Patents by Inventor Richard E. Eckman

Richard E. Eckman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5328302
    Abstract: A pneumatic air feed peck drill adapted to drill in repetitive cycles including a rapid advance phase, a slower drilling phase, and a rapid retract phase. The rapid advance phase ends and the drilling phase begins at a set back position, an adjustable distance from the workpiece, to minimize a drill bit and workpiece damage. The drill includes a drill motor and feed cylinder powered by air to rotate and advance and retract the drill motor. The drill motor and feed cylinder is coupled with an air and mechanical control system including a hydraulic feed control unit having a piston rod coupled with the drill motor to dampen the advance of the drill motor during the drilling phase and to release for rapid retract and advance phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Indresco, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 5295770
    Abstract: A pneumatic air feed peck drill adapted to drill in repetitive cycles including a rapid advance phase, a slower drilling phase, and a rapid retract phase. The rapid advance phase ends and the drilling phase begins at a set back position, an adjustable distance from the workpiece, to minimize a drill bit and workpiece damage. The drill includes a drill motor and feed cylinder powered by air to rotate and advance and retract the drill motor. The drill motor and feed cylinder is coupled with an air and mechanical control system including a hydraulic feed control unit having a piston rod coupled with the drill motor to dampen the advance of the drill motor during the drilling phase and to release for rapid retract and advance phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Indresco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Pennison, Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 5205681
    Abstract: A mechanical pecking method and device is provided wherein a spindle adapted to hold a tool such as a drill bit is mechanically reciprocated in a workpiece. Also provided is a control system and method for controlling the mechanical reciprocation of the spindle and a sensor for remembering the last point of advancement of the spindle during each peck cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 5149232
    Abstract: A mechanical pecking method and device is provided wherein a spindle adapted to hold a tool such as a drill bit is mechanically reciprocated in a workpiece. Also provided is a control system and method for controlling the mechanical reciprocation of the spindle and a sensor for remembering the last point of advancement of the spindle during each peck cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 5062745
    Abstract: A mechanical pecking method and device is provided wherein a spindle adapted to hold a tool such as a drill bit is mechanically reciprocated in a workpiece. Also provided is a control system and method for controlling the mechanical reciprocation of the spindle and a sensor for remembering the last point of advancement of the spindle during each peck cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 5054968
    Abstract: An improved automatic feed drill including a housing, a rotatable tool spindle located for reciprocating movement in the housing, driving means located in the housing operably connected with the spindle for rotating and reciprocating the spindle in feed and retraction movements, and structure for supporting the spindle including a nose assembly secured with the housing around the drilling end of the spindle having a telescoping section with a bore concentric with the spindle, and a bearing on the spindle drilling end fitted in sliding relation in the nose bore for piloting the spindle and a drill connected thereto during reciprocating movement of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 5022798
    Abstract: A positive feed drill and method of operation is disclosed for drilling through a workpiece consisting of a softer overlay material on a harder base material. The positive feed drill includes a high-speed air motor and a low-speed air motor and will start and drill through the softer overlay material at the high speed but will shift to the low speed when the drill senses that the thrust on the drill bit has increased because the drill bit has contacted the harder base material. After drilling through the harder base material, the drill bit will shift to the high speed because the drill senses that the thrust on the drill bit has decreased. The drill will retract from the workpiece at high speed and will shut off. Control apparatus is provided to control the flow of air to the high-speed and low-speed air motors. Sensing apparatus senses the thrust on the drill bit and sends a signal to the control apparatus to switch between the air motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 4702650
    Abstract: A positive feed drill assembly having an air powered motor and an automatic drill feed and retract mechanism with a normal feed, drill, and retract sequence of operation is provided with an improvement to control the number of times the drill can be used to make a hole with a particular cutter. The improvement includes an apparatus associated with the automatic feed and retract mechanism for sensing the cycle of each drilling operation. A counter functioning with the sensing apparatus counts the number of drilling operations. A comparator associated with the counter compares the accumulated number of drilling operations with a predetermined number. A signaling apparatus connected with the counter provides a signal to the operator when the drill assembly has performed the maximum number of drilling operations for that cutter so the operator can replace the cutter before using the drill assembly again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Golwas, Robert A. Pennison, Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 4688970
    Abstract: A power drill and automatic control system includes a drill spindle for mounting a rotary cutter, a spindle rotation drive including a drive motor and an associated rotation drive mechanism operably connected to the spindle to rotate it; a spindle feed drive includes a feed motor and an associated feed drive mechanism operably connected to the spindle to feed it in a forward direction toward a workpiece and in a reverse direction retracting it away from the workpiece. Control is provided to start and stop the spindle rotation drive motor and the spindle feed motor independently. Control is provided for the spindle rotation drive to vary the rotational speed. Control is provided with the spindle feed drive to vary the rate of feed of the spindle. A sensor with the spindle rotation drive senses operational torque of the spindle. Another sensor with the spindle feed drive senses thrust force on the spindle and the associated cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 4681490
    Abstract: The automatic feed drill includes a spindle mounted therein for rotating in reciprocating movement. The spindle is rotated by spindle rotation gear that is engaged with the main drive gear which is ultimately driven by an air motor or the like. The feed and retraction movement (reciprocation) is caused by a spindle feed gear that is threaded onto the spindle. The spindle feed gear is engaged with a feed gear which, during feed movement, is driven by the main drive gear, and during retraction movement, is shifted into a position wherein the feed gear is prevented from rotating. The spindle also carries a collar or other abutment that engages a shift lever at the end of the feed movement. The shift lever is moved by the collar, and, due to its interconnection with the feed gear, moves the feed gear out of engagement with the main drive gear and into the position wherein it is prevented from rotating. The apparatus also includes a yieldable stop device that holds the feed gear stopped during retraction movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Pennison, Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 4631992
