US3189065A

US3189065A - Multiple drilling apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3189065A
Application number: US191508A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jerry W Cochrane; Roy H Costner
Original assignee: COCHRANE FURNITURE CO Inc
Current assignee: COCHRANE FURNITURE CO Inc
Priority date: 1962-05-01
Filing date: 1962-05-01
Publication date: 1965-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 1982-06-15

Description

June 1955 J. w. COCHRANE ETAL 8 5 MULTIPLE DRILLING APPARATUS 4 Sheeis-Sheet 1 Filed ma 1, 1962 J1me 1965 J. w. COCHRANE ETAL 3, 5

MULTIPLE DRILLING APPARATUS Filed May 1, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2v gas E 1% 107 HO 87 j FLU") Paessuau- Somme- J 15, 1965 J. w. COCHRANE ETAL 3,139,055

MULTIPLE DRILLING APPARATUS Filed May 1, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS JERRY W. CocH RANE- and Eov H. CosTNE-ra awm wn June 15, 1965 J. w. COCHRANE ETAL 7 3,189,065 MULTIPLE DRILLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 1} 1962 m m m JERRY W. COCHEANE- 'and. ROY H.CO6TNER.

United States Patent 3,189,065 MULTIPLE DRILLING APPARATUS Jerry W. Cochrane and Roy H. Costner, Lincolnton, NC, assignors to Cochrane Furniture Co., Inc., Lincolnton, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Filed May 1, 1962, Ser. No. 191,508 7 Claims. (Cl. 144,-112) The present invention relates to multiple drilling ap paratus particularly adaptable for simultaneous-- drilling of a plurality of holes in a workpiece in a desired pattern arrangement and at the desired angles.

While it is recognized that multiple drilling apparatus has been developed for a number of industries, none of this apparatus has been found suitable for the furniture industry wherein so often the holes to be drilled must be drilled at a compound angle with the angles of various holes varying with respect to each other. This is particularly true in the manufacture of Wooden furniture such as chairs, small-tables and the like, wherein it is the normal practice to drill a plurality of holes, usually four in number, in the lower surface of the table top or the seat portion of the chair or the like. These holes are usually formed at compound angles relative to the table top or chair seat and receive the upper ends of suitable leg members which extend downwardly from the table top or chair seat in diverging relationship to each other and serve to support the table or chair.

Also, in the manufacture of chairs and the like, it is common practice to drill holes in the upper surface of the seat portion for reception of the lower ends of post members which make up the frame for the chair back and, if arms areto be provided on the chair, to drill holes for reception of the lower ends of post members which support the arms. In certain types of chairs, the chair back is made up of a plurality ofspindle-like members which are positioned relative to each other so that the chair back assumes a generally curved configuration which will conform substantially to the configuration of the human back. Holes are usually drilled in the seat portion in the pattern and at the various angles at which the spindle-like members are to be disposed. The lower ends of these members are positioned in these holes and the holes determine the pat-tern and various angled relationship thereof. Usually, the majority of the holes are formed at compound angles relative to the seat portion so that the spindle-like members diverge upwardly from the seat portion and also are tilted reanwardly relative thereto.

Heretofore, it has been the practice of the furniture industry to drill these holes individually by means of drill presses by-suitable manipulation of the drill and/ or the workpiece on a pattern or jig. It can readily by appreciated that this practiceconsumes considerable time and is quite laborious since the average piece of furniture would require quite a number of holes to be drilled therein. Also, the accuracy at which these holes had to be drilled require that a highly skilled person be employed to insure that the same were formed in a smooth pattern and at the desired angles.

The apparatus of the present invention obviates these problems by providing an apparatus including a bank of drill units which are movable into engagement with a work- It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved drilling apparatus wherein all of the desired holes may be formed in one side of a workpiece in a single drilling operation and these holes may be formed in variable patterns and at variable angles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drilling apparatus including a plurality of drill units and wherein the drill units are mounted for individual uni.- versal angular adjustment to form the holes at variable angles including compound angles and for linear adjustment relative to eachother to form the holes in any desired pattern.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a drilling apparatus of the character described including means for insuring correct positioning of the workpieces in the apparatus relative to the drll units.

A still more specific object of the present invention is to providea drilling apparatus of the character described having a plurality of drill units selectively operable so that any desired numb-er thereof may be used to drill holes in the work-piece.

