Improvements in Portable Drilling Apparatus.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Jan., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 18th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 18th Jan., 1900
Improvements in Portable Drilling Apparatus.
I, LOUIS JOSEPH MOISSENET, of No. 35, Rue des Carriéres, Cherbourg, in the
Republic of France, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The subject of this invention is a machine or apparatus adapted to perforate
standing or fixed metal structures, on the spot, and it comprises four essential
parts, each of which includes devices characteristic of the invention, viz., the
motor, the transmission of driving gear, the drill-holder and possibly, but not
necessarily a drill-holder-support.
The motor may be of any suitable type: Electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, or
driven by air, steam, gas, or by animal or manual power or the like; but it should
present this main peculiarity, that the actual driving appliance should be capable
of revolving bodily about an axis different from its main axis of rotation. Thus
in the case of an electric motor for example, the frame of the machine would be
mounted upon a central pivot or spindle, or upon a circular rim, and be adapted
to turn freely about the pivotal axis of such spindle or rim, at the same time as
the driving shaft revolves about the horizontal axis.
The driving or motion-transmitting gear consists of a set or train of toothed
wheels, forming jointly a flexible transmission. mechanism, as a substitute for
the usual flexible shafts, over which they possess diverse advantages, such as
an increased useful effect (or larger amount of work) and a greater durability.
This transmission-mechanism mainly consists of what may be termed jointed
gearing," and of rigid or telescoping shafts which serve to transmit motion from
one "joint" to the next. Each "joint" comprises a train of gear-wheels possess-
ing three axes of rotation; the two extreme or terminal axes being constituted
by two of the consecutive transmission shafts, while the third axis is provided
by an intermediate shaft which is supported by two forks. mounted upon the
two terminal shafts, respectively; which shafts lead to the joint and are capable
of turning freely thereon as though about their own axes. As the intermediate
shaft is parallel to neither of the terminal shafts, it follows that-assuming one of
these shafts to be stationary-the other will describe a conical surface around it;
but inasmuch as the first terminal shaft itself is free to turn about, or in relation
to, an axis other than its own, it follows that the second shaft may describe an
infinite number of conical surfaces and point in all directions comprised within a
spherical angle of very great amplitude. Motive power is transmitted from one
shaft to the next by means of bevel gearing mounted upon the three pivots of
the "joint." Two pinions mounted upon the terminal shafts respectively, gear,
each, with two pinions, connected together, or integral with each other, and
mounted upon the intermediate shaft: these two last mentioned pinions may how-
ever, in most cases be reduced to a single pinion.
The telescoping shafts which I employ in preference to rigid shafts, are con-
stituted by a hollow shaft, with an inner longitudinal groove and an inner

page_text: hollow or solid shaft, sliding within the first mentioned shaft, which it takes round
with it through the agency of a key or tongue engaging the said groove.
If preferred, the transmission gearing may simply consist of a telescoping
shaft and two jointed gearings, connecting the ends of such shaft,
viz one end to the delivery shaft of the motor, and the other, to the
spindle of the tool or drill. In this case the tool may occupy any
one of an indefinite number of positions in the space between the two hemis-
pheres whose radii are formed respectively by the maximum and minimum length
of the telescoping shaft. When extended, as it is here supposed to be, this shaft
enables holes to be drilled nearly in all directions. Owing to the motor being
pivoted and revolvable on its pivot-the first one of the forks, which support
the intermediate shaft of the first jointed gearing, may be connected with the
frame of the motor; while the second "jointed gearing" is arranged in the form
of a drill-holder.
The drill-holder comprises two forks linked by their ends to an intermediate
shaft forming one of the branches or arms of a cross-shaped piece or frame, the
other. hollow branch of which is traversed axially by a tool-carrying rod passing
loosely through one of the forks; and also by a screw-threaded rod, which serves
to feed the tool forward. A. bevel-pinion loose upon the intermediate shaft, gears,
both, with a pinion, secured on to the tool carrying rod, and with a pinion secured
on the shaft, which passes freely through the second fork; the said shaft being
connected with the shaft inserted in the extensible shaft. As the tool is revolvable
on the intermediate shaft, and, together with such shaft, is capable of turning on
the motor shaft, the tool may be brought to point in every possible direction
within an extensive range; rotary motion being in all cases imparted to it in
the same manner, through the agency of the three pinions, mentioned above.
