Patent Application
20190105721
Not applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
The present patent is an improvement to a type of band saw with a horizontally running blade pivoting from above and behind the clamped work material, cutting into or through clamped material as the blade descends, that also converts to a vertically running blade whereby the blade running path is stationary and the operator feeds the material through the blade. This type of saw is a combination tool because it has modes to cut in both the horizontal and the vertical axis.
The combination band saw design includes a small plate that is identified as a “deflector plate” and/or an optional fixable work supporting table. The term “deflector” or “deflector plate” describes the function of the plate during horizontal operation when the plate serves to protect the saw blade alignment mechanism, and the blade itself, by deflecting material that is cut away or that fails to stay clamped, since this material will most likely be ejected toward the trailing blade alignment mechanism, which is protected by being covered by the deflector plate. This deflector plate is small by design because of clearance issues when the arm of the saw containing the blade descends during horizontal cuts. In the vertical cutting mode, this deflector operates as a very small work surface in lieu of attaching the optional larger work table with fasteners and tools.
The table area of the deflector plate is very small and does not provide a stable platform for the work material in the vertical cutting mode. As such, the saw is optimized for the horizontal mode and lacks a stable platform in the vertical mode when the optional work table is not installed. The saw will not function in the horizontal cutting mode when the optional work table is installed due to interference as the blade descends.
The advantage of the rapidly detachable band saw table is to improve, in the vertical cutting mode, the stability of the work material via a larger work surface, improving the quality of the cut and increasing the repertoire of cuts possible, while at the same time increasing the safety of the saw by providing an increased impediment between the blade and the operator's hands. The rapidly removable table augments and overcomes the deficiencies of the standard deflector plate in the vertical cutting mode and since the attachment plate remains attached in the embodiments in the same location as the prior art deflector, the operation of the horizontal mode is not affected.
Each embodiment incorporates a latch or catch device to support rapid attachment and detachment of the table. In each embodiment, the saw can change modes very rapidly, specifically without additional or separate fasteners or requiring the use of tools.
The operator finds more stability, resulting in safer and more accurate cuts in the vertical cutting mode due to a larger work surface than the deflector. It was only discovered during prototype testing, that the operator uses the band saw much more frequently when the saw is switched between horizontal cutting and vertical cutting modes efficiently, without giving up the larger work surface in the vertical cutting mode. This is because the full repertoire of cuts supported by a large work surface are accessed without a time consuming table attachment process that may send the operator to an alternate cutting tool. Being able to install or remove a large work table in a few seconds instead of a few minutes proved to increase productivity significantly.
In addition to providing a larger work surface area that the operator uses to keep his hands farther from the blade above and underneath the table, an embodiment of the table includes an enhanced guard that covers the blade beneath the table to protect the operator in a wider and sturdier fashion.
In some embodiments, the front of the table is tailored with an accessory attachment system to support an accessory, such as an extension to the table or cutting alignment tools such as a guide for cutting round stock or rectangular stock at an angle, both longitudinally.
In the embodiment of a longer table or extension accessory embodiment, a table with more area extending toward the operator is constructed with a support appendage that swings down from the table to be clamped in the host saw's native horizontal clamping vice. The extension of the table and addition of the front leg that clamps in the horizontal vice strengthens the overall structure. This makes the work surface more durable and allows larger and heavier materials to be handled in the vertical mode, increasing the utility of the saw. This embodiment also does not require the use of tools or separate fasteners to attach to or detach from the saw.
A detachable horizontal work table for a combination horizontal-vertical band saw, that is attached and detached rapidly from a fixed attachment plate on the saw, substantially increasing the support area of the work surface and reducing blade to hand exposure in the vertical cutting mode without adding a significant conversion period. The fixed attachment plate is attached in the same position as the original deflector plate preserving the functionality of the horizontal cutting mode. A latching mechanism is incorporated that does not require additional or separate fasteners and does not require the use of tools. The latching mechanism provides a precise, solid attachment that is facilitated in an expedient fashion.
20 is the Horizontal-Vertical Band Saw host representative for the present invention. 21 is the vice jaws of the host saw. 22 is the horizontal to vertical mode articulation pivot point of the host saw. 2 identifies the detail section containing the present invention that is presented in
23 is the saw blade of the host saw. 24 is the present invention table. 30 is the cam lock pivot screw in this embodiment. 41 is the blade guard in this embodiment.
43 is an example of a table extension using a front accessory attachment system in one embodiment. 44 is a support leg for table extension 43 that clamps in the host saw vice 21.
24 is the table. 43 is the extended accessory table. 47 is the accessory attachment lock plate. 48 are the fasteners used to secure the accessory attachment lock plate 47. 44 Accessory table extension leg components have been omitted for clarity. 48 accessory attachment lock plate fasteners consist of studs screwed into accessory fastener threaded holes 40 and nuts.
