GB2427587A

GB2427587A - Jig system for complementary parts

Info

Publication number: GB2427587A
Application number: GB0513381A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Barrington Parfitt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-30
Filing date: 2005-06-30
Publication date: 2007-01-03
Also published as: GB0513381D0

Abstract

A jig is provided and comprises a jig body (1) which is positionable on a work piece (6) and has at least one cutting pattern (2) for guiding a tool (5) operating on the work piece (6). The jig body has a register member (9) for defining the position of the body with respect to the work piece. The register member traverses at least part of the jig body to define complementary parts (2a, 2b) of the cutting pattern on each side of the register member.

Description

JIG SYSTEM

This invention relates generally to a jig and particularly to a jig for cutting repeated, identical, patterns or profiles.

The use of profiling or alignment jigs for routers and other cutting tools is a well known practice. They are used to cut accurate patterns in various materials. A typical situation would be the cutting of recesses for hinges on doors and door frames where two or more hinge recesses cut into the edge of the door are required to be aligned with the hinge recesses on the door frame.

This invention seeks to provide a simple means of aligning one, or more, profiling jigs so that the alignment is retained for repeated operations.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a jig comprising a jig body positionable on a work piece for guiding a tool operating on it, and a register member for defining the position of the body with respect to a The jig body may comprise means for defining the position of the register member with respect thereto. In cases where the body and the register member are formed separately it may be preferable for their relative positions to be pre-detennined.

The defining means may comprise a recess for receiving the register member. The depth of the recess may be variable. The defining means therefore comprise locating means which predetermine the positional relationship between the body and the register member. The walls of the recess dictate where the register member fits and therefore where the datum surface is which in turn dictates where the body fits in relation to a work piece. In other embodiments the defining means comprise one or more walls or even simply surface markings on the underside of the body.

The register member may comprise means for defining the transverse position of the jig body with respect to a work piece. The register member may alternatively or additionally comprise means for defining the longitudinal position of the jig body with respect to a work piece.

The position of the body relative to the register member may be adjustable whereby to allow the jig to be used for different operations. In one embodiment the body is adjustable whilst remaining attached to the register member. This could be achieved, for example, by providing a register member in the form of a rail along which the body is slidable. The body could be locked in a required position or a friction fit could be used to hold the body in a required position.

The jig body may comprise a plate with one or more apertures for guiding a tool in use. A jig body in the form of a thin metal plate is easy to manufacture.

The register member may comprise one or more datum abutment faces for defining the position of the body with respect to a work piece. When the register member abuts against a work piece the jig is then in a required working position in at least one required plane.

The register member may include a clamping surface for clamping the jig to a The jig may comprise fiducial markings for determining the position of the jig with respect to a work piece.

The jig may be positionable with respect to more than one work piece simultaneously. This could allow corresponding patterns to be cut simultaneously.

The body and the register member may be formed separately from each other. The body may, for example, be securable to the register member by one or more fixings such as screw fixings. The fixings preferably will not protrude above of the upper surface body across which a tool, such as a router, will move.

The body and the register member may be integrally formed with each other as a one-piece construction.

The jig may comprise a plurality of jig bodies secured or securable to a register member. If required, several jigs may be used together, in concert, in such a way as the patterns will be accurately aligned on repeated cuts.

The jig may comprise a router jig. Other jigs, such as jigs adapted for drill or jigsaw jigs, may be provided.

This invention may utilise a register detail formed on the underside (the face opposite the face presented to a tool) of the jig so as to receive a "register member". In one example the register detail is created by providing a recess. The width of the recess may be sensibly sized to accept a standard piece of prepared lumber (which comprises the register member) so as to minimise the cost of this item. This register will form a datum to align a single jig in respect of its transverse position with respect to the job (the item that the jig will be used to machine) and optionally also the longitudinal alignment. The register member may also used to clamp the jig to the job. The profiles machined into the jig material are accurately referenced with respect to the two perpendicular faces of the register member to form the left and right hand patterns. These profiles might be identical but they could differ.

The jig may have provision for cutting counter patterns so that the position and shape of the left hand pattern(s) will accurately match the right hand pattern(s).

Where the job requires a cut to made right up to the datum face e.g. in the case of hinge recesses, the profile for the left and right hand cuts could be a single aperture. In this case when the jig is first used part of the profile being cut into the job will also be cut into the register member, this forms a pattern or witness which can be used for future alignment of the jig to prepared marks on the job.

