Carriage coupling device

• US 6,918,329 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2003
• Issued: 07/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Precision Automation Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Precision Automation Incorporated
• Inventors: Dick, Spencer B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goodman, Charles
• Application Number:
  US10/642,351
• Publication Number:
  US 20040123712A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 834/40, 834/38, 834/77, 834/771, 834/772, 834/687
• US Class Current: 83/440
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 47/04 of devices for feeding, positioning, clamping, or rotating work
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/001 Measuring or control devices, e.g. for automatic control of work feed pressure on band saw blade measuring in general G01; controlling in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/008 comprising computers
• 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: B27B 31/00 Arrangements for conveying, loading, turning, adjusting, or discharging the log or timber, specially designed for saw mills or sawing machines B27B29/00 takes precedence ; arrangements for raising or lowering the feed rollers of gang saw mills B27B3/14; driving mechanisms for the feed rollers of gang saw mills B27B3/16
• CPC Class Codes: B27G 1/00 Machines or devices for removing knots or other irregularities or for filling-up holes filling up cracks or holes in a veneer cutting block B27L5/00; caulking decks B63B5/065
• CPC Class Codes: B27M 1/08 by multi-step processes
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/02 for measuring length, width or thickness G01B11/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0524 Plural cutting steps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/727 With means to guide moving work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/73 Guide fixed to or integral with stationary tool element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/739 Positively confines or otherwise determines path of work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/741 With movable or yieldable guide element
• 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]

Abstract

A positioning carriage is coupled to a fence structure by a rigid sheet having one or more bends around an axis parallel to the direction of fence structure movement.

Claims

1. A linear positioning system for guiding a rip fence structure on a table saw comprising

a rail assembly,

a carriage configured to move back and forth alone the rail assembly, and

a partially folded coupler sheet rigidly connecting the carriage to the fence structure, wherein the coupler has an opening through which a handle extends for manipulating an interlock that prevents simultaneous operation of the saw when the fence structure is moving.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising

an actuator connectable to the handle, and

a plate member, the actuator being mounted on the plate member, the plate member being rigidly secured to the carriage.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the coupler has plural planar portions, and the plate member has a main planar portion oriented perpendicular to the planar portions of the coupler.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the actuator includes a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder for driving the handle between locked and unlocked positions.

5. A linear positioning system for guiding a rip fence structure on a table saw comprising

a rail assembly,

a carriage configured to move back and forth along the rail assembly, wherein the carriage includes an interlock device that prevents the fence structure from moving during operation of the saw, and

a partially folded coupler sheet rigidly connecting the carriage to the fence structure, wherein the rail assembly includes a substantially circular-cylindrical housing containing a threaded rod, the carriage having complementing threads so the carriage moves along the rail assembly as the threaded rod rotates.

6. A linear positioning system for guiding a rip fence structure on a table saw comprising

a rail assembly,

a carriage configured to move back and forth alone the rail assembly, and

a partially folded coupler sheet rigidly connecting the carriage to the fence structure, wherein the carriage has a first T-shaped groove for receiving one or more bolt members fastening the coupler to the carriage, and a second T-shaped groove for fastening an interlock actuator mounting structure.

7. A linear positioning system for guiding a rip fence structure on a table saw comprising

a rail assembly,

a carriage configured to shuttle along the rail assembly,

a coupler connecting the carriage to the fence,

an interlock actuator mounting plate connected to the carriage, and

an interlock actuator supported by the mounting plate operable to prevent movement of the fence structure when the saw is running.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the coupler assembly further comprises a partially folded coupler sheet.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the carriage moves in a processing direction parallel to the direction of fence structure movement, the coupler assembly having plural planar portions oriented parallel to the processing direction.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the coupler assembly has a top planar portion secured to a top side of the fence structure.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the interlock actuator device engages a handle for manipulating an interlock that locks the fence structure into position during operation of the saw.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the coupler assembly has an opening through which the handle extends.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the opening is a slot.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the handle extends from the fence structure.

15. The system of claim 7, wherein

the actuator device is connectable to an interlock handle.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the coupler has plural planar portions, and the plate member has a main planar portion oriented perpendicular to the planar portions of the coupler.

17. The system of claim 7, wherein the actuator device comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder for driving a locking handle between locked and unlocked positions.

18. The system of claim 7, wherein the rail assembly comprises a substantially cylindrical housing containing a threaded rod, the carriage having complementing threads so the carriage moves along the rail assembly as the threaded rod rotates.

19. The system of claim 7, wherein the carriage has a T-shaped groove for receiving one or more bolt members fastening the coupler to the carriage.