CA2270693C - Automatic stop jig - Google Patents

Abstract

A miter saw or radial arm saw accessory comprising of a moveable stop- structure. Designed to function as a workpiece restraining stop by default. It is propelled by means of an apparatus composed of electrical or mechanical elements that move the stop- structure away from or towards the sawblade. As this apparatus is activated by the saw switch or other means, it moves the stop-structure away from the sawblade and into a non-restraining position. As a result this frees the restrained workpiece, that otherwise would be forcibly jammed during the sawing process.

Description

Automatic Jia Stop I. This invention is designed for Radial Arm and Miter Saws. It enables the cutting of wood in a safer and fasterW ay, making the work place a much more frustration free environment. This automatic jig stop is a new technique of operating these types of saws as opposed to the common cutting procedures. It is a new tool for single and repetitive cuts of variable dimensions. There is a need for this functional idea in private or business situations. It is an improvement to the existing technology.
Traditionally, cutting in single or repetitive fashion means that the piece to be cut off is positioned between the stop located on the left side of the saw, and the saw blade. It is secured against the fence by the operators left hand. The saw carriage is then positioned and the wood is cut. This is the accepted way, however often dangerous and accident causing (especially when the desired wood piece is small).
The following instructions will explain the improvements made by this new invention.
Specification II. In order to be able to operate this jig the following specifications have to be met: The existing saw table & fence has to be extended to a total measure of approximately 30 inches in length (measured from the saw center to the right).
The width should be about 10 inches. This installation serves as a good extended saw table for general purpose cutting as well. A piece of plywood, level with the saw-table top and a 3/4" x 3/4" strip of wood aligned with the existing fence of the saw has to be mounted beside the saw {see general top view). Subtract 1 /2 of the existing saw table (which amount to about 10 inches) from the 30 inches that are required, leaving 20 inches in length for the plywood board.
Furthermore, a movable hold down clamp on a sliding extrusion should be installed in order to position the jig stop at the desired location for the wood to be cut.
Follow the operating instructions in III.
Instructions III. A hold down clamp on the extended right hand table holds the automatic jig in the preset/desired stop position (see II). The saw operator positions the entire piece of wnad with his left hand against the.fence_ Then, the piece of wood to be cut aff is gently moved towards and against the automatic jig stop of the invention. It is held there safely; far away from the teeth of the blade. The arm of the saw blade is then positioned over the wood and the saw is switched on to cut the wood. During this procedure, the automatic jig becomes activated until the cutting procedure is completed. After the saw blade comes to a stand still, it is moved out of the way and the automatic jig moves_back to its mechanically designed stop position. The "out-off piece", which is resting loose on the right hand side of the saw table, is then ready to be removed. Most saws today have built in automatic brakes and are well suited for this operation. It is important to understand, that this kind of stop-release mechanism page 3 prevents "cut-off pieces" from being jammed, damaging the saw blade or fence, or flying and inuring the operator.
The operation can be repeated over and over again.
Descriptions of functions IV. As the the switch is turned on to cut the wood, the automatic jig invention becomes activated by moving the "jig-stop" out of the way from its mechanically designed "stop" position. The wood, which was pushed against that stop, is now no loner confined between the blade and the automatic jig-stop of this invention.
However, the wood stays in the desired cutting position because it is still firmly held by the operators left hand far away from the teeth of the blade.
The automatic jig's movements are mechanically activated by a solenoid via a current-sensing relay. The use of an electrical motor instead of a solenoid, is another passibility_ :The current sensing relay (inductively coupled to the power line of the saw) "senses" the electricity floating to the running saw motor and by means of internal contacts, gives electricity to the solenoid of the invention. Therefore, the solenoid stays activated as long as the saw is switched on. Furthermore, as the cutting is completed, the relay becomes deactivated and the jig goes back to its mechanically designed stop position.
This invention can be built to be operated manually, or be driven by a solenoid or electric motor. The Current sensing relay used for all models is not a "do it yourself project", it is a unit made by relay companies and is available in electronic specialty stores.
This application is an attempt to cover the basic invention of an automatic.jig stop (as described) with all possibilities of different mechanical driving systems. Some driving systems are shown and demonstrated in the following diagrams. All shown models are available and functional.
Parts V. Extrusion 7 1 /2" long Metal bar 8" long Parts according to models Metal cover for the mechanics 10"(L) x 4"(W) x 2-1/2"(H) approx.
Hold down clamp electrical page 4 automatic jia stop general top view for model 1,2 and 3 This is the top view of the automatic jig invention with the added plywood saw table and the extended fence. Note: drawings are not to scale. Abbreviation for center to center: "c-c"
Extrusion extended fenc original miter saw fence extended table Saw center 30" from center (1 ) The automatic jigs mechanism is covered in metal enclosure.
( 2 ) The wiring goes to an electrical outlet, which is controlled by the sensing relay.
( 3 ) A hold down clamp is mounted on an sliding extrusion enabling it to hold the automatic jig in the desired positions for wood cutting The following instructions are for model 1, 2 and 3, which are available and in working order.

