This invention relates generally to tile or masonry saws and, more particularly, to tile saws with expanded capacity.
A typical tile saw includes a base which supports a generally flat tabletop. A saw unit may be disposed on the base or table for cutting a workpiece, such as a tile or masonry brick, disposed on the table. However, the maximum cutting capacity of such tile saws is limited by the size of the machine or “envelope.”.
Accordingly, persons skilled in the art have devised a tile saw where the base has two tracks and the table has bearings or wheels riding on the tracks, so that the table can be moved relative to the saw unit for increased capacity. Such tile saws, however, are usually susceptible to dust collecting between the tracks and wheels, which creates binding between the base and the table. Ultimately, the binding may cause uneven, inaccurate cuts, which may translate into loss of time, materials and/or profit for the user.
Further, the capacity of such tile saws is usually limited to the length of the tracks. In other words, if a user wants increased capacity, the user may have to lengthen the tracks. However, longer tracks may result in less portability of the tile saw.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a saw with increased cutting capacity without sacrificing portability.
In accordance with the present invention, an improved tile saw is employed. The saw comprises a base, a frame assembly disposed on the base, a rail disposed on the frame assembly, the rail having a longitudinal axis, a table movably disposed on the rail, a support assembly disposed on the base, a saw assembly supported by the support assembly. The saw assembly includes a motor and a cutting wheel driven by the motor. The saw assembly is pivotable about a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a switch is electrically connected to the motor.
In an embodiment, the tile saw includes wheels fixed to the bottom of a table that move along a pair of parallel rails. The wheels can support the table assembly in at least a first cantilevering position on a longitudinal side of the cutting wheel. In the cantilevering position, at least two wheels extend beyond the end of the rail assembly and are not in contact with (off of) the rail assembly. The same two wheels that are off of the rail assembly in a first cantilevering direction support the table assembly in a second cantilevering position on an opposite second longitudinal side of the cutting wheel. In an embodiment, the spacing between the wheels at the ends of the table assembly can be less than the spacing between the wheel set in the center of the table. This increases the capacity of the saw assembly while keeping the overall size of the saw assembly 10 smaller.
In an embodiment, the saw assembly includes the base and the frame assembly is disposed on the base. A rail assembly disposed on the frame assembly. The rail assembly has a longitudinal axis, a first end and a longitudinally opposite second end. The rail assembly includes a rail having a length. A support assembly is disposed on at least one of the base and the frame assembly and includes a motor, and a cutting wheel driven by the motor. The cutting wheel has a cutting wheel axis that lies in a cutting wheel axis plane. A table assembly having a table body is movably disposed on the rail assembly between a first cantilevered position with respect to the frame assembly at the first end of the rail assembly, and a second cantilevered position with respect to the frame assembly at the second end of the rail assembly. A plurality of wheels is serially arranged on the table body to move the table assembly along the rail assembly between the first cantilevered position wherein at least two of the plurality of wheels are moved beyond the first end of the rail assembly, and the second cantilevered position wherein at least two of the plurality of wheels are moved beyond the second end of the rail assembly.
In an embodiment, the rail assembly can include a rod disposed along the longitudinal axis thereof, the rod having a first end and an opposite second end. The plurality of wheels can move the table assembly along the rod between the first cantilevered position wherein at least two of the plurality of wheels are moved beyond the first end of the rod, and the second cantilevered position wherein at least two of the plurality of wheels are moved beyond the second end of the rod.
In an embodiment, the rail assembly can include a contact portion disposed along the longitudinal axis and having a first end and an opposite second end. The plurality of wheels can move the table assembly along the contact portion between the first cantilevered position wherein at least two of the plurality of wheels are moved beyond the first end of the contact portion, and the second cantilevered position wherein at least two of the plurality of wheels are moved beyond the second end of the contact portion.
In an embodiment, the plurality of wheels includes a first end wheel disposed at one end of the table body, a second end wheel disposed at an opposite end of the table body and middle wheels located between the first end wheel and the second end wheel. The distance between each end wheel and an adjacent middle wheel is greater than the distance between adjacent middle wheels. Each of the first end wheel, second end wheel and middle wheels having axes. A ratio of the distance between the first end wheel axis and the second end wheel axis to the length of the rail is less than 1.25.
