Fence and stop assembly system and method of use thereof

Abstract

A fence and stop assembly system and method of use thereof are disclosed. The fence and stop assembly system may include a fence configured to guide and/or secure a workpiece, and a track defined in the fence extending along a length thereof. The stop assembly may be operably engaged with the track. The stop assembly may include a stop portion configured to engage the workpiece such that at least a part of the stop portion is positioned within the track. The method may include operably engaging a stop assembly with a track defined in a fence such that at least a part of a stop portion of the stop assembly is positioned within the track.

Description

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure is directed to a fence and stop assembly system. More particularly, this disclosure is directed to a fence and stop assembly system having improved accuracy, consistency, and efficiency. Specifically, this disclosure is directed to a fence and stop assembly system having a fence and a selectively engageable and fine-adjustable stop assembly.

Background Information

When undertaking projects, such as, for example, woodworking or metal working projects, a worker may be required to perform repeatable operations on multiple workpieces. For example, a project may require a worker to crosscut multiple workpieces to the same length. As performing repeatable operations on multiple workpieces is typically difficult and time consuming, workers may look for tools to aid the process. However, conventional tools available to workers performing repeatable operations have some drawbacks including, among others, being inaccurate, inconsistent, and inefficient.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a fence and stop assembly system, comprising a fence configured to guide and/or secure a workpiece, a track defined in the fence extending along a length thereof, a stop assembly operably engaged with the track, and a stop portion of the stop assembly configured to engage the workpiece. At least a part of the stop portion may be positioned within the track. In some implementations, the entire stop assembly may be positioned between a top end and a bottom end of the fence.

The track may include a front opening, and the stop assembly may include a pivot shaft defining a pivot axis. The stop portion may be pivotable about the pivot axis between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In some implementations, when the stop portion pivots about the pivot axis from the disengaged position to the engaged position, at least a portion of the stop portion may pass through the front opening defined by the track.

The stop portion may include a stop surface configured to engage the workpiece. In some implementations, when the stop portion is in the disengaged position, the stop surface may face the track, and when the stop portion is in the engaged position, the stop surface may face a direction perpendicular to a front opening defined by the track. In some implementations, the stop portion may pivot about the pivot axis 90 degrees or less between the disengaged position and the engaged position.

The stop assembly may further include a locking assembly configured to engage the track and lock at least a part of the stop assembly at a desired location along the track. The stop assembly may further include a fine-adjustment assembly configured to move the stop portion in a linear direction.

The stop assembly may further include a first portion and a second portion operably engaged with the first portion. The locking assembly may be operably engaged with the first portion and the fine-adjustment assembly may be operably engaged with the second portion. In some implementations, the fine-adjustment assembly may be configured to move the second portion in a linear direction relative to the first portion. The stop portion may be operably engaged with the second portion. In some implementations, the fine-adjustment assembly may be configured to move the stop portion in a linear direction relative to the first portion.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a method, comprising: operably engaging a stop assembly with a track defined in a fence such that at least a part of a stop portion of the stop assembly is positioned within the track. The method may further include moving the stop portion in a linear direction along the track such that the entire stop assembly is positioned between a top end of the fence and a bottom end of the fence when the stop portion moves in the linear direction. The method may further include moving the stop portion in a linear direction along the track such that at least a portion of the stop portion is within the track as the stop portion moves in the linear direction.

The method may further include pivoting the stop portion, about a pivot axis defined by a pivot shaft of the stop assembly, through a front opening defined by the track to position the stop portion in an engaged position. The method may further include pivoting the stop portion, about a pivot axis defined by a pivot shaft of the stop assembly, to an engaged position such that a stop surface of the stop portion faces a direction perpendicular to a front opening defined by the track when the stop portion is in the engaged position. The method may further include pivoting the stop portion, about a pivot axis defined by a pivot shaft of the stop assembly, 90 degrees or less about the pivot axis to an engaged position.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a fence and stop assembly system and method of use thereof. The fence and stop assembly system may include a fence configured to guide and/or secure a workpiece, and a track defined in the fence extending along a length thereof. The stop assembly may be operably engaged with the track. The stop assembly may include a stop portion configured to engage the workpiece such that at least a part of the stop portion is positioned within the track. The method may include operably engaging a stop assembly with a track defined in a fence such that at least a part of a stop portion of the stop assembly is positioned within the track.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Sample embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the following description, are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective environmental view of a fence and stop assembly system being utilized with a miter saw in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partial, left, front, perspective view of the stop assembly operably engaged within a track of the fence;

FIG. 3 is a partial, left, elevation view showing a mounting bracket securing fences to a support;

FIG. 4 is a left, front, top, perspective view of the stop assembly;

FIG. 5 is a cross section view taken along a central longitudinal axis of the stop assembly;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the stop assembly in a disengaged position;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the stop assembly at a midpoint between the disengaged position and an engaged position;

FIG. 8 is a partial, front, operational view showing the stop assembly being operably engaged with the track of the fence;

FIG. 9 is a partial, front, operational view showing the stop assembly being slidably moved along the track to a desired location;

FIG. 10 is a partial, left, elevation view of the mounting brackets, the fences, and the stop assemblies;

FIG. 11 is a partial, top, plan view showing the stop assembly in the engaged position;

FIG. 12 is a partial, front, elevation view showing two stop assemblies operably engaged within the track of the fence at different locations;

FIG. 13 is a partial, front, elevation view showing two stop assemblies where a stop portion of one of the stop assemblies has been fine-tuned from a first location to a second location along the track of the fence;

FIG. 14 is a partial operational view showing a workpiece engaging a stop assembly at a distance from the miter saw; and

FIG. 15 is a partial operational view showing a workpiece engaging a stop assembly at a distance from the miter saw that is different than the distance shown in FIG. 14.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 15, there is shown a fence and stop assembly system in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, generally indicated at 10. As will be described herein, the system 10 may be utilized with a support 12 to improve the accuracy, consistency, and efficiency of performing repeatable operations on workpieces. Although the support 12 is shown as being a table saw table, it is to be understood that the support 12 may be any suitable support, such as, for example, a workbench, platform, or the like.

With primary reference to FIG. 1, support 12, which may also be referred to as table 12, may include a first table portion 14, a second table portion 16, and a third table portion 18. As shown in FIG. 1, the second table portion 16 may be positioned intermediate the first table portion 14 and the third table portion 18. The first table portion 14 may include a top surface 20. The second table portion 16 may include a first side surface 22, a top surface 24, and a second side surface 26. The third table portion 18 may include a top surface 28.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the second table portion 16 may be recessed relative to the first table portion 14 and the third table portion 18. More particularly, the top surface 20 of the first table portion 14 may be coplanar with the top surface 28 of the third table portion 18, and the top surface 24 of the second table portion 16 may be positioned a vertical distance below the top surface 20 of the first table portion 14 and the top surface 28 of the third table portion 18.

