Patent Application
20140271001
When drilling holes especially when creating a countersink hole into surfaces of manufacturing goods, the precise control of the hole depth or countersink depth is often desirable. This is particularly true in the manufacturing of aircraft components where it is often necessary that the head of a fastener inserted into a hole drilled into an aircraft surface component be flush with the surface of the component.
To countersink a surface, countersinking tools that include drill bits such as microstops may be used. The countersinking process typically requires frequent inspection and adjustment to achieve the desired, precise countersunk hole. If a part or component of the countersinking tool (e.g. a cutter) has to be changed during the countersinking operation, further adjustments may be required. While most countersink tools have large cutouts to allow operator access to the cutter to change blades, this may present a risk of the operator's fingers contacting the blade. In addition, when in operation, the countersinking tool generates dust, chips and splinters, which may be ejected or blown about.
The above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. The following summary is made by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding some of the aspects of the invention.
In one embodiment, a guard assembly is provided. The guard assembly includes a housing having a first open end, a second open end and a mid portion between the first open end and the second open end. The housing forms an inner passage between the open first open end and the second open end, the passage is configured to receive a portion of a tool. The housing has a plurality of spaced slots. Each slot extends from the first open end a select distance to the mid portion of the housing. Included in the housing is a port and a plurality of openings proximate the second open end to allow air or fluid passage.
In another embodiment, another guard assembly is provided. The guard assembly includes a cylindrical body having an open first end and an opposed open second end, the body forms an inner passage between the open first end and the open second end. The first open end of the body is configured to receive a portion of a tool. The body further includes at least one opening proximate the second end to allow air flow. The body further has a suction passage proximate the second end and a suction port that is in fluid communication with the suction passage. The suction port is configured and arranged to be coupled to a vacuum system.
In still another embodiment, a microstop guard assembly is provided. The microstop guard assembly includes a cylindrical body having a first open end and an opposed second open end. The body forms an inner passage between the first open end and the second open end. The inner passage of the body includes an inner ridge extending inward from the inner passage proximate the first open end of the body. The inner ridge configured and arranged to snap fit the guard assembly to a portion of a microstop-containing tool. The body further includes a plurality of spaced, parallel slots. Each slot extends from the first open end a select distance in the mid portion of the body. The body also includes at least one opening proximate the second end to allow air flow and visibility to the microstop. The body further includes a suction passage proximate the second end and opposite the at least one opening. A suction port is in fluid communication with the suction passage. The suction port is configured and arranged to be coupled to a vacuum system.
The present invention can be more easily understood and further advantages and uses thereof will be more readily apparent, when considered in view of the detailed description and the following figures in which:
In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout Figures and text.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a guard assembly that may be easily assembled and disassembled over a standard tool (e.g. countersink) that provides for operator safety and efficient clean up. In one embodiment a guard assembly 100 is provided that may be attached to a tool (e.g. conventional microstop countersink tools or otherwise drilling tools) without altering the functioning and efficiency of the tools. The guard assembly 100 is configured or adapted to be attached to the tool for easy assembly and disassembly. The guard assembly 100 includes a hollow housing or body 102, which as shown for example in
The body 102 has a plurality of spaced parallel slots 110. Each slot 110 extends from the first open end 104 of body 102 a select distance. In one embodiment, slots 110 extend from the first open end 104 to the mid portion 112. Slots 110 provide for the guard assembly 100 to be pliable for easy attachment or detachment of guard assembly 100 from a tool.
Desirably, the interior portion of the body 102 proximate the first open end 104 may include one or more grooves or lips 122 that aid in snap fitting or otherwise engaging complementary recesses or tangs so as to attach or connect guard assembly 100 to a tool (e.g. a countersinking tool as shown in
Body 102 includes cutouts or openings 124. The cutouts provide for fluid passage (e.g. air) and visibility to a cutter (not shown). As shown in
Adjacent to body 102 towards the second open end 106 is an outlet or port 200 that allows the tool to be connected to a suction source. The port 200 may connect to a tubular member 202. The tubular member 202 as shown in
While guard assembly 100 is described as a single piece, guard assembly 100 may be made of two sections with each section configured to be attached to a tool (e.g. microstop countersinking). The two sections may be separately and directly secured to the tool by any suitable means, for example screws, brackets, clamps or the like. The two sections would be configured to serve the roles as that described above.
Guard assembly 100 is made from a variety of materials including polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonates, acetal resins, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or polyvinyl chloride and other suitable thermoplastic or thermoset materials. The chosen materials desirably are light weight, cheap to manufacture and impact resistant. Known techniques may be used in the manufacture such as injection molding or 3-D printing.
The guard assembly 100 may be included in a kit. The kit may include one or more guard assembly 100 of the same or different sizes with one or more countersinking tools or microstops and an enclosure for housing the various components of the kit. The kit can include any conventional enclosure.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
This invention was made pursuant to United States Government Contract No. N00019-10-00002. Hence, the Government may have certain rights in this invention.