In an embodiment, in the first and second cantilevered positions, the table assembly can be cantilevered to a maximum cantilevered span with respect to the frame assembly and a travel length of the table assembly along the rail is about two times the length of the rail.
In an embodiment, in the maximum cantilevered span position, a ratio of the distance between the cutting wheel axis plane and first end wheel axis plane to the length of the rail is greater than one.
In an embodiment, the rail assembly includes parallel first and second rails arranged on the frame assembly, each of the first and second rails having a first end and an longitudinally opposite second end. A plurality of bearings is serially arranged on the table assembly, to support the table assembly along the first and second rails between the first cantilevered position wherein at least two bearings are moved beyond the first end of the first and second rails, and the second cantilevered position wherein at least two bearings, are moved beyond the second end of the first and second rails.
In an embodiment, a saw assembly includes a base, a frame assembly disposed on the base and a rail assembly disposed on the frame assembly. The rail assembly has a longitudinal axis, a first end and a longitudinally opposite second end. The rail assembly includes a rail having a length. An arm assembly supporting a motor assembly is disposed above the table assembly. The motor assembly includes a motor and a cutting wheel driven by the motor. The cutting wheel has a cutting wheel axis that lies in a cutting wheel axis plane. A column assembly supporting the arm assembly includes at least one connecting end portion defining a connecting end plane and a central portion defining a central portion plane. The central portion plane is obliquely angled with respect to the connecting end plane, for example, at about 45°. The connecting end plane is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rail and the central portion plane forms an acute angle with the connecting end plane. In an embodiment, the column assembly has an asymmetrical C-shaped body.
In an embodiment, at least one connecting end portion can be a first portion disposed on at least one of the base and the frame assembly and define a first portion plane parallel to the cutting wheel axis plane. The central portion can be a second portion defining a second portion plane obliquely angled with respect to the first portion plane. The second portion can include a forward contact point that lies in a contact point plane parallel to the cutting wheel axis plane. In an embodiment, a distance between the forward contact point plane and the cutting wheel axis plane is at least 6 inches. In an embodiment the at least one connecting end portion includes two connecting portions, one portion connected to one of the base and frame assembly and the other portion connected to the arm assembly.
In an embodiment, the first portion defines a first surface plane parallel to the cutting wheel axis plane, and a second portion defines a second surface plane obliquely angled with respect to the first surface plane. The second portion having a contact point that lies in a contact point plane. The distance between the first surface plane and the contact point plane is greater than zero.
In an embodiment, a table positioning knob assembly includes a knob body including an upper surface having a protruding member and a bottom surface having a positioning members including a detent member, such as a ball. The knob body is moveable to a plurality of positions such as by rotating about a knob shaft. The knob shaft rotatably supports the knob body through the plurality of positions. Positioning elements including a pin and detent grooves cooperate with the positioning members on the knob body to position the knob body at each of the plurality of positions. A spring biases the knob body in a direction toward the positioning element.
In an embodiment, the table has a longitudinal length and is movably disposed on the rail. The table includes a table body having a top surface for supporting a workpiece and a bottom surface comprising at least one first and second depending brackets arranged longitudinally on the table and offset from each other. The table positioning knob assembly is disposed on the frame and is configured to engage at least one of the plurality of depending brackets to retain the table on the frame at different positions along the length of the rail. The plurality of positions includes a first position over the base and a second cantilevered position with respect to the frame. In a third position of the knob body, the projecting member engages nether bracket and the table can be removed from the rail.
In an embodiment, of the support assembly in the saw assembly, the motor has a motor shaft rotatable on a motor shaft axis that lies in a plane parallel to the top surface of the table body. The cutting wheel is driven by the motor shaft. During movement of the motor toward the table assembly or during operation of the saw with the motor running, the motor shaft axis deflects less than 5.21 mm toward the top surface of the table.
Additional features and benefits of the present invention are described, and will be apparent from, the accompanying drawings and the detailed description below.
The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention according to the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:
The invention is now described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals designate like parts.
Base 11 is preferably injection molded or vacuum formed. Base 11 may be made of any material, including, but not limited to polypropylene with calcium carbonate filler, such as Astryn 75A6-2 by Basell, HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) or ABS.
