Adjustable fence for a compound miter saw

Abstract: A workpiece-supporting fence has a pair of movable fences (32,34) movably attached to a fixed fence (48,50) which is secured to a base of the device in which the fence is being used. The pair of movable fences are located on opposite sides of a working tool such as a saw blade (16). A fixed clamping arrangement (68) is associated with each movable fence and provides a single point actuation member for each movable fence to clamp the movable fence to the fixed fence such that the movable fence is vertically aligned and flush with the fixed fence. In one embodiment, each movable fence is provided with a gap-filling flap (60) which is pivotably secured to the movable fence to be movable between a lower and an upper position. In its lower position, the gap-filling flap minimises the gap between the movable fence and the working tool. In its upper position, the gap-filling flap provides additional support when working with taller or thicker workpieces. The workpiece-supporting fence further includes a fence position indicator which allows for the positioning of one or both of the movable fences for providing clearances for a specific miter and/or bevel cut. In addition, the workpiece-supporting fence incorporates a detent system (68) for locating the fence at one or more of the most popular miter and/or beveling settings.

Description: The present invention relates to a compound miter saw or other power operated equipment or machinery utilising a cutter for performing working operations on a workpiece. More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements in an adjustable fence assembly for such power operated equipment, with the fence assembly having a fixed fence and a movable fence for selectively adjusting the gap between the cutter and the movable fences in order to allow sufficient clearance for performing various operations on a workpiece when the equipment is in any of a number of different cutting or working modes. Such an adjustable fence system is known for example from US-A-5 297 463. Saws and other apparatuses designed for cutting or performing other working operations on a workpiece typically require a workpiece-supporting fence in order to support and locate the workpiece in a proper fixed position for performing the working operation. Examples of such equipment include cross-cut compound miter saws which are adapted to allowing the user selectively to move the saw blade into any of a number of positions or modes for square cutting, miter cutting, bevel cutting, or compound miter cutting where a combination miter and bevel are cut. In addition, some operations, such as dado cutting or shaping operations, for example, require the use of saw blades or other cutting or working devices of different shapes or sizes to be substituted for one another in order to perform the desired operation on the workpiece, whether the workpiece is composed of wood, plastic, metal other materials. In order to accommodate these widely varied working operations, the workpiece-supporting fence is frequently required to be at least partially adjustable in order to vary selectively the gap or space between the saw blade or cutter and the workpiece-supporting fence, thus selectively providing clearance for the saw blade, cutter, or other device performing the working operation on the workpiece. If such adjustability were not available, a relatively large permanent gap would have to be provided between the fixed fence and the saw blade or cutter in order to accommodate the widely varying range of movement, position, or size of the saw blade, cutter, or other working device. In order to address the above-discussed problems associated with providing clearance for the cutter and support for the workpiece with the incorporation of a movable fence having an adjustable clearance gap, a variety of fence-adjusting arrangements have previously been provided. However, many of such prior fence-adjusting arrangements have suffered various disadvantages, including difficulty in maintaining proper alignment between the stationary fence and the movable fence in wide-gap positions, inconvenience in performing fence adjustment operations, the possibility of inadvertently misplacing a removable fence, lack of adequate support for relatively tall or thick workpieces, or other similar disadvantages. Thus, the need has arisen for an adjustable fence assembly for compound miter saws, or other power equipment requiring fence adjustability, which reduces or substantially overcomes these disadvantages, as well as providing improved ease of operation, economy in manufacturing, and other advantages that will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the discussion below. The adjustable fence system according to the invention is defined by the features of claim 1. Embodiments of this invention are defined by the features of dependent claims 2-24. An embodiment of the present invention provides, an improved adjustable workpiece supporting fence assembly includes a pair of movable fences laterally movably interconnected with a fixed fence which is secured to a base of the device in which it is employed. The pair of movable fences are disposed on opposite sides of a saw blade, a workpiece cutter or other such device for performing a working operation on a workpiece. Each movable fence is independently movable, and is selectively and laterally movably interconnected with the fixed fence on opposite sides of the work performing blade or cutter. Each is also laterally spaced from the other movable fence located on the opposite side of the blade or cutter. The base or other portion of the device in one preferred form of the invention supports the fixed fence having a fence guide fixedly disposed on opposite sides of the blade or cutter with a laterally extending slot formed in each of the fence guides. The laterally-extending slots which preferably have spaced opposite internal walls therein are adapted to receive a laterally-extending tongue portion on a respective one of the pair of movable fences. The tongue is slidably received within the respective slot for selective adjustable lateral movement of the movable fences toward and away from the blade or cutter. In the above described preferred embodiment of the present invention, a single fixed clamping arrangement is interconnected with the fixed fence on each side of the saw blade or cutter. Each single fixed clamping arrangement releasably and clampingly urges the tongue on the respective movable fence against the front wall of the laterally-extending slot at any of a number of adjusted positions therein. