US2723405A - Cleaning and lubricating of power-driven tool - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 15, 1955 F. E. WOODWARD 2,723,405

CLEANING AND LUBRICATING OF POWER-DRIVEN TOOL Filed May 23, 1952 IN V EN TOR. FRANK E. WUUMZFD ATTORNH1' United States Patent O CLEANING AND LUBRICATING OF POWER- DRIVEN TOOL Frank E. Woodward, Rochester, N. Y.

Application May 23, 1952, Serial No. 289,517

6 Claims. (Cl. 106) The present invention relates to a power-driven tool machine, in the present instance a tapping machine, and more particularly to an arrangement for cleaning and lubricating a working tool, and also lubricating the drive means which are positioned inside the machine housing.

As is well known, in certain machining operations on metal, such as tapping, it is undesirable to apply lubricant on the work piece itself. On the contrary, it has been found more efficient to apply such lubricant direct- 13/ to the tap or other tool being used. Also, it is found that when the tap or tool has been withdrawn from the workpiece, small particles of dirt or metal chips may adhere to the tool. Before the next operation it is desirable to clean the tool thoroughly; and, in addition, to provide means for lubricating the tool and the various drive means therefor.

To secure this result, the present invention provides an arrangement for directing a blast of air directly against the tool upon its removal from the workpiece to remove chips and other foreign matter from the tool to clean the latter. In addition, means is provided to apply a quantity of lubricant to the tool after each use thereof. Simultaneously with the cleaning and lubricating of the tool, an oil spray is directed against the spindle drive means and associated parts to lubricate the latter.

The present invention has as its principal object the provision of a new and improved arrangement for cleaning and lubricating a tool, such as a tap.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a tool cleaning and lubricating means which is under the control of the operator so that such cleaning and lubrication can be performed if and when necessary.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an arrangement for applying a controlled quantity of lubricant to the tool.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of means for lubricating the spindle drive means simultaneously with the cleaning and lubrication of the tool.

And yet another object .of the invention is the provision of a cleaning and lubricating means which is simple in structure, easy to operate, comprises few parts of rugged construction, and is highly effective in use.

To these and other ends, the inventive idea resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a machine housing, showing the relation of the spindle drive means and the tool cleaning and lubricating mechanisms of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cylinder for applying lubricant to the tool, showing the relation of the lubrication inlet and outlet openings to the cylinder and the relation of the latter to the spindle.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2 and taken substantially on line 33 thereof, showing the connection between the reservoir and the supply cylinder.

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view of the cylinder with the piston positioned therein, showing the seal between the piston and the cylinder wall; and

Fig. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view through the lower ends of the drive spindle showing the relation of the lubrication channels or conduits in the spindle relative to the upper end of the tap connected to the spindle.

Similar reference numerals throughout the various views indicate the same parts.

Fig. 1 shows the relation of a power-driven tool such as a tap 10 with relation to the workpiece 11 to be operated on by the tap. The latter is connected by a chuck 12, of well known design, to the tool drive spindle 13. If desired, an overload clutch 14, of any suitable or standard design, may be inserted between the spindle 13 and tap 10 to prevent breakage of the parts in case of an overload on the tap. The spindle 13 is mounted for rotative and axial movement in a pair of spaced bearings or bushings 15 carried by a hollow housing or casing 16, the outer contour of which resembles that of a well known portable electric drill. shown at 17 and 18, is connected to the top of the casing 16 and has associated therewith an electric cord or switch, both of which are not shown, arranged in the circuit of an electric motor or other drive means, also not shown, which may be connected to the drive means in the housing 16 in a manner to be later described. As the motor, cord, and switch may be of any well known construction, and do not form a part of the present invention, further details are not shown as such details are not believed necessary to a full and complete understanding of the present invention.

