Movable fence for a machine tool

• US 5,927,857 A
• Filed: 06/27/1997
• Issued: 07/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: O'Banion, Michael L., Puzio, Daniel, Bean, Frederick R., Ceroll, Warren A., Gehret, Robert S., Porter, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Eugenia A.
• Application Number:
  US08/883,749
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 83/438, 83/468.7, 83/477.2, 83/522.18, 83/522.19, 83/468, 269/303, 269/304, 269/315, 269/318, 269/297, 269/298, 269/301, 144/253.1, 144/253.5, 144/286.1, 144/286.5, 144/287, 384/42, 384/23, 384/34, 384/26, 384/35, 384/38, 384/41
• US Class Current: 384/42
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/007 provided with measuring means allowing the positioning of the guides
• 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: Y10T 83/04 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/727 With means to guide moving work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/76 With scale or indicator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/764 Retractable
• 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]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/858 Indicates dimension of work being cut
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/859 Dynamic indicator

Abstract

An adjustable rip fence for a machine tool has a fence which is movable with respect to the cutting tool due to a rack and pinion. The rail assembly supporting the fence include a pair of stationary rails which are secure to the machine tool. A movable rail telescopically engages each stationary rail and the movement of each rail is accomplished by the rotation of a pair of pinion gears each of which engages a respective rack on the movable rails. The simultaneous rotation of the pinion gears is the result of both pinion gears being secured to a common pinion shaft which is rotatably secured to the machine tool. The telescoping nature of the rails allows for adjustment of the fence beyond the working surface of the machine tool.

Claims

1. A rail assembly comprising:

a first rail being substantially C-shaped and having inner and outer peripheries;

a glide strip disposed on and substantially covering the outer periphery of said first rail; and

a second rail slidably disposed on said glide strip;

wherein said glide strip has at least one outwardly extending shim contacting said second rail, and said second rail has at least one inwardly extending shim contacting said glide strip.

2. The rail assembly of claim 1, wherein said glide strip is wrapped around said first rail.

3. The rail assembly of claim 1, wherein said glide strip being made of UHMW polyethylene.

4. The rail assembly of claim 1, wherein said second rail is substantially C-shaped.

5. The rail assembly of claim 1, wherein said second rail comprises at least one aperture.

6. The rail assembly of claim 1, wherein said second rail comprises at least one stud.

7. The rail assembly of claim 1, wherein said second rail comprises a rack.

8. The rail assembly of claim 1, wherein said glide strip covers the first rail.

9. The rail assembly of claim 1, wherein said first rail comprises a wedge assembly for expanding width of the first rail.

10. A rail assembly comprising:

a first rail being substantially C-shaped and having inner and outer peripheries;

a glide strip disposed on and substantially covering the outer periphery of said first rail; and

a second rail slidably contacting said glide strip;

wherein said glide strip has at least one outwardly extending shim contacting said second rail, and said second rail has at least one inwardly extending shim contacting said glide strip.

11. The rail assembly of claim 10, wherein said glide strip is wrapped around said first rail.

12. The rail assembly of claim 10, wherein said second rail is substantially C-shaped.

13. The rail assembly of claim 10, wherein said second rail comprises a rack.

14. The rail assembly of claim 10, wherein said glide strip covers the first rail.