A further more specific object of the present invention is to provide a multiple drilling apparatus including a plurality of drill units, first means mounting the drill units for linear longitudinal and transverse movement relative to a workpiece to arrange the drill units in a desired pattern, second means mounting the drill units for individual universal angular adjustment to arrange the drill units to form holes at desired angle-s, including varying compound angles, and visual indicating means provided on said first means to facilitate the arrangement of the drill units in the desired pattern and also provided on said second means to facilitate the compound angular adjustment of said drill units.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in

which: a j v FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevation of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal vertical section taken substantially along line 4-4 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded isometric view with portions broken away of the mounting means for each of the drill units which is shown in the upper medial portion of FIG- URE 4-;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the structure shown in FIGURE 5 in assembled relationship;

piece for simultaneously drilling all of the desired holesin FIGURE 7 is an elevational view, partially in section, taken substantially along line 7-7 in FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 8-8 in FIGURE 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the apparatus of the present invention is generally indicated at It and includes a substantially rectangular base 11. 'Base .11 includes suitable post members 12 which are provided at each of the four corners of the base 11. If desired, additional post members may be provided at intermediate places thereof as required. Post members 12 are preferably constructed from suitable steel channel stock which has good compressive resistance. The top or bed portion of base 11 comprises a pair of end members 13 connecting a pair of side members 14 to each other at opposite ends to define the outer configuration thereof.

Members

13 and 14 are preferably formed of suitable angle material and are mounted on post members 12 by any suitable means such as welding (not shown).

A pair of spaced apart plates 15, 16 are mounted at opposite ends on end frame members 13 and extend therebetween. Plates 15 and 16 are spaced apart a sufficient distance to provide a longitudinally extending slot through which suitable bolts 17 may penetrate for reasons to be presently described. Two sets of spaced apart plates 20, 21 are mounted at opposite ends on plate 15 and the adjacent side frame member 14, respectively, at spaced apart locations intermediate end frame members 13. Likewise, two other sets of spaced apart plates 22, 23 are mounted at opposite ends on plate 16 and the ad jacent side frame member 14, respectively, in lateral alinement with each set of plates 29, 21. Plates 2%, 21

and 22, 23 are spaced similar to plates 15 and 16 to provide laterally extending slots for the reception of bolts 17.

Angle members 30 having horizontal and vertical legs 30a, 30b, respectively, are mounted on plate 15 with the bottom of vertical legs 30b, resting on the upper edge of plate '15 and forming an extension thereof. One of the angle members 30 extends substantially between each of the end frame members 13 to which it is connected at one end, and the adjacent plates 20, 21, respectively. The other angle member 30 extends between plates and 21 of the two sets.

Angle members 31 are substantially indentically mounted on plate 16 except that the same are allochirally arranged relative to angle members so that the horizontal legs thereof extend outwardly from the vertical legs in opposite directions. Also, angle members 32 are mounted in like manner to

angle members

30, 31 on plates 20, 21 and 22, 23, respectively, and are connected at one end to side frame members 14 and at the other end to

angle members

30, 31, respectively. The horizontal legs of these

angle members

30, 31 and 32 define workpiece supporting surfaces or serve as supporting surfaces for a separate workpiece supporting member such as the member indicated at 33 in FIGURE 4. Member 33 is secured to base 11 by bolts 17 extending through suitable openings formed therein and selectively penetrating through the slots defined by plates 15, 16; 20, 21; and 22, 23.

Preferably, positioning blocks 34 are mounted on base 11 by bolts 17 penetrating through the aforementioned slots and are suitably positioned thereon to correctly position a workpiece or workpiece supporting member 33 thereon. An upright standard 35 is mounted on base 11 at each corner thereof by any suitable means such as welding and projects upwardly therefrom. Standards 35 are preferably formed of suitable channel stock for compressive strength with the web portion 35a thereof being positioned against side frame members 14 and the legs 35b thereof extending outwardly on the opposite side of web portion 35a from members 14. Each of the standards 35 has an elongate vertically extending opening 36 formed in the web thereof for reception of suitable bolts 37 which penetrate therethrough.

An upper frame 40, comprising side frame members 41 which are connected at opposite ends by end frame members 42 and at intermediate points by

intermediate frame members

43 and 44, is mounted on standards 35 by bolts 37 penetrating through suitable openings formed in upper side frame members 41 in alinement with openings 36. A clamping block 45 is fixedly mounted on the inner end of each of the bolts 37 and cooperates with a suitable nut 46 and washer 47 mounted on the other end of bolts 37 to releasably clamp upper side frame members 41 to standards 35. Each of the blocks 45 has a vertically extending, internally threaded opening formed therein which matingly receives an externally threaded screw 50. Screws 59 are journaled for rotation in suitable openings 51 formed in the legs 41a of the channel side frame members 41. It is noted that openings 51 are of larger diameter than screws to allow upper side frame members 41 to move vertically relative thereto without damaging the threads thereon. The lower ends of screws 50 rest on lower side frame members 14 and the upper ends thereof are suitably formed for reception of a hand operated tool or the like (not shown) for rotation of screws 50. It is noted that the upper frame 40 is thereby mounted for vertical adjustment to any desired position relative to base 11.

