[0001] This application is a Continuation-ln-Part of U.S. Patent Application No.

11/382,560 filed on May 10, 2006.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of flexible drill bits used to create extended length holes and holes through inaccessible areas in walls and framing. More particularly, the invention relates to a flexible, extendable drill bit assembly that allows the use of a variety of drilling heads and accessories.

[0003] Flexible, extended drill bits are widely employed to create a system of holes within residential and commercial building construction for the purpose of running extended wiring and cabling throughout the building. The extended length drill bits presently available are of a unitary construction, requiring a user to purchase a drill bit having a specified diameter for each individually sized hole desired. The drill bits come in various lengths which require a user to purchase a separate drill bit for each specified length of a hole. Moreover, when the cutting edge is damaged, the entire drill bit must be replaced, incurring additional expense.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a flexible, extendable drill bit assembly that allows the use of drill bits and other accessories of various sizes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Therefore it is an object of the invention to provide a flexible drill bit assembly that allows a user to change diameters of the drilling bit.

[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a drill bit assembly that allows a user to customize the length of the assembly.

[0007] It is another object of the invention to provide a drill bit assembly that includes a flexible extension.

[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide a drill bit assembly that includes a quick-release head for receiving various drilling accessories.

-1015/1 US-A Page 1- [0009] It is another object of the invention to provide a drill bit assembly that includes a quick-release head that prevents the drill bit from being inadvertently removed from the head during use.

[0010] These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing an extension assembly. The extension assembly including a flexible, solid core rod having first and second ends; and a holding means secured to the first end of the rod for releasably holding a tool bit for rotation with the rod.

[0011] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a drill bit assembly includes a flexible, solid core rod having first and second ends, a quick- release head secured to the second end of the rod for receiving and securing a drill bit therein, and a locking mechanism operably connected to the sleeve. The head includes a sleeve adapted for movement axially along a body of the head between a forward secured position where a drill bit is securely held within the head and a rearward release position where the drill bit is released from the head. The locking mechanism is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when the sleeve is moved into the secured position, the locking mechanism moves into the locked position thereby preventing the insertion or removal of the drill bit, and when the sleeve is moved to the release position, the locking mechanism is moved to the unlocked position thereby allowing the insertion or removal of the drill bit.

[0012] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a quick- release head includes a body having a first bore and a second polygonal bore with an open end for receiving a tool bit having a mating shank, and a locking mechanism cooperating with the second bore and moveable between an unlocked position in which the locking mechanism allows the insertion or removal of a tool bit in the

-1015/1 US-A Page 2- second bore and a locked position in which the locking mechanism prevents the insertion or removal of the tool bit in the second bore. The quick-release head further including a forward biased sleeve positioned around the body adjacent to the second bore, the sleeve being operably connected to the locking mechanism and adapted for movement axially along the body between the forward position where the locking mechanism is moved to the locked position and a rearward position where the locking mechanism is moved to the unlocked position; and a collar positioned around the body adjacent the sleeve and adapted for movement along the body between a secured position where the collar engages the sleeve and prevents the sleeve from moving to the release position and an unsecured position where the collar disengages the sleeve to allow the sleeve to move to the release position. [0013] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a drill bit includes a body having a cutting edge; a shaft connected to the body, the shaft being adapted to be received and secured in an open end of a quick-release head; and a shield positioned around the shaft. The shield is adapted to cover a sleeve adjacent the open end of the quick-release head such that the shield prevents an axially- facing surface to the sleeve from moving the sleeve into a release position and thereby releasing the drill bit from the open end of the head.

^' [0014] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a drill bit assembly including a flexible, solid core rod having first and second ends; a first tailpiece secured to the first end of the rod and adapted to be received by a chuck of a drill; and a second tailpiece secured to the second end of the rod and adapted to be received by a drill bit.

-1015/1 US-A Page 3- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The subject matter that is regarded as the invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:

[0016] Figure 1 shows a user drilling an extended length hole through a wall;

[0017] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a drill bit assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0018] Figure 3 is a side view of the quick-release head of the drill bit assembly of Figure 2;

_* [0019] Figure 4 is a cross-section of the quick-release head of Figure 3;

[0020] Figure 5 shows two drill bit assemblies of Figure 2 connected together;

[0021] Figure 6 is an exploded view of a drill bit assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0022] Figure 7 is a cross-section of a quick-release head of the drill bit assembly of Figure 6 in a secure, closed position;

[0023] Figure 8 is a cross-section of the quick-release head of Figure 7 in an open, receiving position.

