Patent Application
20170008188
1. Field
The present disclosure relates to machines for penetrating material by means of a solid tool which applies mechanical deforming force to the material by direct physical contact therewith.
2. Description of Related Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,967 discloses a Laser alignment device for sawmills. The laser alignment device can be detachably mounted on a lumber cutting machine for assisting an operator in properly aligning a workpiece before cutting it into strips of desired widths. The device includes a frame which supports laser devices for projecting cutting-lines on the workpiece, which are visible to the operator. The laser devices are movable on the frame and their positions may be adjusted independent of each other so as to be in alignment with the respective saw blades disposed within the lumber cutting machine. The device further includes devices for locking the desired positions of the laser devices on the frame.
The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
A cutting apparatus can include a frame, a carriage, a saw, and a post. The frame can have a first height defined along a vertically-extending height axis between a first bottom end and a first top end. The carriage can be mounted on the frame for adjustable positioning relative to the frame along the height axis. The carriage can include a first aperture positioned with the frame and defining a cutting plane. The saw can be mounted on the carriage within the frame for sliding movement across the first aperture. The post can be mounted on the carriage. The post can have a second height defined along the height axis between a second bottom end and a second top end. The post can extend along the height axis above the first top end.
The detailed description set forth below references the following drawings:
A plurality of different embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in the Figures of the application. Similar features are shown in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. Similar features across different embodiments have been numbered with a common reference numeral and have been differentiated by an alphabetic suffix. Similar features in a particular embodiment have been numbered with a common two-digit, base reference numeral and have been differentiated by a different leading numeral. Also, to enhance consistency, the structures in any particular drawing share the same alphabetic suffix even if a particular feature is shown in less than all embodiments. Similar features are structured similarly, operate similarly, and/or have the same function unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification. Furthermore, particular features of one embodiment can replace corresponding features in another embodiment or can supplement other embodiments unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification.
The present disclosure, as demonstrated by the exemplary embodiments described below, can provide an improvement for cutting stakes at a specific elevation on a worksite. Known methods are extremely dangerous and require multiple tradesman to execute properly. The present disclosure provides an apparatus allowing a single tradesman to safely perform three operations easily. Prior methods were very strenuous as the tradesman was bent over for extended periods of time operating a saw at his ankles to cut stakes with very little accuracy. Two other tradesman used a laser to mark all the stakes ahead of the tradesman doing the cutting. When the tradesman doing the cutting finished, the stake waste piece would sometimes fall on to the still rotating blade and be deflected outward and would often strike the shins of the tradesman doing the cutting or other workers nearby. The exemplary embodiment can be wrapped in an expanded metal sheeting which acts as a guard to eliminate all existing hazards.
Referring now to
The exemplary frame 12 can also include an enclosing plate 30 at the first top end 24 and at least partially enclosing an inner cavity defined by the frame 12. The exemplary frame 12 can also include feet, such as foot 32, 132, 232, at the first bottom end 22. The feet 32, 132, 232 can include a downward, pointed portion to more easily pierce the ground and can project outward from the rest of the frame 12 to define a landing for feet to press the pointed portion into the ground.
A screen 34 can be interconnected with the vertical members 26, 126 and horizontal members 28, 128 to enclose the inner cavity defined by the frame 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the screen 34 can cover three sides of the frame 12. In
The carriage 14 can be mounted on the frame 12 for adjustable positioning relative to the frame 12 along the height axis 20. The exemplary carriage 14 can include horizontal members, such horizontal members 36, 136, 236. One or more rollers can be mounted on the carriage 14 to guide movement of the carriage 14 relative to the frame 12. Referring now to another embodiment of the present disclosure shown in
The carriage 14a can include a first aperture 40a positioned with the frame 12a and defining a cutting plane. The first aperture 40a can be defined in part by the horizontal members 36a, 136a, and 236a. The saw 16a can be mounted on the carriage 14a within the frame 12a for sliding movement across the first aperture 40a.
The cutting apparatus 10a can include a truck 42a mounted on the carriage 14a for sliding movement transverse to the height axis 20a. The saw 16a can be mounted on the truck 42a. The truck 42a can include horizontal side members 44a, 144a.Rollers such as roller 46a can be mounted on the horizontal side members 44a, 144a and the horizontal members 136a and 236a of the carriage 14a can define tracks receiving the rollers mounted on the truck 42a. The truck 42a can also include horizontal bottom members 48a, 148a. The saw 16a can rest on the horizontal bottom members 48a, 148a.
