US 4,601,618 A · Pilot hole locator and drill guide and method

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for locating and drilling pilot holes. Known systems are time-consuming and difficult to carry out and do not reliably result in straight and accurate pilot holes. The invention provides easy and accurate location and drilling and accurate alignment with an initial hole on an inaccessible surface. Clamp jaws (22, 50) are spring loaded into a closed position. Pliers (82) engage jaw (50) and head (64) of a shaft (60) extending through jaw (50) and attached to jaw (22). Pliers (82) are squeezed to move jaw (50) along shaft (60) away from jaw (22). Clamp (22, 50) is placed around a workpiece (10, 8, 15) with a pilot (38) carried by jaw (22) engaging a back surface pilot hole (16). Pliers (82) are released to allow spring (66) on shaft (60) to clamp jaws (22, 50) around workpiece (10, 8, 15). Drill bit (90) is introduced into a bushing (54) in jaw (50). Drilling is commenced, pilot (38) is retracted into slot (26) in jaw (22), and drilling all the way through workpiece (10, 8, 15) is completed.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A device for locating a pilot hole that extends only part of the way through a workpiece, and for guiding a drill to extend said hole all the way through the workpiece, said device comprising:

a clamp including opposing jaws movable toward and away from each other along an axis, each of said jaws having an opening extending therethrough generally parallel to said axis, and said openings being aligned with each other;
a pilot having a use position in which it projects from one of said openings toward the opposing jaw;
resilient means for urging the jaws toward each other to clamp the workpiece therebetween;
moving means for moving the jaws away from each other against the force of the resilient means to permit the jaws to be positioned with the workpiece therebetween and the pilot projecting into the pilot hole;
a drill bushing in the other of said openings for guiding a drill bit;
and
removal means for moving the pilot out of its use position to permit the pilot hole to be drilled all the way through the workpiece.

4 more elements

A method of locating a pilot hole that extends only part of the way through a workpiece, and of guiding a drill to extend said hole all the way through the workpiece, said method comprising:

providing opposing jaws movable toward and away from each other along an axis, and providing an opening through each such jaw generally parallel to said axis, said openings being aligned with each other;
providing resilient means for urging the jaws toward each other;
positioning a pilot in a use position in which it projects from one of said openings toward the opposing jaw;
applying an opening force to move the jaws away from each other against the force of the resilient means;
with the jaws moved away from each other, positioning the jaws with the workpiece therebetween and the pilot projecting into the pilot hole;
with the jaws so positioned, removing the opening force to allow the force of the resilient means to move the jaws toward each other and clamp the workpiece therebetween;
and
with the workpiece clamped between the jaws:
moving the pilot out of its use position and away from said one opening;
introducing a drill bit into the other of said openings to guide said bit;
and
drilling all the way through the workpiece from said other opening to the pilot hole to extend said hole all the way through the workpiece.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pilot hole locator and drill guide and method

Life of this patent

Pilot hole locator and drill guide and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14