The first side surface 22 of the second table portion 16 may extend vertically upward from the top surface 24 of the second table portion 16 to meet the top surface 20 of the first table portion 14 at an edge 30. The top surface 24 of the second table portion 16 may extend between the first side surface 22 and the second side surface 26. The second side surface 26 of the second table portion 16 may extend vertically upward from the top surface 24 of the second table portion 16 to meet the top surface 28 of the third table portion 18 at an edge 32.

With primary reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, the top surface 20 of the first table portion 14 may define an elongated groove 34 (FIG. 3) extending along a length thereof. The groove 34 may include a first sidewall 34a, a second sidewall 34b, and a bottom surface 34c. The top surface 28 of the third table portion 18 may define a groove 36 extending along a length thereof. The groove 36 of the third table portion 18 may be substantially identical to the groove 34 of the first table portion 14, and, as such, will not be further described herein.

With primary reference to FIG. 1, a machine tool 38, shown as a miter saw in FIG. 1, may be provided on the top surface 24 of the second table portion 16. Although the machine tool 38 has shown as being a miter saw, it is to be understood that the machine tool 38 may be any suitable tool, such as, for example, a chop saw, a drill press, or the like.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the machine tool 38 may include a base 40, a support member 42, a cutting blade 44, and a saw fence assembly 46. The base 40 may be positioned on the top surface 24 of the second table portion 16 and may include a support surface 40a, a first side 40b, and a second side 40c. The cutting blade 44 may be operatively engaged with the base 40 by the support member 42 and may cut along a cutting axis X1. The saw fence assembly 46 may include a first lower fence 48, an upper fence 50, and a second lower fence 52.

The first lower fence 48 may include a front surface 48a and may be an elongate member. The first lower fence 48 may be engaged with the support surface 40a of the base 40 proximate the first side 40b of the base 40 and spaced a distance from the cutting axis X1 in a direction perpendicular to the cutting axis X1. The front surface 48a of the first lower fence 48 may extend vertically upward from the support surface 40a of the base 40 such that the front surface 48a of the first lower fence 48 faces a direction parallel with the cutting axis X1.

The upper fence 50 may include a front surface 50a and may be an elongate member. The upper fence 50 may be engaged with a top 48b of the first lower fence 48 and spaced a distance from the cutting axis X1 in a direction perpendicular to the cutting axis X1. The front surface 50a of the upper fence 50 may extend vertically upward from the top 48b of the first lower fence 48 such that the front surface 50a of the upper fence 50 faces a direction parallel with the cutting axis X1. As such, the front surface 48a of the first lower fence 48 and the front surface 50a of the upper fence 50 may be coplanar in a vertical direction with one another.

The second lower fence 52 may include a front surface 52a and may be an elongate member. The second lower fence 52 may be engaged with the support surface 40a of the base 40 proximate the second side 40c of the base 40 and spaced a distance from the cutting axis X1 in a direction perpendicular to the cutting axis X1. The front surface 52a of the second lower fence 52 may extend vertically upward from the support surface 40a of the base 40 such that the front surface 52a faces a direction parallel with the cutting axis X1. The front surface 52a of the second lower fence 52 may be coplanar in a vertical direction with the front surface 48a of the first lower fence 48 and the front surface 50a of the upper fence 50.

As such, the front surface 48a of the first lower fence 48, the front surface 50a of the upper fence 50, and the front surface 52a of the second lower fence 52 may guide and/or secure a workpiece while it is being worked on, such as, for example, while the workpiece is being sawn, planed, routed, marked, drilled, or the like.

With primary reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, and in some implementations, the system 10 may include a first fence 54a, a second fence 54b, a third fence 54c, a fourth fence 54d, a first stop assembly 56a, a second stop assembly 56b, and a plurality of mounting brackets 58. Although the system 10 will be described herein as being configured to utilize multiple fences, multiple stop assemblies, and multiple mounting brackets, it is to be understood that the system 10 may be configured to utilize any suitable number of fences, stop assemblies, and mounting brackets.

It should be noted that the first fence 54a, the second fence 54b, the third fence 54c, and the fourth fence 54d may be substantially identical, and, therefore, only the structure of the first fence 54a will be further described herein, and any such descriptions applied to the first fence 54a may be applied to the second fence 54b, the third fence 54c, and the fourth fence 54d as necessary.

With primary reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 through FIG. 11, the first fence 54a may include a top end 60 (FIG. 10), a bottom end 62 (FIG. 10), a first end 64 (FIG. 8), a second end 66 (FIG. 2), a first side 68 (FIG. 10), and a second side 70 (FIG. 10). The top end 60 and the bottom end 62 may define a vertical direction therebetween. The first end 64 and the second end 66 may define a longitudinal direction therebetween. The first side 68 and the second side 70 may define a transverse direction therebetween.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 through FIG. 11, the first fence 54a may be an elongate longitudinally extending member. In some implementations, the first fence 54a may be made out of aluminum or metal, however, it is to be understood that the first fence 54a may be made out of any suitable material. The first fence 54a may be formed with a first track 72, a second track 74, and a third track 76 therein and extending longitudinally between the first end 64 and the second end 66 of the first fence 54a.

The first side 68 may include a recessed region 68a configured to be engaged with a portion of another fence (e.g., the bottom end 62 of the first fence 54a is engaged with the recessed region 68a of the first side 68 of the second fence 54b as shown in FIG. 10) as more fully described below. The first side 68 may define an imaginary longitudinal vertical plane P (FIG. 10) extending along a length of the first fence 54a (as shown in FIG. 10 when looking toward the first end 64 of the first fence 54a). Stated otherwise, the imaginary longitudinal vertical plane P may be defined by the first side 68 of the first fence 54a and may extend along a length of the first side 68 of the first fence 54a.

The first side 68 of the first fence 54a may be coplanar with the front surface 48a of the first lower fence 48, the front surface 50a of the upper fence 50, and the front surface 52a of the second lower fence 52. As such, and in some implementations, the second end 66 of the first fence 54a may abut the first lower fence 48 and the upper fence 50 of the saw fence assembly 46 to serve as an extension to the saw fence assembly 46. However, in other implementations, the second end 66 of the first fence 54a may be placed proximate the machine tool, such as, for example, when a machine tool does not have a fence assembly.

With primary reference to FIG. 10, the first track 72 may be formed in the first fence 54a as an elongate longitudinally extending T-track having a first end opening, a second end opening, and a front opening 78, each of which leading to an interior surface 80. The interior surface 80 of the first track 72 may include an elongate base portion 80a and an elongate stem portion 80b. The base portion 80a may have a width W1 and the stem portion 80b may have a width W2. In some implementations, width W1 may be greater than width W2, however, width W1 and width W2 may be any suitable dimensions.

With continued reference to FIG. 10, the second track 74 may be formed in the first fence 54a as an elongate T-track having a first end opening, a second end opening, and a front opening 82, each of which leading to an interior surface 84. The interior surface 84 of the second track 74 may include an elongate base portion 84a and an elongate stem portion 84b. The base portion 84a may have a width W3 and the stem portion 84b may have a width W4. In some implementations, width W3 may be greater than width W4, however, width W3 and width W4 may be any suitable dimensions.

