Convertible Patents (Class 173/29)
  • Publication number: 20030192712
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing disengagement of an axially movable and rotatable flexible core of a flexible shaft attachment, which has a driven end and a handpiece end, and the driven end has a ferrule for attachment to a rotary power tool. The rotary power tool has an exteriorly threaded hollow output shaft with a first predetermined interior depth for receiving the base end of tool bits that can be used with the power tool, and the flexible shaft attachment has a drive cap attached to the output shaft, and the drive cap has an aperture sized and shaped for receiving the core in fixed rotating engagement. The apparatus includes a generally cylindrical stop plug having an open end portion and a closed end portion, and a cylindrical chamber extending from said open end portion to said closed end portion. The open end portion has an outward extension adapted to engage the end of the output shaft and be held in place by the attached drive cap, and the chamber is capable of receiving the core therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: S-B Power Tool Corporation
    Inventor: Mark S. Talesky
  • Publication number: 20030155141
    Abstract: A handpiece for a rotary tool including a flexible power shaft configured for connection at one end to the rotary tool, and at the other end to the handpiece, with at least one locking formation affixed to the shaft. The handpiece includes a housing having a first end for receiving the shaft, and a second end configured for accommodating a working attachment, the housing defining a central throughbore for rotatably receiving the shaft. At least one locking actuator is disposed in the housing for releasable engagement with the locking formation, the handpiece being provided with a biasing force for biasing the actuator out of engagement with the locking formation, so that a user-applied force on the actuator overcomes the biasing force to enable locking engagement between the actuator and the locking formation. A working end of the handpiece housing has an endcap and is also configured for receiving supplemental attachments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: S-B Power Tool Company
    Inventor: Verica Maras
  • Patent number: 6553642
    Abstract: A first component part (42) for a power tool has a mounting spigot (90) with a channel (239) therein and a second component part (10) of the power tool has a spigot receiving portion (54) with a rib (101) co-operable with the channel. The first component part includes a cylindrical projection with a chamfered edge (250) and the second component part includes a detent. In a first step in coupling the components parts, the channel in the mounting spigot is aligned with the co-operable rib on the spigot receiving portion. Subsequent steps include engaging the further rib of the spigot receiving portion with a channel on a side wall and finally, urging the chamfered edge past the detent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Leo Driessen
  • Publication number: 20030000716
    Abstract: In a power tool with at least one rotating cutting wheel (11), in particular a circular saw blade, having a housing (13) in which a drive motor (14) is accommodated so that its driven shaft (15) extends along the longitudinal housing axis (16), having at least one drive spindle (20) that is supported in rotary fashion in the housing (13) and is aligned at right angles to the driven shaft (15), which drive spindle protrudes laterally from the housing (13) and on the projecting end, supports a cutting wheel mount (24), and having a set of gears for transmitting the rotating motion of the driven shaft (15) to the drive spindle (20), in order to achieve an ergonomically favorable, tilting moment-free operation with the power tool, the housing (13) in the vicinity of the drive spindle (20) and cutting wheel (11), and the drive spindle (20) with the cutting wheel mount (24) are embodied in such a way that the cutting wheel (11) lies in the same plane as the driven shaft (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Albrecht Hofmann, Thomas Schomisch
  • Publication number: 20020185289
    Abstract: An elbow attachment for a power tool coverts the torque of the power tool drive shaft to a transverse shaft which is supported by a housing to extend angularly with respect to the drive shaft. A pinion gear is mounted on the power tool drive shaft and a face gear is mounted on the transverse shaft interiorly of the housing. The face gear and pinion gear engage one another when the elbow attachment housing is mounted to the power tool housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Richard E. Yorde
  • Patent number: 6463824
    Abstract: A right angle attachment configured to be attached to a small electrically powered rotary hand tool of the type that is used in woodworking, hobby work and other work. Being small, lightweight, relatively vibration free and quiet in operation, the attachment is easily attached to a hand tool in a very short amount of time without the use of any special tools. The attachment has a flexible input shaft and an output shaft that are oriented at an angular orientation, such as approximately 90 degrees relative to one another so that the flexible shaft compensates for misalignment between the input shaft and the output shaft of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: S-B Power Tool Company