A plurality of drill supporting members 52 are mounted on rear upper end frame member 42 and on upper intermediate frame member 43 and are of sutficient length to span the space therebetween and to have one end thereof extend into overlying relation to the workpiece supporting portion of base 11. A clamp member 53 is provided for each drill unit supporting member 52 and is disposed beneath .and in engagement with the lower surface of rear end frame member 42 and intermediate frame member 43 and spanning the space therebetween. A pair of bolts 54 penetrate through an elongate opening 55 formed in each of the drill unit supporting members 52 by two spaced apart

longitudinal members

52a, 52b which are connected at one end by a spacer block 52c. Bolts 54 extend downwardly from member 52 between the upper end and

intermediate frame members

42, 43, respectively, and then penetrate through suitable openings formed in clamping member 53. Suitable nuts 56 are threadably mounted on the lower ends of bolts 54 and cooperate therewith to releasably clamp the upper end and intermediate frame members between drill unit supporting members 52 and clamping members 53 to releasably hold drill unit supporting members 52 in position thereon.

It is noted that elongate openings 55 allow drill unit supporting members 52 to be adjusted laterally of upper end and

intermediate frame members

42, 43 and hence, longitudinally of upper frame 40 and base 11. Also, drill unit supporting members 52 and clamping members 53 are movable longitudinally of upper end and

intermediate frame members

42, 43 to adjust the same laterally of upper frame 40 and base 11. To aid in correct positioning of drill unit supporting members 52 relative to upper frame 40 to achieve the desired pattern of holes to be drilled in the workpiece, the upper surfaces of upper end and

intermediate frame members

42, 43 and 44 are provided with suitable graduations 56 and one outer side surface of drill unit supporting members 52 is also provided with graduations 57 adjacent the bottom surface thereof.

The forward end portions of

longitudinal members

52a, 52b of drill unit supporting members 52 are spaced apart and terminate in tapered points with the top and bottom surfaces converging. A T-shaped member 60 is mounted on the forward end of each of the drill unit supporting members 52 with the leg portion 60a of the T-shaped member positioned between the spaced apart tapered end portions of longitudinal members 52a, 5212. A bolt 61 penetrates through suitable alined openings formed in the tapered end portions of

longitudinal members

52a and 52b and in the leg portion 60:: of T-shaped member 60 and has a wing nut 61a thereon. Bolt 61 serves as a pivot about which member 60 moves relative to drill unit supporting member 52. An opening 62 is formed in leg portion 60a and is spaced from the opening through which bolt 61 penetrates. Opening 62 is elongated along an are having its center of curvature at the axis of bolt 61 or at the pivot point of member 60. A second bolt 63 penetrates through opening 62 and suitable openings formed in

longitudinal members

52a, 52b in alinement with opening 62 and has a wing nut 63a thereon which serves to clampingly lock leg portion 69a in adjusted position.

To aid in correctly positioning T-shaped member 60 relative to supporting member 52, suitable graduations 64 are provided on the leg portion 60a of T-shaped member 61) and an opening 65 is provided in longitudinal member 52a for viewing these graduations.

The cross portion 60b of T-shaped member 69 is formed integral with or is mounted on leg portion 60a by any internally threaded openings 73 formed in wedge-shaped member 70. It is noted that openings 67 are of a greater width than the diameter of bolts 71 so that bolts '71 may be loosened andthe angular position of wedge-shaped member 71) relative to T-shaped member 60 may be adjusted. In this regard, wedge-shaped member 70 has a protuberance 74 thereon which is matingly received in recess 66 of cross portion 60b to serve as a pivot point for wedge-shaped member 70 in the angular adjustment thereof relative to T-shaped member 60.

Suitable graduations 75 are provided on the top surface of cross portion 69b and a base line 76 is provided on the top surface of the reduced portion of wedge-shaped member 70 to aid in the correct angular positioning of member 70 relative to member 60. It is noted that a similar base line (not shown) is provided on the other end or opposite end surface of member 70 for cooperation with graduations 75 since member 70 is frequently inverted from the position shown in FIGURE 5. For example, members 70 are shown in FIGURE 1 with alternate members disposed in the positionshown in FIGURE 5 with intervening members disposed in inverted position. Due to the tapered surfaces on the reduced portion, this arrangement allows members 70 to be positioned closer together and hence allows the holes to bedrilled in the workpiece in very closely spaced relation if desired.

A drill mounting block or chuck 89 is formed in two

sections

80a, 80b and section 8012 is mounted on Wedgeshaped member 70 by a pair of bolts 81 penetrating through suitable openings 82 formed in member 70 and into internally threaded openings 83 formed in section 80b. Section 80a is adjustably mounted on section 80b by bolts 84 which extend through alined openings 85 formed in section 811a and into internally threaded open ings 86 formed in section 8012. The adjacent surfaces of sections 80a and 8% are provided with vertically extending semi-circular recesses for clampingly receiving a drill unit 90 having a rotatable and extensible drill bit 91.

