Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PIPE THREADING ATTACHMENT AND ADAPTOR FOR HANDHELD DRILL
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
[0001] This application incorporates by reference and claims priority to
U.S. Provisional Application 61/881,438 filed on September 23, 2013 and U.S.
Non-Provisional Application 14/494,531 filed on September 23, 2014.
Background of the Invention
[0002] The present subject matter discloses an attachment for a handheld
electric drill that applies a threading to the outer diameter of a round pipe.
The
attachment incorporates dies shaped to cut a thread, and connects to a
handheld
drill via an adapter.
[0003] Pipes are commonly used to transport gasses, liquids and viscous
or granulated solids. They see widespread use in the plumbing, construction
and
petroleum industries, among others. Pipes are often connected to a fitting or
device through an attachment mechanism. Spiral threading on a pipe's outer
diameter provides one method of attachment by interlocking with
corresponding threads on the inner diameter of a fitting. Applying a thread to
a
pipe can increase its value and capabilities.
[0004] However, previous pipe-threading methods were expensive and
cumbersome. They often required completely unique tools and lacked the ability
to work in remote or hard-to-access places. Other attempts required manual
power while alternatives were large and non-portable. Accordingly, there is a
need for a pipe-threading device that is compact, inexpensive and powered by a
handheld electric drill, as described herein.
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Brief Summary of the Invention
[0005] To meet the needs described above and others, the present
disclosure provides a convenient, portable and cost-effective system for
threading the outer diameter of a pipe. Although the present disclosure
describes threading pipes, it is understood that the present disclosure may be
used to thread any cylindrical body, for example, the present disclosure may
be
applied to electrical conduits, ducts, etc.
[0006] This invention may include an adapter and an attachment system.
The adapter may include a spindle to fit into a standard drill chuck, and may
secure to the attachment using a number of fasteners, such as set screws.
Alternatively, or in addition to, the adaptor and/or attachment system may be
incorporated into a complete removable drill head. The cross section of the
spindle may be any suitable shape including a circle, triangle, square,
rectangle,
pentagon, hexagon, among others. The attachment includes an attachment head
containing slits for cutting dies. Dies incorporate cutting surfaces and
create a
thread pattern on a pipe when powered by a connected handheld electric drill.
A
die-retaining faceplate fastens to the attachment head and secures the dies
within the head's die slits. The attachment head incorporates a central bore
opening to cut pipe lengths longer than the die's cutting surface.
Additionally, the
attachment head includes openings for cooling and for the release of metal
shavings.
[0007] The invention may be used by placing the spindle of the adapter
into the chuck of a handheld electric drill and securing it with a chuck key,
in the
same manner as with other drill attachments. The user then selects the
appropriately sized attachment head and secures it into the adapter. Upon
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attachment, the drill is able to power the attachment via the adapter. The
attachment is placed at the end of an unthreaded pipe and the cutting surfaces
of
the dies come into contact with the pipe. Upon operating the drill, the dies
create
a threading on the outer diameter of the pipe. Once the cutting surfaces
engage
the pipe, the attachment will secure to the pipe and be driven along the
pipe's
outer surface by the electric drill. A central bore through the attachment
head
allows the dies to continue threading along the pipe beyond the length of the
cutting surface, as the threaded pipe section passes into the bore. The
drill's
rotational direction can be reversed for chasing the thread or for removing
the
attachment from the threaded pipe.
[0008] Benefits of this system result from the small size of the
invention
relative to previous pipe-threading devices. The small size allows a user to
work
in more locations and allows greater flexibility when working on existing
pipes
in situ. It also eases handling and portability.
[0009] An additional advantage of the system is the ability to quickly
thread differently sized pipes by switching between different attachment
sizes.
[0010] A further benefit of the invention is the ability to quickly
create
different thread patterns and depths by switching between dies with different
cutting surface arrangements.
[0011] Other advantages of the system provided herein are a result of
using an electric motor, rather than manual effort, as the primary power
source.
