Patent Description:
Especially when employed to clean ducts and pipes, apparatuses for driving tools via flexible shafts may require that the flexible shafts be changed during different portions of the job. For example, if first a large diameter pipe is being cleaned and then the operator needs to clean a smaller diameter pipe. Traditionally such a change would require completely uncoiling the flexible shaft in order to connect another flexible shaft. This is time and labor intensive and requires a lot of space or careful management of the flexible shaft as it is uncoiled.

Some examples of apparatuses having coiled flexible shafts are described in <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. <CIT> discloses an apparatus with the features of the preamble of claim <NUM>.

As such, it would be beneficial if there were a system that allowed for easily interchangeable flexible shafts.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for driving interchangeable flexible shafts, the apparatus comprising a stand; a platform coupled to the stand, the platform being configured to rotate around an axis of rotation; a disconnect affixed to the platform, the disconnect being configured to connect a rotary power source to a flexible shaft; and fasteners affixed to the platform, the fasteners being configured to releasably couple a reel for the flexible shaft to the platform, wherein the disconnect is a quick disconnect affixed to the platform.

When driving tools via flexible shafts, especially when driving them via a self-contained apparatuses including a motor, it can be advantageous to switch between different flexible shafts and/or tools. For example, smaller diameter flexible shafts may be more efficient when used with smaller tools. Tools designed for use with larger diameter tubes require a durable, thicker, flexible shaft whereas potentially steep bends of smaller pipes may require a thinner and more flexible shaft. Further, more or less flexible shafts may more efficiently translate energy. Certain flexible shafts may be equipped to also provide for a fluid flow while driving a tool.

An apparatus for driving tools via flexible shafts may employ a variety of flexible shafts during a particular job according to the parameters of the flexible shaft most suited for the current task. Flexible shafts of varying parameters may be better suited for different applications. For example, when employed for cleaning pipes and ducts, say within an apartment building, one flexible shaft may be suited for driving a brush through the air ducts to remove dust while another may be suited for driving a tool for cleaning out buildup on the drain pipes of the same building, and still another may be best suited to drive a tool to clean buildup of cooking residue from exhaust ducts connected to hoods in kitchens. Embodiments of the present invention allow for quickly changing between flexible shafts without requiring that a first flexible shaft and tool combination be completely uncoiled before it can be exchanged for a second flexible shaft and tool combination.

<FIG> illustrate an apparatus <NUM> for driving interchangeable flexible shafts in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

<FIG> illustrates an apparatus <NUM> for driving interchangeable flexible shafts in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. For example, tools used to clean tubes, ducts or pipes, such as air ducts and plumbing installations. As seen, the apparatus <NUM> comprises: a stand <NUM>; and a platform <NUM> coupled to the stand <NUM>, the platform <NUM> being configured to rotate around an axis of rotation <NUM>; a disconnect <NUM> affixed to the platform <NUM>, the disconnect <NUM> being configured to connect a rotary power source <NUM> to a flexible shaft and fasteners <NUM> affixed to the platform <NUM>, the fasteners <NUM> being configured to releasably couple a reel <NUM> for the flexible shaft to the platform <NUM>.

The fasteners <NUM> are configured such that a reel for coiling the flexible shaft may be coupled and decoupled by a user of the apparatus. In other words, the fasteners <NUM> are configured to detachably connect a reel for the flexible shaft. Put another way, the fasteners <NUM> are configured to releasably affix the reel. By providing for this interchangeability of reels, embodiments of the claimed invention ease the exchange of flexible shafts. Certain embodiments of the present invention do not require the use of any tools for a user to exchange reels.

Within <FIG>, the rotary power source <NUM> is illustrated as a motor mounted to the platform <NUM> as employed by certain embodiments of the present invention. At least some embodiments employ an electric motor. Within certain embodiments of the present invention a power source <NUM> is mounted to the platform. At least some embodiments employ a battery as the power source <NUM>. Such a battery may be releasably installed onto the platform. A wide variety of batteries may be suited for use, for example, rechargeable batteries such as those used to power hand tools such as a drill.

