GB2028226A

GB2028226A - Rotary table for a power tool especially a saw

Info

Publication number: GB2028226A
Application number: GB7927687A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: OTTAVIANI L
Current assignee: OTTAVIANI L
Priority date: 1978-08-10
Filing date: 1979-08-08
Publication date: 1980-03-05
Also published as: GB2028226B; DE2929932A1; FR2432919A1

Abstract

A coupling 11 is fitted on to the rotary table 2 with its axis directed radially and parallelly to the plane of the rotary table and an axially sliding rod 17 fixed against relative rotation is movable within the coupling. The rod supports the saw 19 such that the axis of the blade is perpendicular to that of the rod. The coupling 11 is rotatable relative to the rotary table, around an axis 12a parallel to the axis of the coupling in order to set the plane of the blade parallel or sloping relative to a plane perpendicular to the plane of the rotary table. A screw 16 locks the coupling in a position to set the blade in the desired parallel or sloping position. Work fences 21, 22 are provided with pivotal strips 24, 25 for clamping a workpiece to the table. An adjustable face plate 33 for abutting the end of a workpiece may be provided. The saw may be mounted on the end of the guide 17 for rotation through 90 DEG about a vertical axis. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Rotary table device for a power tool This invention relates to a rotary table device for a circular saw. Such device is suitable for cutting wooden panels, shavings, rolled sections, as well as sections for frames or other objects made of wood or plastic or other material.

Presently adopted devices of the kind under discussion are made up of a rotary table on which an electric circular saw is erected, the blade of which is arranged on a parallel axis in respect of the plane of the table. The circular saw can be shifted integrally with the rotary table and can furthermore be moved with respect to the table for the cutting operation.

Such known devices, however, present some limitations as far as the execution of the cuts is concerned, since the latter must always be carried out perpendicularly in respect of the plane of the rotary table.

The main object of this invention is to overcome such limitations in cutting found in known devices, realising a rotary table device for the cutting, by means of a circular saw, of panels and similar items, which allows the execution of both perpendicular cuts and inclined ones in any direction whatsoever in respect of the plane of the rotary table, so as to broaden considerably the field of application of such devices, by making it possible to carry out operations which could not be executed previously, except with the employment of very complex and expensive machines.

A further important object of this invention is to make an easily transportable working tool available, which is very simple to use and highly precise too, at a convenient cost.

According to the present invention, a rotary table device for a power tool comprises a coupling component fitted on to said rotary table, with its axis directed radially and parallellyto the plane of the rotary table, and an axially sliding rod fixed against relative rotation, and linearly movable within the above coupling component and adapted to support the power operated tool such that the operative member has a perpendicular axis to that of the rod itself, said coupling component being capable of angular motion, relatively to said rotary table, around an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of said coupling component, in order to set the operative member on a parallel or sloping axis in respect of a plane perpendicular to the plane of the rotary table, means being provided to lock aforementioned coupling component such that the operative member is in the desired parallel or sloping position.

Preferably, the power tool is a circular saw.

It is thus possible not only to vary the cutting angle according to the rotation of the rotary table, but also to incline the saw blade with respect to the plane of the table itself, hence one may obtain double variability in the cutting angles, for the execution of the most varied and complex parting and sectionizing operations.

Some further features and advantages of the invention may appear in the course of the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment of a rotary table device for the cutting, by means of a circular saw, of panels, sections and similar items, which is furnished as an indication and is by no means limiting, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention, in its utilization position on the floor, the legs being disassembled; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the same device, placed on a stand; Figure 3 gives a perspective view of the device with the saw in an inclined position; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device, the saw inclined, but with the rotary table at right angles in respect of the position shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device with the relative mobile striker protruding for the fixing of a unit of considerable length; Figure 6 is a side view of the device indicating the mobile striking component mentioned under Figure 5; Figure 7 is an axial section of the rotary table; Figure 8 shows a cross-section on the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7;; Figure 9 is a perspective and partially sectioned view of a detail relative to the clamping components to hold the units being machined; Figure 10 shows an alternative to the embodiment illustrated in the previous Figures, which makes use of a saw trued up on the sliding rod; Figure 7 1 gives, schematically, a perspective view of the particular of the ancillary detachable head placed on the frontal part of the sliding rod according to the alternative mentioned under Figure 10; and Figure 12 shows the construction of Figure 10 with the saw blade having rotated through 900.