    Inventors: Edward T. Prell, Wolfgang Hirschburger, Allen M. Oles
  • Patent number: 6352127
    Abstract: An elbow or right angle attachment for a power tool converts the torque of the power tool drive shaft to a transverse shaft which is supported by a housing to extend angularly with respect to the drive shaft. A pinion gear is mounted on the power tool drive shaft and a face gear is mounted on the transverse shaft interiorly of the housing. The face gear and pinion gear engage one another when the elbow attachment housing is mounted to the power tool housing. The pinion gear has teeth with a face width which allows for variability in the precise mounting of the elbow attachment housing to the power tool housing, without any significant resultant detriment to operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Applied Innovation and Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventor: Rick Yorde
  • Patent number: 6308786
    Abstract: A pneumatic powered winch actuating device for tightening a winch using a pneumatic tool. The pneumatic powered winch actuating device includes an air wrench. The air wrench is couplable to an air supply hose. A shaft is rotatably coupled to the air wrench. The shaft has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is positioned adjacent to the air wrench, and the second portion has a threaded peripheral wall such that threads extend outwardly from the shaft. The air wrench selectively rotates the shaft in a first direction. A winch engaging member includes a casing securely attached to the air wrench such that the shaft extends into the casing. A coupling member has a well extending therein and has a size adapted for releasably receiving and coupling to a cylinder. The cylinder is securely attached to a winch. A rod is integrally coupled to and extends away from the coupling member. The rod extends through the casing such that the rod is rotatably coupled to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventor: Philip N. Bestgen
  • Patent number: 6298923
    Abstract: An impacting device is capable of being used in an impact hammer and/or a drill for releasing by impact tools blocked in rocks. An impact impetus supplied by an impact piston is modified via an impact-deflecting device having a sliding lever and a deflecting lever, such that the impact is carried out in a releasing impact direction opposite the normal impact direction and is transmitted to a tool by a slide and a locking lever. The tool is released after a few strokes produced by the impact piston. The impact device is suitable for both unilateral air springs and double air springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Wacker-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schmid, Mirko Lysek
  • Patent number: 6286611
    Abstract: A power tool includes a motor (20) mounted within a body (14) of the tool. The tool (14) is able to accept any one of a plurality of attachment members (54) so as to form a tool dedicated for a particular job. Each one of the attachment members (54) of the plurality has a pre-determined output speed and one of a rotary and non-rotary output. By the ability to interchange the attachment members of the plurality therefore a total power tool is provided having the above features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Bone
  • Patent number: 6273200
    Abstract: A power tool has a manual spindle lock which includes a first locking member to couple with a gear of the power tool drive train. The locking member includes a first cam member. A second cam member is coupled with the first cam member. The second cam member is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the locking member is disengaged from the gear and in the second position the locking member engages with the gear to prohibit driving of the output spindle of the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Q. Smith, Tong Chi Kin, Fung Chi Ho, Lam Kar Lok
  • Patent number: 6264211
    Abstract: A universal, quick connect, reciprocating saw attachment for electric drills is disclosed, designed as an adapter that converts a power rotary drill into a reciprocating saw. The present invention converts the rotary action of a drill into the necessary reciprocating action to power a saw blade. The present invention adapts to the housing of various cordless drills and provides for a connection of a steel shank to the drill chuck. A gear box with a reciprocating mechanism inside the housing then provides a coupling to a saw blade to provided the necessary cutting action of a conventional reciprocating saw. Additionally, there are buttons that are designed to expand in and out to tighten the chuck which holds the adapter. The housing is made of a heavy duty impact resistant plastic with the associated gears and reciprocating mechanism made from hardened steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Rene Granado
  • Patent number: 6263979
