Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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16842P0013CA01
SEISMIC DRILLING BIT
The present invention relates to a seismic drilling bit
meant to be used for the insertion and setting of anchors,
such as drop-in and wedge type anchors, and, more
particularly, the present invention relates to a seismic
drilling bit for the insertion and setting of anchors into
brittle materials such as concrete, stone, masonry and
cementuous materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Anchors are conventionally used in construction to attach
various components of a building construction to an overhead
ceiling or other structure. Such components to be attached can
relate to, for example, services that provide plumbing,
electrical, drainage, sprinkler system piping and drop
ceilings. From these anchors, which are usually of the wedge
or drop-in type variety, all of the above services and
ceilings are suspended or secured.
Conventionally, in setting anchors in concrete to suspend
an awning, for example, a hole is pre-drilled in the surface
to which the anchor is to be applied, and then the anchor is
inserted into the pre-drilled hole. However, when setting such
anchors in concrete it is not uncommon for such anchors to
weaken and loosen over time, particularly in situations where
cracking or chipping of the concrete around the pre-drilled
hole has occurred.
Furthermore, studies have revealed that cracking can
typically occur in the concrete element, and that such cracks
can significantly impact the performance of anchors. Cracks
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can originate on a concrete beam or slab in a variety of ways,
such as creep, temperature settlement of the support or
foundation, thermal expansion and contraction stress overload,
or from a natural disaster such as an earthquake or flood. In
such situations, the situation can arise where, if one such
concrete anchor fails and lets go, the remaining anchors, by
virtue of the weight they additionally assume in light of such
failure, can also similarly collapse and fail.
It has been found that enlarging the upper (interior)
part of the pre-drilled hole can allow for the use of anchors
in a more secure manner. It has further been found that
providing a pre-drilled hole with an enlarged upper end can be
advantageously provided by a drill bit having an enlarged
cutting portion adjacent the tip, which is inserted into the
pre-drilled hole, whereby the enlargement of the cutting
portion is configured so that it can pass through the shaft of
the pre-drilled hole to the upper end to be enlarged.
It would therefore be advantageous to have an improved
seismic drilling bit meant for use in a pre-drilled hole for
the insertion and setting of anchors into brittle materials
such as concrete, stone, masonry and cementuous materials.
It would be further advantageous to have an improved
seismic drilling bit for use in enlarging an upper end of a
pre-drilled hole, wherein an uppermost end of the pre-drilled
hole can be further drilled and enlarged to have a greater
circumference than that of the remainder of the pre-drilled
hole for receiving and securely retaining an anchor therein.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved seismic
drilling bit meant for use in a pre-drilled hole for the
insertion and setting of anchors into brittle materials such
as concrete, stone, masonry and cementuous materials.
The present invention also provides an improved seismic
drilling bit for use in enlarging an upper end of a pre-
drilled hole, wherein an uppermost end of the pre-drilled hole
can be further drilled to have a greater circumference than
that of the remainder of the pre-drilled hole, whereby an
anchor can be set more securely therein.
According to a first broad aspect of an embodiment of the
present invention, there is disclosed a drilling bit for
insertion into a pre-drilled hole to effect an enlargement of
an uppermost end of the pre-drilled hole for placement of an
anchor, the drilling bit comprising a substantially
cylindrical bit body having a first diameter sized to fit into
the pre-drilled hole, and having at least one cutting edge and
at least one groove extending in a helical fashion along a
length of the bit body, the bit body having a first end region
constructed and arranged to be operatively connected by a
connecting means to a drill and a second end region disposed
generally opposite said first end region, the second end
region having a tapered end and a drill tip extending
generally outwardly from the tapered end; and a second cutting
portion positioned to protrude from at least one side of the
second end region, the second cutting portion having an
operational cutting radius greater than a cutting radius of
the bit body whereby, when the drill bit is inserted fully
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into an uppermost end of the pre-drilled hole and rotated, the
second cutting portion enlarges a circumference of the pre-
drilled hole at the uppermost end that is greater than a
diameter of a remainder of the pre-drilled hole.
