Combination Depth Gauge and Level for a Drill

Various types of mechanisms have been known to exist in the prior art which allow one to determine the depth of a hole that is being drilled into a surface.

An example of such a device, certainly within the field of the invention described herein below, includes the following patent: U.S. Pat. No. 4,113,404 Lippacher et al.

This and other devices similar to it can be characterized by noting that while an indication can be given as to the degree to which a drill bit has been used in boring into a surface, in many cases it is desired to provide the hole thus drilled at a specified angle relative to the surface upon which the drill is being worked so that the accurate depth to which the drill bit has been put can be known. Of course, if the drill is being held at an angle other than that which is desired, although the drill hole will be to the requisite depth, it is quite unlikely that the drill will have placed the hole at the proper angle which can have critical consequences.

Accordingly, the ensuing detailed description contemplates as an objective providing a depth gauge and guide which can accurately determine the angle of attack at which the drill bit will perform its work as well as critically monitor the exact depth thereof.

A further object contemplates providing a mechanism of the character described above in which the attachment to the drill is one that is simple, yet durable.

A further object provides for a mechanism which can be re-oriented easily so that work in close quarters or where tolerences with adjoining material can be taken in to consideration by re-orienting the device of this invention.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a mechanism of the character described above which is reliable, relatively simple to manufacture, and generally devoid of the defects noted in the prior art.

These and other objects will be made manifest when considering the following detailed specification when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus according to the present invention deployed on a drill.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a side view schematic depiction of the drill gauge and level.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the apparatus while disposed on the drill.

Referring to the drawings now, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several drawing figures, reference numeral 10 is directed to the drill bit guide and level according to the present invention. The guide 10 can generally be regarded as having a clamp 1 used to affix the mechanism 10 to the drill, and for this purpose, the terminal extremities of the band 1 are provided with a tightening screw 2 and a threaded clamp assembly 3. By tightening the screw 2, the clamp tightens.

Constrained by the clamp 1 there is provided a support stand having a base 4 and upwardly extending ear members 5. Nestled between the pair of spaced opposed ear members 5 and extending downwardly from the rest of the gauge and level there is a V-shaped rib extending therebetween. The rib 7 and the ears 5 are pivoted together as through a pin 6 having a screw head at one extremity thereof so that once the proper angle of the instrument above the drill has been fixed, the thumbscrew 6 is turned to retain this desired angulation.

The rib 7 serves to support a casing 8 within which is disposed a spring 13. The spring serves to bias a plunger one end of which enters within the casing and the extremity remote therefrom terminates in a cross shaped guide means 9. The plunger 11 is provided with a bolt 17 which extends through a linear groove 19 which runs substantially the entire length of the casing. It is apparent therefor that as the plunger extends and retracts within the casing 8 the bolt 17 is constrained within the groove and the plunger being biased will return to a normally extended position when freed from pressure against the wall. To assure that the plunger will remain within the casing, an end cap 18 is provided (FIG. 1). Disposed substantially above and to the right of the end cap 18 there is a support mechanism through which the plunger 11 passes, and this support mechanism 16 has disposed on the top face thereof a thumbscrew 15. Contiguous therewith and directly over the casing 8 and supported thereby is a trackway 14 having a bottom face, a pair of upwardly extending side portions, and a pair of spaced opposed inwardly directed lips through which a ruler 12 having gradations thereon is inserted. By extending the ruler 12 outwardly in the direction of the plunger at an appropriate distance, holes drilled by the drill can be controlled as to their depth.

It should be apparent therefor that in use and operation, the angle of the plunger and the ruler can be oriented by means of the thumbscrew 6, and once this has been determined, the depth of the hole to be made can be adjusted by means of the ruler 12. Thereafter, the cross shaped guide piece 9 is placed against the wall, and as the drilling operation commences, the plunger retracts into the casing 8 and continues to be depressed backwardly until the ruler 12 serves as an obstruction which would indicate that the appropriate depth and angle of the hole has been achieved. Further, it should be evident that although the drawings illustrate that the guide gauge and level are disposed on the top portion of the drill, because of the adjustable nature of the band 1, this mechanism can be rotated about the drill as is necessary.

Further, it should be apparent that numerous structural modifications are contemplated as being a part of this invention as specified herein above and as delinated herein below by the claims.