NIBBLER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present application claims priority to Japanese patent application serial number 2024-110794 filed on Jul. 10, 2024, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a nibbler.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

A nibbler is one type of known power tool. More specifically, a nibbler comprises an elongated punch and a die, which is held by a die holder and has a through-hole into which a tip of the punch is insertable. A plate-shaped material to be cut is inserted between the die and the punch, and by reciprocating the punch, the material is cut (nibbled) between the edge of the die and the edge of the punch. The desired area of the material to be cut can be cut by repeatedly cutting (nibbling) the material while gradually shifting the cutting position. Cutting can also be performed to hollow out a portion of (to form a large hole in) the material to be cut by first forming a through-hole in the material to be cut using a hole saw (hereinafter referred to as a “machining start hole”) and then inserting the die holder into the machining start hole until the material to be cut is positioned between the die and the punch. Thereafter, a hole larger than the machining start hole is cut using the nibbler.

In such a nibbler, chips generated by the cutting are discharged from (through) a tip portion of the die (the end opposite the die) via through-holes in the die and die holder. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-21980 discloses a technique for collecting such chips in a container. Specifically, a container is attached to the end of the die holder (the end opposite the die) via a fixture. Chips are guided into the container via the through-holes in the die and in the die holder. According to this known nibbler, because chips do not scatter to the surroundings, the need for cleaning is eliminated and user convenience is improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, the above-described known nibbler leaves room for improvement in terms of convenience. For example, in the above-described known nibbler, the outer diameters of the attachment and of the container (especially, the outer diameter of the container) are much larger than the outer diameter of the die holder. Therefore, in the situation in which cutting will be performed to hollow out a portion of the material to be cut (i.e. a hole is to be cut into the material), it is necessary to form a relatively large machining start hole so that the fixture and the container can pass therethrough. To form (cut) such a large machining start hole, a hole saw having a relatively large diameter must be used. In addition, large hole saws have poor handleability. For these reasons, there is a desire to improve the convenience of a nibbler that is equipped with a chip collection attachment.

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a nibbler may comprise: an elongated punch that extends in an axial direction and is capable of reciprocating in the axial direction; a die having a first through-hole into which a tip of the punch is insertable; a die holder having a recess in which the die is housed, a tip portion located farther from the punch in the axial direction than the recess, and a second through-hole that communicates with the first through-hole; and a chip collection attachment that is removably attached to the tip portion of the die holder. The chip collection attachment may comprise a mounting part having a tubular shape configured to be attached to the tip portion of the die holder, and a bottomed receptacle part (receptacle) having a tubular shape that stores chips guided into the bottomed receptacle part via (through) the first through-hole, the second through-hole, and the interior of the mounting part. The outer diameter of the mounting part and the outer diameter of the receptacle part are preferably substantially the same as or less than the outer diameter of the tip portion of the die holder. That is, preferably no portion of the chip collection attachment has an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the tip portion of the die holder. However, the outer diameter of the mounting portion and/or the outer diameter of the receptacle part may be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tip portion of the die holder, preferably up to 6 mm larger, more preferably up to 3 mm larger.

In the present specification, “outer diameter” is used not only to refer to the outer diameter of a component having a circular cross section, but also to the width (thickness) of a component having a non-circular cross section. In this case, “outer diameter” refers to the length of the longest straight line among the straight lines connecting any two points on the contour of the non-circular cross section.

According to the nibbler of the first aspect, the outer diameter of the mounting part and the outer diameter of the receptacle part are preferably substantially the same as or less than the outer diameter of the tip portion of the die holder. Therefore, in the situation in which cutting will be performed to hollow out a portion of the material to be cut (i.e. to cut a hole in the interior of the material), the size of the machining start hole that is needed for the die holder and the receptacle part to pass through can be smaller than with the above-described known nibbler. Therefore, because a smaller diameter hole saw can be used to form the machining start hole, user convenience is improved.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a nibbler may comprise an elongated punch that extends in an axial direction and is capable of reciprocating in the axial direction; a die having a first through-hole into which a tip of the punch is insertable; a die holder having a recess in which the die is housed, a tip portion located farther from the punch in the axial direction than the recess, a second through-hole that communicates with the first through-hole, and a first mounting hole that extends in the axial direction; and a chip collection attachment that is removably attached to the tip portion of the die holder. The die may have a second mounting hole that is coaxial with the first mounting hole and may be configured to be attached to the die holder by inserting a bolt from (through) the tip portion of the die holder into the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole. The chip collection attachment may comprise a mounting part having a tubular shape configured to be attached to the tip portion of the die holder, and a bottomed tubular receptacle part (receptacle) that communicates with the interior of the mounting part and stores chips guided via (through) the first through-hole, the second through-hole and the mounting part. The mounting part may comprise: a peripheral part having a tubular shape; and a base part having a third through-hole that communicates with the second through-hole, and a third mounting hole that is coaxial with the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole. The mounting part may be attached to the tip portion of the die holder by being co-fastened using the bolt that is inserted from (through) the interior of the mounting part into the third mounting hole, the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole.