In the drawings, a fixed plate 1 is arranged horizontally on the surface of which a rotary table 2 is assembled, concentric to a graduated scale 3 integral with the fixed plate 1. The rotary table is contained on plate 1 by two fixed plate-shaped portions 4, integral with plate 1, in diametrally opposed positions.

The rotary table 2 is provided centrally with a cylindrical hollow 5 (see particularly Figure 7) in which a disc 6 is lodged, which is coaxially integral with a threaded pin 7 running across a central hole of table 2 and screwed into a respective threaded clearance hole centrally of the fixed plate 1. A lever 8 is mounted on the pin 7 and extends sideways to a knob 8a so as to be easily manoeuvreable by the operator. By moving said lever 8 in one direction, it is possible to lockthe rotary table 2 on plate 1, and by moving it in the opposition direction, the disc 6 can be lifted slightly out of its respective seat so as to free the rotary table 2.Provision is made for the angular movement of the rotary table 2 around its respective axis, to the extent of 45 in one direction and 450 in the opposite direction, such that a radial slit 9 produced in the table itself may be set in the desired position between the two extreme positions shown in Figures 3 and 4.

On the bottom surface of fixed plate 1, it is possible to screw on three cylindrical legs 10, arranged at the apexes of an equilateral triangle, on the other hand when these legs have not been fitted (Figure 1) the device according to the invention can be employed directly on a floor, a feature which is of particular usefulness when it is necessary to cut very large panels laid down on to the floor. The detachedleg arrangement, furthermore, makes transport and storing considerably easier.

To allow the use of traditional, portable, electric saws with the motor placed laterally in respect of the circular saw, the rotary table 2 is equipped with a substantially prismatic coupling component 11, assembled eccentrically on top of it and arranged with its axis in a radial direction and parallel to the plane of the table itself. More precisely, at the level of the ends of one edge of the coupling component 1 1,two legs 12 are fixed, arranged in a fork-like fashion, which extend downward in order to penetrate, with their bottom ends, into a hollow (Figures 7 and 8) in the rotary table 2, where a horizontal pin 12a is provided forming the fulcrum ofthe legs.Said pin 1 2a, which defines the tilting angle of component 11, is contained within the thickness of the rotary table 2, and lies substantially in line with the slit 9, in which, the edge of the saw blade is fitted.

Provision is made for the angular movement of component 11, around the pin 12a, in a clockwise direction of at least 45 , so that it may oscillate from the upright position, indicated by the continuous path in Figure 8, through a position of desired inclination, up to a position of maximum inclination (45 ) indicated by the dotted path in the same Figure.

In order to lock the component 11, provision is made for an arcuately shaped rigid protrusion 14 (Figures 7 and 8), integral with table 2, concentric to the pin 1 2a and provided with a slot 15 in which the threaded stem of a knob 16 may slide, said stem being screwed laterally into the coupling component 11. By screwing the knob 16, locking of component 11 on the arched section 14 is effected, the latter being provided with indexing 14a in order to be able to read the inclinations obtained. One or both legs 12 is furthermore provided with a tooth-shaped lateral protrusion 1 2b (Figure 8) which defines the limit stop position, engaging with the top surface of table 2 when component 11 is in an upright position, in order to prevent contact between the motor of the tool and the rotarytable.

A rod 17, sliding axially to afro, is fitted into the above coupling component 11, and it is controlled by two sets of bearings 18 contained within said component 11 (a schematic view of one of such sets is shown in Figure 8), so as to allow the rod itself to slide in an axial direction, parallelly to the cutting slit 9 presented by table 2, at some distance above same. Several, interchangeable prismatic rods 17 of various lengths may be provided in order to allow the execution of longer or shorter cuts. A known portable circular electric saw 19 is fitted into the component 11 on the rod 17.

