Bore cutter with plug ejection and method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a hole cutting tool with plug ejection comprising a hole saw having a first central bore and an adapter stem having a second central bore along a central axis. The adapter stem is configured to be coupled to a rotary drill at one end and attached to the hole saw at a first cutting position and detached from the hole saw at a second ejection position at the other end. The hole cutting tool also includes a pilot having an ejection shoulder. The pilot is slidably disposed in the second central bore of the adapter stem and received through the first central bore of the hole saw. The pilot is configured to translate along the central axis between a first drilling position and a second ejection position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates primarily to a hole cutter, and more specifically to a connecting rod, a hole cutter, and related methods for facilitating the ejection of a plug from the hole cutter. Background Technology

[0002] A hole cutter is used to cut round holes in material to enable the assembly of various fittings, such as door locks in doors, cables in distribution panels, conduits in pits, and so on. A hole cutter typically consists of a ring saw with teeth formed at its open end, an extension bar attached to the other end of the saw, and a guide fixed within the extension bar. The extension bar is mounted in the chuck of a drilling machine, and the guide passes through the drill hole, thus providing an anchor or guide for the hole saw to begin the cutting process. Another method can be used: a hole is pre-drilled with a separate drill bit, and then a solid guide without a drill point is inserted into the hole to guide the hole saw. This is common in hard materials such as concrete, porcelain, and ceramics.

[0003] Waste is generated during the hole-cutting process and often accumulates inside the hole saw. This waste is commonly referred to as a core, block, or plug, and tends to clog the inside of the hole cutter. A further exacerbating problem encountered with hole cutters is the removal of these plugs, especially after cutting thicker materials.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 5,435,672 discloses an elongated extension bar with a threaded shank along which a hole saw travels from a first cutting position to a second ejection position to eject a plug. However, the extension bar requires additional length to allow the hole saw to return toward the drill chuck during plug ejection. This additional length hinders the operation of the hole saw when used in confined areas such as cabinets, electrical panels, and pits. This leads to increased manufacturing costs and, consequently, an increase in the overall cost of the hole cutter. Furthermore, this additional length causes rotational runout of the extension bar, which is undesirable when cutting round holes. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a piercing tool is provided. The piercing tool includes: a hole saw having a first center hole; and an extension bar having an extension bar body defining a second center hole along a central axis. The extension bar is configured to be coupled to a rotary drilling machine at one end, attached to the hole saw at a first cutting position at the other end, and disengaged from the hole saw at a second ejection position. The piercing tool also includes a guide having an ejection shoulder. The guide is slidably disposed in the second center hole of the extension bar and received through the first center hole of the hole saw. The guide is configured to translate along the central axis between the first drilling position and the second ejection position.

[0006] Furthermore, the connecting rod includes a locking device that rotatably secures the guide within the second center hole and prevents longitudinal movement of the guide along the central axis. In the first drilling position, the locking device engages the guide; in the second ejection position, the locking device disengages from the guide to allow translational movement of the guide between the first drilling position and the second ejection position. When the guide is in the second ejection position, the hole saw moves from the second ejection position to the first cutting position, causing the ejection shoulder to abut against the scrap in the first center hole, thereby ejecting the scrap from the hole saw.

[0007] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method of operating a hole cutter is provided. The method includes receiving a guide within a hole in a connecting rod along a central axis. The guide is configured to translate along the central axis between a drill position and a pop-out position. The method also includes detachably coupling a hole saw to the connecting rod. The hole saw is configured to translate along the central axis onto the guide. The method further includes translating the guide and the hole saw away from the connecting rod along the central axis. The method includes actuating a locking tongue from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the locking tongue engages the guide to prevent translational and rotational movement of the guide in the drill position, and in the second position, the locking tongue disengages from the guide to allow translational movement of the guide between the drill position and the pop-out position. The method also includes actuating the locking tongue to a third position. In the third position, the locking tongue engages the guide to prevent translational movement of the guide in the pop-out position. The method further includes translating the hole saw along the guide and along the central axis toward the connecting rod, and popping a plug from the hole saw when the guide is in the pop-out position and the locking tongue is in the third position.

