Patent Publication Number: US-2022226910-A1

Title: Drill stand

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/034,191 filed on Sep. 28, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/390,361 filed on Apr. 22, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,821,525, which claims foreign priority to Chinese Utility Model Application No. 201820589494.5 filed on Apr. 24, 2018, the entire content of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to stands, and more particularly to drill stands. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Larger drills, such as core drills, require stands upon which they can be mounted. The stands can often be mounted against a horizontal surface, such as the ground, or a vertical wall. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides, in one aspect, a core drill comprising a housing and a battery pack attachable to the housing for powering the core drill. The core drill is configured to be operated while being carried on a drill stand. The core drill is configured to be operated independently of and detached from the drill stand. The core drill is configured to be carried by an operator&#39;s hand while the core drill is not being carried on the drill stand. 
     The present invention provides, in another aspect, a core drill system comprising a drill stand and a core drill configured to be selectively carried on the drill stand. The core drill includes a housing and a battery pack attachable to the housing for powering the core drill. The core drill is configured to be operated with the attached battery pack while being carried on the drill stand. The core drill is configured to be operated with the attached battery pack while removed from the drill stand. 
     Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a drill stand with a core drill and a battery attached. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the drill stand of  FIG. 1  with the core drill and the battery removed. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the drill stand of  FIG. 1  with the core drill and the battery removed. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the drill stand of  FIG. 1  with the core drill, the battery, and a carriage removed. 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the drill stand of  FIG. 1  shown in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 5B  is a plan view of the drill stand of  FIG. 1  shown in an alternative collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the drill stand of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a spindle assembly in the carriage of the drill stand of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the spindle assembly of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a drill stand  10  including a base  14  for mounting on a mounting surface  16  that can be vertical (e.g. a wall) or horizontal (e.g. the ground, as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The drill stand  10  also includes a mast  18  for supporting a carriage  22 , and a support bracket  26  moveably coupled to the mast  18  and the base  14 . The mast  18  defines a longitudinal axis  30  and is pivotably coupled to the base  14  to pivot about a pivot joint  34 . The carriage  22  is moveably coupled to the mast  18  and is configured to carry a core drill  36 , as described in further detail below. 
     The support bracket  26  is moveably coupled to the mast  18  via a tool-free clamping mechanism  38  that selectively locks the support bracket  26  to the mast  18 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the clamping mechanism  38  includes a pair of clamping arms  42  positioned on respective rails  46  on the mast  18 . The rails  46  are parallel to the longitudinal axis  30  of the mast  18 . A handle  50  can be rotated to tighten the clamping arms  42  into the rails  46 . Specifically, a bolt  51  is coupled for rotation with the handle  50 . The bolt  51  extends through and is rotatable relative to both clamping arms  42  and a pair of brackets  53  that support clamping arms  42 . Thus, when the handle  50  is rotated in tightening direction with respect to arms  42  (and brackets  53 ), the bolt  51  rotates and forces the handle-side bracket  53  to move towards the non-handle-side bracket  53 , thus forcing the clamping arms  42  into the rails  46 , causing the support bracket  26  to be locked with respect to the mast  18 . 
     Alternatively, the handle  50  can by rotated in an opposite, loosening direction, which causes the bolt  51  to rotate and allow the handle-side bracket  53  to move away from the non-handle side bracket  5 . In response, the clamping arms  42  naturally deflect outward away from rails  46 , thereby allowing the support bracket  26  to move along the mast  18  via the arms  42  sliding within the rails  46 . When the support bracket  26  is locked with respect to the mast  14 , an operator may grasp the support bracket  26  to carry the drill stand  10 . The base  14  also includes a pair of handles  52  on opposite sides of the base  14  that permit the operator to carry the drill stand  10 . 
     When the clamping arms  42  are loosened with respect to the rails  46 , the mast  18  and support bracket  22  are collapsible relative to the base  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A , as the mast  18  pivots about pivot joint  34  toward support bracket  26 , the support bracket  26  also pivots about a pivot joint  54  while the clamping arms  42  slide along the rails  46  of the mast  18  away from pivot joint  34 . An angle α is defined between the mast  18  in its collapsed position and the mast  18  in its original position shown in  FIG. 4  and shown in phantom in  FIG. 5A . In the collapsed position, an angle β is defined between the mast  18  and the mounting surface  16 . An angle θ is defined between the support bracket  26  in its collapsed position and the support bracket  26  in its original position shown in  FIG. 4  and shown in phantom in  FIG. 5A . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5A , α is 83 degrees, β is 7 degrees, and θ is 109 degrees. However, in other embodiments, α, β, and θ can be other values, with α and β always totaling 90 degrees. In some embodiments, once collapsed, the total vertical height  55  of the stand  10 , measured from the mounting surface  16  to a plane  57  parallel to the mounting surface  16  and intersecting a vertically topmost point  59  of the stand  10  while collapsed, is approximately 13.5 inches. In other embodiments, the height  55  is less than 13.5 inches. 