With continued reference to FIG. 10, the third track 76 may be formed in the first fence 54a as an elongate T-track having a first end opening, a second end opening, and a front opening 86, each of which leading to an interior surface 88. The interior surface 88 of the third track 76 may include an elongate base portion 88a and an elongate stem portion 88b. The base portion 88a may have a width W5 and the stem portion 88b may have a width W6. In some implementations, width W5 may be greater than width W6, however, width W5 and width W6 may be any suitable dimensions.

With continued reference to FIG. 10, the first track 72 may be provided on the first side 68 of the first fence 54a proximate the top end 60 of the first fence 54a such that the front opening 78 of the first track 72 faces outwardly from the first side 68 of the first fence 54a.

The second track 74 may be provided on the second side 70 of the first fence 54a such that the front opening 82 of the second track 74 faces outwardly from the second side 70 of the first fence 54a and is positioned vertically intermediate the front opening 78 of the first track 72 and the front opening 86 of the third track 76.

The third track 76 may be provided on the first side 68 of the first fence 54a proximate the bottom end 62 of the first fence 54a such that the front opening 86 of the third track 76 faces outwardly from the first side 68 of the first fence 54a.

In some implementations, the first track 72 may be formed to have dimensions corresponding to standard fastener dimensions, the second track 74 may be formed to have dimensions corresponding to standard fastener dimensions, and the third track 76 may be formed to have dimensions corresponding to standard miter gauge dimensions (e.g., ¾ of an inch by ⅜ of an inch). However, the first track 72, the second track 74, and the third track 76 may take on any suitable dimensions. Although the first track 72, the second track 74, and the third track 76 have been described as being elongate longitudinally extending T-tracks, it is to be understood that the first track 72, the second track 74, and the third track 76 may take on any suitable shape and may have any suitable cross section.

It should be noted that the first stop assembly 56a and the second stop assembly 56b may be substantially identical, and, therefore, only the structure of the first stop assembly 56a will be further described herein, and any such descriptions applied to the first stop assembly 56a may be applied to the second stop assembly 56b as necessary.

With primary reference to FIG. 4 through FIG. 7, the first stop assembly 56a may include a top end 90, a bottom end 92, a first end 94, a second end 96, a first side 98, a second side 100, a first portion 102, a locking assembly 104, a second portion 106, a fine-adjustment assembly 108, and a stop portion 110.

For clarity, directions relative to the first stop assembly 56a will be defined herein, which may be different compared to the directions defined relative to the first fence 54a. As such, the top end 90 (FIG. 6) and the bottom end 92 (FIG. 6) may define a vertical direction therebetween. The first end 94 (FIG. 6) and the second end 96 (FIG. 6) may define a longitudinal direction therebetween. The first side 98 (FIG. 4) and the second side 100 (FIG. 4) may define a transverse direction therebetween. A central longitudinal axis X2 (FIG. 6) may extend between the first end 94 and the second end 96 of the first stop assembly 56a. A central transverse axis X3 (FIG. 4) may extend between the first side 98 and the second side 100 of the first stop assembly 56a.

With primary reference to FIG. 4, the first portion 102 may be a longitudinally extending elongate member having a generally T-shaped cross section. The T-shaped cross section may be conformed to the T-track of the third track 76 formed in the first fence 54a such that the first portion 102 may be selectively engaged therein as will be more fully described below. Although the first portion 102 has been described as having a generally T-shaped cross section, it is to be understood that the first portion 102 may take on any suitable shape and may have any suitable cross section.

More particularly, and with continued reference to FIG. 4 through FIG. 7, the first portion 102 may include a first end surface 112, a second end surface 114, a base portion 116, and a stem portion 118. The first end surface 112 may be a vertically extending surface and may face longitudinally outward (i.e., away from the transverse axis X3). The first end surface 112 may include a base region 120 (corresponding to a base of a T-shape as seen looking toward the first end 94 of the first stop assembly 56a) and a stem region 122 (corresponding to a stem of a T-shape as seen looking toward the first end 94 of the first stop assembly 56a). The base region 120 of the first end surface 112 may be positioned vertically lower than the stem region 122 of the first end surface 112 (corresponding to an upside down T-shape as seen looking toward the first end 94 of the first stop assembly 56a). As shown in FIG. 4, the base region 120 of the first end surface 112 may have a transversely extending width W7 and a vertically extending height H1. The stem region 122 of the first end surface 112 may have a transversely extending width W8, and a vertically extending height H2. In some implementations, width W7 may be greater than width W8 and height H1 may be less than height H2, however, width W7, width W8, height H1, and height H2 may be any suitable dimensions.

The second end surface 114 may be a vertically extending surface and may face longitudinally inward (i.e., toward from the transverse axis X3). The second end surface 114 may include a base region 124 (substantially identical to the base region 120 of the first end surface 112) and a stem region 126 (substantially identical to the stem region 122 of the first end surface 112). The base region 124 of the second end surface 114 may be positioned vertically lower than the stem region 126 of the second end surface 114 (in a manner substantially identical to the first end surface 112). As the second end surface 114 may be substantially identical to the first end surface 112, the base region 124 of the second end surface 114 may have a width (not shown) that is equal to width W7 and a height (not shown) that is equal to height H1, and the stem region 126 of the second end surface 114 may have a width (not shown) that is equal to width W8, and a height (not shown) that is equal to height H2.

With continued reference to FIG. 4 through FIG. 7, the base portion 116 may include a first side surface 128, a second side surface 130 (FIG. 8), a first top surface 132, a second top surface 134, a bottom surface 136 (FIG. 6), the base region 120 of the first end surface 112, and the base region 124 of the second end surface 114. The stem portion 118 may include a top surface 138, a first side surface 140, a second side surface 142, the stem region 122 of the first end surface 112, and the stem region 126 of the second end surface 114.

With continued reference to FIG. 4 through FIG. 7, the first side surface 128 of the base portion 116 may be transversely spaced from the second side surface 130 of the base portion 116 a distance equal to width W7. The first side surface 128 of the base portion 116 may face transversely outward (i.e., away from the longitudinal axis X2), may extend longitudinally between the base region 120 of the first end surface 112 and the base region 124 of the second end surface 114, and may extend vertically between the bottom surface 136 of the base portion 116 and the first top surface 132 of the base portion 116 a distance that is equal to height H1.

The second side surface 130 of the base portion 116 may face transversely outward (i.e., away from the longitudinal axis X2), may extend longitudinally between the base region 120 of the first end surface 112 and the base region 124 of the second end surface 114, and may extend vertically between the bottom surface 136 of the base portion 116 and the second top surface 134 of the base portion 116 a distance that is equal to height H1.

The first top surface 132 of the base portion 116 may face vertically upward, may extend transversely between the first side surface 128 of the base portion 116 and the first side surface 140 of the stem portion 118 a distance equal to a difference between width W7 and width W8, and may extend longitudinally between the base region 120 of the first end surface 112 and the base region 124 of the second end surface 114.

The second top surface 134 may face vertically upward, may extend transversely between the second side surface 130 of the base portion 116 and the second side surface 142 of the stem portion 118 a distance equal to a difference between width W7 and width W8, and may extend longitudinally between the base region 120 of the first end surface 112 and the base region 124 of the second end surface 114.

