GB2183036A

GB2183036A - Boring tool

Info

Publication number: GB2183036A
Application number: GB08626651A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm John Bristow
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-11-07
Filing date: 1986-11-07
Publication date: 1987-05-28
Also published as: GB8626651D0

Abstract

A levelling device 7 or 20 for an electric drill body 24 is detachably strapped to the drill to aid the user to hold and maintain the drill for horizontal drilling. Device 7 or 20 may be incorporated into a detachable handle (6) of the drill. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Boring tools The present invention relates to boring tools.

The invention relates more particularly to hand holdable boring tools commonly available and used especially in the home. Most such tools are electrically driven but the invention can be applied to hand operated tools.

In use it is the practice to align a tool by eye, for example when trying to drill a horizontal hole. Whilst this may be achieved with ease by a skilled worker, particularly for holes of small depth, it is considerably more difficult for the home handy person or when drilling a deep hole.

According to the invention there is provided a levelling device for a hand holdable boring tool which is releasably attachable to the tool to provide in use a visual indicaion of a relative orientation of the tool.

The device may be attached to or incorporated in a tool handle which handle is releasably attachable to the tool.

The levelling device may be hingably attachable arranged so as to take up one or more fixed predetermined positions relative to the orientation of the tool.

The indicating means may comprise a level of the spirit level type. A iongitudinal level may be used to indicate orientation in the axial direction of the tool, with the axis horizontal. A circular level may be used to indicate vertical alignment, and may also be used for horizontal alignment.

The handle may be of the screw in type which is screwed or bolted midway along the drill casing, or of the type which clamps on the drill adjacent the chuck.

When attached to the drill casing the handle and casing are preferably marked to ensure alignment of the levelling device with the drill bit axis for vertical drilling When clamped adjacent the chuck, the handles known in the art are normally aligned automaticaily to be perpendicular to the drill axis, and radial orientation is not of significance.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodi- ment of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is an end view on arrow A of Fig.

2; Figure 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 4; Figure 6 is an end view on arrow B of Fig.

5; Figure 7 is a third embodiment; Figure 8 shows the third embodiment attached to a drill; Figure 9 is a view of the third embodiment positioned to use when drilling vertical; and Figure 10 also shows the third embodiment fitted to a drill Figs. 1 to 3 illustate a first embodiment of the invention which is a drill handle which clamps on a drill and/or adjacent the chuck.

A split ring 1 has a cirular aperture 2 and is clamped around the drill chuck. A bolt 3 has a head 4 which is received in a recess on the side of the split ring and extends through an arm 5 of the ring 1 to a handle 6 which is screwed onto the bolt. To clamp the ring 1 on a drill chuck the handle 6 is tightened on the bolt 3. Such a construction is known in the art.

In this embodiment a levelling device 7 is attached to or incorporated in the arm 5. The levelling device shown comprises a plurality of circular spirit levels, 7a, 7b, 7c which are positioned to show when the axis C of the split ring, and hence the drill bit in an associated drill chuck, is vertical (7a,7c) or horizontal (7b). It is important that the axis C be aligned with the axis of the drill bit so that the levels will show when the bit is horizontal or vertical.

Figs. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment in which like reference numerals show like parts of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3. In this embodiment in place of three levels 7a, b,c, a single level 8 is mounted on a collar 9 which is rotatable about the bolt 3. Markings 10 are provided to show when the collar 9 is positioned with the level 8 in a plane perpendicular to the axis C (Fig. 5), or parallel to the axis. Further markings may be provided so that the drill bit may be held at an angle to the horizontal by setting the level 8 in the appropriate position.

During operation of an electric drill it has been found that the bubble in a spirit level may split. This is not a serious disadvantage as it is the initial alignment which is important, however levels using a solid "bubble" may be provided.

In Figs. 7 to 10 the levelling device 20 consists of a circular spirit level 21 mounted on a base 22 which is secured to a fiexible strap 23. In use the strap extends around a drill body 24 and buckles or hooks together as shown in Fig. 8. For vertical drilling, the spirit level 21 is turned 90 , from its Fig. 7 position, as shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 10 shows the levelling device in use for vertical drilling.