As is well known in the art, base 11 can include a tub portion mounted thereon. In an embodiment, the base can be shaped as a tub to receive most, if not all, the water and slurry created during operation. A pump 16 can be disposed on base 11 to pump fluid out of base 11.
Base 11 may support frame assembly 20. Referring to
Preferably, frame assembly 20 is made of cast aluminum. Such material is advantageous as it reduces the flex caused by the tile saw components disposed thereon, providing a more accurate cut.
Frame assembly 20 may have integral storage areas for storing tile saw components thereon. For example, as shown in
Referring to
In order to provide a means to ensure proper alignment between the column assembly 50 and frame assembly 20, posts 23W, 23N may be provided on support pad 23 and/or column body 51.
Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the holes receiving posts 23W, 23N are preferably close tolerance holes. In order to allow both posts 23W, 23N to fit in both holes, some side-to-side allowance for one of the holes should be provided. This side-to-side allowance could be achieved by making one of the holes into a slot, or shaping one post as a diamond, in a similar manner as post 51D.
Referring to
As shown in
Second rail 42 is preferably fixed to frame assembly 20 by a second bolt and nut combination 45. Second rail 42 preferably has a substantially L-shaped or C-shaped cross-section throughout a major portion, if not all, of its entire length.
Table assembly 40 is preferably movably disposed to rail assembly 30. In an embodiment, table assembly 40 rolls or slides on rail assembly 30. To facilitate this movement, table assembly 40 may also include several shafts 32, 43, wheels 34 and bearings 38, 46 connected to table body 41.
As shown in
Wheels 34, 34′ may be disposed on one side of table body 41 and arranged to ride on first rail 31. Each wheel 34, 34′ may be disposed on shaft 32. Shaft bearings 32B may also be disposed between wheel 34, 34′ and shaft 32. Preferably, two shaft bearings 32B are pressed into each wheel 34, 34′. In addition, a first table bearing 38 may be disposed on first shaft 32. First table bearing 38 may be a rotatable roller or a non-rotatable element which may be polygonnally shaped. Preferably, shafts 32, wheels 34, 34′ and first table bearings 38 are disposed on one side of table body 41. In an embodiment, the number of wheels 34, 34′ on one side of table body 41 is greater than three. In another embodiment, shown in
At least one second table bearing 46 may be disposed on the other side of table body 41 and arranged to ride on second rail 42. Second table bearing 46 may be a rotatable roller, as shown in
Second table bearing 46 preferably rides on second rail 42. Internal bearings 46B also allow second table bearing 46 to rotate on second shaft 43.
With such an arrangement, table assembly 40 may be movably disposed on rail assembly 30 in the longitudinal direction (as shown in
Preferably, wheels 34, 34′ and first table bearings 38 support most, if not all, of the weight of table body 41. In the present arrangement, table body 41 preferably pivots about the contact between rod 36 and wheels 34, 34′. Referring to
Table body 41 may thus be moved in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of first and second rails 31, 42. When table body 41 is moved accordingly, wheels 34 rotate about and/or with shafts 32, while first table bearings 38 slide along first portion 31C.
This arrangement of a plurality of wheels serially arranged on the underside of table body 41 is especially advantageous as it allows the user to move table assembly 40 beyond the ends of rail assembly 30, as shown in
A cantilevered position includes, but is not limited to, a position in which a portion of table assembly 40 extends beyond the opposing ends of rail assembly 30 and components and portions thereof. In an embodiment, the top surface of table body 41 remains substantially parallel to rail assembly 30 in the cantilevered position. Table assembly 40 cantilevers with respect to frame assembly 20. A cantilevered position also includes table assembly 40 positioned at a maximum cantilevered span with respect to frame 21. In the maximum cantilevered span position, table assembly 40 is cantilevered to its maximum distance beyond either the first end 30A or second end 30B of the rail assembly 30, such as by the wheels 34 reaching its furthest travel point along the rail assembly, or by being mounted on the rail assembly in the cantilevered position. In an embodiment, the maximum distance point can be measured at the cantilevered first or far end of the table. In an embodiment, the maximum distance point can be measured at the inner surface of the fence 41F. Preferably, the maximum distance point can be measured at the axis of the wheels 34 located at the longitudinal end of the table assembly or farthest from frame assembly 20. In an embodiment, the maximum cantilevered span beyond the first and second ends of the rail assembly is the same. In an embodiment, the maximum cantilevered span beyond the first and seconds end of the rail assembly is different.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
One such means is shown in
Preferably, insert 48 is made of a material that does not damage cutting wheel 76 or melt upon contact with the cutting wheel. Accordingly, insert 48 may be made of phenolic plastic or any other suitable material, such GE Noryl PPO. It is preferable to design insert 48 so that it can be removed for replacement. Accordingly, insert 48 is preferably attached to fence 41 by screws. In an embodiment, insert 48 has a circular shape.
