US3311103A

US3311103A - Masonry saw

Info

Publication number: US3311103A
Application number: US305458A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bruce E Simpson
Original assignee: Felker Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Felker Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1963-08-29
Filing date: 1963-08-29
Publication date: 1967-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 1984-03-28
Also published as: BE652357A; NL6409987A; DE1427708A1

Description

March 28, 1967 B. E. SIMSON MASONRY SAW 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 29, 1963 FIG. I.

BRUCE E. SIMPSON INVENTOR March 28, 1967 B. E. SIMSON MASONRY SAW Filed Aug. 29, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 a v F BRUCE E. SIMPSON INVENTOR March 28, 1967 B. SIMSON 3,311,103

MASONRY SAW Filed Aug. 29, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR BRUCE E. SIMPSON j hw I ORNEY United States Patent Office 3,311,103 Patented Mar. 28, 1967 3,311,103 MASGNRY SAW Bruce E. Simpson, Culver City, Calif, assignor to Felker Manufacturing Company, Torrance, Calif a corporafion of California Filed Aug. 29, 1963, Ser. No. 305,458 7 Claims. (Cl. 12513) This invention relates to a masonry saw and, more particularly, to apparatus arranged to cut blocks of masonry and the like by use of a rotating diamond abrasive saw or wheel.

It is common practice in cement block plants to form the blocks in a conventional form approximately eight inches wide, eight inches high, and sixteen inches long. Such fabricators, however, are required to supply the blocks to their customers cut in two transversely to take care of the problems presented by the staggering of the blocks when the building being constructed has window and door openings. It is also desirable to be able to cut the block lengthwise into slabs which are half as thick as the original block. In the known apparatus for cutting masonry blocks, the rotating diamond wheel and the motor for driving it are mounted at opposite ends of an elongated assembly which is pivotally mounted above a table; a foot pedal is provided to cause tipping of the assembly so that the wheel moves downwardly into the block. Furthermore, means is usually provided for adjusting the pivot line of the assembly in a vertical direction. While this apparatus functions effectively when cutting the blocks transversely of their length, it is difiicult to operate the apparatus when it is desired to slit the block lengthwise or to make a cut with the block standing on end. With some types of ope-ration, the workman has to reach far back in the table and he becomes quite tired rather quickly. In another situation, as when cutting a block lengthwise, it is impossible to move the table far enough away from the wheel to make a complete out without reversing the block to do so. Some of the cuts that are required with the conventional method of positioning the wheel become quite dangerous because of the operator reaching out over the table or not being able to hold the block properly. These and other difficulties experienced with the prior 'art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.

It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide a masonry saw which is capable of substantial adjustment in the forward and backward direction as well as up and down.

Another object of this invent-ion is the provision of a masonry saw which is capable of equally effectively cutting a masonry block transversely, lengthwise, or when standing on end.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a masonry saw which is capable of front-to back adjustment as well as up-and-down adjustment of the cutting wheel, wherein the adjustment is infinitely variable and is accomplished by means of a single handle located on the front part of the machine.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a masonry saw in which an elongated pivoted assembly is provided with a rotating saw or wheel at one end and a driving motor at the other end and in which the assembly is substantially level in its normal raised position at all positions of adjustment.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a masonry saw which may be operated to accomplish a variety of cuts on a masonry block without endangering the operator.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a masonry saw which is simple and rugged in construction, which is capable of a long life of useful service with a minimum of maintenance, and in which various adjustments may be made without the use of a complicated and delicate mechanism.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by reference to one of its structural forms as illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a masonry saw embodying the principles of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the saw,

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the saw,

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are side views of the saw in different positions of adjustment,

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary rear elevation viewed along line VIIVII of FIG. 5, and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a portion of the invention taken on the line VlII-VIII of FIG. 7.

Referring first to FIG. 1, wherein are best shown the general features of the invention, the masonry saw, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, is shown as consisting of a saw assembly 11 and a supporting frame 12 carrying a table 13.

