Abstract:
A tool mounting apparatus for a leverage force to a tool, the apparatus comprising: a frame; a frame support for supporting said frame to a workpiece acted on by said tool; a lever pivotally connected to said frame; an attachment mechanism for securing said tool to said lever; and whereby a force is applied to said lever to cause said to advance towards said workpiece and act on said workpiece.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to drilling. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Using a hand drill to make a bore in a metallic workpiece can be challenging. The initial penetration of the drill bit into the workpiece is often difficult, time-consuming and frustrating to an average user. Typically, the drill bit will dance around, or slide on the surface of the workpiece and the user must exert a considerable force to the drill body in order to stop the drill bit from dancing around. This process is especially exacerbated when the workpiece is a cylindrical pipe. One solution to this problem has been to first create a pilot hole, or create an indentation with a center-punch and hammer at the point to be drilled, and then place the point of the bit in the indentation and start drilling. A user is forced to lean in on the drill to apply pressure on the drill bit, however, for pipes in excess of ⅜ inches, drilling a single hole may be especially time-consuming and exhausting for a user, as the user may only apply so much force on the drill before fatigue sets in, thereby lengthening the completion time for the bore. In addition, there is an additional difficulty in holding the drill steadily and rigidly on a pipe to be bored, which may result in undesirable bores, the drill bit jamming within the bore, or worse-still breaking within the bore. It is therefore apparent that using a hand drill for such an operation has numerous drawbacks, and is not ideal for applications or industries in which a plurality bores are desired as part of the production. 
         [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to mitigate or obviate at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one of its aspects, there is provided a tool mounting apparatus for a leverage force to a tool, the apparatus comprising:
       a frame;   a frame support for supporting said frame to a workpiece acted on by said tool;   a lever pivotally connected to said frame;   an attachment mechanism for securing said tool to said lever;   whereby a force is applied to said lever to cause said to advance towards said workpiece and act on said workpiece; and   whereby said lever provides a mechanical advantage when said force is applied.       
 
         [0013]    In another of its aspects, there is provided a method for applying a leverage force to a tool, the method comprising the steps of:
       selecting a desired location for acting on a workpiece;   placing a tool mounting apparatus on said workpiece; said apparatus comprising:
           a frame;   a frame support for supporting said frame to said workpiece   a lever pivotally connected to said frame;   an attachment mechanism for securing said tool to said lever;   
           applying a force to said lever to cause said tool to advance towards said workpiece and act on said workpiece; and
 
whereby said lever provides a mechanical advantage when said force is applied.
       
 
         [0021]    In another of its aspects, there is provided a method for drilling a hole through a workpiece in a fast and efficient manner. The method is especially useful for drilling horizontal holes through a vertically disposed workpiece, such as a cylindrical pipe, with substantially thick walls. Advantageously, holes may be drilled in the workpiece with minimal effort, which results in decreased fatigue on the user, and less frustration, thereby increasing production. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    Several preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of a tool mounting apparatus; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a drill resting within a frame of the tool mounting apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a drill guide and attachment means for a drill; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a drill guide with a depth gauge, in another embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic diagram of a tool mounting apparatus, in another embodiment; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic diagram of a tool mounting apparatus, in yet another embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention herein makes reference to the accompanying block diagrams and schematic diagrams, which show the exemplary embodiment by way of illustration and its best mode. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented. 
         [0030]    Moreover, it should be appreciated that the particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative of the invention and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present invention in any way. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a tool mounting apparatus  10  having a drill  12  mounted thereon, in an exemplary embodiment. The tool mounting apparatus  10  is secured to a workpiece  14  that is to be bored by a drill bit  15 . In more detail, the mounting apparatus  10  comprises a frame  16  having a vertical arm  18  and a horizontal arm  20  joined together. The vertical arm  18  and horizontal arm  20  are substantially perpendicular to each other. 