According to the nibbler of the second aspect, the chip collection attachment can be attached using the first mounting hole in the die holder, the second mounting hole in the die, and the bolt. These are the structures that the nibbler is originally equipped with for attaching the die to the die holder. Therefore, the structures for attaching the chip collection attachment to the nibbler can be simplified. In addition, the user can easily install the chip collection attachment with only a simple operation (co-fastening with a bolt), whereby user convenience is improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nibbler according to one embodiment, in which a chip collection attachment is attached to a die holder of the nibbler.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the nibbler, with the chip collection attachment removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the nibbler, with the chip collection attachment removed.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the nibbler.

FIG. 5 is a partial, enlarged view of the nibbler showing the area around the die holder.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the chip collection attachment.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the chip collection attachment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a mounting part.

FIG. 9 is a partial, enlarged left side view of the nibbler showing the area around the die holder.

FIG. 10 is a partial, cross-sectional view along line A-A shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the chip collection attachment when not installed, in a view corresponding to FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following, representative and non-limiting examples of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This detailed description is simply intended to show those skilled in the art details for implementing preferred examples of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The additional features and inventions disclosed below may be used separately from or in conjunction with other features and inventions to provide further improved devices, methods of manufacture and uses thereof.

In addition, the combinations of features and processes disclosed in the following detailed description are not essential to the practice of the present invention in the broadest sense and are described only to illustrate representative specific examples of the present invention in detail. Moreover, the various features of the representative embodiments described above and below, and those recited in the independent and dependent claims, do not have to be combined in the exact embodiments described herein, or in the exact order recited, to provide additional useful embodiments of the present invention.

All features described herein and/or in the claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently of each other as limitations to the original disclosure and claimed particulars, apart from the configuration of features described in the embodiments and/or claims. Furthermore, all numerical ranges and groups or collective descriptions are made with the intent to disclose intermediate configurations thereof as limitations to the original disclosures and claimed particulars.

In one or more embodiments, when the outer diameter of the mounting part is defined as D1 (mm), the outer diameter of the receptacle part is defined as D2 (mm), and the outer diameter of the tip portion of the die holder is defined as D3 (mm), D1≤D3+6 mm and D2≤D3+6 mm may be satisfied. According to this configuration, the machining start hole can be made smaller, and user convenience is improved.

In one or more embodiments, when the outer diameter of the mounting part is defined as D1 (mm), the outer diameter of the receptacle part is defined as D2 (mm), and the outer diameter of the tip portion of the die holder is defined as D3 (mm), D1≤D3+3 mm and D2≤D3+3 mm may be satisfied. According to this configuration, a smaller machining start hole can be cut when using the chip collection attachment than with the above-described known nibbler equipped with the known chip collection attachment.

In one or more embodiments, the outer diameter of the mounting part and the outer diameter of the receptacle part may be less than or equal to the outer diameter of the tip portion of the die holder. According to this configuration, the machining start hole can be smaller than would be required for the above-described nibbler that is equipped with a chip collection attachment having a larger outer diameter than the die holder. In other words, cutting can be performed to hollow out a portion of (to cut a hole in) the material to be cut using the same size of the machining start hole as if the chip collection attachment were not attached.

In one or more embodiments, the die holder may have a first mounting hole that extends in the axial direction. The die may have a second mounting hole that is coaxial with the first mounting hole and the die may be configured to be attached to the die holder by (using) a bolt that is inserted from (through) the tip portion of the die holder into the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole. The mounting part may comprise a peripheral part having a tubular shape and a base part, which has a third through-hole that communicates with the second through-hole and also has a third mounting hole that is coaxial with the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole. The mounting part may be attached to the tip portion of the die holder by being co-fastened with the bolt that is inserted from (through) the interior of the mounting part into the third mounting hole, the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole. According to this configuration, the first mounting hole of the die holder, the second mounting hole of the die, and the bolt can be used to attach the chip collection attachment. These are structures that the nibbler is originally equipped with for attaching the die to the die holder. Therefore, the structures for attaching the chip collection attachment to the nibbler can be simplified. In addition, the user can easily install the chip collection attachment with only simple work (co-tightening with a bolt), thereby improving user convenience. Furthermore, because the die holder and the attachment are tightly sealed, chips will not spill out from a gap between them.

In one or more embodiments, the peripheral part of the mounting part may have a cutout that passes radially therethrough and is adjacent to the base part and the bolt. A head of the bolt may be partially located in the cutout when the mounting part is attached to the die holder. According to this configuration, the mounting part can be arranged so that the head of the bolt is partially located radially outside of the inner surface of the outer circumference surface of the mounting part. In other words, there is no need to increase the outer diameter of the outer circumference surface of the periphery part in order to prevent interference between the head of the bolt and the inner surface of the periphery part. Therefore, the outer diameter of the mounting part can be made smaller than in an embodiment in which the periphery part does not have a cutout, resulting in that a smaller machining start hole may be cut to insert the chip collection attachment therethrough.