When the apparatus is used in drilling holes in the vertical or nearly vertical
direction, a support provided with bearings which are adjustable as to height, is
utilized in. combination with the drill-holder, and adapted to receive such holder
through the medium of the projecting ends of the intermediate shaft, when the
tool has entered the metal for the desired distance. By such a support as this
the tool may be protected from falling and becoming damaged at the moment
the drill penetrates the other side of the material.
In the transmission gearing herein described the number and arrangement of
the rigid and telescoping shafts, employed in conjunction with "joints" comprising
three or four gear-wheels, may vary according to requirements, and also accord-
ing to the nature and distances of the obstacles happening to intervene between
the motor and tool.
For the ready and rapid connection of the ends of the rigid or telescoping shafts
with the terminal "jointed gearing " shafts, various devices may be employed,
such as an outer screw thread cut on one of the shafts and an inner screw thread
formed within the extremity of the corresponding shaft; or any other equivalent
mechanism with or without clutches or coupling appliances may be adopted.
"
Dated this 18th day of January 1900.
Improvements in Portable Drilling Apparatus.
I, LOUIS JOSEPH MOISSENET, of No. 35, Rue des Carriéres, Cherbourg, in the 5
Republic of France, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
n and by the following statement:
The apparatus which forms the subject of my invention is intended for drilling
metallic structures already in position.
The object of the invention is to absolutely replace as a whole, the assemblage
consisting of a motor, a flexible shaft and a drill holder, presenting equivalent
qualities as regards flexibility whilst at the same time admitting of being con-
structed at a lower cost and this without being susceptible of frequent injury as
is the case with the ordinary flexible arrangement; it is capable of giving, when
well constructed, a mechanical effect which is double that of the flexible arrange-
ment, that is to say, it performs useful work which is practically twice as great,
with a motor of equal power and weight, and as the lightness of its parts renders
its manipulation by an operative exceedingly easy, a better result is also obtained
from the labour employed.
The apparatus comprises four parts in combination.
1. A motor, which may be an electric or other form of motor.
2. A telescopic shaft.
3. A drill holder.
These three parts may be dismounted one from the other for the purpose of
transportation but should be firmly assembled when the apparatus is to be usel.
4. A dismountable support for the drill holder; this is optional and is employed
when drilling in a vertical or oblique direction.
Referring to the accompanying drawing:
Figure 1 is a general view partly in section of the three first named parts of
the apparatus, shewn assembled so as to form my portable radial drill.
Figure 2 is a detail view of the special gear wheels mounted upon the driving
shafts of the motor for the purpose of enabling the tool to be guided in any
direction.
Figure 3 is an external view of the part forming the drill holder.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the support employed in combination with the
drill-holder, and
Figure 6 is a cross-section of the telescopic shaft.
The assemblage of the three parts first mentioned is obtained, by screwing one
extremity of the telescopic shaft to the driving shaft of the dynamo, and the other
to the driven shaft of the drill-holder. The arrangements hereinafter described
enable the driving shaft of the dynamo to be guided in a variety of directions
without displacing the base plate of this latter, and also enable the drill to be
guided in various directions with respect to the driven shaft of the drill holder.
The motor which for the sake of clearness of description we will assume to be
a dynamo, of the type ordinarily employed for drills, is mounted upon a turntable.
In order to effect this, its framework is connected with a part a (Figure 1) com-
prising a trunnion a¹ and a bearing plate a². This latter parts fits upon a
part b which is itself attached to the wooden stand c forming the support. These
parts fit easily so that in order to transport the dynamo to the work it may be
separated from the base plate and the wooden stand which may be transported
separately. The stand itself, which should be sufficiently large to afford a firm
support to the apparatus, is made in three parts hinged together in such a manner
as to be adapted to be passed through man-holes, if necessary.
The arrangement enables the dynamo to turn freely around the axis 1-1 of the
turn table when the direction of the telescopic shaft is changed.
The driving shaft f¹ of the dynamo is also capable of movement in the plane of
the axis of the turntable, this being obtained by means of parts which are herein-
after described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
The driving shaft f receives its movement of rotation by the intermediary of a
bevel pinion & mounted in a forks, which rotates bodily with respect to the frame-

page_text: work of the dynamo around the axis 2-2 of the connecting pinion e This pinion
is itself driven by the train of pinions el d¹ of which the pinion is rigidly fixed
upon the main shaft f¹ of the dynamo, passing through the brackets which is
attached to the framework of the dynamo. The shaft f is thus capable, under the
influence of the telescopic shaft, of describing approximately a right angle in the
plane of Figure 1, which is that of the axis of the turn table above referred to,
without ceasing to participate in the movement of rotation of the main shaft f'.