The first side surface 140 of the stem portion 118 may be transversely spaced from the second side surface 142 of the stem portion 118 a distance equal to width W8. The first side surface 140 of the stem portion 118 may face transversely outward (i.e., away from the longitudinal axis X2), may extend vertically between the first top surface 132 of the base portion 116 and the top surface 138 of the stem portion 118 a distance that is equal to height H2, and may extend longitudinally between the stem region 122 of the first end surface 112 and the stem region 126 of the second end surface 114.

The second side surface 142 of the stem portion 118 may face transversely outward (i.e., away from the longitudinal axis X2), may extend vertically between the second top surface 134 of the base portion 116 and the top surface 138 of the stem portion 118 a distance that is equal to height H2, and may extend longitudinally between the stem region 122 of the first end surface 112 and the stem region 126 of the second end surface 114.

The top surface 138 of the stem portion 118 may be spaced a vertical distance from the first top surface 132 of the base portion 116 that is equal to height H2, may extend transversely between the first side surface 140 of the stem portion 118 and the second side surface 142 of the stem portion 118, and may extend longitudinally between the stem region 122 of the first end surface 112 and the stem region 126 of the second end surface 114.

The first portion 102 may define a vertically extending bore 144 (FIG. 5). More particularly, the bore 144 may extend through the top surface 138 of the stem portion 118 and the bottom surface 136 of the base portion 116. As shown in FIG. 5, the bore 144 may have a varying diameter and may be provided closer to the first end surface 112 than the second end surface 114. However, it is to be understood that the bore 144 may have any suitable diameter (or diameters), and may be provided in any suitable location. With continued reference to FIG. 5, the bore 144 may include a top opening 144a, a bottom opening 144b, a first bore section 144c, a second bore section 144d, and a third bore section 144e where a diameter of the third bore section 144e is greater than a diameter of the second bore section 144d, and where the diameter of the second bore section 144d is greater than a diameter of the first bore section 144c.

With primary reference to FIG. 5, the first portion 102 may define a longitudinally extending bore 146. More particularly, the bore 146 may extend through the second end surface 114 into the second bore section 144d of the bore 144. The bore 146 may include a first opening 146a and a second opening 146b where the first opening 146a leads to the bore 144 proximate the second bore section 144d of the bore 144 and the second opening 146b is sized to receive at least a portion of the fine-adjustment assembly 108 as more fully described below.

With primary reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the locking assembly 104 may be provided on the first portion 102 and may include a locking foot 148 and a nut 150. The locking foot 148 may include a hex portion 152, a threaded portion 154 and a foot portion 156. As shown in FIG. 5, the nut 150 may be provided within the second bore section 144d. The threaded portion 154 may be threadingly engaged with the nut 150 such that the threaded portion 154 is provided within the first bore section 144c and the second bore section 144d, and the foot portion 156 is provided within the third bore section 144e. The hex portion 152 may be accessible through the top opening 144a of the bore 144, and the foot portion 156 may be accessible through the bottom opening 144b of the bore 144.

As will be described in greater detail below, the locking assembly 104 may be utilized to lock the first portion 102 of the first stop assembly 56a in various locations of the third track 76 of the first fence 54a. Although the locking assembly 104 has been described as including the locking foot 148 and the nut 150, it is to be understood that other components may be utilized to effect the same result. For example, the locking assembly 104 may include an engagement member, such as, for example, a threaded bolt, configured to releasably secure the first portion 102 with another object, such as, for example, a portion of another tool.

The second portion 106 may be substantially identical to the first portion 102 with several exceptions which will be further described herein. As such, similar parts are labeled with similar reference numerals and different parts are labeled with different reference numerals.

More particularly, and with primary reference to FIG. 4 through FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, a first end surface 158 (FIG. 7) of the second portion 106 is different than the first end surface 112 of the first portion 102, a second end surface 160 (FIG. 7) of the second portion 106 is different than the second end surface 114 of the first portion 102, a top surface 162 (FIG. 4) of the stem portion 118 of the second portion 106 is different than the top surface 138 of the stem portion 118 of the first portion 102, a vertically extending bore 164 (FIG. 5) defined by the second portion 106 is different than the vertically extending bore 144 defined by the first portion 102, a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical bore 166 (FIG. 5) and a longitudinally extending cavity 168 (FIG. 5) defined by the second portion 106 is different than the longitudinally extending bore 146 defined by the first portion 102, and a pivot mount 170 (FIG. 5) is added to the second portion 106, which extends longitudinally away from the second end surface 160 as further described below.

With continued reference to FIG. 4 through FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the vertically extending bore 164 defined by the second portion 106 may extend through the top surface 162 of the stem portion 118 of the second portion 106 and a bottom surface 136a (FIG. 5) of the base portion 116 of the second portion 106, which differs from the bottom surface 136 of the base portion 116 of the first portion 102 in the size and location of the bore 164 compared to the bore 144 of the first portion 102. The bore 164 may be provided generally centrally relative to the top surface 162 of the stem portion 118 of the second portion 106, and may have a varying diameter. However, it is to be understood that the bore 164 may have any suitable diameter (or diameters), and may be provided in any suitable location. More particularly, the bore 164 may include a top opening 164a, a bottom opening 164b, a first bore section 164c and a second bore section 164d where a diameter of the first bore section 164c tapers downwardly from the top surface 162 and where a diameter of the second bore section 164d is equal to a diameter of an edge 164e of the first bore section 164c.

The longitudinally extending generally cylindrical bore 166 may extend through the first end surface 158 and through the second bore section 164d into the bore 164. The bore 166 may include a first opening 166a and a second opening 166b. The first opening 166a of the bore 166 may be provided proximate the first end surface 158, and the second opening 166b of the bore 166 may be provided proximate the second bore section 164d of the bore 164.

The cavity 168 may extend through the second bore section 164d, through the second end surface 160 of the second portion 106, and through at least a part of the pivot mount 170. The cavity 168 may include an opening 168a and an end 168b. As such, the opening 168a of the cavity 168 may lead to the bore 164 and the end 168b of the cavity 168 may be provided within at least a part of the pivot mount 170. As shown in FIG. 5, the opening 168a of the cavity 168 may be longitudinally aligned with the first opening 166a of the bore 166, the second opening 166b of the bore 166, the first opening 146a of the bore 146 and the second opening 146b of the bore 146.

The pivot mount 170 may be engaged with, and may extend longitudinally from, the second end surface 160. More particularly, the pivot mount 170 may include a top surface 172 and a bottom surface 174. The top surface 172 may include a first section 172a and a second section 172b. The first section 172a may be coplanar with the top surface 162 of the stem portion 118 of the second portion 106 and may extend longitudinally away from the second end surface 160 of the second portion 106 toward the second section 172b of the top surface 172. The second section 172b may extend between the first section 172a and the bottom surface 174, and, as such, the second section 172b may have an arcuate portion and a straight portion (i.e., the arcuate portion is between the first section 172a and the straight portion, and the straight portion is between the arcuate portion and the bottom surface 174). The bottom surface 174 may define a cavity 176 having an opening 176a that faces vertically downward and leads to an interior cavity surface 176b. As shown in FIG. 5, the cavity 176 may be substantially U-shaped, however, the cavity 176 may take on any suitable shape. The first section 172a of the top surface 172 may have a width W9. In some implementations, width W9 may be sized to accommodate at least a portion of the stop portion 110 as more fully described below, however, width W9 may take on any suitable dimension.