In one or more embodiments, the mounting part and the receptacle part may be formed as separate components. The receptacle part may be attached to the mounting part by being fitted (e.g., press-fit, friction-fit, interference fit) into the mounting part. In the state in which the receptacle part is attached to the mounting part, the receptacle part may at least partially close (cover) the cutout. According to this configuration, the user may easily select and use a receptacle part according to the particular work situation (e.g., desired chip storage capacity); i.e. different sized (length) receptacle parts may be utilized depending on the specific working conditions. Furthermore, chips can be prevented from spilling out of the receptacle part though the cutout while the nibbler is being used in a position (orientation) in which the chip collection attachment is vertically higher than the die holder.

In one or more embodiments, the receptacle part may be flexible; i.e. it may be made of a flexible material, preferably a flexible or pliable polymer. In other words, the receptacle part preferably has a relatively large elastic deformability and/or low bending stiffness (low flexural rigidity). According to this configuration, even if the portion (segment) extending from the bottom of the receptacle part to the tip portion of the die holder is to be inserted into a narrow space (e.g., in a duct having a small diameter), because the receptacle part can flex along the shape of the insertion space, the receptacle part may still have a relatively large chip storage capacity while having fewer restrictions on the locations where the nibbler can be used.

In one or more embodiments, the receptacle part may be in the form of a polymer (resin) tube. According to this configuration, chips stored in the receptacle part are less likely to get caught on the inner surface of the receptacle part. Therefore, when chips stored in the receptacle part are to be discarded, the chips can be discharged smoothly. Furthermore, because polymer tubes are inexpensive, the chip collection attachment can be made less expensive by utilizing a plastic receptacle part. Optionally, the user can easily adjust the receptacle part to the desired length and capacity by cutting the plastic tube at a desired position.

In one or more embodiments, the receptacle part may be sufficiently transparent so that the amount of chips stored therein is visible through the wall(s) of the receptacle part. In addition or in the alternative, a portion of the wall(s) of the receptacle part may be transparent and another portion of the wall(s) of the receptacle part may be opaque. According to this configuration, the user can visually check the amount of chips that have accumulated in the receptacle part through the transparent wall(s) or portion(s) thereof. Therefore, the user can appropriately determine when to discharge the chips that have accumulated in the receptacle part without having to first remove the receptacle part from the mounting part or from the die holder. In other words, the user can easily and conveniently determine how much more work can be done continuously without discharging the chips that have accumulated in the receptacle part.

As was noted above, the mounting part and the receptacle part may be formed as separate components. In such an embodiment, the receptacle part may be attached to the mounting part by being fitted (interference fit) into, around or with the mounting part. In addition, the receptacle part may comprise: a receptacle part main body that is bottomless (i.e. has a lower opening) and tubular; and a cap component that closes the (lower) opening, e.g., by being fitted (interference fit) into the (lower) opening of the receptacle part main body. The interference fit engagement of the receptacle part with the cap component preferably requires less force to disengage than the interference fit engagement of the receptacle part with the mounting part. According to this configuration, when chips that have accumulated in the receptacle part are to be discharged, the cap component can be easily removed without disengaging the interference fit engagement of the receptacle part with the mounting part. Therefore, it is easy and convenient to discharge the chips. In other words, the receptacle part may comprise a main tubular body (receptacle part main body) and a removable or openable cap (cap component) fitted into or otherwise attached (e.g., via a hinge) to a first (open) end of the main tubular body that is opposite of the second end of the main tubular body, which is connected to the mounting part. In such an embodiment, the main tubular body optionally may be fixedly attached to the mounting part (e.g., form fit using a screw, etc.) or may be a one piece structure with the mounting part (e.g., the periphery part of the mounting part and the main tubular body optionally may be formed of the same polymer and may be connected without a seam therebetween). In this case, the receptacle part can be emptied by removing or opening the cap while the main tubular body remains integral with the mounting part.

A nibbler 10 according to one representative, non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described in a more detailed manner below, with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the nibbler 10 comprises a nibbler body 15 and a chip collection attachment 100 (hereinafter referred to simply as attachment 100). An overview of the nibbler body 15 will first be described below. Because the basic structures of the nibbler body 15 are well known, only a brief description thereof need be provided. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the nibbler body 15 comprises a housing 20, a battery (battery pack, battery cartridge) 16, a punch 30, a die holder 40, a die 50, and two bolts (or screws) 60.