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the single fixed clamping arrangement includes a threaded clamping member disposed on each outside end (end farthest away from the cutter) of the fixed fence and a locating pad machined into the slot of each fence guide. The locating pads are formed on each side of the saw blade or cutter at the inside end (end closest to the saw blade or cutter) of the fence guide. A corresponding locating surface is formed on the tongue of each movable fence such that the locating surface on the movable fence engages the locating pad on the fence guide when the movable fence is located at its innermost position. The locating pad and locating surface are machined to tight tolerances, thus allowing the utilisation of a single threaded clamping member disposed at the outside end of the fixed fence. When the movable fence is moved towards its outermost position, the locating pad disengages from the locating surface at approximately the same time the centre of the movable fence is positioned in line with the threaded clamping member thus allowing the utilisation of a single threaded clamping member disposed at the outside end of the fence guide. In an additional preferred embodiment of the present invention, the single fixed clamping arrangement includes a longitudinally extending clamping rod positioned generally parallel to each slot. The clamping rod incorporates a continuous locking lobe or a plurality of locking lobes such that rotation of the clamping rod causes the locking lobe or lobes to clamp the movable fence against the front wall of the slot in the respective fence guide. In addition, the preferred embodiments of the present invention also include a gap-filling flap pivotably mounted to the inside end of each movable fence. Each gap-filling flap in its lower position is designed to provide additional support for the workpiece at a position immediately adjacent to the saw blade or cutter. Embodiments of the present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a sliding compound miter saw in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the sliding compound miter saw shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the sliding compound miter saw shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the sliding compound miter saw shown in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an adjustable fence assembly in accordance with the present invention illustrating one side of the adjustable fence assembly exploded and the other side in the assembled condition; Figure 6 is a schematic plan view diagram of the sliding compound miter saw of Figures 1 to 4 illustrating schematically the position of the saw blade relative to the adjustable fence in a miter cutting position and a straight cross cut position; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram, similar to that of Figure 6, but shown in an elevational view and illustrating the adjustable fence assembly shown in a bevel cutting condition and a straight cut position; Figure 8a is a partial cross-sectional view of the adjustable fence assembly illustrating the single locking mechanism and an anti-removal system according to the present invention; Figure 8b is a view similar to 8a but showing an anti-removal system according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a schematic front perspective view of the adjustable fence assembly shown prior to the saw blade or cutter providing the minimum allowable clearance between the two gap-filling flaps; Figure 10 is a front elevational view, partially in cross section, of one of the fence guides of the adjustable fence assembly illustrating the fixed fence pad according to the present invention; Figure 11 is an enlarged plan view, partially in cross-section, of the engagement between the fixed fence pad and the movable fence according to the present invention; Figure 12 is a schematic diagram, looking from the rear of the saw, depicting the fully retracted and partially extended positions of the movable fences; Figure 13 is a schematic diagram similar to Figure 7 illustrating a single locking mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14 is a front elevational view of the cam locking bar shown in Figure 13; Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the shape of the cam locking bar shown in Figures 13 and 14; Figure 16 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to Figure 8a but illustrating the single locking mechanism shown in Figure 13; Figure 17 is a front elevational view of a cam locking bar according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the shape of the cam locking bar shown in Figure 16; Figure 19 is a schematic front perspective view similar to Figure 5 of the adjustable fence according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 20 is a schematic illustration of an interfering relationship of the saw blade guard with the movable fence of the work-supporting fence assembly for alerting the operator that the movable fence of the fence assembly has not been properly adjusted for the operation being performed; Figure 21a is a front elevational view of an adjustable fence assembly incorporating a fence position indicator in accordance with the present invention; Figure 21b is a view similar to Figure 21a but showing the fence assembly of the present invention adjusted for a 300 bevel cut; Figure 21c is a view similar to Figure 21a but showing the fence assembly of the present invention adjusted for a 450 miter cut; and Figure 21d is a view similar to Figure 21a but showing the fence assembly of the present invention adjusted for a compound miter cut of a 300 bevel cut and a 450 miter cut. Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in Figures 1 to 12 an example of a sliding compound miter saw incorporating an adjustable fence assembly according to the present invention, shown merely for the purposes of illustration, and designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The principles of the adjustable fence according to the present invention are also applicable to other types of powered or unpowered equipment for performing an operation on a workpiece. Such equipment includes, but is not limited to, dado saws, spindle shapers or sanders, or other types of powered or unpowered devices that would benefit from selective adjustment of the gap or spacing in the fence assembly in order to accommodate different sizes or positions of tooling, or to perform various different workpiece working operations. Referring primarily to Figures 1 to 4, sliding compound miter saw 10 includes a base assembly 12, including a table assembly 14, which is preferably rotatable in order to accommodate the various cutting positions discussed below. Miter saw 10 also includes a saw blade 16, a blade guard 18, a motor 20 drivingly connected to saw blade 16, and a handle 22. Handle 22 assists the operator in moving saw blade 16 and blade guard 18 from a clear position free of a workpiece 24 to a cutting position with saw blade 16 in cutting engagement with workpiece 24. A fence assembly, as best seen in Figures 1 to 5 and indicated generally by the reference numeral 30, is interconnected with base 12 and extends laterally across table assembly 14, against which workpiece 24 is positioned and supported for performing a cutting operation thereon. According to the present invention, fence assembly 30 includes a first and a second movable fence 32 and 34, respectively, extending in a mutually aligned lateral direction, with each movable fence 32 and 34 being laterally spaced from the other. Such lateral spacing or gap between the two movable fences 32 and 34, provides clearance for saw blade 16 to perform a cutting operation completely through workpiece 24, regardless of the mode or type of cutting operation being performed. As is discussed in more detail below, movable fences 32 and 34 are each movable toward and away from saw blade 16 in order to allow the operator to selectively adjust the clearance gap therebetween and thus accommodate the particular cutting operation being performed. As is illustrated schematically in Figures 6 and 7, the exemplary sliding compound miter saw 10 depicted in the drawings may be used in a number of different cutting modes or positions. In Figure 6, a schematic plan view illustrates generally the position of saw blade 16 relative to base assembly 12 and fence assembly 30 when performing a straight sliding or straight miter-cutting operation. Such straight, square, sliding cutting operations are schematically illustrated by the position of saw blade 16 shown in solid lines in Figure 6. The movable fences 32 and 34 are adjusted selectively to provide the minimum required clearance gap between saw blade 16 and the two movable fences 32 and 34, to permit saw blade 16 to be moved into the cutting position along a single, vertical plane, substantially perpendicular to both the front face of fence assembly 30 and the upper face of table assembly 14. To permit miter cutting, as illustrated schematically in phantom lines in Figure 6, movable fence 32 is preselectively adjusted, as indicated in phantom by reference numeral 32a, to increase the clearance gap between saw blade 16 and movable fence 32a, in order to provide sufficient clearance for saw blade 16a and the associated components. Figure 7 illustrates saw blade 16 and fence assembly 30 in a schematic elevational view, showing the position of saw blade 16 and movable fences 32 and 34 as solid lines for performing the above-described straight, square, sliding operation. The relative positions of saw blade 16 and movable fence 32 are shown in phantom lines, as indicated by reference numeral 16b and 32b, respectively, for performing bevel cuts on workpiece 24. The plane of movement of saw blade 16b is generally perpendicular to the face of fence assembly 30, but can be selectively oriented at a bevel angle with respect to table assembly 14. Again, fence 32 can be adjusted to a predetermined position, as shown in phantom at 32b, to accommodate the bevel angle selected for saw blade 16b. Although not specifically illustrated in the drawings, one skilled in the art will readily recognise, from the exemplary positions diagrammatically illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, that the miter-cutting operation can be combined with the bevel-cutting operation in order to perform compound mitering. In a compound mitered cut, saw blade 16 moves in a plane which is not perpendicular either to the front face of fence assembly 30 or to the upper face of table assembly 14. In addition, although not specifically illustrated in the drawings, it can readily be recognised, from the exemplary positions illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 6 and 7, that the miter-cutting operation and the bevel-cutting operation can be performed by angling saw blade 16 in the opposite direction from that which is illustrated and then selectively adjusting movable fence 34 (but to the right in Figures 6 and 7) in a manner similar to that shown for movable fence 32. Thus, sliding compound miter saw 10 shown for purposes of illustration in the drawings is capable of at least four general types of cutting operations, to which reference is made herein as sliding, miter-cutting, bevel-cutting and compound miter-cutting