With primary reference to FIG. 4 through FIG. 7, the fine-adjustment assembly 108 may include a set screw 178 (FIG. 5), an expansion bolt 180 (FIG. 5), and an adjustment wheel 182 (FIG. 4). The set screw 178 may include a first end 178a, a second end 178b, and a threaded portion 178c. The expansion bolt 180 may be a female threaded bolt and may include a first end 180a and a second end 180b. The adjustment wheel 182 may include a first end 182a, a second end 182b, an outer generally cylindrical sidewall 184, and an inner generally cylindrical sidewall 186 (FIG. 5). The inner sidewall 186 may define a threaded bore 188 extending longitudinally through the first end 182a and the second end 182b of the adjustment wheel 182. The threaded bore 188 may define a thread axis X4, and the adjustment wheel 182 may rotate about the thread axis X4 as more fully described below.

With primary reference to FIG. 5, the set screw 178 may be provided within the first portion 102 and within the second portion 106. More particularly, the first end 178a of the set screw 178, which may be a cup point end in one implementation, may contact at least a part of the pivot mount 170 at the end 168b of the cavity 168. The threaded portion 178c of the set screw 178 may extend from the first end 178a of the set screw 178 longitudinally away from the pivot mount 170 along the cavity 168, out of the opening 168a of the cavity 168, through a part of the bore 164, threadingly through the threaded bore 188 of the adjustment wheel 182, through a part of the bore 164, through the second opening 166b and the first opening 166a of the bore 166, through the second opening 146b of the bore 146, threadingly through the expansion bolt 180, and through the first opening 146a of the bore 146 to contact at least a part of the nut 150.

As such, the adjustment wheel 182 may be provided within the bore 164 and may be rotatable about the thread axis X4. More particularly, the adjustment wheel 182 rotates about the threaded portion 178c of the set screw 178 about the thread axis X4. The fine-adjustment assembly 108 may further include an anti-backlash mechanism 182c, such as a spring molded within the second portion 106 proximate the first end 182a of the adjustment wheel 182, to reduce and/or prevent backlash associated with the linear movement of the second portion 106 and the stop portion 110. In some implementations, the fine-adjustment assembly 108 may be used to make adjustments of thousandths of an inch to the location of the second portion 106, the stop portion 110, and the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110, however, the range of adjustment of the fine-adjustment assembly 108 may be any suitable range of adjustment.

Although the fine-adjustment assembly 108 has been described as including the set screw 178, the expansion bolt 180, and the adjustment wheel 182, it is to be understood that other components may be utilized to effect the same result. For example, the first portion 102 may be engaged with the second portion 106 with a link member, such as an elongate rod, and the second portion 106 may include an adjustment member, such as, for example, a grip member configured to be gripped by an operator to slidably move the second portion 106 along the elongate rod to make adjustments to components of the first stop assembly 56a.

With primary reference to FIG. 4 through FIG. 7, the stop portion 110 may include a first pivot portion 190, a second pivot portion 192, a pivot shaft 194 (FIG. 5), a first end surface 196 (FIG. 6), a second end surface 198, a first side surface 200, a second side surface 202, a top surface 204, and a stop surface 206.

With continued reference to FIG. 4 through FIG. 7, the first pivot portion 190 may include a pivot surface 208 and an inner side surface 210. The second pivot portion 192 may include a pivot surface 212 and an inner side surface 214. The inner side surface 210 of the first pivot portion 190 and the inner side surface 214 of the second pivot portion 192 may be transversely spaced from one another and may extend longitudinally away from the first end surface 196 of the stop portion 110.

The pivot shaft 194 may extend in a transverse direction and may be engaged with the inner side surface 210 of the first pivot portion 190 on one end and the inner side surface 214 of the second pivot portion 192 on the other end at a longitudinal distance away from the first end surface 196. A void 216 may be defined by a portion of the inner side surface 210 of the first pivot portion 190, a portion of the first end surface 196, a portion of the inner side surface 214 of the second pivot portion 192, and a portion of the pivot shaft 194. The pivot shaft 194 may define a pivot axis X5 (FIG. 6) defined by the pivot shaft 194. More particularly, the stop portion 110 may be pivotable about the pivot axis X5 between an engaged position “EP” (FIG. 4) and a disengaged position “DP” (FIG. 6) as will be more fully described below.

It should be noted that the pivot surface 208 of the first pivot portion 190 and the pivot surface 212 of the second pivot portion 192 may be substantially identical, and, therefore, only the pivot surface 208 of the first pivot portion 190 will be further described herein, and any such descriptions applied to the pivot surface 208 of the first pivot portion 190 may be applied to the pivot surface 212 of the second pivot portion 192 as necessary.

With primary reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 through FIG. 7, the pivot surface 208 of the first pivot portion 190 may be bounded by a part of the inner side surface 210 of the first pivot portion 190, a part of the first side surface 200, a part of the top surface 204, and a part of the stop surface 206. Stated otherwise, the pivot surface 208 of the first pivot portion 190 may extend away from a part of the top surface 204 in a generally arcuate manner between a part of the inner side surface 210 of the first pivot portion 190 and a part of the first side surface 200 until meeting a part of the stop surface 206.

With primary reference to FIG. 7, the pivot surface 208 may include a first section 218, a second section 220, a third section 222, and a fourth section 224. More particularly, the first section 218 may be a generally flat surface provided proximate the top surface 204. When the first stop assembly 56a is viewed from the first side 98 (e.g., similar to the view in FIG. 6), the first section 218 may be generally coplanar with, or slightly vertically above, the top surface 162 of the stem portion 118 of the second portion 106 and vertically above the top surface 204 of the stop portion 110. Although vertical heights of the first section 218, the top surface 162 of the stem portion 118 of the second portion 106, and the top surface 204 of the stop portion 110 have been described relative to one another, the first section 218, the top surface 162 of the stem portion 118 of the second portion 106, and the top surface 204 of the stop portion 110 may take on any suitable heights.

The second section 220 may be a generally arcuate surface (such as, for example, a cam surface having convex and/or concave portions) extending between the first section 218 and the third section 222. The third section 222 may be a generally flat surface extending between the second section 220 and the fourth section 224. The fourth section 224 may be a generally arcuate surface (such as, for example, a cam surface having convex and/or concave portions) extending between the third section 222 and a part of the stop surface 206. The configuration of the first section 218, the second section 220, the third section 222, and the fourth section 224 may aid the movement of the stop portion 110 into and out of the engaged position EP and the disengaged position DP.