The housing 20 has a generally tubular shape that extends in an elongated manner. The battery 16, which serves as the power source of the nibbler body 15, is mounted at one end of the housing 20 in the longitudinal direction. A die holder 40 having an elongated shape extends from the opposite longitudinal side (end) of the housing 20. The die holder 40 extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 20. In the following description, for convenience, the longitudinal direction of the housing 20 is defined as the front-rear direction of the nibbler 10. In the front-rear direction, the side where the die holder 40 is located is defined as the front side of the nibbler 10, and the side where the battery 16 is located is defined as the rear side of the nibbler 10. In addition, the longitudinal direction of the die holder 40 is defined as the up-down direction of the nibbler 10. In the up-down direction, the side where the housing 20 is located is defined as the upper side of the nibbler 10, and the opposite side is defined as the lower side of the nibbler 10. Furthermore, the left-right direction of the nibbler 10 is defined as the direction perpendicular to the front-rear and up-down directions. In the left-right direction, the right side of the nibbler 10 is defined as the right side of the nibbler 10 when looking from the rear side to the front side, and the opposite side is defined as the left side of the nibbler 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, a variety of components of the nibbler body 15 are housed in the interior of the housing 20. In particular, an electric (e.g., brushless) motor 21 is housed in approximately the central portion of the housing 20. The electric motor 21 outputs a rotational driving force using electric power supplied by the battery 16. The electric motor 21 comprises a motor shaft 22 that extends in the front-rear direction. The rotational driving force of the electric motor 21 is transmitted to a crankshaft 24 via the motor shaft 22 and a spur gear 23. The crankshaft 24 passes through a rod 26 that extends in the up-down direction and is connected to the rod 26 via a needle bearing 25. The point of connection of the crankshaft 24 to the rod 26 is eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the crankshaft 24. Therefore, the rotational motion of the crankshaft 24 is converted into a reciprocating motion of the rod 26 in the up-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the die holder 40 has an approximately cylindrical shape that extends in the up-down direction. The die holder 40 is affixed to a front, lower tubular portion of the housing 20 by a locknut 29. A ram 27, a punch holder 28, and the punch are housed in the interior the die holder 40. The rod 26 is connected to the punch holder 28 via the ram 27. The punch 30 has an elongated (e.g., rod or pin) shape and is held in the punch holder 28. The punch 30 extends in the up-down direction (along its own axial direction). When the rod 26 is undergoing reciprocating motion, the punch 30 is also reciprocating in the up-down direction.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the die holder 40 comprises a recess 42 near its lower end. The recess 42 is formed by notches in the front and side portions (right side portion and left side portion) of the die holder 40. The portion of the die holder 40 that is lower than the recess 42 (in other words, the portion farther from the punch 30 than the recess 42) is called the tip portion 43. The tip portion 43 has a second through-hole 41 that extends in the up-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the die 50 is housed in the interior of the recess 42. As will be described in greater detail below, the die 50 is affixed to the die holder 40 by two bolts 60 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The die 50 has a first through-hole 51 that extends in the up-down direction. This first through-hole 51 communicates with the second through-hole 41 in the tip portion 43 of the die holder 40. The tip (lower end) of the punch 30 is exposed in the recess 42 and is insertable into the first through-hole 51. When the punch 30 is at its upper dead center, a gap (not shown) is formed between the tip of the punch 30 and the upper edge of the die 50. When the punch 30 is at its bottom dead center, the tip of the punch 30 is inserted into the first through-hole 51 of the die 50.

To perform a cutting (nibbling) operation using the nibbler 10, the plate-shaped material to be cut is inserted into the gap between the tip of the punch 30 and the die 50 while the punch 30 is at its upper dead center. If the cutting will be performed starting from an edge of the material to be cut, the edge of the material may be inserted between the tip of the punch 30 and the die 50. On the other hand, if the cutting will be performed to hollow out a portion of (form a large hole in) the material to be cut, the user first forms (cuts, saws) a machining start hole using a hole saw. Then, after having inserted the tip portion 43 of the die holder 40 into the machining start hole, the user inserts the point of the material to be cut between the tip of the punch 30 and the die 50. In this state, when the electric motor 21 is driven, the punch 30 repeatedly moves from its upper dead center to its lower dead center and vice versa. As a result of this reciprocating movement of the punch 30, the workpiece (material to be cut) is sheared between the edge of the tip of the punch 30 and the edge of the die 50 (the portion that defines the upper edge of the first through-hole 51). Thus, while the punch 30 is undergoing reciprocating motion, the user can cut (or hollow out) the desired area of the material to be cut by gradually changing (moving) the cutting position. Chips generated in such a cutting operation are discharged to the outside through the first through-hole 51 of the die 50 and the second through-hole 41 of the tip portion 43 of the die holder 40.

