Abstract:
An adjustable board stop made from a U-shaped bracket attached to an extension that supports a hinge and hinge pin attached to an L-shaped bracket that protrudes out over the middle section of the top surface of the U-shaped bracket and perpendicular down from the hinge pin adjacent to the U-shaped bracket. Using manuel or a mechanical means the L-shaped bracket that protrudes over the U-shaped bracket is lifted and pivoted so that the L-shaped bracket on the hinge clasps a rail in between the perpendicular end of the L-shaped bracket and the U-shaped bracket. This fixed pressure holds the adjustable board stop fast in place for use in board sawing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to attachments to table saws, and more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to an adjustable board stop, typically attached to a longitudinal rail on a table saw.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    Table saws are well known in the private and commercial wood working industry. Table saws are designed for cutting various sides and shapes of boards.  
           [0005]    The precision cutting of any board on a table saw is predicted upon the ability of the operator to hold the board in a fixed position throughout the sawing process.  
           [0006]    Attempts have been made in the prior art to provide a means to hold the board while the sawing is in progress. U.S. Pat. No. 2,731,989 (issued Jan. 24, 1956 to Valcourt and Huff) discloses a cross cutting table saw gage attachment. The attachment is costly and difficult to manufacture; it has multiple working components that may wear and require replacement. Furthermore, the attachment had no mechanism to allow the L-shaped plate angles to expand when the attachment was opened and the entire pressure of the apparatus against the abutment was born by the small flanged portion of the rod. This focused torque and pressure would tend to wear a crescent shaped groove into the L-shaped plate angles and require replacements of the flanged portion of the rod. Also as the groove wears into the L-shaped plate angels the pressure that can be applied to the L-shaped plate angles is decreased requiring the L-shaped plate angle to be replaced or a new table saw gage attachment to be purchased.  
           [0007]    The present invention minimizes and in some aspects eliminates several of the disadvantages of the related art. The present invention is simple in design and manufacture and provides a much broader area for the dispersal and application of the pressure than a small flanged portion of the rod.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention is directed to a removable mass holder. In one embodiment the holder, is placed against a fixed object, which has a first side and a second side. The holder is connected to a lever with a horizontal arm and a vertical arm, and a fulcrum is also attached to the holder, so that when the horizontal arm of the lever is manually pivoted in an upward direction against the fulcrum the vertical arm is pressed against the fixed object first side, pulling the holder to the fixed object second side to secure the holder onto the fixed object.  
           [0009]    In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an adjustable board stop. In one embodiment, the adjustable board stop comprises, an adjustable metal stop having an outer surface attached to a substantially U-shaped bracket with two extensions. Each of the two substantially U-shaped bracket extensions have at least one aperture. A pin is inserted in the at least one aperture of the two substantially U-shaped bracket extensions so that the pin is positioned over an L-shaped bracket having a lower end and an upper end. The L-shaped bracket lower end positioned perpendicular to the outer surface of the metal stop and the L-shaped bracket upper end positioned parallel onto the outer surface of the metal stop. The L-shaped bracket upper end has a mechanism for lifting the L-shaped bracket upper end and for closing the L-shaped bracket lower end on a first side of a fixed rail to draw the adjustable metal stop to a second side of the fixed rail. The adjustable metal stop is adjustable along a longitudinal direction of the fixed rail, for abutting wooden board against the adjustable metal stop so that the board can be held fast against the force and vibration of the saw blade and accurately cut. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective of an adjustable board stop holding a board for sawing by a radial arm saw.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wooden board abutted against an adjustable board stop on a table saw with a miter gauge.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is the front end view of the adjustable board stop clasping the rail on a table saw.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is the left end view of FIG. 3.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is the right end view of FIG. 3.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is the vertical view of the top of the adjustable board stop clamped to a table saw rail.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is a vertical view of the bottom of the adjustable board stop clamped to a table saw rail.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the parts to an adjustable board stop prior to assembly.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is a top angular view of an assembled adjustable board stop.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 is a view of an assembled board stop from a bottom angle showing the roughened surface of the second L-shaped bracket first perpendicular end.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the adjustable board stop. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.  