    Abstract: A power tool system has detachable and interchangeable implements and driving sources. The interchangeable implements and driving sources use a housing having common mating interface to selectively assemble a power tool having the desired characteristics. A latch is used to hold a selected implement and driving source in functional engagement. An adjustable bale handle provides a comfortable and safe handhold for various configurations of the interchangeable implements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: The Black & Decker Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Dyke, Calvin Edleblute, William Lessig, Robert Meloni, John Vantran, Robert P. Wagster
  • Patent number: 6263980
    Abstract: A power tool (2) includes a motor (22) pivotally mounted within the housing of the tool. The tool is able to accept any one of a plurality of attachment members (32). The motor (22) is adapted to pivot in order that accurate axial alignment with any one of the attachment members presented to the motor occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Wadge
  • Patent number: 6263985
    Abstract: A double-head drilling machine is disclosed, which by changing over or converting small component units can cooperate with drill or drill pipes of different diameters. To this end, drive carriages (16) operating on drills or drill pipes, for example, comprise a carriage base element (32), to which a drive unit (42) is releasably fitted. The drive unit (42) can thus be replaced by a different drive unit having essentially the same geometry, which is designed for operating with a drill or drill pipe having a different diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Delmag Maschinenfabrik Reinhold Dornfeld GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Winfreid Scheid, Nikodemus Heinz
  • Patent number: 6257351
    Abstract: A surgical instrument having a locking mechanism for preventing an output shaft of the surgical instrument from rotating and a further locking mechanism for mounting a battery pack to a distal end of a housing of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument further includes a clutch mechanism for limiting the torque of a drive shaft of the surgical instrument. The locking mechanism for preventing the output shaft from rotating includes a locking switch which mates with a locking cap disposed on the output shaft. The locking mechanism for mounting the battery pack to the housing includes a groove at the distal end of the housing and a retaining ring which engages the groove when the battery pack is mounted on the housing. The clutch mechanism includes a clutch plate that interfaces with both the output shaft and the drive shaft and prevents failure of the motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: MicroAire Surgical Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Timmon Ark, Robert R. Humphris, Jr., Daniel McCombs
  • Patent number: 6250400
    Abstract: A carrier for a jackhammer which may be mounted to the tongue of an air compressor is disclosed. The carrier includes a support column, an adjustable bracket slideably mounted to the support column, and a pocket secured to the lower end of the support column for receiving the jackhammer. Mounted to the support column is an L-shaped bracket which may be secured to the tongue of an air compressor. The adjustable bracket includes a U-shaped member with two arms and a rear wall. The jackhammer is placed between the arms and an elongated rod is used to retain the jackhammer in place. The pocket has two converging walls which do not contact each other. An opening is formed between the bottoms of the two walls and a bar is placed within the opening. The bar is short enough in length so that the opening is not completely closed, thereby preventing rainwater or other precipitation from collecting within the pocket. Once the jackhammer has been placed within the carrier, the blade of the jackhammer rests on the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventor: Paul Bucko
  • Patent number: 6206107
    Abstract: A power tool (10) includes a motor (22) mounted there within. The motor has an output (20) for engagement with an input of an attachment member (32) presented thereto. The coupling between the motor output (20) and the attachment member (32) is by a snap-fit coupling achieved by way of resiliently biased arms (56) within the tool engaging with an annular recess (54) formed on the attachment member (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Wadge
  • Patent number: 6199642
    Abstract: A reversible ratcheting electric power tool has a reversible DC electric motor having an output coupled to drive a drive shaft through a reversible ratchet assembly. The tool housing has a reversing mechanism which includes a manually operable reversing cap rotatable about the axis of the drive shaft for controlling the ratcheting direction of the ratchet assembly, the cap having a pair of projections which respectively engage the actuator buttons of two direction control microswitches coupled through an on-off switch to a battery. When the ratchet assembly is in a neutral or non-ratcheting condition, both microswitches are in a normal deactuated condition connecting both of the motor terminals to the battery negative terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Snap-on Tools Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Becker, Joshua M. Beer, Dennis A. Nowak
