Improvements in or connected with Drill Braces.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in or connected with Drill Braces.
I, STEPHEN MCCLELLAN, of Plaza Street (no'number), in the Town of San
Marcos, County of Hays, State of Texas, United States of America, Confectioner,
a Citizen of the United States, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in bit braces and it consists in an improved
form of brace having a V-guide which is substantially right angled, and
mechanism mounted therein for driving a bit so arranged that the crank arm of
the handle may turn in a corner without striking the wall, or without striking a
plane support should the guide rest thereon when boring a hole. It also consists
in certain improved means for securing the breast rest to the tool, and for adjusting
the breast rest to the desired position. The said invention is especially intended to
provide certain improvements upon the invention shewn in my British Patent
Application No. 25705 of 1896.
The brace is so constructed that it may be used in boring a hole in a corner
up or down, right or left, by simply turning the hand crank; or it may be used in
boring a hole on a line parallel to a base on which the guide rests; or it may be
used in combination with a removable breast rest, as with an ordinary brace.
Fig. 1 represents a central longitudinal section of the preferred form of my
machine with the removable breast rest in place; and Fig. 3 is a part view of
same in elevation.
Fig. 2 represents an end elevation of the same with the breast rest attached to
the handle and extending at right angles to the central line of the device.
Fig. 4 represents a side elevation of my machine with a detachable extension of
the main shaft carrying the handle to enable the device to be used between beams,
or in other openings, shewing also the removable breast rest secured in a vertical
position.
Fig. 5 represents a horizontal section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.
Fig. 6 is an end view of the breast rest shewing the adjustable rest plate
thereon.
A represents a casting or guide having the forward portion A¹ thereof bored
out as at a to receive the journal B carrying the chuck C. This casting is provided
with inclined side walls A² preferably at, or nearly at, right angles to each other,

page_text: and may have their lower edges cut off to form a plane A3 on which the instrument
can be supported or guided in boring. The two sides A2 with the base plane A³
form a V-shaped guide adapted to fit snugly in the corners of walls, cabinets
or the like, whereby the tool may be steadied in use, or the base A3 or either of
the sides A³ may be caused to rest on the floor or against a wall or partition,
whereby the tool may be steadied in use and a straight hole bored.
The rear end of the guide frame is preferably made solid as at A and extends
upwards and rearwards to form the journal bearing As perforated as at a³ to receive
the driving spindle E; or this arm or extension As may be detachably connected
to the frame or hinged to adjust it to any angle if desired.
The driving spindle E is preferably provided with the head E' adapted to receive
the sliding arm F of the hand crank which is rotated by means of the handle F¹.
This hand crank F is preferably grooved as at f to engage the end of the set screw
or clamp e', and by means of this clamp the handle is maintained in the proper
position projecting outwards, and also the length of the crank arm may be
shortened or lengthened at will, whereby a greater leverage at decreased speed or a
lesser leverage at increased speed may be obtained.
The driving spindle E may be connected to the journal B by means of a
universal joint D, or by means of a bevel gear, or in any other convenient way
in which the motion of the spindle E may be imparted to the journal B.
Where a universal joint is used such as is shewn, the two parts may be connected
to their respective shafts by means of the locking pin or clamp screws d, d¹
respectively.
To steady the brace in position, a handle H may be provided, preferably
connected by the arms H¹ to lugs a³ on the frame A, or this handle may be cast
integrally with the frame, if desired; or it may be secured thereto in any other
desired way. Or this handle may be omitted, the tool being thus steadied by the
removable breast rest, such as shewn in Figures 1 and 4.
This breast rest preferably consists of a curved plate K slotted longitudinally as
at k, and recessed around the slot k on the concave or outer side as at k to receive
the square head K' on the end of the rod K2. This rod K2 is screw-threaded on the
end adjacent to the head K' and a milled nut is placed on the threaded portion
thereof, after which the end of the rod is passed through the slot k in the rest
plate K, and the head K¹ is rigidly secured thereto in any well known manner,
thus the rest plate K is adjustable transversely on the rod K2 within the limits of
the slot k, and may be clamped securely at any position, within the said limits by
the milled nut, as will be readily understood.
Near the other end of the rod K³ is rigidly secured a lug or offset K3 which is
perforated near its outer end to receive a threaded bolt K, which bolt is free to
slide through the perforation in the said lug K³. The outer end of the bolt is
hooked as at and a milled nut is screwed upon the threaded end thereof to
bear upon the lug K³ for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.
