Cutting – With randomly actuated stopping means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-16
2002-04-02
Peterson, Kenneth E. (Department: 3724)
Cutting
With randomly actuated stopping means
C083S783000, C083S662000, C083SDIG001
Reexamination Certificate
active
06363822
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to an apparatus for a saw. More particularly, the present invention concerns an apparatus for a scroll saw that enables the parallel arms to move substantially independently of each other and that includes a retaining mechanism for one of the parallel arms. The present invention also relates to a drive mechanism and visual speed indicator that provides increased torque, a wide range of cutting speeds and allows for the visual determination of the speed of a saw blade.
2. Description of the Background
One type of conventional scroll saw has two parallel arms which are fixedly connected to each other at one end by a rear link. Each parallel arm also has a free end between which a saw blade extends and is connected thereto. The lower parallel arm is connected directly to a motor that moves the lower arm and the saw blade in a reciprocating motion. Because the lower arm and the upper arm are fixedly connected to one another by the rear link, the lower arm forces the upper arm to move in a corresponding manner to that of the lower arm. The disadvantage to this type of scroll saw is that if the saw blade becomes disengaged from one of the parallel arms or the saw blade breaks, the upper parallel arm will continue to move because it is fixedly connected to the lower parallel arm and, as a result, the broken or detached blade may mar the workpiece. Furthermore, the parallel arms may move out of sync resulting in the saw being damaged.
Conventional saws, drill presses, planers, etc. also typically include a drive mechanism and speed control apparatus for controlling the speed of the drive mechanism. One type of drive mechanism and speed control device employed with a scroll saw comprises a drive motor that is directly connected to the lower arm for moving the arms in a reciprocating motion. A speed control is employed to regulate the speed of the drive motor. The speed control is manually operable by virtue of an on/off dial knob, wherein indicia representing speed measurements is displayed around the knob. In most scroll saw applications, the range of speed of the motor is generally between 400 revolutions per minute (rpm) and 1600 rpm. The user's choice of motor speed is dependent upon the workpiece material and the type of cut is to be made. The disadvantage of this type of drive mechanism and speed control device is that the user is limited to a small range of speed which constrains the type of cut that can be made and the type of workpiece material that can be used. Furthermore, the dial setting, which is usually in small print, can be difficult for the user to read, especially during operation of the saw.
Accordingly, there is a need for a scroll saw that has arms that move substantially independently of one another and that isolates the movement of one of the arms if an arm becomes inadvertently disengaged from the saw blade or the saw blade breaks. There is another need for a drive mechanism and visual speed indicator that is easily observed during operation and that enables the saw to make various cuts on a variety of workpiece materials. There is still another need for a drive mechanism and visual speed indicator that can be easily observed and employed on a myriad of other driven devices, tools, etc.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an arm configuration for a saw having spaced apart arms with a blade extending between and connected to the free ends of the arms and a link member extending between and connected to the other ends of the arms, wherein the arm configuration is constructed to allow the arms to move substantially independently of one another.
The present invention provides a scroll saw having two parallel arms that move substantially independently of one another such that if the saw blade breaks or becomes disengaged from the upper parallel arm, the motion of the upper parallel arm may be stopped to prevent marring of the workpiece or damage to the saw. A link member extends between and connects the distal ends of the two parallel arms and a saw blade extends between and is connected to the proximate ends of the two parallel arms. The link member is pivotably attached to one of the two parallel arms and is slideably attached to the other of the two parallel arms.
The present invention also includes a mechanism that will retain the upper parallel arm if the upper parallel arm becomes disengaged from the saw blade or the saw blade breaks thus, preventing the upper parallel arm from marring the workpiece or damaging the arm configuration. The upper arm retaining mechanism can take the form of a hook-shaped member which is spring loaded and pivotally mounted adjacent is the upper parallel arm.
The present invention further provides a drive mechanism and visual speed indicator which allows for easy verification of the speed of the saw, increased torque and the ability to cut a variety of materials and make a variety of cuts. The drive mechanism and visual speed indicator may be a motor and drive pulley assembly having a transparent pulley cover, wherein the drive belt is highly visible. The user can verify the speed of the pulleys by comparing the position of the drive belt on the pulleys with a speed chart placed on the saw.
The present invention further provides the arm configuration to be sized and proportioned to comfortably maneuver and accept a large workpiece. The space between the two parallel arms of the scroll saw which accepts the workpiece is unobstructed and large enough to maneuver and accept a variety of sized and shaped workpieces.
The present invention further provides that the two parallel arms are made from a composite material. The composite material may be a composite fiber cloth material impregnated with polymer material, wherein the fiber cloth may be carbon fibers.
The present invention solves problems experienced with saws. Those and other advantages and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the preferred embodiments hereinbelow.
REFERENCES:
patent: RE7726 (1877-06-01), Plummer
patent: D85847 (1931-12-01), Tautz
patent: 2721587 (1955-10-01), Dremel
patent: 4616541 (1986-10-01), Eccardt et al.
patent: 4681006 (1987-07-01), Miller
patent: D292713 (1987-11-01), Miller
patent: 4841823 (1989-06-01), Brundage
patent: 4949616 (1990-08-01), Chang
patent: 5065652 (1991-11-01), Legler et al.
patent: 5088369 (1992-02-01), Rice et al.
patent: 5228376 (1993-07-01), Huang
patent: 5235890 (1993-08-01), Mathre
patent: 5363733 (1994-11-01), Baird et al.
patent: 5520081 (1996-05-01), Rice et al.
patent: 5694825 (1997-12-01), Chang
patent: D417227 (1999-11-01), Lei
patent: 6267038 (2001-07-01), O'Banion et al.
Delta 1997/98 Building Trades and Home Shop Machinery, pp. 57-61, Month unknown.
Makita 16″ Variable Speed Scroll Saw Model SJ401 Instruction Manual, pp. 1-19, Date unknown.
Delta 1997/98 Industrial Machinery Catalog, pp. E-2 and E-3, Month unknown.
Delta 2 Speed 16″ Scroll Saw with Quickset Blade Changing Feature(Model 40-560 Type II)Instruction Manual, May 3, 1995, pp. 1-18.
“The New Constant-Tension Scroll Saws, Great in a Tight Spot!”,Wood Magazine, Dec., 1985, pp. 54-59, 74.
Pittman, “Scroll Saw or Jig Saw”,Woodworkers Buyer's Guide to Power Tools, 88-90 and Comparison charts and options, which are not numbered, Date unknown.
Delta 18″ Scroll Saw Instruction Manual, Oct. 2, 1989, pp. 1-15.
The Eagle Precision Scroll Saw, from RBI Industries, Inc., Date unknown.
Delta International Machinery Corp.
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP
Peterson Kenneth E.
LandOfFree
Parallel arm scroll saw and drive mechanism with visual... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Parallel arm scroll saw and drive mechanism with visual..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Parallel arm scroll saw and drive mechanism with visual... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2882081