The structure for mounting the die 50 onto the die holder 40 will now be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the die holder 40 has two first mounting holes 44 that extend in parallel in the up-down direction. The first mounting holes 44 pass through the tip portion 43 of the die holder 40. The two first mounting holes 44 are arranged symmetrically. In the present embodiment, the inner surfaces defining the first mounting holes 44 each have a female thread. However, said inner surfaces need not have a female thread. The die 50 has two second mounting holes 52 that extend in parallel in the up-down direction. The second mounting holes 52 pass through the die 50. The two second mounting holes 52 are respectively coaxial with the two first mounting holes 44. The inner surfaces defining the second mounting holes 52 each have a female thread.

To attach (affix) the die 50 to the die holder 40, as shown in FIG. 11, two bolts 60 are respectively inserted from (through) the tip portion 43 (in other words, from the bottom) of the die holder 40 into the two first mounting holes 44 and into the two second mounting holes 52, and then the bolts 60 are fastened tight. As a result, the tip portion 43 is held between the die 50, which is screw fastened with the bolts 60, and the heads of the bolts 60, whereby the die 50 is affixed to the die holder 40. This mounting structure is the same for conventional nibblers. When replacing the die holder 40, the die holder 40 also can be removed by removing the two bolts 60.

The chip collection attachment 100 can be removably attached to the nibbler body 15 in order to collect chips generated by a cutting operation using the nibbler 10 without scattering them to the outside. As shown in FIG. 1, the attachment 100 is attached to the tip portion 43 of the die holder 40. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, the attachment 100 comprises a mounting part 110 and a receptacle part 120.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the mounting part 110 has an approximately cylindrical shape. Specifically, the mounting part 110 comprises a peripheral part 111 having a tubular shape and a base part 112 that partially closes the upper opening of the peripheral part 111. The peripheral part 111 has a cylindrical shape in the present embodiment. In addition, the outer diameter of the peripheral part 111 is equal to the outer diameter of the tip portion 43 of the die holder 40. In the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the peripheral part 111 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tip portion 43. The base part 112 has the same outer diameter as the peripheral part 111. As shown in FIG. 8, the inner surface 116 of the outer peripheral part 111 has a plurality of ribs 117. The ribs 117 project radially inward from the inner surface 116 and extend in the up-down direction in an elongated manner.

In the present embodiment, the peripheral part 111 is a polymer (resin) component. Furthermore, the base part 112 has a metal portion 112a and a polymer (resin) portion 112b. The peripheral part 111 and the base part 112 are integrally molded by injection molding (e.g., insert molding). In this case, the peripheral part 111 and the polymer (resin) portion 112b may be integrally molded from the same polymer (resin) material, preferably without a seam therebetween. The metal portion 112a has two third mounting holes 113 and a third through-hole 114. Each of the third mounting holes 113 and the third through-hole 114 pass through the metal portion 112a in the up-down direction. The two third mounting holes 113 are coaxial with the first mounting holes 44 of the die holder 40 and the second mounting holes 52 of the die 50. The third through-hole 114 communicates with the second through-hole 41 of the die holder 40.

In the present embodiment, the thickness of the base part 112 is 1 mm. By making the thickness of the base part 112 thick enough so that bolts 60, which are used in the mounting structure of existing (conventional) nibbler dies (50) (see FIG. 11), can be screwed into the female threads of the die 50, conventional bolts 60 can be re-used to mount the mounting part 110. However, longer dedicated bolts may be provided for mounting the mounting part 110.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the peripheral part 111 has two cutouts 115. The two cutouts 115 are adjacent to the base part 112 and pass radially through the peripheral part 111. The circumferential positions of the two cutouts 115 correspond to the circumferential positions of the two third mounting holes 113, respectively.