<FIG> shows how, in certain embodiments, the apparatus <NUM> further comprises front plates <NUM> affixed to the apparatus to aid in coiling and uncoiling of the flexible shaft. Such front plates also prevent the shaft from falling off when being dispensed. As illustrated in <FIG> the front plates <NUM> may be affixed to the stand <NUM> using the same type of fasteners as used to releasably affix the reel <NUM> to the platform <NUM>. Some embodiments also comprise rollers to aid in movement of the flexible shaft. Such rollers are attached to front plates in some embodiments while in other embodiments the rollers are affixed to the stand. A few embodiments provide for a stand which further comprises posts surrounding the platform and extending perpendicular to a plane of the platform. Such posts may comprise rollers and also assist in the coiling and uncoiling of the flexible shaft.

As illustrated within <FIG>, certain embodiments employ slip rings or a series of slip rings and conductors as the power source <NUM>. The slip rings serve to transfer electrical energy to an electric motor mounted on the platform while allowing for an electrical energy source, such as a battery or generator, to be stored or mounted elsewhere.

As seen in <FIG>, at least some embodiments of the present invention employ a lock or stop <NUM> to prevent the platform from spinning, for example when exchanging reels or transporting the apparatus. Certain embodiments further comprise a locking mechanism to secure the reel on the platform and prevent the reel from disengaging or decoupling accidentally.

<FIG> is shown without the motor in order to better illustrate the configuration of the slip rings <NUM> as a power source.

A number of embodiments employ a linkage as the power source <NUM>, the linkage being mounted to the platform and configured to accept rotary power from a source outside of the platform <NUM> and transfer it to the disconnect <NUM>. For example, the linkage may be configured to interface with a motor mounted to the stand <NUM>.

As seen in <FIG>, at least some embodiments of the present invention further comprise a reel <NUM> coupled to the platform <NUM> via the fasteners <NUM>. In certain embodiments the reel further comprises a flexible shaft <NUM> on the reel <NUM>, the flexible shaft <NUM> being connected to the rotary power source <NUM> via the disconnect <NUM>. As also illustrated, within at least some embodiments of the present invention, the reel <NUM> is at least partly constructed of a wire frame.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, such as the embodiment illustrated within <FIG>, the fasteners <NUM> comprise hooks, such as hooks configured to engage with a wire frame reel and allowing a rotatable disconnect of the reel from the platform. <FIG> shows a fastener <NUM> with greater detail inside the detail F as annotated.

A wide variety of fasteners may be employed to secure the reel to the platform. At least some embodiments employ screws, such as knob headed screws affixed to the platform in order to secure the reel to the platform as shown in <FIG>.

A number of embodiments of the present invention provide for fasteners <NUM> that are configured to couple the reel <NUM> for the flexible shaft such that the reel <NUM> may be decoupled by rotating the reel <NUM> relative to the platform <NUM>. This rotation of the reel relative to the platform may be in a variety of directions and manners. For example, in some embodiments the fasteners are configured such that they allow for the reel to rotate around the axis of rotation <NUM> relative to the platform and thus disconnect the reel from the platform. Such fasteners may comprise hooks.

Still other fasteners according to some embodiments are configured such that the reel may be rotated away from a face of the platform. For example, at least one fastener could comprise a hook which holds the bottom of a reel as the top is pulled away from the platform thus causing the reel to rotate away and become decoupled from the platform. The fasteners may also be such that the hook fastener is at the top and the bottom of the reel is pulled away from the platform in order to disengage the reel.

In at least some embodiments the fasteners are non-uniform. For example, there may be one fastener which comprises a hook and the other fasteners are configured to interface with the reel as the reel is rotated about the hook fasteners similar to the discussion above.

In many embodiments of the present invention the rotary power source <NUM> is mounted to the platform <NUM> such that it is inside of the fasteners <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. That is the rotary power source <NUM> is mounted within a circumference comprised of the fasteners <NUM>.

<FIG> provides a clear view of the fasteners, illustrated here as knob head screws affixed to the platform, which provide for an easy and reliable method of releasably coupling a reel to the platform.