By the combination of the two pivotal movements, one that of the entire motor
around the vertical axis 1-1, the other that of the driving shaft of the dynamo
around the horizontal axis 2-2, the driving shaft f¹ of the dynamo and the teles-
copic shaft which forms a continuation thereof are capable of being guided in
any direction, to an extent exceeding a hemisphere, without its being necessary to
displace the support c of the dynamo.
After the apparatus has been transported to the work together with the dynamo
and its support and the assemblage completed, the sleeve or socket g forming part
of the telescopic shaft is screwed upon the shaft f which is rigidly connected with
the gear wheel d.
The telescopic shaft consists of a hollow shaft h within which slides a solid
shaft i. It will be seen by reference to the detail view Figure 6 in what manner
these shafts are keyed one within the other without leaving any key or key-way
apparent at their periphery; the hollow shaft is itself constituted by two tubes
riveted one to the other, the internal tube being slotted throughout its entire
length, the portion which has been removed, along a generating line, forming a
groove for the key fixed to the solid shaft i.
In this manner the external surface of the shaft is maintained smooth and
polished, so that this latter is adapted to turn without liability to produce an
accident in the event of its coming into contact with the clothing of the person
of the operatives.
The shaft i terminates in a sleeve or socket j into which is screwed the driven
shaft of the drill holder.
The drill holder (Figures 1, 3 and 4) comprises a cross-shaped part of steel. In
the principal hollow branch k rotates the drill holder shaft properly so called.
An adjusting screw with a hand wheel is also provided as in the case of an
ordinary flexibly riven tool holder. Upon the cross-shaped branch is mounted
a pinion m drivin the pinion n which is keyed upon the drill holder shaft. Upon
the same branch is also mounted an oscillating fork p, through which passes the
driven shaft of the drill holder, which is rigidly connected with the pinion o
gearing with th wheel m.
It will be sen that in causing the drill holder to rotate bodily around the
axis 33 of t'e telescopic shaft prolonged by that of the driven shaft, and
by causing the ody of the drill to oscillate around the axis 4-4 of the fork p, the
drill may be presented in a great number of directions without displacing the
extremity of the telescopic shaft.
The requisi amount of pressure may readily be imparted to the tool by sup-
porting it ag. st a bench or hook iron q (Figure 1).
The drill holder support represented in Figure 5 comprises a horse-shoe part t
upon which are fixed two slide ways uu of a shape similar to that of tuning forks
and provided with slides v. After the drill has been placed in position, the sup-
port is slid beneath the drill holder in such a manner as to receive in its two
slide ways the extremities wow, prolonged for that purpose, of the cross-piece 7 of
the drill holder. Each of the slides having been set for a suitable height
once for all, according to the depth of the holes to be drilled, the drill holder rests
lightly upon them coming through instead of falling suddenly at the risk of
causing breakage of the drill as in the case of ordinary tool holders driven by
means of a flexible shaft.
This arrangement is of great utility as it enables the drill to be controlled by a

page_text: single operative and tends to render the employment of the appliance efficient in
the greater number of cases in which it is applicable.
As a whole, the apparatus enables drilling to be effected, without displacing the
support of the dynamo within the space comprised between two hemispheres
having for radii the telescopic shaft at its maximum and at its minimum of length
respectively. Within the limits under consideration it enables drilling to be
carried out in practically every direction.
In the arrangements which have been described, I reserve the right to replace
the electric motor which has been referred to for the sake of greater clearness in
description, by a motor of any kind, such as a pneumatic or hydraulic motor, or a
vapour or gas motor and so forth, and even by manual effort or animal power trans-
mitted by means of a belt or rope; provided that, the motive part rotates bodily
around a pivot, the driven shaft rotates around an axis not parallel with this
latter, in such a manner that without displacing the support of the motor it is
possible to guide the driven shaft in a very large number of different directions.
As regards the gear wheels mounted in forks, which serve to permit the driving
shaft to pivot around an axis which is not parallel with the pivotal axis of the
motor, I reserve the right to increase or to diminish the number of pinions,
especially to reduce the pinions e el. Figure 2 to a single pinion in such a
manner as to approach the arrangement of the drill holder (Figures 3 and 4) where
a single pinion m gears with the two pinions n and o, or again to dispense with
the pinions e and d and the forks and allow the fork s itself to pivot in the frame
of the motor instead of being rigid with this framework, and to take as driving
shaft of the motor, the shaft driven by the pinion el which would then pivot
around the axis of the shaft f'.