According to a second broad aspect of an embodiment of
the present invention, there is disclosed A drilling bit for
use with a mounting assembly constructed and arranged for
attachment to a power drill to effect an enlargement of an
uppermost end of the pre-drilled hole for placement of an
anchor, the drill bit comprising a substantially cylindrical
bit body having a first diameter sized to fit into the pre-
drilled hole, and having at least one cutting edge and at
least one groove extending in a helical fashion along a length
of the bit body, the bit body having a first end region
constructed and arranged to be operatively connected by a
connecting means to a drill and a second end region disposed
generally opposite said first end region, the second end
region having a tapered end and a drill tip extending
generally outwardly from the tapered end; and a second cutting
portion positioned to protrude from at least one side of the
second end region, the second cutting portion having an
operational cutting radius greater than a cutting radius of
the bit body whereby, when the drilling bit is inserted into
fully into an uppermost end of the pre-drilled hole and
rotated, the second cutting portion enlarges a circumference
of the pre-drilled hole at the uppermost end that is greater
than a diameter of a remainder of the pre-drilled hole.
An important advantage of the present invention is that
it provides an improved seismic drilling bit which can be
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mounted onto an elongated mounting assembly, the mounting
assembly in turn being connected to a conventional drill, for
use therewith in enlarging an upper end of the pre-drilled
hole for receiving and securely retaining an anchor therein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The embodiments of the present invention will now be
described by reference to the following figures, in which
identical reference numerals in different figures indicate
identical elements and in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the seismic
drilling bit of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention, illustrating the seismic drilling bit mounted onto
the mounting assembly;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention shown in Figure 2, illustrating the seismic drilling
bit and the mounting assembly rotatably mounted to the drill;
Figure 4 is a cutaway perspective view of a second embodiment
of the seismic drilling bit of the present invention;
Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the second
embodiment of the seismic drilling bit shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is an end view of the second embodiment of the
seismic drilling bit shown in Figures 4 and 5;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the enlargement of the
pre-drilled hole by the seismic drilling bit of the present
invention;
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Figure 8 is a top view of the pre-drilled hole, after
insertion of one embodiment of the seismic drilling bit of the
present invention, and prior to rotation of the drilling bit;
and
Figure 9 is a top view of the pre-drilled hole, after
insertion of a second embodiment of the seismic drilling bit
of the present invention, and prior to rotation of the
drilling bit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention will be described for the purposes of
illustration only in connection with certain embodiments;
however, it is to be understood that other objects and
advantages of the present invention will be made apparent by
the following description of the drawings according to the
present invention. While a preferred embodiment is disclosed,
this is not intended to be limiting. Rather, the general
principles set forth herein are considered to be merely
illustrative of the scope of the present invention and it is
to be further understood that numerous changes may be made
without straying from the scope of the present invention.
The present invention consists of an improved seismic
drilling bit designed for insertion and use in enlarging an
upper end of a pre-drilled hole for receiving and securely
retaining an anchor therein. The drilling bit which can be
rotatably mounted onto a conventional drill, or,
alternatively, onto an elongated mounting assembly, which in
turn is rotatably mounted to a conventional drill.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a seismic drilling
bit shown generally at 1 in accordance with a first exemplary
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embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred
embodiment, as hereinafter described, the seismic drilling bit
1 is to be rotatably mounted onto a drill by way of spindle 9,
or, alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, the seismic drilling
bit 1 can be mounted onto a mounting assembly 17, the mounting
assembly 17 then in turn being rotatably mounted and
connected, by way of spindle 25, to a drill 23, as shown in
Figure 3. It is, of course, to be understood that the mounting
assembly 17 is preferably elongated, so as to provide extra
length for easy placement of the seismic drilling bit 1 in
pre-drilled holes in areas such as ceilings, for example. It
will also be understood that there are numerous other
variations as to the types of attachments to a drill or
otherwise that the seismic drilling bit 1 of the present
invention could be mounted thereon, as would be readily
apparent to one skilled in the art.