     Alternatively, in another embodiment shown in  FIG. 5B , the mast  18  and support bracket  26  are movable to an alternative collapsed configuration in which at least one of the mast  18  or the support bracket  26  is substantially parallel with the base  14 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5B , as the mast  18  pivots about pivot joint  34  away from support bracket  26 , the support bracket  26  also pivots about the pivot joint  54  while the clamping arms  42  slide along the rails  46  of the mast  18  toward the pivot joint  34 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5B , the mast  18  is substantially parallel with the base  14 . Because the support bracket  26  includes one or more bolts  56  extending therethrough ( FIG. 4 ), the base  14  includes one or more recesses (not shown) to accommodate the one or more bolts  56  when the support bracket  26  has been moved to the collapsed configuration. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the base  14  includes a wear plate  58  having an elongated slot  62  through which a mounting bolt (not shown) may be inserted to secure the base  14  to the mounting surface  16  by, for example, setting the mounting bolt through the wear plate  58  and into a bore created in the mounting surface  16 . The base  14  also includes a plurality of eyelet screws  66  that may be threadably adjusted with respect to the base  14  in order to vertically adjust respective feet  70  attached to the screws  66  with respect to the base  14 . In the illustrated embodiment there are four screws  66  at four corners of the base  14 , but in other embodiments there may be more or fewer screws  66 , and the screws may be in different locations on the base  14 . The operator may adjust the height and orientation of the base  14  with respect to the mounting surface  16  by adjusting one or more of the screws  32  with respect to the base  14 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mast  18  also includes a bubble level  74  and the base  14  includes a bullseye level  76 . Thus, if an operator mounts the base  14  to a vertical mounting surface  16 , the bubble level  74  can help an operator level the mast  18  and ensure it is parallel to the ground surface. Similarly, if an operator mounts the base  14  to a horizontal mounting surface  16 , the bullseye level  76  can help an operator level the base  14  and ensure it is parallel to the ground surface. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a bottom side  82  of the base  14  includes a first, outer gasket  86  and a second, inner gasket  90 . The inner gasket  90  is arranged inside the outer gasket  86  and outside the slot  62 , such that a vacuum chamber  94  is defined between the first gasket  86 , the second gasket  90 , the bottom side  82  of the base  14 , and the mounting surface  16  when the base  14  is on the mounting surface  16 . The base  14  includes a quick release valve  98  ( FIGS. 1-6 ) and a vacuum port  102  ( FIG. 1 ). The vacuum port  102  extends from a top side  106  of the base  14  to the vacuum chamber  94 . The quick release valve  98  extends from a side wall  108  of the base  14  to the vacuum chamber  94 . Thus, when the first and second gaskets  86 ,  90  are engaged against the mounting surface  16 , the operator may attach a vacuum source to the vacuum port  102  on the top side  106  of the base  14 , and operate the suction source to create a vacuum in the vacuum chamber  94 . In this manner, the vacuum in the vacuum chamber  94  secures the base  14  to the mounting surface  16 . When the operator desires to remove the base  14  from the mounting surface  16 , the operator can actuate the quick release valve  98 , causing ambient air at atmospheric pressure to enter the vacuum chamber  94 , which breaks the vacuum and allows the operator to remove the base  14 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the carriage  22  includes an annular collar  110  for securing the core drill  36 . The collar  110  includes a fixed end  111  and a moveable end  112 . A gap  113  is defined between the two ends  111 ,  112 . A handle  114  is arranged on and rotatable with respect to the fixed end  111 . A fastener  115  ( FIG. 6 ) is coupled for rotation with the handle  114  and extends through and is rotatable with respect to the ends  111 ,  112 . When the handle  114  is rotated in a tightening direction, the fastener  115  rotates in a direction towards the carriage  22 , forcing the moving end  112  closer to the fixed end  111 , reducing the gap  113  and thereby securing the core drill  36 . When the handle  114  is rotated in an opposite, loosening direction, the fastener  115  rotates away from the carriage  22 , allowing the moving end  112  to deflect away from the fixed end  11 , increasing the size of the gap  113  and thereby allowing the core drill  36  to be removed from the collar  110 . The collar  110  can be alternatively tightened and loosed by rotating a handle  114 , thus allowing an operator to selectively secure ( FIG. 1 ) and remove ( FIGS. 2-5 ) the core drill  36  from the collar  110 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the