Abstract:
A coping machine for making miter cuts on baseboard or crown molding stock includes a work platform supported on vertically movable spring assemblies. Stock to be cut is positioned on the work platform. A rotating cutting knife is disposed adjacent a rear edge of the work platform. Operation of a single lever mechanism functions to move the platform in a downward vertical direction so that the stock may be cut by the rotating cutting knife. The spring assemblies automatically return the platform to its original position when the single lever is released.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/171,653, filed Dec. 27, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to woodworking machines. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a machine which performs a coping cut on the end of baseboard or crown molding stock. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Coping is the term used to describe a secondary cut performed on a strip of baseboard or crown molding so that the strip may be mated with a similarly cut strip in a corner. 
     Heretofore, a miter saw has generally been used to accomplish the coping cut. This is a slow, difficult, hand-performed process that an experienced worker would need at least two minutes to align and cut a single strip by hand. 
     There have been many devices proposed to efficiently cut molding strips. Examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,249,446 (Tallerico, Jr.), 5,094,279 (Dickey et al.), 5,667,001 (Sanger et al.), and 5,778,951 (Huitsing). 
     Machines which shape work pieces according to a template configuration are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,370,032 (Groen), 3,942,566 (Schmidt), 4,085,508 (Gyongyosi), and 5,036,895 (Lue). 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,353,399 (Harris), 4,593,735 (Wirth, Jr.), 4,878,524 (Rosenthal et al.), 5,340,247 (Cuneo et al.) and Australian Patent number 231,969 show multiple station woodworking apparatus. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a time-saving, durable, accurate, easy-to-operate coping machine as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The coping machine of the instant invention offers a truly versatile replacement for the hand coping saw and is designed for fast, on-the-job, production cutting of all types of coped miters. 
     The coping machine employs an adjustable fence which will accommodate stock sizes from one and one-half to five and one-half inches. Cutter blades are easily accessible and may be replaced to facilitate the cutting of any molding profile. Manipulation of a single lever is all that is required to perform a near-perfect coping cut. The machine is only limited by the rate in which stock can be fed. 
     As contemplated, the machine is of simplistic design with a minimum number of moving parts. The present invention is portable and requires a minimum set up time, usually less than ten minutes. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a machine for performing coping cuts on baseboard and crown moldings. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a machine for performing coping cuts, which machine is fast, efficient, and easy to operate. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a machine for performing coping cuts, which machine requires manipulation of a single lever to initiate the coping cut. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine for performing coping cuts, which machine is easily portable. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a carpentry coping machine according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away front view of a carpentry coping machine according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away side view of a carpentry coping machine according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away top view of a carpentry coping machine according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a partial, environmental view of a carpentry coping machine in a released position according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a partial, environmental view of a carpentry coping machine in an engaged position according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a detailed top view of a work platform of a carpentry coping machine according to the present invention. 
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Attention is directed to FIG. 1 which shows the present invention generally indicated at  10 . A frame, comprising leg members  12  and support platform  14 , is provided to support a coping machine generally indicated at  16 . A framework  18  is attached to leg members  12  in a conventional manner to support a three-quarter horsepower motor  20  thereon. A pulley  22  is rotatatably secured to motor  20 . Drive belt  24  is mounted on pulley  22  and extends upwardly therefrom to the coping machine as will be explained below. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 2-4, coping machine  16  comprises a housing assembly having a partially open front wall  26   a , a rear wall  26   b , side walls  26   c , and removable top  26   d . The housing assemble sits atop a base plate  28 , which base plate is removably disposed on support platform  14 . Base plate  28  extends horizontally from rear wall  26   b  to a position exterior of the housing assembly. Secured rigidly to the top surface of base plate  28  are four spring assembly members  30 , an adjustable stop  32 , and two spaced, bearing members  34 . The bearing members  34  are positioned within the housing assembly and may be easily disassembled by removing bolts  34   a . L-shaped vertical guides  36 , whose purpose will be later explained, extend along either side of the opening formed in front wall  26   a.    
