Router adjustment ring

• US 5,613,813 A
• Filed: 03/12/1996
• Issued: 03/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: One World Technologies (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Ryobi North America (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Winchester, Charles D., McCurry, Ronald C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Daniel W.
• Application Number:
  US08/614,181
• Time in Patent Office: 378 Days
• Field of Search: 409/181, 409/182, 409/206, 409/210, 409/214, 144/136.95, 144/154.5
• US Class Current: 409/182
• CPC Class Codes: B27C 5/10 Portable hand-operated wood-milling machines; Routers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/306608 End mill [e.g., router, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/3084 with position indicator or limit means

Abstract

The height adjustment ring assembly is provided for adjusting height of a router motor housing relative to a router body, the router being movable between upright and inverted positions. The housing includes external threads formed thereon. The height adjustment ring assembly comprises a support member secured to the router base, the support having a radially extending flange portion. An annular adjustment ring includes an internal thread for cooperation with the external threads. Means for entrapping the flange portion with respect to the adjustment ring is provided, thereby limiting relative axial movement while allowing free relative rotation of the adjustment ring with respect to the support member for adjustment of the router motor housing regardless of router position. First and second zero reset rings are rotatably secured to the adjustment ring for relative rotation with respect to the adjustment ring, each reset ring having indicia formed thereon to facilitate accurate adjustment of the motor housing with respect to the router base in both the upright and inverted positions.

Claims

1. A height adjustment ring assembly for adjusting height of a router motor housing relative to a router base, the router being movable between upright and inverted positions, the housing having external threads formed thereon, the height adjustment ring assembly comprising:

a support member secured to the router base, said support member having a radially extending flange portion;

an annular adjustment ring having an internal thread for cooperation with the external threads for height adjustment; and

means for entrapping the flange portion with respect to the adjustment ring, thereby limiting relative axial movement while allowing free relative rotation of the adjustment ring with respect to the support member for adjustment of the router motor housing regardless of router position.

2. The height adjustment ring assembly of claim 1, wherein said means for entrapping the flange portion comprises an annular retainer secured to said adjustment ring and having an inwardly extending rim, whereby the flange portion of said support member is entrapped between said rim and said adjustment ring.

3. The height adjustment ring assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

first and second zero reset rings rotatably secured to said adjustment ring for relative rotation with respect to the adjustment ring, each said zero reset ring having indicia formed thereon; and

first and second reference markers secured with respect to the router body adjacent the first and second zero reset rings, respectively, thus facilitating accurate adjustment of the motor housing with respect to the router base in both the upright and inverted positions.

4. The height adjustment ring assembly of claim 2, wherein said adjustment ring forms a plurality of apertures therethrough and said annular retainer further comprises a plurality of latches extending therefrom for cooperation with said apertures.

5. The height adjustment ring assembly of claim 2, wherein:

said flange portion includes a lower surface;

said annular retainer comprises a generally L-shaped cross-section; and

said inwardly extending rim comprises a first surface which slidably engages said lower surface of said flange portion.

6. The height adjustment ring assembly of claim 2, wherein said adjustment ring comprises:

an inner shell supporting said internal thread and having a lower surface slidably engaging said support member;

a radially extending center portion having a plurality of apertures therethrough for engagement with said retainer, and extending radially outward from said inner shell; and

an outer shell portion extending from said center portion and having a plurality of finger indentations formed therearound to facilitate rotation of the adjustment ring.

7. The height adjustment ring assembly of claim 5, wherein the router base has an upper edge which engages said lower surface of said flange portion.

8. A height adjustment ring assembly for adjusting height of a router motor housing relative to a router base of an invertible router, the housing having external threads formed thereon, the height adjustment ring assembly comprising:

a support member secured to the router base, said support member having a radially extending flange portion;

an annular adjustment ring having an internal thread for cooperation with the external threads; and

an annular retainer secured to said adjustment ring and having an inwardly extending rim, whereby the flange portion of said support member is entrapped between said rim and said adjustment ring, thus limiting relative axial movement while allowing free relative rotation for adjustment of the router motor housing relative to the router base regardless of router position.

9. The height adjustment ring assembly of claim 8, wherein said adjustment ring forms a plurality of apertures therethrough and said annular retainer further comprises a plurality of latches extending therefrom for cooperation with said apertures.

10. The height adjustment ring assembly of claim 8, wherein:

said flange portion includes a lower surface;

said annular retainer comprises a generally L-shaped cross-section; and

said inwardly extending rim comprises a first surface which slidably engages said lower surface of said flange portion.

11. The height adjustment ring assembly of claim 8, wherein said adjustment ring comprises:

an inner shell supporting said internal thread and having a lower surface slidably engaging said support member;

a radially extending center portion having a plurality of apertures therethrough for engagement with said retainer, and extending radially outward from said inner shell; and

an outer shell portion extending from said center portion and having a plurality of finger indentations formed therearound to facilitate rotation of the adjustment ring.

12. The height adjustment ring assembly of claim 10, wherein the router base has an upper edge which engages said lower surface of said flange portion.

13. The height adjustment ring assembly of claim 8, wherein said support member is screwed to said router base.

14. The height adjustment ring assembly of claim 8, wherein said support member and the motor housing each comprise a plurality of matable flats for preventing relative rotation.

15. The height adjustment ring assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

first and second zero reset rings rotatably secured to said adjustment ring for relative rotation with respect to the adjustment ring, each said zero reset ring having indicia formed thereon; and

first and second reference markers secured with respect to the router base adjacent the first and second zero reset rings, respectively, thus facilitating accurate adjustment of the motor housing with respect to the router base in both the upright and inverted positions.

16. A height adjustment ring assembly for adjusting the height of a router motor housing relative to a router base, the router being movable between upright and inverted positions, the housing having external threads formed thereon, the height adjustment ring assembly comprising:

a support member secured to the router base, said support member having a radially extending flange portion;

an annular adjustment ring having an internal thread for cooperation with the external threads, said adjustment ring forming a plurality of apertures therethrough;

an annular retainer having a plurality of latches extending therefrom for cooperation with said apertures, and having an inwardly extending rim, whereby the flange portion of said support member is entrapped between said rim and said adjustment ring, limiting relative axial movement while allowing free relative rotation of the adjustment ring with respect to the support member for adjustment of the router motor housing regardless of router position;

first and second zero reset rings rotatably secured to said adjustment ring for relative rotation between the adjustment ring and the respective zero reset ring, each said zero reset ring having indicia formed thereon; and

first and second reference markers secured with respect to the router base adjacent the first and second zero reset rings, respectively, thus facilitating accurate adjustment of the motor housing with respect to the router base in both the upright and inverted positions.