[0008] These and other aspects and features of the non-limiting embodiments of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of specific non-limiting embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0009] A better understanding of the embodiments (including alternatives and / or variations thereof) of this disclosure can be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the embodiments and the following drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a piercing tool according to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 2 An exploded view of a cutting tool with a guide removed from the connecting rod, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown.

[0012] Figure 3A This is a cross-sectional view of a hole-cutting tool with a connecting rod according to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 3BThis is a schematic diagram of a cutting tool having a connecting rod including a threaded front end, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram of a cutting tool having a guide in a second pop-out position, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 4B It is according to the illustrative embodiments of this disclosure. Figure 4A A cross-sectional view of the cutting tool taken by line A-A' in the diagram;

[0016] Figure 5A This is a schematic diagram of a piercing tool with the hole saw in a first pop-out position and the guide in a second pop-out position, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 5B It is according to the illustrative embodiments of this disclosure. Figure 5A A cross-sectional view of the cutting tool taken along line B-B'; and

[0018] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of a method for ejecting a plug from a cutting tool according to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to the specific embodiments or features shown in the accompanying drawings. Where possible, corresponding or similar reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. Furthermore, when there may be more than one element of the same type, the various elements described herein are referred to jointly or individually. However, these references are illustrative in nature only. It should be noted that any reference to an element in the singular form may also be interpreted in relation to the plural, and vice versa, and the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the exact number or type of such elements unless expressly stated in the appended claims.

[0020] Various aspects of this disclosure relate to a hole-cutting tool with a plug ejection feature that eliminates the need for an extension rod. According to various aspects of this disclosure, the hole-cutting tool includes a hollow extension rod that allows translational movement of a guide and a hole saw to facilitate plug ejection, thereby avoiding the need for an extension rod.

[0021] refer to Figure 1The diagram illustrates a hole-cutting tool 100. According to one aspect of this disclosure, the hole-cutting tool 100 can be implemented as a power tool 102 to drill holes in workpieces 104 such as cabinets, electrical panels, door panels, metal sheets, and plastic sheets. The power tool 102 can be electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically actuated to drive the hole-cutting tool 100. In one embodiment, the power tool 102 is a rotary drill. Upon receiving power from the power tool 102, the hole-cutting tool 100 is configured to create a hole in the workpiece 104 by removing material from it. The material thus removed may become stuck inside the hole-cutting tool 100 and may be considered waste 150. Hereinafter, the term "waste 150" is interchangeably referred to as plug 150.

[0022] The hole cutter 100 includes a connecting rod 106, which is configured to be partially received within the chuck 108 of the power tool 102. The connecting rod 106 includes a connecting rod body 110, which defines a second central aperture 112 along a central axis XX. Figure 3A (As shown in the diagram). The handle body 110 includes a drive portion 114 and a shaft portion 116 opposite to the drive portion 114. The drive portion 114 can be configured to insert into the chuck 108 of the power tool 102, thereby converting rotation from the power tool 102. The drive portion 114 can include any cross-section that can be received within the chuck 108 of a corresponding shape of the power tool 102, such as hexagonal, rectangular, triangular, conical, square, etc. In various embodiments, the drive portion 114 may also include attachment means, such as latches, clips, screws, threads, etc., to allow easy attachment and removal of the cutting tool from the power tool. The shaft portion 116 extends from the drive portion 114 along a central axis XX. The shaft portion 116 has an annular cross-section. The drive portion 114 and the handle portion 116 together define a second central hole 112 therein along the central axis XX.

[0023] Figure 2An exploded view of the piercing tool 100 is shown. The piercing tool 100 also includes a connecting rod head 118 extending from a shaft portion 116 opposite to the drive portion 114. It should be noted that the connecting rod head 118 can be considered as one end of the connecting rod 106, and the drive portion 114 can be considered as the other end of the connecting rod 106. In one embodiment, the connecting rod head 118 includes: a through hole 136; and a ring member 124 rotatably mounted on the shaft portion 116 of the connecting rod 106. The connecting rod head 118 includes drive pins 132 spaced angularly from each other. The drive pins 132 are radially spaced from orifices 120 on opposite radial ends. The connecting rod head 118 includes a rear portion 126 of the connecting rod head configured to engage the ring member 124 to allow rotational movement of the ring member 124. In one embodiment, the ring member 124 is configured to rotate on the connecting rod body 110 between a first angular position and a second angular position. In addition, the receiving rod body 130 is configured to receive the button mechanism 134.

