Angle attachment for power tool

Abstract

An angle attachment of a hand-held power tool, such as a spiral cutting tool, includes an angle attachment housing having an open first end adapted to be attached to the motor housing of the power tool. An alignment bearing is mounted in the angle attachment housing and adapted to receive and support a first shaft having a first shaft gear mounted thereon. An attachment shaft is mounted in the angle attachment housing at an angle, e.g., a right angle, to the first shaft. The attachment shaft includes an attachment shaft gear mounted thereon which is engaged with the first shaft gear. One or more attachment shaft bearings are mounted in the angle attachment housing to support the attachment shaft for rotational movement thereof. The first shaft is coupled to a motor shaft of the power tool before the angle attachment housing is attached to the power tool motor housing. Rotation of the first shaft by the power tool motor causes rotation of attachments attached to the attachment shaft mounted at an angle to the first shaft by means of the gear mechanism formed by the engaged first shaft gear and attachment shaft gear.

1. A removable angle attachment for a power tool, comprising:
 ( a ) an angle attachment housing;  
 (b) an attachment shaft mounted  provided in the angle attachment housing and having an attachment end extending therefrom ;  
 (c) a first  an attachment shaft bearing mounted  provided in the angle attachment housing and positioned therein  configured to support the attachment shaft for rotational movement thereof;  
 (d) an attachment shaft gear attached to the attachment shaft; and  
 (e) an alignment bearing mounted  positioned in the angle attachment housing and adapted to removably receive a distal end of a first shaft having a first shaft gear mounted thereon to support the first shaft for rotational movement thereof and positioned in the angle attachment housing such that when the first shaft is positioned in the alignment bearing the attachment shaft is at an angle to the first shaft and the attachment shaft gear is engaged with the first shaft gear.  
 
     
     
       2. The angle attachment of  claim 1  wherein the angle attachment housing includes an open first end and wherein the alignment bearing is mounted in the angle attachment housing in alignment with an axis of the open first end of the angle attachment housing. 
     
     
       3. An angle attachment for a power tool, comprising:
 (a) an angle attachment housing including an open first end and wherein the open first end of the angle attachment housing is sized and shaped  adapted to fit around a portion of a motor  housing of a power tool and further including means for securing the open first end of the angle attachment housing to the motor  housing of the power tool;  
 (b) an attachment shaft mounted in the angle attachment housing and having an attachment end extending therefrom;  
 (c) a first attachment shaft bearing mounted in the angle attachment housing and positioned therein to support the attachment shaft for rotational movement thereof;  
 (d) an attachment shaft gear attached to the attachment shaft; and  
 (e) an alignment bearing mounted in the angle attachment housing in alignment with an axis of the open first end of the angle attachment housing and adapted to receive a first shaft having a first shaft gear mounted thereon to support the first shaft for rotational movement thereof and positioned in the angle attachment housing such that when the first shaft is positioned in the alignment bearing the attachment shaft is at an angle to the first shaft and the attachment shaft gear is engaged with the first shaft gear.  
 
     
     
       4. The angle attachment of  claim 3  wherein the means for securing the open first end of the angle attachment housing to the motor  housing of the power tool includes at least one slot formed in the angle attachment housing and extending from  adjacent to the open first end thereof and a fastener mounted on the angle attachment housing and extending across the slot such that when the fastener is tightened the slot is pulled closed to thereby reduce the circumference of the open first end of the angle attachment housing to secure the open first end of the angle attachment housing to the portion of the motor housing . 
     
     
       5. The angle attachment of  claim 1  wherein the attachment end of the attachment shaft is adapted to have tool attachments attached thereto. 
     
     
       6. The angle attachment of  claim 5  wherein the attachment end of the attachment shaft is threaded. 
     
     
       7. An angle attachment for a power tool, comprising:
 (a) an angle attachment  a housing: ; 
 (b) an attachment shaft mounted in the angle attachment  housing and having a threaded attachment end extending therefrom and an attachment shaft flange mounted on the attachment end of the attachment shaft and positioned thereon such that the threaded attachment end of the attachment shaft extends beyond the attachment shaft flange;  
 (c) a first attachment shaft bearing mounted in the angle attachment  housing and positioned therein  to support the attachment shaft for rotational movement thereof;  
 (d) an attachment shaft  a gear attached to the attachment shaft; and  
 (e) an alignment bearing mounted in the angle attachment  housing and adapted to receive a first shaft having a first shaft gear mounted thereon to support the first shaft for rotational movement thereof and positioned in the angle attachment housing such that ; wherein when the first shaft is positioned in the alignment bearing the attachment shaft is at an angle to the first shaft and the attachment shaft gear is engaged with the first shaft gear.  
 
