Patent Application
20240351088
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The inventor has not made any prior public disclosure of the inventions disclosed herein.
The inventions described herein generally relate to devices for punching holes in metal studs.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,362 to Brazell et al. discloses an apparatus for punching knockouts out of light gauge steel framing studs used in building construction to form holes of sufficient size to allow building wiring and pipe to extend therethrough. The disclosed apparatus includes a compact handheld frame having a generally C-shaped frame portion that has spaced apart ends located along a working axis for receiving a stud therebetween. The apparatus includes a punch and a die mounted opposite to each other at the ends of the C-shaped frame portion. An actuatable driving mechanism mounted to the frame is operable to drive the punch and die assembly over a working stroke range between a deactuated position and an actuated position. In the actuated position, the punch extends into the die by punching through the stud to produce a knock-out.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,630 to Lucas, et al. discloses a stud punch tool for punching a stud. The tool includes a first member, a second member, and a third member that is pivotally connected to the first and second members as well as to a punch assembly. The first member has an opening for receiving the stud and a bore that is in communication with the opening and which allows the punch assembly to move through the bore and the opening to punch the stud. The second member has slots therein to allow the punching assembly to be slidably mounted therein such that a portion of the punch assembly is capable of being positioned at a first end of the slot when the second member is parallel to the first member and such that the portion is capable of being positioned at a second end of the slot when the second member is angled down from the first member.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,797,840 to Bublitz et al. discloses a stud punch head for a power tool that includes a head housing and a first arm that is movably coupled to the head housing. The first arm supports a punch. The stud punch head also includes a second arm movably coupled to the head housing and relative to the first arm. The second arm supports a die opposite the punch. The stud punch head also includes a drive mechanism positioned at least partially within the head housing and operatively coupled to a motor of the power tool. The drive mechanism is operable to move the first arm and the second arm toward and away from one another.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,782,908 to Moffatt et al. discloses a stud punch tool that includes a lower frame, an upper handle pivotally attached to the lower frame, and a punching assembly attached to the lower frame and to the upper handle. The lower frame includes a body portion, a pair of ears extending upwardly therefrom, a head portion, and a handle portion extending from the body portion. The upper handle is attached to the ears. The punching assembly is connected to the head portion and is connected to the upper handle proximate to the connection of the upper handle to the ears. The upper handle can be gripped by a user for movement relative to the lower frame to cause the punching assembly to punch a hole in an associated workpiece.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,199,389 to Myrhum, Jr. et al. discloses a hand-held knockout driver for use with a punch and die. The hand-held knockout driver includes a housing having a handle portion and a motor positioned within the housing. The motor has a drive shaft defining a first axis, a pump assembly positioned with the housing, with the pump assembly having a piston moving along a second axis, a dump valve positioned within the housing, the dump valve defining a third axis, and a working piston moveable with respect to the housing along a fourth axis.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,723,035 to Swiatkowski et al. discloses a device for punching one or more holes in a material. The device includes a body, a fixed handle attached to the body, and a moveable handle attached to the body. The device includes a cutting die and an adjustable depth gauge attached to the body. The adjustable depth gauge can be moveable relative to the body of the device.
In view of the background in this area, there remain needs for improved and/or alternative devices for punching holes in metal studs. The present inventions are addressed to those needs.
In one aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for punching holes in metal studs that includes a head unit that has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the head unit includes a die that has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the head unit includes a punch, and the die and the punch are configured to work in conjunction to punch holes in metal studs. The apparatus also includes a first pole that has a proximal end and a distal end, where the distal end of the first pole is connected to the head unit. The apparatus also includes a second pole that has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the second pole is connected to the head unit with a linkage that is configured to permit the punch to move from an unactuated position to an actuated position within the head unit when the second pole moves from a proximal position to a distal position. The apparatus has an overall length that extends proximally in a perpendicular direction from the proximal end of the die and interfaces a reference line that extends horizontally from the distal end of the first pole. The overall length of the apparatus is at least 24 inches.
