MXPA06008089A - Bevel and depth of cut detent system - Google Patents

Abstract

A circular saw assembly of the type that includes a motor housing (14), a handle (16) coupled to the motor housing, a generally circular saw blade disposed within a blade housing (22) at a first end of the motor housing, and a foot member (20) through which the blade extends for guiding the saw assembly along a work surface, where the circular saw assembly including a depth of cut locking system and a angle of cut locking system. The depth of cut locking system (10) includes an arcuate bracket (30) with an arcuate slot (28), and an engagement member (44) extends through the slot and is operatively connected to the motor housing and slideable in the arcuate slot. The angle of cut locking system (12) includes a bracket (32) having an arcuate slot (36) and an engagement member movable in the slot and configured to the bracket. A biasing member (80) is provided to bias the engagement member, and at least on detent recess (84) is provided to retain the engagement member therein.

Description

SE, SI, SK, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid-GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG.) Anee Notes on Codes and Abbreviations "appearing at the beginning-p W h < _ • nor "ofeach regular issue of the PCT Gazette." - • with intemational search report CUTTING AND BEVEL DEPTH RETAIN SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to motorized tools and particularly to motorized hand tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Motorized hand tools such as miter saws, circular saws, as well as other hand tools often provided with the ability to adjust the depth of cut or bevel angle. In cases where such adjustment capability is provided in a tool, there is usually a measurement and indicator screen present in the tool which will allow the user to set the angle or depth of cut at the desired location after which it is usually Tighten a locking lever to hold the tool in its desired position. Professional users often adjust the bevel and depth settings in circular saws, miter saws and other tools, which takes time and care to accurately obtain the desired configuration. Because there are common angles such as 22-1 / 2 ° and 45 ° for bevel angles, and particular thickness settings for cutting depth settings that correspond to common thicknesses of wood, for example 0.63cm, 1.27cm, 1.90cm, 5.08cm, it is a practice of toolmakers to design adjustable locking mechanisms so that they have detents at these common angles and depths. Although much time and energy has been invested in the design of retainer mechanisms that are convenient for use and accuracy, the goal of designers to develop retainer systems that have superior operational capability persists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first preferred embodiment that is particularly useful in a cutting depth detent system uses a bracket having a curved slot thereon with elongated portions at the detent locations, said elongated portions generally encompassing a circular shape having a diameter that is slightly larger than the width of the slot at each detent location and wherein a locking element has a washer with a diameter larger than the width of the slot and the elongated portions. The washer has a truncated conical extension adjacent to an opening in the washer that defines an annular ramp portion that is configured to fit within the generally circular seal portions. A locking lever mechanism is deflected by spring to the bracket so that the washer engages the bracket at all times. However, the washer will not move to its maximum extent in the direction of the bracket unless the conical extension fits into one of the elongated circular portions, which are selectively placed in specific predetermined locations that correlate with the useful configurations. For the users. A second preferred embodiment of the present invention focuses on a detent system for a circular saw having one or more detents in predetermined desired angular positions, wherein an elongate spring is positioned within a notch in which a portion of a lever The locking device is mobile, wherein the spring engages the element moving in the slot and engages a cavity in the desired retainer location. The spring engages the locking element but is flexible enough to allow the element to move along the slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a circular saw and illustrates a bevel retainer system as well as a portion of a cutting depth retainer system; Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective of a portion of the circular saw shown in Figure 2 and particularly illustrates the cutting depth retainer system shown in a location different from the retainer location; Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective of a portion of the circular saw shown in Figure 2 and particularly illustrates the system shown in a cutting depth retainer location; Figure 4 is a front view of the circular saw shown in Figure 1 and particularly illustrates a bevel quadrant and a portion of the bevel retainer system; Figure 5 is a planar view of one side of the washer engaging the locking lever portion of the cutting depth detent system; Figure 6 is a cross section that is generally taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a side view of the washer shown in Figure 5; Figure 8 