The electric motor, or other prime mover, is connected through a flexible cable or other connecting means, not shown, to a jack shaft 19 on which is mounted a gear 20 which meshes with and drives a gear 21 connected to the right end of the shaft 22. The left end of shaft 22 terminates short of spindle 13 and carries a roller thrust bearing 22a. Rotation of the gear 21 imparts rotation of shaft 22, the left end of which carries a bevel gear 23 which is connected to and drives a pair of bevel gears 24 in opposite directions, as is deemed apparent from an inspection of Fig. 1. Each gear 24 has connected thereto a clutch portion or member 25, and each gear and clutch assembly is loosely mounted on the spindle 13 so the latter is free to slide axially relative to the gear and clutch assemblies, as is deemed apparent from an inspectron of Fig. 1, and for a purpose to be later describe The tool drive spindle 13 has secured thereto, as by pins 26, a pair of spaced clutch members 27 which are adapted to cooperate selectively with the clutch portions 25 to rotate the spindle 13 in opposite directions, as will be later more fully described. Thus, the clutch portions 27 move axially as a unit with the spindle 13 to engage the cooperating clutch portion 25 to drive the spindle in the proper direction. While the clutch portions 25 and 27 have been shown as of the cone type, this is by way of illustration only and is not intended as a limitation, as any other suitable and well known clutch structures may be used. In order to prevent axial movement of the clutch portions 25 when the spindle 13 is moved axially, a U- shaped bracket 28 is secured to the housing 16 by screws 29, or other suitable means, while the ends 29a engage the portions 25, as shown in Fig. 1, to hold the portions against axial movement.

The top of the spindle 13 is hollowed out, as shown at 30, to receive a coil spring 31. The lower end of the spring rests on a ball 32 carried in the bottom of the recess 30, and which provides a frictionless seat for the spring 30 to prevent rotation of the latter upon rotation of the A handle, the ends of which are spindle. The upper end of spring 31 engages the under surface 33 of a closure can 34 which is connected to the housing 16 in any suitable and well known manner. The spring 31 is normally under tension and tends to move the spindle 13 and tap outwardly or downwardly as viewed in Fig. 1, to position the spindle axially for a purpose to be latter more fully described.

The handle and the flexible connection to the motor render the apparatus portable so it may be moved to any suitable position. However, if a series of holes is to be tapped, it may be advisable or desirable to mount the mechanism on a suitable support, which may comprise, for example a base plate 35 from which extends upwardly a pair of spaced upright posts or pillars 36, only one of which is shown. The housing 16 is slidably mounted on these posts 36 in any suitable or well known manner, so that the housing, and hence tap 10, may be moved to and from the workpiece 11 for reasons which are deemed apparent. If desired, one or both of the posts 36 may have positioned thereon an adjustable stop 37 which may be of the split-ring type and which is so positioned on the posts 36 that a plurality of holes may be tapped to the same depth. As the stop 37 may be of any suitable design and forms no part of the present invention, further details are not shown or described.

With the above parts in mind, the operation of the mechanism will now be described briefly. When a hole is to be tapped in piece 11, downward pressure is applied to the handle to move the housing 16 and the tap 10 downward as a unit until the tap engages the workpiece. Thereupon, further downward movement of the tap is arrested, but the housing 16 continues its downward movement to shift the spindle 13 upwardly relative to the housing. Such upward movement of the spindle serves to engage the bottom clutch portion 27 on the spindle 13 with the cooperating clutch portion carried by the lower gear 24. Such engagement serves to connect the spindle 13 in a driven relation with the lower gear 24, and the various drive members, to rotate the tap 10 in the proper direction for tapping the hole in the workpiece 11. After the tap has been moved downwardly to the proper tapping distance, the housing 16 finally engages the adjustable stop 37 which serves to limit further downward movement of the housing and the tap, thus indicating to the operator that the tap operation has been completed. Thereupon, the operator exerts an upward pull on the handle. As the tap is still engaged in the tapped hole, such upward pull on the handle serves to move the housing 16 upward relative to the spindle 13, or to move the spindle 13 downward relative to the housing. Such relative movement serves first to disengage the lower clutch portion 27 on spindle 13 from the lower clutch member 25 and gear 24 to disconnect the spindle from the drive means and the rotation of the spindle is arrested. However, further downward movement of the spindle serves to bring the upper clutch portion 27 on spindle 13 into engagement with the upper clutch member 25 and the upper gear 24 to connect the spindle again to the drive means; but, at this time, the spindle and tap are rotated in the opposite direction to withdraw the tap from the tapped opening. Afer the tap has been completely withdrawn, the spring 31 serves to retain the spindle 13 and tap 10 in their lower position to hold the upper clutch members in engaging relation, so that the spindle will continue to be driven in a reverse direction as long as the tap is held away from the work. Now, if the mechanism is again lowered toward the work, the tap will again engage the workpiece 11 so as to stop axial movement of the tap while the housing continues its downward movement. The result is that the upper clutch is first disengaged to stop rotation of the tap, and further relative movement of the parts will again engage the lower clutch to drive the tap in the proper direction of rotation for tapping.