According to known techniques, securing may be carried out in such a way that the saw blade 20 is arranged with a perpendicular axis with respect of the axis of rod 17, protruding downward and fitting with its cutting edge, for a short distance into the slit 9 of the table 2, when the saw 19 is in its position for maximum cutting depth, or with the distance of the axis of tool 20 above the top surface of the rotary table 2 so as to position the cutting edge of the saw above the slit 9 in order to obtain cuts of a desired depth in the workpiece unit. This makes it possible, moreover, to make upforthe reduction in diameter of the saw blade caused by resharpening.

By moving the component 11 angularly, the saw blade 20 can be arranged at right angles with respect to the table 2 (namely, when the component 11 is to be found in an upright position, indicated by the continuous lines in Figure 8) or with any inclination whatsoever relative to said table, up to a maximum inclination of 450 which corresponds to the dotted position shown in Figure 8 of the component 11, as may also be seen in Figures 3 and 4.

The device also comprises fixed members suitable for supporting the workpiece. More precisely, provision is made for two in-line support members 21 and 22 and diametrally disposed on top of the rotary table 2, integral with the plate-shaped fixed portions 4. The inside ends 21 a and 22a of the support members 21 and 22 are placed near the centre of the rotary table, at short distances from one another and are connected to each other by a stiffening arched component 23. The end 21a is at right angles with respect to the rotary table, while end 22a has an inclination of about 450 in order to allow the execution of raking cuts.

The ends of the support members are furthermore equipped with components designed to lock even very short workpieces on the rotary table, thus avoiding chipping during the cutting operations.

More precisely, in the proximity of the inside ends 21 a and 22a, the members 21 and 22 are provided with respective pivotal strips 24 and 25 (Figures 2, 6 and 9) designed to push the workpiece on to the top surface of the table 2, in such a manner as to lock them in place.

Figure 9 illustrates the mechanism meant to operate strip 24 (an analogous mechanism is set to operate strip 25).

Said mechanism includes a lever 26 within the box-type body of the member 21, whose fulcrum is placed centrally on a horizontal pin 27 fixed to the box-type body itself. One end of the lever 26 is pivotally connected to the strip 24, while the other end, which is suitably rounded, is fitted into a respective groove 28a in a block 28. The latter is slidably within the body of the member 21 and has a threaded vertical hole into which is screwed a threaded stem 29a with a handwheel 29 lying above the member 21. Thus, by rotating the handwheel 29 the strip 24 can be raised and lowered within a respective guide slot 30 in the member 21. It is thus possible to locate a workpiece 31 (Figure 2) on the rotary table 2 in order to then proceed to the cutting operation, avoiding chipping of the workpiece itself especially when it is one of limited dimensions. A corresponding arrangement is provided for the strip 25 operated by a handwheel 32.

Finally the device according to the invention is provided with a mobile parting-off unit, comprising a plate 33 welded to one end of a rod 34, circular in section. Said rod is made to slide within a bush 35, bearing a locking screw 36 and integral with the end of a transverse stem 37, the other end of which is integral with another bush 38 into which a further rod 39, circular in section, is fitted, and which may be locked therein by means of a screw 40. The rod 39 is made to slide in two bushes 41 and 42, secured to the bottom surface of the plate 1 and provided with respective locking screws 43 and 44 (Figure 6).

As is shown by Figures 2,5 and 6, the rods 34 and 39 and the transverse connecting rod 37 enable the faceplate 33 to be fixed in the position which is most suitable for holding the workpiece. Figure 5 shows the position of maximum extension of the mobile jutting surface, for the clamping of a workpiece 45 of considerable length. It is obvious that the faceplate 33 may be positioned either on the left or on the right side.

After fitting the rod 17, of appropriate length, into the coupling component 11, and fixing electric circular saw 19 on to said rod, it is possible to make the latter slide above the fixed support members 21 and 22, so as to control the movement of blade 20 along the cutting slit 9, in the direction marked by the axis X - X shown in Figure 11.

By rotating the rotary table 2 about its axis, after having released it by means of the lever 8, the cutting slit 9 can be positioned according to the desired angle, e.g., in an intermediate position (Figure 1) or in the two lateral positions (Figures 3 and 4) or in other intermediate positions, utilising the angular graduation of the scale 3. When rotating the table 2, unit 11 which is integral with the above moves, as does the rod 17 supporting the saw 19.