In another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for punching holes in metal studs that includes a head unit that further includes a die and a punch. The die and the punch are configured to work in conjunction with one another to punch holes in metal studs. The apparatus also includes a first pole that has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the first pole is connected to the head unit and the first pole is extendable. The apparatus also includes a second pole that has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the second pole is connected to the head unit and the said second pole is extendable. The first pole and the second pole are configured to move relative to one another so as to move said punch relative to said die. The apparatus is configured so as to permit a user standing at a proximal location on a floor of a building to actuate the punch relative to the die to create a cut out in the top plate of a metal stud, where the top plate of the metal stud is located at least eight feet above the floor of the building.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for punching holes in metal studs that includes a head unit having a proximal end and a distal end, where the head unit includes a die and a punch that are configured to work in conjunction to punch holes in metal studs. The apparatus also includes a first pole having a proximal end and a distal end, where the distal end of the first pole is connected to the head unit. The apparatus also includes a second pole having a proximal end and a distal end, where the distal end of the second pole is connected to the head unit. The die and the first pole are configured such that a reference line projected distally from the center line of the die and a reference line projected distally from the center line of the first pole interface at a distal location above the apparatus to form an interior angle falling within the range of from about 0 degrees to about 45 degrees.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to certain embodiments thereof and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations, further modifications and further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
As also shown in
Embodiments of the invention can also include a second pole 50 that has a proximal end 52 and a distal end 54. The distal end 54 of the second pole 50 can be connected to the proximal end 12 of the head unit 10 by way of a linkage 25 that permits the second pole 50 and the punch 15 to move in relation to the head unit 10 so as to permit the punch 15 to move from an unactuated position (depicted in
In certain embodiments, the first pole 30 can be hollow and can include several sections that permit the extension (and retraction) of the first pole 30. For example, the first pole 30 can include a first section 36A located at the proximal end 32 of the first pole 30. The first pole 30 can also include a third section 36C that is located at the distal end 34 of the first pole 30, as well as a second section 36B that is located in between the first section 36A and the third section 36B. The third section 36C can be nested within the second section 36B, which in turn can be nested within the first section 36A in a manner that permits the second section 36B to extend from and retract within the first section 36A and that further permits the third section 36C to extend from and retract within the second section 36B. Illustratively, the first section 36A can occupy an outer diameter of 1.250 inches and an inner diameter of 1.150 inches, the second section 36B can occupy an outer diameter of 1.125 inches and an inner diameter of 1.025 inches, and the third section 36C can occupy an outer diameter of 1.000 inches, and an inner diameter of 0.900 inches. These dimensions are illustrative only, and any suitable dimensions can be implemented to provide the invention.
Apertures that can interface with spring pins 60 can be used to interlock the sections 36A, 36B, 36C, of the first pole 30 from their extended to retracted positions, as desirable. Suitable apertures that can interface with spring pins include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,089,247 and 7,445,398, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Although the depicted embodiments utilize apertures that can interface with spring pins 60 to provide for the extension of the first pole 30 and second pole 50 to various locations, any suitable technology can be used to permit the extension of the first pole 30 and the second pole 50 to a plurality of locations. Instead of apertures that can interface with spring pins 60, for example, any type of suitable interlocking mechanism can be used such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,324,502, 6,203,064, 6,461,074, 7,344,320, 8,006,711, and or U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2014/0150834, of which each is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Illustratively, the second pole 50 can also be hollow and include several sections that permit the extension (and retraction) of the second pole 50. For example, the second pole 50 can include a first section 56A located at the proximal end 52 of the first pole 50. The second pole 50 can also include a third section 56C (best depicted in
Apertures that can interface with spring pins 60 can be used to interlock the sections 56A, 56B, 56C, of the second pole 50 in order to from their extended to retracted positions, as desirable. Suitable apertures that can interface with spring pins 60 include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,089,247 and 7,445,398, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Although the depicted embodiments utilize apertures that can interface with spring pins 60 to provide for the extension of the first pole 30 and second pole 50 to various locations, any suitable technology can be used to permit the extension of the first pole 30 and the second pole 50 to a plurality of locations. Instead of apertures that can interface with spring pins 60, for example, any type of suitable interlocking mechanism can be used such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,324,502, 6,203,064, 6,461,074, 7,344,320, 8,006,711, and or U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2014/0150834, each of which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
In additional embodiments, and suitable implementation can be used to extend and retract the first pole 30 and the second pole 50. In certain embodiments, for example, the first pole 30 and second pole 50 can be fixed and be interchanged to provide for various lengths of the first pole 30 and the second pole 50.
