Patent Application
20180185936
This disclosure relates to a detent mechanism.
A miter saw apparatus typically includes a base assembly. In general, the base assembly includes a rotatable table with a locking arm. In addition, the base assembly typically includes detents that correspond to predetermined miter angles. With such a configuration, the locking arm is configured to engage with and disengage from a selected one of the detents of the base assembly. When the locking arm is engaged with a selected detent, the rotatable table is held at the miter angle position corresponding to the selected detent, thereby enabling the saw to make a miter cut at that miter angle. Alternatively, when the locking arm is disengaged from the detents, the rotatable table is free to rotate to a different miter angle position.
However, the base assembly may include at least one detent that is not properly aligned with its corresponding miter angle position. When the detents are not properly positioned, this misalignment affects the accuracy of the miter cuts.
The following is a summary of certain embodiments described in detail below. The described aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and the description of these aspects is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be explicitly set forth below.
In an example embodiment, a detent mechanism includes a first detent plate and a second detent plate. The first detent plate includes at least a first detent. The second detent plate includes at least a second detent. The second detent plate is separate from the first detent plate. The first detent and the second detent correspond to different angles of a scale such that the first detent corresponds to a first angle on the scale and the second detent corresponds to a second angle on the scale.
In an example embodiment, a base assembly includes a rotatable table, a scale, and a detent mechanism. The rotatable table includes a locking arm that extends outward from the rotatable table. The scale includes angular measurements. The detent mechanism is configured to interact with the locking arm. The detent mechanism includes at least a first detent plate and a second detent plate. The first detent plate includes at least a first detent. The second detent plate includes at least a second detent. The second detent plate is separate from the first detent plate. The first detent and the second detent correspond to different angles of the scale such that the first detent corresponds to a first angle on the scale and the second detent corresponds to a second angle on the scale.
In an example embodiment, a power tool apparatus includes at least a power tool assembly and a base assembly. The power tool assembly includes a power tool. The base assembly provides a work surface for the power tool. The base assembly includes (a) a rotatable table with a locking arm extending outward from the rotatable table, (b) a scale of angular measurements, and (c) a detent mechanism configured to interact with the locking arm. The detent mechanism includes a first detent plate and a second detent plate. The first detent plate includes at least a first detent. The second detent plate includes at least a second detent. The second detent plate is separate from the first detent plate. The first detent and the second detent correspond to different angles of the scale such that the first detent corresponds to a first angle on the scale and the second detent corresponds to a second angle on the scale.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are further clarified by the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments in view of the accompanying drawings throughout which like characters represent like parts.
The embodiments described above, which have been shown and described by way of example, and many of their advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes can be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosed subject matter or without sacrificing one or more of its advantages. Indeed, the described forms of these embodiments are merely explanatory. These embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, and the following claims are intended to encompass and include such changes and not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling with the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
In an example embodiment, the base 138 includes side portions 132. In an example embodiment, each of the side portions 132 includes a top surface 132A, which is structured to support a workpiece. In addition, each of the side portions 132 is configured to support a fence assembly 134, which includes at least one fence to support a workpiece. For example, in
In an example embodiment, the base 138 includes a table section 144, which is located between the side portions 132. In an example embodiment, the table section 144 is configured to receive a rotatable table 140 (
In an example embodiment, the base assembly 130 includes the rotatable table 140, which is located at the table section 144. In an example embodiment, the rotatable table 140 is configured to rotate about the rotational axis R1 in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2, as shown in
In an example embodiment, the rotatable table 140 includes a locking arm 142, as shown in
In an example embodiment, as shown in
Although
In an alternative example embodiment (not shown), the detent mechanism 150 is segmented into ten detent plates in accordance with ten detents, which correspond to ten different miter angle positions that are often referenced in miter saw applications. More specifically, in this alternative example embodiment (not shown), the detent mechanism 150 includes a first detent plate with a detent for 45 degrees (on the left side), a second detent plate with a detent for 31.6 degrees (on the left side), a third detent plate with a detent for 22.5 degrees (on the left side), a fourth detent plate with a detent for 15 degrees (on the left side), a fifth detent plate with a detent for 0 degrees (at the center), a sixth detent plate with a detent for 15 degrees (on the right side), a seventh detent plate with a detent for 22.5 degrees (on the right side), an eighth detent plate with a detent for 31.6 degrees (on the right side), a ninth detent plate with a detent for 45 degrees (on the right side), and a tenth detent plate with a detent for 60 degrees (on the right side). As demonstrated by this alternative example embodiment, when the detent mechanism 150 is constructed of a greater number of detent plates, the detent mechanism 150 is able to provide a greater level of adjustability of the plurality of detents.