    Abstract: A power drive screwdriver that is constructed to automatically stop when a predetermined torque is reached. The screwdriver includes a housing having a pneumatically driven motor therein and an output shaft that is linked to the screwdriver bit through a releasable clutch. A control valve is positioned in the housing to control air flow to the motor. The position of the valve is controlled by a rod that extends through the shaft. A transverse slot extends through the shaft intersecting the bore therein and the transverse slot contains a pair of balls that are retained within the slot by a sleeve encircling the exterior of the shaft. Further, a reset member engages the screwdriver bit and also engages the balls to displace the balls in the slot in a direction to open the valve. When the predetermined torque is encountered, the sleeve moves upwardly, permitting the balls to separate and thereby letting the valve rod move to permit the valve to close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 4631012
    Abstract: The tool housing-air motor assembly includes an air motor that is of modular design, that is, it is constructed so that the motor rotor is journaled in the cylinder by the end plates, which retain the motor in its operational alignment condition. The tool housing is used in the "as cast" condition without the necessity for performing any machining operations thereon. The assembly of the air motor and tool housing is possible since the motor is self-contained and does not rely on the tool housing for retaining the parts of the motor in assembled relationship or for retaining the motor parts in operational alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 4592681
    Abstract: The automatic feed drill includes a spindle mounted therein for rotating in reciprocating movement. The spindle is rotated by spindle rotation gear that is engaged with the main drive gear which is ultimately driven by an air motor or the like. The feed and retraction movement (reciprocation) is caused by a spindle feed gear that is threaded onto the spindle. The spindle feed gear is engaged with a feed gear which, during feed movement, is driven by the main drive gear, and during retraction movement, is shifted into a position wherein the feed gear is prevented from rotating. The spindle also carries a collar or other abutment that engages a shift lever at the end of the feed movement. The shift lever is moved by the collar, and, due to its interconnection with the feed gear, moves the feed gear out of engagement with the main drive gear and into the position wherein it is prevented from rotating. The apparatus also includes a yieldable stop device that holds the feed gear stopped during retraction movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Pennison, Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 4591299
    Abstract: The automatic feed drill includes a spindle mounted therein for rotating and reciprocating movement. The spindle is rotated by a spindle rotation gear that is engaged with the main drive gear which is ultimately driven by an air motor or the like. The feed and retraction movement (reciprocation) is caused by a spindle feed gear that is threaded onto the spindle. The spindle feed gear is engaged with a feed gear which, during normal feed movement, is driven by the main drive gear, and during retraction and rapid feed movement, is shifted into a position wherein the feed gear is prevented from rotating. During rapid feed the motor direction is reversed by a reversing valve. The apparatus also includes a yieldable stop device that holds the feed gear stopped during retraction and rapid feed movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 4495681
    Abstract: The improved dwell and depth attachment includes an elongate housing that is attached to a drill motor and has an output shaft that is movable longitudinally and rotatably in the housing for rotating a drill bit. A drive spindle is connected with the output shaft and extends through the housing. An elongated sleeve encircles the spindle and has an end that is engageable with the work piece. An adjustable depth control located within the housing is connected for movement with the spindle. A first portion of the control includes a threaded interior and has ten circumferentially spaced, radially extending holes therein. The control also includes a second portion that has a threaded exterior mating with the first portion and has ten slots equally spaced about the exterior. The threads are selected to be loose fitting so that the portions of the control can "float" relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 4258799
    Abstract: The inlet control valve described herein is useful in connection with pneumatic tools or the like that include a hollow tool body containing an air motor. A control valve is disposed in an inlet passageway extending to the air motor. The valve includes a first valve member that has a seal engaging an annular valve seat. A second valve member extends through a bore in the first valve member and is disposed in sealing engagement with a second annular seal member carried by the first valve member. The second valve member includes an operating member that also extends through the bore into engagement with the trigger mechanism of the tool so that displacement of the trigger to a first position tilts the second valve member off its seat permitting restricted flow through the passageway. Additional movement of the trigger displaces the first or main valve member off its seat permitting the maximum flow through the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 4174113
    Abstract: A bit retainer for impact type pneumatic tools arranged to be mounted on the tool and to releasably receive a bit. The retainer includes a body having a bore extending therethrough. The bore includes a nose portion of generally elliptical configuration, a center portion of circular configuration and a rear portion of generally elliptical configuration that has its major axis disposed at about 90.degree. relative to the major axis of the front portion of the bore. Radially movable locking members are provided that operate in cooperation with a movable sleeve. The sleeve is movable between unlatched and latched positions which permit and prevent radial movement of the locking members to positively retain the bit unless the sleeve is intentionally moved to the unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1979
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: 4154308
    Abstract: A pneumatic powered screwdriver adapted for moderately high speed operation and automatic shutoff at relative low torque turning resistance. An axially disengageable clutch unit intermediately couples the motor drive to the output drive bit. Contained in the clutch unit is an improved shutoff and reset mechanism which is cam shifted radially in response to clutch disengagement for enabling air supply interruption to the motor and automatically and positively reset for enabling subsequent operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Emory G. Goldsberry, Richard E. Eckman
  • Patent number: D290220
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Eckman