Abstract:
A planer having a base, a first support member attached to the base and supporting a cutterhead for selective travel in a first direction toward the base and a second opposite direction, a top frame attached to the first support member and a depth stop mechanism attached to the top frame for selectively preventing travel of the cutterhead in the first direction beyond a pre-selected distance from the base. A depth measuring device including a retractable tape may be attached to the cutterhead. A workpiece level indicator plate movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position may be attached to the planer to indicate contact with a workpiece. A locking mechanism for locking a pivotable infeed table of a planer in the upright position for storage, and thereby switching off power to the planer is also disclosed. The planer may include a readily attachable and detachable dust removal assembly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This non-provisional patent application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/127,414, entitled PLANER APPARATUS, which was filed on May 12, 2005, which is a continuing application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/918,168, entitled PLANER APPARATUS, which was filed on Jul. 30, 2001 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,231, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The invention relates to a planer apparatus and, in particular, to a depth stop mechanism and other accessories for a planer.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Invention Background  
         [0005]     Over the years, in response to consumer demand, thickness and finishing planers, i.e. planers for reducing the thickness of a piece of wood or similar materials while providing a smooth and flat finish, have been decreasing in size. Such portable planers balance the need to provide the required power to produce a smooth finish with the need to conserve space and decrease weight for portability.  
         [0006]     The popularity of portable planers among professionals and woodworking enthusiasts has spurred the introduction of new features designed to increase versatility, precision and convenience. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/782,453 to Garcia et al., assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a portable planer having a compact two-speed gear mechanism that is actuated to drive the infeed and outfeed rollers of the planer selectively at a high or low speed.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,287 to Welsh et al. discloses a planer with a depth stop adjustment mechanism that allows an operator to select a minimum workpiece depth from one or more predetermined depths, but does not allow selection of any depth within the full range of travel of the cutterhead of the planer.  
         [0008]     Also, current depth stop arrangements are located between the cutterhead and the workpiece support table and can place undesirable torque on the cutterhead if the cutterhead is inadvertently lowered beyond the point wherein the depth stop engages the table or other support structure. Such torque can result in damage to the apparatus for positioning the cutterhead.  
         [0009]     Additional accessories such as dust collector chutes, depth scales and workpiece level indicators need to be designed for ease of manufacturing, installation and cost-effectiveness.  
         [0010]     There remains, therefore, a need for a planer that includes features that overcome the limitations, shortcomings and disadvantages of other planers without compromising their advantages.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The invention meets the identified needs, as well as other needs, as will be more fully understood following a review of this specification and drawings.  
         [0012]     One embodiment of the invention includes a planer, a base, first and second support members attached to the base and supporting a cutterhead for selective travel toward and away from the base, a top frame attached to at least the first support member and a depth stop mechanism attached to the top frame for selectively preventing travel toward the base beyond a pre-selected distance from the base.  
         [0013]     The depth stop mechanism may also include a depth stop member, such as a nut, rotatably supported on a portion of the first support member adjacent to an abutment surface thereof and slidably supported in the top frame. The depth stop mechanism may also include an adjustment assembly, such as a sleeve, in the top frame, for selectively adjusting a position of the depth stop member on the support member relative to the abutment surface.  
         [0014]     Another embodiment of the invention includes a planer having a base, a top frame connected to the base, a cutterhead movably supported relative to the base to define an adjustable opening therebetween for selective travel in a first direction toward the base and a second opposite direction, and a depth stop mechanism attached to the top frame and not extending into the adjustable opening. The depth stop mechanism selectively prevents travel of the cutterhead in the first direction beyond a pre-selected distance from the base.  
         [0015]     In another embodiment the planer may include a retractable measuring device, such as a tape, attached to the top frame of the planer. The retractable tape may have a first end retractably affixed to the top frame and a second end affixed to the cutterhead. The retractable measuring device has a scale thereon and may include a transparent member covering a portion of the scale, and a scale indicator. The scale indicator shows the height of the cutterhead from the base on the scale through the transparent member.  
         [0016]     In another embodiment the planer includes a cutterhead, a motor operating the cutterhead, a power switch for the motor, and an infeed table pivotable between an operating position and an upright storage position that switches off the power to the motor. The planer includes a side frame with a first aperture thereon. The infeed table has a second aperture aligned with the first aperture so that the apertures may receive a locking device when the infeed table is in the storage position.  