         [0032]    An upper end  22  of the vertical arm  18  comprises an upper support  24  for releasably engaging the workpiece  14  above a ground plane  25 , and a lower support  26  proximate a lower end  27  for releasably engaging the workpiece  14 , in order to rigidly secure the mounting apparatus  10  to the workpiece  14 . A chain-link  28  is attached proximate the lower end  27  of the vertical arm  18  and wraps around the workpiece  14  and secured via a speedy nut  29  (and bolt). An elongate plate  30  extends from proximate the upper end  22  of the vertical arm  18  and intersects about the middle of the horizontal arm  20  at an angle, and extends beyond the horizontal arm  20 . The elongate plate  30  is rigidly joined to the vertical arm  18  and the horizontal arm  20  of the frame  16 , via welding or other joinder mechanisms. A lower portion  31  of the plate  30  comprises an aperture  32  which receives a drill body  33  to provide support for the drill  12 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0033]    One end  34  of the horizontal arm  20  is securedly attached proximate to the lower end  27  of the vertical arm  18 . An L-shaped lever  35  is pivotally attached proximate to another end  36  of the horizontal arm  20  at a pivot point  37 . The lever  35  comprises an elongate actuating first leg  38  and a second leg  40 , substantially perpendicular to the elongate actuating first leg  38 . The elongate actuating first leg  38  includes a free-end  42  having a manual grip portion  44  formed thereon, preferably a slip-on elastomeric grip engageable by a user&#39;s hand to apply a force thereto. A resilient biasing member  45  extends between upper end  22  of the vertical arm  18  and adjacent to free-end  42 . The resilient biasing member  45  allows the lever  35  to return to a rest position after the force is removed from manual grip portion  44 . 
         [0034]    The second leg  40  of the lever  35  is substantially vertical to the ground plane  25 , and extends downwardly from the pivot point  37  towards the ground plane  25 , and terminates at free end  46 . The second leg  40  includes an attachment mechanism  48  for securing the drill  12  thereto. The attachment mechanism  48  is hingedly attached proximate to free end  46  of the second leg  40 , and comprises a U-shaped rod  50  received by a hole  51 . The U-shaped rod  50  is formed of a pair of interconnected tines  52 ,  54  which abut opposing sides of a drill body  33 . A clamp  56 , such as a hose clamp, placed over the tines  52 ,  54  and around the body portion  33  of the drill  12  is tightened to securely fasten the drill  12  to the apparatus  10 . For example, the hose clamp  56  comprises a worm gear and a tightening band, such as a metal strip perforated to correspond with teeth of the worm gear. Other suitable attachment mechanism include any conventional device or devices used to secure one object to another, such as, for example, devices that wrap around the drill  12  such as, straps, lines or cables or other types of fasteners. Accordingly, the attachment mechanism  48  restricts any axial motion of the drill body  33  within the aperture  32  and translates the force applied on the manual grip portion  42  of the elongate actuating first leg  38  into a longitudinal force to the drill  12 . 
         [0035]    As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , below the lower support  26  is a drill bit guide  60  which sets out a path for the drill bit  15  towards the desired boring location on the workpiece  14 . The drill bit guide  60  comprises an aperture  62  formed within the vertical arm  18 , and proximate the lower end  37  thereof. A bracket  64  releasably secured to the workpiece  14  comprises a complementary aperture  66  which exposes and pinpoints the desired boring location on the workpiece  14 . Apertures  62 ,  66  may be dimensioned such that drill bits  15  with a variety of gauges may be received therethrough and can rotate substantially freely therein, when apertures  62 ,  66  are coaxially aligned. As an example, drill bit  15  may be 7/16 inches and apertures  62 ,  66  are dimensioned accordingly to accommodate such a drill bit  15 . As drill bit  15  may brush against the interior walls of apertures  62 ,  66 , the interior walls of apertures  62 ,  66  are carburized to mitigate excessive, breakage or premature failure of drill bit  15  during operation. In one example, the drill bit guide  60  may have an aperture  62  dimensioned to receive drill bits  15  having a large gauge, and a plurality of discs with apertures dimensioned to receive drill bits  15  having a smaller gauge, whereby the plurality of discs may be removably secured over the aperture  62  to accommodate the smaller gauge drill bits  15 . Correspondingly, the bracket  64  may include similar features. In another example, drill bit guide  60  is removably secured to the vertical arm  18 , and proximate the lower end  37  thereof. Accordingly, a plurality of drill bit guides  60  having apertures  62  with different sizes are provided to accommodate a variety of drill bit  15  gauges. 