[0024] Figure 9 shows the quick-release head of Figure 7 in the secure, closed position;

[0025] Figure 10 shows the quick-release head of Figure 7 in the open, receiving position;

[0026] Figure 11 shows a drill bit assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0027] Figure 12 shows the drill bit assembly of Figure 11 in a secured position;

-1015/1 US-A Page 4- [0028] Figure 13 is a cross-section of a quick-release head of the drill bit assembly of Figure 11 ;

[0029] Figure 14 is a drill bit assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0030] Figure 15 shows the drill bit assembly of Figure 14 in a secured position;

[0031] Figure 16 is a cross-section of a quick-release head of the drill bit assembly of Figure 14;

[0032] Figure 17 is an exploded view of a drill bit assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0033] Figure 18 shows a drill bit of the drill bit assembly of Figure 17;

[0034] Figure 19 shows an exploded view of the drill bit assembly of Figure

18; and

[0035] Figure 20 shows a drill bit assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Referring now specifically to the drawings, a flexible, extendable drill bit assembly according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure. 1 and shown generally at reference numeral 10. As shown, the drill bit assembly 10 allows a user to drill a hole through a wall to allow the user to run wiring and cabling.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the drill bit assembly 10 includes a flexible, solid- core extension rod 11 to withstand the forces of drilling, a tailpiece 12 secured to a first end 13 of the rod 11 and adapted to be received by a drill 15, and a quick- release head 14 secured to an opposing second end 16 of the rod 11. The tailpiece 12 includes a shank 25 with a hexagonal profile to prevent slipping within the drill 15. As illustrated, the first and second ends 13 and 16 are received by the tailpiece 12

-1015/1 US-A Page 5- and head 14, respectively, and secured by set screws 17. It should be appreciated that the rod 11 may be secured to the tailpiece 12 and head 14 by any suitable fastening means, such as adhesives or welding. Furthermore, the first end of the rod could have a hexagonal shape for being received by a chuck of a drill. A drill bit 18 is received by the head 14 and may be removed and replaced by another drill bit when the cutting edge is damaged.

[0038] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the head 14 includes a body 20 having a first bore 21 positioned in a first end 22 for receiving the rod 11 and a second bore 23 positioned in an opposing second end 24 for receiving the drill bit 18. As illustrated, the second bore 23 has a hexagonal profile; however, any suitable profile may be used. A spun-over sleeve 26 is positioned over the second end 24 for releasing and securing the drill bit 18 within the second bore 23. The sleeve 24 includes a chamfered section 27 that abuts against the body 14 to retain the sleeve on the body 14 during use.

[0039] A spring 28 is contained between the sleeve 26 and the second end 24 to bias the sleeve 26 towards a securing position. A locking ball 30 is positioned in a recess 31 of the second end 24 for locking the drill bit 18 in the second bore 23. When in the securing position, the sleeve 26 presses the ball 30 inwardly into the second bore 23 to hold the drill bit 18 in position. To release the drill bit 18, the sleeve 26 is pulled back towards the first end 22, thereby compressing the spring 27 and allowing the ball 30 to move outwardly from the bore 23 and into a recess 32 defined by the sleeve 26.

[0040] As illustrated in Figure 5, the drill bit assembly 10 may be connected to another drill bit assembly 10'. As illustrated, the shank 25 of the assembly 10 is inserted into a quick-release head 14' of the drill bit assembly 10'. By connecting multiple drill bit assemblies together, a user can extend the length of the drill bit for longer runs.

[0041] Referring to Figure 6, a drill bit assembly according to another embodiment of the invention is shown generally at reference numeral 100. Like drill bit assembly 10, drill bit assembly 100 includes an extension rod 111 , a tailpiece 112, and a quick-release head 114.

-1015/1US-A Page 6- [0042] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, like head 14, head 114 includes a spun- over sleeve 126 having a chamfer and a body 120 having a first bore 121 and a second bore 123. The head 114 also includes a spring 128 and a locking ball 130. Unlike the head 14, head 114 includes a shield 140 and a magnet 141. The shield 140 is attached to a second end 124 of the body 120 independent of the sleeve 126, Figures 8 and 10, and is adapted to prevent the sleeve 126 from being inadvertently pushed back towards a first end 122 of the body 120 by a stationary object, which would release a drill bit 118 secured in the second bore 123. As illustrated in Figure 9, the shield 140 has a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the sleeve 126. The shield 140 may be integrally formed with the body 120, secured by press-fitting the shield 140 onto the body 120, or any other means for securing the shield 140 to the body 120.

[0043] As can be seen in Figures 9 and 10, the head 114 operates in substantially the same manner as the head 14.

[0044] Referring to Figures 11 and 12, a drill bit assembly according to an embodiment of the invention is shown generally at reference numeral 200. Like drill bit assembly 10, drill bit assembly 200 includes an extension rod 211 , a tailpiece 212 (not shown), and a quick-release head 214.

[0045] As shown in Figure 13, like head 14, head 214 includes a sleeve 226 having a chamfer 227 and a body 220 having a first bore 221 and a second bore 223. The head 214 also includes a spring 228 and a locking ball 230. The head may also include a magnet like magnet 141 in Figures 7 and 8.