Relative to a manually powered threading system, an electric solution will
deliver power more consistently and may decrease vibrations. The use of an
electric motor will also reduce an operator's physical fatigue. Depending on
the
drill's motor, the electric motor may be able to provide more torque than a
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manually powered system. An electric motor may also be more compact than a
hand crank or other manual power mechanism. Additionally, an electric motor
may create a thread faster than a manual system.
[0012] Significant advantages stem from using a conventional handheld
electric drill as a power source. Such drills are commonplace in mechanical
working environments. The user will not need to buy a complete dedicated
threading system or an additional external power source, decreasing total
system costs. The use of an external, and widely-used, power supply allows the
attachment and adapter to take up less space and weigh less than if a
dedicated
power supply was incorporated.
[0013] Another advantage of the system is the ability to quickly thread
pipes made from different materials by switching between dies with cutting
surfaces suited to cut various pipe materials. Additionally, dies themselves
could
be made from different materials suited to cut different pipes.
[0014] Further benefits derive from the attachment's low weight when
compared to previous threading devices. Lower weight eases handling and
decreases the user's physical fatigue. It also facilitates greater
portability.
[0015] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples
will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will
become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following
description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or
operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be
realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
[0016] The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in
accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of
limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or
similar
elements.
[0017] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of an example of the system
disclosed
herein.
[0018] Fig. 1B is an exploded view of an embodiment of the system
disclosed herein and illustrated in Fig. 1A.
[0019] Fig. 2A is a top perspective view of an embodiment of an adaptor
as disclosed herein.
[0020] Fig. 2B is a perspective view of an example of a spindle connected
to an adaptor.
[0021] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an example of an attachment head
including openings.
[0022] Fig. 4 is a top view of another example of a die-retaining
faceplate
including a view of the central bore.
[0023] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of dies and their
cutting surfaces.
[0024] Figs. 6A-6B are side views of an embodiment of an adaptor and the
attachment system disclosed herein including a guide to correctly feed the
pipe
into the device.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0025] The present invention is directed to a pipe threading system 10
including an adapter 12 and an attachment 14 for a handheld electric drill
that
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applies a threading to the outer diameter of a pipe. The system 10 includes at
least one dies 16 shaped to cut a thread on an outer surface of a pipe. The
attachment 14 includes a central open bore 20 to allow the insertion of a pipe
to
enable threading the pipe sections beyond the length of the die's cutting
surface.
[0026] The adapter 12, as shown in Figs. 1A-1B, is used to connect the
attachment 14 to a handheld electric drill. The adaptor 12 may be composed of
a
ferrous alloy, another metallic alloy or a polymer. This adapter 12 may
include a
cylindrical chamber 22 for receiving a cylindrical insert 15 and/or the
attachment 14. The adapter 12 may also include a spindle 18 that secures into
the chuck of the handheld electric drill, as shown in Fig. 2. The spindle 18
may
extend from a closed end of the cylindrical chamber 22 of the adaptor 12. The
spindle 18 may work with right-angle and standard drills. An inner surface of
the
chamber 22 may include a smooth inner surface or include lengthwise grooves
that interlock with optional corresponding grooves on an outer surface of the
attachment 14 to ensure the axial rotation of the adapter 12 imparts equal
axial
rotation of the attachment 14.
[0027] As shown in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1, the die 16 may be
in the form of a cylindrical insert 15, wherein the cylindrical insert 15 may
be
inserted within the chamber 22 of the adaptor 12. The cylindrical insert 15
may
exist in different sizes to thread pipes with a range of outer diameters. The
cylindrical insert 15 may include an inner surface 11 defining a central
insert
opening 17, wherein the inner surface 11 includes at least one die 16. For
example, the inner surface 11 may include a plurality of die 16 surfaces. The
cylindrical insert 15 may include an outer surface 13 that contacts the inner
surface of the cylindrical chamber 22 of the adapter 12. The cylindrical
insert
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may be removeably inserted into the cylindrical chamber 22 of the adaptor 12.