The above-described parts may be of any suitable standard or well known cons ruction, and do not, per. se, constitute a part of the present invention, but are illustrated merely as one form of apparatus with which the parts of the present invention are adapted to be used. When the tap is withdrawn from the work, it may have metal chips and other foreign matter attached or adhering thereto. For obvious reasons it is desirable to remove this material before the tap is again fed into tapping position. To this end, the present invention provides means for cleaning the tap each time it is withdrawn from the tapping position. in addition to cleaning the tap, it is desirable to lubricate the latter prior to the tapping operation. Also, to reduce wear, it is desirable to lubricate the various gears, shafts, and clutches, positioned in housing 16, the clutches being of the oil-running type. To this end, a compressed air line 40 is connected to a suitable source of compressed air, not shown. A control valve 41, in the present instance a foot valve, is positioned in the air line 49 as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1. The line 40 is provided with a depending branch 42 which is directed downward and toward the tap 10. Now, when the latter is withdrawn from the work, the operator merely presses the valve 41 with his foot to supply air under pressure to the lines 40 and 42. The air discharging from the end 43 of line 42 impinges against tap 10 and removes any chips or matter adhering thereto.

In addition, a second branch 44 of line 40 extends across the bottom of the housing and up one side thereof, and is then bent at 45 to enter through a registering opening in housing 16 and bracket 28, as illustrated in Fig. l. The inner end 52 of branch 44 terminates adjacent and slightly above a vertically arranged pipe 46 which extends through a registering opening in bracket 28, and is positioned in and connected to the inner side wall 47 of the housing 16, in any suitable or well known manner, such, for example, by a clamp 48. The lower end 49 of the pipe 46 extends downwardly into a supply of lubricant 50 positioned in an oil reservoir 51 arranged at the bottom of housing 16, as shown in Pig. 1.

It will now be apparent that when air under pressure is supplied to branch 44, the air issuing from the end 52 thereof will provide an aspirator effect to the upper end of pipe 46, and this effect will serve to lift oil 50 from reservoir 51 and to spray this oil on the parts positioned inside housing 16. As such aspirators and their operation are well known, further details are not deemed necessary.

In addition to cleaning the tap, and lubricating the parts within the housing 16, it is also desirable to apply a quantity of oil or lubricant to the tap 10 when it is in its inoperative or withdrawn position, as shown in Fig. 1. To this end, the spindle 13 is formed with an axially extending central opening or conduit 55 which extends upward from the lower end 56 of the spindle, as best shown in Fig. 5. Thus, the lower end of the conduit 55 is in direct communication with the upper end 57 of the tool or tap 10, which is connected to the spindle by the chuck 12. It will now be apparent from an inspection of Fig. 5, that if oil or other lubricant is applied under pressure to the conduit 55, the oil will flow downwardly through the latter and over the outer surface of the tap 10 to lubricate the latter, the openings between the jaws of the chuck 12 permitting the free down ward flow of the oil to the working portion of the tap to provide the desired lubrication thereof. In order to prevent seepage of oil along the outer surface of spindle 13, the lower bushing 15 has the lower end threaded to receive a packing-gland nut 56 which holds a packing 57a in tight oil-sealing relation around spindle 13, as is deemed apparent from Fig. 1.

