System and method for a shield for use with a rotary tool

Abstract

A system and method are provided for capturing dust created from a work surface by a rotary tool attachment. A shield is comprised of a ridged shroud and a skirt. The shroud is configured to be coupled to a rotary tool, and to either fully enclose or partially expose the rotary tool attachment. The shroud has a plurality of air inlets, a first opening, and a second opening through the top surface of the shroud. The first opening receives a mechanical driveshaft of the rotary tool and the second opening is coupled to an external vacuum source. The skirt is coupled to a perimeter of the shroud and extends downward from above the top surface of the shroud and is configured to contact the work surface.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A shield for capturing dust created from a work surface by a rotary tool attachment, the shield, comprising:
 a substantially elliptical shroud comprising:
 a substantially non-curved edge that is parallel to a major axis of the substantially elliptical shroud; 
 a rotary tool opening configured to pass a driveshaft of a rotary tool therethrough, 
 the rotary tool opening located between the substantially non-curved edge and a center of the substantially elliptical shroud; 
 a vacuum coupler opening; 
 a groove located substantially proximal to an outer perimeter of the substantially elliptical shroud; 
 a plurality of continuous air inlets located along at least 60% of the outer perimeter located within the groove and extending through the substantially elliptical shroud substantially parallel to an axis of the rotary tool opening; and 
   a dust shield comprising:
 a skirt coupled to the outer perimeter of the substantially elliptical shroud, the skirt comprising a semi-circular opening located parallel to the substantially non-curved edge of the substantially elliptical shroud, the skirt extending downward from the top surface of the substantially elliptical shroud and configured to contact a work surface when a rotary tool is coupled to the substantially elliptical shroud and dust shield and the rotary tool is in use. 
   
     
     
         2 . The shield of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially elliptical shroud has a major diameter that is at least 130% of the diameter of the rotary tool attachment that is coupled to the driveshaft of the rotary tool. 
     
     
         3 . The shield of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially elliptical shroud has a minor diameter that is at least 110% of the diameter of the rotary tool attachment that is coupled to the driveshaft of the rotary tool. 
     
     
         4 . The shield of  claim 1 , further comprising, a rotary tool spacer configured to couple to the rotary tool and the rotary tool opening of the substantially elliptical shroud. 
     
     
         5 . The shield of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of a surface on an underside of the substantially elliptical shroud increases in elevation and terminates at a semi-circular cutout having a height of at least a minimum of 3% of the diameter of the rotary tool attachment. 
     
     
         6 . The shield of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially elliptical shroud has a height of at least 10% of the diameter of the rotary tool attachment. 
     
     
         7 . The shield of  claim 1 , wherein the skirt has a height of at least 20% of the diameter of the rotary tool attachment wherein the skirt does not come in contact with the rotary tool attachment. 
     
     
         8 . The shield of  claim 1 , wherein the groove has a depth that is a minimum of 5% the diameter of the rotary tool attachment. 
     
     
         9 . The shield of  claim 1 , further comprising, a vacuum coupler having a diameter with a range of one to one and quarter inches. 
     
     
         10 . The shield of  claim 1 , further comprising, the vacuum coupler having a diameter about two inches. 
     
     
         11 . A shield for capturing dust created from a work surface by a rotary tool attachment, the shield, comprising:
 a substantially elliptical shroud comprising:
 a substantially non-curved edge that is parallel to a major axis of the substantially elliptical shroud; 
 a rotary tool opening configured to pass a driveshaft of the rotary tool therethrough, 
 the rotary tool opening located between the substantially non-curved edge and a center of the substantially elliptical shroud; 
 a vacuum coupler opening; 
 a groove located substantially proximal to an outer perimeter of the substantially elliptical shroud; 
 a plurality of continuous air inlets located along at least 50% of the outer perimeter located within the groove and extending through the substantially elliptical shroud substantially parallel to an axis of the rotary tool opening; and 
   a dust shield comprising:
 a skirt coupled to the outer perimeter of the substantially elliptical shroud, the skirt comprising a semi-circular opening located parallel to the substantially non-curved edge of the substantially elliptical shroud the skirt extending downward from the top surface of the substantially elliptical shroud and configured to contact to the work surface when a rotary tool is coupled to the substantially elliptical shroud and the dust shield and the rotary tool is in use. 
   
     
     
         12 . The shield of  claim 11 , wherein the substantially elliptical shroud has a major diameter that is at least 130% of the diameter of the rotary tool attachment that is coupled to the driveshaft of the rotary tool. 
     
     
         13 . The shield of  claim 11 , wherein the substantially elliptical shroud has a minor diameter that is at least 105% of the diameter of the rotary tool attachment that is coupled to the driveshaft of the rotary tool. 
     
     
         14 . The shield of  claim 11 , further comprising, a rotary tool spacer configured to couple to the rotary tool and the rotary tool opening of the substantially elliptical shroud. 
     
     
         15 . The shield of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of surface on an underside of the substantially elliptical shroud increases in elevation and terminates at a semi-circular cutout having a height of at least a minimum of 3% of the diameter of the rotary tool attachment. 
     
     
         16 . The shield of  claim 11 , wherein the substantially elliptical shroud has a height of at least 10% of the diameter of the rotary tool attachment. 
     
     
         17 . The shield of  claim 11 , wherein the skirt has a height of at least 20% of the diameter of the rotary tool attachment wherein the skirt does not come in contact with the rotary tool attachment. 
     
     
         18 . The shield of  claim 11 , further comprising, a vacuum coupler having a diameter within a range one to one and quarter inches. 
     
     
         19 . The shield of  claim 11 , further comprising, the vacuum coupler having a diameter about two inches. 
     
     
         20 . The shield of  claim 11 , wherein the groove has a depth that is a minimum of 2% of the diameter of the rotary tool attachment.