The solid end of the frame A is preferably perforated as at a and provided
with a slot a open between the edges A³ as shewn in Figure 2. To attach the
breast rest, as shewn in Figure 1, the milled nut 3 is turned to move along the
bolt K away from the lug K³; the outer end of the bolt is then placed in the
slot a with the hook inside of the frame A, the end 40 of the rod K² projecting
through the lug K³ is placed in the perforation at and the milled nut is then
screwed down upon the lug K³ binding the hook against the inner end of the
frame A thus holding the rod and breast rest firmly in the position shewn in
Figure 1.
The planes A are preferably at right angles to each other so that when the tool
is to be used in a corner the axis of the chuck and boring device may be exactly
parallel with the two walls forming the corner, and the boring device
may be made to bore a hole exactly parallel with said walls, either
up in the ceiling or laterally in either wall;
or the tool, if placed flat on the plane A³ or on either of the planes A³
down in the floor or

page_text: and held in position, may be made to bore a hole exactly parallel to the supporting
surface,
It may sometimes be desirable to attach the breast rest from the side of the
machine, and for this purpose the arms H of the handle may be perforated as at h
to receive the rod K2, the said perforations opening through slots h¹ into the larger
openings h³.
The breast rest is then inserted by passing the lug K³ through the opening h² on
one side of the handle and passing the reduced part 5 through the slot h¹, so that
the rod K will pass through the perforation h, the end ko of the rod K2 is then
inserted in the perforation on the other side of the handle, and the hook end k
of the bolt K is placed over the right or left edge of the side of the handle in
either of the notches h³, and the nut 3 screwed down to hold the parts firmly in
position as shewn in Figures 2 and 5.
On the upper part of the frame A just in front of the handle Ḥ may be cast a
lug A6, bored out vertically as at a transversely as at a8, and in from the front as
at a', this will allow of the breast rest being attached to the said lug either
transversely, or vertically, as may be required by the nature of the work in hand,
the end ko being placed in one of the perforations on the lug, and the hook
the bolt K turned to engage in perforations a8.
on
In Figure 4 is shewn an attachment which may be placed on the extension A5
to lengthen the main shaft E should it be desirable to use the machine between
beams or in any small opening. The said attachment consists of a piece of metal
or bracket M bent substantially at right angles as at m and perforated to receive
the shaft E. The other end of the piece M is secured to a ring N of suitable size
to pass freely over the extension A5 of the frame A and adapted to be held thereon
by the set screw n, small indentations a are formed in the said extension for the
end of the said set screw to hold in.
The shaft Es may be connected by a universal joint E³ (similar to the universal
joint D) with a fork E, which is formed of such size as to fit snugly over the
head E¹ on the shaft E a milled head screw e is passed through the said fork E
and the opening in the head E¹ to hold the two firmly together as shown in
Figure 4.
The upper end of the shaft E2 is provided with a head E5 similar to the head El
on the shaft E and when this attachment is used the crank arm F and handle F¹
are removed from the head E¹ and placed in the head E5. By reference to Fig. 4
it will be seen that the shaft E2 extends at right angles to the axis of the chuck C
for holding the boring bit. In this instance the breast rest would preferably be
placed in the vertical position as shown in Fig. 4.
By adjusting the ring N upon the extension A5 the shaft E2 may be caused to
extend backward in a line parallel with the axis of the chuck C or it may be
arranged to extend at an angle on either side.
Improvements in or connected with Drill Braces.
I, STEPHEN MCCLELLAN, of Plaza Street (no number), in the Town of San
Marco, County of Hays, State of Texas, United States of America, Confectioner,
a Citizen of the United States, do hereby declare the nature of this invention

page_text: and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:—
This invention relates to improvements in bit braces and it consists in an improved
form of brace having a V-guide which is substantially right angled and
mechanism mounted therein for driving a bit so arranged that the crank arm of
the handle may turn in a corner without striking the wall or without striking a
plane support should the guide rest thereon when boring a hole. It also consists
in certain improved means for securing the breast rest to the tool and for adjusting
the breast rest to the desired position. The said invention is especially intended to
provide certain improvements upon the invention shown in my British Patent
Application No. 25705 of 1890.