The present invention also provides a jig body for guiding of tool to operate on a work piece, comprising means for guiding a tool and means for receiving a register member for defining the position of the body with respect to a work piece.

The jig body may comprise a jig plate.

The means for receiving a register member may comprise a recess, wall or the like abutment structure.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like features and in which: Figure 1 shows an example jig plate viewed from the top side, i.e. the side that a cutting tool will be placed; Figure 2 illustrates how a jig formed according to the present invention is typically used to cut profiles; Figure 3 shows the underside of a typical jig plate; Figure 4 shows the register member assembled to the jig plate; Figures 5 and 6 show jig plates for cutting asymmetric profiles between the left and right sides; Figure 7 shows an assembled router jig with a job located on the left and right hand sides; Figure 8 shows how the jig assembly is typically used; Figure 9 shows several jig plates mounted on an extended register member to create a multiple jig assembly; Figures 10 and 11 show how matching, handed, profiles may be machined using a multiple jig assembly; Figure 12 shows a jig where the jig assembly is constructed from a single piece of material; Figures 13 shows a jig plate mounted on a register member which has an integral means of clamping the jig plate and end stop; and Figure 14 shows multiple jig plates mounted on a register member of the type shown in Figure 13.

Figure 1 shows a jig body in the form of a plate 1 viewed from the face that supports a router. It would be manufactured from a suitably rigid plastic, metal or other adequately strong sheet material. Fixing holes 8 are countersunk or counter bored on this face. Aperture 2 is used to guide the router collar or bearing.

Figure 2 shows a cross section illustrating the manner by which a router could be used in conjunction with the router jig described in this invention. The router 5 has fixed to it a collar 3 forming a concentric ring around the cutter 4. The collar 4 follows the contour of the aperture 2 machining a profile onto the job 6. In some situations the collar 3 is replaced with a bearing located concentrically with the cutter 4 which, alternatively, follows the contour of the aperture 2. The router body is pushed against the router plate 1 to maintain an even cut perpendicular to the face of the job 6. Where cutter 4 is insufficiently large to cut all of the material in a single pass the router may be moved away from the reference edge of the jig, whilst holding the router against the surface of the jig plate, and moved in such a way as to remove surplus material.

Figure 3 shows the view of the underside of the jig plate 1; the two main features are the aperture 2 and register 7, in this example a recess. These are formed in relationship to one another to obtain the desired final profile.

In Figure 4 the register member 9 is shown located into register 7.

Figure 5 shows the assembled jig with the register member 9 attached to jig plate 1 with fixings 10, it is essential that flush, or sub flush, fixings be used so that the router can slide across the face of the jig plate 1 without hindrance. The register member divides the jig plate aperture into two, a left and right hand side. In this example the job requires an array of holes to be machined, the left hand holes with aperture 2a being larger than the right hand holes 2b.

Figure 6 shows a single non-symmetric aperture (about the longitudinal axis of the register 7 and registration member 9) and illustrates that the profiling apertures 2a and 2b do not need to be the same size. Nor do they need to be of similar shape.

Figure 7 shows how the jig assembly is positioned with respect to the two possible jobs, 6a and 6b. The invention would not normally be used with a job in both locations at the same time but this is not precluded. Register member 9 has a datum face 11 that corresponds with the side of the aperture 2a used with job in location 6a. Similarly datum face 12 is used in conjunction with aperture 2b, when the job is in location 6b. Also illustrated is the "witness" mark 13 which will be created in embodiments of the invention that have a single aperture 2 running across the top of the register member 9. The witness mark 13 can be created prior to the jig assembly first being used by running the router cutter around without a job in place or the first time the jig is used. These marks may be used for subsequent alignment in a longitudinal direction i. e. along the direction of the length of register member 9. This illustration shows the invention in the most basic form where a single plate 1 is attached to a short register member 9 and longitudinal positioning achieved though alignment of the apertures with pre- marked locations on the jobs 6a or 6b.

Figure 8 illustrates how a single jig might be used. The jig assembly comprising items jig plate I and register member 9 joined by fixings 10 is temporarily clamped with clamps 14 to the job 6. In this illustration aperture 2a will be used to machine the profile in job 6 and longitudinal positioning of the jig assembly relative to the job is by use of stop 15, if required a spacer 16 may be used to offset the alignment. As an alternative to longitudinal positioning through a stop, alignment could be achieved through pre-positioned marks on the jig assembly and job.