The latter, therefore, always remains above the cutting slit 9.

When the desired angle is obtained the lever 8 is operated again to lock the rotary table 2. If a straight cut is to be produced, namely at right angles to the table 2, the unit 11 is secured in the position marked by the continuous path in Figure 8 (see also Figures 1,2 and 5), hence circular blade 20 reaches a position defined by a horizontal axis. If a raking cut is required the knob 16 is first released and then the unit 11 tilted until it has reached the desired slanting position, reading the angle amplitude in relation to graduation 14a, after which the knob 16 is operated to lock the unit 11 in position.

The tilting of the unit 11 occurs, as pointed out above, around horizontal pin 12a contained within the thickness of the rotary table 2, on an extension of the cutting slit 9, so that the circular saw blade 20 is always aligned with the cutting slid, whatever the inclination of the unit 11.

In the final cutting stage the edge of the blade 20 can penetrate into the slit 9 whatever the angle of inclination of the blade itself.

By employing a very long rod 17, the saw 19 can be made to slide, together with said rod, for a considerable distance hence it is possible to execute long cuts, e.g., up to 1800 millimeters and above.

As is shown by Figures 3 and 4, it is possible to execute 450 raking cuts in respect of the plane of the rotary table, while the latter may be rotated in one direction or the other so as to position the cutting slit 9 relative to the fixed support members 21 and 22.

The device according to the invention, therefore, allows the cutting angle to be varied in two directions, so as to widen considerably the field of employment of the device itself. As mentioned previously, by varying the height of the axis of the blade 20 from the top surface of the rotary table 2, it is possible to obtain flutes of the desired depth on the workpiece in order to produce slits or channels in the face of the workpiece.

Moreover, the device according to the invention can be marketed also without the circular saw 19, since the latter may be of any kind whatsoever and the user may already possess one. According to a variation of the invention, instead of utilising a circular saw, the rod 17 may be provided with a drill, a miller or other machine tool.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 illustrate an alternative solution to that referred to above, which makes use, instead of circular saw 19, of a support body 50 for a saw which extends symmetrically in respect of axis X - X, longitudinally to bar 17 and is integral with the free front end of same so as to exhibit, under normal conditions, saw 20 with a horizontal axis, it being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X - X of rod 17.

In this case, the plane of the saw being perfectly true in respect of the aforementioned axis X - X, coupling 11 is fitted on the extension of cutting slit 9, its axis being coaxial with the above axis X - X and parallel to the axis of pin 12a around which the coupling itself rotates, which may thus rotate, thanks to the symmetricity of body 50 around the above pin 12a in both directions (clockwise and anticlockwise) so as to make saw 20 assume an inclination up to 450 in both directions; in this case we shall have to do away with (or change the shape of) ledge 12b and the end 21 a of the prismatic jutting face 21 shall be sloping too, just like the corresponding end 22a.

Naturally, the coupling may be cylindrical in shape as well as the relative sliding rod 17.

With reference to Figure 11, besides the described solution, the free end of rod 17 is endowed with a plate 51, which is a portion of a lateral surface of a cylinder with vertical axis Z - Z, around which a complementary plate 52 rotates supporting a member 53, the latter being articulated and capable of positioning (by means of a knob 59) relatively to the aforementioned plate 52, around the above horizontal axis X - X. Said member 53 presents two cylindrical guides 54 which extend perpendicularly in respect of axis X - X and, in the case of positioning shown in Figure 11, according to axis Y - Y, along which a support 55 runs, due to the operation of a manual lever 56 integral with a bush 71 which is also integral with a lever 70 the fulcrum of which is placed on the above-mentioned support to which the support 50 is attached frontally.

This solution makes it possible, by rotating plate 52 clockwise up to the 90 maximum angle position shown in Figure 12 (the locking in pre-set positions is realised by means of a knob 57), and locking the position of bar 17 (according to direction X- X) in relation to coupling 11, to obtain the cutting (or processing) of panels of practically unlimited length which are conveyed and pushed, manually, according to arrow 58.

