BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to tool casings and, more particularly, to
air-tightly sealed split-shell casings, especially for motor driven pneumatic tools,
including vacuum and non-vacuum sanding and grinding tools.
[0002] The background information discussed below is presented to better illustrate the
novelty and usefulness of the present invention. This background information is not
admitted prior art.
[0003] Power tools require a covering or casing to protect their electronic and/or moving
components. Such tools would soon be ruined if used without some kind of protective
covering, as the electronic and/or moving components of the tools are easily affected
by dust and moisture. Depending on the size, shape, and power source of the tool,
the tool's protective casing can be manufactured as one-piece or multi-piece covers.
Presently, all pneumatic tools use single shelled casings because of the seal that
is required for the vacuum and/or exhaust chamber. All electric tools whether they
are a vacuum type tool or not utilize a split shell design. Electric vacuum type tools,
however, are not very effective because their split shell casing can not completely
seal their vacuum chamber.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present Inventor realized that manufacturing pneumatic tools using only a one-piece
air-tight shell created many problems. The size, number, shape, and complexity of
each tool component must be designed to fit into the one-piece air-tight shell. Additionally,
when designing a single shelled housing for a pneumatic tool, the process is restricted
to the mold-ability of the housing. This means that each housing must be designed
to provide for the housing to be able to be ejected from the mold in which it is formed.
Therefore the look and feel of the tool might be compromised to provide for the housing
to be moldable. This requirement complicates the design, manufacturing, and assembly
processes, and, furthermore, results in a heavier and perhaps bulkier and less ergonomic
than desired tool and increases costs.
[0005] These concerns prompted the present Inventor to design an air-tight split-shell protective
casing for pneumatic and other tools. As described below, split-shell casings, made
according to the principles of the present invention, provide for an air-tight seal
between the split-shell sections. Moreover, the degree of shape complexity and the
number of features of both the tool to be housed and its housing easily and cost-effectively
can be increased when a two or more multiple pieces housing design is used in place
of a single-shell housing. At the same time, the air-tight sealable split-shell housings,
as taught herein, provide for a reduction in the design complexity of the housing
and tool that is required by a single shell design to provide for a fit between the
tool and the housing, thus, simplifying manufacturing and assembly, and reducing overall
costs. These cost reductions enable the production of split-shell housed tools that
are more affordable for all. Moreover, split-shell cased tools are able to have a
higher power to weight ratio, thus, providing for smaller, lighter tools to accomplish
the same tasks as single-shell cased tool counterparts. Additionally, split-shell
casings, made following the principles of the present invention, are rigid, strong,
and capable of withstanding harsh operating conditions. Split-shell cased tools are
easy to hold and are ergonomic in that the casings reduce tool-produced vibrations
that otherwise would be adsorbed by a user's hands.
[0006] It should be noted that the present invention resides not in any one of these features
per se, but rather in the particular structure of the components and the combinations
of the features herein disclosed that distinguishes the present invention. It will
be shown that the casings made according to the principles of the invention provide
a sealing means that securely attaches two half-shells of a two-section split-shell
casing to each other, so that for all tools so cased, without or with vacuum capabilities,
which vacuum may be self-generated or supplied from a central vacuum device, the multiple-part
protective shell provides an air-tight seal. The addition of the sealing means of
this invention to a split-shell casing effectively creates a sealed chamber that can
be used effectively in both vacuum or exhaust sections of the tool.
[0007] All of these benefits are made possible by providing for a tool casing, comprising:
at least two casing sections so molded that once positioned about a tool to be encased
and joined together at their sealing perimeters with seals therebetween form an air-tight
casing for encasing a tool, where a groove is molded into the sealing perimeter of
one casing section forming a grooved casing section, a seal is inserted into the groove.
A protruding ridge that is molded into the sealing perimeter of the casing section
that is to be joined to the grooved casing section is adapted for compressing the
seal inserted into the grooved casing section providing for an air-tightly sealed
casing when the two sections are joined.