Alternatively, the cylindrical insert 15 may be attached to the attachment 14,
which is removeably attached to the adaptor 12.
[0028] The attachment 14 may attach to the adaptor 12 to enclose
cylindrical insert 15 within the system 10. The attachment 14 may hold the
cylindrical insert 15 in place. Alternatively, or in addition to, the adaptor
12 may
include a temporary locking mechanism to hold the cylindrical insert 15 in
place.
For example, the chamber 22 may include grooves to receive corresponding
grooves in an outer surface of the cylindrical insert 15. The chamber 22 may
include various other mechanisms to fasten the cylindrical insert 15 to the
adaptor 12, including, but not limited to, threading, screws, pressure, or any
other suitable fastening mechanism.
[0029] As shown in Fig. 1, the attachment 14 may include a cylindrical
disk 5 and a cylindrical guide 36 extending from a central attachment opening
3
within the cylindrical disk 5. Of course, the cylindrical disk 5 may be any
suitable
shape, including hexagonal. The central attachment opening 3 is aligned with
the
central insert opening 17 to receive a pipe to be threaded. The outer
perimeter of
the cylindrical disk 5 may include threading to mate with a threaded portion
of
the inner surface of the chamber 22. Alternatively, or in addition to, notches
may
be included on a surface of the cylindrical disk 5 that prevent the
cylindrical disk
from spinning.
[0030] In one embodiment, the adapter 12 may include one or more
fasteners 24, such as set screws to secure the attachment 14 to the adapter
12.
For example, a screw may attach the cylindrical disk 5 of the attachment 14 to
the chamber 22 of the adaptor 12. Alternative embodiments may use clamps or
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threaded sections to secure the attachment 14 to the adapter 12, as will be
recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art from the examples provided.
[0031] In another embodiment, the system 10 may include a spindle 18
rigidly connected to the attachment 14, foregoing the need for an adapter 12.
In
an example, the attachment 14 and adaptor 12 may be one piece, instead of two
separate pieces. Further the die 16 and/or cylindrical insert 15 may not be a
separate piece, but part of the adaptor 12 or attachment 14.
[0032] The attachment 14 may include an attachment head 26 and a die-
retaining faceplate 28 to receive at least one die 16, as shown in Figs. 3-4.
The
attachment head 26 may exist in different sizes to thread pipes with a range
of
outer diameters. The attachment head 26 may be composed of a ferrous alloy,
another metallic alloy or a polymer. The attachment head 26 may include a
number of die slits 32 used to accept dies 16. In an embodiment, the
attachment
head includes four die slits 32. Alternative embodiments may include fewer or
more die slits 32. The attachment head 26 may also incorporate lengthwise
grooves in an outer surface of the attachment 14 or attachment head 26 that
interlock with corresponding grooves in an inner surface of the adapter 12. In
addition, a cylindrical spacer may be inserted into the attachment head 26 to
set
the length of the threading on the inserted pipe.
[0033] In an embodiment, the attachment 14 contains threaded screw
holes used to fasten the die-retaining faceplate 28 to the attachment 14 with
a
fastener 30, such as screws. Other embodiments may include the use of clamps,
magnets, or other fasteners to secure the die-retaining faceplate 28 to the
attachment 14.
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[0034] As shown in Fig. 3, he attachment head 26 may incorporate
openings 34 between the die slits 32. These allow metal shavings from previous
cuts to exit the attachment head 26. The openings 34 also allow thermal
cooling
of the pipe and dies through natural convection by providing channels for air
to
enter and escape. The channels also allow the concurrent use of cutting fluid,
or
other liquids, to lubricate and cool the attachment 14. They also reduce the
mass
of the attachment head 26. Additionally, a user may be able to view the pipe
through the openings 34 and gauge the length of pipe that has been threaded.