More particularly, when the stop portion 110 is in the disengaged position DP, the third section 222 (i.e., the generally flat surface) may be engaged with the second end surface 160 of the second portion 106. The stop portion 110 may pivot (about the pivot axis X5) in a rotational direction toward the first portion 102 when moving from the disengaged position DP to the engaged position EP. As this occurs, the second section 220 (i.e., the cam surface) cammingly engages the second end surface 160 of the second portion 106 to aid the rotation of the stop portion 110 until the first section 218 (i.e., the generally flat surface) engages the second end surface 160 of the second portion 106.

Further, when the stop portion 110 is in the engaged position EP, the first section 218 (i.e., the generally flat surface) may be engaged with the second end surface 160 of the second portion 106. The stop portion 110 may pivot (about the pivot axis X5) in a rotational direction away the first portion 102 when moving from the engaged position EP to the disengaged position DP. As this occurs, the second section 220 (i.e., the cam surface) cammingly engages the second end surface 160 of the second portion 106 to aid the rotation of the stop portion 110 until the third section 222 (i.e., the generally flat surface) engages the second end surface 160 of the second portion 106.

With continued reference to FIG. 4 through FIG. 7, the first side surface 200 may face transversely outward (i.e., away from the longitudinal axis X2) and may be bounded by a part of the second end surface 198, a part of the top surface 204, a part of the stop surface 206, and a part of the pivot surface 208 proximate the first side 98 of the first stop assembly 56a.

The second side surface 202 may face transversely outward (i.e., away from the longitudinal axis X2) and may be bounded by a part of the second end surface 198, a part of the top surface 204, a part of the stop surface 206, and a part of the pivot surface 212 proximate the second side 100 of the first stop assembly 56a.

Further, the second side surface 202 may be spaced a transverse distance away from the first side surface 200 that is that is equal to width W8. Stated otherwise, the stop portion 110 may have a width (not shown) that is equal to (or less than) width W8, which allows at least a part of the stop portion 110 to pass through the front opening 86 of the third track 76.

The second end surface 198 may be bounded by a part of the top surface 204, a part of the stop surface 206, a part of the first side surface 200, and a part of the second side surface 202. The second end surface 198 may be an angled surface extending upwardly from the stop surface 206 at an acute angle relative to the stop surface.

With primary reference to FIG. 4, the top surface 204 may include a perimeter region 226 and a recessed region 228. The recessed region 228 may include a sidewall 228a and a bottom surface 228b. The sidewall 228a may extend away from the perimeter region 226 toward the bottom surface 228b. The first pivot portion 190 and the second pivot portion 192 may be engaged with a portion of the perimeter region 226.

The stop surface 206 may be a generally flat surface, and may be bounded by a part of the first pivot portion 190, a part of the second pivot portion 192, a part of the first end surface 196, a part of the second end surface 198, a part of the first side surface 200, and a part of the second side surface 202.

In some implementations, the stop surface 206 may have a length (not shown) defined between the first end surface 196 and the second end surface 198 and a width (not shown) defined between the first side surface 200 and the second side surface 202. The width of the stop surface 206 may be equal to (or less than) width W8, which allows at least a part of the stop surface 206 to pass through the front opening 86 of the third track 76. In some implementations, the stop surface 206 may be square in shape (i.e., the length and width of the stop surface 206 may be equal), however, it is to be understood that the stop surface 206 may take on any suitable dimensions.

As stated above, and as illustrated in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, the system 10 may utilize four fences (i.e., the first fence 54a, the second fence 54b, the third fence 54c, and the fourth fence 54d), where the first fence 54a, and the second fence 54b are engaged with the top surface 20 of the first table portion 14, and where the third fence 54c and the fourth fence 54d are engaged with the top surface 28 of the third table portion 18 in a substantially identical manner. As such, only the engagement of the first fence 54a and the second fence 54b with the top surface 20 of the first table portion 14 will be described herein. However, any such descriptions may be applied to the engagement of the third fence 54c and the fourth fence 54d with the top surface 28 of the third table portion 18 as necessary.

With primary reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 10 through FIG. 11, each of the plurality of mounting brackets 58 may be L-shaped members including a first mount portion 230 and a second mount portion 232. A plurality of bores 234 (FIG. 11) may be defined in the first mount portion 230 (FIG. 3) and the second mount portion 232 (FIG. 3) of each of the plurality of mounting brackets 58. In some implementations, a plurality of fasteners 236 may extend through the plurality of bores 234 to releasably engage the first fence 54a with the second fence 54b and the top surface 20 of the first table portion 14 as more fully described below.

With continued reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 10 through FIG. 11, the second fence 54b may be provided within the groove 34 such that the top end 60 is positioned proximate the first sidewall 34a of the groove 34, the second side 70 is positioned proximate the bottom surface 34c of the groove 34, and the bottom end 62 is positioned proximate the second sidewall 34b of the groove. The first fence 54a may be provided such that the bottom end 62 of the first fence 54a releasably engages the recessed region 68a of the first side 68 of the second fence 54b.

With continued reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 10 through FIG. 11, the plurality of mounting brackets 58 may be aligned with the first fence 54a and the second fence 54b such that one or more of the plurality of bores 234 defined in the first mount portion 230 is aligned with the front opening 82 of the second track 74 of the first fence 54a and one or more of the plurality of bores 234 defined in the second mount portion 232 is aligned with the front opening 78 of the first track 72 of the second fence 54b.

One or more fasteners 236 may extend through one or more of the plurality of bores 234 such that a portion of the one or more fasteners 236 engages at least the interior surface 84 of the second track 74 of the first fence 54a, the interior surface 80 of the first track 72 of the second fence 54b, and the top surface 20 of the first table portion 14 thereby releasably engaging the first fence 54a and the second fence 54b with one another, and further releasably engaging the first fence 54a and the second fence 54b to the top surface 20 of the first table portion 14.

Although the system 10 has been described as releasably engaging the first fence 54a and the second fence 54b with one another, and further releasably engaging the first fence 54a and the second fence 54b to the top surface 20 of the first table portion 14, it is to be understood that other configurations are possible. For example, and in some implementations, the system 10 may utilize a single vertical fence releasably engaged with the table 12 (e.g., if there is no groove 34, the first fence 54a may be releasably engaged with the top surface 20 of the first table portion 14), or the system may utilize a single horizontal fence releasably engaged with the groove 34 of the table 12 (e.g., if there is a groove 34, the second fence 54b may be releasably engaged with groove 34 in any suitable manner).

It should further be noted that the second end 66 of the first fence 54a and the second end 66 of the second fence 54b may be positioned to serve as an extension to another fence assembly, such as, for example, a miter saw fence assembly, or, alternatively, positioned proximate a cutting blade of a machine tool, such as, for example, a cutting blade of a miter saw.

Having thus described the structure of the system 10, and its associated components, primary reference is now made to FIG. 8 through FIG. 15 to depict one exemplary implementation and operation of the system 10. In this implementation, the system 10 will be described as utilizing two fences, two stop assemblies, and multiple mounting brackets to measure lengths of workpieces to be cut by the cutting blade 44. As shown in FIG. 8, a measurement device 11, such as a ruler, may be engaged with the first fence 54a to measure a distance from the cutting blade 44.

