Patent ID: 6079309
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
A portable guide for cutting, routing, or other machining operations with portable power tools comprising:a first clamp assembly;a second clamp assembly;said first claim assembly comprising:two or more clamps that may be removably attached to the edge of a workpiece, wherein at least one said clamp can be affixed on each side of the intended line of cut;means of rigidly connection said clamps together in fixed position and orientation relative to one another;such means having sufficient strength to prevent relative movement of the two sections of the workpiece created by a cutting or routing operation when said first clamp assembly is used in cooperation with said second clamp assembly on the opposite edge of the workpiece;means associated with said first clamp assembly for avoiding interference between the cutting tool and said first clamp assembly;means of aligning said first clamp assembly properly relative to the intended line of cut and along one edge of the workpiece;said second clamp assembly comprising:two or more clamps that may be removably attached to the edge of a workpiece, wherein at least one said clamp can be affixed on each side of the intended line of cut;means of rigidly connecting said clamps together in fixed position and orientation relative to one another;such means having sufficient strength to prevent relative movement of the two sections of the workpiece created by a cutting or routing operation when said second clamp assembly is used in cooperation with said first clamp assembly on the opposite edge of the workpiece;means associated with said second clamp assembly for avoiding interference between the cutting tool and said clamp assembly;means of aligning said second clamp assembly properly relative to the intended line of cut and along one edge of the workpiece opposite said first clamp assembly;a rigid guide bar;said guide bar being of uniform cross section and sufficient strength to restrict lateral movement of the cutting tool as the tool base is slid along the edge of said guide bar;said guide bar being of sufficient length to extend beyond the intended line of cut at both ends of that line;said guide bar having a plurality of slots in its base that engage a fastening system on said first and second clamp assemblies;means of detachably securing said rigid guide bar to said first and second clamp assemblies in close proximity to the surface of the workpiece and aligned with the intended line of cut.