In order that the tap may be properly lubricated, it is desirable to connect the conduit 55 to the reservoir 51 so that oil from the latter may be supplied to the tap to lubricate the tap. To this end, the present invention provides an arrangement for withdrawing a definite quantity of oil from the reservoir 51 and forcing this oil under pressure to the conduit 55 through which it flows to the tap 10, as above described. To secure this result, a horizontally arranged cylinder 58 is positioned in the bottom of the housing 16. Theleft end of the cylinder is connected to a chamber 59 which is, in turn, connected through an L-shaped passage 60 to a horizontal passage or conduit 61, the left end of which is formed with a seat 62 against which a ball 63 is held by a spring 64. This spring and ball arrangement constitutes a oneway check valve between the reservoir 51, chamber 59 and cylinder 58. The right end of the conduit 61 opens into the reservoir 51. The cylinder has positioned therein, for reciprocating movement, a piston 65 which carries a leather washer 66 to provide the desired seal between the piston and the cylinder wall, as best shown in Fig. 4.

A coil spring 67 is positioned in the cylinder 58 to the left of the piston 65 and tends to move the latter to the right or to the position shown in Fig. 1. When the piston 65 is moved to the right, under action of spring 67, a reduced pressure is created in the cylinder 58, much in the same manner as in an automobile cylinder. This reduced pressure will cause oil to flow from the reservoir 51 through a passage 61, moving the ball 63 to the left and off its seat 62 to permit the flow of oil through the passage 60 and through chamber 59 to the cylinder 58. A threaded member 68 passes through fixed nut 69 carried by or formed integral with a head 58a which is threaded into the housing 16, as shown in Fig. l, and has an inner end 70 positioned in the path of the piston 65. By rotating the member 68, the axial position of the end 70 may be adjusted relative to the cylinder to control and limit the rightward movement of the piston 65 by spring 67. Thus, by adjusting the member 68, the quantity of oil drawn into the cylinder upon which rightward movement of the piston can be regulated and controlled to a fine degree.

It is apparent from an inspection of Fig. .1 that in order to discharge the oil or lubricant from the cylinder 58, the piston 65 must be moved to the left. To secure such movement, the present invention provides a third branch 72 of the main air line 40. This branch 72 is connected to the cylinder 58 to the right of the piston 65. It will now be apparent that when the valve 41 is opened, air under pressure will flow through the branch line 72 and will act on the right face of the piston 65 to move the latter to the left to apply pressure to the oil in the cylinder. Such pressure will first act to reseat ball 63 on its seat 62 to close off the oil inlet line 61. The chamber 59 at the left end of the cylinder 58 has connected thereto an L-shaped passage 73 which, in turn, is connected to a horizontal passage 74 which extends through the lower bushing and terminates at the spindle 13, as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 1. The top of the passage 73, see Fig. 1, is formed with a seat 75 adapted to receive a ball 76 which normally is held against seat 75 by a coil spring 77a providing a oneway ball check valve. It is now apparent that the piston 65 is moved to the left under the action of the air pressure on the right face thereof, oil will be forced from the cylinder 58 into chamber 59 and passage 73 and will raise ball 76 off its seat 75 against the action of spring 77. The oil will then flow to the left through a passage 74 toward the spindle 13.

As mentioned above, the spindle is formed with a central aperture or conduit 55, the lower end of which is open as best shown in Fig. 5. In order that the oil discharged from the cylinder can be directed to the tool or tap 10, it is preferably passed vertically downwardly through conduit 55. To secure this result, the outer periphery of the spindle 13 is formed with a circumferential channel 78 which is connected to the upper end of the axial conduit 55 by a radial opening 79.

Also, as previously mentioned, when the tool or tap is completely withdrawn from the work, the spring 31 serves to shift the spindle 13 axially downward to maintain the upper clutch members 25 and 27 in engagement to rotate the tap in a reverse direction. When the spindle is in this axial position, the peripheral channel 78 is in horizontal alignment and fluid communication with the left end of the passage 74, which is, in turn, in fluid communication with the cylinder 58. The result is that the oil forced from the cylinder passes through a chamber 59 and passages 73 and 74 to the peripheral conduit 78 then through the radial opening 79 to the vertical or axial conduit 55 in spindle 13. The oil under pressure will then flow downwardly through conduit 55 and will be discharged from the lower end 56 thereof. At this point, the discharged oil contacts the upper end of the tool 10 and flows downwardly over the outer surface thereof to the working portion of the tool. This flow of oil along the tool is possible because of the spacings between the chuck jaws. Thus, each time air pressure is applied to the piston 65, a definite quantity of oil is applied to the tool or tap 10 to lubricate the latter. The specific quantity of oil applied upon each operation of the piston depends upon the adjustment of the piston by means of the threaded member 68.