         [0022]    Referring now to FIG. 1, the adjustable board stop  2  is shown clamped to a rail  10  and holding or preventing the distal end  11  of the wooden board  12  from movement on the table  8  while the saw blade  6  on the radial arm saw  4  is used to cut or saw the wooden board  12 . The adjustable board stop  2  may be considered a removable mass holder for any and all types of masses that may not be wooden or have the shape of a board  12 .  
         [0023]    The adjustable board stop  2  may be composed of any type of rigid material that can withstand pressure. The rigid material is typically a metal such as iron or aluminum or an any alloy such as steel. The rigid material may also include plastics and ceramics. The individual parts of the board stop  2  may be made of a variety of materials so long as each part is made of material that can withstand the stress and strain applied specifically to the individual part.  
         [0024]    The rail  10  may also be any fixed object placed in any horizontal or vertical direction and with any shape that will allow a mass holder to be positioned anywhere along the fixed object. The rail shape is preferably rectangular with a top and two sides.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the adjustable board stop  2  pinching a rail  10  of a table saw  14  having a miter gauge  16 . The wooden board  12  is abutted or pressed against the adjustable board stop  2  for precision sawing by the table saw blade  18 .  
         [0026]    In FIG. 3 the front view of the adjustable board stop  2  represents the first substantially U-shaped bracket  32  touching the fixed rail  10  and the adjustable board stop  2  in position for clamping onto the fixed rail  10 . The hinge or second substantially U-shaped bracket  28  along with the front edge  35  (FIG. 11) of the second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26  can be seen.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 also shows a hinge pin  24  or fulcrum, inserted into the second substantially U-shaped bracket  28 , a handle  20  and a threaded shaft  22  threaded through the second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26  onto the top surface  40  (FIG. 8) of the first substantially U-shaped bracket  32  as the threaded shaft  22  lifts the second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26 .  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 4 and 5 represent the left end and the right end respectively of the adjustable board stop  2 . In both FIGS. 4 and 5 the second L-shaped bracket first perpendicular end  30  is parallel with first L-shaped bracket first end  44  (FIG. 10). Specifically, the second L-shaped bracket  27  second perpendicular end  26  is shown protruding beyond the top surface of the second end of the first L-shaped bracket second end  31  and the middle of the top surface  40  of the first substantially U-shaped bracket  32 .  
         [0029]    The extension or protrusion of the second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26  over the first substantially U-shaped bracket  32  can be easily seen in FIG. 6.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 7 represents an upward view from underneath the second L-shaped bracket first perpendicular end  30  and the first substantially U-shaped bracket  32  as both the second L-shaped bracket first perpendicular end  30  and the first substantially U-shaped bracket  32  overhang or straddle the fixed rail  10 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8 is an expanded or exploded view of the adjustable board stop  2  prior to assembly. FIG. 8 shows that the first L-shaped bracket second end  31  is attached or welded to the first substantially U-shaped bracket extensions  33  of equal length. The length of these two extensions  33 , may vary so long as they remain equal, is typically a length of one and one half inches.  
         [0032]    The second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26  forms an extension of the top or outer surface  40  of the first substantially U-shaped bracket  32 . The second U-shaped bracket  28  is attached with its outer portion against the end or furthermost edge  35  (FIG. 11) of the first L-shaped bracket second end  31 .  
         [0033]    It should be noted that the second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26  is placed inside the second substantially U-shaped bracket  28 , therefore the second substantially U-shaped bracket  28  must be sufficiently wide to accept the second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26 . FIG. 8 represents a second U-shaped bracket  28  that is slightly longer or wider so that it can accommodate the first L-shaped bracket second end  31 .  
