Band saw fence systems and methods

• US 6,601,493 B1
• Filed: 10/19/2000
• Issued: 08/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Grizzly Industrial Incorporated (S. Balolia Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Grizzly Industrial Incorporated (S. Balolia Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Crofutt, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choi, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US09/692,891
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 834/38, 837/88, 838/09, 838/10, 838/13, 834/772, 834/18, 834/19, 834/21, 834/25, 834/43, 834/45, 834/671, 834/682, 834/683, 834/687, 269/303, 144/253.1, 144/253.6, 144/253.7, 144/253.8, 144/253.9
• US Class Current: 83/438
• CPC Class Codes: B27B 27/08 arranged adjustably, not limited to only one of the groups B27B27/02 - B27B27/06
• CPC Class Codes: B27B 27/10 Devices for moving or adjusting the guide fences or stops
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7201 By varying angle between band and work-support surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/727 With means to guide moving work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7613 Adjustable

Abstract

A fence system for a band saw. The band saw defines an actual cutting plane and has a table having a table surface defining a desired cutting plane. The fence system comprises a rail member, a base member, a locking assembly, a fence member defining a fence surface, and an adjustment system. The rail member is mounted on the table and defines a rail axis that is substantially perpendicular to the desired cutting plane. The base member is supported by the rail member. The locking assembly selectively locks the base member at a selected position along the rail axis. The adjustment system mounts the fence member to the base member at a selected angle relative to the rail axis. The base member defines a pivot point about which the fence member is rotated by the adjustment system, and the pivot point is adjacent to the rail member.

Claims

1. A fence system for a band saw comprising a saw blade defining an actual cutting plane and having a table having a table surface defining a desired cutting plane, where the actual cutting plane is offset from the desired cutting plane, the fence system comprising:

a single rail member mounted along one edge of the table, where the rail member defines a rail axis that is substantially perpendicular to the desired cutting plane;

a base member supported by the rail member, the base member defining a first pivot projection;

a locking assembly to selectively lock the base member at a selected position along the rail axis;

a fence member that defines a fence surface; and

an adjustment system that mounts the fence member to the base member such that the fence member pivots about the first pivot projection at a selected angle relative to the rail axis;

whereby

the adjustment system comprising first and second screw assemblies, the screw assemblies having axis substantially parallel to the rail axis;

the base member is supported by the rail member such that the first pivot projection is adjacent to the rail member; and

the adjustment system is operated such that the selected angle is substantially parallel to the actual cutting plane defined by the saw blade.

2. A fence system as recited in claim 1, in which the adjustment system comprises:

the first screw assembly extending between the base member and the fence member on a first side of the pivot projection; and

the second screw assembly extending between the base member and the fence member on a second side of the pivot projection;

whereby

operating the first and second screw assemblies allows the fence member to be locked into the selected angle.

3. A fence system as recited in claim 2, in which the first and second screw assemblies comprise:

a bolt member having a head portion and a shaft portion, where the head portion engages the fence member; and

a knob member that engages base member, where the knob member engages the shaft portion of the bolt member such that rotation of the knob member relative to the bolt member increases or decreases a distance between the head portion of the bolt member and the knob member.

4. A fence system as recited in claim 2, in which the first and second screw assemblies are supported by first and second vertical slots formed in the base member.

5. A fence system as recited in claim 2, in which the head portions of the first and second screw assemblies are supported by a horizontal slot formed in the fence member.

6. A fence system as recited in claim 4, in which the head portions of the first and second screw assemblies are supported by a horizontal slot formed in the fence member.

7. A fence system as recited in claim 6, in which the first and second screw assemblies comprise:

a bolt member having a head portion and a shaft portion, where the head portion engages the fence member; and

a knob member that engages base member, where the knob member engages the shaft portion of the bolt member such that rotation of the knob member relative to the bolt member increases or decreases a distance between the head portion of the bolt member and the knob member.