operations. The miter-cutting, bevel-cutting and compound miter-cutting operations can be performed by angling saw blade 16 in either direction from the sliding operation due to the incorporation of movable fences 32 and 34 on opposite sides of saw blade 16. Literally, an infinite compound adjustability of the relative position and orientation of saw blade 16 relative to both table assembly 14 and fence assembly 30 can be accomplished in the present invention by way of a compound pivot and slide mounting mechanism referred to generally as reference numeral 40 in Figures 1, 3 and 4. Compound pivot and slide mounting mechanism 40 can be any of a number of well-known pivot and bevel mounting and support mechanisms which also allow saw blade 16 and blade guard 18 to be pivotally and slidingly moved from a rear, raised, clear position to a lowered or cutting position, once miter saw 10 is adjusted to the desired operating mode, in order to perform a cutting operation on workpiece 24 by lowering saw blade 16 into workpiece 24 and then moving saw blade 16 longitudinally through workpiece 24. In order to allow a complete cut-through operation to be performed on workpiece 24 by saw blade 16, fence assembly 30 must be capable of selective adjustment in order to preadjust the lateral clearance gap or spacing between saw blade 16 and the two movable fences 32 and 34, while still providing adequate vertical support for workpiece 24. In accordance with a preferred form of the present invention as best shown in Figure 5, the adjustability of fence assembly 30 is accomplished in part by securing a fence-supporting member 42 to base assembly 12. Fence-supporting member 42, as shown in Figures 5 and 8, is a separate component fixedly secured to base assembly 12 by a plurality of bolts 44, and includes an interconnecting portion 46 extending laterally across a clearance gap, behind movable fences 32 and 34 to interconnect a pair of fixed fences 48 and 50, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 5, without interfering with the complete cutting of a workpiece 24. Fence-supporting member 42 is fixedly secured to, or interconnected with, base assembly 12 with its fixed fences 48 and 50 being mutually aligned in a laterally-extending direction. As seen in Figures 8 through 12, fixed fences 48 and 50 of fence-supporting member 42 preferably include a slot 52 defined by a first or front internal wall 54 spaced away from a second or rear internal wall 56, in order to form a space therebetween extending laterally along both fixed fences 48 and 50 on opposite sides of saw blade 16. Each movable fence 32 and 34 preferably includes an upper portion 58, an optional spring biased gap-filling flap 60, and a tongue portion 62 slidingly received within a respective slot 52, with the lower face 107 of each upper portion 58 slidingly engaging fence-supporting member 42. The front external faces 63 of fence-supporting member 42 and front faces 67 of each movable fence 32 and 34, respectively, are vertically aligned and flush with one another as illustrated in Figure 8. Prior to performing a cutting operation on workpiece 24, the minimum clearance between gap-filling flaps 60 must first be set. This procedure begins, as shown in Figure 9, with each movable fence 32 and 34 being secured at its innermost position, with a stop 61 on each movable fence 32 and 34 engaging a stop 64 located on each fixed fence 48 and 50 (see also Figure 5). In this position, both gap-filling flaps 60 are biased by a spring (not shown) to their lowered position eliminating the gap between movable fences 32 and 34. Miter saw 10 is placed in its straight sliding position and saw blade 16 is moved to cut through gap-filling flaps 60, which are manufactured from easily cuttable material, such as ABS, nylon or any other rigid plastic to provide the minimum clearance for movable fences 32 and 34. Flaps 60 could also be made form a non-ferrous material such as aluminium if clearance for saw blade 20 is provided in the initial design of these flaps. In order selectively to secure each movable fence 32 and 34 in a preselected, adjusted position for purposes of performing a desired cutting operation, a single fixed clamping arrangement 66 is preferably provided for releasably fixing the position of each movable fence 32 and 34 relative to its respective fixed fence 48 or 50, with their front faces 67, 63, respectively, being flush and vertically aligned. Single fixed clamping mechanism 66 will be described in relation to movable fence 32 and fixed fence 48. It is to be understood that an identical clamping mechanism 66 can be associated with movable fence 34 and fixed fence 50 of the present invention. Single fixed clamping mechanism 66 preferably includes a clamping screw 68 threadably engaging and movable within a threaded opening 70 in fixed fence 48. Clamping screw 68 is selectively rotatable by way of a manual knob 72 in order to threadably advance clamping screw 68 toward tongue portion 62 and to clampingly and forcibly urge tongue portion 62 against front internal wall 54 of slot 52 as shown in Figure 8A. Single fixed clamping mechanism 66 properly positions movable fence 32 due to the incorporation of an integrally machined pad 74 located on fixed fence 48 and a corresponding integrally machined surface 76 located on movable fence 32 as best illustrated in Figures 5, 8a, 10 and 11. Machined pad 74 is located on the innermost end of fixed fence 48 within slot 52 and, in the preferred embodiment, extends a distance of approximately 3cm (1.20) inches. Machined surface 76 extends along the entire inside length of movable fence 32, although it is within the scope of the present invention to provide a smaller machined surface 76 which would be located on the inside end of movable fence 32. This smaller machined surface 76 would be similar to and designed to mate with machined pad 74. Thus, when movable fence 32 is moved to its innermost position, as shown in solid lines of Figure 12, machined