The mounting part 110 is attached to the tip portion 43 of the die holder 40 as follows. As shown in FIG. 10, the user first positions the mounting part 110 so that the lower end of the tip portion 43 abuts on the base part 112. Next, the user respectively inserts the bolts 60 from (through) the interior of the mounting part 110 (from below) into the third mounting holes 113 of the mounting part 110, the first mounting holes 44 of the die holder 40, and the second mounting holes 52 of the die 50 and then tightens the bolts 60. As a result, the mounting part 110 is co-tightened with the die holder 40 and the die 50 by the bolts 60 and affixed to the die holder 40. According to this configuration, the mounting part 110 can be easily attached to the die holder 40 using the mounting structure of the die 50 shown in FIG. 11. In addition, the mounting structure of the mounting part 110 can be simplified. Because the portion of the base part 112 of the mounting part 110 that is pressed by the heads of the bolts 60 is the metal portion 112a, sufficient strength required to withstand this pressing force can be easily ensured. However, the entire mounting part 110, including the base part 112, may instead be formed from a polymer (resin). Alternatively, the entire mounting part 110 may be made of metal. In this case, the entire mounting part 110 may be formed by drawing.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the cutouts 115 are adjacent to the bolts 60, and the heads of the bolt 60 are respectively partially located within the cutouts 115. In other words, as shown in FIG. 10, the heads of the bolts 60 are partially located radially outside of the inner surface 116 of the peripheral part 111. Because the peripheral part 111 has the cutouts 115, the bolts 60 can be inserted and tightened without interfering with the inner surface 116 of the peripheral part 111. According to this configuration, interference between the heads of the bolts 60 and the inner surface 116 of the peripheral part 111 can be avoided without increasing the outer diameter of the peripheral part 111.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the receptacle part 120 is a bottomed tubular component for storing chips and is formed as a separate component from the mounting part 110. In the present embodiment, the receptacle part 120 comprises a receptacle part main body 130 and a cap component (cap) 140. The receptacle part main body 130 has a bottomless cylindrical shape that extends in the up-down direction; i.e. it is a tube with two open ends. In the present embodiment, the receptacle part main body 130 is in the form of a flexible tube made of a polymer. The outer diameter of the receptacle part main body 130 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting part 110 (inner surface 116). The inner diameter of the portion of the mounting part 110 in which the ribs 117 are formed is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the receptacle part main body 130. Therefore, one end (upper end) of the receptacle part main body 130 can be fitted (press-fitted, interference fit, friction fit) into the mounting part 110 using the elasticity of the receptacle part main body 130, which is in the form of a flexible polymer tube. According to this configuration, the receptacle part main body 130 can be removably attached to the mounting part 110.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cap component 140 comprises a tubular portion 141, a flange 142, and a knob 143. The tubular portion 141 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the up-down direction. The outer circumference surface of the tubular portion 141 has a plurality of ribs 144. The ribs 144 project radially outward from the outer circumference surface of the tubular portion 141 and extend in the up-down direction in an elongated manner. The outer diameter of the portion of the tubular portion 141 on which the ribs 144 are formed is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the receptacle part main body 130. Therefore, by using the elasticity of the receptacle part main body 130 that is in the form of a flexible polymer tube, the tubular portion 141 can be fit (press-fit) into the receptacle part main body 130. According to this configuration, the cap component 140 can be removably attached to the receptacle part main body 130 to close (seal) the lower opening of the receptacle part main body 130.

The flange 142 is located below the tubular portion 141 and defines the bottom of the tubular portion 141. The flange 142 has an outer diameter that is larger than that of the tubular portion 141 (outer diameter of the portion with the ribs 144) and functions as a stopper that contacts the receptacle part main body 130 when the tubular portion 141 is fitted into the receptacle part main body 130. The knob 143 is located below the flange 142 and has a conical trapezoidal shape. The user can easily attach and detach the cap component 140 by pinching (grasping) the knob 143 with his/her fingers. In the present embodiment, the outer diameters of the flange 142 and of the knob 143 are the same, or at least approximately the same (within +/−5%), as the outer diameter of the receptacle part main body 130. However, the outer diameter of the knob 143 may smaller, e.g., significantly smaller (e.g., 5% or more smaller) than the outer diameter of the receptacle part main body 130).

When the nibbler 10 is used with such a receptacle part 120 attached to the mounting part 110, chips are guided, via the first through-hole 51 of the die 50, the second through-hole 41 of the die holder 40, and the third through-hole 114 of the mounting part 110, into and stored in the receptacle part main body 130. The user can discharge and dispose of the chips by removing the cap component 140, e.g., when the receptacle part main body 130 has become full of chips. In the present embodiment, the receptacle part main body 130 is formed from a material that is sufficiently transparent so that the amount of chips stored therein is visible through the wall(s) of the receptacle part main body 130. Therefore, the user can visually check the amount of chips that have accumulated in the receptacle part main body 130 without having to remove the receptacle part 120 from the mounting part 110. Consequently, the user can appropriately and conveniently determine the timing for discharging the chips that have accumulated in the receptacle part main body 130.

Furthermore, the mounting part 110, the receptacle part 120, and the receptacle part main body 130 of the attachment 100 are configured so that the interference fit engagement of the receptacle part main body 130 with the cap component 140 requires less force to disengage than the interference fit engagement of the receptacle part main body 130 with the mounting part 110. Therefore, when the chips that have accumulated in the main body 130 will be discharged, the cap component 140 can be easily removed without disengaging the engagement of the receptacle part main body 130 with the mounting part 110. Therefore, it is easy and convenient to discharge the chips. The interference fit engagement force that holds the receptacle part main body 130 together with the cap component 140 and the interference fit engagement force that holds the receptacle part main body 130 together with the mounting part 110 can be adjusted by differentiating (changing) at least one of the height and length of the ribs 117 of the mounting part 110 and the ribs 144 of the cap component 140. In an alternative embodiment, the mounting part 110 need not have the ribs 117 and/or the tubular portion 141 need not have the ribs 144. In such an alternate embodiment, the difference between the outer diameter of the tubular portion 141 and the inner diameter of the receptacle part main body 130 may be larger than the difference between the outer diameter of the receptacle part main body 130 and the inner diameter of the mounting part 110. The same effects also can be achieved by this configuration.