[0024] The hole-cutting tool 100 further includes a hole saw 140 and an adapter 142 connected to the hole saw 140. The hole saw 140 is configured to be positioned at a first drilling location (e.g., ...). Figure 3A (as shown in the image) and the first pop-up position (as shown in the image) Figure 4A (as shown in the diagram). In the first drilling position, the hole saw 140 is configured to pass through the adapter 142 and connect to the connector head 118 of the connector 106, while in the second pop-out position, the hole saw 140 is configured to disengage from the connector.

[0025] The hole saw 140 includes a cup body 144 defining a first central hole 141. The cup body 144 includes a cutting surface 146 formed on its first open end 148. The cutting surface 146 can be configured to cut a hole in the workpiece 104 by cutting a plug 150 from the workpiece 104 when the connecting rod 106 receives power from the power tool 102. In one embodiment, the cutting surface 146 may include a plurality of cutting teeth 152. In other embodiments, the cutting surface 146 may include a ground cutting surface.

[0026] Figure 3A A cross-sectional view of the hole-cutting tool 100 is shown. (Reference) Figure 2 and Figure 3A The ring member 124 includes a plurality of first locking shoulders 138 spaced angularly from each other and radially spaced from the orifice 120. In a first angular position, the first locking shoulders 138 are partially disposed over the through-hole 136 of the connecting rod head 118. In a second angular position, the first locking shoulders 138 are disposed away from the through-hole 136 of the connecting rod head 118. In one embodiment, the ring member 124 can be biased to the first angular position. The ring member 124 can be actuated to the second angular position by manual operation of an operator.

[0027] Adapter 142 is connected to the second open end 154 of the cup body 144 of the hole saw 140. Adapter 142 is configured to detachably connect the hole saw 140 to the extension head 118. Adapter 142 includes a disc member 156 and a plurality of pin extensions 158 extending from the disc member 156. The disc member 156 defines an opening 160 therethrough. The pin extensions 158 extend from the disc member 156 opposite to the hole saw 140. The pin extensions 158 are angularly spaced apart from each other. The pin extensions 148 are also angularly spaced apart from the opening 160. The pin extensions 158 are configured to be received in a through-hole 136 of the extension head 118. The pin extension 158 is further configured to engage the first locking shoulder 138 of the ring member 124 of the connecting rod head 118, thereby connecting the adapter 142 to the connecting rod head 118, thereby connecting the hole saw 140 to the connecting rod 106 during operation.

[0028] The hole cutter 100 further includes a guide 162 configured to engage the workpiece 104 during drilling operations. The guide 162 provides anchor point support to the hole saw 140. In one embodiment, the guide 162 includes a guide drill bit configured to create a small-diameter hole in the workpiece 104 before the hole saw 140 creates a hole of the desired diameter in the workpiece 104. In another embodiment, the guide 152 may include a tubular body 187 having a tip that engages a pre-formed hole in the workpiece 104.

[0029] The guide 162 includes a cutting portion 164 and a shank 166 extending from the cutting portion 164. The cutting portion 164 includes a plurality of cutting edges 168 configured to trim material from the workpiece 104. The cutting portion 164 has a diameter 'D1'. The shank 166 includes a pop-out shoulder 170. The pop-out shoulder 170 has a diameter 'D2' larger than the diameter 'D1' of the cutting portion 164. Furthermore, the shank 166 includes a first end 172 proximal to the cutting portion 164 and a second end 174 distal to the cutting portion 164. The shank 166 includes a pawl 176 at the first end 172 and a locking groove 178 at the second end 174.