With primary reference to FIG. 8, the first stop assembly 56a may be inserted within the third track 76 of the first fence 54a. It should be noted that the stop portion 110 of the first stop assembly 56a may be in either the disengaged position DP or the engaged position EP when being inserted into the first fence 54a.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first stop assembly 56a is in the disengaged position DP. The first stop assembly 56a may be inserted within the third track 76 such that the stop surface (not shown in FIG. 8) of the stop portion 110 faces the interior surface 88 of the third track 76 and the second end 96 of the first stop assembly 56a is the first part of the first stop assembly 56a to enter the third track 76. It should be noted that in some implementations, when the first stop assembly 56a is in the disengaged position DP, the entirety of the first stop assembly 56a may be positioned within the track and coplanar with, or inwardly of, the imaginary longitudinal vertical plane P. This is beneficial as no portion of the first stop assembly 56a extends into a working area proximate the first fence 54a.

As the first stop assembly 56a is inserted into the third track 76, the first top surface 132 of the base portion 116 of the first portion 102 and the second portion 106, and the second top surface 134 of the base portion 116 of the first portion 102 and the second portion 106 slidably engage the interior surface 88 of the third track 76 (i.e., an area of the base portion 88a of the interior surface 88 is engaged). As shown in FIG. 8, the stop portion 110 may be accessible through the front opening 86 of the third track 76.

With primary reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the first stop assembly 56a may be slidably moved in a direction generally indicated at arrow “A” to a desired location along the third track 76, which, in this implementation, is a location proximate to where the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 needs to be when the stop portion 110 is in the engaged position EP (i.e., the 45-inch mark on the measurement device 11).

Once the first stop assembly 56a is moved to a location near the desired location, the hex portion 152 may be rotated which, in turn, rotates the threaded portion 154, which, in turn, moves the foot portion 156 in a transverse direction until the foot portion 156 engages the interior surface 88 of the third track 76. This causes the first top surface 132 of the base portion 116 of the first portion 102 and the second portion 106, and the second top surface 134 of the base portion 116 of the first portion 102 and the second portion 106 to engage the interior surface 88 of the third track 76 with sufficient force to lock the first portion 102 of the first stop assembly 56a in that location.

With primary reference to FIG. 11, the first stop assembly 56a may be moved from its disengaged position DP to its engaged position EP by pivoting the stop portion 110 (in a direction generally indicated at arrow “B”) through the front opening 86 of the third track 76 until the stop portion 110 is substantially perpendicular, or perpendicular, to at least the first portion 102, the second portion 106, or the front opening 86 of the third track 76. Although the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 is shown as being a flat surface, it is to be understood that the stop surface may take on any suitable shape and/or configuration. In some implementations, the stop portion 110 may pivot about the pivot axis X5 90 degrees or less between the disengaged position DP and the engaged position EP. However, it is to be understood that the stop portion 110 may have any suitable range of rotation.

Now that the movement of the first stop assembly 56a relative to the first fence 54a has been described, an implementation showing the first stop assembly 56a and the second stop assembly 56b engaged with the first fence 54a will be described. With primary reference to FIG. 12 through FIG. 15, the first stop assembly 56a and the second stop assembly 56b are located at a position near a desired location of the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110. More particularly, and in this implementation, the first stop assembly 56a is not at the desired location (i.e., the desired location of the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 is the 42-inch mark on the measurement device 11 as shown in FIG. 13), and second stop assembly 56b is not at the desired location (i.e., the desired location of the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 is the 47-inch mark on the measurement device 11 as shown in FIG. 15). As the first stop assembly 56a is not at the desired location, the fine-adjustment assembly 108 may be utilized to move the first stop assembly 56a to the desired location as more fully explained below.

With primary reference to FIG. 12 through FIG. 15, and in some implementations, the stop portion 110 may be pivoted from the disengaged position DP to the engaged position EP, and, when this occurs, the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 may be at a distance greater than the desired location (e.g., the 42-inch mark and the 47-inch mark). In order for the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 of the first stop assembly 56a to be positioned at the 42-inch mark, and in order for the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 of the second stop assembly 56b to be positioned at the 47-inch mark, the stop portion 110 needs to move in a linear direction (e.g., a longitudinal direction) as more fully described herein.

To accomplish this, the adjustment wheel 182 may be rotated in a direction generally indicated at arrow “C” which, in turn, causes the second portion 106 and the stop portion 110 to move in a linear direction (e.g., a longitudinal direction) generally indicated at arrow “D” away from the first portion 102.

More particularly, the adjustment wheel 182 may rotate about the thread axis X4 which, in turn, causes the adjustment wheel 182 to engage the second bore section 164d of the bore 164 and provide a linear force to move the second portion 106 and the stop portion 110 away from the first portion 102 in the linear direction (e.g., the longitudinal direction) until the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 of the first stop assembly 56a is precisely aligned with the 42-inch mark of the measurement device 11 (e.g., the stop surface 206 is perpendicular to the front opening 86 of the third track 76 at the 42-inch mark (FIG. 13)), and the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 of the second stop assembly 56b is precisely aligned with the 47-inch mark of the measurement device 11 (e.g., the stop surface 206 is perpendicular to the front opening 86 of the third track 76 at the 47-inch mark (FIG. 14).

Generally, once the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 is at the desired location, the stop surface 206 may releasably engage a workpiece. For example, the workpiece may be a piece of wood having a length greater than a required cut length (e.g., the workpiece may have a length of 60 inches and needs to be crosscut to a length of 47 inches, or a length of 60 inches and needs to be crosscut to a length of 42 inches). As such, a side of the workpiece may releasably engage the first side 68 of the first fence 54a and an end of the workpiece may releasably engage the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 as more fully described below.

For example, the workpiece may slidably move along the first side 68 of the first fence 54a until an end of the workpiece engages the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110. The end of the workpiece may remain engaged with the stop surface 206 until a crosscut operation is performed on the workpiece, which results in the workpiece having a necessary length.

This process may be repeated to crosscut other workpieces to the same length with accuracy, consistency, and efficiency, or to any other desired length with accuracy, consistency, and efficiency by relocating the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 to another desired location.

With primary reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, an implementation showing a first workpiece 13 engaging the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 of the second stop assembly 56b at a first measured length (i.e., a cut length of the first workpiece 13 relative to the cutting blade 44) and a second workpiece 15 engaging the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 of the first stop assembly 56a at a second measured length (i.e., a cut length of the second workpiece 15 relative to the cutting blade 44).

With primary reference to FIG. 14, the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 of the second stop assembly 56b is located at a first desired location (i.e., a cut length of the first workpiece 13 relative to the cutting blade 44). The second stop assembly 56b is in the engaged position EP and an end 13a of the first workpiece 13 is engaged with the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 of the second stop assembly 56b. The end 13a of the first workpiece 13 may remain engaged with the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 until a crosscut operation is performed on the first workpiece 13. The second stop assembly 56b may remain in that location in order to cut additional workpieces to that same length. Alternatively, the second stop assembly 56b may be moved to another desired location to cut workpieces to a different length.