     Spring assembly members  30  consist of telescoping tubular parts  30   a  and  30   b . A helical spring  30   c  is disposed in each member  30 . A horizontally positioned work platform  37  is spaced above base plate  28 . Work platform  37  is rigidly secured to the upper ends of tubular parts  30   a  and has a rear end  37   a  terminating between spaced bearing assembly members  34 . Springs  30   c  function to bias work platform  37  in a vertically upward direction relative to the top surface of base plate  28 . Work platform  37  is formed with a cut-out portion  37   b  for accommodating the blades of a rotating knife  40 . Knife  40  is disposed on an axle  42  which has its respective ends journaled in bearing members  34 . Pulley  42   a  is attached to one end of axle  42  and is adapted to receive drive belt  24  thereon. 
     A shroud  38  having end walls  38   a ,  38   b  is attached to front wall  26   a  at the top of the opening therein. A locking roller  44  is housed in shroud  38  and is provided with an axle  44   a . One end of axle  44   a  is attached to a plate  46 . Plate  46  is pivotally mounted on end wall  38   b . The other end of axle  44   a  extends through shroud end wall  38   a , housing assembly side wall  26   c  and is fastened in the lower end  50   a  of handle  50 . 
     Handle  50  is positioned outside the housing assembly and extends upwardly adjacent sidewall  26   c  from lower end  50   a  to upper end  50   b . Upper end  50   b  is fitted with a gripping surface  50   c . As best seen in FIG. 3, a segment  50   d  extends at an angle from handle  50  and terminates adjacent a locking plate  52 , which plate  52  is rigidly attached to the outer surface of sidewall  26   c . Plate  52  is provided with an arcuate surface and has a notch  52   a  formed therein. A locking dowel  50   e  is disposed on the end of segment  50   d . When inserted in notch  52   a , locking dowel  50   e  functions to prevent handle  50  from moving. A release handle  54  is pivotally mounted on handle  50 . Release cable  56  is fastened at one end  56   a  to release handle  54 . A second end  56   b  is attached to locking dowel  50   e . Pivoting release handle  54  will cause release cable  56  to unseat locking dowel  50   e  from notch  52   a  thereby allowing handle  50  to be rotated in a direction away from the housing assembly. In turn, rotation of handle  50  will cause downward movement of locking roller  44  toward work platform  37 . 
     A back fence  60  (best seen in FIG. 3) is positioned adjacent the top rear edge of work platform  37 . Back fence  60  is an L-shaped member which extends across the entire width (sidewall to sidewall) of the housing. A neoprene material  60   a  (shown in dotted lines) is inserted in back fence  60  for purposes which will be subsequently described. 
     FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the work platform  37 . As indicated above, work platform  37  is formed with a cut-out portion  37   b  to accommodate knife roller  40 . U-shaped side fences  37   c  are positioned to provide guides for the baseboard or crown molding stock. Plural openings  37   d  are formed in work platform  37  so that the side fences may be adjusted as is conventional in the art. Vertical guide tabs  37   e  are formed on each side of platform  37 . Guide tabs  37   e  are positioned within vertical guides  36  to stabilize movement of platform  37 . 
     To operate the device, motor  20  is activated to cause drive belt  24  to rotate knife roller  40 . A piece of baseboard or crown molding stock  70  is positioned on work platform  37  and pushed into the housing assembly until it abuts back fence  60  (FIG.  5 ). The side fences  37   c  will act as guide surfaces for the stock  70 . Neoprene insert  60   a  will function to provide a cushioning and protective surface. After the stock  70  is positioned, release handle  54  is pivoted to unseat locking dowel  50   e  from notch  52   a  thereby unlocking handle  50 . Forward movement of handle  50  will act to move locking roller  44  into contact with stock  70 . Continued forward movement of handle  50  will force platform  37  downward against adjustable stop  32 . At this position knife  40  will perform a miter cut on stock  70  (FIG.  6 ). Springs  30   c  will cause platform  37  to return to its original position when handle  50  is released. As indicated above, guide tabs  37   e  and vertical guides  36  will stabilize platform movement so that an accurate cut is performed in approximately five seconds. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.