[0008] Furthermore, wherein each of at least two casing sections is so contoured as to provide
air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments for receiving tool components to be
encased and wherein opposing joining perimeters of the air-tightly sealable inner-casing
compartments are adapted with the grooves and protruding ridges, respectively.
[0009] The components to be encased are contemplated to be tools, such as a pneumatic tool,
such as a central or self-generating vacuum pneumatic tool.
[0010] Each casing section comprises a molded firm inner layer coated by an outer pliant
overmolded layer, where the molded firm inner layer may comprise a firm plastic layer
and the molded outer pliable overmolded layer may comprise a urethane overmolded layer.
[0011] And, where the air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments may comprise a first
air-tightly sealed molded chamber for accommodating an exhaust chamber, a second molded
chamber for accommodating an exhaust tube and an inlet tub, and a second air-tightly
sealed molded chamber for accommodating a vacuum chamber.
[0012] Additionally, there is provided a method for making a multi-shell casing, comprising:
providing for an air-tightly sealable, sectional casing comprising:
molding a first casing section,
molding a second casing section,
molding the first molded casing section to have seal accepting grooves in its joining
perimeter edges,
molding the second molded casing section molded to have protruding ridges in its joining
perimeters edges,
positioning at least one seal within the seal accepting grooves;
adaptedly shaping the protruding ridges for exerting a continuous pressure against
the seals once the seals are positioned within the grooves and the first and second
molded casing sections are joined together.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In order that these and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention
may be more fully comprehended and appreciated, the invention will now be described
with reference to specific exemplar embodiments, which are illustrated in appended
drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several
figures. It should be understood that these drawings only depict preferred embodiments
of the present invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope.
Accordingly, the manner of making and using the present invention will be described
with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings,
in which:
FIG. 1a is a perspective view of one section of a two-section split-shell, central-vacuum,
pneumatic tool according to the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the opposing section of a two-section split-shell, central-vacuum,
pneumatic tool, as illustrated in FIG. 1a.
FIG. 2a is a perspective view of one section of a two-section split-shell, self-generated-vacuum,
pneumatic tool according to the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2b is a perspective view of the opposing section of a two-section split-shell, self-generated-vacuum,
pneumatic tool, as illustrated in FIG. 2a.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a split-shell, vacuum, pneumatic tool illustrating the various
seals of a tool and how they relate to the tool.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the outer and inner-layers of a shell and its seal to show
how left side shell 34 compresses upper seal 52 to form an air-tight sealed chamber.
[0014] Reference numerals and parts of the invention to which they refer.
- 2
- Exhaust chamber.
- 4
- Exhaust tube.
- 6
- Central vacuum adapter.
- 8
- Vacuum chamber.
- 10
- Motor exhaust/vacuum chamber.
- 12
- Inlet tube.
- 14
- Vacuum end cap.
- 20
- Exhaust air.
- 22
- Exhaust air.
- 26
- Self-generated vacuum adapter.
- 32
- Right hand shell part as held in the hand of a tool user.
- 34
- Left hand shell part as held in the hand of a tool user.
- 36
- A groove molded into the edge of right hand part 32 of plastic shell 44.
- 42
- Urethane overmold.
- 44
- Plastic shell.
- 46
- Seal.
- 48
- Muffler.
- 52
- Upper seal.
- 53
- Protruding ridge on edge of left hand part 34 of plastic shell 44.
- 54
- Tube seal.
- 56
- Lower seal.
- 56a
- One part of top section of lower seal 56.
- 56b
- Another part of top section of lower seal 56.
- 56c
- One end section of lower seal 56.
- 56d
- Bottom section of lower seal 56.
- 56e
- Another end section of lower seal 56.
- 58
- O-ring.
- 60
- Exiting air out of self generated vacuum adapter 26.