Table body 41 may have downwardly extending lips 41L, which preferably partially cover first and/or second rails 31, 42. This may limit the amount of fluid and/or slurry that enters first and/or second rails 31, 42.
In an embodiment, table body 41 may be made of cast aluminum. As illustrated in
It is preferable to provide a method for adjusting rail assembly 30 so that table assembly 40 moves in a direction substantially parallel to cutting wheel 76. Referring to
Persons skilled in the art will recognize that this adjustment mechanism may also be used with second rail 42. In addition, persons skilled in the art should recognize that, while only rod 36 is being shown in
Referring to
In the second cantilevered position, as shown in
In an embodiment, the length of the table assembly 40 is greater than the distance DR between the cutting wheel axis plane PCW and a plane PR1, PR2 defining a longitudinal end of the rail 31, 42.
In an embodiment, the travel length of table assembly 40 along rail assembly 30 is greater than about 1.0 or greater, such as, for example 1.2 times the length of the rails 31, 42. In an embodiment, the length of table assembly 40 is substantially equal to the length LR of the rail.
In an embodiment of the first and second cantilevered positions shown in
In an embodiment of the first cantilevered position shown in
Additionally, a ratio of the distance DW between the first end wheel axis plane PW1 and the second end wheel axis plane PW2 to the length of the rail LR is less that 0.85. Also, the distance DW between the first end wheel axis plane PW1 and the second end wheel axis plane PW2 also represents, substantially, the length of the table assembly 40. In an embodiment wherein the inner surface of fence 41F is on the same plane as the first end wheel axis W1, a distance between the cutting wheel axis WA and the first end wheel axis PW1 or the inner surface of fence 41F at the maximum cantilevered span position is at least 36 inches. In another embodiment wherein the inner surface of fence 41F is in a different plane from the first end wheel axis W1, a distance between the cutting wheel axis WA and the first end wheel axis PW1 at the maximum cantilevered span position is at least 36 inches. A ratio of the distance D between the inner surface of fence 41F at the maximum cantilevered span position at the first end 30A of the rail assembly 30 and the second end wheel axis plane PW2 at the maximum cantilevered span position at the second end of rail assembly 30, to the rail length LR is greater than 1.5 or greater than 1.75 or greater than 2.0. A ratio between a cutting wheel diameter and an oblique tile distance is in a range of about 0.19 to about 0.28. The oblique tile distance is the measurement from the inner surface of the fence 41F to the contact edge of the cutting wheel 76.
The plurality of second rail bearings 46 serially arranged on an underside of table body 41 support table assembly 40 as it moves along second 42 rail. In the first cantilevered position of the table assembly, at least two bearings 38, 46 one on each lateral side of table body 41 are moved beyond the first end of first 31 and second 42 rails of rail assembly 30. In a second cantilevered position of the table assembly, at least two bearings 38, 46 on each lateral side of table body 41, are moved beyond the second end of the first 31 and second 42 rail assemblies. In an embodiment, rail bearings can be arranged on other portions of the table body including side portions.
Persons skilled in the art should also recognize table assembly 40 can only be inserted into and/or removed from rail assembly 30 by moving table assembly in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes of first and second rails 31, 42. It may be desirable to provide first rail 31 and second rail 42 with openings, such as for example, opening 44 in
Referring to
The knob body is rotatable about a knob shaft, such as bolt 94 that passes through the frame 21. In an embodiment, the knob body 92 can be slidable or rotatable about a fixed point. The bolt 94 is threadedly mounted to the frame 21 and held in place by a washer 96. The knob body 92 is biased toward the frame 21 by a spring 98.