According to the nibbler 10 described above, the outer diameter of the mounting part 110 and the outer diameter of the receptacle part 120 of the attachment 100 are the same as the outer diameter of the tip portion 43 of the die holder 40. The outer diameter of the receptacle part 120 is preferably smaller than the outer diameter of the tip portion 43. Therefore, when cutting will be performed to hollow out a portion of the material to be cut, the machining start hole, through which the die holder 40 and the receptacle part 120 must pass, can be made smaller than with conventional nibblers. In other words, cutting can be performed by inserting the attachment 100 and the tip portion 43 of the die holder 40 into the same size machining start hole as in the situation in which the attachment 100 is not used. Therefore, a smaller diameter hole saw can be used to form the machining start hole as compared to conventional nibblers, in which the outer diameter of the chip collection attachment is much larger than the tip portion 43. As a result, user convenience is improved.

In other words, the outer diameters of the mounting part 110 and of the receptacle part 120 are smaller than the diameter of the machining start hole. The diameter of the machining start hole that needs to be formed when the nibbler 10 is used without the attachment 100 is typically 21 mm. Therefore, even when the attachment 100 will be used, the user can use the same hole saw to form the machining start hole, which is 21 mm in diameter, and can insert the attachment 100 and the tip portion 43 of the die holder 40 into said machining start hole.

In an alternative embodiment, the mounting part 110 need not have the cutouts 115. In this case, the outer diameter of the mounting part 110 may be large enough that the bolts 60 just barely do not interfere with (contact) the inner surface 116 of the peripheral part 111. In this case, the outer diameter of the peripheral part 111 may be set to satisfy D1≤D3+3 mm and D2≤D3+3 mm when the outer diameter thereof is defined as D1 (mm), the outer diameter of the receptacle part 120 is defined as D2 (mm) and the outer diameter of the tip portion 43 of the die holder 40 is defined as D3 (mm). In a further alternative embodiment, D1≤D3+6 mm and D2≤D3+6 mm may be satisfied. The machining start hole also can be made smaller than conventional nibblers by using this alternative embodiment.

Furthermore, according to the above-described nibbler 10, the mounting part 110 and the receptacle part 120 are formed as separate components. Thus, the user can easily replace the receptacle part main body 130 with a different receptacle part main body 130 having the desired length (capacity) depending on the circumstances. However, as will be further described below, the mounting part 110 and the receptacle part 120 may instead be an integral part that is not detachable; i.e. the mounting part 110 and the receptacle part 120 (or at least the mounting part 110 and the receptacle part main body 130) may be a one-piece construction. In this case, the bolts 60 may be inserted from the bottom end of the receptacle part main body 130 and tightened using a longer tool.

In addition, according to the above-described nibbler 10, the upper end of the receptacle part main body 130 at least partially closes (covers) the cutouts 115 when the receptacle part 120 is attached to the mounting part 110, as shown in FIG. 10. According to this configuration, chips can be prevented from spilling out of the cutouts 115 in the situation in which the nibbler 10 is used in a posture in which the lower side of the nibbler 10 is positioned vertically upward (in other words, the attachment 100 is positioned vertically higher than the die holder 40).

Furthermore, in the above-described the nibbler 10, the receptacle part main body 130 is flexible. Therefore, even in the situation in which the attachment 100 and the tip portion 43 of the die holder 40 will be inserted into a narrow space (e.g., inside a duct having a small diameter), the receptacle part main body 130 can bend along the shape of said insertion space. Therefore, sufficient chip storage capacity of the receptacle part 120 can be ensured while avoiding or limiting restrictions on locations (work situations) where the nibbler 10 can be used.

Moreover, according to the nibbler 10, the receptacle part main body 130 is in the form of a polymer (resin) tube. Therefore, chips stored in the receptacle part main body 130 are less likely to get caught on the inner surface of the receptacle part main body 130. As a result, when chips stored in the receptacle part main body 130 will be discarded, the chips can be discharged smoothly. Furthermore, because polymer tubes are inexpensive, the attachment 100 can be made at a lower cost. Optionally, the user can adjust the chip storage capacity of the receptacle part main body 130 to the desired amount by cutting the plastic tube at the desired position. Alternatively, the receptacle part main body 130 can be adjusted to a size that is appropriate for the size of the location where the receptacle part main body 130 will be inserted.

The embodiments described above are intended to facilitate an understanding of the present teachings and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be changed and improved without departing from its object(s), and equivalents thereof are included within the scope of the present invention. In addition, to the extent that at least some of the above-described problems can be solved or at least some of the effects can be achieved, any combination of the individual components described in the claims and the specification, or any omission thereof, is possible.

For example, the shape and form of the components of the nibbler 10 described above are only examples and can be modified arbitrarily as long as the function of the components is ensured. For example, the shape of the mounting part 110 and/or the receptacle part main body 130 is not limited to a circular cylindrical shape, but can be any tubular shape, including hollow prisms, or shapes having both curved and straight portions in cross-section (e.g., a semi-circular cross-section).