As also shown in <FIG>, within at least some embodiments, the flexible shaft <NUM> is affixed to the reel at least at a terminal portion of the flexible shaft near where the flexible shaft is to engage with the disconnect <NUM>. Within <FIG>, a two part clamp is employed as a flexible shaft locking mechanism <NUM>.

At least some embodiments which employ an electric motor as the rotary power source <NUM> further provide for an energy source, such as a battery, and control electronics to be mounted to the platform, for example within a circumference defined by the fasteners.

As seen in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, some embodiments of the present invention further comprise an indicator <NUM> provided on the platform <NUM>. In certain embodiments, this indicator <NUM> may be used with a corresponding reel marking in order to guide a user when mounting the reel to the platform. For example, the reel may have a marking to indicate the orientation of the reel appropriate for mounting to the platform and such a marking should align with the indicator when the reel is in the correct position. As another example, the indicator <NUM> may correspond with a wire of a wire frame reel, such a wire may be colored differently or otherwise highlighted.

As seen in <FIG>, at least some embodiments of the present invention further comprise a reel <NUM> coupled to the platform <NUM> via the fasteners <NUM>. In certain embodiments the reel further comprises a flexible shaft <NUM> on the reel <NUM>, the flexible shaft <NUM> being connected to the rotary power source <NUM> via the disconnect <NUM>. As also illustrated, within at least some embodiments of the present invention, the reel <NUM> is at least partly constructed of a wire frame. Embodiments of the present invention may employ a variety of materials for the reel, including a variety of materials, including plastic, for reels which are at least partly constructed of a wire frame. In certain embodiments the reel is constructed of a drum. Some embodiments employ a tube as a reel.

<FIG> illustrate a reel <NUM> for use in certain embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the reel <NUM> is at least partly constructed of a wire frame. Such a wire frame may be configured to engage with fasteners in a variety of fashions. Within <FIG>, fastener accepters <NUM> are shown. Such fastener accepters <NUM> may take the form of threaded holes which are configured to engage with screw type fasteners. Other examples of fasteners accepters <NUM> include, but are not limited to, slotted holes, smooth bore holes, or slots.

At least some reels <NUM> for use in embodiments of the present invention further comprise a reel platform <NUM> for affixing a terminal end of the flexible shaft <NUM> to the reel <NUM>. For example by using a hose clamp or other clamp to affix the flexible shaft <NUM> to the reel <NUM>.

Flexible shafts according to certain embodiments of the present invention are enclosed within a tube, such as a tube comprised of a fluoropolymer or polyamide material, the flexible shaft and any attached tool being rotatable in relation to the tube. Within certain embodiments the flexible shaft is metal ensconced in a tube or casing. While in other embodiments there is no enclosure surrounding the flexible shaft.

<FIG> show disconnects according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The disconnect <NUM> of <FIG> finds use in embodiments wherein the reel is affixed to the platform via fasteners which do not require the reel to rotate relative to the platform. For example, the embodiment of <FIG> which uses knob screw fasteners. As seen, the disconnect of <FIG> takes the form of spindle having a protrusion shaped to match a slot in a shaft end <NUM>, the shaft end <NUM> being affixed to the flexible shaft. Within <FIG> the protrusion takes a t shape but may be any suitable shape.

<FIG> shows a shaft end <NUM> suited for use in embodiments wherein the reel rotates relative to the platform when being affixed to the platform. For example, the embodiments of <FIG> wherein hooks are used. The shaft end <NUM> of <FIG> interfaces well a variety of chucks, including any standard drill chuck which may serve as a disconnect <NUM> in certain embodiments.

The present invention employs a quick disconnect as the disconnect.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) for driving interchangeable flexible shafts, the apparatus comprising:
- a stand (<NUM>);
- a platform (<NUM>) coupled to the stand (<NUM>), the platform (<NUM>) being configured to rotate around an axis of rotation (<NUM>);
- a disconnect (<NUM>) being configured to connect a rotary power source (<NUM>) to a flexible shaft; and
- fasteners (<NUM>) affixed to the platform (<NUM>), the fasteners (<NUM>) being configured to releasably couple a reel (<NUM>) for the flexible shaft to the platform (<NUM>)
characterized in that the disconnect (<NUM>) is a quick disconnect affixed to the platform (<NUM>).