The truck 42a can also include horizontal top member 50a. The top member 50a and the bottom member 148a can cooperate to define a pocket receiving a portion of the saw 16a. The top member 50a and the bottom member 148a can thus cooperate to secure the saw 16a in place. A set screw 52a can extend through the top member 50a to further enhance securing the saw 16a in place.
One or both of the top member 50a and the bottom member 148a can cooperate with the horizontal members 36a, 136a, 236a of the carriage 14a to define the first aperture 40a. Since the truck 42a is moveable relative to the horizontal members 36a, 136a, 236a, the size of the first aperture 40a is thus variable. The cutting apparatus 10a can also include a biasing device urging the truck 42a to a first side of the carriage 14a and thus maximizing the size of the first aperture 40a. In the exemplary embodiment, the biasing device can be an elastic or “bungee” cord 54a interconnected to the member 148a and the carriage 14a (connection not shown).
Referring again to
Referring now to
Referring again to
In the exemplary embodiment, all of the plurality of drive members 72a, 172a, 272a, 372a can be worms supported for free rotation by the frame 12a. Each of the plurality of drive members 72a, 172a, 272a, 372a can be supported for rotation by bearings disposed between the plurality of drive members 72a, 172a, 272a, 372a and the frame 12a. Respective top ends of the plurality of drive members 72a, 172a, 272a, 372a can be mounted to the enclosing plate 30a to freely rotate. In the exemplary embodiment, all of the plurality of drive members 72a, 172a, 272a, 372a can be engaged with the carriage 14a through threaded apertures in bosses, such as boss 74a having a threaded aperture. Bosses can be mounted on the horizontal members 136a and 236a. Each of the plurality of drive members 72a, 172a, 272a, 372a can be threaded and be received in a boss having a threaded aperture and mounted on the carriage 14a.
The cutting apparatus 10a can also include a transmission arrangement 76a having a plurality of outputs each respectively engaged with one of the plurality of drive members 72a, 172a, 272a, 372a whereby the plurality of drive members operate concurrently. The transmission arrangement 76a can include a plurality of sprockets each engaged with one of the plurality of drive members 72a, 172a, 272a, 372a. An exemplary socket is referenced at 78a. A sprocket can be mounted on each of the plurality of drive members 72a, 172a, 272a, 372a.
The transmission arrangement 76 can also include a chain 80a. The chain 80a can be engaged with each of the plurality of sprockets to concurrent drive all of the plurality of sprockets and thus concurrently drive all of the plurality of drive members 72a, 172a, 272a, 372a. The transmission arrangement 76 can also include a single input. In the exemplary embodiment, the single input can be a pin 82a. A sprocket can be mounted on the pin 82a and the chain 80a can be engaged with the sprocket mounted on the pin 82a. The pin 82a can be mounted to the enclosing plate 30a to freely rotate. The pin 82a can extend through the enclosing plate 30a and be exposed above the enclosing plate 30a. A top of the pin 82a can have a hex shape or other non-round shape to accommodate engagement with a driving tool such as a drill. As best shown in
When the pin 82a is rotated in a first angular direction, the plurality of drive members 72a, 172a, 272a, 372a can be driven in rotation by the transmission arrangement 76a and can urge the carriage 14a upwardly along the height axis 20a. When the pin 82a is rotated in a second angular direction opposition to the first angular direction, the plurality of drive members 72a, 172a, 272a, 372a can be driven in rotation by the transmission arrangement 76a and can urge the carriage 14a downwardly along the height axis 20a.
Referring again to
Referring again to
In operation, one or more stakes may be driven in the ground at a worksite. A rotating laser 94 can positioned at the worksite and emit a laser beam 96 at a desired elevation 98. The cutting apparatus 10 can be grasped by the handles 88, 188 by a tradesman and placed over a stake such that the stake is directed through the first aperture (referenced at 40a in
If the laser receiver 90 is not emitting the audible signal indicating detection of the laser beam 96, the tradesman can then adjust the position of the laser receiver 90 by moving the carriage 14. The tradesman can use a driving tool such as a drill and rotate the pin 82 with the drill until the laser receiver 90 emits the audible signal indicating detection of the laser beam 96. The tradesman can then activate the saw 16 to rotate the saw blade (referenced at 60a in
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Further, the “present disclosure” as that term is used in this document is what is claimed in the claims of this document. The right to claim elements and/or sub-combinations that are disclosed herein as other present disclosures in other patent documents is hereby unconditionally reserved.