         [0017]     Another embodiment of the planer may also include a workpiece level indicator assembly mounted on the cutterhead. The workpiece level indicator assembly includes a workpiece level indicator plate that has a bottom face parallel to the base and a front ledge, and is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. When the cutterhead is lowered such that the bottom face of the indicator contacts the workpiece, the level indicator moves to the disengaged position. The workpiece level indicator assembly may also include a cover plate covering an inscription on the workpiece level indicator in the disengaged position and exposing the inscription in the engaged position.  
         [0018]     The planer may also include a dust removal assembly that includes a manifold removably attachable to the cutterhead over the cutting member, a dust deflector directing airflow to the manifold, and a dust chute communicating with the manifold. The dust chute has a side opening for connection to a vacuum hose and has also a channel that is releasably connected to the carriage assembly through posts that are received in corresponding slots on the cutterhead.  
         [0019]     One feature of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a depth stop mechanism that is not located between the cutterhead and the workpiece support table.  
         [0020]     It is a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide a compact depth stop mechanism for a full range of travel of the cutterhead of a planer or other similar machine.  
         [0021]     Another feature of the invention is to provide efficient, effective and easily installable accessories for a portable planer and other similar machines.  
         [0022]     It is also a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide an inexpensive and readily adaptable depth measuring device and a convenient workpiece level indicator, either of which can be used with or without a depth stop mechanism for a planer or other similar machine.  
         [0023]     It is yet another feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide a locking mechanism for storing a portable planer in a safe position with the cutting member and power switch inaccessible to unauthorized persons.  
         [0024]     It is also a feature of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide a dust removal assembly that is readily attached to and detached from a portable planer.  
         [0025]     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and from the claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a planer according to the invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the planer of  FIG. 1  with a portion of the support structure removed;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the planer of  FIG. 1  with a part of the support structure for the planer removed to show an embodiment of the depth stop mechanism of the invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the depth stop mechanism of  FIG. 3  in an engaged position;  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the depth stop mechanism of  FIG. 3  in a disengaged position;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a sleeve of the depth stop mechanism of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a partial isometric view of an embodiment of the top end of the sleeve of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is a partial isometric view of an embodiment of a knob attached to the sleeve of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  is an exploded assembly view of an embodiment of the knob, retainer ring and retainer shaft for the depth stop mechanism of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating the height traveled by the depth stop nut for a corresponding height traveled by the cutterhead for the depth stop mechanism of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 11  is a partial isometric view of an embodiment of a depth-measuring device of the invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 12 ( a ) is a partial isometric view of an embodiment of a workpiece level indicator assembly in the engaged position;  
         [0038]      FIG. 12 ( b ) is an isometric view of the workpiece level indicator of  FIG. 12 ( a );  
         [0039]      FIG. 12 ( c ) is an isometric view of the workpiece level indicator of  FIG. 12 ( b ) in the disengaged position;  
         [0040]      FIG. 12 ( d ) is an isometric view of a spring connected to the workpiece level indicator of  FIG. 12 ( a );  
         [0041]      FIG. 13 ( a ) is an isometric view of an embodiment of a locking device for a planer in the storage position;  
         [0042]      FIG. 13 ( b ) is a magnified view of the locking device of  FIG. 13 ( a );  
         [0043]      FIG. 14  is a partial isometric view of an embodiment of a dust removal assembly of the invention;  
         [0044]      FIG. 15  is a detail of the dust removal assembly of  FIG. 14  showing only the end posts of the dust channel in the guiding slots;  
         [0045]      FIG. 16  is an isometric view of the dust chute and dust channel of  FIG. 14 ; and  
         [0046]      FIG. 17  is a sectional view of the dust removal assembly of  FIG. 14  assembled on a carriage assembly of a planer. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0047]     Referring now to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same, it is to be understood that standard components or features that are within the purview of an artisan of ordinary skill and do not contribute to the understanding of the various embodiments of the invention are omitted from the drawings to enhance clarity, even when such features may otherwise be necessary for the operation of a machine, such as a planer, embodying the invention. In addition, it will be appreciated that the characterizations of various components described herein as moving, for example, upwardly or downwardly, or being vertical or horizontal, are relative characterizations only based upon the particular position or orientation of a given component for a particular application.  
         [0048]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a portable planer  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The planer  100  includes a support structure, generally designated as  112 , which includes a top frame  104 , a base  103  for supporting a workpiece  114 , columns  107  connecting the top frame  104  and the base  103 , an infeed table  108  for supporting the workpiece  114  as it enters the planer  100 , and an outfeed table  110  for supporting the workpiece  114  as it exits the planer  100 . Side housings  106  cover portions of the planer  100 .  