As is well known, the upper ends of the taps and various tools are often tapered or reduced in diameter as shown at 82, Fig. 5. It will now be apparent that if the lower end of the spindle is squared off, so it is normal to the axis of the spindle, the tapered end 82 of the tool would enter directly into the oil conduit 55 of the spindle and might tend to completely engage the lower end of the conduit to close the latter, the disadvantages of which are deemed apparent. In order to overcome this possibility, the lower end 56 of the spindle is countersunk or recessed upward, as shown at 83. Also, the top 84 of the recess 83 is formed with a plu rality of radially extending channels or slots 85, the inner ends of which are in fluid communication with the center conduit 55. These lateral or radial channels may, if desired, be extended to the outer periphery of the spindle, as indicated in Fig. 5. Thus, even if the tapered upper end 82 of the tool actually fills or blocks the central conduit 55, the radial channels 85 would still be open to allow the oil to flow from the conduit 55 to the tool to lubricate the latter, as is deemed apparent from an inspection of Fig. 5.

As will be seen from the above description, when the tap 10 is withdrawn from the work, the spindle 13 will be positioned automatically in proper axial position by means of spring 31. Then when the valve 41 is opened air will be supplied to branch 42 to supply a jet of air to the tap to clean the latter. Simultaneously air will be supplied to the branch 44 to aspirate oil from the reservoir 51 through pipe 46 to spray oil on the clutches, gears, shafts and housing. The branch 44, and pipe 46, thus constitute an aspirator for spraying oil to the parts inside the housing 16. Finally, air under pressure is applied to the cylinder 58 to move the piston 65 to the left to force oil through passages 73 and 74, to the peripheral conduit 78, then through radial opening 79 to the central conduit 55 and then to the tool 10. By means of this arrangement, the tool is both lubricated and cleaned, and simultaneously therewith the various mechanisms inside the housing 16 are also lubricated. Furthermore, these various cleaning and lubricating operations are entirely under the control of the operator.

When the flexible shaft is brought in from the back of housing 16 to drive shaft 19, as in Fig. l, the latter and the associated parts are rotated in such a direction as to drive the tap 10 in the direction to cut a right hand thread. However, it is some times desirable to rotate the tap in the opposite direction to cut or tap a left hand thread. To secure this result, the shaft 19 and gear 20 are journalled in a worm housing which is connected to the main housing 16 by two screws, not shown. When these screws areremoved, the housing 90 with its shaft 19 and gear 20 may be removed as a unit. Now, the

housing 90 may be reversed so that the flexible shaft comes in from the other side, or from the front as viewed in Fig. l. The result is that shaft 1% and gear 20, as well as the parts connected thereto, are rotated in the opposite direction to rotate the tap 10 to tap or cut a left hand thread, the advantages of which are deemed apparent.

While the present invention has shown certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number of ways. Therefore, this application is not to be limited except as is necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a power-driven tool machine, the combination with a housing, a tool spindle mounted for rotating and axial movement in said housing, a chuck for connecting a tool releasable to an end of said spindle, projecting from said housing, the axial movement of said spindle serving to move said tool to and from a workpiece of a lubricant reservoir formed in said housing, said spindle being formed with a lubricant conduit extending from the end thereof adjacent said tool and terminating at a point on the outer periphery of said spindle spaced axially from said end, a fixed conduit formed in said housing, means for positioning said spindle axially to align said point in registery with said fixed conduit to connect said conduits in fluid communication only when said tool is moved away from said workpiece, a cylinder formed in said housing, a piston mounted for sliding movement in said cylinder, means for connecting said cylinder in fluid communication with said reservoir and said fixed conduit, means for moving said piston in one direction to draw a quantity of lubricant from said reservoir into said cylinder, and separate means for moving said piston in the opposite direction to force said lubricant from said cylinder and through said conduits to said tool to lubricate the latter.