         [0036]    As stated above, the upper support  24  and lower support  26  allow the mounting apparatus  10  to be rigidly secured to the workpiece  14 . The upper support  24  and lower support  26  are adapted to suit the contour of the workpiece  14  to be drilled, and therefore may include any configuration that interfaces with the workpiece  14 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , given that the workpiece  14  is a cylindrical pipe, the upper support  24  and lower support  26  comprise a curved profile that complements the curvilinear nature of the cylindrical pipe  14 . The upper support  24  is so dimensioned such that it substantially wraps around the workpiece  14  in a penannular fashion, while the lower support  26  is C-shaped and abuts the portion of the workpiece  14  facing the frame  16 . 
         [0037]    In another exemplary embodiment, when the workpiece  14  is relatively planar, then the upper support  24  and lower support  26  are relatively planar. 
         [0038]    An exemplary method of operation will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . The method comprises the steps of, selecting a desired location for drilling a bore and placing the bracket  64  on the workpiece  14  such that the complementary aperture  66  on the bracket  64  lies over the desired location. Next, the the frame  16  is oriented such that the upper support  24  may be placed on the workpiece  14  and substantially wraps around the workpiece  14  in a penannular fashion; and abutting the lower support  26  against the workpiece  14 . The weight of the apparatus  10  is thus held in place by the upper support  24  corralling the back of the workpiece  14 , while the lower support  26  corals the front of the workpiece  14 . In addition, the lower support  26  is rested on the bracket  64 , and thus also bears the weight of the apparatus  10  and helps to maintain the position of the apparatus  10  on the workpiece  14 . Next, the chain-link  28  is wrapped around the workpiece  14  and the free end is attached to the frame  16 , and tightened via a speedy nut  29  (and bolt) to loosely secure the frame  16  to the workpiece  14 . The frame  16  can now be translated along the workpiece  14  and is positioned in an operating position such that the two apertures  62 ,  66  are coaxial. A chain link  28  is tightened to rigidly fasten the apparatus  10  to the workpiece  14 . Next, the drill  12  is placed in a rest position in the aperture  32  and rests on seat  68 . An appropriate drill bit  15  is secured in a drill chuck  70 , and the drill  12  is urged towards the workpiece  14 , such that the drill bit  15  is inserted into the drill bit guide aperture  62  and the aperture  66  in the bracket  64 . Next the drill  12  is powered on to cause rotational motion of the drill bit  15 . Preferably, a drill trigger switch  72  is permanently actuated and a separate on/off switch is electrically coupled thereto to prevent a user from holding down the trigger switch  72 , as is typical with a trigger switch in a typical boring operation. Accordingly, a user is not required to persistently hold down the trigger switch  72 , and therefore will not suffer from fatigue during lengthy drilling sessions. Next, the user applies a force on the grip portion  44  of the elongate actuating first leg  38  of the lever  35 , and the second leg  40  rotates in a clockwise manner about pivot point  37 . Concurrently, the drill  12  is urged to move longitudinally through the aperture  32  of the diagonal plate  31  and the rotating drill bit  15  contacts the workpiece at the desired boring location, thus placing the drill in an operation position for the boring operation. The drill bit  15  is steadily pushed firmly against the workpiece  14  and begins to advance into the workpiece  14 . The force is steadily applied onto the elongate actuating first leg  38  until the desired bore has been completed. Once completed the drill  12  may be turned off and a force in an anticlockwise fashion is applied to the elongate actuating first leg  38 , which urges the drill  12  back through the aperture  32  and the drill bit  15  is backed out of the newly created bore, and through the apertures  62  and  66 . With the force removed from the elongate actuating first leg  38 , the drill  12  in now placed back in the rest position. 
         [0039]    The bracket  64  may be include two diametrically opposed apertures  66 ,  72  such that after completion of the first bore through aperture  66  of bracket  64 , the apparatus  10  is swung around to make the second bore. This bracket  64  feature is useful when opposing bores are desired, or in instances where the drill bit  15  is not long enough to drill from one side to the opposite side of the workpiece  14 , or the drill bit  15  is likely to overheat or break. Accordingly, the first and second bores may form one continuous straight hole through the workpiece  14 , or the bores are made to a predetermined depth into the workpiece  14 . 