The register member 9 serves several functions:- a) it provides datum faces to locate the jig plate I at the correct transverse position relative to the job 6 in either of the locations 6a or 6b. b) It provides support and a means of locating multiple router plates at the required distance apart. c) It provides a place for clamps to be applied to hold the jig assembly against the job. d) It provides a means of registering the router jig assembly longitudinally with the job either through a stop or by means of fiducial marks on the job 6 and jig assembly.

Figure 9 shows how more than one jig assembly can be attached to a register member 9 of appropriate length.

Figure 10 shows a multiple jig assembly set up to machine a multiple pattern on job 6 e.g. a door frame. The jig assembly would be temporally fixed to job 6 using clamps (not illustrated). In this illustration the part of the aperture 2b would be used as the guide for the router. In this illustration a stop 15 is used to provide the longitudinal alignment for the jig assembly.

Figure 11 shows the multiple jig assembly being used to machine the opposite hand to that show in figure 10. In this case datum face 11 is clamped against the job 6, e.g. a door, so that a corresponding pattern can be machined to that being machined in figure 10. In this illustration the part of the aperture 2a would be used as the guide for the router. The same stop 15 is shown being used to provide longitudinal alignment but in this illustration a spacer 16 is used as an offset so that the alignment of the hinge recesses would be displaced. In the case of a job comprising of a door and a door frame this would provide for an appropriate space between the top of the door and the top of the frame.

Figure 12 shows a jig formed according to an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment the plate 101 and register member 109 are formed as a onepiece construction with a generally T-shape configuration.

Figure 13 shows a jig formed according to an alternative embodiment. The plate 201 is mounted on a register member 209 in the form of a rail and having a track 209a. The plate 201 can slide along the track 209a to adjust its position along the length of the track 209a using a suitable engagement member (not shown). When the plate 201 is in a required longitudinal position relative to the member 209 it can be secured in position using the fixings 210.

The member 209 has an end stop 218 to prevent the plate 201 from sliding off the track 209a.

In use the plate 201 is slid onto the member 209 from the end not having the end stop 218. Thereafter the plate 201 can slide along the member 209 to a required position whereupon it can be secured in position.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a jig assembly formed according to an alternative embodiment. The register member 309 is similar to the member 209 of Figure 13 except that it is longer and can therefore receive multiple plates 301, each of which is identical to the plate 201 of Figure 13. The working of the assembly is essentially the same as that described in relation to Figure 13.

Claims

1. A jig comprising a jig body positionable on a work piece for guiding a tool operating on it, and a register member for defining the position of the body with respect to a work piece.

2. A jig as claimed in Claim 1, in which the jig body comprises means for defining the position of the register member with respect thereto.

3. A jig as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the defining means comprise a recess for receiving the register member.

4. A jig as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the register member comprises means for defining the transverse position of the jig body with respect to a work piece.

5. A jig as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the register member comprises means for defining the longitudinal position of the jig body with respect to a work piece.

6. A jig as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the jig body comprises a plate with one or more apertures for guiding a tool in use.

7. A jig as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the register member comprises one or more datum abutment faces for defining the position of the body

8. A jig as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the register member includes a clamping surface for clamping the jig to a work piece.

9. A jig as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the jig comprises fiducial markings for determining the position of the jig with respect to a work piece.

10. A jig as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body is positionable with respect to more than one work pieces simultaneously.

11. A jig as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body and the register member are formed separately from each other.

12. A jig as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body is securable to the register member by one or more fixings.

13. Ajig as claimed in Claim 12, in which the fixings do not protrude above of the body.

14. A jig as claimed in any of claims, in which the body and the register member are integrally formed within each other.

15. A jig as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the jig comprises a plurality ofjig bodies secured or securable to the register member.

16. A jig as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the jig comprises a router jig.

17. A jig body for guiding of tool to operate on a work piece, comprising means for guiding a tool and means for receiving a register member for defining the position of the body with respect to a work piece.

18. A jig body as claimed in Claim 17, in which the jig body comprises a jig plate.

19. A jig body as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 18, in which the means for receiving a register member comprise a recess.

20. A jig substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

21. A jig body substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.