Carriage and rail assembly for a linear positioning system

• US 20060086222A1
• Filed: 08/15/2003
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Precision Automation Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Precision Automation Incorporated
• Inventors: Dick, Spencer B.
• Application Number:
  US10/642,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20060086222A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 83/438
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 47/04 of devices for feeding, positioning, clamping, or rotating work
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/001 Measuring or control devices, e.g. for automatic control of work feed pressure on band saw blade measuring in general G01; controlling in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/008 comprising computers
• CPC Class Codes: B27B 27/02 arranged laterally and parallel with respect to the plane of the saw blade
• CPC Class Codes: B27B 27/10 Devices for moving or adjusting the guide fences or stops
• CPC Class Codes: B27B 31/00 Arrangements for conveying, loading, turning, adjusting, or discharging the log or timber, specially designed for saw mills or sawing machines B27B29/00 takes precedence ; arrangements for raising or lowering the feed rollers of gang saw mills B27B3/14; driving mechanisms for the feed rollers of gang saw mills B27B3/16
• CPC Class Codes: B27G 1/00 Machines or devices for removing knots or other irregularities or for filling-up holes filling up cracks or holes in a veneer cutting block B27L5/00; caulking decks B63B5/065
• CPC Class Codes: B27M 1/08 by multi-step processes
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/02 for measuring length, width or thickness G01B11/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0524 Plural cutting steps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/727 With means to guide moving work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/73 Guide fixed to or integral with stationary tool element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/739 Positively confines or otherwise determines path of work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/741 With movable or yieldable guide element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7647 Adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7722 Support and tool relatively adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/773 Work-support includes passageway for tool [e.g., slotted table]

Abstract

A carriage and rail assembly for a linear positioning system includes a carriage mounted on a threaded screw member at least partially enclosed in a cylindrical housing.

Claims

1. A linear positioning system for guiding a rip fence structure on a table saw comprising

a rail assembly including a threaded rod substantially enclosed in a cylindrical housing having a longitudinal opening adjacent a T-shaped track,

a carriage configured to move back and forth along the rail assembly, the carriage having a threaded portion mounted on the rod, and a flange portion extending through the opening to the outside of the housing, the flange portion having a first T-slot configured to permit smooth sliding of the carriage on the T-shaped track of the housing, and

a rigid coupling device connecting the carriage to the fence structure so that movement of the carriage along the threaded rod causes corresponding movement of the fence structure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the only contact between the rail assembly and carriage is along the T-shaped track.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the flange portion has a second T-slot for attaching the coupling device to the carriage.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the coupling device is attached to the carriage at least at two points.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the two points define a line substantially parallel to the direction of fence structure movement.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the flange portion has a third T-slot for attaching an interlock device capable of preventing operation of the saw when the carriage is moving.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing has one or more external longitudinal T-slots for attaching the housing to other structures.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first T-slot has low friction material on an inner side of the slot for minimizing friction between the T-shaped rail and first T-slot.

9. A linear positioning system for guiding a rip fence structure on a table saw comprising

a rail assembly including a threaded rod substantially enclosed in a cylindrical housing having a longitudinal opening,

a carriage configured to move back and forth along the rail assembly, the carriage having a threaded portion mounted on the rod, and a flange portion extending through the opening to the outside of the housing, and

a rigid coupling device connecting the carriage to the fence structure so that movement of the carriage along the threaded rod causes corresponding movement of the fence structure.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the housing has a T-shaped rail adjacent the opening.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the flange portion of the carriage has a first T-slot configured to permit smooth sliding of the carriage on the T-shaped track of the housing.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the flange portion has a second T-slot for attaching the coupling device to the carriage.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the coupling device is attached to the carriage at least at two points.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the two points define a line substantially parallel to the direction of fence structure movement.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the T-slot has low friction material on an inner side of the slot for minimizing friction between the T-shaped rail and first T-slot.

16. A linear positioning system for guiding a rip fence structure on a table saw comprising

a rail assembly including a threaded rod substantially enclosed in a cylindrical housing having a longitudinal opening adjacent a T-shaped track,

a carriage configured to move back and forth along the rail assembly, the carriage having a threaded portion mounted on the rod, and a flange portion extending through the opening to the outside of the housing, the flange portion having a T-slot configured to permit smooth sliding of the carriage on the T-shaped track of the housing, wherein the only contact between the rail assembly and carriage is along the T-shaped track, and

a rigid coupling device connecting the carriage to the fence structure so that movement of the carriage along the threaded rod causes corresponding movement of the fence structure.