Alternatively, a bottomed tubular component having one end that is permanently closed in the longitudinal direction may be used instead of the receptacle part 120. In this case, chips that have accumulated in the tubular component can be discharged by pulling the bottomed tubular component out of the mounting part 110.

Alternatively, the receptacle part main body 130 can be a tubular component in any form. For example, the receptacle part main body 130 may be in the form of a flexible bellows hose, i.e. a longitudinally expandable and contractable tube. In this case, the user may stretch or compress the receptacle part main body 130 according to the desired chip storage capacity or according to the size of the location where the receptacle part main body 130 will be used (e.g., inserted). Alternatively, the receptacle part main body 130 may be in the form of a rigid plastic tube.

Alternatively, instead of being interference fit into the receptacle part main body 130, the cap component 140 may instead be pivotably connected to the receptacle part main body 130, e.g., by a hinge. A latch may also be provided to hold the cap component 140 in a closed state relative to the lower opening of the receptacle part main body 130. Thus, in such an alternative embodiment, the latch may be undone and the cap component 140 pivoted away from the open end of the receptacle part main body 130, in order to discharge chips stored therein. Because the cap component 140 is always attached to the receptacle part main body 130, e.g., by a hinge in such an alternative embodiment, it is less likely that the cap component 140 will be lost during usage. As further alternatives, the cap component 140 may be coupled to the receptacle part main body 130, e.g., by screw threads that are be formed on each of these parts, magnets, a bayonet mount, etc.

Alternatively, instead of being interference fit into the mounting part 110, the receptacle part main body 130 may be attached to the mounting part 110 in other ways. For example, the receptacle part main body 130 may have a male thread on its outer surface and the mounting part 110 may have a female thread on its inner surface. In such an embodiment, the receptacle part main body 130 can be screwed into the mounting part 110. In another alternative, one or more magnets may be disposed on the outer surface of the receptacle part main body 130 and one or more magnets may be disposed on the inner surface of the mounting part 110 (or vice versa) so that magnetic force is used to couple the receptacle part main body 130 to the mounting part 110. As another alternative, the receptacle part main body 130 and the mounting part 110 could be attached by a bayonet mount (e.g., one or pins (pegs) may project radially outward from the receptacle part main body 130 and one or more corresponding angled (e.g., L-shaped) slots may be formed in the peripheral part 111 of the mounting part 110).

Correspondence between each component of the above embodiment and each component of the claims is shown below. However, each component of the embodiment is merely an example and does not limit each component of the invention. The nibbler 10 is an example of a “nibbler”. The punch 30 is an example of a “punch”. The die holder 40 is an example of a “die holder”. The second through-hole 41 is an example of a “second through-hole”. The recess 42 is an example of a “recess”. The tip portion 43 is an example of a “tip portion”. The first mounting hole 44 is an example of a “first mounting hole”. The die 50 is an example of a “die”. The first through-hole 51 is an example of a “first through-hole”. The second mounting holes 52 are an example of a “second mounting hole”. The bolts 60 are an example of a “bolt”. The chip collection attachment 100 is an example of a “chip collection attachment”. The mounting part 110 is an example of a “mounting part”. The peripheral part 111 is an example of a “peripheral part”. The base part 112 is an example of a “base part”. The third mounting holes 113 are an example of a “third mounting hole”. The third through-hole 114 is an example of a “third through-hole”. The cutouts 115 are an example of a “cutout”. The receptacle part 120 is an example of a “receptacle part”. The receptacle part main body 130 is an example of a “receptacle part main body”. The cap component 140 is an example of a “cap component”.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLS

• • 10: Nibbler
  • 15: Nibbler body
  • 16: Battery
  • 20: Housing
  • 21: Electric motor
  • 22: Motor shaft
  • 23: Spur gear
  • 24: Crankshaft
  • 25: Needle bearing
  • 26: Rod
  • 27: Ram
  • 28: Punch holder
  • 29: Lock nut
  • 30: Punch
  • 40: Die holder
  • 41: Second through-hole
  • 42: Recess
  • 43: Tip portion
  • 44: First mounting hole
  • 50: Die
  • 51: First through-hole
  • 52: Second mounting hole
  • 60: Bolt
  • 100: Chip collection attachment
  • 110: Mounting part
  • 111: Peripheral part
  • 112: Base part
  • 112a: Metal portion
  • 112b: Polymer portion
  • 113: Third mounting hole
  • 114: Third through-hole
  • 115: Cutout
  • 116: Inner surface
  • 117: Ribs
  • 120: Receptacle part
  • 130: Receptacle part main body
  • 140: Cap component
  • 141: Tubular portion
  • 142: Flange
  • 143: Knob
  • 144: Rib