Patent Application
20120183366
The present invention relates to a combination hole saw arbor and adjustable hole cutter shaft.
Cutters and hole saws are tools used to make cut-outs in a material, such as, for example, wood, steel, fiberglass, and plastic. The hole saw is commonly adaptable to be attached to a hand drill, either power driven or manually operated, in a manner and fashion similar to conventional drill bits and the like. Different styles or sizes of hole saws vary in their mounting configurations, such as the size of the threaded apertures used in coupling the hole saw to the hand drill. For this reason, the tool user often requires an arbor that is specific for each type and/or size of hole saw.
Hole cutters fall into different categories which include hole saws with a saw like edge consisting of multiple teeth, a grit hole saw with a edge that has a hard grit fused to the metal band of the hole cutter, large toothed hole cutters with side slots (gullets) in the barrel. A hole saw is a tool used to make cut-outs in a material, such as, for example, wood, steel, fiberglass, and plastic. The hole saw is commonly adaptable to be attached to a hand drill, either power driven or manually operated, in a manner and fashion similar to conventional drill bits and the like. Different styles or sizes of hole saws vary in their mounting configurations, such as the size of the threaded apertures used in coupling the hole saw to the hand drill. For this reason, the tool user often requires an arbor that is specific for each type and/or size of hole saw.
Adjustable hole cutters are of two types with either one or two cutting blades. With a single blade hole cutter the cutting blade is attached to one end of a bar that can be adjusted for a range of radii (and hole sizes) and it usually requires the use of counterweights to offset the mass of the blade holder and blade. With a twin blade hole cutter there is no need for the counterweights and this results in a simpler and more durable tool. Both types can be used in a pillar or drill press with or without the shield or used with a shield in a hand held electric drill.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,869 discloses an arbor for use with different size power tool chuck jaws and has a main body section of enlarged cross section relative to a shank of the arbor. The shank and main body section have a plurality of grooves therein with each groove longitudinally extending the length of the shank and into the adjoining main body section to define a continuous chuck jaw engaging surface which in the main body section of the arbor is of enlarged circumferential dimension relative to that of the shank drive surface for engaging different size chuck jaws in non-slipping positive driving relation.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,104,738 discloses an arbor with a shaft and a locking mechanism operatively coupled to the shaft. The arbor also includes an adapter removably coupled to the shaft by the locking mechanism, the adapter being selectively configurable within the shaft between at least a first operating position, where the adapter is configured to secure a first tool accessory to the arbor, and a second operating position, where the adapter is configured to secure a second tool accessory different at least in part from the first tool accessory.
In one aspect, systems and methods are disclosed to enhance functionality of a power drill, comprising: providing a shaft having one or more threaded sections with different diameters, wherein a pilot bit is inserted into one threaded section; and selectably converting the power drill into either: an adjustable hole cutter by inserting a bar through the shaft, wherein the bar comprises one or more holders to receive cutting blades; or a fixed size hole cutter or hole saw by converting the adjustable hole cutter for use as a hole saw or a hole cutter arbor.
In another aspect, a cutting tool to enhance functionality of a power drill includes a shaft having one or more threaded sections with different diameters, wherein a pilot bit is inserted the shaft; wherein the shaft converts the power drill into either an adjustable hole cutter including a bar coupled to the shaft, wherein the bar comprises one or more holders to receive cutting blades or a fixed size hole cutter or hole saw secured to the shaft to convert the adjustable hole cutter for use as a hole saw or a hole cutter arbor.
In another aspect, a cutting tool to enhance functionality of a power drill includes a shaft having one or more threaded sections with different diameters, wherein a pilot bit is inserted the shaft; where the cutting tool converts the power drill into either an adjustable hole cutter including a bar coupled to the shaft, wherein the bar comprises one or more holders to receive cutting blades, or the cutting tool converts the power drill into a fixed size hole cutter or hole saw secured to the shaft that converts the adjustable hole cutter for use as a hole saw or a hole cutter arbor, and all cutting can be done with a protective shield in place mounted using a ball bearing assembly in the center of the shield.
Advantages of the preferred embodiments may include one or more of the following. Single and multiple blade adjustable hole cutters are supported. The system enables the dual use of the shaft for use with an adjustable hole cutter and for use with a hole cutter or hole saw. The system can work with both single blade and two blade adjustable hole cutting tools and tools with and without a shield. The adjustable hole cutter works in conjunction with a shield to contain the cutting debris from the cutting operation of the adjustable hole cutter blade or blades it can also be used to contain the debris and shavings from a cutting operation using a hole cutter or hole saw. Further, the cutting depth of the hole cutting device is regulated by the use of a shield and an adjustment knob on the threaded section of the shaft which limits the penetration of the shaft through the shield and in this manner limits the penetration of the hole saw or hole cutter into the material being cut. In one embodiment, the hole saw can have a steel band with a cutting edge which may consist of many small teeth or may consist of a bonded coating of abrasive grit material, and a hole cutter, which has a steel band that has separate gullets and individually mounted cutting teeth. The new and improved combination arbor which is particularly designed to be used with different size chuck jaws of power tools such as conventional electric drills. The system is capable of withstanding high torque demands without slippage in a compact rugged construction suited to provide reliable service over an extended period of time and which is quickly and easily manufactured at significant cost savings.
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A reference list of the elements used in the above embodiments is as follows:
The hole cutter is well suited to cutting very hard materials such as ceramic tiles. With these materials a tungsten carbide grit or a diamond grit hole cutter is used. The edge may have a saw type edge or a blunt square tooth edge or a continuous rim of grit bonded to it depending upon the application requirements. The arbor adapter converts the cowls or shields for use with hole cutters. This embodiment permits users to make use of their adjustable hole cutter shaft and shield without need for the XL Arbor Adapter when cutting holes of less depth.
It will be seen that the above embodiments can be used in electric drills with ¼ inch, ⅜ inch and ½ inch or larger capacity chucks, e.g., and will be used for driving a variety of different size hole saws, such as 9/16 inch to, say, 8 inch hole saws for different cutting applications in various materials such as plastic, wood and metal. Moreover, the system is quick to assemble and easy to manufacture and assemble to achieve the desired cost savings.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