The supporting frame is provided with two parallel

ground contacting bars

14 and 15 from the forward ends of which extend inwardly-

inclined legs

16 and 17 which are attached at their upper ends to the bottom of a rectangular horizontal frame 18 on top of which is mounted a rectangular pan 19.

At their rear ends the

bars

14 and 15 are provided with slightly inwardly-inclined

rear legs

21 and 22, respectively, which rise on either side of the pan 19 and are provided with a cross bar 23 in the form of a channel beam which extends between them in their intermediate position and on which the frame 18 rests. The

legs

21 and 22 extend above the pan 19 a considerable distance, as will be explained more fully hereinafter. The tray 19 is provided on either long side with

tracks

24 and 25, while the table 13 is provided with wheels which ride on these tracks so that the table may be moved back and forth across the tray from front to rear. An X-shaped brace 26 extends between the four

legs

16, 17, 21, and 22 to form with the

bars

14 and 15 and the rectangular frame 18 a solid structure.

Mounted at the top of the leg 21 is a bellcrank 27, while a similar bellcrank 28 is mounted at the top of the leg 22 (see FIG. 2). The bellcrank 27 is provided with a long leg 29 and a short leg 31, while the bellcrank 28 is similarly provided with a long leg 32 and a short leg 30. In both cases, the bellcrank is pivoted at the top of its respective supporting leg at the junction of the long and the short leg and the long and short legreside at an angle of approximately to one another, as is best evident in FIG. 2. As is apparent in FIG. 1, the bellcrank is provided with a supplemental bifurcation 33 so that the bellcrank and the bifurcation embrace a horizontal bearing of considerable transverse dimension which is mounted at the top of the leg 21. The bellcrank 28 is similarly constructed to give a substantial bearing area at the tops of the supporting legs. A brace bar 34 extends from the intermediate portion of the long leg 29 to the intermediate portion of the long leg 32 so that the two bellcranks are joined together and operate in unison, the axis being along the same horizontal transverse line. At the extreme ends of the

long legs

29 and 32 they are joined by a pivot rod 35, and on this rod is pivotally attached an elongated wheel assembly table 36, the pivotal action taking place in the intermediate portion of the table 36. The part of the table 36 rearwardly of the pivot rod is provided with a motor table 37 on which is mounted an electric motor 38. As is best evident in PEG. 3, the motor table 36 is pivoted by pivot pins 41; for motion about a horizontal axis relative to the wheel assembly table 36. A screw adjustment 39 determines the amount of inclination of the table, the weight of the motor being rearward of the pivot pin 4%, so that by use of the screw adjustment, it is possible to regulate the belt tension.

The forward end of the wheel assembly table 35 is provided with a transverse bearing 41 in which is mounted a spindle 42 which, in turn, carries on one end a diamond saw 43. The spindle 42 extends from the other side of the bearing 41 and carries a pulley which is connected to the pulley of the motor 38 by a flexible belt (not shown). A sheet metal belt guard 44 covers the pulleys and belt, while a conventional wheel guard 45 covers the upper portion of the wheel 43.

Attached to the rear end of the wheel assembly table 36 is an actuating rod 4e. At its lower end it is attached to a foot pedal assembly 47 which underlies the X-shaped brace 26 and which has in its forward portion between the legs 16 and 17 a tread 48. The foot pedal assembly 47 is pivoted for movement about a transverse horizontal axis in its intermediate portion by means of a bolt 49. Embracing and supporting the foot pedal assembly is a pedal elevating frame 51. The frame is provided with two

side members

52 and 53 which extend along either side of the foot pedal assembly 47, the bolt 4? extending between the two

side members

52 and 53 to provide for pivoting of the assembly 47. At its forward end, the side member 52 is pivotally attached by means of a pivot pin 54 to a lug 55 which extends rearwardly from the leg 17. Similarly, the forward end of the side member 53 is pivoted by a pivot pin 56 to a lug 57 which extends rearwardly from the leg 16. At their other ends, the

side members

52 and 53 are joined by a vertical yoke 58. Forwardly of the bolt 49 and the pivotal connection with the assembly 47, the

side members

52 and 53 are also joined by a yoke 59 which bridges the two side members; to the center of this yoke is connected a coil spring 61 which extends downwardly and is connected to the foot pedal assembly 47, thus maintaining the tread 48 biased in the upward direction at all times. It should also be noted that a plate 62 extends from the side member 52 to the side member 53 on the bottom edge thereof at the rearward end.