         [0049]     The planer  100  also includes a cutterhead or carriage assembly  102 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in which part of the support structure  112  has been removed. The cutterhead  102  is mounted on a first support member also referred to as a spindle or elevating screw  118  and a second support member or spindle  119 . The first spindle  118  defines an axis of rotation designated as A-A. The height of the cutterhead  102  from the base  103  can be adjusted by rotating a crank handle  116 , which imparts rotational motion to the second spindle  119 . An adjustable opening  143  is thereby defined between the cutterhead  102  and the base  103 .  
         [0050]     The first spindle  118  is linked to the second spindle  119  by a chain  122  and sprockets  123  or other means of transmitting rotational motion, so that the rotation of the second spindle  119  results in rotation of the first spindle  118 . See  FIG. 3 . The first spindle  118  and the second spindle  119  may be engaged respectively with a first carriage nut  124  and second carriage nut  125 , so that the cutterhead  102  may be moved up and down on the spindles  118  and  119  while remaining parallel to the base  103 . The first carriage nut  124  and the second carriage nut  125  may be separate components inserted into the cutterhead  102  or they may comprise appropriate threaded surfaces that are integral to the cutterhead  102 .  
         [0051]     The typical travel distance of the cutterhead  102  relative to the base  103  of a portable planer  100 , may be of the order of several inches. One planer, such as the model Delta 22-560 planer manufactured by Delta International Machinery Corp. of Jackson, Tenn., the assignee of this invention, for example, has a 6 inch travel.  
         [0052]     In one embodiment, the planer includes an embodiment of a depth stop mechanism  128 . See  FIG. 4 . The depth stop mechanism  128  permits an operator to select a minimum thickness dimension desired for a workpiece  114  and, by a simple operation, engage the depth stop mechanism  128  to stop the cutterhead  102  when the cutterhead  102  reaches a predetermined height from the base  103  corresponding to the desired minimum thickness dimension (t min ) for the workpiece  102 . The predetermined height can essentially be any height along the travel path of the cutterhead  102  from the base  103  to the top frame  104 .  
         [0053]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the depth stop mechanism  128  includes a knob  130  and an adjustment assembly generally designated as  131 . In this embodiment, the adjustment assembly includes a sleeve  132  that has a top end  133  and a bottom end  134 . The top end  133  may be an integral part of the sleeve  132  or it may be formed from a separate component such as a bushing attached to the sleeve  132 . The sleeve  132  receives an upper portion  138  of the first spindle  118  and may slide along or rotate about the first spindle  118 . A retainer shaft  140  within the sleeve  132  connects the upper portion  138  of the first spindle  118  to the knob  130  and is secured by a knob fastener  142 , such as, for example, a retaining screw or retainer slot and ring. The first spindle  118  includes a first threaded portion  136  and a second threaded portion  137 . The pitch p 1  of the first threaded portion  136  is smaller than the pitch p 2  of the second threaded portion  137 , i.e. the number of threads per inch n 1  of the first threaded portion  136  is greater than the number of threads per inch n 2  of the second threaded portion  137 , for reasons that will become apparent herein below.  
         [0054]     The depth stop mechanism  128  of this embodiment further includes a depth stop member  144 , such as a depth stop nut, which is threadedly engaged with the first threaded portion  136  of the first spindle  118 , such that when the depth stop nut  144  rotates clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the first spindle  118 , the depth stop nut  144  moves down or up the first threaded portion  136  of the first spindle  118 . The depth stop nut  144  may be, for example, a hex nut having a six-sided lateral surface. An abutment surface  146 , also referred to herein as a spindle shoulder, may be formed at the junction of the first threaded portion  136  to the second threaded portion  137  by the difference of the diameters of the first threaded portion  136  to the second threaded portion  137  of the first spindle  118 . See  FIG. 5 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that when the depth stop nut  144  contacts the abutment surface  146 , the depth stop nut  144  will be prevented from moving further downward on the first threaded portion  136 . The abutment surface  146  may also be defined by an appropriate washer, nut or other similar means. Another washer  145  or abutment surface on the first threaded portion of the first spindle  118  prevents further upward motion of the nut  144  that may interfere with the function of the retainer shaft  140 .  
