Support system for tools

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10016830-B2
Application number	US-201614994227-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 13, 2016
Priority date	Jan 13, 2016
Publication date	Jul 10, 2018
Grant date	Jul 10, 2018

Abstract

A support system for use with one or more tools such as a handheld power drive and a geared threader is described. The support system includes a lower frame portion for contacting a work surface or floor, a mast assembly, releasable engagement provisions between the lower frame portion and the mast assembly, and mounting provisions on the mast for supporting one or more tools. The support system is configurable between a stand alone mode and a vehicle hitch mode.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tool support system comprising:
a lower frame portion for contacting a work surface or floor;
a mast assembly;
releasable engagement provisions between the lower frame portion and the mast assembly;
mounting provisions on the mast assembly for supporting one or more tools;
a power tool supported by a first mounting provision on the mast assembly;
a threader supported by a second mounting provision on the mast assembly;
wherein the support system is configurable between (i) a stand alone mode in which the mast assembly is engaged with the lower frame portion and (ii) a vehicle hitch mode in which the mast assembly is disengaged and separate from the lower frame portion;
wherein upon the system supporting the power tool secured to the mast by the mounting provisions and the threader secured to the mast by the mounting provisions in a thread forming application, the support system internalizes all reaction torque from the power tool and the threader.

2. The tool support system of claim 1 wherein the lower frame portion includes a pair of horizontally extending members spaced apart from each other.

3. The tool support system of claim 2 wherein the pair of members are oriented parallel to each other.

4. The tool support system of claim 1 wherein the releasable engagement provisions include a receiver tube secured to the lower portion and an end of the mast assembly which is sized and shaped to be inserted within and received by the receiver tube.

5. The tool support system of claim 4 wherein the receiver tube defines at least one aperture and the end of the mast assembly defines at least one aperture and the releasable engagement provisions further include a pin sized to be inserted into the apertures defined in the receiver tube and the end of the mast assembly.

6. The tool support system of claim 1 further comprising a docking member affixed to the lower frame portion, the docking member defining a receiving region sized and shaped to receive a handle of a component through which reaction torque is transmitted.

7. The tool support system of claim 1 wherein upon configuring the support system in the stand alone mode, the support system is free standing and free of external anchoring provisions.

8. The tool support system of claim 1 wherein the mounting provisions enable different sizes of threaders to be mounted to the mast assembly.

9. A tool support system comprising:
a lower frame portion for contacting a work surface or floor, the lower frame portion including an upwardly extending member and a receiver tube engaged to an upper end of the upwardly extending member, the receiver tube defining a plurality of apertures;
a mast assembly having a primary support member defining a plurality of apertures near a proximal end of the primary support member;
a removable pin configured to be inserted within an aperture defined in the primary support member and an aperture defined in the receiver tube;
mounting provisions on the mast assembly for supporting one or more tools, the mounting provisions including a first mounting provision and a second mounting provision;
a power tool supported by the first mounting provision on the mast assembly;
a threader supported by the second mounting provision on the mast assembly;
wherein the support system is configurable between (i) a stand alone mode in which the mast assembly is engaged with the lower frame portion by inserting the primary support member in the receiver tube and inserting the pin in an aperture defined in the primary support member and an aperture defined in the receiver tube, and (ii) a vehicle hitch mode in which the mast assembly is disengaged and separated from the lower frame portion by removal of the pin, and engagement between the primary support member of the mast assembly and a receiver tube of a vehicle hitch.

10. The tool support system of claim 9 wherein the lower frame portion includes a pair of horizontally extending members spaced apart from each other.

11. The tool support system of claim 10 wherein the pair of members are oriented parallel to each other.

12. The tool support system of claim 9 wherein upon the system supporting the power tool secured to the mast by the first mounting provisions and the threader secured to the mast by the second mounting provisions in a thread forming application, the support system internalizes all reaction torque from the power tool and the threader.

13. The tool support system of claim 12 further comprising a docking member affixed to the lower frame portion, the docking member defining a receiving region sized and shaped to receive a handle of a component through which reaction torque is transmitted during the thread forming operation.

14. The tool support system of claim 9 wherein upon configuring the support system in the stand alone mode, the support system is free standing and free of external anchoring provisions.

Assignees

• Hamm James E
• Krondorfer Harald
• Ridge Tool Co

Inventors

• Hamm James E
• Krondorfer Harald

Classifications

• B23G1/24 Primary

  portable · CPC title

• B60R11/06

  for tools or spare parts (for vehicle roof parts B60J7/20; for spare wheels B62D) · CPC title

• B60R2011/004

  outside the vehicle · CPC title

• B23G1/52

  for operating on pipes or tubes · CPC title