In a preferred embodiment, the seismic drilling bit 1
will be made of a durable, machinable metal and is
substantially cylindrical in shape. The seismic drilling bit 1
is, preferably, of a one-piece construction that comprises an
upper end 2 and a lower end 4 which are integrally connected
to one another.
With reference to Figure 1, it can be seen that the bit
body 7 of the seismic drilling bit 1 has a first diameter (and
cutting radius) sized to fit into a pre-drilled hole 12 (as
seen in Figure 7, and as hereinafter described), and possesses
at least one cutting edge 5 and at least one groove 3
extending in a helical fashion along a length of the bit body
7 of the seismic drilling bit 1. In a preferred embodiment,
these extend along a substantial length of the bit body 7, or,
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alternatively, extend along at least half a length of the bit
body 7. Preferably, the first diameter of the bit body 7 is
slightly less than or equal to a diameter of the pre-drilled
hole into which the seismic drilling bit 1 of the present
invention is to be inserted.
A proximal lower end 4 of the seismic drilling bit 1 is
constructed and arranged to be releasably secured to a drill
by way of spindle 9, and the distal upper end 2 of the seismic
drilling bit 1 (disposed generally opposite the proximal end)
has a tapered end 13 and a drill tip 15 extending generally
outwardly from the tapered end 13.
The upper end 2 of the seismic drilling bit 1 has cutting
portions 11 positioned on each side of the upper end 2 of the
seismic drilling bit 1, the cutting portions 11 having a
greater outermost width than that of the bit body 7 whereby,
when the seismic drilling bit 1 is inserted fully into an
uppermost end of the pre-drilled hole and rotated, the cutting
portions 11 enlarge a circumference of the pre-drilled hole at
the uppermost end thereof that is greater than the
circumference of the remainder of the shaft of the pre-drilled
hole. Preferably, the cutting portions 11 are flange portions
that extend slightly outwardly from each side of the upper end
2 of the seismic drilling bit 1, as seen in Figure 1.
In an alternative embodiment, as seen in Figures 4 to 6,
the upper end 2 of the seismic drilling bit 1 has a cutting
portion 6 positioned on only one side of the upper end 2 of
the seismic drilling bit 1.
In operation, the seismic drilling bit 1 is to be
rotatably mounted onto a drill 23, or, alternatively, the
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seismic drilling bit 1 can be mounted onto a mounting assembly
17, which is then in turn rotatably mounted to the drill, as
shown in Figure 3, the seismic drilling bit 1 being releasably
retained within an end portion 21 of the mounting assembly 17.
In this embodiment, of course, the mounting assembly 17 is
mounted and connected, by way of spindle 25, to drill 23. The
advantage of utilizing mounting assembly 17 in conjunction
with the drill 23, is that, by virtue of the mounting assembly
17 being elongated, a worker can utilize the elongated
assembly to more readily insert the seismic drilling bit 1
into the pre-drilled hole, particularly in situations where an
anchor is to be inserted in a ceiling, for example, and the
extra length of the mounting assembly 17 is required to more
safely and easily effect insertion into the pre-drilled hole.
It will be understood though, that this is not essential. In
placing the seismic drilling bit 1 into the pre-drilled hole,
by virtue of the cutting portions 11 having a slightly greater
outermost width (and thus, a slightly greater cutting radius)
than that of the bit body 7, the seismic drilling bit 1 is
forcibly inserted so as to attain a position at the uppermost
end of the pre-drilled hole 12 shown in Figure 7, whereby
rotation of the seismic drilling bit 1 by means of the drill
can then be effected in creating enlarged area 16 (shown in
Figure 7).