[0035] As shown in Fig. 4, the die-retaining faceplate 28 secures one or
more dies 16 within the attachment head 26. The dies 16 are secured within the
die slits 32 of the attachment head 26. In such embodiment, the dies 16 may be
linear, as shown in Fig. 5, wherein the linear dies 16 are configured to fit
or slide
into the slits 32 along the inner surface of the attachment head 26.
[0036] The die-retaining faceplate 28 may be removable to permit the
replacement of dies 16, and may be secured to the attachment 14 by several
fasteners 30, which are screws in the shown embodiment. The die-retaining
faceplate 28 may contain holes, corresponding to the threaded holes in the
attachment head 26, which allow the die-retaining faceplate 28 to be fastened
to
the attachment head 26 with fasteners 30. The die-retaining faceplate 28 may
be
fabricated from a metal alloy or polymer. The faceplate 28 may include a
faceplate central opening 29 aligned with the central open bore 20 to receive
a
pipe for threading.
[0037] The attachment head 26 defines an interior attachment chamber
that includes a central open bore 20 that accepts sections of pipe that have
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already been threaded. This bore 20 allows the threading of pipe sections that
extend deeper than the length of the die cutting surfaces.
[0038] The attachment head 26 may include a number of slits 32 for
accepting each die 16. These slits 16 may be accessed by removing the die-
retaining faceplate 28. Dies 16 are secured in their slits by fastening the
faceplate
28. These slits 16 may exhibit radial symmetry around the attachment head 26.
The dies 16 also may be spaced such that cutting surfaces from successive dies
follow the same thread pattern as previous cuts, deepening the existing
thread.
The use of multiple dies 16 eases the wear and load on the dies 16.
[0039] Dies 16 may be composed of hardened metal alloys, similar to
those used in other bits and tools. Each die 16 includes a series of cutting
surfaces, as shown in Figs. 1 and S. When the drill is operated with the
attachment 14, the cutting surfaces of the die 16 contact the outer surface of
the
pipe. The cutting surfaces may be tapered such that each progressively cuts
deeper into the pipe. Such arrangement forms the thread pattern gradually,
with
successive cuts removing small amounts of pipe material. This reduces stress
on
the dies 16, the attachment 14, and the electric drill. The forward section of
the
cutting surface, that first comes into contact with the pipe, may incorporate
a
bevel or chamber to center and stabilize the attachment 14 to the pipe when
beginning to cut a thread. As the threading progresses to the deeper cutting
surfaces, the die 16 stabilizes the attachment 14 and allow it to be driven
along
the pipe by the electric drill. Die 16 may also be used to chase the thread
when
the drill is operated in the opposite direction. Die 16 can incorporate
different
cutting surfaces to create different thread patterns or cutting depths. They
may
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also be composed of different materials to cut various types of pipe. Die 16
may
be replaced due to wear or cutting properties.
[0040] The cutting surfaces on the dies 16 may be angled such that when
operating the drill and attachment, the cutting surfaces are driven inward
from
the end of the pipe as it is threaded. The dies 16 may also be spaced so that
cutting surfaces on successive dies 16 follow the same thread cut by a
previous
die, progressively deepening the existing cut. This cutting sequence creates a
spiral threading starting from the end of the pipe and extending inward.
[0041] As shown in Figs. 6A-6B, the system 10 may include a cylindrical
guide 36 to correctly feed the pipe straight into the device. For example, the
cylindrical guide 36 may extend from faceplate central opening 29 of the
attachment, wherein the cylindrical guide 36 is configured to receive a pipe.
The
faceplate central opening 29 is aligned with the central open bore 20. In the
figure, the guide 36 is shown on the front of a second adapter. In an
embodiment,
the guide 36 may be permanently affixed to the attachment head 26. In other
embodiments, the guide 36 may be removable. The attachment head 26 may be
configured to interoperate with multiple guides 36 of varying sizes to
accommodate pipes of multiple sizes.
[0042] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the
embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Such
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant
advantages.
For example, various embodiments of the method and portable electronic device
may be provided based on various combinations of the features and functions
from the subject matter provided herein.