2. In a power-driven tool machine, the combination with a housing, a tool spindle mounted for rotating and axial movement in said housing, a chuck for connecting a tool releasable to an end of said spindle projecting from said housing, the axial movement of said spindle serving to move said tool to and from a workpiece of a lubricant reservoir formed in said housing, said spindle being formed with a central axial conduit extending through said spindle from the end adjacent said tool and terminating at a point spaced axially from said tool, an annular channel formed on the outer periphery of said spindle in axial alignment with said point, said spindle being also formed with a radial opening connect ing said channel and said conduit in fluid communication, said housing having a fixed conduit formed therein. means to shift said spindle axially to position said channel in axial alignment and in fluid communication with said fixed conduit only when said tool is moved away from said workpiece, a cylinder formed in said housing, a piston mounted for free reciprocating movement in said cylinder, a coil spring mounted in said cylinder on one side of said piston to move the latter in one direction in said cylinder, means for connecting said cylinder in fluid communication with said reservoir when said piston is moved in said one direction to draw a quantity of lubricant from said reservoir into said cylinder, fluid pressure means applied to the other side of said piston to move the latter in the opposite direction to apply pressure to the quantity of lubricant in said cylinder, and means for connecting said cylinder in fluid communication with said fixed conduit when said piston is moved to said opposite direction to deliver said quantity of lubricant under pressure through the conduit in said spindle to said tool to lubricate the latter.

3. In a power-driven tool machine, the combination with a housing, a tool spindle mounted for rotating and axial movement in said housing, a chuck for connecting a tool releasable to an end of said spindle projecting from said housing, the axial movement of said spindle serving to move said tool to and from a workpiece of a lubricant reservoir formed in said housing, said spindle being formed with a central axial conduit extending through said spindle from the end adjacent said tool and terminating at a point spaced axially from said tool, an annular channel formed on the outer periphery of said spindle in axial alignment with said point, said spindle being also formed with a radial opening connecting said channel and said conduit in fluid communication, said housing having a fixed conduit formed therein, means to shift said spindle axially to position said channel in axial alignment and in fluid communication with said fixed conduit only when said tool is moved away from said workpiece, a cylinder formed in said housing, a piston mounted for free reciprocating movement in said cylinder, means on one side of said piston to move the latter in one direction in said cylinder, means for con meeting said cylinder in fluid communication with said reservoir when said piston is moved in said one direction to draw a quantity of lubricant from said reservoir into said cylinder, a compressed air line connected to said cylinder on the opposite side of said piston, a control valve in said air line under the control of the operator to supply air under pressure to the opposite side of said piston to move the latter in the opposite direction to apply pressure to the quantity of lubricant in said cylinder for forcing said quantity under pressure through said conduits and to said tool to lubricate the latter, and means from adjusting the axial position or" said piston in said cylinder to control the quantity of lubricant supplied to said tool.

4. In a power-driven tool machine, the combination with a housing, a tool spindle mounted for rotating and axial movement in said housing, a chuck for connecting a tool releasable to an end of said spindle projecting from said housing, the axial movement of said spindle serving to move said tool to and from the workpiece of a lubricant reservoir formed in said housing, said spindle being formed with a central axial conduit extending through said spindle from the end adjacent said tool and terminating at a point spaced axially from said tool, an annular channel formed on the outer periphery of said spindle in axial alignment with said point, said spindle being also formed with a radial opening connecting said channel and said conduit in fluid communication, said housing having a fixed conduit formed therein, means to shift said spindle axially to position said channel in axial alignment and in fluid communication with said fixed conduit only when said tool is moved away from said workpiece, a cylinder formed in said housing, a piston mounted for free reciprocating movement in said cylinder, spring means on one side of said piston to move the latter in one direction in said cylinder, an inlet conduit connecting said reservoir to said cylinder so as to draw a quantity of lubricant into said cylinder when said piston is moved in said one direction, a check valve in said inlet conduit which opens when said piston is moved in said one direction, a compressed-air line connected to said cylinder on the opposite side of said piston from said spring, a control valve in said air line under the control of the operator to supply air under pressure to the opposite side of said piston to move the latter in the opposite direction to apply pressure to said lubricant in said cylinder, an outlet conduit connecting said cylinder and said fixed conduit, a one-way check valve positioned in said outlet conduit and opened when said piston is moved in said opposite direction to force the lubricant under pressure through said fixed conduit and into the axial conduit in said spindle to said tool to lubricate the latter, and an adjusting screw carried by said cylinder and having one end in engagement with said piston to adjust the axial position of the piston in said cylinder to control the quantity of lubricant supplied to said tool.