25 is a blade slot to allow installation of the invention around the blade 23. It is denoted for clarity as a slot that the blade runs in and this slot can have a clearance tolerance or be designed as a zero tolerance blade slot in different embodiments. 25 is contained in a separate plate component of the table in another embodiment. 27 is a pocket that provides a nesting position for the adapter plate rear adjustable retainers 36. 26 is a pocket that provides a nesting position for the adapter plate 34. 29 is a chip pocket to provide additional clearance for debris. 28 are pedestals that assist in locating and adjusting the adapter plate rear adjustable retainers 36. 38 and 39 are dados that are part of the front accessory attachment system in this embodiment. 46 indicates the position of the cam lock pivot hole location in this embodiment. 40 indicates threaded screw holes for the accessory mounting system in this embodiment. 42 are pockets for locating the blade guard 41 in this embodiment. 45 are through holes to be used to allow the invention to be stored on a hook.
There are no individually identified signs in the cross section view. The cross section pockets are identified by lines and shading.
24 is the table. 25 is the blade slot. 30 is the cam lock pivot screw. 31 is the cam lock cam. 32 is the cam lock pivot nut. 33 is the cam lock lever arm. 35 are the adapter plate attachment screws. 34 is the adapter plate. 28 are the adapter plate retainer alignment pedestals. 36 are the adapter plate adjustable rear retainers. 27 are the rear adjustable adapter plate retainers 36 mounting and adjustment screws. The blade guard 41 that would be shown in this embodiment has been removed for clarity but can be seen in
This is an improvement to a combination horizontal-vertical band saw or an accessory for such a saw. This detachable table does not affect the horizontal operation of the saw.
The basic configuration of the present invention is the configuration without any accessories that increase the length of the work table surface.
The present invention can be made of various materials and utilizing various manufacturing methods. As long as the components are sufficiently rigid, they can be produced from any combination of billet stock or castings and subtractive machining as well as additive methods such as 3D printing, and can be made of metals or polymers or other materials as long as the process results in sufficiently rigid and sufficiently accurate components. In particular, the table surface must have adequate structural integrity so that additional supports are not necessary in the basic configuration. In addition, the structural integrity of the table will support a table accessory attachment system used in some embodiments. The individual pieces of each embodiment can be assembled with fasteners and/or bonding and fusing processes.
A latch, or catch or other latching mechanism of the table that supports the rapid detachment and attachment operations is employed in each embodiment. The embodiment depicted in the figures uses a pivotally mounted lever cam lock mechanism to lock the adapter plate into the adapter plate pocket, but other embodiment may use a button latch, a sliding latch, a magnetic catch, spring loaded mechanisms, or any other type of mechanism that supports a sufficiently rigid and rapid operation, including self-latching mechanisms. The essential attributes are rigidity, rapid operation, no additional fasteners, and tool-less attachment/detachment.
To operate the invention, the operator places the band saw in the vertical cutting position. The prior art deflector plate or optional fixed work table that came with the host saw is permanently replaced with the adapter plate 34, a shape similar to the deflector plate that is specifically sized for consistent compatibility and constructed of a thicker and stronger material. The adapter plate need never be removed, as the deflector does, because it is an integral part of the rapidly removable table of the invention. In an embodiment using a pocket in the table to capture and hold the adapter plate with a set of rear retainers and a cam lock in the front, the cam lock lever arm 33 is placed in the unlatched position, if it is not already. The mating surfaces are checked to be clear of significant obstructing debris and brushed off if necessary. The table is slid onto the adapter plate 34, with the blade in the blade slot 25, at a lifted angle so the front of the table 24 is slightly higher than the rear of the table 24. As the retainers 36 passes the rear of the adapter plate 34, the table pocket 26 will fall over the adapter plate 34 in the rear. The table 24 is then pulled forward and downward until the front of the adapter plate 34 seats into the adapter plate pocket 36. The cam lock lever arm 33 is moved to the latched position.
In the event that additional accessories are used on the invention, additional operations may be necessary. For example, if the table extension 43 shown in
To remove the invention for horizontal mode operations, reverse the attachment instructions above.
Using the present invention to make cuts, once installed, is per normal vertical band saw usage.
The rapidly detachable band saw table improves, in the vertical cutting mode, the stability of the work material via a larger work surface, improving the quality of the cut and allowing more types of cuts to be made while at the same time increasing the safety of the saw by providing an increased impediment between the blade and the operator's hands. The expedient installation of the invention with an enhanced vertical cutting mode results in a wider range of usage for the saw, allowing it to handle jobs and cuts that are not possible or are unsafe without the invention. The expedient removal of the invention prevents any deterrent from using the horizontal cutting mode.
All embodiments preserve the rapid attachment and removal characteristic of the improvement and utilize a variety of latching mechanisms.
Some embodiments also include improved blade guarding components.
Some embodiments lengthen the table toward the operator and add a reinforcement leg that clamps into the host saw horizontal work vice.
Some embodiments utilize an accessory attachment system to attach an extension or cutting alignment tools.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62536363 | Jul 2017 | US |