carriage  22  includes a spindle assembly  118  for moveably adjusting the carriage  22  along the mast  18 , and a handle assembly  122  for driving the spindle assembly  118 . The spindle assembly  118  includes a pinion  126  that is drivingly engaged with a rack  130  included on the mast  18 . As described in further detail below, the handle assembly  122  is removably coupled to either end of the spindle assembly  118  without the use of tools. The handle assembly  122  can be interchangeably coupled to the spindle assembly  118  on either a first side  134  of the carriage  22  or an opposite second side  138  of the carriage  22 . In this manner, an operator may attach the handle assembly  122  select to either one of the sides  134 ,  138 , depending on user preference or work environment constraints. With reference to  FIGS. 1-3, 7 and 8 , the handle assembly  122  is shown positioned on the second side  138  of the carriage  22 . However, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a second instance of the handle assembly  122  is shown in phantom on the first side  134  of the carriage  22  to illustrate its alternative position. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the spindle assembly  118  includes a first spindle  142  proximate to and accessible from the first side  134  of the carriage  22  and a second spindle  146  proximate to and accessible from the second side  138  of the carriage  22 . The spindle assembly  118  includes a first bushing  150  positioned around the first spindle  142  and a second bushing  154  positioned around the second spindle  146 . The bushings  150 ,  154  rotatably support the spindles  142 ,  146 , respectively, and are interference fit to the carriage  22 , preventing the bushings  150 ,  154  themselves from rotating. The second spindle  146  includes a threaded shank  158  received within a threaded bore  162  in the first spindle  142  to thereby unitize the spindles  142 ,  146  for co-rotation. Alternatively, the spindles  142 ,  146  may be non-rotatably and axially coupled in different manners. The second spindle  146  also includes a cylindrical portion  166  upon which the pinion  126  is press fit. Thus, the pinion  126  co-rotates with the second spindle  146  in response to a torque input to either of the spindles  142 ,  146  via the handle assembly  122 , causing the carriage  22  to move up and down the mast  18 . 
     The spindle assembly  118  also includes a brake mechanism  168  that prevents the spindles  142 ,  146  and pinion  126  from rotating when the operator is not holding the handle assembly  122 . A plurality of washers  170  are positioned around the cylindrical portion  166  between the first spindle  142  and the pinion  126 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the brake mechanism  168  comprises one or more Belleville washers amongst the plurality of watchers  170  and a bushing  172  fixed within carriage  22 . The one or more Belleville washers exert a predetermined axial preload force on the pinion  126  in a direction away from bushing  172 , such that the second spindle  146  is likewise biased in the same direction. Because the first spindle  142  is threadably coupled to the second spindle  146  via the threaded shank  158  within the threaded bore  162 , the first spindle  142  is pulled by the second spindle  146  against the bushing  172 , creating friction therebetween. 
     The friction between the first spindle  142  and the bushing  172  is sufficiently high to prevent to prevent the spindles  142 ,  146  from rotating due to the weight of the carriage  22  or core drill  36  pulling down on the carriage  22  and pinion  126  when the operator is not holding the handle assembly  122  or carriage  22 . However, the friction between the first spindle  142  and the bushing  172  is sufficiently low that when an operator applies torque to the spindles  142 ,  146  via the handle assembly  122 , the first spindle  142  is able to rotate relative to the bushing  172 , along with the second spindle  146  and pinion  126 . Thus, the brake mechanism  168  prevents the carriage  22  from moving downward along the mast  18  due to the force of gravity absent the operator applying a force via the handle assembly  122 , but permits the operator  22  to move the carriage  22  along the mast  18  by rotating the handle assemblyl 22 , as described in further detail below. 
     The first spindle  142  defines a first non-cylindrical drive socket  174  ( FIG. 8 ) accessible from the first side  134  of the main carriage  22  and the second spindle  146  defines a second non-cylindrical drive socket  178  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ) accessible from the second side  138  of the carriage  22 . The drive sockets  174 ,  178  are each operable to receive a corresponding-shaped drive member  182  of the handle assembly  122 . In the illustrated embodiment of the drill stand  10 , the drive sockets  174 ,  178  and the drive member  182  each have a corresponding square cross-sectional shape. Alternatively, the drive sockets  174 ,  178  and the drive member  182  may be configured having different corresponding non-cylindrical shapes. 