is a plan view of the leaf spring; Figure 9 is a side view of the leaf spring shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the leaf spring shown in Figure 8; Figure 11 is an end view of a portion of the leaf spring shown in Figure 8; Figure 12 is a side elevational view of a saw with the preferred bevel detent system of the present invention; Figure 13 is a cross section of the bevel retainer system of Figure 12 which is generally taken along line 13-13; and Figure 14 is an enlarged portion of the bevel retainer system illustrated in Figure 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION There are two preferred embodiments shown in the figures in relation to a circular saw. The first preferred embodiment is executed in a cutting depth retainer system which is used to quickly detect and adjust the amount by which the saw blade extends below the foot portion of the saw which determines in a manner The depth of cut that can be made with the saw is effective. The second preferred embodiment is executed in a bevel retainer system which is provided with the circular saw to vary the bevel angle of the saw to a predetermined angle. Although the preferred embodiments are shown in connection with a circular saw, it should be understood that, the retainer systems described and discussed in the present invention can be used with other hand tools or other types of mechanisms, where detents are used for defining the desired positions commonly used for a mechanism and, where a locking ability to hold the mechanism in a desired position is desirable. It should also be understood that any of the modalities can be executed in cutting depth or bevel detent system. Turning now to the figures, and particularly Figure 1, a circular saw is illustrated and generally shows a cutting depth detent system, indicated by the number 10, as well as a bevel retainer system, indicated by the numeral 12. Both detent systems 10 and 12 are shown as being executed in a circular saw of the type having a motor housing 14, a handle 16, an auxiliary handle 18, a foot structure 20, as well as a blade housing 22 where find a saw blade. The saw can be adjusted to vary the cutting depth using the cutting depth retainer system 10 which allows the saw structure to rotate about an axis defined by a bolt 24, with a locking mechanism 26 mounted on the handle structure 16 running inside a curved slot 28 provided in a generally curved bracket 30 which is mounted to the foot 20 by means of bolts, screws or other structure known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, the angle of the saw blade can be adjusted by means of a bevel adjustment structure comprising a bevel bracket 32 which is preferably integrally formed with the foot structure 20 with the motor housing 14, the The saw blade housing 22 and the saw blade are rotatably about an axis defined by a bolt 34. A curved slot 36 within the bevel quadrant 12 is configured to have a constant radius from the bolt 34, and a latching mechanism. locking lever 38 allows the bevel angle to lock in place after it has been properly positioned, which can be done by a user with an indicator 39a together with a pressure gauge 39b which is provided on the upper outer surface of the quadrant 12. Turning now to figures 1-3, with respect to the depth of the cutting depth retainer system, the bracket 30 has a number of elongated portions 40 which are generally circular configurations relative to the width of the slot 28, and preferably are stamped cut portions. The lock lever mechanism 26 has a lever handle 42 which, when rotated in the clockwise direction in Figure 1, will cause the clamping mechanism to hold the saw in the position established relative to the foot structure. 20. In addition to the lever handle 42, the locking lever mechanism includes a cylindrical portion 44 having an elongated cylindrical extension 46 extending axially between the handle 16 and the curved bracket 30. Although in the preferred embodiment, the cylindrical extension it is placed inside a sleeve 46a, other modalities contemplate the absence of a sleeve totally. A threaded insert (not shown) is configured at one end of the cylindrical extension 46. Similarly, a preferably threaded receiving element (not shown), such as a threaded spindle, carriage screw or the like, is extends from one side of the blade housing 22 to face, and engage the bracket 30 to threadably engage the threaded insert extending from the cylindrical extension 46, thereby coupling the locking lever mechanism 26 to the blade housing. Therefore, the rotation of the lever handle 42 in the clockwise direction, as illustrated in FIG. 1, effects rotation of the threaded insert in the same direction, thereby holding the bracket 30 between the threaded insert in the housing of blade 22. On the other hand, when the lever 42 moves in a counterclockwise direction, with reference to Figure 1, the extension 46 and the threaded insert will also rotate in a counterclockwise direction, thus loosening the threaded insert of the spindle or carriage bolt. Once loosened, the motor housing 14, the blade housing 22 and the handle 16 can be moved with respect to the curved slot 28 to vary the cutting depth of the blade. More specifically, when the locking lever 42 moves in the clockwise direction, the latter will hold the saw relative to the bracket 30 as desired. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, preferably the bracket 30 includes elongated portions 40 at various locations along a length of the slot 28, wherein the elongated portions define specific depth configurations of the saw blade, such as shown on a scale to the left of the slots. These elongated portions 40 are detents, which can be sensed and used by touch by experienced users to place the circular saw at a predetermined desired depth. Once the desired depth is reached, the locking lever 42 can be rotated (as illustrated in Figures 1-3, clockwise) to hold and hold the saw in the desired position. For this purpose, a compression spring 50 is preferably placed at one end of the cylindrical extension 46, wherein the spring is configured at a first end to engage an internal projection 51 of the sleeve 46 in the preferred embodiment (FIG. 3) . At a second end, the spring is configured to engage a special washer 52 that is also provided in the preferred embodiment, and is configured to engage the elongated portions and contact the side 62 of the bracket 30. Other embodiments of the invention contemplate that in In cases where the sleeve 46a is absent, the spring 50 can extend from the portion between the special washer 52 and the handle 16. As shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the washer 52 preferably includes a portion main 54 having the largest diameter, a cylindrical extension 56 on the upper side, as shown, and a truncated conical portion 58 on the underside, as shown, as well as a central opening 60 extending through the washer. The washer 52 is shown in Figures 2 and 3 with a surface 56a of the cylindrical extension 56 in contact with the spring 50, the spring preferably having an inside diameter only slightly larger than the diameter of the portion 56 to fit perfectly in the same. The truncated conical portion 58 is biased to contact the surface 62 of the bracket 30. Although the depth of the cut depth detent system can be locked to any predetermined depth, when the locking lever 42 is moved to a position of locking, the position of the washer 52, relative to the surface, will be different depending on whether the common axis of the cylindrical extension 46 and the bolt, as well as the washer itself, is located in an elongated circular portion 40 or not. the common shaft is not in an elongated portion 40, because the diameter of the truncated conical portion 58 is larger than the width of the slot 28, the main portion 54 will not be in contact with the surface 62. In that position, the main portion 54 is separated from the surface 62 by an amount approximately equal to the height of the conical portion 58 and this separate position is illustrated in Figure 2. When the Common shaft of the cylindrical portion 46 is in an elongated portion in a circular shape 40, the conical portion 58 will fit within the elongated portion and the main portion 54 will come into contact with the surface 62 of the bracket. Therefore, when desired, the retainer system thus accurately places the saw in the desired position of one of the detents. The angle of the conical portion 58 is approximately 40 ° relative to the axis of the washer 52, but may vary to an upper or lower angle, as desired. One consideration in determining the angle of the conical portion 58 is that, once the locking lever 42 is loosened, the angle of the conical portion 58 will affect the ease with which the saw can move within the slot 28, when it is left It is understood that a movement along the groove will create a force that tends to push the washer 52 away from the bracket 30 as it disengages from the circular elongate portion 40. Therefore, in summary, the curved bracket 30 extends from the foot 20, and is configured so that the locking lever mechanism 26 can be engaged and reciprocated within the slot 28 that is positioned within the bracket. Specifically, as the handle 16 and the motor housing 14 are rotated with respect to the bolt 24, the conical portion 58 of the washer 52 reciprocates along a path defined by the curved slot 28 and the elongated portion 40. In the portions of the slot 28 that are not elongated, the conical portion 58 does not fit snugly to the groove, but abuts the surface 62 and can be locked there through the threaded insert of the threaded insert and the threaded spindle , carriage screw or the like extending from the side of the blade housing 22. The threaded coupling and uncoupling of the threaded insert and the threaded receiving element is promoted by the rotation of the locking lever mechanism 26, which as illustrated, is by means of the rotation in the directions of the clockwise and counterclockwise direction, respectively. In the elongated portions 40 of the slot 28, a user can perceive and use, by touch, a retainer as the conical portion 58 is pushed towards the elongated portion by the deflection member 50. Because these elongated portions 40 preferably correspond to predetermined measurements of depth of cut, the user can perceive the detent and, subsequently, rotate the lever mechanism 26 either to engage or uncouple the threaded insert and the threaded receiving element to lock the saw in that predetermined position. Returning now to the bevel retainer system and referring to Figures 4 and 8 to 14, the bevel bracket 32 has the groove 36, as previously described, wherein a threaded fastener 69, such as a carriage bolt, spindle or the like, extends