CA 02270693 1999-OS-07 ~~ ,..~,:a .."~.;~,~"","",,r~~

_automatic iia stop model 1 side view in non activated mode The mechanics are covert by a metal enclosure (not shown) which is about 12"
long and mounted on a 24" x 4" wooden board. Except for the mechanics, the instructions and the electrical connections, are similar for models 1, 2 and 3. -a) metal brace The solenoid is mounted on a block of wood or plastic 3 Bridge bracket for softer operation due to solenoid impact.
same for models 2 and 3 All moving parts connected to and running in the extrusion are referred to as: the carriage wood stop ~ ' ,~ assembly.
i ~ b) This small brace, which holds and hinges the T-bracket is welded to the 1 1/2" metal bar which runs along the inside of the metal extrusion. The wood stop and the carriage assembly are also attached to this metal bar.
c) This metal step-stop is mounted solid and causes the T-bracket to unhook or dead lock.
I d) The metal extrusion enabling the metal bar to slide inside.
e) The metal bar running back and forth al ong the inside of the extrusion 1 T-bracket This T-bracket is hinged by a small brace to the sliding metal bar and linked to the solenoid. The activated solenoid rocks the T-bracket to the unhooked position. As soon as the solenoid is deactivated, the T-bracket engages itself back into-the dead lock position via a spring. This design has the least movement toss" over the other models.

2 This spring pulls the T-bracket and the connected carriage assembly back to its set position.
The spring is attached to a bridge-bracket (3) at the front of the jig and at the upper T-bracket.

automatic 'ia model 1 ~~~,,. ~. -'' side view of in activated mode . . W . , ,s"~;~" ~ . . ~ ... . .... . . .~'"~"'~1 Top view of non-activated mode. For clarity, shown only with the step-stop and the open extrusion with the inside metal bar and the solenoid.
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,__ .". ...::.r ~ .~I
w~~.:~s~., wooa stop .~"~~~F~~~
step stop ~..
As wood to be cut is pushed against the jig stop, this hidden spring (4) takes out any possible slack caused by the slightest movements of the hinged metal braces.
Hence the cut wood pieces are always of the same exact size.

automatic jig stop modal 1 continued Parts & Dimensions Remarks Abbreviations in model 1, 2 and 3: c-c means markings measured center to center.
In all models, a dimensional flexibility in the c-c specifications of the brace exists in order to find the ideal balance between the solenoids strokes and power, and the resulting "away" or "inward" movement of the wood stop.
Part Numbers 1) T-bracket: 3" x2" high, the two holes are 1" apart 2) Extension spring: 3116" dia.

3) Bridge bracket: a metal bar bent to bridge over the extrusion. It is screwed dawn on bath sides of the extrusion. Sea model 1 4) Extension spring attached to sliding metal bar a) metal brace: holes are 2" center to center b) small brace: 3/4" high, the hole is in the center c) step stop: 2" x 1/2" metal bar mounted across and on top the extrusion. It has to fit snugly into the T-bracket.
d) metal extrusion: 7-1 /2" long e) metal bar: 8" long. The wood stop is screwed to one end of this bar.
llllood board and wood stop: 24" x 4" x 1 /4" high and 1 1 /2" x 2" x 3/4"
high, The solenoid is mounted on 3/4" block.
The metal enclosure is approximately 12" x 4" x 2" high see diagrams CA 02270693 1999-OS-07 . .._,r , ~,~...w,., ,.....~..a,,.~..,,.:.~.,~"

automatic iio stop top view of model 2 in non activated mode dia4ram exnlanations~
angle iron is hinged here, far on the outside ~''ri ,.. -.. ~~ ti "",-* 3/4"X 24" wood base Solenoid 1-1/4" stroke a) 2 metal braces. Holes are 1-1/2" c-~, linked to the solenoid b)1 brace has 1-1/4" holes c-c, the other brace has 3" holes c-c .When deactivated, the movement is mechanically stopped from going further to the left by the overlapping nozzle * (note the little overlapping nozzle on larger brace).
c) Wood.stop mounted to an 4" X 2" angle iron. Please note the hole where the angle iron is hinged.
automatic iia stop Top view of model 2 in activated mode ( 1 ) spring is for bringir~ the movement back to the non activated position.
( 2) spring is for taking any slack out when operating the saw.
This model 2 jig_ can also be built to be hand operated. The stop would have to be modified and extended at a right angle towards the operator by a 3>4" square piece of wood about 12" long. The jig is clamped against the extended fence in the same fashion as the other jigs. As the wood is being out the operator has to move the stop in and out by hand. This requires simultaneously thinking about cutting and the jig operation. Due to noise and the monotony of this work, it can lead to accidents.