With primary reference to FIG. 15, the first stop assembly 56a is located at a second desired location (i.e., a cut length of the second workpiece 15 relative to the cutting blade 44, which is different than the cut length of the first workpiece 13 shown in FIG. 14). The first stop assembly 56a is in the engaged position EP and an end 15a of the second workpiece 15 is engaged with the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 of the first stop assembly 56a. The end 15a of the second workpiece 15 may remain engaged with the stop surface 206 of the stop portion 110 until a crosscut operation is performed on the second workpiece 15. The first stop assembly 56a may remain in that location in order to cut additional workpieces to that same length. Alternatively, the first stop assembly 56a may be moved to another desired location to cut workpieces to a different length.

One of the benefits of using more than one stop assembly includes being able to perform multiple repeatable operations with varying parameters on multiple workpieces (e.g., workpieces need to be crosscut to different lengths with a miter saw). For example, if more than one stop assembly is utilized, a first stop assembly may be positioned at a first desired location (associated with a first workpiece cut length) and a second stop assembly may be positioned at a second desired location (associated with a second workpiece cut length).

When a workpiece needs to be cut to the first workpiece cut length, the first stop assembly may be pivoted to the engaged position, and, if the second stop assembly is at a closer position to the machine tool than the first stop assembly, the second stop assembly may be pivoted to the disengaged position (positioning the entire stop assembly coplanar with, or inwardly of, the imaginary longitudinal vertical plane) to allow the workpiece to pass by the second stop assembly and engage the first stop assembly. Likewise, when a workpiece needs to be cut to the second workpiece cut length, the second stop assembly may be pivoted to the engaged position, and, if the first stop assembly is at a closer position to the machine tool than the second stop assembly, the first stop assembly may be pivoted to the disengaged position (positioning the entire stop assembly coplanar with, or inwardly of, the imaginary longitudinal vertical plane) to allow the workpiece to pass by the first stop assembly and engage the second stop assembly.

It should be noted that structures disclosed as being separately formed can, in other examples, be integrally formed and vice versa. For example, while the pivot shaft 194 has been described as being an element of the stop portion 110 of the first stop assembly 56a, it is to be understood that the pivot shaft 194 may be a separate element operably engaged with the second portion 106 and the stop portion 110, or with any suitable element of the first stop assembly 56a.

Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements, these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed herein could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.

If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A system, comprising: a fence configured to guide and/or secure a workpiece, the fence having a front end, a rear end opposite to the front end, and a longitudinal direction defined therebetween;a track defined in the fence extending along a length of the fence;a stop assembly operably engaged with the track;a stop portion of the stop assembly configured to engage the workpiece;a vertical pivot shaft of the stop assembly defining a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fence; wherein the stop portion is pivotable about the vertical pivot axis between a disengaged position free from contacting and/or engaging the workpiece and an engaged position engaging the workpiece; wherein the vertical pivot shaft is entirely positioned inside of the track;a first portion of the stop assembly engaged with the stop portion and the vertical pivot shaft; wherein the stop portion rotates about the vertical pivot shaft relative to the first portion; anda planar working surface of the fence extending along the length of the fence; wherein the planar working surface of the fence defines a vertical plane extending along a length of the planar working surface of the fence; wherein the track is defined in the planar working surface of the fence; and wherein when the stop portion is in the disengaged position, the entire stop assembly is positioned within the track and coplanar with, or inwardly of, the vertical plane.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a top end of the fence; anda bottom end of the fence;wherein the entire stop assembly is positioned between the top end of the fence and the bottom end of the fence.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a front opening defined by the track;wherein when the stop portion pivots about the vertical pivot axis from the disengaged position to the engaged position, at least a portion of the stop portion passes through the front opening of the track.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a stop surface of the stop portion configured to engage the workpiece; wherein when the stop portion is in the disengaged position, the stop surface faces the track.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a front opening defined by the track; anda stop surface of the stop portion configured to engage the workpiece; wherein when the stop portion is in the engaged position, the stop surface faces a direction perpendicular to the front opening of the track.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the stop portion pivots about the vertical pivot axis 90 degrees or less between the disengaged position and the engaged position.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a locking assembly of the stop assembly configured to engage the track and lock the stop assembly at a desired location along the track.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a fine-adjustment assembly of the stop assembly configured to move the stop portion in a linear direction.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a locking assembly of the stop assembly operably engaged with the first portion; wherein the locking assembly is configured to lock the first portion at a desired location along the track;a second portion of the stop assembly engaged with the first portion; anda fine-adjustment assembly of the stop assembly operably engaged with the second portion; wherein the fine-adjustment assembly is configured to move the second portion in a linear direction relative to the first portion.

10. A method, comprising: operably engaging a stop assembly with a track defined in a fence via a first portion of the stop assembly, wherein the fence has a front end, a rear end opposite to the front end, and a longitudinal direction defined therebetween;pivoting a stop portion of the stop assembly, about a vertical pivot axis defined by a vertical pivot shaft of the stop assembly, relative to the first portion, wherein the vertical pivot axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fence and the vertical pivot shaft is entirely positioned inside of the track;wherein the fence includes a planar working surface extending along a length of the fence; wherein the planar working surface of the fence defines a vertical plane extending along a length of the planar working surface of the fence; wherein the track is defined in the planar working surface of the fence; wherein the stop portion is pivotable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the method further comprising:positioning the entire stop assembly within the track and coplanar with, or inwardly of, the vertical plane when the stop portion is provided in the disengaged position and free from contacting the workpiece.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: moving the stop portion in a linear direction along the track such that the entire stop assembly is positioned between a top end of the fence and a bottom end of the fence when the stop portion moves in the linear direction.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: moving the stop portion in a linear direction along the track such that at least a portion of the stop portion is within the track as the stop portion moves in the linear direction.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of pivoting the stop portion, about a vertical pivot axis defined by a vertical pivot shaft of the stop assembly, relative to the first portion further includes pivoting the stop portion, about the vertical pivot axis defined by the vertical pivot shaft of the stop assembly, relative to the first portion and through a front opening defined by the track to position the stop portion in the engaged position.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of pivoting the stop portion, about a vertical pivot axis defined by a vertical pivot shaft of the stop assembly, relative to the first portion further includes pivoting the stop portion, about the vertical pivot axis defined by the vertical pivot shaft of the stop assembly, relative to the first portion and to an engaged position such that a stop surface of the stop portion faces a direction perpendicular to a front opening defined by the track when the stop portion is in the engaged position.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of pivoting the stop portion, about a vertical pivot axis defined by a vertical pivot shaft of the stop assembly, relative to the first portion further includes pivoting the stop portion, about the vertical pivot axis defined by the vertical pivot shaft of the stop assembly, relative to the first portion 90 degrees or less about the vertical pivot axis to the engaged position.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising: engaging, by a locking assembly of the stop assembly, the track to lock the stop assembly at a desired location along the track.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising: moving the stop portion in a linear direction, by a fine-adjustment assembly of the stop assembly, to a desired location along the track.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising: moving the stop portion in a linear direction, by a fine-adjustment assembly of the stop assembly, relative to the first portion of the stop assembly.