Vacuum shroud for use with drilling tools

Abstract

A flexible vacuum shroud provides an improved seal to the work surface and allows for use on curved surfaces. The shroud incorporates support structures around the cutting tool hole which improve performance with different cutting tools and which prevent collapse of the shroud.

Description

PRIORITY[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 021,320, filed on Jan. 15, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD[0002]This patent application relates to a vacuum shroud. More specifically, this application relates to a vacuum shroud, which is used with a vacuum and a drilling tool to remove dust and debris as it is generated by the drilling tool.BACKGROUND[0003]Drilling and other similar processes create undesirable dust and debris. The debris often tends to spread in all directions, is usually difficult to remove, and can be harmful to the operator's health. Many types of debris, such as from fiberglass, can be quite harmful to the health of the worker. Capturing this dust before it can circulate helps ensure a cleaner, safer environment for workers, as well as making it easier to clean up after the desired work is done. In addition, the dust and debris often collects in the power tool itself, such as in t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In some embodiments described below, a vacuum shroud may be made using a flexible material, enabling it to bend and be used on a non-planar surface. Using a flexible material may allow the shroud to seal better to both flat and curved surfaces, such that the vacuum helps hold the shroud to the workplace more securely.

[0008]Similarly, some embodiments of vacuum shrouds may include a support post attached to the inside surface of the shroud that extends towards the surface to be drilled in order to support the vacuum shroud once suction is applied. Such vacuum shrouds may allow a flexible material to be used with an open hole without causing the collapse of the shroud. In such embodiments, the vacuum shroud may be well suited for drilling metal where longer strings of metal are produced.

Problems solved by technology

Drilling and other similar processes create undesirable dust and debris.

The debris often tends to spread in all directions, is usually difficult to remove, and can be harmful to the operator's health.

Many types of debris, such as from fiberglass, can be quite harmful to the health of the worker.

In addition, the dust and debris often collects in the power tool itself, such as in the gears, chuck, or motor, and can cause increased wear and a decrease in the tool's life.

Available devices, however, perform poorly when used for drilling into other substances, such as metal where long strings of metal are generated rather than a fine dust.

These devices are also difficult to use as a person must hold the vacuum hose and shroud in one hand while drilling with the other hand.

While these need not be held independently of the tool, they can inhibit the operator's ability to use the tool, as the bulk of the device and the vacuum hose are cumbersome and limit the ability to accurately position the drill bit.

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