- 62
- Back-up pad.
DEFINITIONS
[0015] O-ring, as used herein, refers to a loop of elastomer with a round ("o"-shaped) cross-section
used as a mechanical seal or gasket. They are designed to be seated in a groove and
compressed during assembly between two or more parts, creating a seal at the interface.
The joint may be static, or (in some designs) have relative motion between the parts
and the o-ring; rotating pump shafts and hydraulic cylinders, for example. Joints
with motion usually require lubrication of the o-ring to reduce wear. This is typically
accomplished with the fluid being sealed. O-rings are one of the most common seals
used in machine design because they are inexpensive and easy to make, reliable, and
have simple mounting requirements. They can seal tens of megapascals (thousands of
psi) pressure.
Successful o-ring joint design requires a rigid mechanical mounting that applies a
predictable deformation to the o-ring. The seal is designed to have a point contact
between the o-ring and sealing faces. This allows a high local stress, able to contain
high pressure, without exceeding the yield stress of the o-ring body. The flexible
nature of o-ring materials accommodates imperfections in the mounting parts.
In vacuum applications, higher mounting forces are used so that the ring fills the
whole groove. Also, round back-up rings are used to save the ring from excessive deformation.
As the ring feels the ambient pressure and the partial pressure of gases only at the
seal, their gradients will be steep near the seal and shallow in the bulk (opposite
to the gradients of the point contact.
One example of a common material of an o-ring is Buna-N (nitrile rubber), which is
the most widely used type of o-ring. It is also one of the least expensive type of
o-ring seals. Due to its excellent resistance to petroleum products, and its ability
to be compounded for service over a temperature range of -65 to + 275 degrees F (-
54 to +135 degrees C), nitrile is the most widely used etastomer in the seal industry
today. Nitrile compounds are superior to most elastomers with regard to compression
set or cold flow, tear and abrasion resistance.
Pneumatic motor, as used herein, refers to a machine which converts energy of compressed air into
mechanical work. In industrial applications linear motion can come from either a diaphragm
or piston actuator. As for rotary motion, either a vane type air motor or piston air
motor is used. Rotary motion vane type air motors are used to start large industrial
diesel or natural gas engines. Stored energy in the form of compressed air, nitrogen
or natural gas enters the sealed motor chamber and exerts pressure against the vanes
of a rotor. Much like a windmill, this causes the rotor to turn at high speed. Reduction
gears are used to create high torque levels sufficient to turn the engine flywheel
when engaged by the pinion gear of the air motor or air starter. A widespread application
of small pneumatic motors is in hand-held tools, powering ratchet wrenches, drills,
sanders, grinders, cutters, and so on. Their overall energy efficiency is low, but
due to compactness and light weight, they are often preferred to electric tools.
[0016] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain
instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention
or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The principles underlying the invention, especially as they relate to the production
of multi-section split-shell casings or housings for use with a variety of tools,
are presented herein. To better describe the invention, the appended drawings illustrate
one preferred embodiment of a two-section split-shell power tool casing. Each section
of a two-section split-shell power tool casing, as illustrated, complements its companion
section. Once the tool or its components are installed into the compartment or compartments
of a first section, the companion second section is joined to the first section. The
two sections are sealed together using sealing means that provide for air-tight seals
forming an air-tightly sealed split-shell tool casing. The seal is secure to the point
that no particulate matter, oil, or air can escape from or get into the casing. Thus,
the present invention provides air-tight sealed split-shell casings for housing tools,
such as pneumatic tools, with or without vacuum. The invention teaches split-shell
housings specifically designed to accept specifically designed seals that provide
the air-tight sealing of the housing parts to each other, and the method that is used
to manufacture such housings. The housings, as exemplified in the accompanying illustrations,
are made of two sections or modules, manufactured through a low-cost molding method,
and sealing means that include upper and lower seals, rubber seal, and o-ring. Each
shell section of the split-shell is molded according to the requirements of the tool
it is designed to house. Once the parts of the desired tool are incorporated into
the split-shell sections, the sections are joined and air-tightly sealed closed by
the conjunction of the seals that are inserted into the grooves of the sealing rims
of one of the spilt shell sections and the protruding ridges formed on the sealing
rims of the complementary spilt shell. Thus, not only are the seals present, but the
protruding ridges that press into the seal assure a tight, secure seal is made. Heretofore,
split-shell construction could not provide such an air-tight seal, thus there have
been no pneumatic tools having air-tight split-shell housing. As mentioned above,
split-shell air-tight seal housing provides for a reduction in the number and the
complexity of a tool's components, as split-shell design provides greater flexibility
in the internal design of the split-shell sections, thus, simplifying manufacture
and assembly and a reduction of overall costs. Furthermore, the air-tight seal split-shell
housed tool is rigid, strong, and capable of withstanding harsh operating conditions,
and it is designed to be easy to hold and ergonomic in its ability to reduce any vibrations
that would other wise be adsorbed by a user hands.