  • Patent number: 6176322
    Abstract: A power tool system includes a tool body in which an activation switch (12) controls a motor (20). A plurality of interchangeable tool heads (50) are able to be accepted by the power tool in order to provide a dedicated tool. A releaseable lock-off mechanism (90) is incorporated in the tool body which restrains actuation of the activation switch (12) when none of the tool heads (50) is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Wadge
  • Patent number: 6176321
    Abstract: A power-driven hammer drill 1 includes a rotary lever 8 for transmitting and disabling the transmission of the rotation of a motor 5 to a tool bit 4 and a slide lever 9 for transmitting and disabling the transmission of hammer blows to the tool bit 4. The rotary lever 8 is formed with a chamfer 52, whereas the slide lever 9 is formed with a straight portion 54 and a cut-out 53 which conforms to the circular edge of the rotary lever 8. When the slide lever 9 is in the lowermost position with the rotary lever 8 fitted in the cut-out 53, the rotary lever 8 is in the position to disconnect the rotation of the motor 5 to the tool bit 4, and while in this position, the slide lever 9 cannot be slid to its uppermost position, in which hammer blows cannot be transmitted to the tool bit 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Takuo Arakawa, Toshiro Hirayama, Shin Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6170579
    Abstract: A power tool comprises a body (14) having a motor (22) with an output. A detachable tool head (50) is engageable with the motor output wherein the motor output has a first engagement member (32) for complimentary engagement with a second engagement member (62) on the tool head drive. The first engagement member (32) is recessed within the body (14) and accessible through an aperture (44) therein. And the second engagement member (62) is recessed within the tool head (52) and accessible through a second aperture therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Wadge
  • Patent number: 6138364
    Abstract: A hand-held reciprocating power tool, such as a reciprocating saw, wherein the angle of the reciprocation motion axis with reference to the longitudinal axis of the power tool motor housing is adjustable. Within a motor housing there is a motor driving a motor shaft which rotates on a motor shaft axis generally along the longitudinal axis. A nosepiece includes a nosepiece base portion fixed to the motor housing, and a nosepiece movable portion rotably mounted to the nosepiece base portion. The nosepiece moveable portion can be positionally adjusted relative to the nosepiece base portion over an angle of at least 180.degree. by rotation on a nosepiece axis which is perpendicular to the motor shaft axis. A reciprocating element is supported by the nosepiece moveable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Jeffrey F. Schmitz
  • Patent number: 6089331
    Abstract: A device for rotating tools on an axis which is not parallel to the rotational axis of a rotational driving source. Bevel gears and other mechanical means redirect forces from a rotational driving source, such as a portable rechargeable screwdriver, into forces capable of rotating tools to perform tasks on an axis not parallel to the rotational axis of the driving source. A rigid housing encloses most of the mechanical means for redirecting forces. A preferred embodiment comprises an adapter kit including a plurality of connectors for connecting the housing of the device to a plurality of differently sized powered driving sources. A method is also described in which tools may be rotated on an axis not parallel to the rotational axis of the rotational drive source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Joseph T. Christ
  • Patent number: 6076615
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-linked working boom for a working machine which carries at the other end a hydraulically maneuverable and hydraulically driven working equipment, where the boom comprises a first pair of link arms which is connected to the working machine and a second pair of link arms which is jointed to the first pair of link arms via a link arm-forming support member, which is intermittently fixable against a support foundation by means of the first pair of link arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventors: Knut Dalland, Ingvar Osen
  • Patent number: 6056070
    Abstract: A hydraulic ramming apparatus including an apparatus body (14) having a cylinder bore (23) and a guide bore (24) that are successively formed to each other in the apparatus body (14). A piston (30) is slidably inserted into the cylinder bore (23) so as to be reciprocable within the cylinder bore (23). An upper pressure-receiving chamber (31) is defined at an upper end portion side of the piston (30), and a lower pressure-receiving chamber (32) is defined at a lower end portion side of the piston (30). A ramming tool (19), having a rod body (35), can be detachably inserted into the guide bore (24). Also, a mechanism for moving the rod body (35) is provided so as to follow upward movement of the piston (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Shinohara, Takayuki Muto, Mitsuru Arai