The knob body 92 is rotatable and releasable about the bolt 94 to a predetermined position with respect to a positioning element 102 mounted on or integral with the frame 21. The positioning element 102 has a top surface that faces the bottom surface of the knob body 92. The bolt 94 passes through the center of the positioning element 102 and the center of the knob body 92 and coaxially connects the knob body to the positioning element. A stop member, such as pin 110, and a plurality of detent grooves 112 are disposed on the top surface of the positioning element and circumscribe the bolt 94. Each detent groove 112 represents a different position of the knob body. The knob body 92 includes a spring-biased detent ball 114 that extends through the bottom surface and engages detent grooves 112 in positioning element 102 to temporarily fix the knob body with respect to the positioning element. Added force against projecting member 95 on the top surface of the knob overcomes the bias of the detent ball 114 to move the detent ball 114 out of a respective detent groove 112. A cavity 100 in knob body 92 receives pin 110, which can abut ribs 116 on the bottom surface of the knob body to thereby stop the knob body 92 from rotating.
The knob body 92 is configured to engage with the table assembly 40. In an embodiment, the table body 41 of the table assembly includes a plurality of brackets 41B1, 41B2 on the underside thereof. The brackets 41B1, 41B2 extend or depend from a bottom surface of the table body 41 toward at least one of the first and second rails 31, 42. The brackets are arranged along the longitudinal length of the table and are laterally arranged or offset from each other. In certain positions of the table positioning knob 90, engagement with the table brackets 41B1, 41B2 will either fully or partially position the table assembly 40 on the rails 31, 42, or allow the table assembly 40 to be removed completely from the rails. Although the brackets illustrated as extending downwardly, from the bottom surface of the table, there can be other locations and arrangements for the brackets and knob. For example, the knob can be located on the bottom surface of the table so that the projecting member on the knob extends downwardly, and the bracket can extend upwardly from an upper surface of the frame.
As shown in
As mentioned above, table body 41 preferably has grooves 41G. Referring to
Alternatively, fluid and/or slurry generated during the cutting operation may exit table body 41 through holes 41GBH, which in turn may drain into a draining pan 41RD. Draining pan 41RD preferably has a bottom wall which slopes downwardly from the rear end of table body 41 towards the drain hole 41D. The fluid and/or slurry exiting through drain hole 41D ends up in base 11.
Draining pan 41RD may also have a substantially horizontal baffle 41H disposed below the top surface of table body 41 and cutting wheel 76. Baffle 41H would catch some of the fluid and/or slurry that is thrown rearwardly due to the rotation of the cutting wheel 76 and redirect such fluid and/or slurry into the draining pan 41RD.
Table body 41 may also have a brush 41B at the rearward and/or forward ends of grooves 41G to help limit the flow of fluid and/or slurry beyond the brush 41B and/or grooves 41G. Preferably, the brush 41B has bristles made of nylon or a synthetic rubber-like material.
Referring to
The extension pan assembly 12 can also be fitted with a splash guard 14. The splash guard 14 can prevent water and slurry from splashing beyond the extension pan assembly. In an embodiment shown in
Persons skilled in the art will recognize that other extension pans may also be attached to any sides or the front of base 11. These extension pans are preferably blow molded, injection molded or vacuum formed and made of ABS, styrene, polypropylene, or HDPE.
Referring to
The column assembly 50 can have an inner column portion and an outer column portion. In particular, the column assembly can have a be substantially C-shaped body 51 having two oppositely disposed connecting end portions defining the inner column portion, and a central portion therebetween defining an outer column portion. The C-shape refers to a body that generally has the appearance of the letter C.
The oppositely disposed connecting end portions of the column body 51 include a first connecting end portion 152 and a second connecting end portion 154. The first connecting end portion 152 connects the column assembly 50 to the arm assembly 60. The second connecting end portion 154 connects the column assembly 50 to at least one of the base 11 and the frame assembly 20. The central portion 156 extends outwardly from the connecting end portions 152, 154 in a direction away from the rail assembly. Therefore, the connecting end portions are disposed in a space between the central portion and the rail assembly 30. The central portion 156 being farther away from the rail assembly 30 that the connecting end portions 152, 154 provides a space for larger tiles on the saw assembly, the space being wider than the space provided by the width of the table body 41.