[0018] Thus there has been described the more important features of the invention in order
that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are,
of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled
in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based,
may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is
important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0019] Turning now to the drawings,
FIG. 1a, a perspective view, illustrates one section (which shall be referred to as right
hand shell
32 as held in the hand of a tool user) of a two-section split-shell casing designed
for housing a known central-vacuum pneumatic tool indicated by dashed lines. Both
casing sections, the one illustrated and its companion (see
FIG. 1b) consist of an inner plastic layer
44 molded with outer urethane overmolded layer
42. It should be understood that the inner layer may be constructed of any moldable material
that has the strength required to house a tool, such as a pneumatic tool. The urethane
overmold, or of any other over moldable material overmold that offers like properties,
provides several advantages, including vibration absorption, slip resistance grip,
and durability. Inner shell
44 is custom contour molded to provide an exact fit for the tool to be encased. Inner
shell
44 also may be molded to provide discrete, air-tight sealable compartments. The compartments
or inner-chambers are shaped and sized for receiving and encasing a desired tool component
or components. The inner-chambers may be air-tight chambers, as required. Using molding
processes to produce the casings taught herein provides for relatively easy and cost-effective
production of the casings that are designed to be as simply or complexly shaped and
sized, as required. The molding process also provides for relatively easy and cost-effective
design and manufacture of custom sized and shaped inner compartments, which is not
the case when the casing shells are machined out of aluminum or steel. In the example
illustrated, there is provided three inner chambers. The first of the three inner
chambers is air-tightly sealed exhaust chamber
2 which is bounded by tube seal
54, upper seal
52, vacuum end cap
14 and O-ring seal 58, and upper part of lower seal
56. Air-tightly sealed exhaust chamber
2 also holds a first end of inlet tube
12.
[0020] Also illustrated in
FIG.1a is a second chamber extending between tube seal
54 and a second end of the housing (the end having back-up pad
62) accommodating exhaust tube
4 and a second end of inlet tube
12.
[0021] A third housing chamber, illustrated in
FIG.1a, is lower vacuum chamber
8, sealed by top sections
56a and
56b of lower seal
56, end section
56e of lower seal
56, bottom section
56d of lower seal
56, and another end section
56c of lower seal
56.
[0022] FIG. 1b, another perspective view, illustrates the opposing section of the two-section split-shell,
central-vacuum, pneumatic tool, as illustrated in
FIG. 1a (which shall be referred to as left hand shell
34 as held in the hand of a tool user).