pad 74 engages machined surface 76, as shown in Figure 11, in order to insure that the front face 67 of movable fence 32 is vertically aligned and flush with the front external face 63 of fixed fence 48. Machined pad 74 and machined surface 76 are machined to a tight tolerance in order to reduce the amount of clearance between the pad 74 and surface 76 to approximately 0.15mm ± 0.05mm (.006 inches ± .002 inches) when they are engaged. Thus, the clearance between tongue portion 62 of movable fence 32 and slot 52 of fixed fence 48 is reduced to approximately 0.15mm (.006 inches) which eliminates the need to incorporate a clamping member in the area adjacent to the innermost portion of movable fence 32. The small clearance between machined pad 74 and machined surface 76 preventing the rearward movement of movable fence 32 thus keeping faces 63 and 67 flush and vertically aligned. As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, movable fence 32 is clamped in position by rotating knob 72 which threadably advances clamping screw 68 toward tongue portion 62 to clampingly and forcibly urge tongue portion 62 against front internal wall 54 of slot 52. The opposite end of movable fence 32 is held in position by the engagement of machined pad 74 and machined surface 76 as detailed above. The engagement between machined pad 74 of fixed fence 48 and machined surface 76 of movable fence 32 will continue as movable fence 32 is moved outwards until the proximate centre of movable fence 32 generally aligns with the centre line of clamping screw 68. At this point in the adjustment of movable fence 32 and throughout the remainder of the outward adjustment of movable fence 32, the single fixed clamping mechanism incorporating clamping screw 68 provides sufficient clamping without the engagement of pad 74 and surface 76 due to the now centralised location of clamping screw 68 to position movable fence 32 flush and vertically aligned with fixed fence 48 as illustrated in Figure 8. In order to minimise the possibility of inadvertent removal of movable fence 32 from fixed fence 48 during position adjustments, machined surface 76 of tongue portion 62 is preferably provided with an elongated anti-removal groove or slot 78 extending laterally therealong, as shown in Figures 5 and 8a. Anti-removal slot 78 in movable fence 32 is aligned with a clamping plate 79 which is fixedly secured to fixed fence 48 by a plurality of bolts 81. Clamping plate 79 extends into slot 78 to prevent vertical removal of movable fence 32. Removal of movable fence 32 can be accomplished by the lateral movement of movable fence 32 until the movable fence is totally removed. Clamping plate 79 also resists the upward movement of movable fence 32 due to the reaction of spring loaded gap-filling flap 60. Thus, when adjustment of movable fence 32 is required, clamping screw 68 is loosened to the point of releasing the clamping load on movable fence 32. This allows for the lateral adjustment of movable fence 32 without inadvertent removal of movable fence 32 from slot 52. When it is desired to remove movable fence 32 for repair, replacement or cleaning, however, clamping screw 68 (see Figure 8a) is loosened allowing removal of movable fence 32 by moving movable fence 32 laterally to disengage clamping plate 79 from slot 78. As indicated above, movable fence 34 and fixed fence 50 also incorporate single fixed clamping arrangement 66 in order to secure movable fence 34 to fixed fence 50 on the opposite side of saw blade 16. Also as noted above, each movable fence 32 and 34 is provided with a respective spring biased gap-filling flap 60. The location and function of gap-filling flap 60 will be described in relation to movable fence 32 and fixed fence 48. It is to be understood that an identical gap-filling flap 60 is associated with movable fence 34 and fixed fence 50 on the opposite side of saw blade 16 in the present invention. Flap 60 is pivotably mounted at 81 to movable fence 32 within a recess 80 provided at the inner end of movable fence 32. Gap-filling flap 60 is biased to its lower position, as shown in Figure 5 in solid lines, by a spring (not shown). As described above in reference to Figure 9, when gap-filling flap 60 is located in its lowered position, the minimum gap between movable fence 32 and saw blade 16 is initially provided. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, flap 60 is provided with a tab 82 which rides in a slot 84 longitudinally extending along fixed fence 48 generally parallel to slot 52. The width of flap 60, the depth of recess 80, the location and thickness of tab 82 and the thickness and width of slot 84 are selected to position the outer surface of flap 60 in a vertically aligned generally flush location with faces 63 of fixed fence 48 and faces 67 of movable fence 32. Flap 60 can be moved from its lowered position, as shown in Figure 9, due to the engagement of a ramped or angular surface 86 located on fixed fence 48 with a corresponding angular surface 88 located on flap 60. As movable fence 32 is moved laterally from its innermost position toward its outermost position, surfaces 86 and 88 react to pivot flap 60 upwardly, as shown in phantom in Figure 12. When movable fences 32 and 34 are located in their innermost positions, as shown in Figure 9, movable flaps 60 are restricted from pivoting due to the engagement of tabs 82 with blind ends 90 of slots 84. The movement of movable fences 32 and 34 laterally towards their outermost positions disengages tabs 82 from their respective blind end 90 allowing for the pivoting of gap-filling flaps 60. As indicated above, movable fence 34 also incorporates a respective gap-filling flap 60 in order to minimise the gap between movable fence 34 and saw blade 16. The above description applies equally well to movable fence 34 and fixed fence 50. Figures 13 through 16 illustrate another embodiment of a single fixed clamping arrangement 100 for releasably fixing the position of each movable fence 32 