in  FIG. 7  to elevate the pressure in such bore while a vacuum is drawn to cooperate in drawing dust and debris from such bore and upwardly through the fitting and to a filtration system coupled with a vacuum pump. 
         [0024]    In the preferred embodiment, the fitting  21  is constructed of 2½ inch rigid wall stainless steel and is formed at the one extremity with the slip fit vacuum coupling  23  which receives a friction fit skirt  41  of a collar, generally designated  43 , connected with the end of a vacuum hose  45  ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0025]    The preferred embodiment, the vacuum line  29  may also be constructed of stainless steel and is configured to pass through the wall of the fitting  23  as shown in  FIG. 4  to be formed on its lower extremity with an internally threaded collar  47  for threadable receipt of the externally threaded proximal extremity of the pressure tube  31  ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0026]    In one preferred embodiment, the pressure line  29  includes a control valve, depicted for illustrative purposes as a solenoid valve, generally designated  51 , and which may, in some embodiments, be connected in an electrical circuit with the control for the vacuum pump (not shown) and with a control panel  90  so that the vacuum and pressure valves are controlled simultaneously. In some embodiments I substitute a manual valve for the solenoid valve. 
         [0027]    The lower extremity of the fitting  21  is expanded outwardly to form a bell collar  57  ( FIG. 5 ) configured in its periphery with an annular, outwardly opening groove-receiving a connector ring  59  which serves to connect the upper extremity of the cover tube  27  with such fitting. 
         [0028]    The tube  27  may be constructed with a flexible wall and, in the preferred embodiment, incorporates a coil spring  61  disposed therein in spiral fashion to be received bellows formed by a spiral shaped convolution  65  in the wall of such tube to thereby give the tube some body and provide for a memory which tends to maintain the tube disposed in a linear axial position and which will, without undue force, allow the tube to be compressed a distance sufficient to allow the distal extremity of the pressure tub  31  to be projected nearly to the blind end of the bore  35  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0029]    In the preferred embodiment, the extremity of the free tube  27  includes an annular flange, generally designated  69 , which mounts on the distal side thereof an annular compressible seal  71  for mating in sealing engagement with the surface in which the bore  35  is formed. 
         [0030]    Conveniently, a workman may grasp the transverse hand hold run  32  and compress the tube  27  axially to contract the bellows therein thus projecting the pressure tube  31  distally into the bore  35  to the position shown in  FIG. 7  so that the orifices  33  will be spaced along the axial length of the bore and extending adjacent the blind end of such bore so that upon actuation of the solenoid valve  51  to pressurize the tube, high pressure and high speed air will be forced from the tube to generate a high pressure turbulent flow at the blind end of such bore to thereby carry debris and dust within such bore upwardly in the air flow so that the debris is maintained airborne as the vacuum pump draws a vacuum in the vacuum tube  45  to thereby enhance the pressure differential along the length of the cover tube  27  to thus facilitate air flow through such tube and out the fitting  21  into the vacuum tube  45  to be carried to a filtration system (not shown) for filtering thereof. In practice, it has been my experience that the device of the present invention will clean a conventional masonry bore in just a minute or so, thus providing efficient and effective evacuation of dust and debris, holding it captive in the air flow stream as the conveying flow stream progresses from the bore  35  upwardly through the cover tube  27  through the fitting  21  and into the vacuum tube. This then helps maintain the atmosphere free of the dust and debris, to provide a healthy and safe work environment. In some applications, the controls for the vacuum pump and for the solenoid valve  51  are connected to a control panel  90  which will allow the operator to operate both the pump and valve simultaneously. 
         [0031]    As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the bore cleaning device of the present invention provides an economical and convenient means for efficient and rapid cleaning of a masonry bore while protecting the workman from the dust and particles being evacuated thereby produce a clean and healthy working environment.