[0023] Compressed air travels from a compressor through vacuum end cap
14 into inlet tube
12 towards the motor housing as depicted by the air-path arrows illustrated within inlet
tube
12. The path traveled by exhaust air depends on the type of tool in the housing. For
central vacuum (CV) and non-vacuum (NV) machines, exhaust air travels through vacuum
adapter
6 to exhaust tube
4 into exhaust chamber
2. The exhaust air then travels thru a material that muffles the sound
48, such as a felt material, to exist the tool in the direction of arrow
20. Another commonly used muffler material is sintered bronze, which is a porous material
that allows air to pass thru but traps particulates, or other material carried by
the exhaust air. After passing through the muffler, the exhaust air exits the machine.
The inlet air does not mix with the exhaust air, even though the inlet tube is located
in the exhaust chamber to minimize the size of tool, as the inlet air is kept contained
within the inlet tube. Upper seal
52, lower seal
56, rubber tube seal
54, and o-ring
58 together tightly enclose exhaust chamber
2 to prohibit air and oil leakage at any point where other shell sections are joined
to the section enclosing exhaust chamber
2.
[0024] FIG. 2a, a perspective view, illustrates one section of a two-section split-shell casing designed
for housing a known self-generated-vacuum (SGV) pneumatic tool indicated by dashed
lines. The casing of the SGV model is molded to have two inner compartments, an upper
chamber in which inlet tube
12 is positioned and a lower chamber that is motor-exhaust/vacuum chamber
10. As the upper chamber is not divided into two discrete chambers, upper seal
52, rubber tube seal
54, and o-ring
58 are not required. In SGV machines, as in CV machines, compressed air travels from
a generator through vacuum end cap
14 into inlet tube
12 towards the motor housing as depicted by the air-flow arrows. Self-generated motor
exhaust air travels through the motor housing and then through vacuum adapter
26 into lower exhaust/vacuum chamber
10 as shown by arrow
60 which causes air to be pulled from the upper chamber above the back-up pad
62 and into vacuum chamber
8 and out of the machine in the direction indicated by arrow
22. Lower motor-exhaust/vacuum chamber is sealed by top section
56b of lower seal
56, end section
56e of lower seal
56, bottom section
56d of lower seal
56, and another end section
56c of lower seal
56.
[0025] FIG. 2b, a perspective view, illustrated the opposing section of the two-section split-shell
encased self-generated-vacuum pneumatic tool, as illustrated in
FIG. 2a.
[0026] FIG. 3, a perspective view, illustrates examples of the various seals used to seal the two
outer-shell sections of the split-shell tool casing used to house a CV pneumatic tool
and how they relate to the casing. In the compartments that require and air-tight
seal, the seals, as described, prohibit air, oil, and sanded particle leakage from
one chamber to another and through the joints that define where the two shell sections
come together.
[0027] Upper seal
52 and lower seal
56 may be made from a range of inert materials that exhibit the desired sealing properties.
One example of a common material that may be used for the seal is Buna-N (nitrile),
which is thought to be the most widely used o-ring material. Other materials may be
satisfactory as long as the exhibit the properties required to form an air-tight seal
in the environment as described. The rubber tube seal may be made from natural rubber
(an elastic hydrocarbon polymer) or from any synthetic rubber, as long as the rubber
of choice has the physical properties required for forming an air-tight seal.
[0028] FIG. 4, a sectional view, illustrates the seal formed between two firm casing sections
32 and
34 that have been joined together to form an air-tightly sealed housing about a tool
and how the sealing perimeters of the casing sections are shaped to work in concert
with the seals to assure the formation of air-tight sealing of the casing sections.
Thus, once the desired tool and/or tool components are situated within the firm layer
sections
32 and
34 adapted for receiving the tool, the sections are joined together to form an air-tight
casing seal by a reinforcing combination of the sealing power of the seals that are
inserted into the grooves of the sealing rims of one section of the casing with the
additional of the extra sealing force provided by the protruding ridges formed on
the sealing rims of the complementary casing section. Thus, not only are the seals
present, but the protruding ridges that press into the seal to compress the seal assure
a tight, secure seal is made. In particular, inserted into groove
36, formed during the molding process of right hand firm part layer
32 is upper seal
52. Once the two firm part layer sections
32 and
34 are joined together along their joining perimeters, protruding ridge
53 on joining perimeter edge of left hand part
34 of plastic shell
44 compresses seal
52 to form an airtight seal between the two sections.