model 2 continued Parts and Dimensions a) 2 braces, each with holes 1-1/2 " center to center b) 2 braces, one with holes 1-114" c-c, and the other with holes 3" c-c.
The overlapping nozzle is soldered to this larger brace c) Angle iron, measuring 6" x 2". The hinging holes measured from left to right:
1-1/2" and 4-3/4" (see drawing).
1 ) Spring for bringing movement back: 3/16" dia.
2~ S.pring for taking out any slack: 3/1 fi" dia.
For more information see model 1.

Diaclram explanations:
1w automatic jia stop side view of model 3 in non activated mode solenoid wood stop I a) metal extrusion.
b) small stationary brace, holding and hinging the corner bracket.
c) 90° cornerbracket.
d) small brace welded to the sliding bar which is running along the inside of the extrusion.
e) sliding metal bar.
'l This spring pulls back the whole assembly to its set position when deactivated.
Shown is the unmounted bridge bracket to which spring is attached.
automatic jia stop side view of model 3 in activated mode automatic jig stot~
top view in non-activated mode t .
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~ small stationary [ 2 shown without mechanics f?race 2 This spring is connected to.the end of the sliding metal bar inside, and causes a strain on the assembly when deactivated. Thus taking out any slack when wood-pieces are. pushed against the stop before cutting begins.
Spring is omitted because it is shomrn in itte nQn activated diagram above page 10 model 3 continued Parts arrc~ Dimensions a) metal extrusion: 7-1 /2" long b~ small brace: This 3/4" high brace is actually 2 bent brackets screwed down on both sides of the extrusion. Its purpose is to hinge the corner bracket.
c) 90 degree corner bracket: one hole is 3/4" up from the corner hole, the other hold is 1-1 /4" to the left and is connected to a brace with 1-1 /4" holes c-c (The 3/4" hole in the corner bracket is further apart in the drawing than in the actual model. Building it this way would result in an acceptable, shorter inward stroke distance of the wood stop).
d) small brace: This 3/4" high brace which is linked to the brace above (see c), and is welded to the sliding metal bar.
e) metal sliding bar: 8" long l~ Spring: 3/16 dia. Connected to the corner bracket and the bridge-bracket.
The bridge bracket is shown unmounted.
2~ Spring:.3/16" dia. steadily pulling back the metal bar.

Claims (18)

1: A Radial and Miter Saw accessory which enables a safer and more rapid process for repetitive cutting procedures.

2: An aligned extension of the existing saw table and fence.

3: A C-channel to be installed behind and along the extended fence.

4: A hold down clamp provisioned to slide in said C-channel as defined in claim 3.

5: One of many implementations of this automatic fence stop concept herein labeled as Model A comprising of the following claims.

6: A mounting board onto which is mounted C- channel containing a sliding metal bar.

7: A wooden fence stop installed onto the sliding metal bar as defined in claim 6.

8: A solenoid mounted at the end of the C-channel as defined in claim 3.

9: A brace linked between a solenoid and a specially shaped T-bracket.

10: Said specially shaped T-bracket is hinged to the sliding metal bar as defined in claim 6 and will maneuver in a swing-like fashion and slide when pulled by the activated solenoid.

11: Said T-bracket is machined to contain a rectangular shaped cut out

12: A metal step configurated to fit into the T-bracket's cut-out is affixed to thetop of the C-channel and located below the T-bracket's cut-out.

13: A spring is connected to the very front of the jig via a bridge bracket and other side of the spring is attached to the T-bracket as defined in claim 9.

14: Said spring will pull the described assembly towards itself and will also lock the T-bracket into its cut-out, thereby locking the fence stop in stable position.

15: There is a spring attached to the end of the sliding metal bar in order to take out any slack among the connections.

16: The electricity for the solenoid is supplied over the saw switch via an extra installed conductor.

17: A capacitor might be needed to prolong the deactivation time until the saw blade comes to a hold.

18: Another means of triggering the solenoid is via a current sensing relay which would be inductively coupled to the power line of the saw.