Illustrative embodiments of the invention can also include a third pole 100 that can be attached to the proximal end 32 of the first pole 30 and the proximal end 52 of the second pole 52 in a manner that allows the second pole 52 to move bi-directionally relative to the first pole 30. Such bi-directional movement provides for the actuation of the punch 15 between an unactuated state (when the second pole 50 is in a proximal location) and an actuated state (when the second pole is in a distal location). The third pole 100 can be attached to the proximal end 32 of the first pole 30 and the proximal end of the second pole 52 using a linkage 90 that includes a plate 90C and two pairs of bolts and nuts 90A, 90B that extend through the plate 90C, first pole 30, and the second pole 50, and the third pole 100. In other embodiments, however, any suitable linkage can be used to connect the third pole 100 with the first pole 30 and the second pole 50.
Illustratively, the third pole 100 can include a handle 105 and pad 105A for gripping. The first pole can include a pad 82 for gripping, as well as a bar 42 that includes a pad 42A. During use of the illustrative stud punch 1, a user (not depicted) can place the pad 42A against the front of his leg in the area of his waist. He can then hold the device with his left hand using the pad 82 located on the first pole 30. He can then grab the pad 105A on the handle 105 of the third pole 100 with his right hand. Once a user so orients himself with the illustrative stud punch 1, he can place the head unit 10 around the top plate of a metal stud and then actuate the punch 15 by moving the handle 105 of the third pole 100 in a distal (or downward direction) (as depicted in
In certain embodiments, the linkage 25 that connects the heat unit 10 to the second pole 50 can include a stop 27 that prevents the second pole 50 and the linkage 25 from moving into a lockout position when moving the second pole 50 in a proximal direction relative to the first pole 30. Without this stop 50, at times, the second pole 50 and the linkage 25 can move into a lockout position, which when in this position, prevents a user from actuating the punch 15 by moving the second pole 50 in a distal direction in relation to the first pole 30. This is undesirable because the user must manipulate the second pole 50 to alleviate the lockout position so as to continue use of the stud punch 1. Frequent lockouts of the stud punch 1 is undesirable because of the additional effort and time needed to overcome lockout and continue use of the stud punch 1.
In
In
As also depicted illustratively in
The illustrative stud punch 1 can be made of any suitable materials. For example, the first pole 30, second pole 30, and third pole 30 can be made of carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, fiberglass, and the like. It is desirable to provide a light weight stud punch 1 that is still durable and that can impart the forces necessary to make the appropriate cut outs. In similar fashion, the head unit 10, the die 20, and the punch 15 can also comprise any suitable material, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, or aluminum. The hand pads 82, 105A, and the waist pad 42 can also include any suitable material, such as any suitable foam, e.g. polyvinyl chloride form, rubber, and the like. The linkages 25, 90 can similarly be made of any suitable materials, such as carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, fiberglass, and the like. Illustratively the spring pins used in the apertures that interface with spring pins 60 can be made of any suitable material, such as carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, or fiberglass.
Although the illustrative embodiments of the invention depicted in
In yet other embodiments, the locations of the die 20 and the punch 15 can be reversed, such that the punch is located in the distal end 14 of the head unit 10 and the die is located in the proximal end 12 of the head unit 10. In such embodiments, for example, the linkage 25 can link the distal end 34 of the first pole 30 to the distal end 14 of the head unit 10 so as to permit manipulation of the punch 15 in proximal (actuated) and distal (unactuated) locations, and the second pole 50 can remain fixed in relation to the movement of the first pole 30. In certain embodiments, the distal end 34 of the first pole 30 can be connected directly to the punch 15. Yet additional embodiments of the invention can provide for movement of the die 20 in relation to a stationary punch 15, if desirable. Any suitable implementation of the stud punch 1 can be made that permits actuation of the punch 15 and die 20 to create a cut out in the top plate of a stud located at least 8 feet high by a user who is standing on the floor of a building. In certain embodiments, the stud punch 1 can by used by a user standing on the floor of a building to make cut outs in the top plate of a metal stud at elevations above 8 feet, such as 10 feet, 12 feet, 16 feet, and higher.
As illustrated in
All publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each had been individually incorporated by reference and fully set forth.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
