Re-configurable bushing and drill incorporating same

A pneumatically actuated bushing comprising:

• a housing extending lengthwise between opposed forward and rear ends and defining an internal cavity and openings in the opposed ends thereof;
• a nose piece defining a lengthwise extending passage and slidably disposed relative to said housing, wherein a forward portion of said nose piece is capable of extending through the opening defined by the forward end of said housing and a rear portion of said nose piece is larger than the opening defined by the forward end of said housing to thereby retain said nose piece at least partially within said housing;
• a gas inlet in fluid communication with a rear portion of the internal cavity defined by said housing between the rear portion of said nose piece and the rear end of said housing;
• and
• a support structure comprising an end plate proximate the rear end of said housing, wherein the end plate defines an opening through which a tool extends, and wherein the end plate incorporates said gas inlet.

A drill comprising:

• a drill motor;
• a chuck for engaging a tool, said chuck operatively connected to said drill motor;
• and
• a bushing capable of being pneumatically actuated and further capable of receiving the tool carried by said chuck, said bushing comprising:
• a housing defining an internal cavity;
• a nose piece slidably disposed relative to said housing, wherein a forward portion of said nose piece is capable of extending through an opening defined by a forward end of said housing and a rear portion of said nose piece is larger than the opening defined by the forward end of said housing to thereby retain said nose piece at least partially within said housing;
• a gas inlet in fluid communication with a rear portion of the internal cavity defined by said housing between the rear portion of said nose piece and a rear end of said housing;
• and
• a support structure comprising an end plate proximate the rear end of said housing, wherein the end plate defines an opening through which the tool carried by said chuck extends, and wherein the end plate incorporates said gas inlet.