from one side of the slot facing the motor housing 14 and is secured against rotation by the bevel bracket 32. A cylindrical portion 70 of the locking lever 38 extends through the slot 36 and threadably couples the threaded fastener 69 from a side of the slot that it is oriented away from the motor housing. The operation of this locking lever 38 is substantially similar to that of the locking lever 26 previously described. More specifically, the threaded fastener 69 slides within the slot 36 to any desired position along a length of the slot. Despite the respective directions in which the locking lever 38 is rotated to the block and unlock positions, as illustrated, the locking lever 38 is rotated in a clockwise direction for locked engagement. As illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, the threaded fastener 69 is operatively coupled to the cylindrical portion 70 of the locking lever 38, and a washer 71 is positioned between the cylindrical portion and a surface of the bevel bracket 32. therefore, the rotation of the locking lever 38 in the locked engagement direction (clockwise, as illustrated) compresses the bevel bracket 32, the bevel quadrant 12, the washer 71 and the cylindrical portion 70, thus locking the locking lever 38 in place, preferably, through a clamping mechanism that holds the respective elements together to promote non-rotating movement. The bevel bracket 32 additionally provides a detent system at predetermined increments along the length of the groove 36 to allow the user to perceive, by touch, a number of predetermined angular measurements. For this purpose, the bevel bracket 32 further includes a pair of curved protuberances 72, which have recessed portions 74 between the protuberances 72 and an upper wall 76 where a leaf spring is placed, indicated generally at 80. The spring blade 80 has a pair of arcuate flat portions 82 extending toward slot 36, wherein the arcuate portions have a cupped cavity 84 placed in the center of each arcuate flat portion 82 to form a pair of detents that are preferably at a 22-1 / 2 ° and 45 ° position, as is common with bevel retainer systems. As a guide for the user, the bevel bracket 32 can optionally include measurement marks. The threaded fastener 69 is configured and positioned to move along the groove 36 and, when it reaches one of the cavities 84, it will provide a retainer and maintain the angular position in the desired detent position, upon which the lever 38 can be turned towards a locked coupling. As a guide, the measurement marks 86 can be provided along an upper surface of the bevel bracket 32. Because the leaf spring 80 is flexible, it can be locked in a position that is close to, but not precisely centered on the detent 84, which allows the user to provide a bevel angle that can be locked in place at an angle very close to the detent angles, if desired. As shown, the leaf spring 80 is preferably fabricated from a single piece of spring steel and has bridge support portions 88, 90 and 92 that contact the inner surface of the end wall 76. The spring The blade also has slanted tabs 94 in each support portion, which engage the opposite wall defined by the cavity 74 to securely hold the leaf spring in place. Tilted tabs can take on a variety of configurations, such as rectangular, or pointed, and for purposes of illustration, are only shown in triangular form. Although various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other modifications, substitutions and alternatives can be made. These modifications, substitutions and alternatives can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which should be determined from the appended claims. Several characteristics of the invention are mentioned in the following claims.

Claims (2)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as a priority: CLAIMS 1. - A circular saw assembly of the type including a motor housing, a handle coupled to the motor housing, a generally circular saw blade positioned within a blade housing at a first end of the motor housing, wherein the housing blade includes a cavity in a side portion facing in front of said motor housing, and a foot member through which the blade extends to guide the saw assembly along a work surface, said circular saw assembly comprising: a cutting depth retainer system (10) comprising a curved bracket (30) having a curved slot (28) extending therethrough, a first coupling element (44) operatively connected to the housing Motor and slidable in said curved slot, wherein said bracket is configured to have a plurality of elongated portions (40) along the length of said barrel. nura, said first coupling element engages in a locked manner at least said elongated portions of said bracket and the blade housing, and a lever portion (42) for moving said first coupling element to selectively couple and decouple said bracket and the blade housing; and a cutting angle locking system (12) comprising a bracket (32) having a curved slot (36), a second coupling element (69) movable in said groove and configured to couple said bracket, at least one deflection element (80) configured to deflect said second coupling element, at least one cavity of detent (84) configured in said biasing element for coupling and retaining said second coupling element thereon, and a lever portion (38) for selectively locking said second coupling element relative to said bracing.