Drill units 90 are preferably of the fluid operable type wherein both the rotation of drill bits 91 and the extension thereof relative to the workpiece is effected by action of suitable fluid which is preferably compressed air, but is not necessarily limited thereto. A spring 91a (FIGURE 4) is provided in each drill unit 90 for biasing the drill bit 91 toward the retracted position with a predetermined force. Drill units 90 are of conventional construction with a representative type being shown and described in Patent No. 2,881,589, issued to Hitt et al. on April 14, 1959. Therefore, the drill units will not be specifically described herein since the particular structure thereof forms no part of the present invention.

Each of the drill units 99 has a first inlet pipe 92 communicating with the interior of the units for delivering fluid to rotate bits 91. A flexible line 93 is connected at one end to pipe 92 and at the other end to a pipe 94 which in turn is mounted on and communicatively connected to a first manifold 95. Manifold 95 is mounted by suitable brackets 96 on the rear end frame member 13 of base 11. A pipe 97 is connected at one end to first manifold 95 and is connected at its other end to a suitable fluid pressure source 98, such as an air compressor or the like.

A valve 101), preferably of the pet cock type, is disposed in pipe 97 to control the passage of fluid therethrough.

Also, an air filter mechanism 101 of conventional struc-.

ture is disposed in pipe 97 for filtering impurities from the air and a regulating valve 192 also of conventional structure is also disposed in pipe 97 for controlling the pressure of the fluid delivered by pipe 97 to manifold 95. A lubricating apparatus 103 is also disposed in pipe 97 for entraining particles of a suitable lubricant in the air passing through pipe 97 such that these particles of lubricant will be delivered by the air to the operating parts of drill units for lubricating the same.

Each of the drill units 90 has a second inlet pipe 104 communicatively connected thereto for delivering fluid thereto to extend drill bit 91. A flexible line 105 is connected at one end to pipe 104 and attthe other end to a valve 106, preferably of the pet cock type, which in turn is connected by a pipe 107 to a second manifold 116. Manifold 110 is mounted by brackets 111 on one of the lower side frame members 14 and includes an inlet pipe 112. A flexible feed line 113 is communicatively connected at one end to inlet pipe 112 and at its other end to a valve 114. t

Valve 114 includes .a valve plunger 115 which is normally biased to the closed position by a spring 116. A foot treadle 117 is pivotally mounted on valve base 114a and is pivotally connected to plunger 115 for manual movement of plunger 115 to the open position against the action of spring 116. A flexible line 120 is connected at one end to the opposite side of valve 114 from line 113 and at its other end to pipe 97 at a point disposed on the opposite side of lubricating mechanism 103 from fluid pressure source 98.

It is noted that drill unit supporting members 52 and drill units 90 carried thereby may also be mounted on the forward end frame member 42 and intermediate frame member 44, as shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 1, if desired, so that additional holes may be formed in the workpiece or so that a different pattern of holes may be formed therein at a different location than would be possible using the previously described drill units and supporting members. Also, if the particular desired pattern of holes to be drilled in the workpiece dictated the same, the previously described drill unit supporting members and drill units carried thereby could be moved from rear end frame member 42 and intermediate frame mem- .ber 43 to the other end and intermediate frame members.

A work clamping device is generally indicated at 121 and includes a mounting bar 122 which is mounted at opposite ends on upper side frame members 41 by suitable U bolts 123 which have suitable nuts 124 matingly received on the threaded leg portions thereof. Mounting bar 1212 is normally positioned adjacent to the bank of drill units 90 in overlying relation to the workpiece sup porting portion of base 11. A mounting block 125 is mounted on the horizontal portion of mounting bar 122 and has an opening extending vertically therethrough which is alined with an opening formed in the horizontal portion of bar 122. A spindle 126 extends through these openings and is vertically adjustably connected thereto by a set screw 127 threadably mounted in an internally threaded opening in block 125. A fluid operable cylinder 130 is carried by the lower end of spindle 126 and includes a piston (not shown) therein which is biased upwardly or toward the retracted position by a spring 131a (FIGURE 4). The piston disposed in cylinder 130 has a piston rod 131' extending outwardly therefrom which is connected at its lower end to a work clamping bar 132. An inlet pipe 133 is communicatively connected at one end to cylinder 130 on the side of the piston disposed therein opposite from piston rod 131 and is connected at its other end to a flexible line 134 which in turn is connected to second manifold 110 by a pipe 135.