In a still further embodiment (not shown), the bit body 7
of the seismic drilling bit 1 has a diameter (and cutting
radius) that is less than that of the pre-drilled hole 12,
with the cutting portions 11, of course, still having a
greater outermost width (and cutting radius)than that of the
bit body 7. In this manner, with the bit body 7 of the seismic
drilling bit 1 having a width that is less than that of the
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pre-drilled hole 12, the insertion of the seismic drilling bit
1 into the pre-drilled hole is made easier, whereby the bit
does not need to be as readily forcibly inserted.
With reference to Figure 7, in utilizing the seismic
drilling bit 1 to enlarge an upper end of a pre-drilled hole
12 for receiving and securely retaining an anchor (not shown)
therein, the seismic drilling bit 1 is inserted into the pre-
drilled hole 12. As noted above, the seismic drilling bit 1
can be connected solely to the drill 23, or to the mounting
assembly 17, which is then in turn rotatably mounted and
connected to drill 23. With reference to Figure 2, the
mounting assembly 17 may have a handle 19 thereon, to allow a
worker better leverage in guiding the seismic drilling bit 1
into the pre-drilled hole 12. The seismic drilling bit 1 is
then manually pushed up into the pre-drilled hole 12, whereby
the tapered end 13 and the drill tip 15 allow and provide for
easier entry into the pre-drilled hole 12. By virtue of the
configuration of the outwardly protruding cutting portions 11
or 6, when the drilling bit 1 is forcibly inserted into the
pre-drilled hole 12, the walls 40 of the pre-drilled hole 12
are only enlarged across a part of its cross section by the
insertion of the seismic drilling bit 1 into the pre-drilled
hole, as can be seen in Figures 8 and 9. More particularly,
the cutting portions 11 or 6, as the drilling bit 1 is forced
into the pre-drilled hole 12, will create a small groove in
walls of the pre-drilled hole 12, as the upper end 2 of the
drilling bit 1 attains its position at an upper end of the
pre-drilled hole 12. If the embodiment of the drilling bit
shown in Figure 1 is utilized, having two cutting portions 11
on either side of the upper end 2 of the drilling bit 1, these
grooves 39, 41 will be formed on opposed side walls of the
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pre-drilled hole 12, as shown in Figure 8. If the embodiment
of the drilling bit shown in Figure 4 is utilized, having one
cutting portion 6 on one side of the upper end 2 of the
drilling bit 1, this groove 43 will be formed on one side wall
of the pre-drilled hole 12, as shown in Figure 9.
Once the seismic drilling bit 1 assumes a position
substantially at an upper end of the pre-drilled hole 12, the
worker then engages and powers the drill 23 connected to the
seismic drilling bit 1, whereby the seismic drilling bit 1
rotates to create an enlarged area 16 at an upper end of the
pre-drilled hole 12, as shown in Figure 7.
Of course, by virtue of the cutting portions 11 (in
Figure 1) or 6 (in Figure 4) having an outermost width (and
operational cutting radius) that is slightly greater than that
of the bit body 7 (or of the pre-drilled hole 12), these
cutting portions 11 or 6, when the drilling bit 1 is rotated,
enlarge a circumference of the pre-drilled hole 12 at the
uppermost end (in creating enlarged area 16) that is greater
than that of the remainder of the pre-drilled hole 12.
In this manner, once the enlarged area 16 has been
created, and the seismic drilling bit 1 removed from the pre-
drilled hole 12, the anchor (not shown) can be inserted, and,
when the anchors have been flanged outwardly by conventional
means within the pre-drilled hole 12, the flange portions of
the anchor will rest within the enlarged area 16 on shoulders
14, as shown in Figure 7, thus securely retaining the anchor
in place.
It will be apparent to those skilled in this art that
various modifications and variations may be made to the
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embodiments disclosed herein, consistent with the present
invention, without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
Other embodiments consistent with the present invention
will become apparent from consideration of the specification
and the practice of the invention disclosed therein.
Accordingly, the specification and the embodiments are to
be considered exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of
the invention being disclosed by the following claims.
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