     
     
       8. An angle attachment for a power tool, comprising:
 (a) an angle attachment housing;  
 (b) an attachment shaft mounted in the angle attachment housing and having an attachment end extending therefrom;  
 (c) an attachment shaft gear attached to the attachment shaft;  
 (d) a first attachment shaft bearing mounted in the angle attachment housing and positioned therein on a first side of the attachment shaft gear mounted on the attachment shaft  to support the attachment shaft for rotational movement thereof;  
 (e) a second attachment shaft bearing mounted in the angle attachment housing and positioned therein on a second side of the attachment shaft gear mounted on the attachment shaft  to support the attachment shaft for rotational movement thereof in the angle attachment housing; and  
 (f) an alignment bearing mounted in the angle attachment housing and adapted to receive a first shaft having a first shaft gear mounted thereon to support the first shaft for rotational movement thereof and positioned in the angle attachment housing such that when the first shaft is positioned in the alignment bearing the attachment shaft is at an angle to the first shaft and the attachment shaft gear is engaged with the first shaft gear.  
 
     
     
       9. The angle attachment of  claim 1  wherein the alignment bearing is positioned in the angle attachment housing such that when the first shaft is positioned in the alignment bearing the attachment shaft is at a right angle to the first shaft. 
     
     
       10. An angle attachment for a power tool, comprising:
 (a) an angle attachment  a housing;  
 (b) an attachment shaft mounted in the angle attachment  housing and having an attachment end extending therefrom  from the housing;  
 (c) a first attachment shaft bearing mounted in the angle attachment  housing and positioned therein to support the attachment shaft for rotational movement thereof;  
 (d) an attachment shaft gear attached to the attachment shaft;  
 (e) an alignment bearing mounted  provided in the angle attachment  housing and adapted to receive an first shaft having a first shaft gear mounted thereon to support the first shaft for rotational movement thereof and positioned in the angle attachment  housing such that when the first shaft is positioned in the alignment bearing the attachment shaft is at an angle to the first shaft and the attachment shaft gear is engaged with the first shaft gear; and  
 (f) a first shaft having a first shaft gear mounted thereon positioned in the alignment bearing.  
 
     
     
       11. The angle attachment of  claim 10  wherein the first shaft includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the first shaft gear is mounted on the first shaft between the proximal and distal ends thereof and positioned thereon such that when the distal end of the fist shaft is positioned in the alignment bearing the first shaft gear engages the attachment shaft gear, and where in the distal end of the first shaft is positioned in the alignment bearing. 
     
     
       12. The angle attachment of  claim 11  wherein the distal end of the first shaft is smaller in circumference than the proximal end thereof. 
     
     
       13. The angle attachment of  claim 1  comprising additionally attachment shaft lock means for preventing rotation of the attachment shaft. 
     
     
       14. An angle attachment for a power tool having a motor housing, a motor located within the motor housing, a motor shaft driven by the motor and having a motor shaft end ex tending  extending from the motor housing, and a mechanical structure attached to the motor shaft end for securing attachments to the motor shaft, the angle attachment comprising:
 (a) an angle attachment housing having an open first end thereof attached to the motor housing around a location where the motor shaft extends from the motor housing;  
 (b) an attachment shaft mounted in the angle attachment housing and having an attachment end extending from a second end thereof;  
 (c) a first attachment shaft bearing mounted in the angle attachment housing and positioned therein to support the attachment shaft for rotational movement thereof;  
 (d) an attachment shaft gear attached to the attachment shaft;  
 (e) an alignment bearing mounted in the angle attachment housing;  
 (f) a first shaft attached to the motor shaft via the mechanical structure and removably positioned in the alignment bearing at an angle to the attachment shaft to be supported by the alignment bearing for rotational movement thereof; and  
 (g) a first shaft gear mounted on the first shaft and engaged with the attachment shaft gear.  
 
     
     
       15. The angle attachment of  claim 14  wherein the alignment bearing is mounted in the angle attachment housing in alignment with an axis of the open first end of the angle attachment housing. 
     
     
       16. The angle attachment of  claim 14  further comprising means for securing the open first end of the angle attachment housing to the motor housing of the power tool. 
     
     
       17. The angle attachment of  claim 16  wherein the means for securing the open first end of the angle attachment housing to the motor housing of the power tool includes at least one slot formed in the angle attachment housing and extending from  adjacent to the open first end thereof and a fastener mounted on the angle attachment housing and extending across the slot such that when the fastener is tightened the slot is pulled closed to thereby reduce the circumference of the open first end of the angle attachment housing to secure the open first end of the angle attachment housing to the motor housing. 
     
     
       18. The angle attachment of  claim 14  wherein the attachment end of the attachment shaft is adapted to have tool attachments attached thereto. 
     