[0030] The guide 162 is configured to be partially received in the second center hole 112 of the connecting rod 106. The guide 162 is configured in the first drilling position (e.g., Figure 3A (as shown in the image) and the second pop-up position (as shown in the image) Figure 4AThe guide 162 is translated between the two positions shown in the diagram. In the first drilling position, the shank 166 of the guide 162 is disposed within the second central hole 112 of the connecting rod 106, and in the second pop-out position, at least a portion of the shank 166 of the guide 162 extends outward from the second central hole 112 of the connecting rod 106. In one embodiment, in the second pop-out position, both the guide 162 and the hole saw 140 are moved away from the connecting rod 106 along the central axis XX. In one embodiment, the first pop-out position of the hole saw 140 corresponds to the second pop-out position of the guide 162, and therefore, the first pop-out position of the hole saw 140 can be interchangeably referred to as the second pop-out position.

[0031] For reference only Figure 2 The burring tool 100 further includes a locking tongue 180 disposed within a connecting rod head 118. The locking tongue 180 is actuated between a first position, a second position, and a third position. In the first position, the locking tongue 180 engages the guide 162 to prevent translational and rotational movement of the guide 162 in a first drilling position, and wherein, in the second position, the locking tongue 180 disengages from the guide 162, thereby allowing translational movement of the guide 162 between the first drilling position and a second ejection position, and the locking tongue 180 engages the guide 162 to prevent translational movement of the guide in the second ejection position.

[0032] For reference only Figure 3A The guide 162 is positioned in a first drilling position. In this position, the guide 162, the second center hole 112 of the connecting rod 106, and the opening 160 of the adapter 142 are coaxially aligned with each other along the central axis XX. The cutting portion 164 of the guide 162 is received further through the opening 160 of the adapter 142. The shank 166 of the guide 162 is positioned within the second center hole 112 of the connecting rod 106. When using a hole saw, the cutting portion 164 of the guide 162 extends out of the second center hole 112 at a predetermined distance from the hole saw 140. This predetermined distance may be less than the thickness of the workpiece 104. In one embodiment, the guide 162 is locked in the first drilling position by a locking tongue 180. More specifically, the locking tongue 180 engages the pawl 176 of the guide 162 when in the first position, thereby preventing translational and rotational movement of the guide 162 along the central axis XX in the first drilling position.

[0033] Furthermore, the ring member 124 is biased at a first angular position to engage the adapter 142 of the hole saw 140. More specifically, in the first angular position, the pin extension 158 of the adapter 142 is received by a through-hole 136 passing through the rod head 118 of the connecting rod 106. Within the pin retaining member 132, the pin extension 158 engages the first locking shoulder 138 of the ring member 124, thereby attaching the adapter 142 and engaging the hole saw 140 with the connecting rod 106.

[0034] During drilling operations, extension rod 105 receives power from power tool 102 and transmits it to hole saw 140 via adapter 142. Extension rod 106 further transmits power to guide 162 via locking tongue 180. As adapter 142 and guide 162 rotate, hole saw 140 cuts plug 150 from workpiece 104. Plug 150 can be received and engaged within the first open end 148 of hole saw 140.

[0035] Figure 3B A further embodiment of the invention is shown, in which the connecting rod 106 has a threaded front end 181 extending from the connecting rod head 118. The hole saw 140 has threads 182 in an end cap 183. The threads in the end cap 183 screw onto the threaded front end 181, thereby mounting the hole saw onto the shoulder 184 of the connecting rod head 118. The guide 162 is securely mounted in the connecting rod head 118 by tightening a flathead screw 185. The protruding shoulder 170 has a diameter 'D2', which is larger than the diameter 'D1' of the cutting portion 164 and larger than the inner diameter of the hole saw thread 182. After cutting a hole, the hole saw 140 can be unscrewed. The hole saw 140 can then be moved away from the connecting rod 106 in the direction of arrow B until the hole saw end cap 183 abuts against the ejected shoulder 170 of the guide 162. The flathead screw 185 can be unscrewed to release the guide 162. As the hole saw 140 moves further in the direction of arrow B, the hole saw end cap 183 abuts against the ejector shoulder 170 of the guide 162, pulling the guide from inside the second center hole 112 until the locking groove 179 aligns with the flathead screw 185. The flathead screw 185 can now be tightened, thereby re-secured the guide 162. The hole saw 140 can now move towards the connecting rod 106 in the direction of arrow A. It should be understood that as the guide is secured, it will remain secured as the hole saw 140 moves towards the connecting rod 106, causing the ejector shoulder 170 to abut against and expel the plug 150 remaining inside the hole saw cylinder 185. The flathead screw can then be loosened.

