Tool support

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9908211-B2
Application number	US-201314020344-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 6, 2013
Priority date	Sep 6, 2013
Publication date	Mar 6, 2018
Grant date	Mar 6, 2018

Abstract

A support accessory is disclosed for a hand tool, such as a grinder or polisher. The support accessory is configured to be detachably fastened to the hand tool. The support accessory includes a frame with a longitudinal beam configured to stabilize the hand tool front-to-back when the hand tool is fastened to the support accessory, as well as a trunnion rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to stabilize the hand tool side-to-side when the hand tool is fastened to the support accessory. The support accessory is also configured to support the hand tool in a position that is substantially parallel to a surface of a workpiece during use.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A support accessory comprising:
a frame with a longitudinal beam configured to stabilize a hand tool front-to-back when the hand tool is detachably fastened to the frame;
a back foot assembly including a trunnion rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to stabilize the hand tool side-to-side when the hand tool is fastened to the frame, the trunnion having a pivot axis vertically aligned with a longitudinal centerline of the longitudinal beam to enable the hand tool to rotate side-to-side while stabilized; and
a front foot in a housing detachably coupled to the frame,
wherein the hand tool is supported in a position that is substantially parallel to a surface of a workpiece when the hand tool is fastened to the frame.

2. The support accessory of claim 1 , wherein the hand tool comprises a grinder or polisher.

3. The support accessory of claim 1 , further comprising:
two or more back feet detachably coupled to the trunnion.

4. The support accessory of claim 1 , wherein the front foot is laterally offset from the longitudinal beam.

5. The support accessory of claim 1 , wherein the front foot is detachably coupled to the frame in a slot that enables an operator to adjust the height of the hand tool.

6. The support accessory of claim 3 , wherein the front foot and back feet each comprises a removable nylon ball or a low-friction pad.

7. The support accessory of claim 1 , further comprising a base sleeve configured to wrap around a base of the hand tool.

8. The support accessory of claim 7 , wherein the base sleeve is configured to enable access for removal and replacement of a tool battery, without detaching the hand tool from the frame.

9. The support accessory of claim 1 , wherein the frame includes an opening through which the frame may be attached to the hand tool by a fastener.

10. The support accessory of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises glass-filled nylon.

11. The support accessory of claim 1 , wherein the trunnion is configured to rotate by less than about 5-10 degrees with respect to the frame.

12. A system comprising:
a hand tool; and
a support accessory detachably fastened to the hand tool, the support accessory comprising:
a frame with a longitudinal beam configured to stabilize the hand tool front-to-back; and
a back foot assembly including a trunnion rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to stabilize the hand tool side-to-side, the trunnion having a pivot axis vertically aligned with a longitudinal centerline of the longitudinal beam;
a front foot in a housing detachably coupled to the frame,
wherein the support accessory is configured to support the hand tool in a position that is substantially parallel to a surface of a workpiece.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the hand tool comprises a grinder or polisher.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the support accessory further comprises:
two or more back feet detachably coupled to the trunnion.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the support accessory further comprises a base sleeve configured to wrap around a base of the hand tool.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the frame includes an opening through which the support accessory may be attached to the hand tool by a fastener.

17. The support accessory of claim 12 , wherein the trunnion is configured to rotate by less than about 5-10 degrees with respect to the frame.

18. A method comprising:
placing a support accessory and a hand tool detachably fastened to the support accessory on a surface of a workpiece; and
guiding the hand tool over the surface of the workpiece, while the hand tool is stabilized front-to-back and side-to-side by the support accessory and is supported in a position that is substantially parallel to the surface of the workpiece, wherein during the guiding the hand tool is stabilized side-to-side by a back foot assembly of the support including a trunnion rotatably coupled to a frame of the support accessory, the trunnion having a pivot axis vertically aligned with a longitudinal centerline of a longitudinal beam of the frame, wherein during the guiding, the hand tool is stabilized front-to-back by a front foot in a housing detachably coupled to the frame.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the hand tool comprises a grinder or polisher.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the surface of the workpiece is contoured or irregular.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Olberg Jeffrey H
• Moodi Mike M

Classifications

• B24B23/005 Primary

  Auxiliary devices used in connection with portable grinding machines, e.g. holders · CPC title