In operation, when it is desired to drill holes in a workpiece of a particular configuration, the positioning blocks 34 are positioned on base 11 to correctly receive and position the workpiece therebetween or to receive and posit-ion steeper i workpiece supporting member 33 therebetween if the holes are to extend completely through the workpiece W or if the workpiece is small. In this regard, since drill units 95 have a constant stroke or length of extension, the depth of all of the holes to be drilled in the workpiece W is collectively varied by adjustment of the vertical position of upper frame 40 relative to base 11 and is individually varied by adjustment of the vertical position of drill units 96 in mounting chucks 80. The pattern of the holes to be drilled is then set by both lateral and longitudinal adjustment of drill unit supporting members 52 relative to the upper end and

intermediate frame members

42 and 43 of the upper frame 40. To effect this adjustment, the nuts 56 on clamping bolts 54 are loosened and the drill unit supporting members 52 are positioned relative to the

frame members

42 and 43 and relative to each other to set the pattern and the spacing of the holes to be drilled in the workpiece.

It is noted that the

aforementioned graduations

56 and 57 may be utilized to aid in correctly positioning the drill unit supporting member 52 on

frame members

42 and 43. It is further noted that, for one particular type of workpiece and pattern, the different positions of the drill unit supporting members may be recorded and, when it is desired to repeat the same pattern for this particular workpiece, the drill unit supporting members may be quickly returned to the positions reflected by the graduations.

The angles at which the individual holes are to be drilled in the workpiece relative to both a vertical plane extending laterally of base 11 and a vertical plane extending longitudinal of base 11 are then set by individual angular adjustment of each of the drill units 90. To set the angle of the drill units relative to the aforementioned lateral vertical lane, Wing nut 63a on bolt 63 is loosened and T-shaped member 60 is pivoted about bolt 61 until drill unit 9t) is disposed at the desired angle and nut 63a is then tightened n bolt 63. Graduations 64 may be utilized to aid in setting this angle and are preferably calibrated in degrees of angular adjustment. To set the angle of drill units 90 relative to the aforementioned longitudinal vertical plane, bolts 71 are loosened and Wedge-shaped member 70 is pivoted about protuberance 74 in recess 55 until drill unit 90 is disposed at the desired angle. Bolts '71 arethen tightened and the apparatus is then set to drill the holes in the workpiece in the predetermined pattern and at the predetermined angles.

Workpiece W is then placed into position on base 11, or on workpiece supporting member 33 carried by base 11, underlying drill bits 91 of drill units 90. With the workpiece thusly positioned, the operator presses downwardly on foot treadle 117 which opens valve 114 and allows fluid under pressure to flow through line 113 to second manifold 110. It is noted that the fluid is delivered to valve 114 from fluid pressure source 98 through pet cock valve 100, air filter 101, pressure regulator 102 and lubricating device 103, all disposed in pipe 97 and then through flexible line 120. Assuming that all drill units 90 are to be used, the pet cock valves 106 will all be opened and fluid under pressure will flow from second manifold 110 through lines 105 to drill units 90.

Since there are no valves other than valve 100 between fluid pressure source 98 and first manifold 95 and between first manifold 95 and drill units 90, fluid under pressure will be delivered to drill units 90 by lines 93 at all times when valve 100 is open. The drill bits 91 are thereby continuously rotated when valve 100 is open. Upon opening of valve 114, drill bits 91 will thereby be advanced toward workpiece W until the same penetrate thereinto to the desired depth or their full stroke of advancement. At the same time, air will be delivered from second manifold 110 through line 134 to cylinder 130. The piston disposed in cylinder 130 will thereby be moved to the extended position which will move clamping 8 bar 132 into clamping engagement with the workpiece W.

When the drill units have moved to their furtherest point of advancement, the operator releases foot treadle 117 allowing spring 116 to move plunger 155 to the closed position thereby stopping the flow of air to second manifold 119. Upon the stoppage of the flow of air to the drill units and to cylinder 130, the springsprovided therein will move the drill bits of drill units 90 and the piston disposed in cylinder to the retracted position out of engagement with workpiece W.

Preferably, the spring 131a provided in cylinder 130 for retracting the piston therein is of a lesser resistance to compression than the springs 91a for moving drill bits 91 to the retracted position such that clamping bar 132 will be moved into clamping engagement with the workpiece W prior to drill bits 91 being moved into penetrating engagement therewith and so that drill bits 91 will be moved out of engagement with workpiece W prior to clamping bar 132 being moved out of engagement therewith. Therefore, workpiece W will be securely held during the time when drill bits 91 are in engagement therewith.

It will therefore be apparent that a novel drilling apparatus is provided for drilling a multiplicity of holes in a workpiece in a single operation, in variable patterns and at variable angles.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. A drilling apparatus for forming a multiplicity of holes in a workpiece in a variable pattern and at variable angles, said apparatus comprising (a) a base adapted to receive workpieces of varying size and shape thereon,

(b) means adjustably carried by said base and engageable with workpieces of varying size and shape to insure correct positioning of the workpieces on said base,

(c) an upper frame mounted on said base for vertical adjustment relative thereto and normally being spaced in overlying relation to a portion of said base adjacent to the workpiece receiving portion of said base,

(d) a plurality of elongate drill unit supporting members slidably mounted on said upper frame for linear longitudinal and transverse movement relative to said workpiece receiving portion of said base and having one end thereof normally disposed in overlying relation to said workpiece receiving portion,