  • Patent number: 6039126
    Abstract: A multi-usage electric tool includes an angle-changeable grip, a main body and an electric tool head. The grip and the main body are formed with corresponding inclined adjoining faces for movably connecting the grip with the main body. The inclined face of the grip is disposed with a guide rib and the inclined face of the main body is disposed with an arch guide slot. The guide rib is slidably fitted in the guide slot, whereby the grip can be rotated relative to the main body through a certain angle along the guide slot so as to change the angle contained by the grip and the main body. One end of the main body is disposed with an engaging mechanism and one end of the tool head is disposed with an engaging mechanism corresponding to the engaging mechanism of the main body for detachably engaging the tool head with the main body. The tool head is easily replaceably assembled with the main body, whereby a user can conveniently change the tool head for different usages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: An-Fu Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6035948
    Abstract: A mount to attach a standard hand-held pavement breaker to a backhoe bucket quickly and easily. The invention allows the pavement breaker to be mounted and dismounted without a person having to lift or manually operate the pavement breaker. The mount attaches to the handles of the pavement breaker and then to the side of the backhoe bucket. The sleeves which fit over the handles are adapted to automatically depress the trigger of the pavement breaker whenever the pavement breaker is in firm contact with the surface to be broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Walter J. Griffin
  • Patent number: 6003619
    Abstract: A driver hammer for driving an elongated member into the earth and for extracting the member from the earth includes a hammer body and a forward driving anvil slidably mounted in the body that is engaged directly with the elongated member when the latter is driven into the earth. A conventional hammer drive mechanism is used to repeatedly impact the forward driving anvil to drive the member into the earth. When the member is to be extracted from the earth, a back driving lever, which is pivotally mounted on the hammer body, is pivoted into the position where the forward driving anvil can strike an impact surface on one side of the pivot point of the lever and a back driving anvil is engaged with a second impact surface on the opposite side of the pivot point of the lever and which is attached to the elongated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: James E. Lange
  • Patent number: 5979913
    Abstract: A universal driving and setting tool is used to drive and set an anchor, such as a concrete anchor, having an anchor sleeve and an anchor slug positioned within a bore formed in the anchor sleeve. The driving and setting tool includes an attachment that fits over standard drill bits used in a hammer drill for drilling a hole in a substrate, such as concrete, in which the anchor is set. The attachment engages an end of the drill bit and can fit over drill bits having different lengths and having shanks of different shapes. The driving and setting tool also includes a reversible adapter that is positioned in the attachment in either a first or second position. In a first position, an anchor sleeve hammering portion on the reversible adapter faces outwardly to hammer the anchor sleeve into the hole within the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventors: Thomas Kosik, David Caruso
  • Patent number: 5868211
    Abstract: A portable hydraulically driven posthole digger is provided. The present invention is mounted to an existing loader-type tractor or skid steer loader by the use of a ball and socket type attachment such as a trailer ball and trailer tongue apparatus. The tongue is mounted vertically above the post hole digger and the trailer ball is mounted on the loader such as the bucket on a front end loader. The posthole digger's hydraulic motor is powered off of the existing hydraulic system of the equipment being used. This configuration not only provides an inexpensive method of digging post holes, but further requires a minimal amount of mounting hardware and can be easily removed and stored when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Timothy James Bohn
  • Patent number: 5832611
    Abstract: A hand-held reciprocating power tool, such as a reciprocating saw, wherein the angle of the reciprocation motion axis with reference to the longitudinal axis of the power tool motor housing is adjustable. Within a motor housing there is a motor driving a motor shaft which rotates on a motor shaft axis generally along the longitudinal axis. A nosepiece includes a nosepiece base portion fixed to the motor housing, and a nosepiece movable portion rotably mounted to the nosepiece base portion. The nosepiece moveable portion can be positionally adjusted relative to the nosepiece base portion over an angle of at least 180.degree. by rotation on a nosepiece axis which is perpendicular to the motor shaft axis. A reciprocating element is supported by the nosepiece moveable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Jeffrey F. Schmitz