The brace is so constructed that it may be used in boring a hole in a corner
up or down right or left by simply turning the hand crank; or it may be used in
boring a hole on a line parallel to a base on which the guide rests; or it may be
used in combination with a removable breast rest as with an ordinary brace.
Referring to the drawings left with the Provisional Specification herein:
Fig. 1 represents a central longitudinal section of the preferred form of my
machine with the removable breast rest in place; and Fig. 3 is a part view of
same in elevation.
Fig. 2 represents an end elevation of the same with the breast rest attached to
the handle and extending at right angles to the central line of the device.
Fig. 4 represents a side elevation of my machine with a detachable extension of
the main shaft carrying the handle to enable the device to be used between beams
or in other openings showing also the removable breast rest secured in a vertical
position.
Fig. 5 represents a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 6 is an end view of the breast rest showing the adjustable rest plate
thereon.
A represents a casting or guide having the forward portion A¹ thereof bored
out as at a to receive the journal B carrying the chuck C. This casting is provided
with inclined side walls A² preferably at or nearly at right angles to each other
and may have their lower edges cut off to form a plane A3 on which the instrument
can be supported or guided in boring. The two sides A3 with the base plane A³
form a V-shaped guide adapted to fit snugly in the corners of walls, cabinets,
or the like whereby the tool may be steadied in use or the base A3 or either of
the sides A³ may be caused to rest on the floor or against a wall or partition
whereby the tool may be steadied in use and a straight hole bored.
The rear end of the guide frame is preferably made solid as at A4 and extends
upwards and rearwards to form the journal bearing A5 perforated as at a to receive
the driving spindle E; or this arm or extension A5 may be detachably connected
to the frame or hinged to adjust it to any angle if desired.
The driving spindle E is preferably provided with the head E' adapted to receive
the sliding arm F of the hand crank which is rotated by means of the handle F¹.
This hand crank F is preferably grooved as at f to engage the end of the set screw
or clamp e and by means of this clamp the handle is maintained in the proper
position projecting outwards and also the length of the crank arm may be
shortened or lengthened at will whereby a greater leverage at decreased speed or a
lesser leverage at increased speed may be obtained.
The driving spindle E may be connected to the journal B by means of a
universal joint D or by means of a bevel gear or in any other convenient way
in which the motion of the spindle E may be imparted to the journal B.
Where a universal joint is used such as is shown the two parts may be connected
to their respective shafts by means of the locking pin or clamp screws d d
respectively.
To steady the brace in position a handle H may be provided preferably
connected by the arms H¹ to lugs a³ on the frame A or this handle may be cast
integrally with the frame if desired; or it may be secured thereto in any other

page_text: desired way. Or this handle may be omitted the tool being thus steadied by the
removable breast rest such as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.
This breast rest preferably consists of a curved plate K slotted longitudinally as
at k, and recessed around the slot k on the concave or outer side as at k to receive
the square head K' on the end of the rod K². This rod K2 is screw-threaded on the
end adjacent to the head K' and a milled nut is placed on the threaded portion
thereof after which the end of the rod is passed through the slot k in the rest
plate K and the head K¹ is rigidly secured thereto in any well-known manner
thus the rest plate K is adjustable transversely on the rod K2 within the limits of
the slot and may be clamped securely at any position within the said limits by
the milled nut k² as will be readily understood.
Near the other end of the rod K² is rigidly secured a lug or off-set K3 which is
perforated near its outer end to receive a threaded bolt K which bolt is free to
slide through the perforation in the said lug K. The outer end of the bolt is
hooked as at k and a milled nut is screwed upon the threaded end thereof to
bear upon the lug K³ for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.
The solid end of the frame A is preferably perforated as at a and provided
with a slot a open between the edges A as shown in Fig. 2. To attach the
breast rest as shown in Fig. 1 the milled put ³ is turned to move along the
bolt Kaway from the lug K³; the outer end of the bolt is then placed in the
slot a with the hook k inside of the frame A the end ko of the rod K³ projecting
through the lug K³ is placed in the perforation a and the milled nut is then
screwed down upon the lug K3 binding the hook against the inner end of the
frame A thus holding the rod and breast rest firmly in the position shown in Fig. 1.