5. In a power-driven tool machine, the combination with a hollow housing, a hollow spindle mounted for rotating and axial movement in said housing, a chuck for connecting a tool releasable to an exposed end of said spindle the axial movement of said spindle serving to move said tool to and from a workpiece, spindle drive means positioned in said housing, clutches connectable to said drive means and said spindle to rotate the latter in opposite directions, of a lubricant reservoir in said housing, an aspirator positioned in said housing and extending into said reservoir, an air line, a valve in said air line under the control of the operator, a branch in said air line directed toward and terminating adjacent said tool to supply air under pressure to clean said tool when said valve is actuated, a second branch of said air line connected to said aspirator to supply air under pressure thereto to lift a quantity of lubricant from said reservoir and to spray the lifted lubricant over said drive means and said clutches, a cylinder positioned on said housing, a lubricant inlet connecting said reservoir to said cylinder, a piston mounted in said cylinder for reciprocating movement therein, a coil spring positioned in said cylinder and engaging one side of said piston to move the latter in one direction to draw a quantity of lubricant from said reservoir to said cylinder, another branch of said air line connected to the cylinder on the opposite side of said piston to apply air pressure to the latter to apply pressure to the lubricant in said cylinder, and a discharge outlet connected to said cylinder and positionable in fluid communication with the hollow spindle only when said tool is moved away from said workpiece to supply lubricant under pressure from said cylinder to said spindle and said tool to lubricate the latter.

6. In a power-driven tool machine, the combination with a hollow housing, a hollow spindle mounted for rotating and axial movement in said housing, a chuck for connecting a tool releasable to an exposed end of said spindle, spindle drive means positioned in said housing, clutches connectable to said drive means and said spindle to rotate the latter in opposite directions, the axial movement of said spindle serving to move said tool to and from a workpiece of a lubricant reservoir in said housing, an aspirator positioned in said housing and extending into said reservoir, an air line, a valve in said air line under the control of the operator, a branch in said air line directed toward and terminating adjacent said tool to supply air under pressure to clean said tool when said valve is actuated, a second branch of said air line connected to said aspirator to supply air under pressure thereto to lift a quantity of lubricant from said reservoir and to spray the lifted lubricant over said drive means and said clutches, a cylinder positioned on said housing, a lubricant inlet connecting said reservoir to said cylinder, a piston mounted in said cylinder for reciprocating movement therein, a coil spring positioned in said cylinder and engaging one side of said piston to move the latter in one direction to draw a quantity of lubricant from said reservoir to said cylinder, another branch of said air line connected to the cylinder on the opposite side of said piston to apply air pressure to the latter to apply pressure to the lubricant in said cylinder, a discharge outlet connected to said cylinder and terminating at said spindle, means to position said spindle axially to connect the hollow spindle in fluid communication with said discharge outlet only when said tool is moved away from said workpiece so as to supply lubricant under pressure to said hollow spindle and then to said tool to lubricate the latter, and adjustable means carried by thecylinder and engageable with said piston to position the latter in the cylinder to adjust the stroke of said piston to control the quantity of lubricant supplied to said tool each time the piston is moved by air pressure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 412,548 Shufelt Oct. 28, 1889 1,086,052 Howard Feb. 3, 1914 1,186,485 McClelland June 6, 1916 1,195,145 Mattingly Aug. 15, 1916 2,249,395 Reese July 15, 1941 2,515,417 Myers July 18, 1950 2,686,440 Van Cutsem Aug. 17, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 487,363 Germany Dec. 6, 1929 553,159 Great Britain May 10, 1943

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