         [0055]     One embodiment of the sleeve  132  is shown in exploded view in  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the top end  133  of the sleeve  132  is partially received within a bore  152  in the top frame  104 . See  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, a portion of the exterior circumference of the top end  133  of the sleeve  132  is non-circular in shape and includes a hexagonally-shaped surface  148  that defines six corners  149 . The exterior of the top end  133  is sized to be received in the bore  152 . As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , the bore  152  has a surface  150  that defines a plurality of notches  153  for selectively receiving the corners  149  of the top end  133  therein. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the bore  152  has a surface  150  with twenty four sides  150  and twenty four notches of which twelve outer notches  153  define twelve positions about axis A-A in which the sleeve may be retained. As will be further explained below, when the top end  133  is received within the bore  152  such that the corners  149  are received in corresponding notches  153 , the top end  133  and ultimately the sleeve  132  is prevented from being rotatable about axis A-A.  
         [0056]     The top end  133  may further include a plurality of ramps  154  having corresponding slots  156 , and an annular plate  157  for receiving the top end of the retainer shaft  140 . The knob  130  is then fastened to the retainer shaft by a fastener  142 , such as, for example, the retaining screw  142  shown in  FIG. 8  or the retaining ring  158  and retaining slot  159  at the top of retainer shaft  140 , as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0057]     In this embodiment, the knob  130  includes a plurality of posts  160  that correspond in number and are sized to fit into the slots  156  of the top end  133 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6, 7  and  9 , there are three ramps  154 , three slots  156  and three posts  160 . A compression spring  162  is coiled around the retainer shaft  140  between the bottom surface of the annular plate  157  and a shoulder  163  in the retainer shaft  140 , and is biased to push the sleeve  132  upwardly, i.e. toward the knob  130 . See  FIG. 5 .  
         [0058]     The inner surface of the sleeve  132  includes two diametrically opposed flat portions  164 , which are sized to contact and hold respective sides of the depth stop nut  144 , so that when the sleeve  132  rotates about the first spindle  118 , the depth stop nut also rotates about the first spindle  118 , causing it to move up or down the first threaded portion  136  of the first spindle  118 .  
         [0059]     The depth stop mechanism  128  is selectively moveable between an engaged position, shown in  FIG. 4 , and a disengaged position, shown in  FIG. 5 . In the engaged position, the corners  149  of the top end  133  of the sleeve  132  are received within the corresponding notches  153  in the bore  152 , which serves to prevent the sleeve  132  from either sliding or rotating about the first spindle  118 . The sleeve  132  is retained in the engaged position by depressing and rotating the knob  130  so that the posts  160  ride up the ramps  154  and are received into the slots  156  thereby also compressing the spring  162 . In this position, the depth stop nut  144  cannot rotate, but it will slidably move up or down within the sleeve  132  by the rotation of the first spindle  118 .  
         [0060]     In the “disengaged” position, illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the sleeve  132  may freely rotate and slide relative to the first spindle  118 . The sleeve  132  can be rotated with the knob  130  in the unlocked position and the spring  160  extended. In this position, when the knob  130  is rotated, the sleeve  132  rotates, consequently rotating the depth stop nut  144  and causing it to move up or down on the first spindle  118 .  
         [0061]     As is often the case, a workpiece may have to be passed through the planer several times in order to attain the final desired thickness. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that after the workpiece  114  has passed through the planer  100 , the cutterhead  102  is positioned closer to the base  103  and the workpiece  114  is again passed through the planer  100 . This activity is repeated until the workpiece  114  is planed to a desired thickness. As will be discussed below, the depth stop mechanism  128  of the present invention permits the user to quickly and accurately establish a stop which prevents the cutterhead  102  from inadvertently being adjusted beyond a point which would result in the workpiece  114  being planed to a lesser than desired thickness.  
         [0062]     This embodiment of the depth stop mechanism  128  operates as follows. The knob  130  is rotated counterclockwise to release it from the locked position causing the posts  160  to slide from the slots  156  down the ramps  154  with the spring  162  pushing the sleeve  132  up in the disengaged position and moving the hexagonal surface  148  out of the twenty-four sided surface  150  of the bore  152 . Starting at the disengaged position, the cutterhead is moved to a desired height from the base  103  by operating the crank handle  116 , which causes the second spindle  119  to rotate. The second spindle  119  has a threaded portion  166 , which has the same pitch p 2  as the second threaded portion  137  of the first spindle  118 . As the chain  122  and sprocket  123  transmit the rotational motion of the second spindle  119  to the first spindle  118 , the common pitch p 2  keeps the cutterhead  102  level, i.e. parallel to the base  103 .  