         [0034]    The second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26  has a threaded hole  34  with threads cut corresponding to the threaded shaft  22 . The second L-shaped bracket first perpendicular end  30  has a roughened inside surface  36 . This inside surface  36  may be prepared with rubber, a course grid, or any substance or coating designed to reduce the slippage or increase the friction between the second L-shaped bracket first perpendicular end  30  and the rail  10  (FIG. 7). In order to assemble the adjustable board stop  2 , the second L-shaped bracket  27  is placed within the second U-shaped bracket  28 ; the hinge pin  24  is inserted into the second U-shaped bracket apertures  38  and the threaded shaft  22  is threaded into the second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end threaded hole  34 .  
         [0035]    In FIG. 9 the adjustable board stop  2  is represented in an assembled or operational condition absent the fixed rail  10  being shown.  
         [0036]    It should be noted that the length of the second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26  may vary along with the position of the threaded hole  34  in the second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26 .  
         [0037]    In the preferred embodiment, the second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26  is extended beyond the middle portion of the top or outer surface  40  of the first substantially U-shaped bracket  32  so that the threaded hole  34  in the second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26  is approximately above the middle or center portion of the top surface  40  of the first substantially U-shaped bracket  32 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 10 is the same assembly of the adjustable metal stop  2  in FIG. 9 except for the direction of the view showing the bottom side  3  or underneath of the adjustable metal stop  2 .  
         [0039]    In an alternative embodiment, FIG. 11, a first L-shaped bracket  57  having a first L-shaped bracket second end  31  of one and one half inches and a first L-shaped bracket first end  44  of one and one half inches is attached to the first U-shaped bracket  32 .  
         [0040]    The first L-shaped bracket  57  has a top or outermost side  43  to which a first L-shaped brace  48  is attached slightly beyond the right edge  41  of the first L-shaped bracket  57 . The first L-shaped brace  48  has a one inch vertical end  52  and a one inch horizontal end  50 . The first L-shaped brace  48  is welded to fit evenly with the edge  35  of the first L-shaped bracket second end  31 . The second L-shaped brace  54  has a one inch vertical end  58  and a one inch horizontal end  56 . The second L-shaped brace  54  is attached slightly beyond the left edge  42  of the first L-shaped bracket  57  to make the distance between the first L-shaped brace  48  and the second L-shaped brace  54  sufficient to permit the first L-shaped bracket second end to fit between the first L-shaped brace  48  and the second L-shaped brace  54 . The second L-shaped brace  54  is welded to fit evenly with the edge  35  of the first L-shaped bracket second end  31 . The first L-shaped brace vertical end  52  and the second L-shaped brace vertical end  58  both have at least one hinge pin aperture  46 .  
         [0041]    Also, in the alternative embodiment, FIG. 11, the second L-shaped bracket  27  has a first perpendicular end  30  of one and one half inches and a second perpendicular end  26  of one and one half inches. The second L-shaped bracket  27  is welded to the hinge pin  24 . The second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26  is then extended over the top  40  of the first substantially U-shaped bracket  32  with a flat bar  60  having a threaded aperture  62  at about the distal end  61  of the flat bar  60 . This flat bar  60  allows the threaded shaft  22  to be extended or placed over a middle portion of the top surface  40  of the first U-shaped bracket  32 .  
         [0042]    In any of the forestated embodiments the assembling may be performed in a wide variety of methods not limited to: welding, cementing, glueing, soldering, or molding. Also in any of the aforementioned embodiments the second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26  may be raised and lowered through any variety of mechanisms or devices. Instead of the use of a handle  20  and a threaded shaft  22  that must be manually manipulated to raise the second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26 ; the second L-shaped bracket second perpendicular end  26  may be raised in a number of ways including: 1) manually and held with one&#39;s fingers or with a wedge, 2) any number of mechanical devices operating upon the principal of a complex lever using a rachet mechanism with a release, 3) any number of pneumatic or hydraulic devices, and 4) any operable configuration of electric motors or devices.  
         [0043]    In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides an adjustable board stop  2  that is simple in design and manufacture and capable of being installed, adjusted and removed on any table saw as desired. The adjustable board stop  2  is easy to install and capable of withstanding significant forces.  
         [0044]    It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.