     The handle assembly  122  also includes a handle hub  186  from which the drive member  182  extends and two levers  190  extending from opposite sides of the handle hub  186 . The handle assembly  122  further includes quick-release mechanism  194  for selectively locking the handle assembly  122  to the spindle assembly  118 . In the illustrated embodiment, the quick-release mechanism  194  includes a ball detent  198  in one of the faces of the drive member  182  and a plunger  202  coaxial with the hub  186  and drive member  182  for biasing the ball detent  198  toward a position in which at least a portion of the ball detent  198  protrudes from the face of the drive member  182  in which it is located (i.e., an extended position). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger  202  is coupled for axial movement with a release actuator  204  arranged on handle hub  186 . The release actuator  204  defines a slot  206  through which an extension  208  coupling the two levers  190  extends. The release actuator  204  is biased away from the drive member  182  by a spring  210 , which is set between the drive member  182  and release actutator  204 . The slot  206  is long enough to permit the release actuator  204  to move within the handle hub  186  between an outwardly-biased position and an inwardly-depressed position, against the force of spring  210 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the plunger  202  includes a notch  212 . When the release actuator  204 , and therefore the plunger  202 , are depressed inwardly by an operator, the plunger  202  moves towards the ball detent  198 , thus allowing the ball detent  198  to be received into the notch  212 . When the release actuator  204  and the plunger  202  are allowed to return to their outwardly-biased positions by the spring  210 , a ramp surface  214  on the plunger  202  adjacent the slot  212  displaces the ball detent  198  radially outward, causing a portion of the ball detent  198  to protrude from the drive member  182  and engage a corresponding detent recess  218  in the drive sockets  174 ,  178  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ), thereby axially retaining the handle assembly  122  to the spindle assembly  118 . 
     In operation, an operator depresses and holds the release actuator  204  and while holding the release actuator  204 , the operator couples the handle assembly  122  to the spindle assembly  118  by inserting the square drive  182  into either the first drive socket  174  or the second drive socket  178 . Once inserted, the operator releases the release actuator  204 , which causes the ramp surface  214  to force the ball detent  198  into the detent recess  218  of the first drive socket  174  or second drive socket  178 , thereby axially retaining the handle assembly  122  to the spindle assembly  118 . The operator then rotates the handle assembly  122  to reposition the carriage  22  with respect to the mast  18 . To remove the handle assembly  122  for storage or for repositioning to the other side of the carriage  22 , the operator depresses the release actuator  204  against the bias of the spring  206 , moving the plunger  202  into a position in which the ball detent is received into the notch  212 . With the ball detent  198  in the notch  212 , no portion of the ball detent  198  protrudes from the drive member  182  for engaging the detent recesses  218 , thereby permitting removal of the handle assembly  122  from either the first drive socket  174  or the second drive socket  178 . To reattach the handle assembly  122  to either side of the spindle assembly  118 , the operator needs only to push the drive member  182  into one of the drive sockets  174 ,  178 . 
     Interference between the ball detent  198  and the drive sockets  174 ,  178  displaces the ball detent  198  inward. A component of the ball detent  198  displacement is redirected axially by the ramp surface  214 , against the bias of the spring  206 , causing the plunger  202  to automatically retract into the hub  186  during insertion of the drive member  182  into one of the drive sockets  174 ,  178 . Upon receipt of the ball detent  198  into one of the detent recesses  218  in the drive sockets  174 ,  178 , the handle assembly  122  is again locked to the spindle assembly  118 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , the mast  18  defines grooves  216  that are parallel to the longitudinal axis  30  and arranged on opposite sides of the mast  18 . In the illustrated embodiment the mast  18  includes two grooves  216  but in other embodiments the mast  18  may include more or fewer grooves  216 . The carriage  22  includes rollers  220  arranged in the grooves  216 . In the illustrated embodiment, the carriage  22  includes four rollers  220 , but in other embodiments, the carriage  22  may include more or fewer rollers  220 . In response to the carriage  22  moving relative to the mast  18  in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis  30 , as described above, the rollers roll along the grooves  216 , thus facilitating smooth translation of the carriage  22  along the mast  18 . 
     Because the grooves  216  extend all the way to a top  236  of the mast  18 , the carriage  22  is removable from the mast  18  in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis  30  in a tool-free manner. Specifically, an operator may simply slide the carriage  22  off the top of the mast  18  ( FIG. 4 ), because nothing at the top  236  of the mast  18  blocks or otherwise prevents the rollers  220  from rolling off the grooves  216  or the pinion  126  from disengaging the rack  130 . The capability to remove the carriage  22  from the mast  18  in a tool-free manner simplifies disassembly and removal of the drill stand  10  from the work site. In other embodiments, the carriage  22  may be removable from the mast  18  in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis  30 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the drill stand  10  includes a battery mount  240  that selectively receives a battery  244  ( FIG. 1 ) that can power the core drill  36 . In the illustrated embodiment, the battery mount  240  is attached to the mast  18  within a space bounded by the mast  18 , the support bracket  26 , and the base  14 . Therefore, the battery  244  is positioned within this same space when not in use. In other embodiments (not shown), the battery mount  240  may be arranged on the support bracket  26  but within the same space bounded by the mast  18 , the support bracket  26 , and the base  14  to provide protection for the battery  244 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the battery mount  240  is a bracket with a C-shaped cross section that receives a mating portion of the battery  244 . Because the drill stand  10  includes the battery mount  240  for the battery  244 , the operator can always have a spare (charged) battery  244  ready for the core drill  26  in case the battery  244  on the core drill  26  requires recharging. 
     Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.