  • Patent number: 5810101
    Abstract: A digger from a unit for digging utility pole holes is encased in an elongated box. The box has an attachment thereon for attachment to the carrying arm of a backhoe in place of the backhoe bucket. A 90.degree. attachment provides versatility. The digger is thus capable of digging horizontal tunnels for laying one underground line under another underground line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Engineering Crossing Systems, (Partnership)
    Inventors: John Caraway, Jr., George McMillan
  • Patent number: 5755293
    Abstract: A compact drill attachment or device for converting rotary drill motion to reciprocating saw action and adapted to be used in conjunction with cordless, electric and pneumatic hand held drills. A practical and extremely versatile tool to accomplish sawing results that were before inconceivable. Featuring a plurality of different reciprocal flush cut options, a plurality of entries from a power source to accomplish close quarter sawing, a blade stroke distance which exceeds the competition, a cutting stroke which is faster than the cleaning stroke, a plurality of shoe or fence settings, and which accepts major brands of reciprocal saw or jigsaw blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: George C. Bourke
  • Patent number: 5695017
    Abstract: An apparatus for boring horizontally extending holes at shallow depths beneath the surface of the earth having a frame detachable connected to the bucket of a backhoe. The frame is rigidly connected to the bucket for movement thereby and includes a coupling and drive unit which is detachably mounted within the frame so that the coupling and drive unit can be reversed to push or pull an auger connected thereto in opposite directions relative to the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Richard W. Gessner
  • Patent number: 5595250
    Abstract: The drill attachment is a cordless, electric or pneumatic drill device having three (3) flush cut features which enables user to saw in a reciprocating action. A compact metal enclosure has steel bevel gears together to generate perpetual motion onto an eccentric peg to drive arm to blade. The rotation of the drill enters the tool by the removable hexagonal shaft which can be inserted into the tool at three (3) different angles depending on the task. The small bevel gear meshes with a larger bevel hub gear having an eccentric peg that is inside an elongated slot of the blade drive armature. As the small bevel gear rotates, its speed is increased by ratios in the larger bevel hub gear; the rotation of the larger bevel hub gear is converted to a linear reciprocating motion which drives the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Inventor: George C. Bourke
  • Patent number: 5566768
    Abstract: A cordless, electric or pneumatic drill device which enables user to saw in a reciprocating action. A compact metal enclosure having steel helical and worm gears together with eccentric peg to drive arm to blade, the rotation of the drill enters the tool by the removable hexagonal shaft which can be inserted into the tool at three (3) different angles depending on the task. The worm gear meshes with a helical gear having an eccentric peg that is inside an elongated slot of the blade drive armature. As the worm gear rotates its speed is exchanged for torque in the helical gear the rotation of the helical gear is converted to a linear reciprocating motion which drives the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: George C. Bourke
  • Patent number: 5427002
    Abstract: A power drive unit for hand tools such as hand operated screwdrivers with a handle at one end, comprising a relatively large diameter cylindrical drive shaft having an annular chuck assembly secured at one end provides a relatively large diameter passageway therethrough. It is located on the upper wall of a casing having an electric motor and a battery therein, or a cord for connection to an external power source. A ring gear around the cylindrical drive shaft is rotated by a gear assembly powered by the electric motor to rotate the cylindrical drive shaft and chuck together with whatever tool is received therein. The location of the cylindrical drive shaft and annular chuck assembly provides a clear and unobstructed pathway both forwardly and rearwardly of the passageway therethrough. A hand operated screwdriver, for example has its working end inserted through the rearward facing end of the cylindrical passageway and out through the forward facing end to a desired working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: Brian R. Edman
  • Patent number: 5330014
    Abstract: An ice auger conversion apparatus has an ice auger support and steering mounting member and a winch connected to the ice auger support and steering mounting member. A ring conversion member detachably connects to the winch. A winch drive motor connects to a driven end of the winch. A winch drive socket conversion member connects to a driving end of the winch. One end of a drive conversion adapter member removingly connects to the winch drive socket and another end of the drive conversion adapter member removingly connects to an ice auger shaft member. An ice auger removably connects to the ice auger shaft member. The ice auger support and steering member also has a mounting plate attached to the winch and a steering handle member attached to the mounting plate. A power circuit attaches to the steering handle member to provide power to the winch drive motor. The power circuit has a power circuit actuation switch and a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: David A. Wagner
