Woodworking – Work guide – Simultaneous adjustments along length
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-22
2001-06-26
Bray, W Donald (Department: 3725)
Woodworking
Work guide
Simultaneous adjustments along length
C144S253800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250349
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to jointer fence systems and methods and, more specifically, to adjustable fences for supporting a work piece at a desired angle and location relative to a jointer table.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A jointer is designed to allow an operator to form a precise angle between two surfaces on a work piece, usually a wood board to be used in a final product such as furniture, cabinetry, interior trim, and the like. Often, the angle between the two surfaces must be exact to obtain a final product of high quality.
The jointer comprises a table assembly having first and second table sections. A gap is formed between the two table sections. A cutter assembly defining a cylindrical cutting path is mounted to the table assembly between the first and second table sections such that the cutting path extends into and along the length of the gap. A jointer fence assembly is mounted to the table assembly such that a jointer fence surface is supported above the first and second table sections and extends across the gap; the jointer fence defines, and thus will be parallel to, the direction of travel of the work piece during cutting. In particular, the operator places the work piece on the first table section and, while firmly holding the work piece against the jointer fence surface, slides the work piece over the gap. The cutter assembly removes a small amount of the work piece as the work piece slides over the gap.
The gap defines a gap width, a gap length, and a gap offset. The gap width is the distance between the first and second table sections in the direction of travel of work piece. The gap length is the dimension of the gap in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the work piece. The first and second table sections define first and second planar table surfaces, respecively. Normally, the second table surface will be approximately the same height as the cutting plane and slightly higher than the first table surface so that the work piece is stably supported after it has been cut. The gap offset is the difference in vertical height between the first and second table surfaces.
Often, the jointer fence assembly is adjustable such that a location of the jointer fence assembly along the gap length can be adjusted. This allows the amount of exposed gap (and thus rotating cutter assembly) to be controlled to just the amount necessary for the dimensions of the work piece being cut.
The surface of the work piece that is held against the jointer fence surface will be referred to herein as the reference surface. The surface that is cut by the jointer cutter assembly will be referred to as the cut surface. The angle between the jointer fence surface and the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical cutting path will be referred to herein as the jointer fence angle. The angle between the reference and cut surfaces after the cut has been made will be referred to as the cut angle. The jointer fence angle will define the cut angle.
Normally, while designing the final product, the operator determines a desired angle between the reference surface and the cut surface. To ensure that the actual cut angle formed equals the desired angle, the jointer fence angle must be set precisely and the fence assembly locked in place such that this angle does not change during a given cut or even during subsequent cuts.
A number of factors complicate the design and fabrication of a jointer fence assembly that allows a jointer fence angle to be set accurately and consistently to match the desired angle. For example, the desired angle may be different for different cuts; the operator therefore must be able to adjust the jointer fence angle. To be adjustable, the fence assembly must use pivots or hinges that allow do not the fence assembly to move slightly when the work piece is securely held against the fence surface. Any such movement of the fence assembly may allow the jointer fence angle to deviate from the desired angle.
In addition, a design that allows the jointer fence surface to be moved across the length of the gap also creates the possibility of movement that allows the jointer fence angle to deviate from the desired angle.
The need thus exists for jointer fence systems and methods that may be manufactured at reasonable cost but which allow the formation of a cut angle that matches a desired angle with a high degree of accuracy.
PRIOR ART
The Applicant is aware of a number of jointer fences that are currently on the market.
Grizzly Industrial, Inc., the assignee of the present invention, currently sells a line of jointers adapted to use a jointer fence. The Grizzly Model G1018 8″ Heavy Duty Jointer and Model G1182 6″ Heavy Duty Jointer (G1182 HW; G1182 Z; G1182 ZX) incorporate a hinge member that is connected between a fence base and a fence member by parallel hinge connections. The fence bases of these machines are slideably mounted on the table assembly such that the entire fence assembly can be moved across the cutter gap. Each of the hinge connections of the Grizzly Heavy Duty Jointers creates the opportunity for movement that can cause the cut angle to be inaccurate.
The Applicant is also aware of the King Wooma Model No. CC-1516 Hand Jointer. This jointer employs a jointer fence comprising a base member that is pivotably connected to a fence member by a hinge connection and rigidly bolted to a cylindrical bar. The hinge connection is formed by a hinge member and a hinge bracket. The hinge bracket is rigidly bolted to the fence member. The hinge member extends through a slot in the base member and is pivotably connected at its ends to the hinge bracket. The hinge member can move up and down within the slot to allow the angle of the fence member to be changed. The cylindrical bar extends through a cylindrical opening in a bar mount and allows movement of a base member, and thus the fence member, along the length of the cutter opening. The hinge connection used by this device creates numerous points where movement may occur between the base member and the fence member.
The following references were uncovered as part of a professional patentability search conducted on behalf of the Applicant:
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,533,557 to Jedlicka et al. and 3,035,619 to Gaskell disclose jointer fences in which the fence is pivotably connected at its lower end to a fence base.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,447 to Monobe discloses a jointer fence that pivotally connected to a support plate at a location spaced behind the fence member. This patent discloses a fence guard that is drawn over the cutter behind the fence as the fence moves across the table.
Canadian Patent No. 644,675 discloses a jointer fence having a rounded bottom edge.
From the foregoing, it should be clear that a primary object of the present invention is to provide improved fence systems for jointers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects are obtained by a jointer fence assembly and method for a jointer system as described herein. The jointer system comprises a table assembly defining a table surface and a cutter gap and a cutter assembly arranged within the cutter gap. The jointer fence assembly comprises a fence member assembly defining a fence surface, a fence extension assembly, a fence tilt assembly, and a fence lock assembly. The fence extension assembly comprising a fence support that may be moved across the cutter gap. The fence tilt assembly is connected between the fence support and the fence member assembly such that the fence member assembly rotates about a fence pivot axis spaced above the table surface. The fence lock assembly is connected between the fence support and the fence member that allows a fence angle between the fence surface and the table surface to be locked into a desired angle. During operation of the fence assembly, a portion of the fence member assembly extends below the fence axis such that the fence member assembly is closely adjacent to the table surface as the fence member assembly rotates about the fence pivot axis.
The present invention may be embodi
Bray W Donald
Grizzly Industrial, Inc.
Hughes & Schacht, PLLC
Schacht Michael R.
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