In this position, then, saw 20 may be made to rotate around axis Y - Ywith a 450 angle in an anticlockwise direction and with angle amplitudes up to 900 in a clockwise direction so as to bring the plane of circular saw 20 into a parallel position to the plane of Figure 12 for the execution of cuts or milling at the top of the panel (position shown in Figure 11); in this case the depth of cut may be checked easily either through the traverse of rod 17 or through the operation of lever 56. The latter allows the cutting device under discussion, when same is e.g., in the position shown in Figure 10, to move perpendicularly in respect of the panel, penetrating into it in order to execute cuts which do not pass through it even in spots at the centre of the panel itself.

Similarly, the circular saw may be replaced by a drill or a pantograph for the execution of holes, milling operations or similar processing in any direction whatsoever, and support body 50 may be set at 1800 in respect of the above saw 20 and equipped with a spindle 60 which may be positioned by a simple rotation of the tool around its longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. A rotary table device for a power tool comprising a coupling component fitted on to said rotary table, with its axis directed radially and parallelly to the plane of the rotary table, and an axially sliding rod fixed against relative rotation, and linearly movable within the above coupling component and adapted to support the power operated tool such that the operative member has a perpendicular axis to that of the rod itself, said coupling component being capable of angular motion, relatively to said rotary table, around an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of said coupling component, in order to set the operative member on a parallel or sloping axis in respect of a plane perpendicular to the plane of the rotary table, means being provided to lock aforementioned coupling component such that the operative member is in the desired parallel or sloping position.

2. A rotary table device for a power tool as in Claim 1, wherein the power tool is a circular saw.

3. A device as in Claim 1, wherein the tilting axis of the coupling component is in a radial position within the thickness of the aforementioned rotary table, and is aligned with a cutting slit presented by the table itself.

4. A device as in Claim 1, wherein the coupling component is provided with two legs which extend toward the rotary table and whose fulcrum is located on respective pins lodged in respective hollows in the rotary table.

5. A device as in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the means to lock said coupling component comprise a stiff arc-shaped protrusion, integral with the rotary table concentrical to the aforementioned tilting axis, said arc-shaped protrusion being equipped with a sliding slot for a locking knob which is to be screwed into the coupling component.

6. A device as in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the arc-shaped protrusion is provided with a graduated scale.

7. A device as in any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the rod is guided in the coupling by ball bearings set within the coupling.

8. A device as in any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the coupling component is movable about the tilting axis by 450 at least, in respect of the horizontal position at rest.

9. A device as in any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the rod and the coupling are made up of cylindrical components.

10. A device as in any of Claims 1 to 9, wherein two fixed support surfaces are provided, mutually aligned and assembled in a substantially bridgeshaped fashion on top of the aforementioned rotary table in a diametrical position; the inside ends of the support members being placed near the centre of the rotary table and being connected to one another by an arched stiffening component.

11. A device as in Claim 10, wherein the support members are equipped with respective pivotal plates, which can be manoeuvred independently by means of levers controlled by respective cranks, in order to secure a workpiece on the rotary table.

12. A device as in any of Claims 1 to 11, wherein a parting-off mobile jutting face is provided made up of a plateface integral with the end of a rod which is lockable in a respective bush, said bush being borne by one end of a transverse component, exhibiting another bush at the other end, the latter bush clamping another rod which, in turn, can be fixed into two further bushes integral with the bottom surface of the plate supporting the rotary table.

13. A device as in any of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the rod is equipped, at its free end, with a support of the tool rotating around a vertical axis perpendicular to the plane of the rotary table, means being provided for the locking of said support, relative to the rod, in a position defining the desired angle.

14. A device as in Claim 13, wherein an articulated and positionable support body for the operative member is provided which may be set, relatively to the above support, on a horizontal axis parallel to the plane of the rotary table, and that the device furthermore comprises a plate, capable of sliding in both directions, along corresponding guides which are integral with said support body, perpendicularly in respect of the aforementioned axis of rotation between the support body and the support, said plate being provided with means for fastening the operative member.

15. A device as in Claim 14, wherein a lever is provided integral with a bush which is also integral with a lever having its fulcrum on said plate, provided for the sliding of same in both directions.

16. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.