         [0063]     After the cutterhead  102  has reached the height corresponding to the minimum thickness t min  desired for the finished workpiece  114 , the knob  130  is rotated clockwise, causing the sleeve  132 , and therefore the depth stop nut  144 , to also rotate clockwise. As a result, the depth stop nut  144  moves down the first threaded portion  136  of the spindle until it contacts the abutment surface  144 . At this position, the knob  130  is depressed and rotated clockwise locking the sleeve  132  within the bore  152  thereby bringing the depth stop mechanism  128  in the engaged position. See  FIG. 4 .  
         [0064]     The cutterhead  102  is thereafter moved away from the base  103  by operation of the crank handle  116  to an initial height “h” from the base  103  that will allow for an unfinished/thicker workpiece to be initially inserted. The height “h” is equal to h c  plus t min , where h c  is the distance of the cutterhead  102  from the minimum desired distance t min  from the base  103 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . While the cutterhead  102  is raised to the initial height h, the rotation of the first spindle  118  causes the depth stop nut  144  to advance a distance h n  away from the abutment surface  146 . When the cutterhead  102  is gradually lowered to plane the workpiece  114  in successive passes, the depth stop nut  144  will also be advanced downward and eventually contact the abutment surface  146  having traveled a distance h n  while the cutterhead  102  has traveled a distance h c . The abutment surface  146  prevents the depth stop nut  144  from moving further downward and resists further rotation of the crank handle  116 , and therefore prevents reduction of the thickness of the workpiece  114  beyond the predetermined minimum thickness t min . By an appropriate choice of the pitch ratio p 1 /p 2 , the distance h n  traveled by depth stop nut  144  is only a fraction of the distance h c  traveled by the cutterhead  102 : 
 
(p 1 /p 2 )=(n 2 /n 1 )=(h n /h c ). 
 
         [0065]     For example, if the first threaded portion  136  has 40 threads per inch, or 1/40 pitch, and the second threaded portion  137  has 16 threads per inch or 1/16 pitch, then the depth stop nut  144  will travel only 40% (i.e. 16/40) of the distance traveled by the cutterhead  102 . Accordingly, the cutterhead  103  can be set at any height from the base within its full range of motion, for example 6.5 inches, provided that the depth stop mechanism  128  is constructed such that the distance between the washer  145  and the abutment surface  146  is only 2.6 inches (40% of 6.5), with the pitch ratio chosen for this example. Therefore, the depth stop mechanism  128  is very compact and can be added as a feature of a portable planer  100  without increasing the overall dimensions of the planer, because the depth stop mechanism  128  can be accommodated within the original size of the planer  100 .  
         [0066]     As can be seen in  FIG. 11 , another embodiment of the planer  100  may also include a depth measuring device  168  that displays the distance of the cutterhead  102  from the base  103  as the cutterhead  102  is adjusted in height. The depth measuring device  168  includes a commercially available retractable measuring device  170 , such as a tape, of the type that retracts to wind up on a tape roll  174  inside a housing  176 . The retractable tape  170  has a first end  171  and a second end  172 . The first end  171  of the retractable tape  170  is attached to the cutterhead  102  by common mechanical fasteners, such as rivets or screws, and the second end  172  is attached to the tape roll  174 . The housing  176  is attached to the top frame  104  of the planer. The retractable tape  170  has a portion with a scale  178  thereon. A viewing window  179  covers a portion of the scale  178  and is attached to the top frame  104  of the planer. The scale is calibrated to show the current height of the cutterhead  102  from the base  103  at a cursor line or other scale indicator  180  on the clear window  179 . The depth measuring device  168  is an inexpensive and easy to install accessory for a planer  100  and may be advantageously used in conjunction with the depth stop mechanism  128  to measure at a glance the height of the cutterhead  102  from the base  103  for setting the desirable minimum thickness t min  for planing a workpiece  114 .  
         [0067]     Another embodiment of the present invention may comprise a planer  100  that has a workpiece level indicator assembly  181  shown in FIGS.  12 ( a )- 12 ( d ). The workpiece level indicator assembly  181  includes a workpiece level indicator plate  182  that is mounted preferably on the front surface  184  of the cutterhead  102 , such that it can slide between an engaged position shown in  FIG. 12 ( a ) and a disengaged position shown in  FIG. 12 ( c ). The mounting means may be, for example, two slots  194  each having a left indentation  195  and fasteners  196  sized to extend through the slots  194  to be threadedly received in corresponding threaded holes in the cutterhead. The workpiece level indicator plate  182  has a bottom face  186  parallel to the base  103  and a front ledge  188 .  