Generally the central portion 156 is obliquely angled with respect to the connecting end portions 152, 154 giving the column assembly an asymmetrical C-shape. In particular, the central portion 156 is disposed in a different plane from the first and second connecting end portions 152, 154. As shown in
Additionally, in an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. A and 12B, the first and second connecting end portions 152, 154 of the body 51 have a connecting end portion surfaces 152S, 154S that lie in a first surface plane Psi, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of and facing first end 30A of rail assembly 30. The central portion 156 also has a central portion surface 156S contiguous with the connecting end portion surfaces 152S, 154S, that lies in the second surface plane PS2. The second surface plane PS2 forms an non-coplanar surface or oblique angle with the first surface plane Psi. As such, the central portion surface 156S is obliquely angled with respect to the connecting end surfaces 152, 154. The obliquely positioned central portion 156 places the weight of the column assembly in proximity to the center of the cutting wheel to maintain balance of the tile saw, while expanding the cutting capacity rearward.
In the embodiments of
The central portion includes a flared open end through which a workpiece can pass during a cutting operation, and a closed end 162 having a planar surface. The closed end 162 provides a stop surface that can stop a large workpiece from moving closer to the cutting wheel 76. The guide surface includes a plurality of contact points, including a forward contact point 160 disposed at the intersection of the closed end 162 surface and the central portion surface plane PS2. The forward contact point 160 lies in a contact point plane PCP perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the rail assembly. In an embodiment, the distance DCP between the forward contact point 160 and the cutting wheel axis WA is at least 2 inches or at least 4 inches, or at least 6 inches.
In an embodiment, the second connecting end portion 154 can be longer than the first connecting end portion 152 and include a bracket that attaches the column assembly 50 to the support pad 23 of the frame assembly 20. The second connecting end portion 154 has a distal end 158 that is tapered toward the table assembly 40. The tapered or reduced height of the second connecting end 154 allows the second connecting end 154 to extend underneath the table body 41 and provide additional stability to the column assembly 50 on the frame 21 or the base 11.
Column body 51 is preferably hollow and made of cast aluminum. Internal support ribs 51R may be disposed within column body 51 to increase its strength.
It is preferable to route all the electrical wires (not shown) that provide power to the motor 78M through column body 51 and arm assembly 60. A cover member, such as plate 52, may be used to cover and/or seal the inner cavity of column body 51 that contains the electrical wires. Plate 52 may also support the incoming power cable (not shown), which may then extend through the inner cavity of column body 51 and into the arm assembly 60. In an embodiment, the plate 52 can include a channel formed therein for guiding the power cable from the tool to an electrical outlet. In addition, plate 52 may also support a second power cable (not shown), which can be used to power any other electrical device, such as pump 16. Plate 52 may be affixed to column body by screws 52S.
Additionally, clips 52C may be disposed about the plate 52 to secure and provide a guide for the hose 102 from a nozzle assembly or fluid delivery system 100 to the pump 16. In an embodiment, the clips 52C can be formed from plastic. Further the plate 52 can have recesses that are sized and shaped to store additional tools and components of the tile saw. For example, the plate can include recesses 52R for removably securing at least one Allen wrench and blade wrench for fixing the cutting wheel 76 to the motor assembly 70.
Referring to
Motor assembly 70 preferably includes a housing 78 covering motor 78M. Housing 78 may be attached to a pivot arm 71. Motor 78M preferably drives a shaft 72, which carries a cutting wheel 76. The shaft 72 rotates about motor shaft axis SA (
Referring to
Pivot arm 71 preferably has front and rear ends. At the rear end, pivot arm 71 may be pivotably attached to chopping trunnion 73 so that pivot arm 71 (and motor 78M and housing 78) can pivot about axis 73A. Chopping trunnion 73 is preferably pivotably connected to bevel trunnion 63, which in turn may be fixedly connected to arm body 61.
At the front end, pivot arm 71 may be movably connected to front plate 74. Referring to
Preferably, axis 73A is substantially horizontal (at the 0° bevel position). Such arrangement allows the pivot arm 71 (and motor 78M and housing 78) to move downwardly in a chopping action so that a user can cut a tile in a chopping motion, or adjust the depth of cut of the cutting wheel 76. The user can fix the depth of cut of the cutting wheel 76 by rotating knob 74K, which in turn lockingly contacts front plate 74.