At the front of the frame and extending downwardly from the rectangular horizontal frame It; is a supporting strap 63 in the lower end of which is rotatably carried an actuating shaft 64 provided on the front end with a crank 65. The shaft 64 underlies the frame 18 and at the rear end enters a gear box 66 which, in turn, is carried on the intermediate portion of the cross bar 23.

Referring to FIG. 7, within the gear box the shaft 64 is provided with a horizontal worm 67 which engages a worm pinion 68.- The worm pinion is keyed to a horizontal transverse shaft 69 which, in turn, is carried in brackets 71 and 82 extending rearwardly and downwardly from the rear surface of the cross bar 23. Keyed to the ends of the shaft 69 (adjacent the legs 21 and 22) are

crank arms

72R and 72L to which are pivotally attached actuating

rods

73 and 74, respectively. The upper end of the rod 73 is pivotally attached to the outer end of the short leg 31 of the bellcrank 27, while the upper end of the rod 74 is pivotally attached to the outer end of the short leg 30 of the bellcrank 32. Also keyed to the intermediate portion of the transverse shaft 65 is a crank arm 75 and to the outer end of this is pivotally attached the upper end of the yoke 58. A coil spring 76 is at tached at one end to the crank arm 75 through a link 77 and at the other end to the X-shaped brace 26 through an upstanding finger 7 3 attached thereto to counterbalance the weight of the wheel assembly, so that, when the wheel is being raised to a higher position by rotating the crank 65, it can be accomplished with less effort.

An electric cord and plug assembly 79 extends rearwardly from the motor 38 for connection to a source of electric power. A canvas apron 81 is supported at the upper edge by the brace bar 34 and hangs downwardly with its lower end in the pan The operation of the invention will now be readily understood in view of the above description. By connecting the cord and plug assembly 79 to a source of electrical power, the motor 3? will be actuated thus rotating the diamond wheel 43. The masonry block to be cut is placed on the upper surface of the table 13 and the table is moved rearwardly toward the wheel 43, the supporting wheels of the table riding along the

rails

24 and 25 at the upper side edges of the pan 19. As the table 13 and the block are moved toward the wheel d3 the operator presses the tread 48 downwardly with his foot, thus pivoting the foot pedal assembly 47 about the pivot representedby the bolt 39. This means that the rear end of the assembly moves upwardly carrying the actuating rod upwardly with it. The actuating rod pushes on the rear end of the wheel assembly table 36 so that it rotates or pivots about the pivot rod 35. This causes the forward end of the table 36 to move downwardly, carrying the wheel 43 downwardly also, so that it contacts the block and makes the cut. Assuming that the bellcrank Z7 is in the position shown in FIG. 4, the pivotal axis of the table 36 will be in a forward low position relative to the upper end of the leg 21. This means that the wheel 43 will be in a normally low position and it will be well forward of the pan 19. In this position, it is very well situated for cutting an elongated masonry block in the transverse direction. The operator does not have to reach very far rearwardly to pass the block through the saw and, furthermore, the saw is in a low position where the actuation of the tread 48 will bring it completely in line with the low height of the masonry block when such a transverse cut is being made.

If, however, it is desired to place the block on its end, so that it extends upwardly above the table 13 a considerable distance, then it is necessary to change the machine from the condition shown in FIG. 4 to the condition shown in FIG. 5 wherein the wheel 43 is raised high and is in a position intermediate of the front and rear of the machine. It is only necessary to rotate the crank 65, thus rotating the shaft 64. The shaft dd, in turn, rotates the worm 67 causing a rotation of the worm pinion 63 and of the shaft 69 to which it is keyed. As the shaft 69 rotates (in this case, counterclockwise as it is observed in FIG. 8) it carries the bellcrank 7 2R and 72L with it and moves the lower ends of the rods 73 and 7 4 first downwardly and then upwardly. This rotates the

