GB2396128A

GB2396128A - Woodworking tool with router

Info

Publication number: GB2396128A
Application number: GB0228946A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul John Nolan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-12-11
Filing date: 2002-12-11
Publication date: 2004-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-11
Also published as: GB2396128B; GB0228946D0

Abstract

A woodworking tool 1 comprises a frame 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, rotation means 9, 10, 10A, on the frame to support and rotate a workpiece 12 on a rotational axis relative to the frame, a track 2B, 2C, running parallel to the rotation axis, and a router 13 adapted to slide on the track, where in use the router machines the workpiece as it rotates. Preferably a motor 18 is provided to drive the router along the track via a threaded shaft 22. A manually operated control means 17 may be provided to raise and lower the router relative to the workpiece.

Description

i Title: Woodworking Tool The present ins ention relates to a woodworking

tool.

Wood lathes arc well known and comprise of an apparatus which revolves a wooden workpiece at high revs, e.g. 2000 rpm, and an operator slides a cutting tool along the workplace to machine it into a desired component. Such lathes however are expensive and require a high degree of skill. Also lathes are know in which a workpiece is rotated whilst a router slides parallel to the rotational axis of the workpiece, and the workplace is rotated and router moved by manual rotation of a corrunon handle. Such manual rotation of the handle lenilens the time it takes to machine the wood and can be tiring for the operator.

The invention provides a novel woodworking tool which has the benefits of a lathe and other benefits, and which can be used by an unskilled worker.

According to the present invention there is provided a woodworking tool comprising: a) a France, b) rotation means on the frame to support and rotate a workpiece on a rotational axis relative to the frame, c) a track running parallel to said rotation axis, and d) a router adapted to slide Oil said track, in use said router machining the workpiece as it rotates.

Preferably a drive metros is provided to drive tne router along the track at a predetermined rate.

The drive means may include a motor which rotates a threaded shaft in threaded engagement with said router so that the router slides along tile track as said shaft rotates. Preferably the motor can rotate at variable speed to change the speed the router slides along the track Preferabiv limit switches. such as microstches controlling the drive means, limit movement of the router along the track.

Preferably a brake is provided to prevent the workpece Tom rotaririg.

The rotation rA:eans may include a motor which drives a first workpieee support at one end of the frame, and a second workplace support is provided at the other end of said frame. Preterably the motor is independent of the drive means motor Control means may be provided to raise and lower the router relative to the worltpiece. The control means may he narrually operated.

Preferably the frame is variable in size to accommodate different sizes of workpieces.

A housing may be provided for said tool.

The invention 11 now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a perspective view of one embodiment.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a woodworking tool 1.

Tool I has a frying fonned from four horizontal parallel bars 2A,2B.2C,2D each secured at one end to a fixed end plate 3. Bars 2A,2B!2C,2D are also supported on a second movable end plate 4. hIovable plate 4 can slide and be releasably secured to the bars DA?2B.2C,2I) so that plate 4 can be distanced towards and away from fixed plate 3.

Mounted to rotate on fixed end plate 3 is a first workpiece support in the form of a square tube 5 which is connected a first sheave 6. Sheave 6 is rotated by a belt 7 which in turn is driven by a second sheave 8 rotated bs' a motor 9. Mounted on movable end plate 4 is screw threaded shaft 10 with a pointed tip I OA at one end, and a knurled knob 7 1 at the other end.

The shah 10 with tip IDA and rotating tube 5 (as driven by motor 9) provide a rotation means on the frame to support and rotate a \vorkpiece, such as a length of wood 12, on a rotational axis relative to the frame, Bars 2B,2C provide a track running parallel to said rotation axis. A router 13 with a router tool 1 3A is tnounted on a carnage 14 adapted to slide on bars 2B,2C. Router 13 is supported and slides on support posts 15A,15B extending from carriage 14..\ control means is provided by a

threaded shaft I hick is secured to the carnage 14 at one end and engages with a threaded projection 1 3B on the router 13. Shale 1 6 is manually rotatable by knob I 7 whereby router 3 reciprocates up and doubt to adjust the position of the router tool I HA relative to the workpiece.

Router 13 may be similar to routers well kimono in the art and need not he described Farther.

A dove means is provided to drive the router along the crack at a predetermined rate. The dove means includes a motor 18 Nondependent of motor 9) which rotates a sheave 1 9 connected to sheave 70 via belt 21Sheave 20 is connected to an elongate threaded cave shaft 22. Threaded shah 27 is in treaded engagement with projection 23 on roister 3, whereby the router slides along the track as said shaft 23 is rotated by motor 18. Provided the mentor 18 rotates at a constant speed? so the router moves Bong the tracIc at a preclelermined rate. Preferably a speed controller, such as an electronic speed ccntroler, is provided (not shod T.0 Ark the speed of the motor to change the speed the router slides along the track In use, the router I 3 can be used to cut the rotating Nvorlcpiece 12, with the depth of machining controlled by knob ' 7. As the worlpiece is rotating, the router \vill cut the entire periphery of the orkpiece. To insert the workpiec;e' one end is inserted into tube and the Leon 1 1 its then turned to engage tip I OA intc the other end of the workpiece.

}f it is desired to machine longitudinally along the workpiece, the workpiece can be prevented front rotating by engaging tip 94A of a plugger bolt 4 into one vf-the holes JA in belt 7. Bolt 4

s thus provides a brace. The router will there travel along the workFiece machining the vrorh-piece longiltdinally. Because the frame is variable in size by movement of end plate 4, different sizes of workpieces can be accommodated.

If desired the tool of the invention may be enclosed in a housing to contain sawdust and to 1 educe noise levels.

L,irnit switches, such as micrc?switches controlling the drive messy limit rlo'enent of the router along the track. rue switches may be mounted on either side of: the router carriage wicks engage faith stops on one of the top bars. The stops may be moveable along the top bar to adjust precisely the distance the router can ?nov-e RIOQ! the tracic.

AISG a shaft may extend dou!nw<3rds from the caniag,e with a Nhhee at one end of the..laft, and wheel may engage with a lower her. The she* helps to prevent flexing between the top and lower bars, The invention may take a Bum different: to that specifically described above Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without depar ing Dom the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A woodworking tool comprising a frame, rotation means on the frame to support and rotate a workpiece on a rotational axis relative to the frrne, a track pinning parallel to said rotation axis, and a router adapted to slide on the- croci<, in tise said roister machining the orkpiece as it rotates.

I: A tool as ciai-.reL1 i c3_i:-i-' i,. -.h-c'-, - N noons.S -,-ro i'et to --five the:rc,n!ter along tile track at a predetermined race.

3. A tool as claimed in claim 2, in wiicl1 the drive means includes a motor which rotates a threaded shaft in threaded engagement with said router so that the router slides along the track as said shaft rotates.

,\ tool as claim.cd jr. an- p.rc.^.^in.c Aim, in '.-hic'>. bra',; is provided to prove!.+ t c vN-orkpiece=.-;om rot.-;t,ii.

5. A tool as claimed in an:- preceding' claims in '7NrhiCh the rotation means includes a motor which drives a first: No-rkpiece support at one end of the frame, and a second worlcpiece support is provider at,'..e other end of the it ame.

6. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, in which control means are provided to raise and lower the rotter relative to the workpiece.

7. A tool as claimed in claim 6- in which the control miens are rna'.-, ally operated g. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the frame is Variable in size to accommodate different sizes of worlpicce.

9. A too] as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a housing is provided for said tool. 10. A woodworking tool substantially as hereinbelore described with reference to and as sl own in the accompanying drawing.