Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Propelling and Applying Rotative Tools and the like.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 5th July, 1890
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Propelling and
Applying Rotative Tools and the like.
A communication from AUGUST VEDO, residing in the City of Stockholm, in the
Kingdom of Sweden.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, M.I.M.E.,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The object of this invention is to furnish a convenient instrument whereby the
operator by the use of one hand only can propel rotatively and control in direction
and pressure or force of application rotating tools such as drills countersinks reamers
milling cutters, grinding and polishing wheels and consists in a rotating spindle and a
connected fly wheel propelled by a speed multiplying wheel suitably arranged in a
stock adapted to be held in the palm of the hand by pressure with the thumb and
propelled by a reciprocating plate operated by the fingers of the same hand and
connected with the arbor of the multiplying wheel by an apparatus for converting the
reciprocating into rotary motion.
Referring to the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 shows a top view or plan of the invention.
Fig. 2 a front elevation thereof.
Fig. 3 a central vertical section thereof.
Fig. 4 a horizontal section in the plane indicated by the dotted line X X in figures 2
and 3 and
Fig. 5 shows a central transverse section of a modification of this invention.
The same parts are indicated by liko reference marks in the several figures.
1 represents the frame or stock of the apparatus which is of a form and size adapted
to fill the space between the thumb and palm of the hand, 2 is drill staff or spindle
fitted upon and turning in a bearing 3 formed in the lower part of the stock, and
supported at the upper end by a pivotal bearing 4 in the stock. Upon the spindle 2
(formed or fitted) is a pinion 5 which engages in a spur wheel 6 of much greater
diameter, so as to be turned rapidly when the wheel 6 is turned by a crank
shaft 7.
The crank 7 is fitted to turn on bearings 8 and 9 respectively formed in the lower
and upper end of the stock 1.
Upon the wrist 15 of the crank shaft 7 is fitted so as to turn freely a link or
connecting rod 10 upon the outer end 11 of which is a curved finger plate 12 adapted
to be grasped by the fingers of the operator, the rod 10 passes between guides 13
and 14 and by reason of its connection to the crank wrist 15 describes a recipro-
cating, and oscillatory motion, so that an operator by the motion and pressure of
the fingers upon the plate 12 propels the crank shaft and spur wheel, rotatively,
and imparts rotary motion to the drill spindle 2. A second spindle 16 propelled
by a pinion 17 engaging in the teeth of the spur wheel 6 and turning in bearings 18
and 19 in the stock 1, carries with it a fly wheel 20 which by its momentum
equalizes the motion of the rotating parts and serves to effect the outward or
returning stroke of the crank wrist 15 connecting rod 10 and finger plate 12.
The oscillatory motion of the finger plate 12 enables the operator by making
pressure upon one of the edges of it to start the crank into motion when the crank 15
and rod 10 are in the same plane or in the "dead centre."
In the modification shown in figure 5 instead of a crank shaft to carry and propel
the spur wheel 6 a ratchet wheel and a pawl propelled by the finger plate 12 and a

page_text: rod 10 returned by a spring 21 is employed which construction is more readily started
in operation than the crank and connecting rod.
The rotary motion produced by this implement is continuously in the same direction
and is adapted to the class of cutting, polishing, and boring tools ordinarily employed
in conjunction with small lathes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I am aware that braces for operating drills, and other
rotative tools have been made in which a tool bearing spindle was propelled by gearing
a higher velocity than the crank by which the brace was operated also the drill braces
operated by pawl and ratchet gearing have been used, all of which implements
required other support, and guidance than that of the hand used in propelling them,
neither of these do I claim but what I do claim is ;-
1. An improved implement for guiding and propelling rotating tools consisting of
a rotating tool supporting spindle having bearings in a stock I adapted to be held
between the palm and thumb of the operator, in combination with a reciprocating
finger plate adapted to be worked by the fingers of the same hand and means for
converting such reciprocating motion into continuous rotary motion of the tool
supporting spindle substantially as set forth.
2. In an implement for propelling and guiding rotating tools by hand the com-
bination of the stock 1 adapted to be held between the thumb and palm of the hand,
and furnishing the support for a drill spindle and a fly wheel and an arbor therefor
arranged and connected with a reciprocating finger plate substantially as set forth and
described.
Dated this 25th day of March 1890.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.