[0029] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific and defined
nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will
be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in
order to practice the invention. For example, the shape and size of the casing can
vary to accommodate the shape and size of the tool to be encased. The size, shape,
and composition of the seals can likely be chosen as required. The number of sections
of casing and the number and compartments within the casing depend, also, on the tool
that is to be encased. Thus, the foregoing description of the specific embodiment
is presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Those skilled
in the art will recognize that many changes may be made to the features, embodiments,
and methods of making the embodiments of the invention described herein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the present invention includes
all the variation, methods, modifications, and combinations of features within the
scope of the appended claims, thus the invention is limited only by the claims.
The following numbered clauses are not claims, but form part of the description and
define aspects and preferred embodiments of the invention. The claims will be filed
later.
- 1. A tool casing, comprising:
at least two casing sections so molded that once positioned about a tool to be encased
and joined together at their sealing perimeters with seals therebetween form an air-tight
casing for encasing a tool.
- 2. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 1, wherein a groove is molded into the sealing
perimeter of one casing section forming a grooved casing section.
- 3. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 2, wherein a seal is inserted into said groove.
- 4. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 1, wherein a protruding ridge molded into
the sealing perimeter of a casing section that is to be joined to said grooved casing
section is adapted for compressing the seal inserted into said grooved casing section
providing for an air-tightly sealed casing when the two sections are joined.
- 5. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 1, wherein each of at least two casing sections
is so contoured as to provide air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments for receiving
tool components to be encased.
- 6. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 4, wherein opposing joining perimeters of
said air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments are adapted with said grooves
and protruding ridges, respectively.
- 7. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 1, wherein the tool is a pneumatic tool.
- 8. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 7, wherein the pneumatic tool is either a
central or self-generating vacuum pneumatic tool.
- 9. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 1, wherein each casing section comprises a
molded firm inner layer coated by an outer pliant overmolded layer.
- 10. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 9, wherein said molded firm inner layer comprises
a firm plastic layer.
- 11. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 9, wherein said molded outer pliable overmolded
layer comprises a urethane overmolded layer.
- 12. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 5, wherein said air-tightly sealable inner-casing
compartments further comprise a first air-tightly sealed molded chamber for accommodating
an exhaust chamber.
- 13. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 12, wherein said air-tightly sealable inner-casing
compartments further comprise a second molded chamber for accommodating an exhaust
tube and an inlet tub.
- 14. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 13, wherein said air-tightly sealable inner-casing
compartments further comprise a second air-tightly sealed molded chamber for accommodating
a vacuum chamber.
- 15. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 7, wherein the pneumatic tool is a non-vacuum
pneumatic tool.
- 16. A multi-shell casing, comprising:
an air-tightly sealable, sectional casing comprising:
a first molded casing section, and
a second molded casing section,
said first molded casing section molded having seal accepting grooves in its joining
perimeter edges,
said second molded casing section molded having protruding ridges in its joining perimeters
edges,
at least one seal for positioning within said seal accepting grooves;
said protruding ridges adaptedly shaped for exerting a continuous pressure against
said seals once said seals are position within said grooves and said first and second
molded casing sections are joined together.
- 17. The multi-shell casing, as recited in Claim 16, wherein each of said first and
second sections are so shapedly contoured to form air-tightly sealable inner-casing
compartments for receiving components to be encased, where opposing joining perimeters
of said air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments are adapted with said grooves
and protruding ridges, respectively, so that when said components to be encased are
received with said compartments and said seals are positioned within each perimeter
groove, and when said sections are joined an air-tight sealed casing having air-tightly
sealed compartments housing said components is provided.
- 18. The multi-shell casing, as recited in Claim 17, wherein said components define
a tool.