1. A levelling device for a hand holdable boring tool which is releasably attachable to the tool to provide in use a visual indication of a relative orientation of the tool.

2. A device according to claim 1, attached to or incorporated in a tool handle which

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Boring tools The present invention relates to boring tools. The invention relates more particularly to hand holdable boring tools commonly available and used especially in the home. Most such tools are electrically driven but the invention can be applied to hand operated tools. In use it is the practice to align a tool by eye, for example when trying to drill a horizontal hole. Whilst this may be achieved with ease by a skilled worker, particularly for holes of small depth, it is considerably more difficult for the home handy person or when drilling a deep hole. According to the invention there is provided a levelling device for a hand holdable boring tool which is releasably attachable to the tool to provide in use a visual indicaion of a relative orientation of the tool. The device may be attached to or incorporated in a tool handle which handle is releasably attachable to the tool. The levelling device may be hingably attachable arranged so as to take up one or more fixed predetermined positions relative to the orientation of the tool. The indicating means may comprise a level of the spirit level type. A iongitudinal level may be used to indicate orientation in the axial direction of the tool, with the axis horizontal. A circular level may be used to indicate vertical alignment, and may also be used for horizontal alignment. The handle may be of the screw in type which is screwed or bolted midway along the drill casing, or of the type which clamps on the drill adjacent the chuck. When attached to the drill casing the handle and casing are preferably marked to ensure alignment of the levelling device with the drill bit axis for vertical drilling When clamped adjacent the chuck, the handles known in the art are normally aligned automaticaily to be perpendicular to the drill axis, and radial orientation is not of significance. Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodi- ment of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is an end view on arrow A of Fig. 2; Figure 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 4; Figure 6 is an end view on arrow B of Fig. 5; Figure 7 is a third embodiment; Figure 8 shows the third embodiment attached to a drill; Figure 9 is a view of the third embodiment positioned to use when drilling vertical; and Figure 10 also shows the third embodiment fitted to a drill Figs. 1 to 3 illustate a first embodiment of the invention which is a drill handle which clamps on a drill and/or adjacent the chuck. A split ring 1 has a cirular aperture 2 and is clamped around the drill chuck. A bolt 3 has a head 4 which is received in a recess on the side of the split ring and extends through an arm 5 of the ring 1 to a handle 6 which is screwed onto the bolt. To clamp the ring 1 on a drill chuck the handle 6 is tightened on the bolt 3. Such a construction is known in the art. In this embodiment a levelling device 7 is attached to or incorporated in the arm 5. The levelling device shown comprises a plurality of circular spirit levels, 7a, 7b, 7c which are positioned to show when the axis C of the split ring, and hence the drill bit in an associated drill chuck, is vertical (7a,7c) or horizontal (7b). It is important that the axis C be aligned with the axis of the drill bit so that the levels will show when the bit is horizontal or vertical. Figs. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment in which like reference numerals show like parts of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3. In this embodiment in place of three levels 7a, b,c, a single level 8 is mounted on a collar 9 which is rotatable about the bolt 3. Markings 10 are provided to show when the collar 9 is positioned with the level 8 in a plane perpendicular to the axis C (Fig. 5), or parallel to the axis. Further markings may be provided so that the drill bit may be held at an angle to the horizontal by setting the level 8 in the appropriate position. During operation of an electric drill it has been found that the bubble in a spirit level may split. This is not a serious disadvantage as it is the initial alignment which is important, however levels using a solid "bubble" may be provided. In Figs. 7 to 10 the levelling device 20 consists of a circular spirit level 21 mounted on a base 22 which is secured to a fiexible strap 23. In use the strap extends around a drill body 24 and buckles or hooks together as shown in Fig. 8. For vertical drilling, the spirit level 21 is turned 90 , from its Fig. 7 position, as shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 10 shows the levelling device in use for vertical drilling. CLAIMS

2. A device according to claim 1, attached to or incorporated in a tool handle which handle is releasably attachable to the tool.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the levelling device is hingably attachable arranged so as to take up one or more fixed predetermined positions in use relative to the orientation of the tool.

4. A levelling device substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of Figs. 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.