         [0040]    Upon application of a downward force, the elongate actuating first leg  38  rotates about the pivot point  37 , and a mechanical advantage is obtained in applying a force to the hand drill  12 . While the mechanical advantage is related to the length of the elongate actuating first leg  38 , in one exemplary embodiment the mechanical advantage is approximately 8 times the actual downward force applied to the elongate actuating first leg  38 . Therefore, the benefit of the mechanical advantage facilitates continuous operation of the apparatus  10  by a user before fatigue sets in. In one example, a half-inch hand drill  12  is used to make a bore in a 4 inch SCH 80 pipe  14  and takes about 30 seconds to plunge through the example of side of pipe  14 . As per the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) specifications, a 4 inch Schedule 80 (SCH 80) welded and seamless steel pipe has an outside diameter of 4.5 inches, a wall thickness of 0.337 inches. In one exemplary operation, the time to mount the press on the 4 inch SCH 80 pipe  14  and bracket  64  and tighten the chain link  28  and speedy nut  29  is approximately 30 seconds, drill one wall of the 4 inch SCH 80 pipe  14  is approximately 30 seconds, the time to remove the apparatus and reinstall on the opposite side of the 4 inch SCH 80 pipe  14  is approximately 30 seconds, and the approximate time to drill the opposite side of the 4 inch SCH 80 pipe  14  is 30 seconds. Therefore, the total boring operation takes approximately 120 seconds. After the two bores have been completed, the amount of time to remove the apparatus and reinstall the apparatus on the next 4 inch SCH 80 pipe  14  and bracket  64  is approximately 30 seconds. In a typical operation, a user using apparatus  10  can make two bores in 30 (thirty) 4 inch SCH 80 pipes  14  in one hour, or 60 bores/hour. In contrast, a user using the same half-inch hand drill  12  without the aid of the apparatus  10  and without the benefit of the mechanical advantage can only accomplish boring two bores in 24 (twenty four) 4 inch SCH 80 pipes in 40 hours (one work week), or only 1.2 bores/hour. 
         [0041]    Once the boring operation on the workpiece  14  is complete, the apparatus  10  is removed in the opposite sequence from installation, and the drill  12  may remain attached to apparatus  10 , if the apparatus  10  is to be placed on to another workpiece  14 , or another location on the workpiece  14 . As described above, the mounting and de-mounting of the apparatus  10  is relatively quick, and greatly improves efficiency. 
         [0042]    In yet another embodiment, the bracket  64  may include a plurality of apertures  66  such that a plurality of bores in the workpiece  14  may be made in accordance to the configuration of the apertures  66  or as desired by the user or the application. For example, bores may be made using only a portion of the apertures  66 . 
         [0043]    In another embodiment, the apparatus  10  comprises markings for indicating the depth of bore or the length of the drill bit  15  in the workpiece  14 . 
         [0044]    In another embodiment, the apparatus  10  comprises a means for setting a desired depth in the workpiece  14 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . For example, an adjustable stop  76  is placed on the guide  60 , and is placed on a track  78  such that the adjustable stop  76  may be locked at any point on the track  78  to abut the chuck  70  as the drill  12  is urged towards the workpiece  14 . As such, markings on the track  76  may be used to select the desired depth of the bore in workpiece  14 . 
         [0045]    In another embodiment, the lever  35  comprises a brace member  80  extending from the elongate actuating first leg  38  to the second leg  40 . 
         [0046]    In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , tool mounting apparatus  100  is adapted to secure and operate drill  102  mounted upside-down thereon. The tool mounting apparatus  100  is secured to a workpiece  104  that is to be bored by a drill bit  105 . This configuration is especially beneficial for drilling bores in workpieces  104  where the location of the bores is close to the ground plane  25 , and therefore there is insufficient ground clearance for the drill  102 , when oriented in an upright fashion with a drill hand-grip portion  106  pointing to the ground plane  25 . Insufficient ground clearance may be caused by the terrain, or by build-up due to freezing rain, ice or snow. 
         [0047]    In more detail, the mounting apparatus  100  comprises a frame  107  having a vertical arm  108  and a horizontal arm  110  joined together. The vertical arm  108  and horizontal arm  110  are substantially perpendicular to each other. 