Persons skilled in the art should recognize that the user can use knob 74K to pivot the pivot arm 71 (and motor 78M and housing 78) downwardly. Alternatively, housing 78 may have a handle 78H extending therefrom to assist in the chopping operation. Preferably handle 78H has a substantially horizontal portion 78HH for the user to grasp.
Referring to
It is preferable that bevel axis 63A not be coplanar with the support surface of table body 41. Furthermore, it is preferable to locate a bevel axis 63A which provides two bevel positions where the distance between the support surface of table body 41 and the end of cutting wheel 76 are substantially equal. Referring to
In the present embodiment, the two bevel positions are 0° and 45°, whereas angle difference X is 45°. Then, the lowermost corner of cutting wheel 76 when cutting wheel 76 is in the 0° bevel position and which is the corner farthest away from the cutting wheel 76 in the 45° bevel position is selected. An imaginary line IL is drawn from said lowermost corner at an angle Y off the plane containing said lowermost corner and being parallel to cutting wheel 76 when cutting wheel 76 is in the 0° bevel position. Angle Y is preferably half of angle difference X.
Persons skilled in the art will recognize that imaginary line IL intersects the plane of cutting wheel 76 when cutting wheel 76 is in the 45° bevel position at a point above the support surface of table body 41. Bevel axis 63A can then be selected from any point of imaginary line IL, as all points in imaginary line IL will result in a bevel axis which provides two bevel positions where the distance between the support surface of table body 41 and the end of cutting wheel 76 are substantially equal.
Referring to
A bevel pointer 75 may be attached to the pivot arm 71 and/or front plate 74 by screw 75S so that bevel pointer 75 can pivot jointly therewith. The user can then determine the bevel angle of cutting wheel 76 by looking at the position of bevel pointer 75. Preferably, a bevel angle scale or indicia 611 is disposed on arm body 61 to further assist in the determination of the present bevel angle.
It may be desirable to provide a height adjustment stop mechanism to limit the chopping motion range of cutting wheel 76. Referring to
It is preferable to provide an air intake to direct cooling air towards motor 78M. Referring to
Motor housing 78 may have first baffles 78B disposed internally to cause changes in the direction or velocity of the airflow. Such interruptions in the steady flow of air will preferably separate particulate matter 78FD from the air and/or to fall within motor housing 78 before they reach motor 78M.
It may also be preferable to dispose a second baffle 78DS between the airflow and the brush box 78BBB, which supports a motor brush 78BB which in turn contacts motor 78M. Such second baffle 78DS would collect particulate matter 78FD from the air by redirecting the airflow away from brush box 78BBB.
It may be advantageous to provide a filter 78F somewhere in the airflow. Filter 78F may be made of open cell foam, or other suitable filtering material. Filter 78F may be disposed near a drain 78E, so that any fluid collected by filter 78F can exit motor housing 78 via the drain 78E. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that, even though drain 78E is disposed on a bottom surface of motor housing 78 and that cooling air with a higher concentration of airborne contaminants may come in through drain 78E, such air may be filtered by filter 78F. Persons skilled in the art should also recognize that it is preferable to design filter 78F so that it can easily be removed through drain 78E and/or intake 781.
Referring to the circuit schematic of
Switch 28 is preferably a single throw, double pole switch connected to both cables 54 and disposed between plug 55 and outlet 53/motor 78M. It is preferable that switch 28 be placed on arm body 61, so that it remains stationary, even when motor assembly 70 is beveled.
As mentioned above, motor assembly 70 preferably includes guard assembly 80. Referring to
Preferably, guard body 81 has a curved slot 82S, where the radii of the curved slot meet at a center, which is substantially aligned with wheel axis WA. A screw 82 may extend through slot 82S and pivot arm 71 and threadingly engage a knob (not shown). This knob can be rotated to fix the pivotal position of guard body 81 relative to pivot arm 71. This allows guard body 81 to pivot relative to pivot arm 71 to cover the shaft 72 when a smaller cutting wheel is installed thereon. In addition, such arrangement allows the guard body 81 to remain in the same pivotal position relative to cutting wheel 76 regardless of the cutting wheel diameter. This is especially helpful for maintaining the fluid delivery assembly, discussed below, aligned with cutting wheel 76.