The planes A are preferably at right angles to each other so that when the tool
is to be used in a corner the axis of the chuck and boring device may be exactly
parallel with the two walls forming the corner and the boring device
may be made to bore a hole exactly parallel with said walls
down in the floor or up in the ceiling or laterally in either wall;
or the tool if placed flat on the plane A³ or on either of the planes A²
and held in position may be made to bore a hole exactly parallel to the supporting
surface,
either
It may sometimes be desirable to attach the breast rest from the side of the
machine and for this purpose the arms H' of the handle may be perforated as at h
to receive the rod K2 the said perforations opening through slots h¹ into the larger
openings h².
The breast rest is then inserted by passing the lug K³ through the opening h³ on
one side of the handle and passing the reduced part through the slot h' so that
the rod K2 will pass through the perforation h the end of the rod K² is then
inserted in the perforation h on the other side of the handle and the hook end *
of the bolt K is placed over the right or left edge of the side of the handle in
either of the notches h and the nut screwed down to hold the parts firmly in
position as shown in Figs. 2 and 5.
On the upper part of the frame A just in front of the handle H may be cast a
lug A bored out vertically as at a transversely; as at a8 and in from the front as
at a this will allow of the breast rest being attached to the said lug either
transversely or vertically as may be required by the nature of the work in hand
the end being placed in one of the perforations on the lug and the hook kon
the bolt K turned to engage in perforations a³.
In Fig. 4 is shown an attachment which may be placed on the extension A5
to lengthen the main shaft E should it be desirable to use the machine between
beams or in any small opening. The said attachment consists of a piece of metal
or bracket M bent substantially at right angles as at m and perforated to receive
the shaft E2. The other end of the piece M is secured to a ring N of suitable size
to pass freely over the extension A5 of the frame A and adapted to be held thereon
by the set screw n small indentations a³ are formed in the said extension for the
end of the said set screw to hold in.

page_text: The shaft E may be connected by a universal joint E3 (similar to the universal
joint D) with a fork E which is formed of such size as to fit snugly over the
head E on the shaft E, a milled head screw e' is passed through the said fork E
and the opening in the head E to hold the two firmly together as shewn in
Figure 4.
The upper end of the shaft E2 is provided with a head E5, similar to the head E¹
on the shaft E, and when this attachment is used the crank arm F and handle F¹
are removed from the head E' and placed in the head E5. By reference to Figure 4
it will be seen that the shaft E2 extends at right angles to the axis of the chuck C
for holding the boring bit. In this instance the breast rest would preferably be
placed in the vertical position as shewn in Figure 4.
By adjusting the ring N upon the extension A5 the shaft E2 may be caused to
extend backward in a line parallel with the axis of the chuck C, or it may be
arranged to extend at an angle on either side.
•
Having thus particularly ascertained and described the nature of my said
invention I declare that what I claim-is:-
:-
1. Frames for bit braces substantially as hereindescribed and shewn in Figs. 1, 2,
and 3 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
2. Adjustable breast rests and means for attaching the same to the frame of the
bit brace, substantially as hereindescribed and shewn in Figs. 1, 5, and 6 of the
drawings hereunto annexed.
3. The V-shaped frame for the bit brace provided with the lug A6, perforated
as shewn, in combination with a detachable breast rest adapted to be secured to
said perforated lug or to the rear of said frame, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
1
4. The combination with the V-shaped guide frame, of the handle H having
perforated side supports H¹, and the detachable breast rest adapted to be secured to
said side supports or to the said frame, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
5. The construction, combination, and arrangement of parts substantially as
hereindescribed and shewn in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
6. The construction, combination and arrangement of parts, substantially as
hereindescribed and shewn in Fig. 4 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
7. A detachable breast rest or handle for use with bit braces or the like com-
prising a rod adapted. to fit into one or more perforations in the bit brace, an offset
projecting from said rod near the front end thereof, a hook shaped bolt passing
through said offset and screwthreaded at its outer end, and a nut adapted to screw
on said bolt, and an adjustable rest plate or handle at the other end of said rod,
substantially as described.
8. A detachable breast rest or handle for use with bit braces or the like com-
prising a rod screwthreaded near its rear end and having an angular cap in rear of
said screwthreads, means for securing the front end of said rod to the bit brace
frame, a slotted plate engaging said rod in front of said cap, and a milled headed
screw adapted to clamp said plate against said cap, substantially as described.
Dated this 24th day of February 1898.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.