         [0068]     A spring  190 , illustrated in  FIG. 12 ( d ) mounted on the front side  184  of the cutterhead  103  biases the workpiece level indicator plate  182  to the right and such that the fasteners  196  are received in their respective indentation  195 . This position is the engaged position. As can be seen in  FIG. 12 ( b ), when the level indicator plate  182  is in the engaged position, the bottom face  186  extends below the lower surface of the cutterhead  102 . When the cutterhead  102  is lowered onto the workpiece, the bottom face  186  of the level indicator plate  182  contacts the workpiece causing the plate  182  to slide upward against the biasing force of the spring  190 . A cover plate  192  may also be mounted on the front side  184  of the cutterhead  103  with fasteners  196  such that it may cover an inscription  183  on the indicator in the disengaged position, such as the word “ENGAGED”, and exposing the inscription  183  in the engaged position.  
         [0069]     Yet another embodiment of the planer  100  may include a locking mechanism  198 , which allows the infeed table  108  to pivot between an extended position during operation and an upright storage position in which the planer  100  is switched off and the cutting blade is inaccessible for safety reasons, as shown in  FIGS. 1 , and  13 ( a ) and ( b ). The locking mechanism  198  includes an aperture  199  on the side frame  106  of the planer  100  and an aperture  200  on the infeed table  108 . The apertures  199  and  200  are aligned such that a locking device  201 , such as, for example, an ordinary padlock or other safety lock, may be inserted through the aperture  199  of the side frame  106  and the aperture  200  of the infeed table  108  to secure and lock the infeed table  108  in the upright position. In the upright and locked position, the infeed table  108  pushes against and switches off the power switch  203  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the planer  100 .  
         [0070]     The planer  100  may also include a dust removal assembly  206 , as shown in  FIGS. 14-17 . The dust removal assembly  206  is positioned on the outfeed side  208  of the carriage assembly  102  and includes a manifold  210  having a manifold deck  211 . The manifold  210  is removably attached to the carriage assembly  102  by means of, for example, a pair of thumb screws  212  (only one is shown) through the manifold deck  211 . The dust removal assembly  206  also includes a dust deflector  214 , which is attached to the carriage assembly  102  with any suitable fasteners toward the infeed side  209  and deflects airflow and dust or shavings under the manifold deck  211 .  
         [0071]     The dust removal assembly  206  also includes a dust chute  216  that communicates with the manifold  210  through a dust channel  218 , which is releasably connected to the carriage assembly  102 . The dust channel  218  may be attached to the dust chute  216  with fasteners  224 , or by welding, and may be an integral part of the dust chute  216 . The dust channel  218  has two end posts  220 , which are attached, for example, by spot welds, and are sized to slide into corresponding guiding slots  222  on the carriage assembly  102 . The guiding slots  222  help slide the dust channel  218  and dust chute  216  easily onto the carriage assembly  102 . The manifold  210  is then placed on the carriage assembly  102  and the thumbscrews  212  are inserted and tightened over the manifold deck  211 . The dust chute  216  has a side opening  226 , to which a vacuum hose (such as, for example, vacuum hose  230  shown in outline in  FIG. 17 ) may be attached for dust removal. The side opening  226  directs dust to one side of the planer  100 . The portion of the dust channel  218  that connects to the carriage assembly is symmetrically shaped. Thus, the dust channel  218  may be connected to the carriage assembly  102  in either a first position, with the side opening  226  directed to a right side of the planer  100 , or a second position, with the side opening  226  directed to a left side of the planer  100 .  
         [0072]     The depth stop mechanism  128 , the depth measuring device  168 , the workpiece level indicator assembly  181 , the locking mechanism  198  and the dust removal assembly  206  have all been described for a portable planer, but they can readily be used with a standard planer or other machine that includes a rotary cutting member  105  mounted on a carriage assembly  102 , such as a combination planer/molder, planer/sander, etc.  
         [0073]     Whereas particular embodiments of the invention have been described herein for the purpose of illustrating the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous variations of the details, materials and arrangement of parts may be made within the principle and scope of the invention without departing from the invention as described in the appended claims.