Referring to
Valve body 101 may be attached to guard body 81. In particular, valve body 101 may have a notch 101N which receives a screw 81S threadingly engaged to guard body 81. Valve body 101 in turn may send the fluid to two nozzles 104, each nozzle 104 being disposed on opposite sides of cutting wheel 76. Nozzles 104 in turn have holes 104H through which the fluid exits.
Nozzles 104 are preferably carried by a carrier 103, which may be pivotably attached to valve body 101. Carrier 103 may be connected to pivoter 105. This enables the user to rotate nozzles 104 and/or carrier 103 to a desired position towards or away from cutting wheel 76 by rotating pivoter 105. Pivoter 105 preferably has a handle 105H to facilitate such rotation.
Preferably, nozzles 104 and/or carrier 103 can be biased away from cutting wheel 76 so that the fluid exiting through holes 104H does not contact cutting wheel 76. This placement advantageously reduces the amount of fluid misting.
It is preferable that nozzles 104 may be made of an elastic or resilient material such that, when a workpiece T is pushed into contact with cutting wheel 76, workpiece T flexes nozzles 104 as shown in
Referring to
It is preferable to provide an easy means for separating hose 102 from valve body 101. Referring to
Guard assembly 80 may also have other means for controlling fluid flow. For example, referring to
Guard assembly 80 may also have a flapper 83 attached to guard body 81. Flapper 83 may be made of rubber. Flapper 83 preferably has an upper portion 83R with substantially vertical ribs and a lower portion 83S without ribs. Such arrangement is advantageous as the ribs on the upper portion reduces the amount of mist created when fluid strikes flapper 83, whereas the lower portion 83S can lay flush on workpiece T and act as a wiper.
Referring to
Persons skilled in the art should recognize that, if the stand S has a linkage that limits the distance between beams SB, one beam SB may be disposed on one bracket 11BB, while the other beam SB may just contact the underside of base 11.
Referring to
Guide body 65B may have a clamping channel 65C which receives fence 41F. Clamping channel 65C may include a surface 65CS which is preferably substantially parallel to fence 41F. Guide body 65B may also include a movable plate 65P which is moved into contact against fence 41F for sandwiching the fence 41F between surface 65CS and plate 65P. Plate 65P may be moved in by a knob 65K which is preferably attached to a screw 65KS, which in turn is preferably threadingly engaged to guide body 65B and may contact plate 65P.
Guide body 65B may have a surface 65BP on one side thereof, and preferably two surfaces 65BP on both sides thereof. Surfaces 65BP are preferably substantially perpendicular to surface 65CS. Accordingly, guide body 65B can be attached to table body 41 and a workpiece T can be disposed against the surface 65BP. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that, if two surfaces 65BP are provided on both sides of guide body 65B, the user could rest a workpiece T against a surface 65BP regardless of which side of groove 41G the guide body 65B is disposed.
Angle guide assembly 65 may also have an angled fence 65F. Angled fence 65F may be pivotably attached to guide body 65B, as shown in
Alternatively, angled fence 65F may be removably disposed on guide body 65B, as shown in
As shown in
Persons skilled in the art will recognize that providing an angled fence 65F that can be moved between both sides of guide body 65B will enable the user to support a workpiece T disposed on table body 41 at an angle regardless of which side of groove 45G guide body 65B is disposed.
Angled fence 65F may have support ribs 65FR for added strength and/or stability.
Guide body 65B may also carry set screws 65SS for properly aligning the surface 65FS relative to table body 41 and/or surfaces 65BP.
While aspects of the present invention are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in the context of a tile saw, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the invention, in its broadest aspects, has further applicability.
It will be appreciated that the above description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. While specific examples have been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various examples is expressly contemplated herein, even if not specifically shown or described, so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements and/or functions of one example may be incorporated into another example as appropriate, unless described otherwise, above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular examples illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the teachings of the present disclosure, but that the scope of the present disclosure will include any embodiments falling within the foregoing description and the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/890,280 entitled “Tile Saw”, filed Aug. 22, 2019. The entirety of the above application incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62890280 | Aug 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/US2020/047258 | Aug 2020 | US |
Child | 17676448 | US |