Referring to
For example, in
In an example embodiment, each detent plate includes one or more detents. In an example embodiment, each detent is located on an outer edge portion of the detent mechanism 150 so that each detent is easily accessible. More specifically, as an example, each detent is aligned along curved line 168, which is provided on each detent plate of the detent mechanism 150, as shown in
In an example embodiment, each detent is any suitable mechanical structure that is configured to interact with the locking arm 142. For example, in
In an example embodiment, the component of the locking arm 142 is a detent insert, such as a pin, a wedge, a protruding part, or the like. In this regard, when the component of the locking arm 142 is engaged with a selected one of the detents of the detent mechanism 150, the locking arm 142 is configured to hold the rotatable table 140 at that position such that the power tool assembly 110, e.g. the cutting tool, is configured to operate at the corresponding angular position. On the other hand, when the component of the locking arm 142 is disengaged from the detents of the detent mechanism 150, the locking arm 142 is configured to rotate freely to various angular positions.
In an example embodiment, the detent mechanism 150 comprises an arc shape in plan view. In this regard, for example, each detent plate comprises a section of the arc shape, as shown in
More specifically, when each of the plurality of detent plates is mounted to the base 138, the detent mechanism 150 collectively includes detents that correspond to predetermined miter angles of the angular indicia 146, e.g. the miter scale. For instance, in the example embodiment of
Also, in an example embodiment, the detent mechanism 150 is configured to include other detents corresponding to other predetermined angles of the angular indicia 146. For example, referring to
In an example embodiment, the detent mechanism 150 includes at least one connection portion 162. In an example embodiment, each connection portion 162 comprises any suitable mechanical structure, which is configured to connect to the base 138. As a non-limiting example, in
In an example embodiment, the detent mechanism 150 is structured to include at least one recessed portion of any suitable size and shape on at least a top side (or upper side), a bottom side (or lower side), or both sides of the detent mechanism 150. For instance, in the example embodiment of
In an example embodiment, the detent mechanism 150 includes attachment portions 158. More specifically, each detent plate includes at least one attachment portion 158. In an example embodiment, each attachment portion 158 comprises any suitable mechanical structure that enables or facilitates attachment to the base assembly 130. As a non-limiting example, in
As discussed above, the detent mechanism 150 provides a number of advantageous features. In this regard, for example, the detent mechanism 150 includes a plurality of detent plates, which are physically separate from each other. This feature enables each detent plate of the detent mechanism 150 to be mounted to the base 138 with precision. In an example embodiment, for instance, each detent plate can be mounted to an underside of the base 138 by manipulating at least one mechanical fastener 160 from a top side of the base 138. This top side manipulation is easy and convenient for the user.
Also, with this configuration of the detent mechanism 150, an adjustment of a detent (or set of detents) requires manipulation of only the mechanical fastener 160 (or mechanical fasteners 160), associated with that respective detent plate, and does not require manipulation of all of the mechanical fasteners 160, which are associated with the detent mechanism 150 in its entirety. In this regard, the number of manipulations of mechanical fasteners 160 is reduced, for example, when making an adjustment to a detent (or a set of detents) associated with a detent plate. Accordingly, the detent mechanism 150 enables a detent (or a set of detents) to be adjusted, attached, or detached in a relatively fast and efficient manner.
In addition, the detent mechanism 150 includes a plurality of detent plates in which each detent plate includes at least one detent. This feature is advantageous in that the detent mechanism 150 is structured to provide a piecewise placement of each detent (or set of detents) relative to the fence assembly 134. Referring to
Furthermore, the detent mechanism 150 is able to overcome some detent positioning issues associated with a comparative detent device, which has all of its detents (e.g., detent for 45 degrees on a left side, detent for 0 degrees, detent for 45 degrees on a right side, etc.) integrally formed on a monolithic structure. In this regard, for instance, if the monolithic structure is adjusted so that its detent for 0 degrees is perpendicular to a fixed fence, then its detent for 45 degrees (on a right or left side), may adjust to a position that is not at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the fixed fence. As another example, if the monolithic structure is adjusted so that its detent for 45 degrees (on a right or left side) is positioned at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the fixed fence, then its detent for 0 degrees, may adjust to a position that is not perpendicular to the fixed fence. As illustrated in these examples, when adjusting the detent positions of the comparative detent device relative to the fixed fence, the adjustment of one detent of the monolithic structure may cause the other detents of the monolithic structure to be inaccurately positioned due to the dimensional accuracy of the monolithic structure. However, the detent mechanism 150, as disclosed herein, overcomes these detent positioning issues by providing detents across a plurality of detent plates, which are separately adjustable. Accordingly, since the detent mechanism 150 is structured to allow for the proper placement of each detent (or set of detents) via each detent plate, the power tool apparatus 100 is able to perform an operation at any one of the predetermined miter angles with a high level of accuracy.
That is, the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive, and provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Those skilled in the art can appreciate from the foregoing description that the present invention may be implemented in a variety of forms, and that the various embodiments may be implemented alone or in combination. Therefore, while the embodiments of the present invention have been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments, and the true scope of the embodiments and/or methods of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments shown and described, since various modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification, and following claims. For example, components and functionality may be separated or combined differently than in the manner of the various described embodiments, and may be described using different terminology. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the claims.