I reserve the right to vary as desired the number of teeth in the pinions
employed or to replace these toothed pinions by friction pinions.
1 reserve the right to all constructional arrangements, other than that which
I have described, of the telescopic shaft, and also the right to break this shaft
at any point of its length by the interposition of additional gear wheels, enabling
it to pass an obstacle situated between the motor and the drill holder.
I also reserve the right to cause the telescopic shaft to terminate in clutch
sleeves replacing the screw-threaded sleeves g and j, and enabling the telescopic
shafts to engage with the driving shaft of the motor and the driven shaft of the
drill holder, instead of having to be screwed upon these shaßts.
As regards the drill holder, I reserve the right to vary the constructional
arrangements of its different parts, the inclination of the cross-piece with respect
to the body and also to replace the single pinion m, gearing both with the
pinion and the pinion o, by two rigidly connected pinions gearing respectively
with the said pinions, in a manner analogous with that which has been indicated
in Figure 2 where two rigidly connected pinions e el gear respectively with the
pinions d and d.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I clare that what
I claim is:
tik
1. A portable radial drill with flexible transmission by means of gear wheels,
comprising essentially a motor a telescopic shaft, a drill holder and universal joints
provided with gear wheels connecting the said telescopic shaft on the one hand
with the motor and on the other hand with the drill holder.
2. A portable radial drill with flexible transmission by means of gear wheels,
comprising essentially a motor, two or more shafts either extensible or otherwise,
a drill holder in combination with universal joints provided with gear wheels
connecting the said shafts one with the other and also the shafts of the motor
and of the drill holder respectively.
3. A portable radial drill with flexible transmission by means of gear wheels,
comprising essentially a motor which is displaceable around an axis which is not

page_text: parallel with that of the driving shaft, a drill holder and transmission mechanism
composed of one or more shafts and of universal joints and gear wheels.
4. In a portable radial drill in accordance with Claims 1 2 and 3, a motor, a
drill holder, and a shaft or several intermediate shafts in combination, with
universal joints each one of which comprises essentially a median shaft
serving as a joint for two forked parts mounted upon the shafts to be connected,
these latter being provided with pinions which gear respectively with two
pinions rigidly connected one with the other and mounted upon the median shaft.
5. In a portable radial drill in accordance with Claims 1 2 and 3, a motor
displaceable around an axis which is not parallel with that of the driving shaft, a
drill holder, a telescopic shaft and a joint provided with gear wheels essentially
comprising an intermediate shaft serving as a joint for two forked parts one of
which is mounted upon the framework of the displaceable motor, the other upon
the telescopic shaft, this latter and also the shaft of the motor being provided with
pinions which gear respectively with a single or double pinion mounted upon
the intermediate shaft.
6. In a portable radial drill in accordance with Claims 1 2 and 3, a motor, a
transmission mechanism having an extensible shaft or several shafts connected by
means of universal joints, and a drill holder comprising essentially an intermediate
shaft serving as a joint between two forked parts one of which is traversed by the
last shaft of the transmission mechanism and the other by the tool holder shaft,
the said intermediate shaft carrying a pinion which gears with pinions mounted
respectively upon the two other shafts, in combination with a hollow cross-shaped
part traversed by the intermediate shaft and provided with an adjusting screw
forming a prolongation of the tool holder shaft.
7. In a portable radial drill in accordance with Claims 1 2 and 3, a telescopic
shaft without projections comprising essentially an internal shaft provided with a
projecting key and an external hollow shaft consisting of two shafts fixed together the
external tube having a continuous surface whilst the internal tube is formed with
a slot in which the said key engages.
8. In a portable radial drill in accordance with the above mentioned claims,
the cross-shaped tool holder the main branch of which carries the adjusting or
pressure screw and also the shaft which receives the tool, whilst the transverse
arm of the cross piece carries the intermediate wheel and the oscillating fork
in which is mounted the driven shaft connected with the telescopic shaft, in com-
bination with a support consisting of two uprights mounted upon a horse-shoe
base and two slides intended for the reception of the prolongation of the extremities
of the transverse arm of the cross piece.
9. A portable radial drill comprising a motor mounted upon a turntable, a tool
holder and a telescopic shaft the extremities of which are received in forks con-
nected with the driving shaft and with the tool holder, in such a manner as to
form a joint, these forks being provided with transmission wheels and the whole
enabling drilling operations to be carried out in any desired direction to the extent
of more than a hemisphere and at a variable distance from the motor.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.