# US 2018/0021986 A1 · Drill spring device method of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021986 A1 - Document ID: US20180021986A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/214,951 - Filed: 2016-07-20 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-20 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Michael Fisher - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021986A1 ## CPC - B29C 33/74: Repairing - B29K 2105/246: {Uncured, e.g. green} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS ## Abstract An apparatus for restoring a tool for fabricating a part from a composite laminate material including a contact member which includes a contact surface, wherein the contact member is adapted to be positioned within a bore of a wall of the tool such that at least a portion of the contact surface of the contact member aligns with a surface of the wall. The apparatus further includes a resilient member positioned with respect to the contact member such that an opposing side to the contact surface of the contact member, is positioned between the contact surface and the resilient member. A method is included for restoring a tool for fabricating a part from a composite laminate material. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for restoring a tool for fabricating a part from a composite laminate material, comprising: a contact member comprising a contact surface, wherein the contact member is adapted to be positioned within a bore of a wall of the tool such that at least a portion of the contact surface of the contact member aligns with a surface of the wall; and a resilient member is positioned with respect to the contact member such that an opposing side to the contact surface of the contact member is positioned between the contact surface and the resilient member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contact member comprises a cylindrical shape with a central axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, further including a first shaft member connected to the contact member wherein: the first shaft member is adapted to extend within the bore in a direction away from the contact member; and the first shaft member comprises a cylindrical shape with a second central axis positioned aligned with the central axis of the contact member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the contact member and the first shaft member are rotatably connected. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the contact member defines a second bore which extends from the opposing side of the contact member and the second bore extends in a direction toward the contact surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second bore of the contact member defines a diameter having a dimension, wherein: the dimension is less than a dimension of a second diameter defined by the second bore, wherein the second diameter is positioned spaced apart from the diameter in a direction toward the opposing side of the contact member; and the dimension is less than a dimension of a third diameter defined by the second bore, wherein the third diameter is positioned spaced apart from the diameter in a direction toward the contact surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein an end portion of the shaft member defines a fourth diameter wherein: the fourth diameter has a dimension which is less than the dimension of the second diameter of the second bore of the contact member; and the dimension of the fourth diameter is greater than the dimension of the diameter of the second bore of the contact member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further includes a second shaft member connected to a first shaft member, wherein: the contact member and the second shaft member are spaced apart such that at least a portion of the first shaft member is positioned between the contact member and the second shaft member; and the second shaft member comprises a fifth diameter having a dimension greater than a dimension of a sixth diameter defined by the first shaft member positioned along the first shaft member between the contact member and the second shaft member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first shaft member and the second shaft member form a single piece construction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the second shaft member is adapted to slide within a third bore defined by the wall wherein the third bore is in communication with and positioned in alignment with the bore; and a seventh diameter defined by the bore has a greater dimension than a dimension of an eighth diameter defined by the third bore. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, further includes a barrier member positioned between the contact member and the second shaft member, wherein: the barrier member defines an opening which defines a ninth diameter having a dimension greater than the dimension of the sixth diameter of the first shaft member; and the dimension of the ninth diameter of the opening is less than the dimension of the fifth diameter defined by the second shaft member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, further includes the resilient member positioned between the contact member and the barrier member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the resilient member comprises one of closed cell solid foam and a spring. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contact member defines a wall member which extends in a direction transverse to the at least a portion of the contact surface. ### Claim 15 A method for restoring a tool for fabricating a part from composite laminate material, comprising the steps of: drilling a hole with a drill bit through cured composite laminate material positioned overlying a surface of a wall of the tool and a contact surface of a contact member such that the drill bit contacts the contact surface of the contact member, wherein the contact member is positioned and moveable within a bore defined by a wall of the tool with at least a portion of the contact surface of the contact member aligned with the surface of the wall; and moving the contact member with the drill bit such that the at least a portion of the contact surface moves in a first direction within the bore and moves out of alignment with the surface of the wall. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, further including the step of moving the drill bit in a second direction opposing the first direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, further including the step of moving the contact member in the second direction within the bore such that the at least a portion of the contact surface moves into alignment with the surface of the wall. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, further including the step of removing the cured composite laminate material in which the hole has been drilled from an overlying position with the surface of the wall and the contact surface of the contact member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, further including the step of positioning an uncured composite laminate material into overlying relationship with the surface of the wall and the contact surface of the contact member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, further including the step of curing the uncured composite material.