- 19. The multi-shell casing, as recited in Claim 18, wherein said tool is a pneumatic
tool.
- 20. A method for making a multi-shell casing, comprising:
providing for an air-tightly sealable, sectional casing comprising:
molding a first casing section,
molding a second casing section,
molding said first molded casing section to have seal accepting grooves in its joining
perimeter edges,
molding said second molded casing section molded to have protruding ridges in its
joining perimeters edges,
positioning at least one seal within said seal accepting grooves;
adaptedly shaping said protruding ridges for exerting a continuous pressure against
said seals once said seals are position within said grooves and said first and second
molded casing sections are joined together.
1. A tool casing, comprising:
at least two tool encasing casing sections each molded to have a sealing perimeter
with one casing section molded with a grooved sealing perimeter so once said casing
sections are positioned about a tool and joined together at their sealing perimeters
with at least one seal positioned therebetween form an air-tight casing for encasing
a tool.
2. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 1, wherein a seal is inserted into said groove.
3. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 2, wherein a protruding ridge molded into the
sealing perimeter of a casing section that is to be joined to said grooved casing
section is adapted for compressing the seal inserted into said grooved casing section
providing for an air-tightly sealed casing when the two sections are joined.
4. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 1, wherein each of said at least two casing sections
is so contoured as to provide air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments for receiving
tool components to be encased.
5. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 4, wherein opposing joining perimeters of said
air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments are adapted with said grooves and protruding
ridges, respectively.
6. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 1, wherein the tool is either a Non-Vacuum, Central
Vacuum or Self-Generating vacuum pneumatic tool.
7. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 1, wherein each casing section comprises a molded
firm inner layer coated by an outer pliant overmolded layer.
8. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 4, wherein said air-tightly sealable inner-casing
compartments further comprise a first air-tightly sealed molded chamber for accommodating
an exhaust chamber.
9. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 4, wherein said air-tightly sealable inner-casing
compartments further comprise a second molded chamber for accommodating an exhaust
tube and an inlet tube.
10. The tool casing, as recited in Claim 4, wherein said air-tightly sealable inner-casing
compartments further comprise a second air-tightly sealed molded chamber for accommodating
a vacuum chamber.
11. A multi-shell casing, comprising:
an air-tightly sealable, sectional casing comprising:
a first molded casing section, and
a second molded casing section,
said first molded casing section molded having seal accepting grooves in its joining
perimeter edges,
said second molded casing section molded having protruding ridges in its joining perimeters
edges,
at least one seal for positioning within said seal accepting grooves;
said protruding ridges adaptedly shaped for exerting a continuous pressure against
said seals once said seals are position within said grooves and said first and second
molded casing sections are joined together.
12. The multi-shell casing, as recited in Claim 11, wherein each of said first and second
sections are so shapedly contoured to form air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments
for receiving components to be encased, where opposing joining perimeters of said
air-tightly sealable inner-casing compartments are adapted with said grooves and protruding
ridges, respectively, so that when said components to be encased are received with
said compartments and said seals are positioned within each perimeter groove, and
when said sections are joined an air-tight sealed casing having air-tightly sealed
compartments housing said components is provided.
13. The multi-shell casing, as recited in Claim 12, wherein said components define a tool.
14. The multi-shell casing, as recited in Claim 13, wherein said tool is a pneumatic tool.
15. A method for making a multi-shell casing, comprising:
providing for an air-tightly sealable, sectional casing comprising:
molding a first casing section,
molding a second casing section,
molding said first molded casing section to have seal accepting grooves in its joining
perimeter edges,
molding said second molded casing section molded to have protruding ridges in its
joining perimeters edges,
positioning at least one seal within said seal accepting grooves;
adaptedly shaping said protruding ridges for exerting a continuous pressure against
said seals once said seals are position within said grooves and said first and second
molded casing sections are joined together.