         [0048]    An upper end  112  of the vertical arm  108  comprises an upper support  114  for releasably engaging the workpiece and a lower support  116  proximate a lower end  117  for releasably engaging the workpiece  104 , in order to rigidly secure the mounting apparatus  100  to the workpiece  104 . A chain-link  118  is attached proximate the lower end  117  of the vertical arm  108  and wraps around the workpiece  104  and secured via a speedy nut  119  (and bolt). An elongate plate  120  extends from proximate the upper end  112  of the vertical arm  108  and intersects about the middle of the horizontal arm  110  at an angle, and extends beyond the horizontal arm  110 . The elongate plate  120  is rigidly joined on to the vertical arm  108  and the horizontal arm  110  of the frame  107 , via welding or other joinder mechanisms. A lower portion  121  of the plate  120  comprises an aperture  122  which receives a drill body  123  to provide support for the drill  102 , as will be described in greater detail below. One end  124  of the horizontal arm  110  is securedly attached proximate to the lower end  117  of the vertical arm  108 . 
         [0049]    An C-shaped arm  125  is pivotally attached proximate to another end  126  of the horizontal arm  110  at a pivot point  127 . The C-shaped arm  125  curves downwardly to the ground plane  25  from pivot point  127 , and terminates at free end  126 . A brace  128  is secured to C-shaped arm  125  adjacent to pivot point  127  and extends diagonally to near free end  129  of the C-shaped arm  125 . An attachment mechanism  130  for securing the drill  102  is hingedly attached proximate free end  129  of the C-shaped arm  125 , and comprises a U-shaped rod  132  received by a hole  134 . The U-shaped rod  132  is formed of a pair of interconnected tines  136 ,  138  which abut opposing sides of a drill body  123 . A clamp  140  such as a hose clamp, placed over the tines  136 ,  138  and around drill body portion  123  of the drill  102  is tightened to securely fasten the drill  102  to the apparatus  100 . For example, the hose clamp  140  comprises a worm gear and a tightening band, such as a metal strip perforated to correspond with teeth of the worm gear. Other suitable attachment mechanism include any conventional device or devices used to secure one object to another, such as, for example, devices that wrap around the drill  102  such as, straps, lines or cables or other types of fasteners. For additional support, the drill hand grip portion  106  is also secured to the brace  128  via similar-type fasteners. 
         [0050]    An elongate lever  142  is secured to the C-shaped arm  125 , at one end  144 , and free-end  146  includes a manual grip portion  148 , preferably a slip-on elastomeric grip engageable by a user&#39;s hand to apply a force thereto. Accordingly, the attachment mechanism  130  restricts any axial motion of the drill body  123  within the aperture  122 . The force applied on the manual grip portion  148  of the elongate lever  142  causes the C-shaped arm  125  to rotate about pivot point  127 , and inflicts a longitudinal force to the drill  102  via the attachment mechanism  130 . The drill body  123  is thus caused to move through aperture  122 , thereby advancing the drill bit  105  towards the workpiece  104 . The elongate lever  142  may also include a brace member  149  extending about midway of the elongate lever  142  to a lower portion of the C-shaped arm  125 . 
         [0051]    In another embodiment, the apparatus  100  may also include a roof  150  secured to the horizontal arm  110 , and positioned above the drill  102 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The roof  150  helps to protect the drill  102  from overhead precipitation, such as rain, freezing rain, or snow. The apparatus  100  may include also a waterproof electrical box  152  secured to the elongate lever  142 , to supply power to the drill  102  via cord  153 . The electrical box  152  is electrically coupled to a power source and comprises a switch  154  and outlets  156 . A light source (not shown) may be included to illuminate the work area, or may be directed towards the workpiece  104 . 
         [0052]    In another embodiment, the apparatus  10  may also include a similar roof and waterproof electrical box, as described above. 
         [0053]    In one application, the apparatus  10  or  100  is useful for drilling bores in steel pipes  14  used as anchors for mounting solar panels. 
         [0054]    In other embodiments, the power tool includes, but is not limited to, a driver, cutter, screwdriver, screw gun, hammer, hammer drill, rotary tool, saw; and these tools receive accessories or attachments such as blades, chisels, saws, saw blades; and so forth. Accordingly, the guides  60  include apertures corresponding to at least one characteristic of the accessory, such as length, width, depth, or diameter. 
         [0055]    While preceding detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention makes reference to the tool being operated and oriented in a horizontal configuration, the tool may be operated in a vertical configuration, or at any angle depending on the work environment and location or orientation of the workpiece  14 . 
         [0056]    The preceding detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show the exemplary embodiment by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented. Thus, the preceding detailed description is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation, and the scope of the invention is defined by the preceding description, and with respect to the attached claims.