[0036] Figure 4A A schematic diagram of the piercing tool 100 with the guide 162 in the second pop-out position is shown. Figure 4B It shows along Figure 4A The cross-sectional view of the cutting tool 100, taken along line A-A'. (Reference) Figure 4A and Figure 4BThe guide 162 is slidably received within the second central hole 112 of the connecting rod 106. The guide 162 is configured to translate along the central axis XX within the second central hole 112 from a first drilled position to a second ejected position. In one embodiment, the guide 162 translates away from the connecting rod 106 along a direction 'R' toward the second ejected position. In the second ejected position, at least a portion of the shank 166 of the guide 162 extends outside the second central hole 112 of the connecting rod 106. In one embodiment, a second end 174 of the shank 166 is disposed within the second central hole 112 of the connecting rod 106, and a first end 172 of the shank 166 is disposed outside the second central hole 112 of the connecting rod 106.

[0037] To allow the guide 162 to translate within the second center hole 112 of the connecting rod 106, the locking tongue 180 can be actuated from a first position to a second position. In the second position, the locking tongue 180 disengages from the pawl 176 of the guide 162 to allow the guide 162 to translate in the direction 'R'. In one embodiment, a button mechanism 134 can be pressed to actuate the locking tongue 180 from the first position to the second position.

[0038] In addition, such as Figure 4B As shown, when the guide 162 is in the second pop-out position, the locking tongue 180 can be actuated from the second position to the first position. In one embodiment, the locking tongue 180 can be configured to be actuated from the second position to a third position based on the biasing force of the spring member. In the third position, the locking tongue 180 engages in the locking recess 178 of the guide 162, thereby preventing translational movement of the guide 162 along the central axis XX in the first drilled position.

[0039] Figure 5A This is a schematic diagram of the hole-cutting tool 100, showing the hole saw 140 in the first pop-out position and the guide 162 in the second pop-out position. Figure 5B It is along Figure 5A A cross-sectional view of the cutting tool 100, which is used to cut holes along the lines in the diagram. (Reference) Figure 5A and Figure 5BThe hole saw 140 is configured to translate along the central axis XX toward the connecting rod 106 in the direction 'L' when the guide 162 is locked in the second pop-out position and the locking tongue 180 is in the third position. In one embodiment, the hole saw 140 translates in the direction 'L' opposite to the direction 'R'. The hole saw 140 can translate in the direction 'L' toward the connecting rod 106 to engage the connecting rod head 118. During the translational movement of the hole saw 130 in the direction 'L' toward the connecting rod 106, the pop-out shoulder 170 of the guide 162 abuts against a plug, thereby popping the plug 150 out of the hole saw 140 while the guide is locked in the second pop-out position. In one embodiment, the hole saw 140 can be translated to lock via the connecting rod head 118 for further drilling operations.

[0040] Industrial applicability

[0041] As described above, after cutting from workpiece 104 during the drilling operation, the plug 150 adheres to the hole saw 140. The extension rod 106 of this disclosure allows the plug 150 to eject from the hole saw 140 by simultaneously translating the guide 162 and the hole saw 140 away from the extension rod 106. The extension rod further allows the hole saw 140 to subsequently translate toward the extension rod in a first ejection position, while the guide 162 is locked in a second ejection position, thereby ejecting the plug 150 from the hole saw 140.

[0042] Figure 6 A flowchart of a method 600 for operating the piercing tool 100 is shown. (About...) Figures 1 to 5B Method 600 is described. In one embodiment, step 604 of method 600 includes slidably receiving a guide 162 within a second central hole 112 of a receiving rod 106 along a central axis XX. The guide 162 is configured to translate between a drill position and a pop-out position. In one embodiment, the drill position is referred to as a first drill position, and the pop-out position is referred to as a second pop-out position.

[0043] In step 606, method 600 includes detachably attaching a hole saw 140 to a connecting rod 106. The hole saw 140 is configured to translate along a guide 162 in direction 'R' along a central axis XX. In one embodiment, the hole saw 140 is attached via an adapter 142 to a connecting rod head 118 mounted on the connecting rod 106. The ring member 124 of the connecting rod head 118 can be configured to be actuated between a first angular position, in which the hole saw 140 is attached to the connecting rod 106, and in the second angular position, the hole saw 140 is disengaged from the connecting rod 106.

