Abrading – Precision device or process - or with condition responsive... – With feeding of tool or work holder
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-12
2001-08-21
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Abrading
Precision device or process - or with condition responsive...
With feeding of tool or work holder
C125S013030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276990
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention as its parent relates generally to motorized table saws and, more particularly, to portable motorized table saws for the cutting of small workpieces, such as ceramic tile and the like.
As previously described in my earlier application, electrically powered table saws for the cutting of small workpieces, such as tile and the like have been well known for years. It is generally desirable for tile saws to be portable so that they can be used in close proximity to the tile job, which could be in a small bathroom or kitchen. Larger tile saws that are not readily portable must be left in the back of a work truck, thereby forcing a tile worker to waste time making numerous trips between the work area and the truck to cut tiles.
One such table saw includes a motor mounted to a support arm extending upward from the edge of a structural frame with a sliding table mounted thereon. A circular blade is mounted to the motor in a position to cut workpieces on the sliding table. The reciprocating table does not extend beyond the edges of the frame. Because the cutting of ceramic tile involves the use of water as a lubricant for the saw blade, the frame of the table saw is mounted on the upper edges of a rectangular tub functioning as a catch basin for water used in the cutting process. The motor of the saw is electrically powered ad has a motor switch mounted thereon that is manually activated each time a tile is to be cut.
As stated in my earlier application, while this table saw has proven to be generally satisfactory, it has a number of drawbacks that render it inconvenient to use and limit its ability to cut different size tile in confined spaces, such as a small bathroom or the like. Significantly, the distance between the saw blade and motor support arm limits the size of the workpiece that can be cut by the saw. Further, because the reciprocating table is limited in its travel to the ends of the frame, the saw is further limited in its ability to cut long tiles. Yet another drawback is related to the manual switch that activates the motor. Because this switch must be activated by the operator again and again as each of the numerous tiles are cut, a particular job will take longer due to the cumulative time spent in activating and deactivating the switch for each tile cut.
It should, therefore, be appreciated that there is a need for a portable and compact saw that has easily moveable operating components and which permits the cutting of large workpieces. The present invention fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a portable and compact saw that permits the cutting of large workpieces and that can be repeatedly operated by reason of the roller system utilized without becoming clogged or difficult to use. A pivoting or stationary support arm allows the cutting of large workpieces, while allowing the size of the saw to remain relatively compact.
In particular, and for purposes of example only, the invention provides a compact saw for cutting a workpiece. The saw includes a frame, a carriage, a table, a support arm and a motor assembly. The frame has at least one side edge and at least one end edge and the table is mounted to the carriage, in roller fashion, to support the workpiece thereon. The carriage in turn is roller mounted on the frame for linear movement. The table has an upper surface aligned in a predetermined plane. The support arm is mounted adjacent to the side edge of the frame and projects upwardly from the frame and may be stationary or pivotable for compactness. The motor assembly is mounted to the support arm and includes a motor and a saw blade connected to the motor to cut the workpiece. As indicated, the support arm may be pivotally mounted to the frame for rotation about a first axis generally perpendicular to the plane that is aligned with the upper surface of the table.
In a more detailed aspect of the invention, as disclosed in my earlier application, the support arm pivots about the axis between a stowed position and an extended position. In the stowed position, the support arm is aligned with the side edge of the frame and, in the extended position, the arm projects away from the side edge of the frame to increase the distance between the support arm and the blade to advantageously allow cutting of larger workpieces. However, where the support arm is fixed, advantages of the disclosed invention are readily apparent.
More detailed aspects of the invention provide for the motor assembly to be pivotally mounted to the support arm for rotation about a second predetermined axis. This second axis can be aligned with the first predetermined axis about which the support arm pivots to enable the movement of the support arm between the extended and stowed positions without requiring the movement of the motor assembly.
Though not disclosed herein, this embodiment of the invention may provide for the compact saw that includes a sensor and a power switch mounted to a motor assembly. As disclosed in my earlier application the power switch is connected to a power source and the motor, thereby allowing the sensor to activate the power switch to energize the motor assembly. In this embodiment, the sensor is an arm pivotally mounted to the power switch. The arm projects from the switch toward a predetermined location above the saw table so that movement of the workpiece toward the saw blade causes the workpiece to engage the arm, thereby rotating it and activating the power switch. This automatic activation of the saw advantageously allows an operator to quickly activate the saw for repeated cutting operations. All of this is adequately disclosed in my earlier application and may be included in the invention disclosed herein. The sliding carriage assembly is roller mounted between the frame and the table for linear movement parallel to an edge of the frame so that the table translates to a position beyond the end of the frame for cutting of a larger workpiece. This sliding table contributes to the compact size of the saw by advantageously traveling beyond the frame to hold and cut large workpieces when desired. The roller mounted table secured to the carriage is linearly moveable with respect thereto. Having roller mounting as opposed to slide mounting facilitates use of the saw and also makes the saw easier to use where tile cutting debris is expected to accumulate on working parts.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1900553 (1933-03-01), Hampton
patent: 2903026 (1959-09-01), Frydenlund
patent: 3807095 (1974-04-01), Harding
patent: 3935777 (1976-02-01), Bassett
patent: 4280472 (1981-07-01), Cochran
patent: 4428159 (1984-01-01), Sigetich
patent: 4991354 (1991-02-01), Schweickhardt
patent: 5010978 (1991-04-01), Jimmerson
patent: 6080041 (2000-06-01), Greenland
patent: 2681055 (1992-05-01), None
patent: 61219543 (1986-09-01), None
patent: 62246441 (1987-10-01), None
Cislo & Thomas LLP
Hail III Joseph J.
Sharley Daniel
LandOfFree
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