(e) a bank of drill units each including a normally rotating drill bit mounted for extensible movement into penetrating engagement with a workpiece,

(f) a first member pivotally mounted on said one end of each of said drill unit supporting members for pivotal movement about a first horizontal pivot,

(g) a second member pivotally mounted on said first member for pivotal movement about a second horizontal pivot perpendicular to said first horizontal ivot,

(h) means carried by said second members for clampingly mounting said drill units thereon in overlying relation to said workpiece receiving portion of said base and for independent vertical adjustment relative to said base whereby said drill units are mounted for individual linear adjustment longitudinally, transversely and vertically of said workpiece receiving portion of said base and for individual universal angular adjustment relative to said workpiece receiving portion, and

(i) means mounted on said upper frame in overlying relation to said workpiece receiving portion of said base and operable in timed relation to the extension of said drill bits for movement toward said workpiece receiving portion for clamping engagement with a workpiece carried thereby to hold the workpiece in position during the formation of the holes therein. 2. A drilling apparatus for forming a multiplicity of holes in a workpiece in a variable pattern and at variable angles, said apparatus comprising bers slidably mounted on said upper frame for linear longitudinal and transverse movement relative to said workpiece receiving portion of said base and having one end thereof normally disposed in overlying relation to said workpiece receiving portion, (d) visual indicating means disposed on said upper frame and said drill unit supporting members for facilitating the positioning of the drill unit supporting members on siad upper frame in the desired pattern relative to the workpiece supporting portion of said base,

(f) a first member pivotally mounted on said one end of each of said drill unit supporting members for pivotal movement about a horizontal pivot,

(g) a second member pivotally mounted on said first member for pivotal movement about a second horizontal pivot perpendicular to said first horizontal pivot,

(h) visual indicating means disposed on said first member for indicating the angular position of said first member relative to said drill unit supporting member and for indicating the angular position of said second member relative to said first member to facilitate the positioning of said first and second members in the desired angular position relative to the workpiece supporting portion of said base, and

(i) means carried by said second members forclampingly mounting said drill units thereon in overlying relation to said workpiece receiving portion of said base and for vertical adjustment relative to said base whereby said drill units are mounted for individual linear adjustment longitudinally, transversely and vertically relative to said workpiece receiving portion of said base as well as for individual universal angular adjustment relative to said workpiece receiving portion so that holes may be drilled in a workpiece disposed thereon in any desired pattern, at varying depths and at any desired angles including compound angles.

3. A drilling apparatus for forming a multiplicity of holes in a workpiece in a variable pattern and at variable angles, said apparatus comrising (a) a base adapted to receive workpieces of varying size and shape thereon,

(b) a bank of drill units, greater than two in number, disposed above the workpiece receiving portion of said base and each including (1) a normally rotating drill bit mounted for movement toward said base for penetrating engagement with a workpiece carried thereby and (2) first spring means biasing said drill bit away i from said base with a predetermined force,

(0) means pivotally mounting said drill units on said base for individual universal angular adjustment relative to said base and a workpiece carried thereby to form each hole in the workpiece at any desired angle, including a compound angle,

(d) means, independently operable of said pivotal mounting means, operatively connected to said drill units for mounting the same for individual linear adjustment longitudinally and transversely of said base to position the drill units in any desired pattern relative to each other to form the holes in the workpiece in a predetermined pattern,

10 (e) means, independently operable of said former mounting means and said latter mounting means,

operatively connected to said drill units for mounting the same for vertical adjustment relative to said a base to vary the depth of the holes to be formed in a workpiece carried by said base, and

(f) means disposed above the workpiece receiving portion of said base and including (1) workpiece clamping means mounted for movement toward said base for clamping engagement with a workpiece carired thereby and (2) second spring means biasing said workpiece clamping means away from said base with a force less than said predetermined force at which said drill bits are biased upwardly.

4. A drilling apparatus for forming a multiplicity of holes in a workpiece in a variable pattern and at variable angles, said apparatus comprising (a) a base adapted to receive workpieces of varying size and shape thereon,

(b) means carried by said base and extending upwardly therefrom,

(c) a plurality of elongate drill unit supporting members slidably'mounted on said upwardly extending means for linear longitudinal and transverse movement thereof relative to said base and having one end thereof disposed in overlying relation to the workpiece receiving portion of said base,

(d) a bank of drill units each including a normally rotating drill bit mounted for extensible movement into penetrating engagement with a workpiece and first spring means biasing said drill bit upwardly with a predetermined force,

(e) means carried by said one end of said supporting members for pivotally mounting said drill units on said supporting members :for individual universal angular adjustment thereof relative to said base and a workpiece carried thereby to form each of the holes in the workpiece at any desired angle including a compound angle, and

(f) workpiece clamping means disposed above said base and including a clamping member mounted for downwardly extensible movement to clamp a workpiece on said base and second spring means operatively associated with said clamping member for biasing said clamping member upwardly with a force less than the predetermined force at which said first spring means upwardly biases said drill bits.