     
       19. The angle attachment of  claim 18  wherein the attachment end of the attachment shaft is threaded. 
     
     
       20. The angle attachment of  claim 19  comprising additionally an attachment shaft flange mounted on the attachment end of the attachment shaft and positioned thereon such that a threaded portion of the attachment end of the attachment shaft extends beyond the attachment shaft flange. 
     
     
       21. The angle attachment of  claim 14  wherein the first attachment shaft bearing is positioned in the angle attachment housing on a first side of the attachment shaft gear mounted on the attachment shaft and comprising additionally a second attachment shaft bearing mounted in the angle attachment housing and positioned therein on a second side of the attachment shaft gear mounted on the attachment shaft to support the attachment shaft for rotational movement thereof in the angle attachment housing. 
     
     
       22. The angle attachment of  claim 14  wherein the first shaft is positioned in the alignment bearing at a right angle to the attachment shaft. 
     
     
       23. The angle attachment of  claim 14  wherein the first shaft includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the first shaft gear is mounted on the first shaft between the proximal and distal ends thereof and positioned thereon such that when the distal end of the fist shaft is positioned in the alignment bearing the first shaft gear engages the attachment shaft gear, and wherein the distal end of the first shaft is positioned in the alignment bearing. 
     
     
       24. The angle attachment of  claim 23  wherein the distal end of the first shaft is smaller in circumference than the proximal end thereof. 
     
     
       25. The angle attachment of  claim 1  comprising additionally attachment shaft lock means for preventing rotation of the attachment shaft. 
     
     
       26. A hand- held power tool adapted for use in a first arrangement as a rotary cutting tool and in a second arrangement with an angle attachment mounted thereto, the tool comprising:      a housing having a first end;        a motor provided inside the housing;        a motor shaft having a first end coupled to the motor and a second end extending from the first end of the housing;        a collet nut selectively mounted to the second end of the motor shaft;        a collet selectively received inside the collet nut;        the tool being adapted in a first arrangement to support a rotary tool bit in the collet nut and collet when the tool is adapted for use as a rotary cutting tool;        the tool being adapted in a second arrangement to couple to an angle attachment, the angle attachment comprising:        an angle attachment housing, the angle attachment housing having a first end adapted for mounting to the first end of the motor housing;        a first shaft provided in the angle attachment housing and adapted to be selectively coupled to the motor shaft; and        an attachment shaft provided in the angle attachment housing so that the attachment shaft is not substantially parallel to the motor shaft, the attachment shaft being coupled to the first shaft to translate rotation of the first shaft into rotation of the attachment shaft;        wherein the attachment shaft has an attachment end extending from the angle attachment housing that is adapted to support a variety of attachments comprising cutting wheels and sanding discs.     
     
     
       27. A hand- held power tool according to    claim 26    and further comprising a bearing provided in the angle attachment housing, the bearing being adapted to support the attachment shaft for rotational movement.   
     
     
       28. A hand- held power tool according to    claim 27    and further comprising an attachment shaft gear attached to the attachment shaft.   
     
     
       29. A hand- held power tool according to    claim 28    and further comprising a first shaft gear provided on the first shaft, the first shaft gear and attachment shaft gear being engaged to translate rotational movement of the first shaft to the attachment shaft.   
     
     
       30. A hand- held power tool according to    claim 29    and further comprising an alignment bearing provided in the angle attachment housing, the alignment bearing being adapted to removably receive a distal end of the first shaft and to support the first shaft for rotational movement within the angle attachment housing.   
     
     
       31. A hand- held power tool according to    claim 26    and further comprising an alignment bearing provided in the angle attachment housing, the alignment bearing being adapted to removably receive a distal end of the first shaft and support the first shaft for rotational movement within the angle attachment housing.   
     
     
       32. A hand- held power tool according to    claim 31    and further comprising an attachment shaft gear attached to the attachment shaft.   
     
     
       33. A hand- held power tool according to    claim 32    and further comprising a first shaft gear provided on the first shaft, the first shaft gear and attachment shaft gear being engaged to translate rotational movement of the first shaft to the attachment shaft.   
     
     
       34. A hand- held power tool according to    claim 33    and further comprising a bearing provided in the angle attachment housing, the bearing being adapted to support the attachment shaft for rotational movement.   
     
     
       35. A hand- held power tool according to    claim 26   , wherein the first end of the angle attachment housing is mounted to the first end of the motor housing through the cooperation of at least one slot formed in the angle attachment housing and a fastener provided on the angle attachment housing so that when the fastener is tightened, the slot is pulled closed to secure the open first end of the angle attachment housing to the first end of the motor housing.   
     
     
       36. A hand- held power tool according to    claim 26   , wherein the attachment end of the attachment shaft is threaded.