and 34 relative to its respective fixed fence 48 and 50, with their respective front faces 67 and 63 flush and vertically aligned. Single fixed clamping mechanism 100 will be described in relation to movable fence 32 and fixed fence 48. It is to be understood that an identical fixed clamping mechanism 100 may be associated with movable fence 34 and fixed fence 50 of the present invention. Single fixed clamping arrangement 100 preferably includes a locking cam rod 102 rotatably connected to fixed fence 48 as shown in Figure 13. Locking cam rod 102, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, includes a longitudinally extending shaft 104 having a plurality of cam lobes 106 disposed along its length. The end of shaft 104 which extends beyond the outside of fixed fence 48 is bent at an approximately 900 angle to provide an actuation handle 108 for mechanism 100. Cam rod 102 is disposed between rear internal wall 56 of slot 52 and tongue portion 62 of movable fence 32 as shown in Figure 16. When cam lobes 106 are located in a generally vertical position, movable fence 32 may slide relative to fixed fence 48 because there is no engagement with cam rod 102. When cam rod 102 is rotated approximately 90°, cam lobes 106 move from a vertical position to a horizontal position. During this movement from a vertical position to the horizontal position, cam lobes 106 cammingly engage an angular surface or ramp 110 located on tongue portion 62 to clamp the lower face 107 of upper portion 58 of movable fence 32 against fence-supporting member 42 and the front face 109 of tongue portion 62 against front internal wall 54 of fixed fence 48 thus securing movable fence 32. The height of cam lobes 106 is selected to be greater than the gap between tongue portion 62 and fixed fence 48, thus producing the required clamping load. The number of cam lobes 106 which engage movable fence 32 will depend upon the relative lateral positioning of movable fence 32 along fixed fence 48. As indicated above, movable fence 34 and fixed fence 50 can also incorporate single fixed clamping arrangement 100 in order to secure movable fence 34 to fixed fence 50 on the opposite side of saw blade 16. The above description applies equally well to movable fence 34 and fixed fence 50. Figures 17 and 18 illustrate another preferred embodiment for a locking cam rod 112. Locking cam rod 112 is rotatably secured to each fixed fence 48 and 50 in a similar manner to locking cam rod 102. The difference between locking cam rod 112 and locking cam rod 102 is that locking cam rod 112 includes a longitudinally extending shaft 114 having a continuously extending cam lobe 116 disposed along its entire length. The remainder of locking cam rod 112 and the operation of locking cam rod 112 is the same as that described above for locking cam rod 102. The length of cam lobe 116 which engages movable fences 32 and 34 will depend upon the lateral positioning of movable fences 32 and 34 along their respective fixed fences 48 and 50. Figure 19 illustrates a fence assembly 130 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fence assembly 130 is similar to fence assembly 30 but it does not include pivotable flaps 60. In place of flaps 60, fence assembly 130 includes a pair of movable fences 132 and 134 incorporating a raised portion 136. Here, a raised portion 136 is formed generally at the saw blade end of movable fences 132 and 134, with the edge of each raised portion 136 sloping generally downward toward saw blade 16 and table assembly 14. Such raised portions 136 are sized and configured, as is illustrated schematically in Figure 20, so that it engages interferingly blade guard 18 if blade guard 18 and saw blade 16 are moved from their rear clear positions to their cutting position when in substantially all of the cutting set-up modes or configurations of which sliding compound miter saw 10 is capable. In addition, as can be seen in Figure 19, raised portions 136 of movable fences 132 and 134 provide an increased vertical workpiece supporting face or surface, which allows the operator to properly support a relatively tall or thick workpiece. Such increased-height workpiece-supporting capability is especially advantageous when cutting thick stock, crown mouldings, base boards, or other such relatively tall workpiece shapes, orientations or configurations. Single fixed clamping arrangement 66 or single fixed clamping arrangement 100 can be utilised with movable fences 132 and 134 in a similar manner as that described above for movable fences 32 and 34 in order to laterally secure movable fences 132 and 134 in their selected positions. In order to minimise the possibility of inadvertent removal of movable fence 132 from fixed fence 48 or movable fence 134 from fixed fence 50 during position adjustments, the rear face 176 of tongue portion 162 is preferably provided with an elongated anti-removal groove or slot 178 extending laterally therealong, as shown in Figures 8b and 20. Anti-removal slot 178 in movable fence 132 is aligned with clamping screw 68 such that clamping screw 68 extends into slot 178 prior to exerting any clamping load on movable fence 132. Thus, when adjustment of movable fence 132 is required, clamping screw 68 is loosened to the point of releasing the clamping load on movable fence 132 but still in engagement with slot 178. This allows for the lateral adjustment of movable fence 132 without inadvertent removal of movable fence 132 from slot 52. As seen in Figure 20, the lateral length of slot 178 is sufficient to allow full adjustment of movable fence 132 but insufficient to allow inadvertent lateral removal of movable fence 132. When it is desired to remove movable fence 132 for repair, replacement or cleaning, however, clamping screw 68 (see Figures 8b and 19) is loosened allowing removal of movable fence 132. As indicated above, movable fence 134 and fixed fence 50 also incorporate anti-removal slot 178 for engagement with clamping screw 68. Figures 21a to 21d