System, apparatus, and method for blade clearance tuning

• US 6,594,879 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2002
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Corporation (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Corporation (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wheeler, Dale K., Lessig, William R. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Vidovich, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): COMPTON, ERIC B
• Application Number:
  US10/189,377
• Publication Number:
  US 20020170179A1
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• Field of Search: 292/51, 292/835, 292/811, 292/813, 292/816, 294/34, 295/05, 295/09, 295/25, 295/250.1, 295/250.2, 295/250.3, 295/241, 297/98, 723/25, 723/27, 100/295, 411/504, 411/506, 403/188, 403/192, 403/194, 403/961, 403/162, 403/163, 227/20, 227/61, 227/62, 227/77, 227/144
• US Class Current: 29/434
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 3/053 motor-driven
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/025 specially designed to compensate for misalignement or to eliminate unwanted play
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49948 Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5343 Means to drive self-piercing work part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5397 and assembling press [e.g., truss assembling means, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53996 by deforming
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/9464 For rotary tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/9481 Tool is single element reciprocable along elongate cutting edge [e.g., saw blade, etc.]

Abstract

When connecting two elements that are moveable with respect to one another, someamount of clearance, i.e., spacing between the elements, is included to minimize friction between the elements. The present invention is directed to setting the clearance within a desired range, regardless of manufacturing tolerances of the two elements. In particular, the present invention is directed to power cutting tools wherein it is necessary to set the clearance between one or more reciprocating blades and a blade support member.

Claims

1. An apparatus for setting a clearance between relatively movable elements connected by a spacer having a flange, the apparatus comprising:

a first jaw adapted for engaging a first one of the relatively movable elements;

a second jaw including a surface adapted for engaging a second one of the relatively movable elements, said surface having a recess of sufficient depth so as to engage the flange to deform the first one of the relatively movable elements and limit spacer displacement by engaging said surface with the second one of the relatively movable elements; and

a press moving said first and second jaws toward one another.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recess extends from said surface into said second jaw a distance adapted to be greater than a thickness of the flange.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first jaw includes a recess adapted to accommodate deformation of the first one of the relatively movable elements caused by the spacer.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second jaw further including a heater adapted for heating the spacer and softening and/or melting the first one of the relatively movable elements.

5. A method of setting a clearance between relatively movable elements, the method comprising:

orienting adjacent first and second relatively movable elements against a first press jaw;

inserting a third element along an axis extending through an aperture in said second element, said third element including;

a first axial portion extending a first dimension along said axis between first and second axial ends, said first dimension exceeding a thickness of said second element along said axis, and

a second axial portion being connected to said first axial portion at said second axial end and having an enlarged radial dimension relative to said first portion, said second element being interposed between said first element and said second portion;

aligning a second press jaw against said third element and in opposition to said first press jaw;

pressing said third element along said axis against said first element;

deforming said first element with said first axial end so as to create a depression extending into said first element a second dimension; and

engaging a surface of said second press jaw with said second element so as to stop displacement of said third element, said surface including a recess adapted for engaging said second axial portion of said third element;

whereby axial clearance between said first element, said second element, and said second portion is equal to said first dimension less a combined total of said thickness and said second dimension.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said second press jaw includes a recess having a depth equal to a sum of said axial clearance and an axial dimension of said second axial portion.

7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:

orienting a fourth relatively movable element adjacent to said second element;

whereby said third element is inserted through said second and fourth elements along said axis.