Portable articulating tool support

Abstract

A portable multiple-component articulating support apparatus for engaging, moving, orientating and manipulating a hand-operated power tool within and throughout a three-dimensional workspace. The apparatus includes a clamping device for demountable engagement with a structural element, one or more elongate double-axis hinge member, one or more spacer elements having opposite ends adapted for detachable engagement and rotational communication with the clamping device and the double-axis hinge member, a vertically disposed pivotably connected counterbalance arm assembly adapted for detachable engagement and rotational communication with the double-axis hinge member. The counterbalance arm assembly is equipped with a gas-charged cylinder for balancing the weight of hand-operated power tools. The clamping device, a counterbalance element, one or more spacer elements and one or more double-axis hinge elements alternating therebetween, are interconnected with removable hinge pins. A tool-mounting bracket is provided for grippingly engaging a power tool. The tool-mounting bracket pivotably engages a power tool-bearing member which slidingly and rotatably communicates with the counterbalance arm assembly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of my co-pending application Ser. No. 11 / 060,612 filed Feb. 18, 2005, herein incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to articulating supports for hand power tools, and more particularly, to portable articulating supports for manual-controlled movement and operation of hand power tools within and throughout three-dimensional work spaces. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Electric and pneumatic-powered hand power tools such as jackhammers, hammer drills, air hammers, impact wrenches and reciprocating saws among others, are commonly used in construction and demolition industries, in heavy equipment repair, and in under-ground mining activities. The weights of these types of tools range between 4.5 kg (i.e., 10 lbs) to 22. 7 kg (i.e., 50 lbs) and in some cases, e.g., jackhammers, may reach 34 kg (i.e., 75 lbs) or more. Such tools typically generate considerable...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a portable articulating support for improving the ease-of-use of hand-operated power tools in three dimensions. The support is easy to assemble, disassemble, and store or transport. It includes a mounting device for attachment to a support element, hinge members with hinge pins, a tool holder for supporting the tool, and a counterbalance element for balancing the weight of the tool. The support can be quickly disassembled for easy transportation. The invention also provides a multiple-component articulating tool support that can be easily detached and engaged with removable hinge pins.

Problems solved by technology

Such tools typically generate considerable torque and vibratory forces which are transmitted to the operators' hands, arms and bodies making precise manipulation of the tools difficult.

Extended operation of such tools in these positions may cause muscle fatigue and / or numbness in the operators' hands and arms thereby affecting not only operator efficiency, but also their safe handling of the tools.

Furthermore, the nature of uses to which such tools are applied often result in the tools being inadvertently jammed, stuck or deflected thereby causing unexpected transmission of torque forces that may cause operators to lose their balance resulting in twisting of their bodies or falls causing injuries.

The rugged nature of the tool-engaging devices and their connection to the first members provide only limited operator-controlled positioning and manipulation of hand power tools relative to the first members.

Consequently, such supports are not suitable for use in three-dimensional workspaces where space is restricted or limited and where the tools must be manipulated in multiple radial outward and upward orientations relative to the first member.

Another disadvantage is that, due to the permanent assembly of the supports, they can not be easily modified to extend or reduce their scope of movement through disassembly and the addition or removal of one or more members.

Furthermore, due to the secure fastenings required to attach the distal ends of the supports to structural members in order to provide stability to the supports when in use, they are not portable, i.e., quickly and easily dismounted from the structural member for transport.

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