5. A drilling apparatus for forming a multiplicity of holes in a workpiece in a variable pattern and at variable 6 angles, said apparatus comprising (a) a base adapted to receive workpieces of varying size and shape thereon,

, (b) an upper frame mounted on said base for vertical adjustment relative thereto and normally being spaced in overlying relation to a portion of said base adjacent to the workpiece receiving portion of said base,

' (c) a plurality of elongate drill unit supporting members slidably mounted on said upper frame for linear longitudinal and transverse movement relative to said workpiece receiving portion of said base and having one end thereof normally disposed in overlying relation to said workpiece receiving portion,

(d) a bank of fluid operable drill units each including (1) a normally rotating drill bit mounted for ex- 1 l tensible movement into penetrating engagement with a workpiece and (2) first spring means having a predetermined resistance to compression and operatively associated with said drill bit for biasing the same upwardly with a predetermined force,

(e) a first member pivotally mounted on said one end of each of said drill unit supporting members for pivotal movement about a first horizontal pivot,

(f) a second member pivotally mounted on said first member for pivotal movement about a second horizontal pivot perpendicular to said first horizontal pivot,

(g) means carried by said second members for clampingly mounting said drill units thereon in overlying relation to said workpiece receiving portion of said base, whereby said drill units are mounted for individual linear adjustment longitudinally and transversely of said workpiece receiving portion of said base and for individual universal angular adjustment relative to said workpiece receiving portion so that holes may be drilled in a workpiece disposed thereon in any desired pattern and at any desired angles, including compound angles,

(h) fluid operable workpiece clamping means carried by said upper frame and including (1) a clamping member mounted for downwardly extensible movement to clamp a workpiece disposed therebeneath and (2) second spring means having a resistance to compression less than the predetermined resistance to compression of said first spring means and being operatively associated with said clamping member for biasing the same upwardly with a force less than the predetermined force at which said drill bits are upwardly biased, and

(i) common fluid supply means operatively connected to said drill units and said workpiece clamping means for supplying fluid under pressure thereto to first move said clamping means downwardly into clamping engagement with a workpiece and then to move said drill bits into penetrating engagement with the thusly clamped workpiece.

6. A drilling apparatus for forming a multiplicity of holes in a workpiece in a variable pattern and at variable angles, said apparatus comprising (a) a base adapted to receive workpieces of varying size and shape thereon,

() an upper frame mounted on said base for vertical adjustment relative thereto and normally being spaced in overlying relation to a portion of said base adjacent to the workpiece receiving portion of said base,

(e) a bank of fluid operable drill units each including a rotatable, upwardly biased drill bit mounted for extensible movement into penetrating engagement with a workpiece,

(h) means carried by said second members for clampingly mounting said drill units thereon in overlying c a 12 relation to said workpiece receiving portion of said base and for vertical adjustment relative thereto whereby said drill units are mounted for individual linear adjustment longitudinally, transversely and vertically of said workpiece receiving portion of said base and for individual universal angular adjustment relative to said workpiece receiving portion,

(i) means mounted on said upper frame in overlying relation to said workpiece receiving portion of said base and including workpiece clamping means upwardly biased with a force less than the upward bias of said drill bits and being mounted for movement toward said workpiece receiving portion for clamping engagement with a workpiece carried thereby,

(j) first fluid supply means operatively connected to said drill units for supplying fluid under pressure thereto for rotating said drill bits, and

(k) second fluid supply means operatively connected to said drill units and said workpiece clamping means and selectively operable to simultaneously supply fluid under pressure thereto to move said drill bits and said workpiece clamping means toward said base, said fluid pressure moving said workpiece clamping means into engagement with a workpiece prior to moving said drill bits into penetrating engagement therewith and maintaining said clamping means in engagement with the workpiece longer than said drill bits due to the differential upward biasing forces thereon to securely hold the workpiece in position during the formation of holes therein.

7. A drilling apparatus for forming a multiplicity of holes in a workpiece in a variable pattern and at variable angles, said apparatus comprising (a) an elongate base adapted to receive workpieces of varying size and shape thereon,

(b) workpiece positioning means adjustably carried by said base and engageable with workpieces of varying size for correctly positioning the workpieces on said base,

(c) an upper frame mounted on said base for vertical adjustment relative thereto and normally being spaced in overlying relation to a portion of said base adjacent the workpiece receiving portion of said base, said upper frame including a pair of spaced apart frame members extending laterally of said base,

(d) a plurality of elongate drill unit supporting members extending laterally of said spaced apart frame members and longitudinally of said base and slidably mounted on said spaced apart frame members for linear longitudinal and transverse movement relative to said base and having one end thereof normally disposed in overlying relation to said workpiece receiving portion,