[0044] In step 608, method 600 includes translating the hole saw 140 and the guide 162 away from the connecting rod 106 along the central axis XX. The hole saw 140 and the guide 162 are configured to simultaneously translate away from the connecting rod 106 along the direction 'R'. Specifically, the hole saw 140 is configured to translate from a first cutting position to a first ejection position, while the guide 162 is configured to translate from a first drilling position to a second ejection position.

[0045] In step 610, method 600 also includes actuating the locking tongue 180 from a first position to a second position, thereby translating the guide 162 from a first drilled position to a second pop-out position. In the first position, the locking tongue 180 engages the guide 162, thereby preventing translational and rotational movement of the guide 162 in the first drilled position. In the second position, the locking tongue 180 disengages from the guide 162, thereby allowing translational movement of the guide 162 between the first drilled position and the second drilled position.

[0046] In step 612, method 600 includes actuating locking tongue 180 from a second position to a third position. In the third position, locking tongue 180 engages guide 162, thereby preventing translational movement of guide 162 in the second pop-out position.

[0047] In step 614, method 6000 includes translating the hole saw 140 along the central axis XX toward the connecting rod 106 when the guide 162 is locked in the pop-out position and the locking tongue 180 is in the second position, thereby popping the plug 150 out of the hole saw 140. In one embodiment, the guide 162 includes a pop-out shoulder 170 configured to abut against the plug 150 when the hole saw 140 is translated along the direction 'L' toward the connecting rod 106. Specifically, when the guide 162 is in the second pop-out position, the movement of the hole saw 140 from the first cutting position to the second pop-out position and then back to the first cutting position causes the pop-out shoulder 170 to abut against the scrap 150 in the first central hole 141, thereby popping the scrap 150 out of the hole saw 140.

[0048] In various embodiments, method 600 may include an additional step of actuating the locking tongue 180 from a third position to a second position, thereby translating the guide 162 back to the first drilling position. The guide 162 may be configured to slide along direction 'L' within the second central hole 112 of the connecting rod 106 to the first drilling position. Thereafter, the locking tongue 180 may be actuated from the second position to the first position to prevent any translational movement of the guide 162 for further drilling operations.

[0049] All terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments and examples only and should not be construed as limiting the invention. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” used herein are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “comprising…,” “including…,” “having…,” “having…,” or variations thereof are used in the detailed description and / or claims, these terms are intended to be included in a manner similar to the term “comprising….”

[0050] Although various aspects of this disclosure have been specifically shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various additional embodiments can be conceived by modifying the disclosed methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of this disclosure as defined by the claims and any equivalents thereof.

[0051] Explanation of attached diagrams

[0052] Figure 6

[0053] 604: The guide is slidably received along the central axis within the hole of the connecting rod.

[0054] 606: Detachably connect the hole saw to the extension bar.

[0055] 608: Move the guide and hole saw away from the extension rod along the central axis.

[0056] 610: Actuate the locking tongue from the first position to the second position.

[0057] 612: Move the locking tongue to the third position.

[0058] 614: Move the hole saw along the central axis toward the guide rod.

Claims

1. A hole cutting tool comprising: a hole saw having a first central bore; a shank having a shank body defining a second central bore along a central axis, the shank configured to be coupled to a rotary drill at one end and attached to the hole saw at a first cutting position at the other end and disengaged from the hole saw at a second, ejected position of the hole saw; a pilot having an ejection shoulder, the pilot slidably disposed in the second central bore of the shank and received through the first central bore of the hole saw, the pilot configured to translate along the central axis between a first drilling position and the second, ejected position; wherein the shank includes a locking arrangement to rotatably secure the pilot within the second central bore and prevent longitudinal movement of the pilot along the central axis, wherein the locking arrangement further comprises: an adapter coupled to the hole saw, the adapter having an opening; a ring member rotatably mounted on the shank, the ring member configured to detachably couple the adapter to the shank; a shank head engaging the ring member to allow rotational movement of the ring member; and a locking tongue disposed within the shank head, the locking tongue actuatable between a first position, a second position, and a third position, wherein in the first drilling position, the locking tongue engages the pilot to prevent translational and rotational movement of the pilot in the drilling position, and wherein in the second, ejected position, the locking tongue disengages from the pilot to allow translational movement of the pilot between the drilling position and the ejected position, and wherein in the third position, the locking tongue engages the pilot to prevent translational movement of the pilot in the ejected position, wherein movement of the hole saw from the second, ejected position to the first cutting position when the pilot is in the second, ejected position causes the ejection shoulder to abut against waste material in the first central bore to eject the waste material from the hole saw.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein, the pilot comprising: a cutting portion; and a shank portion extending from the cutting portion, wherein the shank portion is disposed within the bore of the shank in the drilling position, and wherein at least a portion of the shank portion extends externally from the bore of the shank in the ejected position.

