Patent ID: 7094008

Claim:
A power driver bit self-centering and positioning apparatus for applying rotating bits to a workpiece, comprising: a first workpiece clamp assembly having a first elongate clamp iron, the elongate iron having a first front edge with a first vertical skirt depending therefrom, the first vertical skirt having a first proximal lower corner at one end and a first distal lower corner at the other, the elongate iron further having a first rear edge, a first proximal end and a first distal end, and a first elongate slide rod rigidly affixed to the first proximal end extending vertically from and at right angles to the elongate axis of the first elongate clamp iron; a second workpiece clamp assembly having a second elongate clamp iron, the elongate iron having a second front edge with a second vertical skirt depending therefrom, the second vertical skirt having a second proximal lower corner at one end and a second distal lower corner at the other, the elongate iron further having a second rear edge, a second proximal end and a second distal end, and a second elongate slide rod rigidly affixed to the second proximal end extending vertically from and at right angles to the elongate axis of the second elongate clamp iron; the second workpiece clamp assembly rotated about the axis of the second elongate slide rod 180 degrees and positioned relative to the first workpiece clamp assembly so that the second vertical skirt faces, and is parallel to, the first vertical skirt; means for pushing the first and second vertical skirts towards each other so as to clamp a workpiece from opposite sides; a rigid elongate chuck assembly holder with first and second vertical slide rod guide holes drilled through either end, the guide holes sized to slip fit the slide rods, and a chuck assembly bearing having a vertical axis placed at a prescribed position between the centers of the slide rod guide holes; a chuck assembly disposed within the bearing and having a chuck below the holder capable of gripping rotating bits, and a shank above the holder capable of being driven by the chuck of a power driver, the shank being rigidly attached coaxially with the chuck so that when the shank is driven, the chuck rotates; the elongate slide rods of the first and second workpiece clamp assemblies being inserted into the first and second slide rod guide holes, respectively.