(e) a bank of fluid operable drill units each including (1) a rotatable drill bit mounted for extensible movement into penetrating engagement with a workpiece carried by said base, and

(2) first spring means having a predetermined resistance to compression and being operatively associated with said drill bit for biasing said drill bit upwardly away from said base with a predetermined force,

(h) clamp means carried by said second members for clampingly mounting said drill units therein in overlying relation to said workpiece receiving portion of said base and for vertical adjustment relative thereto, whereby said drill units are mounted for individual linear adjustment longitudinally, transverse- 23 ly and vertically of said workpiece receiving portion of said base and are collectively vertically adjustable relative to said base and are mounted for individual universal angular adjustment relative to said workpiece receiving portion,

(i) means mounted on said frame for vertical adjustment in overlying relation to said workpiece receiving portion of said base and including (1) a workpiece clamping member mounted for downward movement toward said workpiece receiving portion of said base for clamping engagement with a workpiece carried thereby, and

(2) second spring means having a resistance to compression less than the predetermined resistance to compression of said first spring means and operatively associated with said workpiece clamping member for biasing the same upward- 1y with a force less than the predetermined force at which the drill bits are biased upwardly by said first spring means,

(j) fluid supply means for supplying fluid at a predetermined pressure exceeding the resistance to compression of said first spring means,

(k) a first manifold operatively connected to said fluid supply means and to said drill units and nor- References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 544,495 8/95 Zinzen 7724 780,573 1/05 Nash 77---24 1,858,677 5/32 McKnight 144-112 1,860,700 5/32 Bauch 1441l2 2,5 32,670 12/50 Croft 77-31 WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner.

25 JOHN C. CHRISTIE, Examiner.

Claims

1. A DRILLING APPARATUS FOR FORMING A MULTIPLICITY OF HOLES IN A WORKPIECE IN A VARIABLE PATTERN AND AT VARIABLE ANGLES, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING (A) A BASE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE WORKPIECES OF VARYING SIZE AND SHAPE THEREON, (B) MEANS ADJUSTABLY CARRIED BY SAID BASE AND ENGAGEABLE WITH WORKPIECES OF VARYING SIZE AND SHAPE TO INSURE CORRECT POSITIONING OF THE WORKPIECES ON SAID BASE, (C) AN UPPER FRAME MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FOR VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT RELATIVE THERETO AND NORMALLY BEING SPACED IN OVERLYING RELATION TO A PORTION OF SAID BASE ADJACENT TO THE WORKPIECE RECEIVING PORTION OF SAID BASE, (D) A PLURALITY OF ELONGATE DRILL UNIT SUPPORTING MEMBERS SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID UPPER FRAME FOR LINEAR LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSE MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID WORKPIECE RECEIVING PORTION OF SAID BASE AND HAVING ONE END THEREOF NORMALLY DISPOSED IN OVERLYING RELATION TO SAID WORKPIECE RECEIVING PORTION, (E) A BANK OF DRILL UNITS EACH INCLUDING A NORMALLY ROTATING DRILL BIT MOUNTED FOR EXTENSIBLE MOVEMENT IN PENETRATING ENGAGEMENT WITH A WORKPIECE, (F) A FIRST MEMBER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID ONE END OF EACH OF SAID DRILL UNIT SUPPORTING MEMBERS FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A FIRST HORIZONTAL PIVOT, (G) A SECOND MEMBER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FIRST MEMBER FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A SECOND HORIZONTAL PIVOT PERPENDICULAR TO SAID FIRST HORIZONTAL PIVOT, (H) MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SECOND MEMBERS FOR CLAMPINGLY MOUNTING SAID DRILL UNITS THEREON IN OVERLYING RELATION TO SAID WORKPIECE RECEIVING PORTION OF SAID BASE AND FOR INDEPENDENT VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT RELATIVE TO SAID BASE WHEREBY SAID DRILL UNITS ARE MOUNTED FOR INDIVIDUAL LINEAR ADJUSTMENT LONGITUDINALLY, TRANSVERSELY AND VERTICALLY OF SAID WORKPIECE RECEIVING PORTION OF SAID BASE AND FOR INDIVIDUAL UNIVERSAL ANGULAR ADJUSTMENT RELATIVE TO SAID WORKPIECE RECEIVING PORTION, AND (I) MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID UPPER FRAME IN OVERLYING RELATION TO SAID WORKPIECE RECEIVING PORTION OF SAID BASE AND OPERABLE IN TIMED RELATION TO THE EXTENSION OF SAID DRILL BITS FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD SAID WORKPIECE RECEIVING PORTION FOR CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT WITH A WORKPIECE CARRIED THEREBY TO HOLD THE WORKPIECE IN POSITION DURING THE FORMATION OF THE HOLES THEREIN.