Vacuum shroud for use with drilling tools

Abstract

A flexible vacuum shroud provides an improved seal to the work surface and allows for use on curved surfaces. The shroud incorporates support structures around the cutting tool hole which improve performance with different cutting tools and which prevent collapse of the shroud.

1 . A device, comprising:
 a body having an upper surface extending to a lower edge, the lower edge being configured to be placed against a work surface to form an enclosed cavity between the body and the surface;   a vacuum port extending from the body in fluid communication with the cavity,   a drilling hole formed in the body, the drilling hole being configured to provide access for a tool to the work surface; and   a support structure located adjacent the drilling hole and defining at least a portion of the drilling hole, the support structure being attached to the body and being configured to contact the work surface and support the body against the surface, preventing the collapse of the body due to vacuum pressure.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a support wall extending away from the body, the wall extending around the drilling hole so as to generally enclose the drilling hole, and the wall being within the enclosed cavity. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the support wall includes at least one opening formed therein to allow the passage of air therethrough. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one opening comprises a plurality of slots formed in a lower edge of the support wall. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is made of a flexible material so as to be capable of bending to conform to a curved surface. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a support post disposed adjacent to the drilling hole. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is made of a material different from the material of the body. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the lower edge is configured such that when a vacuum is applied to the vacuum port, the body is maintained against the surface due to the vacuum pressure. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is configured such that dust created in the drilling hole is conveyed through the body and out the vacuum port when a vacuum is attached. 
   
   
       10 . A method, comprising:
 selecting a shroud, wherein the shroud includes,
 a body formed from a flexible material, and 
 a hole formed in the body; 
   attaching a vacuum to the shroud;   placing the shroud against a work surface;   placing a tool against the work surface through the hole; and   working the surface with the tool and removing dust and/or debris formed during the working through the shroud by the vacuum.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises supporting the shroud with a support structure adjacent to the hole. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising supporting the body with the support structure against collapse due to the vacuum. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method comprises selecting a shroud having a support structure which includes a wall extending from edges in the hole in the body such that the wall is located within the body. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the method comprises selecting a shroud wherein the wall includes at least one slot configured to allow passage of the dust and/or debris from the hole to the vacuum. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the support structure is a post extending between the body and the surface. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the tool is a power drill. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the shroud is held against the surface by vacuum pressure. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the shroud is configured to be placed against a flat or a curved surface. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the work surface is a curved surface. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the hole has a diameter larger than one inch. 
   
   
       21 . A shroud comprising:
 a body formed from flexible material, the body having an upper surface extending to a lower edge, the lower edge being configured to be placed against a work surface to form an enclosed cavity between the body and the surface;   a vacuum port extending from the body in fluid communication with the cavity, a hole formed in the body, the hole being configured to provide access for a tool to the work surface; and   a support structure located adjacent the hole, the support structure being attached to the body and being configured to contact the work surface to prevent collapse of the body due to vacuum pressure.