# US 5,704,739 A · Portable drill press > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,739 A - Document ID: US5704739A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/709,828 - Filed: 1996-09-10 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1996-09-10 - Inventors: Sam Bridenstine; Carl Horner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704739A ## CPC - B23Q 5/326: {screw-operated} - B23Q 9/0042: {the guide means being fixed only on the workpiece} - Y10T 408/03: Processes - Y10T 408/56275: Screw coaxial with Tool - Y10T 408/5647: including means to move Tool - Y10T 408/6793: Screw coaxial with Tool - B23Q: DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING (tools of the kind used in lathes or boring machines B23B27/00); MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Holes are drilled into work pieces which are inconvenient to be mounted in a conventional machine shop drill press. Walking of the drill bit is controlled by an alignment guide 40 placed at the surface of the work piece which axially stabilizes the drill bit while it rotates. Downward axial force is applied to the drill bit by a screw action which translates rotational force applied by a wrench into an axial force. The device may be affixed to the work piece by clamping or spot welding. Downward axial force is applied by way of a pair of threadably engaged cylinders 42, 44. The outer cylinder 42 is integral with a plate 32 which is affixed to the work piece. The inner cylinder 44 has a portion 46 where rotational force may be applied. When the inner cylinder 44 is caused to rotate, the rotational force is translated into axial force by the threaded engagement of the inner cylinder 44 with the outer cylinder 42. Downward axial force bears upon the shoulder 94 of the drill bit 98 causing the drill bit to bore into the work piece. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for use with a drill bit for drilling a hole in a surface, said apparatus comprising: a bit alignment guide; and an axial bit force applicator, connected to and in alignment with said bit alignment guide, wherein said bit alignment guide comprises: a base plate having a hole therethrough which has a diameter slightly greater than a diameter of the drill bit, and wherein said axial bit force applicator comprises: a pipe collar having internal threads; a pipe nipple having external threads, threadably engaged with said pipe collar; and a rotational force coupler attached to said pipe nipple; and wherein said pipe collar is connected to said base plate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said pipe nipple has a proximal end at which said rotational force coupler is disposed; and said pipe nipple has a distal end at which said external threads are disposed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rotational force coupler is hexagonal in shape so as to be engagable with a wrench. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, said apparatus further comprising: a handle which is engaged with said rotational force coupler, whereby a rotational force applied to said handle is coupled to said axial bit force applicator so as to apply axial force to the drill bit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said handle is a wrench. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said handle is a ratcheting box end wrench. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said axial bit force applicator further comprises: a bearing mounted in said pipe nipple, whereby said axial bit force applicator applies axial force to the drill bit while the drill bit is rotating. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is portable. ### Claim 9 An apparatus for use with a drill bit for drilling a hole in a surface, said apparatus comprising: a bit alignment guide; and an axial bit force applicator, connected to and in alignment with said bit alignment guide, wherein said axial bit force applicator comprises: a pipe collar having internal threads; a pipe nipple having external threads, threadably engaged with said pipe collar; and a rotational force coupler attached to said pipe nipple. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said bit alignment guide comprises: a base plate having a hole therethrough which has a diameter slightly greater than a diameter of the drill bit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said bit alignment guide comprises: a base plate having a hole therethrough which has a diameter slightly greater than a diameter of the drill bit; and wherein said pipe collar is connected to said base plate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: said pipe nipple has a proximal end at which said rotational force coupler is disposed; and said pipe nipple has a distal end at which said external threads are disposed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said rotational force coupler is hexagonal in shape so as to be engagable with a wrench. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9, said apparatus further comprising: a handle which is engaged with said rotational force coupler, whereby a rotational force applied to said handle is coupled to said axial bit force applicator so as to apply axial force to the drill bit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said handle is a wrench. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said handle is a ratcheting box end wrench. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said axial bit force applicator further comprises: a bearing mounted in said pipe nipple, whereby said axial bit force applicator applies axial force to the drill bit while the drill bit is rotating. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the apparatus is portable. ### Claim 19 A method of drilling holes in a surface comprising the steps of: (a) providing a drill bit having a shank and a collar; (b) providing a drill having a chuck for holding drill bits; (c) providing a bit alignment guide and an axial bit force applicator; (d) inserting the shank of the drill bit through the axial bit force applicator and securing the shank in the drill chuck; (e) securing the bit alignment guide in a desired position on the surface; (f) operating the drill so as to cause the drill bit to rotate; and (g) applying rotational force to the axial bit force applicator so as to cause axial force to be applied to the collar of the drill bit.