GB2197252A

GB2197252A - Tool guide

Info

Publication number: GB2197252A
Application number: GB08724820A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Andrews Deric Dickson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-10-24
Filing date: 1987-10-23
Publication date: 1988-05-18
Also published as: GB8724820D0

Abstract

A tool guide comprises an elongate member (11) which defines a straight edge. A pair of spaced clamps (14, 15) are mounted on the elongate member and adapted to grip respective opposite edges of an underlying panel so that the straight edge extends between the edges of the panel for guiding the tool across the panel. A longitudinally extending slideway on the elongate member receives at least one of the clamps so that the spacing of the clamps is adjustable. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tool Guide This invention relates to a tool guide which has particular, but certainly not exclusive, application to the accurate cutting of a panel of wood, for example a panel of particle board.

There is a particular need for a simple and adjustable device which can facilitate the accurate cutting of particle board panels by the do-it-yourself enthusiast, whether by way of a traditional hand saw or with a router, power saw or electric drill saw attachment.

U.S. Patent 3,913,440 to Baker shows a guide device for a power hand tool which includes a longitudinally slotted bar providing a pair of straight edges. At one end, the guide bar fixedly carries a laterally projecting cross for engaging one edge of a workpiece, while the slot slideably carries a resilient post member with a knob for clamping the post member at any selected position along the slot.

Further tool guide arrangements especially adapted for cutting panels are disclosed in U.S. patents 4087914 to Bates, 3874261 to Murray, 3963279 to Eichler and 4202231 to Striebig.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simple tool guide of optimum versatility.

The invention accordingly provides a tool guide comprising; an elongate member defining a straight edge; a pair of spaced clamps mounted on said member and adapted to grip respective opposite edges of an underlying panel so that said straight edge extends substantially between said edges of the panel for guiding the tool across the panel; and a longitudinally extending slideway on the elongate member which slideably receives at least one of said clamps whereby the separation of the clamps is adjustable.

Said slideway advantageously slideably receives both of said clamps so that they are free to move along the slideway but may be fixed at a given separation by gripping and being clamped to the edges of a panel.

The elongate member is preferably of inverted U cross section when in position on an underlying panel, whereby to define a longitudinally extending open bottomed cavity in which is disposed the slideway. The slideway may be defined by opposed flanges within this cavity so that the slideway is hidden and the elongate member may rest directly on the underlying panel.

Each clamp may include a head with oppositely opening lateral slots to receive the flanges of the slideway and a depending post which has a projecting arm fitted with a clamping element, the axis of which extends substantially normally to the elongate member.

The elongate member may be associated with a gauge element, including a shaped portion complementary to the elongate member, and means to clamp the gauge element on the elongate member.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively perspective, and side and end elevational views of a tool guide according to the invention; Figure 4 is a partial underneath view on the line 4-4 in Fig. 2; and Figures 5 and 6 are respectively plan and end elevational views of an associated gauge element, shown in the latter case clamped onto the tool guide.

The illustrated tool guide includes an elongate strip 10 of a suitable material such as wood or aluminium, a slideway 12 in the underside of the strip, and a pair of clamps 14, 15 slideably received by the slideway. Strip 10 is of a cross-section which is an inverted U in the use position of the guide and defines a pair of parallel straight edges 1 la, 1 it, and a longitudinally extending downwardly opened cavity 16.

Strip 10 has an elongate upper face 11 which is smooth, flat and rectangular, and respective side faces depending normally from the long edges of face 11. These side faces provide straight edges 1 la, 11 b. The cavity 16 has a pair of coplanar opposed lateral flanges or ribs 18 which engage respective oppositeiy opening lateral slots 20 in the head portion 22 of each clamp 14, 15. The flanges or ribs thus define the slideway for the clamps, which are readily removable and insertable at the ends of the slideway.

Each clamp further includes a depending post 23 integral with head 22, a laterally projecting arm 24, and a vertically aligned clamping element 25 threadably received in a respective aperture of the arm 24. Each clamping element has a threaded shank 29 with abutment disc 25a at one end and an enlarged head 26 at the other for gripping and rotating the element to or from an overlying surface of a panel 8. Disc 25a is at least slightly rockable in the usual manner.

Arm 24 is slidably disposed on post 23 by having an integral ring 24a about the post.

Ring 24a is a close fit about the post and is retained at any given selected position by virtue of milling or the like provided on two of the faces of the post: downward loading on the arm 24 causes inclination of the arm so that the inside face of the ring 24a one or both of engages the milled surfaces and further sliding movement is prevented.

The clamps 14, 15, face each other and are thereby adapted to grip and be clamped to respective opposite edges of a panel 8. The slideable mounting of the clamps facilitates quick adjustment for different sized panels, allows complete freedom in the positioning of the panel with respect to the guide and of the guide with respect to the operator, depending upon the given circumstances, and yet the separate clamping facility ensures that the clamps are at fixed and secure locations effective to prevent any undesired sliding or rotational movement of the panel.

If it is desired to make an angle cut, the strip 10 could be positioned as required and the clamps located and tightened. The clamps may be rotatable in the slideway but this would not be essential for satisfactory angular positioning.

Figs. 4 and 5 depict a simple gauge 28 associable with the guide. This comprises an elongate graduated ruler 30 bent at one end to form an inverted U cap 31 which fits over the elongate strip 10. A thumb screw or similar fastener 32 on the outside leg of the cap allows the gauge to be clamped on to the guide.

Claims

1. A tool guide comprising; an elongate member defining a straight edge; a pair of spaced clamps mounted on said member and adapted to grip respective opposite edges of an underlying panel so that said straight edge extends substantially between said edges of the panel for guiding the tool across the panel; and a longitudinally extending slideway on the elongate member which slideably receives at least one of said clamps whereby the separation of the clamps is adjustable.

2. A tool guide according to claim 1 wherein said slideway slideably receives both of said clamps whereby both the location of the clamps and their separation are adjustable.

3. A tool guide according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said elongate member is of inverted U cross section when in position on an underly ing panel, whereby to define a longitudinally extending open-bottomed cavity in which is disposed the slideway.

4. A tool guide according to claim 3 wherein said slideway is defined by opposed flanges within said cavity so that the slideway is hidden and the elongate member may rest directly on the underlying panel.

5. A tool guide according to claim 4 wherein each clamp includes a head with op positely opening lateral slots to receive the flanges of the slideway, and a depending post which has a projecting arm fitted with a clamping element, the axis of which element extends substantially normally to the elongate member.

6. A tool guide according to claim 5 wherein said arm is adjustably moveable along said post, means being provided to maintain a selected position, at least when the guide is in position on a panel.

7. A tool guide according to any preceding claim wherein said elongate member has an elongate upper face which is smooth, flat and rectangular, and respective side faces depending from the long edges of said upper face, normal thereto, wherein said side faces provide the respective said straight edges.

8. A tool guide according to any preceding claim wherein said elongate member is associated with a gauge element, including a shaped portion complementary to the elongate member, and means to clamp the gauge element on the elongate member.

9. A tool guide according to any preceding claim wherein each said clamp is adapted to clamp the respective edge of the panel between a clamping element and the underside of the panel.

10. A tool guide substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.