Tool independent dust protection apparatus and associated dust protection methods

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are described that provide an alternative to dust protection shrouds that must be clamped or be otherwise affixed to the body of a tool. The shroud captures and facilitates the removal of dust from an area being worked upon by a tool bit while being attached to the bit (not the tool itself). The shroud housing includes an exhaust orifice; a shaft receptive orifice through which the bit shaft may be passed and be coupled to the tool; and means, such as a ball bearing located on the edge of the shaft receptive orifice, for attaching the shroud housing to the shaft upon which it rides as the bit rotates. The tool independent dust protection methods and apparatus taught by the invention provide a one size fits all dust shroud that does not sacrifice build quality or structural integrity in favor of flexibility.

1 . A dust protection shroud for capturing and facilitating the removal of dust from an area being worked upon by a tool bit removably coupled, via a tool bit shaft, to a given tool, comprising: 
 (a) a shroud housing further comprising: 
 (1) an exhaust orifice;  
 (2) a shaft receptive orifice through which said tool bit shaft may be passed and be coupled to said tool; and  
   (b) means for attaching said shroud housing to said tool bit shaft.    
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said means for attaching further comprises means for suspending said shroud housing on said tool bit shaft.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said means for suspending further comprises a ball bearing.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said ball bearing is operative to press in toward the center of said shroud housing.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said ball bearing is located on the periphery of said shaft receptive orifice.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said shroud housing is operative to float above the area being worked upon by said tool bit as said tool bit shaft spins within said ball bearing.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said shroud housing is operative to maintain its position over said area without being attached to said tool.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said shroud housing is operative to maintain its position over said area by riding on said tool bit shaft.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said shroud housing is operative to maintain a variable distance from said area by sliding up and down said tool bit shaft.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the shape of said shroud may be varied dependent on application while maintaining a fixed position relative to said tool bit shaft defined by its coaxial relationship therewith.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus for providing protection from dust produced when using a given tool, comprising: 
 (a) a tool bit having a shaft that is removably Coupled to said tool;    (b) a shroud; and    (c) means for suspending said shroud on said shaft.    
   
   
       12 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said means for suspending is a ball bearing.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said shroud further comprises a shroud housing that includes an exhaust orifice and a shaft receptive orifice through which the shaft of said tool bit may pass and be coupled to said tool.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 13  further comprising means for preventing said shroud housing from spinning on the shaft of said tool bit.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said means for preventing further comprises a vacuum source and a vacuum hose coupled between said vacuum source and said shroud housing exhaust orifice.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said vacuum source and vacuum hose  4  combination is further operative to remove dust captured by said shroud via said shroud housing exhaust orifice.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said shroud is operative to maintain its position over an area being worked upon by said tool without being attached thereto.  
   
   
       18 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said shroud is operative to maintain its position an area being worked upon by riding on the shaft of said tool bit.  
   
   
       19 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said shroud is operative to maintain a variable distance from an area being worked upon by sliding up and down the shaft of said tool bit.  
   
   
       20 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the shape of said shroud may be varied dependent on application while maintaining a fixed position relative to the shaft of said tool bit defined by its coaxial relationship therewith.  
   
   
       21 . A tool independent dust protection shroud comprising: 
 (a) a shroud housing;    (b) means for enabling said shroud housing to float on the shaft of a tool bit; and    (c) an exhaust orifice through which dust collected within said shroud housing may be removed.    
   
   
       22 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said means for enabling further comprises: 
 (a) A shaft receptive orifice through which the shaft of a tool bit may pass; and    (b) means for attaching said shroud housing to the shaft of said tool bit.    
   
   
       23 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 22  wherein said means for attaching further comprises a ball bearing operative to press in toward the center of said shroud housing.  
   
   
       24 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said ball bearing is located on the periphery of said shaft receptive orifice.  
   
   
       25 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said shroud housing is operative to maintain its position over an area being worked upon.  
   
   
       26 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said shroud housing is operative to maintain its position over an area being worked upon by riding on the shaft of said tool bit.  
   
   
       27 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said shroud is operative to maintain a variable distance from an area being worked upon by sliding up and down the shaft of said tool bit.  
   
   
       28 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the shape of said shroud housing may be varied dependent on application while maintaining a fixed position relative to the shaft of said tool bit defined by its coaxial relationship therewith.  
   
   
       29 . A method for capturing and removing dust from an area being worked upon by a tool bit, wherein said tool bit includes a shaft that allows said tool bit to be coupled to a tool, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) attaching a dust protection shroud to said tool bit shaft; and    (b) coupling said tool bit shaft to a tool.    
   
   
       30 . A method as set forth in  claim 29  further comprising the step of floating said shroud on said tool bit shaft.  
   
   
       31 . A method as set forth in  claim 29  further comprising the step of removing dust captured within said shroud via an exhaust orifice in said shroud.  
   
   
       32 . A method as set forth in  claim 31  wherein said step of removing is performed under the influence of a vacuum.  
   
   
       33 . A method as set forth in  claim 32  wherein vacuum prevents said shroud from spinning on said shaft.  
   
   
       34 . A method as set forth in  claim 29  wherein the step of coupling said tool bit shaft to a tool further comprises the step of passing said shaft to a tool further comprises the step of passing said shaft through a shaft receptive orifice in said shroud.  
   
   
       35 . A method as set forth in  claim 29  further comprising the step of suspending said shroud on said tool bit shaft utilizing a ball bearing.  
   
   
       36 . A method as set forth in  claim 30  further comprising the step of rotating said tool bit shaft to enable said shroud to float thereon.  
   
   
       37 . A method for capturing and removing dust from an area being worked upon by a tool bit having an integral shaft, utilizing a dust protection shroud housing, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) passing said shaft through said shroud housing;    (b) suspending said shroud housing on said shaft;    (c) coupling a vacuum source to said shroud housing; and    (d) coupling said tool bit to said tool via said shaft.    
   
   
       38 . A method as set forth in  claim 37  further comprising the step of rotating said shaft to enable said shroud to float thereon.  
   
   
       39 . A method as set forth in  claim 38  further comprising the step of utilizing a ball bearing to suspend said shroud housing on said shaft.  
   
   
       40 . A method as set forth in  claim 39  wherein said shaft spins within said ball bearing.  
   
   
       41 . A method as set forth in  claim 40  wherein said shroud housing is prevented from spinning on said shaft under the influence of the vacuum source coupled said shroud housing.  
   
   
       42 . A method as set forth in  claim 37  wherein dust is removed from said shroud housing under the influence of the vacuum source coupled to said housing.