Linkage device for linear positioning apparatus

• US 7,073,422 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2003
• Issued: 07/11/2006
• 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:
  US10/642,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20050188804A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 834/38, 834/687, 834/671, 834/772
• US Class Current: 83/468.7
• 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 linkage device for coupling a linear positioning apparatus to a machine includes a pair of coupling mechanisms formed of plural plate members in various configurations.

Claims

1. An automatic positioning system for a table saw including a saw blade, a fence, and a guide track, the fence being moveable along the guide track to alter the distance between the fence and the saw blade, the system comprising

a rail structure,

a carriage assembly connected to the fence configured to move back and forth along the rail structure thereby causing the fence to move along the guide track, and

at least two linkage structures for connecting the rail structure in parallel with the guide track, each linkage structure including a first sheet member attached to the rail structure, a second sheet member attached to the guide track of the table saw, and a fastening device rigidly sandwiching the first and second sheet members in parallel together.

2. The system of claim 1, each linkage structure further comprising

a third sheet member configured for attachment to the rail structure in sandwiched combination with the first and second sheet members.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second sheet member is sandwiched between the first and third sheet members.

4. The system of claim 2, each linkage structure further comprising

a fourth sheet member configured for attachment to the guide track of the saw in sandwiched combination with the first, second;

and third sheet members.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second and fourth sheet members are sandwiched between the first and third sheet members.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second sheet member has a hook shaped portion configured to fit around at least a portion of a circular guide track.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein each of the second and fourth sheet members has a hook shaped portion configured to fit around at least a portion of a circular guide track.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the rail structure has at least two T-shaped slots for receiving flange portions on bolt members connected to the first sheet member, thereby fastening the first sheet member to the rail structure.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein the rail structure has at least two T-shaped slots for receiving flange portions on bolt members connected to the first and third sheet members, thereby fastening the first and third sheet members to the rail structure.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second sheet members have one or more series of coinciding holes permitting the first and second sheet members to be bolted together in different relative orientations by pairing different combinations of holes from the sheet members.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second sheet members have one or more series of coinciding holes permitting the first and second sheet members to be bolted together in different relative orientations by pairing different combinations of holes from the sheet members.

12. An automatic positioning system for a table saw including a saw blade, a fence, and a guide track, the fence being moveable along the guide track to alter the distance between the fence and the saw blade, the system comprising

a rail structure,

a carriage assembly connected to the fence configured to move back and forth along the rail structure thereby causing the fence to move along the guide track,

at least two linkage structures for connecting the rail structure in parallel with the guide track, each linkage structure including a first sheet member configured for attachment to the rail structure, a second sheet member configured for attachment to the guide track of the table saw, and a fastening device rigidly sandwiching the first and second sheet members together, and

each linkage structure further comprising a third sheet member configured for attachment to the rail structure in sandwiched combination with the first and second sheet members.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second sheet member is sandwiched between the first and third sheet members.

14. The system of claim 12, each linkage structure further comprising

a fourth sheet member configured for attachment to the guide track of the saw in sandwiched combination with the first, second, and third sheet members.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the second and fourth sheet members are sandwiched between the first and third sheet members.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein each of the second and fourth sheet members has a hook shaped portion configured to fit around at least a portion of a circular guide track.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the rail structure has at least two T-shaped slots for receiving flange portions on bolt members connected to the first and third sheet members, thereby fastening the first and third sheet members to the rail structure.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the second sheet member has a hook shaped portion configured to fit around at least a portion of a circular guide track.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the rail structure has at least two T-shaped slots for receiving flange portions on bolt members connected to the first sheet member, thereby fastening the first sheet member to the rail structure.