Woodworking – Shaping machine – Vertical spindle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-18
2001-10-23
Bray, W. Donald (Department: 3725)
Woodworking
Shaping machine
Vertical spindle
C144S002100, C144S092000, C144S245100, C144S243000, C144S250120, C144S365000, C408S070000, C408S138000, C198S783000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305446
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to cutting machines, and more specifically, to a machine for processing sheets or boards of material.
Cutting machines for processing sheets or boards are used, for example, in furniture production and architectural industries. Current machines frequently require separate jigs or fixtures for supporting the piece of work and/or guiding the tools operating upon it. Machining of the work is inefficient, invariably being conducted from only one side of the work piece. Production of single items frequently requires several manufacturing steps during which the work may be transferred between a number of conventional machines. Examples of typical machines required include borers, rotary shapers, panel saws, tenoners, moulders and the like.
GB 1413106 discloses apparatus for working on an elongate work piece comprising driven rollers, an opposed set of idling pressure rollers, and cutting tools disposed on either side of the work piece substantially between the rollers.
GB 1307819 discloses a cutting machine comprising first and second work piece support means including opposed surfaces operable to grip a work piece and move it in a controlled manner in a first dimension, and first and second cutting tools disposed substantially between the first and second work piece support means such that they are operable to approach and cut the work piece from opposite sides, whereby each cutting tool is movable in a second and third dimensions that are substantially orthogonal to the first dimension and to each other.
This invention seeks to provide an improved cutting machine.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cutting machine comprising first and second work piece support means, said means including opposed surfaces operable to grip a work piece and move it in a controlled manner in a first dimension, and first and second cutting tools disposed substantially between the first and second work piece support means such that they are operable to approach and cut the work piece from opposite sides, each cutting tool being movable in second and third dimensions that are substantially orthogonal to the first dimension and to each other, characterised in that the machine further comprises one or more elongate scraper bars oriented with their main axis substantially perpendicular to the first dimension and disposed so as to abut surfaces of the work piece adjacent to the area being cut.
Preferably, belts on resiliently-biased conveyor rollers provide the opposed surfaces that grip the work piece. The resilience may be provided by an electric motor drive arrangement for the rollers. The position of the work piece relative to the belt is maintained by frictional forces between belt and work piece surfaces.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a cutting machine comprising gripping work piece support means operable to reversibly feed a work in a feed direction, and a plurality of elongate scraper bars oriented with their main axis substantially perpendicular to the feed direction and disposed so as to abut surfaces of the work piece adjacent to the area being machined.
Preferably the elongate bars are resiliently sprung so that they are biased towards the plane containing the work piece. The bars grip and support the work piece close to the area to be cut, continually clean the belts by virtue of a scraping action, and confine debris from the cutting operation to a specific area.
A preferred cutting machine provides for automatic loading and unloading of the work piece and allows simultaneous machining of more than one surface in a continuous process. The work piece is floated in and out of position by the respective work piece support means which are also used to accurately control the position of the work piece through the process. The elongate bars provide additional support and rigidity in the vicinity of machining operations. They prevent debris created by machining from working between the opposed gripping surfaces and the work piece.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1995505 (1935-03-01), Goss et al.
patent: 3918145 (1975-11-01), Oglivie et al.
patent: 4417680 (1983-11-01), Culley, Jr.
patent: 4640056 (1987-02-01), Stump
patent: 5144737 (1992-09-01), Riesmeier
patent: 5287782 (1994-02-01), Scott
patent: 5477899 (1995-12-01), Schmidt
patent: 1115976 (1968-06-01), None
patent: 1307819 (1973-02-01), None
patent: 1413106 (1975-11-01), None
patent: 2010174A (1979-06-01), None
patent: WO88/04589 (1988-06-01), None
Bray W. Donald
Dougherty J. Charles
LandOfFree
Cutting machine does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cutting machine, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cutting machine will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2594843