[0046] Referring again to Figures 11 and 12, unlike the head 14, head 214 includes a threaded nut/collar 250 in threaded engagement with threads 251 positioned along the body 220. The collar 250 is positioned behind the sleeve 226 to prevent the sleeve 226 from being inadvertently pushed back towards a first end 222 of the body 220 by a stationary object, which would release a drill bit secured in the second bore 223. As illustrated in Figure 11 , when the collar 250 is rotated into a release position, the sleeve 226 may be pushed back to allow a drill bit to be released. As shown in Figure 12, when the collar 250 is in the secured position, the

-1015/1 US-A Page 7- collar 250 is positioned tightly against the chamfer 227 of the sleeve 226, thereby preventing the release of a drill bit.

[0047] Referring to Figures 14 and 15, a drill bit assembly according to an embodiment of the invention is shown generally at reference numeral 300. Like drill bit assembly 10, drill bit assembly 300 includes an extension rod 311, a tailpiece 312 (not shown), and a quick-release head 314. As shown in Figure 16, head 314 includes a sleeve 326 having a chamfer 327 and a body 320 having a first bore 321 and a second bore 323. The head 314 also includes a spring 328 and a locking ball 330. Head 314 may also include a magnet like magnet 141 shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0048] Unlike the head 14, head 314 includes a push button detent 352 positioned on sleeve 326 for interaction with nut/collar 350. The push button detent 352 may also be used to lock sleeve 326 in a secured position directly. The collar 350 is positioned behind the sleeve 326 and slidable along the body 320 from a released position, Figure 14, to a secured position, Figure 15, where a portion of the collar 350 is slid over the sleeve 326 such that the push button detent 352 engages a receiver 353 on the collar 352. When in the secured position, the collar 350 and detent 352 prevent the sleeve 326 from being inadvertently pushed back towards a first end 322 of the body 320 by a stationary object, which would release a drill bit secured in the second bore 323.

[0049] Referring to Figure 17, a drill bit assembly according to an embodiment of the invention is shown generally at reference numeral 400. Like drill bit assembly 10, drill bit assembly 400 includes a flexible, solid-core extension rod 411 , a tailpiece 412 secured to a first end 413 of the rod 411 and adapted to be received by a drill 415, and a quick-release head 414 secured to an opposing second end 416 of the rod 411. The quick-release head 414 has the same characteristics as the head 14. The tailpiece 412 includes a shank 425 with a hexagonal profile to prevent slipping within the drill 415. As illustrated, the first and second ends 413 and 416 are received by the tailpiece 412 and head 414, respectively, and secured by set screws 417. It should be appreciated that the rod 411 may be secured to the tailpiece 412 and head 414 by any suitable fastening means, such as adhesives or welding. Furthermore, the first end of the rod 411 could have a hexagonal shape for being

-1015/1 US-A Page 8- received by a chuck of a drill. As shown, a drill bit 418 is received by the head 414 and includes a shaft 419 having a hexagonal profile, a spring 437 positioned on the shaft 419, and a shield 431 biased towards the head 414 by the spring 437.

[0050] As illustrated in Figures 18 and 19, the spring 437 is positioned on the shaft such that the spring 437 rests between a cutting edge of the bit 418 and the shield 431 to allow the spring 437 to bias the shield 431 away from the cutting edge and towards the head 414. The shield 431 is positioned over the shaft 419 and has a first end 432 for engagement with the spring 437 and a second end 433 for covering the sleeve 426 of the head 414.

[0051] A pair of grooves or holes 434 and 435 are formed in the shaft 419 to allow a retainer 436, such as a pin or clip or any other suitable retainer, to provide a stop for the shield 431. Groove 434 is positioned along the shaft 419 such that the retainer 436 may be used to prevent the shield 431 from being pushed off of the shaft 419 by the spring 437. This would be the configuration used in Figure 18. Groove 435 would be used in the case where the spring 437 is eliminated and only the shield is used on the shaft 419. In this configuration, the retainer 434 would be installed in the groove 435 such that the retainer 436 prevents the shield 431 from moving along the shaft 419 towards the cutting edge of the bit 418, thereby preventing the shield 431 from disengaging the head 414 when the bit 418 is connected to the head 414.

[0052] Referring to Figure 20, a drill bit assembly according to an embodiment of the invention is shown generally at reference numeral 500. Like drill bit assembly 10, drill bit assembly 500 includes an extension rod 511 and a tailpiece 512 secured to a first end 513 of the rod 511 (not shown). Unlike drill bit assembly 10, drill bit assembly 500 includes a second tailpiece 537 positioned on the second end 516 of the rod 511 for connection to drill bit 518.

[0053] As shown, drill bit 518 includes a quick-release head 514 having the same characteristics as head 14 positioned on a shaft 519 of the drill bit 518. By placing the quick-release head 514 on the shaft 519 of the drill bit 518, the sleeve 526 of the head 514 cannot be disengaged when drilling a hole, thereby preventing the drill bit 518 from disengaging the tailpiece 537.

-1015/1 US-A Page 9- [0054] A flexible and extendible drill bit assembly is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.

-1015/1US-A Page 10-