  • Patent number: 5251706
    Abstract: A ratchet nut runner is energized either manually or by a non-manual power source such as a battery, on-line electrical power or a pneumatic supply. A tubular body or housing, which contains speed-reducing and power-amplifying structures, serves also as the handle or hand grip for the device. A driven drive shaft which extends coaxially from the housing is connected to a head of the device through a pivot joint assembly. An important feature of the drive device is that the housing-enclosed drive shaft is pivotable from a non-manual power drive mode in which the drive shaft is coaxial with a tool-engaging stud or coupler, to a configuration in which the drive shaft extends normally of the coupler for rotation of the drive head manually. A switch which connects non-manual power to the drive shaft operates to cut off power when the device is disposed in a manual mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventor: Jack Evans
  • Patent number: 5170851
    Abstract: For the purposes of assembling an electric tool, and especially an electric hand tool such as, for example, a hand drill, a grinder or a sabre saw, it is proposed to use modular components that are to be axially inserted into and connected with each other. The components comprise a self-contained electric driving motor that supports the rotor shaft in a centered position by means of end shields on both sides that are rigidly fixed to the stator, a self-contained gearing head that is fixed to the motor, and at least a partially tubular, single piece main housing that accommodates the driving motor and the gearing head, an electric circuitry module inserted into the main housing, and a rear cover for the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Kress-Elektrik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Willy Kress, Alfred Binder
  • Patent number: 5094133
    Abstract: To improve a power-operated screwing tool machine comprising a drive arranged in a housing, a screwing tool and a switch-off means for the screw-in depth including a depth stop held on the housing for fixing a screw-in depth and a clutch arranged between the drive and the tool drive shaft and transferrable by axial displacement of the tool drive shaft from a position of rest in the direction of the drive into a working position, the clutch comprising a clutch element driven by the drive, a clutch element connected to the tool drive shaft and an intermediate clutch element arranged between these clutch elements, with the intermediate clutch element forming with a first one of the clutch elements an entrainment clutch and with the second clutch element a release clutch, such that in addition to a switch-off means for the screw-in depth, the screwing tool machine comprises a switch-off means for the screw-in torque, it is proposed that the switch-off means for the screw-in depth be adapted to be switched over in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: C. & E. Fein GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Wolfgang Schreiber
  • Patent number: 5052496
    Abstract: An apparatus for rapid interchange of drive head units on a power tool motor unit is provided by forming a flared lip on the first of the two housings to be connected; capturing a coupling nut behind the flare with a split clamp ring; forming a bore on the second housing into which the flared lip and clamp ring of the first housing will fit; forming a positioning stop, within the bore, against which the flared lip of the first housing will be clamped; and providing a coupling device on the second housing to which the coupling nut of the first housing will be coupled to join the two housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Gregory P. Albert, Bruce D. Fay
  • Patent number: 5025903
    Abstract: In an electrically powered combination screwdriver/drill opposing halves of a ratchet type torque tranmsitting clutch are normally biased axially apart by a compression spring. The output half of the clutch is fixed on the output spindle of the tool which is free to move axially within limits. For screwdriving operation, operator bias of the tool against the workpiece overcomes the spring, retracting the output spindle and bringing the clutch halves into engagement. An adjustable stop in the nose of the tool limits axially rearward movement of the output spindle and hence depth of engagement of the clutch teeth, thus providing a variable limit on torque transmitted. For the drilling mode, the rearward half of the clutch is cammed forward so that the clutch is firmly engaged for continuous rotation of the output spindle without specific torque limitation. An operator may switch from drilling mode to screwdriving mode and back without disturbing the torque limit adjustment of the screwdriving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel M. Elligson