3. The tool of claim 2, wherein, the ring member configured to rotate between a first angular position and a second angular position, and wherein in the first angular position, the shank head engages the adapter to attach an even hole saw to the shank, and in the second angular position, the shank head disengages from the adapter to allow free translational movement of the hole saw along the central axis.

4. The tool of claim 3, wherein, the ring member remains in the first angular position while cutting a hole to engage the adapter and couple the hole saw to the shank.

5. The tool of claim 3, wherein, The hole saw and the pilot are configured to simultaneously translate along the central axis away from the shank when the ring member is in the second angular position and the locking tongue is in a second position.

6. The tool of claim 4, wherein, The hole saw is translatable along the central axis onto the pilot to eject a plug of waste material trapped within the hole saw when a pilot pin is locked in the second ejected position and the locking tongue is in the third position.

7. The tool of claim 5, wherein, The cutting portion extends from the shank, the cutting portion including a shoulder having a diameter greater than a diameter of the cutting portion, wherein the shoulder abuts the waste material during translational movement of the hole saw onto the shank along the central axis.

8. The tool of claim 1, wherein, The pilot is locked in the first drilling position and the locking tongue is actuated in a first position during a drilling operation.

9. The tool of claim 1, wherein, The pilot is configured to translate along the central axis away from the shank to the second ejected position when the locking tongue is actuated in the second position.

10. The tool of claim 1, wherein, The pilot is configured to be locked in the second ejected position when the locking tongue is actuated in the third position.

11. The tool of claim 1, wherein, The pilot, the hole of the shank, and the central through-hole of the adapter are coaxially aligned with the central axis.

12. The tool of claim 1, wherein, The adapter includes at least one extension pin configured to be removably received within a hole of the shank head to couple the adapter with the shank head.

13. The tool of claim 1, wherein, The pilot includes a pilot drill configured to create a hole.

14. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a button to actuate the locking tongue between the first position and the second position.

15. A method of operating a hole cutting tool according to any one of claims 1-14, the method comprising: receiving a pilot within a hole of a shank along a central axis, the pilot configured to translate along the central axis between a drilling position and an ejected position; removably coupling a hole saw to the shank, the hole saw configured to translate along the central axis onto the pilot; translating the pilot and the hole saw along the central axis away from the shank; actuating a locking tongue from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the locking tongue engages the pilot to prevent translational movement of the pilot in the drilling position, and in the second position the locking tongue disengages from the pilot to allow translational movement of the pilot between the drilling position and the ejected position; actuating the locking tongue to a third position, wherein in the third position the locking tongue engages the pilot to prevent translational movement of the pilot in the ejected position; and translating the hole saw along the central axis onto the pilot, ejecting a plug from the hole saw when the pilot is in the ejected position and the locking tongue is in the third position.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: rotatably coupling a ring member to the shank, the ring member configured to rotate between a first angular position and a second angular position, wherein in the first angular position the shank head couples the hole saw to the shank, and in the second angular position the shank head uncouples the hole saw from the shank to allow translational movement of the hole saw along the central axis.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: coupling the hole saw to an adapter; the adapter is configured to detachably couple the hole saw to the ring member.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: after removing the plug from the hole saw, translating the pilot toward the shank to the drilling position.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: actuating the locking tongue to the first position to prevent translational and rotational movement of the pilot during a drilling operation.

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