bellcranks

27 and 28 in a clockwise direction (as the machine is observed in FIGS. 4 and 5) which raises the long leg 29 into a vertical position directly above the end of the leg 21 shown in FIG. 5. In this position, the pivot point of the table 36 is sub stantially above the top end of the

legs

21 and 22 so that the wheel in its normal level position is very high and is located in a position midway between the front and rear of the pan 19. It should be also noted that, when the crank 65 was turned to rotate the shaft 69, it also rotated the bellcrank which had the effect of, in this case, first lowering and then raising the yoke 58 so that the foot pedal assembly 47 and the actuating rod .6 were also raised. This assures that the table 36 stay in substantially a level horizontal position despite the fact that it has been raised a considerable distance. It should be noted that the bellcrank 72R of the actuating rod 73 and the corresponding bellcrank 72L of the actuating rod 74 are out of phase (extend at difierent tangles) by about so that the rods will pass the bellcranks through dead center without difiiculty. In addition to the out-of-phase arrangement of the cranks 72R and 721., the short arms 30 and 31 of the

bellcranks

32 and 33 are about 90 out of phase.

Now, let us assume that the operator wishes to place the apparatus in the condition shown in FIG. 6, which is its best condition for the lengthwise sawing of a mason ry block. He again rotates the crank 65, the shaft 64, the worm 67, the worm pinion 68, and the shaft 69 in the same direction as before. This will rotate the bellcrank 27 still further until the long leg 29 occupies the rearwarclly-directed condition shown in FIG. 6, while the short leg extends forwardly. In that condition, the pivot point of the table 36 is located substantially rearwardly and slightly above the level of the top end of the leg 21. In this condition, the wheel 43 is located in a low position very close to the pan 19 and is located at the rear of the pan, so that the-re is plenty of room to place a masonry block lengthwise on the table and to move it toward the wheel for making a lengthwise cut. At the same time that this action of moving the bellcrank 27 takes place, the crank arm 75 is moved downwardly and the yoke 58 is simultaneously adjusted downwardly to compensate for the different height of the rear end of the table 36. It can be seen, then, that by the use of the present apparatus, it is possible to cut every type of masonry block from the smallest to the largest and to cut along any dimension of a given block. The wheel or blade position swings forward, backward, up, or down merely by use of the front end crank. It is never necessary manually to lift the head to change blade height. The machine is capable of cutting a block lengthwise in a single pass; the blade can be set back allowing full table capacity ahead of the blade before commencing the cut; it is not necessary to provide additional extension rails for oversized pieces. Infinite adjustment of the height of the wheel or wheel clearance above the top surface of the masonry block is possible with a single control in the form of the crank 65. When the blade is in the forward position, there is no reaching or stretching and the operation is much easier with the workpiece close to the operator. With the blade up, as shown in FIG. 5, the maximum height is obtained from the table to the center of the wheel spindle to accommodate large workpieces. On the other hand, with the blade in the back position, as shown in FIG. 6, there is more clearance in front of the blade for ripping long pieces.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A masonry {saw comprising (a) an elongated saw assembly adapted to carry an abrasive saw at one end for rotation about a horizontal axis and to carry a drive motor at the other end,

(b) a supporting frame having a horizontal table on which masonry can be carried for movement perpendicular to the saw axis, the frame having and end member extending upwardly above the table at the rear end thereof,

(c) a bellcrank connected at the fulcrum to the end member for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to and spaced from the saw axis and connected at one end to the intermediate-portion of the saw assembly for pivotal movement of the assembly about an axis parallel to and spaced from the saw axis,

(d) a means for pivoting the saw assembly relative to said bellcrank, and

(e) an adjusting rod attached to the other end of the bell-crank to move said one end selective-1y to a position in front of said end member and to a position in the rear of said end member, whereby the saw assem- 6 bly is adjusted vertically and horizontally over a wide range relative to the table.

2;. A masonary saw as recited in claim 1, wherein means is provided at the front end of the table to change the position of the adjusting rod, the said means serving simultaneously to adjust the operating range of the actuating rod, so that the saw assembly remains substantially level irrespective of the position of adjustment of the crank arm.

