V-block mounting for fixed-base router with deflection limitation rib

• US 5,913,645 A
• Filed: 06/05/1998
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Credo Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: S-B Power Tool Company (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Coffey, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Andrea L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bhargava, Adesh
• Application Number:
  US09/092,667
• Time in Patent Office: 382 Days
• Field of Search: 409/182, 409/181, 409/204, 409/218, 409/206, 144/1 F, 144/136 R, 144/136 A, 144/134 A
• US Class Current: 409/182
• CPC Class Codes: B27C 5/10 Portable hand-operated wood-milling machines; Routers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/306552 Randomly manipulated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/306608 End mill [e.g., router, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/30784 including means to adustably position cutter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/308624 with limit means to aid in positioning of cutter bit or work [e.g., gauge, stop, etc.]

Abstract

The fixed-base router includes a base assembly and a cylindrical motor housing. The base assembly has a tubular member defining a vertically disposed inner cylindrical surface with two longitudinally extending support ribs. The tubular member has a longitudinal slot or opening between a pair of adjacent inner projections. Only the two ribs and the inner projections engage the cylindrical motor housing when the base tubular member is clamped to the cylindrical motor housing. The two support ribs and the slot are substantially equally spaced from each other. Another set of ribs prevents tilt when the tubular member is in an unclamped condition, and a deflection limitation rib is provided to prevent excessive deflection of the base tubular member when the clamping force is too high.

Claims

1. A fixed-base router comprising:

a base assembly including a first annular base member mounting a second vertically disposed base member, said second base member including at least two, horizontally spaced, vertically extending support ribs, at least one clamping surface substantially equally spaced from each of said support ribs and a deflection limitation rib spaced between said support ribs and generally equidistant from each of said support ribs; and

a motor housing having a vertically disposed, cylindrical exterior surface, said motor housing being mounted by said base assembly with said support ribs and said clamping surface in engagement with said exterior surface, said support ribs and said clamping surface establishing the only areas of supporting engagement between the base assembly and said motor housing until and unless said second base member deflects sufficiently to cause contact between said cylindrical exterior surface and said deflection limitation rib.

2. A fixed-base router comprising:

a base including a bottom base member for contacting a work piece and a tubular member connected to said bottom base member and extending away therefrom;

said tubular member having an inner surface and a longitudinally extending opening;

three support ribs connected to said inner surface of said tubular member, said support ribs being spaced approximately equidistant from one another;

a tilt prevention rib connected to said inner surface of said tubular member, said tilt prevention rib being spaced from said support ribs;

a deflection limitation rib connected to said inner surface of said tubular member, said deflection limitation rib being spaced from said tilt prevention rib and being located between two of said support ribs and approximately equidistant from each;

a motor housing having an outer cylindrical surface with a dimension less than said inner surface of said tubular member, said housing being received by said tubular member in a telescoping manner;

a clamp mounted to said tubular member movable from an unclamped position where said opening of said tubular member is extended and a clamped position where said opening of said tubular member is compressed, wherein when said clamp is in an unclamped position, said motor housing is supported by one or more of said support ribs and said tilt prevention rib and when said clamp is in a clamped position, said motor housing is supported only by said support ribs unless said tubular member deflects sufficiently whereby said housing is in contact with said deflection limitation rib.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

one of said support ribs is divided by said opening.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

there are three tilt prevention ribs connected to said inner surface of said tubular member.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

said tilt prevention ribs are spaced from said support ribs.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said deflection limitation rib is generally opposite said support rib that is divided by said opening.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

a section of said tubular member between two of said support ribs deflects inwardly when said clamp is in a clamped position.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein:

said deflection limitation rib is connected to said deflecting section of said tubular member for bearing against said motor housing after a predetermined deflection.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein:

said deflection limitation rib is located approximately equidistant from the two support ribs bordering said deflection section of said tubular member.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein:

said deflection limitation rib has a lesser radial dimension than said support ribs.

11. A fixed-base router comprising:

a base assembly including a tubular base member;

said tubular base member having an inner surface and a longitudinally extended opening;

three support ribs connected to said inner surface of said tubular base member, said support ribs being spaced approximately equidistant from one another;

a tilt prevention rib connected to said inner surface of said tubular base member;

a deflection limitation rib connected to said inner surface of said tubular base member, said deflection limitation rib being located between two of said support ribs and approximately equidistant from each;

a tubular motor housing having an outer surface with a circumferenial dimension less than the circumferenial dimension of said inner surface of said tubular base member, said housing being received by said tubular base member in a telescoping manner;

a clamp mounted to said tubular base member for tightening said tubular base member about said motor housing wherein said housing is supported only by said support ribs.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein:

a section of said tubular base member between two of support ribs deflects inwardly when said clamp is tightened.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein:

said deflection limitation rib is connected to said deflecting section of said tubular base member for bearing against said motor housing after a predetermined amount of deflection.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein:

said deflection limitation rib is located approximately equidistant from the two support ribs bordering said deflection section of said tubular base member.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein:

said deflection limitation rib has a lesser radial dimension than said support ribs.