2. 2. The circular saw assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said first coupling element further comprises a clamping assembly. 3. - The circular saw assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that said clamping assembly comprises a spring-deflected washer, said washer has a main body and a coupling portion. 4. - The circular saw assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that said coupling portion is configured to be a generally conical extension having a truncated upper end and a central hole therethrough. 5. The circular saw assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that said coupling portion has a predetermined diameter at a base thereof, which is at least slightly larger than a diameter of said slot but is, at least, less, slightly less than a diameter of said elongated portion. 6. The circular saw assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that said clamping assembly further comprises a threaded extension extending through said central hole that is configured to engage the blade housing. 1 . - The circular saw assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said second coupling element comprises a cylindrical body, generally hollow and at least partially threaded. 8. - The circular saw assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a generally curved deflection element positioned within said bracket and oriented to exert a downward deflection force on said second coupling element. 9. The blocking system according to claim 8, characterized in that said retainer portion is configured to extend downwardly in said groove with at least one locking portion extending upwards in a corresponding recess in said bracket for lockingly coupling said diverting element with said bracket. . 10. A locking system for selectively controlling the orientation of the blade relative to a work surface in a circular saw assembly of the type including a motor housing having a handle, a generally circular saw blade positioned within a a blade housing at a first end of the motor housing, wherein the blade housing includes a cavity on one side facing said locking system, and a foot element through which the blade extends to guide the Saw assembly along the work surface, said system comprising: a curved bracket having a length extending upwards from an upper side of the foot element; a curved slot positioned within said length of said bracket; at least one elongated portion positioned along a length of said slot at predetermined increments; A coupling element extending from the motor housing in a direction generally perpendicular to said bracket, said coupling element includes a fastening assembly at a first end thereof which is configured and designed to selectively couple said bracket and the housing knife; and a rotating lever extending radially from said coupling element and configured to be operatively coupled to said coupling element for rotating said coupling element. 11. The locking system according to claim 10, characterized in that said elongated portions are configured to have a generally circular shape. 12. The locking system according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of elongated portions placed along a length of said slot at predetermined increments. 13. The locking system according to claim 10, characterized in that said clamping assembly comprises a spring-deflected washer, said washer has a main body and a coupling portion. 14. The locking system according to claim 13, characterized in that said coupling portion is configured to be a generally conical extension having a truncated upper end and a central hole therethrough. 15. The locking system according to claim 13, characterized in that said coupling portion has a predetermined diameter that is at least slightly larger than a diameter of said groove but that is at least slightly smaller than a diameter of said enlarged portion. 16. The locking system according to claim 13, characterized in that said coupling portion is placed at an angle of approximately 40 ° relative to said main body. 17. The locking system according to claim 16, characterized in that said clamping assembly further comprises a threaded extension extending through said central hole that is configured to threadably couple the cavity placed in the blade housing . 18. The locking system according to claim 17, characterized in that said lever is configured to rotate in a clockwise direction to threadably engage said threaded extension to the cavity placed in the blade housing . 19. The locking system according to claim 17, characterized in that said lever is configured to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction to uncouple said threaded extension from the cavity placed in the blade housing. 20. The locking system according to claim 10, further comprising measurement marks placed along a length of said slot to indicate a depth of cut. 21. A locking system for selectively controlling the orientation of the blade relative to a working surface of a circular blade in a circular saw assembly of the type including a motor housing having a handle, the saw blade generally circular positioned within a blade housing at a first end of the motor housing, and a foot element through which the blade extends to guide the saw assembly along the work surface, said system comprising: curved bracket extending from a top surface of the foot element; a curved slot positioned at least along a portion of a length of said bracket; at least one curved deflection element connected to said bracket and having portions extending into said curved groove, including at least one retaining cavity.; a coupling element configured to couple said groove and to threadably receive a threaded fastener extending from the motor housing, said coupling member contacts said deflection element as it moves along said groove; and a rotary lever configured to rotate said radially extending coupling member therefrom, wherein said coupling member is configured to lockly engage said bracket along said slot. 22. The locking system according to claim 21, characterized in that said coupling element comprises a cylindrical body, generally hollow and at least partially threaded. 23. The locking system according to claim 21, further comprising a generally curved deflection element positioned within said bracket and oriented to exert a downward deflection force on said coupling element. 24. The locking system according to claim 23, characterized in that said retainer portion is configured to extend downwardly in said groove with at least one locking portion extending upwards in a corresponding cavity in said bracket for lockingly coupling said deflection element with said bracket. 25. The locking system according to claim 24, characterized in that said retainer portion is generally rectangular in shape and includes a central notch along the lower surface thereof. 26. The locking system according to claim 24, characterized in that said bracket further comprises at least one curved support element configured and arranged to extend downwardly from said bracket, in a direction of said groove, between a upper surface of said bracket and said deflection element. 27. The locking system according to claim 21, further comprising a central element from which all the points in a radius of said bracket have an equal radius. 28. The locking system according to claim 21, further comprising measurement marks on an upper surface of said bracket to indicate a cutting angle.