Patent Application
20200346316
Current devices for applying an object to a grinder at pre-determined angles are holistic devices incorporating a faceting arm and grinding surface and are generally built for gemstones—for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,955,162 and 5,297,362. As such, they are expensive, highly precise scientific instruments built for working small pieces. Some faceting arms have been proposed—for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,774. This device allows for very precise manipulation of the object to be faceted but is not free-standing; a larger device is assumed.
Because of the expense and limited work area, artists ands hobbyists often select a stand-alone flat grinder. With this device they work the object by hand. With respect to artists and hobbyists, the current faceting machines suffer from the following disadvantages:
(a) The expense of the machines is a barrier for entry into faceting. The expense is compounded if the artist or hobbyist has already purchased a stand-alone flat grinder.
(b) The current devices are limited in the size of the object that can be ground to relatively small pieces.
(c) The alternative to the available faceting machines is to shape the object by hand on a stand-alone flat grinder. This approach limits the detail, precision and quality of the work that can be done. It can also result in serious injury to fingers.
In accordance with one embodiment a device for applying an object to a grinder at predetermined angles comprises an independent base, a stable mast, an armature that can set a face angle by adjusting its height and length, a simple method for determining the face angle in clear terms, an interchangeable indexed angle selection body clearly indicating the degree of the facet, a keyed receiver for holding and repeating specific facet angles, and an armature lock that will secure the angle selection body into the keyed receiver.
Accordingly several advantages of one or ore aspects are as follows: to provide a relatively inexpensive faceting solution, that allows face angles to be set by both the height and length of the armature, that allows the facet angle to be set and repeated throughout the process of grinding and polishing the object, that can be positioned and used independently with any flat grinder and that will allow free movement over the surface of the grinder. Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
The mast is fitted through a hole in the base and through the base housing. The Base Tensioner is threaded onto the mast and is tightened against the upper leg housing. The four Legs are fitted into leg stabilization feet.
The vertical height lock is threaded onto the mast, with the vertical height positioner above it. The user sets the vertical height positioner in the desired location on the mast and then tightens the vertical height lock against the vertical height positioner so that it remains stationary while the art piece is ground. The vertical sleeves are press fit into the vertical collar, and the entire assembly is slipped snugly onto the mast and rests on the vertical height positioner. This allows rotation around the mast as the art piece is worked across the surface of the grinder.
The armature collar is attached to the vertical collar by means of sliding the axle bolt, which is encapsulated by the vertical collar through the bearings, which are encapsulated in the armature collar. The armature collar is held onto the axle bolt by means of a lock washer and the nut contained in the armature collar hubcap. The bearings and axle allow the art piece's face to be positioned smoothly onto the grinder at the desired angle. The angle indicator on top of the armature collar points to the face angle indicator. The face angle indicator is press fitted onto the vertical collar.
The armature housing is held in compression by the armature collar and the armature collar tensioner. A groove in the armature housing slips into a key in the armature collar to keep the armature housing from twisting while working the art piece.
On one end of the armature housing, the armature shaft sleeve is press fit onto the end of the armature housing. This is used to correct any blemishes in the end of the armature housing and gives the armature shaft lock a level compression surface. The armature shaft lock is rotated onto the armature shaft and is tightened against the armature shaft sleeve. The art piece connector lock is threaded onto the end of the armature shaft.
The facet angle selector receiver is press fit onto the armature housing. A key in the facet angle selector receiver's armature housing recess ensures the armature housing does not twist while working the art piece. A compression spring is attached to one end of the armature shaft. The unattached end of the compression spring rests against a washer installed on the inside wall of the facet angle selector receiver. The armature shaft protrudes through a hole in the wall of the facet angle selector receiver.
A nut and threaded connector are positioned on the armature shaft protruding from the facet angle selector receiver. The facet angle selector slides over the threaded connector. The facet angle selector lock, which encapsulates a nut, is threaded onto the end of the armature shaft and compresses the facet angle selector onto the threaded coupler. A key in the facet angle selector receiver fits into grooves placed in the facet angle selector associated with the angle indicated on the body of the facet angle selector.
An object is affixed to a “dop” (a threaded coupler) using an adhesive. The dop is then threaded onto the jig's armature shaft and locked in place with the object connector lock.
The face angle is selected using the armature collar tensioner, vertical height positioner and vertical height lock. The vertical height positioner raises or lowers the vertical collar and armature collar. The armature collar tensioner can be loosened to allow the armature shaft to slide forward or back through the armature collar. These two actions are used to select the face angle of the art piece against the grinder. The face angle is indicated by lining up the indicator on the top of the armature collar with the desired angle as shown on the face angle monitor mounted on the vertical collar. Once the desired face angle is set, the armature collar tensioner and the the vertical height lock are tightened.
The facet angle is selected by loosening the armature shaft lock until the facet angle selector can be pulled out of the facet angle selector receiver. The facet angle selector is then rotated to the desired facet angle as noted on the facet angle selector. When the desired angle is selected, the spring-loaded armature shaft pulls the facet angle selector into the facet angle selector receiver, with the facet angle selector receiver key holding the armature shaft securely at the selected facet angle. The armature shaft lock is then tightened against the armature shaft sleeve to keep the armature shaft from moving while the art piece is being ground. When the facet has been ground adequately using the selected grit disk, this step is repeated to select each of the desired facet angles for that face.
If multiple faces are to be ground, the armature collar tensioner, vertical height positioner and vertical height lock are used to set the next face angle as described in the paragraph on selecting the face angle. Each facet angle of the face are selected and ground as described in the paragraph on selecting the facet angle. Once all faces and facets have been ground and polished, the faceting of the art piece is complete.
Each facet angle selector has a discrete number of possible angles. Multiple facet angle selectors are provided, so a different set of angles can be used to facet an art piece. To exchange facet angle selectors, remove the facet angle selector lock by twisting it off the armature shaft, slide the installed angle selector off the armature shaft, slide the new angle selector onto the armature shaft and re-thread the facet angle selector lock onto the armature shaft.
From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of my faceting jig become evident:
(a) The manufacture and construction of the faceting jig can be done economically enough to provide an accessible price point for the artist/hobbyist.
(b) The use of degrees on the angle selector provides a clear and obvious method of designing and selecting facets.
(c) Because the jig is independent of the grind wheel, it can be moved to work with multiple tools.
Accordingly, the reader will see that the faceting jig will provide an affordable entry point for artists and hobbyists to be able to facet objects. The mobility of the faceting jig allows function with multiple tools. Further, the faceting jig provides an accessible interface, including:
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent Application No. 62/762,345, filed May 1, 2018 by the present inventor.