illustrate schematically a fence position indicator 150 associated with fence assembly 30, although it is within the scope of the present invention to incorporate fence position indicator 150 into fence assembly 130 or any other type of movable fence assembly. Fence position indicator 150 includes an upper indicator 152 secured to movable fences 32 and 34 and a lower indicator 154 secured to fixed fences 48 and 50. Upper fence indicator 152 has positions marked to indicate the degree of bevel angle to which sliding compound miter saw 10 is to be or has been adjusted. Lower fence indicator 154 has positions marked to indicate the degree of miter angle to which miter saw 10 is to be or has been adjusted. Thus, by aligning the proper bevelling mark on upper fence indicator 152 with the proper mitering mark on lower fence indicator 154, the proper fence position for movable fences 32 and 34 will be achieved. Fence position indicator 150 can also be incorporated with movable fences 132 and 134 if desired. For example, for making solely a bevel cut of 30°, as shown in Figure 21b, the 30° mark on upper indicator 152 is aligned with the 00 mark on lower indicator 154. For making solely a miter cut of 45°, as shown in Figure 21c, the 45° mark on lower indicator 154 is aligned with the 0° mark on upper indicator 152. For a compound cutting operation for a bevel cut of 30° in combination with a miter cut of 45°, as shown in Figure 21d, the 30° mark on upper indicator 152 is aligned with the 45°" on lower indicator 154. It may be advantageous to include a mechanism for releasably holding movable fences 32 and 34 when movable fences 32 and 34 are located in one or more of the most popular beveling and/or mitering positions. This can be accomplished by providing movable fences 32 and 34 with one or more indentations 160 extending along the front face of tongue 62, as shown in Figure 5. Then by incorporating a spring loaded check ball assembly 162, as shown in Figure 8a, positioned in fixed fences 48 and 50 at the proper locations, movable fences 32 and 34 will be releasably held at the various positions of movable fences 32 and 34. While the present invention has been described for exemplary purposes as being incorporated into sliding compound miter saw 10, it is within the scope of the present invention to incorporate the movable fence assemblies of the present invention into compound miter saws, chop saws, radial arm saws, table saws, dado saws, spindle shapers, sanders or other types of powered or unpowered devices that could benefit from the selective adjustment of the distance between the fence and the working tool.

Claims: A fence system for a power tool comprising: a first fixed fence (48) associated with a base (12) of said power tool, said first fixed fence being disposed on one side of a working tool (16) of said power tool, a first moveable fence (32,132) being interconnected with said first fixed fence (48), a first clamping member (66) for clamping said first moveable fence (32,132) to said first fixed fence (48), said first clamping member being disposed at a first end of said first fixed fence, characterised in that said first fixed fence (48) includes a first fixed fence pad (74) located at a second opposite end of said first fixed fence, said first fixed fence pad engaging said first moveable fence (32,132) such that said first clamping member (66) and said engagement of said first fixed fence pad co-operate to clamp said first moveable fence against said first fixed fence such that respective front faces (63,67) of said first fixed fence and said first moveable fence are maintained in alignment. A fence system according to claim 1 characterised in that said first fixed fence (48) is disposed on one side of said working tool (16) such that a first gap is created between a first portion of said adjustable fence and said working tool and a first gap filling flap (60) is pivotally secured to said first moveable fence (32) and operative to at least partially fill said first gap. A fence system according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that said system additionally comprises first means for indicating (150) a relative position of said first moveable fence (32) in relation to said first fixed fence (48). A fence system according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that said system additionally comprises means for locating (150) the relative position of said first fences (32,48) to reflect a predetermined orientation of said working tool (16). A fence system according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that said system additionally includes anti-removal means (68,79) for inhibiting removal of said first moveable fence (32) from said first fixed fence (48). A fence system according to claim 5 characterised in that said anti-removal means includes a clamping screw (68) threadably engaging said first fixed fence (48), said clamping screw being threadably moveable into and out of abutting engagement with said first moveable fence (32,132). A fence system according to claim 5 characterised in that said anti-removal means includes a plate (79) secured to said first fixed fence (48), said plate engaging a slot (78) formed in said first moveable fence (32). A fence system according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that said first moveable fence (132) includes a raised portion disposed at said second end of said moveable fence, said raised portion co-acting with said first fixed fence to align respective front faces of said first fixed fence and said first moveable fence. A fence system according to claim 3 characterised in that said means for indicating (150) includes a first indicator (152,154) located on one of said first fixed fence (48) and said first moveable fence (32,132). A fence system according to claim 4 characterised in that said means for indicating (150) includes a first indicator (152,154) located on one of said first fixed fence (48) and said first moveable fence (32,132) and said means for locating the relative position of said first fences includes a second indicator (152,154) located on the other of said first fixed fence (48) and said first moveable fence (32,132), said second indicator co-acting with said first indicator to locate the position of said first moveable fence relative to said first fixed fence at said predetermined orientation of said working tool (16). A fence system according to claim 4 characterised in that said means for indicating (150) includes a first indicator (152,154) located on one of said first fixed fence (48) and said first moveable fence (32,132) and said means for locating the relative position of said first fences includes a second indicator (152,154) located on the other of said first fixed fence (48) and said first moveable fence (32,132), said second indicator co-acting with said first indicator to locate the position of said first moveable fence relative to said first fixed fence for a predetermined bevel angle and a predetermined mitre angle. A fence system according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that it additionally comprises a member (162) releasably holding said first moveable fence in a predetermined position in relation to said first fixed fence. A fence system according to any one of claims 1 to 12 characterised in that said adjustable fence further comprises; a second fixed fence (50) associated with said base (12) of said power tool, said second fixed fence being disposed on an opposite side of the working tool (16) of said power tool, a second moveable fence (34) being interconnected with said second fixed fence (50), and a second clamping member (66) for clamping said second moveable fence (34) to said second fixed fence (50), said second clamping member being disposed at a first end of said second fixed fence, characterised in that said second fixed fence (50) includes a second fixed fence pad (74) located at a second opposite end of said second fixed fence, said second fixed fence pad engaging said second moveable fence (34) such that said second clamping member (66) and said engagement of said second fixed fence pad co-operate to clamp said second moveable fence against said second fixed fence such that respective front faces (63,67) of said second fixed fence and said second moveable fence are maintained in alignment. A device according to claims 13 in which said second fixed fence (50) is disposed on an opposite side of said working tool (16) such that a second gap is created between a second portion of said adjustable fence and said working tool characterised in that a second gap filling flap (60) is pivotally secured to said second moveable fence (34) and operative to at least partially fill said second gap. A fence arrangement according to any one of claims 13 or 14 characterised in that the arrangement additionally comprises second means (150) for indicating a relative position of said second moveable fence in relation to said second fixed fence. A fence system according to any one of claims 13 to 15 characterised in that said system additionally comprises means for locating (150) the relative position of said second fences (34,50) to reflect a predetermined orientation of said working tool (16). A fence system according to any one of claims 13 to 16 characterised in that said system additionally includes anti-removal means (68,79) for inhibiting removal of said second moveable fence (34) from said second fixed fence (50). A fence system according to claim 17 characterised in that said anti-removal means includes a clamping screw (68) threadably engaging said second fixed fence (50), said clamping screw being threadably moveable into and out of abutting engagement with said second moveable fence (34). A fence system according to claim 17 characterised in that said anti-removal means includes a plate (79) secured to said second fixed fence (50), said plate engaging a slot (78) formed in said second moveable fence (34). A fence system according to any one of claims 13 to 19 characterised in that said second moveable fence (134) includes a raised portion disposed at said second end of said moveable fence, said raised portion co-acting with said second fixed fence (50) to align respective front faces of said second fixed fence and said second moveable fence. A fence system according to claim 15 characterised in that said means for indicating (150) includes a third indicator (152,154) located on one of said second fixed fence (50) and said second moveable fence (34). A fence system according to claim 16 characterised in that said means for indicating (150) includes a third indicator (152,154) located on one of said second fixed fence (50) and said second moveable fence (34) and said means for locating the relative position of said second fences includes a fourth indicator (152,154) located on the other of said second fixed fence (50) and said second moveable fence (34), said fourth indicator (152,154) co-acting with said third indicator to locate the position of said second moveable fence relative to said second fixed fence at said predetermined orientation of said working tool (16). A fence system according to any one of claims 13 to 22 characterised in that the system additionally comprises a member (162) releasably holding said second moveable fence (34) in a predetermined position in relation to said second fixed fence (50). A device for forming working operations on a workpiece, said device comprising a motor (20), a working tool (16) associated with a base (12) and drivingly connected to said motor, characterised in that said device further comprises an adjustable fence assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

Inventors: MEREDITH DARYL S, MILLER JOHN W, O'BANION MICHAEL L, STUMPF WILLIAM R, MEREDITH, DARYL S., MILLER, JOHN W., O'BANION, MICHAEL L., STUMPF, WILLIAM R.
Applicants: BLACK & DECKER INC, BLACK & DECKER INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B27B27
IPC codes: B27B27