  • Patent number: 4998590
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is mountable upon preferably a skidsteer tractor, through a forklift truck or similar wheeled vehicle could be employed. The apparatus can be lowered into a trench on one side of a street or sidewalk and used to bore axially beneath the street or sidewalk to a trench on the other side of the street or sidewalk. Operation of the apparatus, which uses conventional commercial augers is controlled from the hydraulic couplings situated in the skidsteer tractor.The apparatus includes a main housing which includes a means for receiving the accessory shoe of a prime mover for physical attachment thereto; and a motor housing with a motor, hydraulic coupler and bearing disposed therein, which motor housing is pivotally mounted to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignees: Allen Wells, David Hansen
    Inventor: Allen Wells
  • Patent number: 4867249
    Abstract: A tool attachment for a percussion drill power tool which expands and sets, essentially but not limited to, fastening anchors used in concrete and masonry. The tool's body is generally cylindrical and is mostly hollow to slip over a drill bit (38, 74) of the percussion drill, using a spring clip (24, 124) to keep it from falling off. The opposite end of the tool has either a coaxial concave recess (54, 154, 354, 454) to place onto an anchor (58) or a coaxial plunger (260) to slip into a mostly hollow anchor (258) that are placed into a drilled hole (64, 264). The anchor (58, 258) is then expanded and set into the concrete or masonry by the hammering action transmitted through the tool by the percussion drill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventors: Rex A. Watkins, Jr., James S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4817734
    Abstract: A submergible electrohydraulic drive unit is a multi-purpose device for driving different underwater ramming and working devices and has a housing with a throughgoing central receiving space for a ramming pile or a respective ramming or working device, ring-shaped upper and lower supporting plates, an outer wall, an inner wall which forms the receiving space, and a plurality of pump units arranged between the inner wall and the outer wall and each having a hydraulic pump and an associated electric motor and individually or jointly limitedly movably spring-biased relative to the housing, one supporting plate having means for exchangeably mounting said device adjusted relative to said receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Bomag-Menck GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Kuehn
  • Patent number: 4727941
    Abstract: A reciprocating hand tool arranged to be operated by a rotating power source consisting of a rotatable eccentric, a flexible sleeve, a cable within the sleeve reciprocated by the rotation of the eccentric and a device for attaching a cutting tool to the end of the cable opposite the eccentric. Two alternative cutting tool attaching device are disclosed, one which produces continuous reciprocation for sawing, filing, or sanding, the other which produces intermittent reciprocation in the nature of hammer blows for chisels and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Inventor: Charles E. Fulton
  • Patent number: 4646852
    Abstract: A hand tool in the form of a pneumatically actuated mallet. The tool comprises a conventional pneumatic motor of the type employed in pneumatic fastener driving tools, including a tool body having a main cylinder, a piston/driver assembly, trigger-actuated control valve means, and means for connection to a source of air under pressure. A guide body is affixed to the tool body beneath the main cylinder and has a longitudinal bore to slidably guide the driver. A housing is supported by the free end of the guide body and comprises a closed first end adjacent the guide body with a perforation for passage of the driver therethrough, a peripheral wall and an open second end. A mallet is provided having a body portion and a slightly larger head portion with a shoulder formed therebetween. A retainer is affixed to the housing wall partially closing the second end of the housing. The mallet head portion is reciprocally mounted in the housing with its body portion extending through an opening in the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Senco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilbert A. Cotta
  • Patent number: 4585080
    Abstract: For drilling holes in remote locations there is provided drilling apparatus consisting of hand-transportable modules which include a base assembly (12), a derrick (13) removably mounted on the base assembly and including an elongated tubular member (51) and a carriage (52) moved along the tubular member by a block and tackle (81), and a hydraulic cylinder (97). The carriage has a detachable support portion (55) that supports a drill assembly (14) on one side of the derrick for drilling and an anchor assembly (15) on the other side of the derrick for anchoring the base assembly to the earth's surface. A hydrostatic drive system (17) selectively actuates the carriage, drill and anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Inventor: Calvin P. Bender