3. A masonry saw as recited in claim 2, wherein the said means consists of a rod rotatably mounted under the table and extending longitudinally thereof, the rod having a crank handle at the forward end and a worm at the rearward end.

4. A masonry saw as recited in claim 3, wherein a shaft is mounted at the rear of the supporting frame for rotation about a transverse axis, a worm pinion is keyed to the shaft and engaged by the worm for rotation thereby, and a crank arm is keyed at one end to the shaft and connected at the other end to the adjusting rod.

5. A masonry saw comprising (a) an elongated saw assembly adapted to carry an abrasive saw at one end of rotation about a horizontal axis and to carry a drive motor at the other end,

(b) a supporting frame having an elongated horizontal table on which masonry can be carried for movement perpendicular to the saw axis, the frame having two parallel spaced end members extending upwardly above the table at the rear end thereof,

(0) two crank arms each connected at its fulcrum to the end member for pivotal movement above an axis parallel to and spaced from the saw axis and connected at one end by a pivot shaft to which the intermediate portion of the saw assembly is attached for pivotal movement of the assembly about the shaft axis parallel to and spaced from the saw axis,

((1) an actuating rod connected at one end to the saw assembly at a location spaced from its pivotal axis,

(e) a foot pedal assembly mounted under the table and extending from the front to the rear thereof, the front end having a tread and the rear end being attached to the actuating rod, and

(f) an adjusting rod attached at the other end of the bellcrank to move said one end selectively to a position in front of said end member and to a position in the rear of said end member, whereby the saw assembly is adjusted vertically and horizontally over a wide range relative to the table.

6. A masonry saw as recited in claim 5, wherein the foot pedal assembly is mounted in a pedal assembly frame for pivotal movement about a horizontal transverse axis intermediate of the front and rear ends, the pedal assembly frame being pivotally attached to the front of the supporting frame for movement about a horizontal transverse axis.

7. A masonary saw as recited in claim 6, wherein the rear end is suspended from the supporting frame by a vertically-adjustable yoke and means is provided operable from the front of the supporting frame for adjusting the said yoke.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 2,514,314 7/1950 Denton 74-89 2,863,440 12/1958 Harclerode 13.1 3,027,886 4/1962 Zuzelo 125-l3.1 3,040,729 6/1962 Ward 125-13.1

HAROLD D. WHITEHEAD, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A MASONRY SAW COMPRISING (A) AN ELONGATED SAW ASSEMBLY ADAPTED TO CARRY AN ABRASIVE SAW AT END FOR ROTATION ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS AND TO CARRY A DRIVE MOTOR AT THE OTHER END, (B) A SUPPORTING FRAME HAVING A HORIZONTAL TABLE ON WHICH MASONRY CAN BE CARRIED FOR MOVEMENT PERPENDICULAR TO THE SAW AXIS, THE FRAME HAVING AND END MEMBER EXTENDING UPWARDLY ABOVE THE TABLE AT THE REAR END THEREOF, (C) A BELLCRANK CONNECTED AT THE FULCRUM TO THE END MEMBER FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT AN AXIS PARALLEL TO AND SPACED FROM THE SAW AXIS AND CONNECTED AT ONE END TO THE INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF THE SAW ASSEMBLY FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF THE ASSEMBLY ABOUT AN AXIS PARALLEL TO AND SPACED FROM THE SAW AXIS, (D) A MEANS FOR PIVOTING THE SAW ASSEMBLY RELATIVE TO SAID BELLCRANK, AND (E) AN ADJUSTING ROD ATTACHED TO THE OTHER END OF THE BELL-CRANK TO MOVE SAID ONE END SELECTIVELY TO A POSITION IN FRONT OF SAID END MEMBER AND TO A POSITION IN THE REAR OF SAID END MEMBER, WHEREBY THE SAW ASSEMBLY IS ADJUSTED VERTICALLY AND HORIZONTALLY OVER A WIDE RANGE RELATIVE TO THE TABLE.