Abstract:
A concentric coaxial cutting machine which cuts cylinders, cylindroids or cones using a chain saw from a single larger object such as a wood tree trunk, a block of ice or a block of plastic. An embodiment of the invention comprises a transverse support member having directly or indirectly mounted thereon; a headstock member including; a headstock spindle member mounted to said headstock member including; a drive spindle rotationally mounted to said headstock spindle member and adapted to rotationally retain one end of an object to be centrically cut; a tailstock member including; a tailstock spindle member mounted to said tailstock member including; a tailstock spindle rotationally mounted to said tailstock spindle member and adapted to retain an opposite end of the object; a drive assembly in rotational communication with the drive spindle and adapted to rotate said drive spindle around a common axis with said tailstock spindle; and, a first chain saw variably aligned at an angle to said common axis and adapted to concentrically cut the object from at least the opposite end.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a cutting machine and more specifically to a cutting machine adapted to concentrically and coaxially cut multiple cylinders or cylindroids from a single larger object such as wood trunk, a block of ice, a block of plastic or other materials. 
   BACKGROUND 
   A variety of mechanisms are known in the relevant art for cutting larger objects made of wood, plastic or ice. These larger objects are readily cut from the exterior by many common hand or power tools from virtually any desired angle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,695,316 to Plickhahn, discloses a wood cutting rig which incorporates the use of a chain saw. The wood cutting rig is used to support the chain saw during production of wood timbers from wood logs. U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,889 to Scott et al., discloses a chain saw having a vertically mounted cutting assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,399 to Harris, discloses another woodcutting rig which may be used to support a chain saw; U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,892 to Jindra, discloses another woodcutting rig and chain saw arrangement; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 2002/0153059 to Cassady, discloses yet another woodcutting rig which incorporates a hand type wood grinder. However, none of these cutting rigs or power tools is well suited for concentrically cutting coaxially derived cylinders or cylindroids from larger objects made of wood, plastic or ice. 
   Currently, the only way to produce cylinders or cylindroids from these larger objects requires boring out of the object which wastes much of the unused object. Secondly, boring or other routing mechanisms do not allow for cutting coaxially derived cylinders or cylindroids from these objects. 
   In many situations, a single source of material is highly desirable for both aesthetic and utilitarian reasons. 
   For example, concentrically and coaxially cut cylinders or cylindroids of wood are highly desirable in the music industry in the making of percussion instruments such as drums as the use of wood having nearly identical acoustic characteristics produces superior sounds over similar synthetically constructed musical instruments. The superior acoustical characteristics of wood are one of the main reasons why musical instruments constructed from wood command premium prices over similar synthetically constructed musical instruments. 
   From an aesthetic perspective, the uniform natural wood grain derived from the coaxially cut cylinders or cylindroids provide considerable visual aesthetic appeal to both musicians and there viewing audience alike when incorporated into a family of percussion instruments such as a drum set. Likewise, furniture constructed from a single source of wood is generally more visually appealing as there is more uniformity in color and wood grain direction. 
   Thusly, for the reasons previously stated, it would be highly desirable to provide a cutting machine which allows for cutting coaxially derived cylinders or cylindroids from larger feedstock objects made of wood, ice or plastic while minimizing waste of the original feedstock. 
   SUMMARY 
   This invention addresses the limitations described above and provides in various embodiments of the invention a machine which allows coaxial, concentric cutting of an object to produce various cylinders or cylindroids from a common source object. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a longitudinal support member, a transverse support member coupled to the longitudinal support member. The transverse support member including a headstock member. The headstock member includes a headstock spindle member coupled to the headstock member. The headstock member includes a drive spindle rotationally coupled to the headstock spindle member and aligned to rotationally retain one end of an object to be concentrically cut. The invention further includes a tailstock member having a tailstock spindle member mounted to the tailstock member. 
   The tailstock spindle member includes a tailstock spindle rotationally coupled to the tallstock spindle member and aligned to retain an opposite end of the object. A drive assembly in rotational communication with the drive spindle is provided to rotate the drive spindle around a common rotational axis with the tailstock spindle. In an embodiment of the invention, the drive assembly comprises a variable speed electric motor having a shaft-mounted pulley which drives a second pulley mounted on the drive spindle by a belt. 
   A first chain saw is provided to concentrically cut the object from an end. The chain saw is variably aligned at an angle to the common rotational axis. In various embodiments of the invention the headstock member, tailstock member, tailstock spindle member and first chain saw are repositionable about a long dimension of the transverse support member. Related embodiments of the invention provide for the tailstock spindle member and first chain saw to be repositionable perpendicular to the transverse support member. 
   In a related embodiment of the invention, an accessory table is coupled to the longitudinal support member. The accessory table allows additional cutting, roughing or finishing equipment to engage the object. 
   In another embodiment of the invention, the concentric coaxial cutting machine is configured such that the longitudinal support member comprises an elongated conduit in which the headstock member forms a transverse base coupled to one end of the elongated conduit. The headstock spindle member comprises a rotary table coupled to the transverse base in which the drive spindle is centered. The rotary table may be provided with a plurality of T-slots and an attachable multi-jawed chuck. 
   In a related embodiment of the invention, the tailstock member comprises a repositionable transverse arm coupled to an opposite end of the elongated conduit. 
   The tallstock member is longitudinally repositionable along a substantial length of the elongated conduit and rotationally repositionable about a radius of the elongated conduit. A clamp is mounted to a bottom of the tailstock member to securely maintain the tailstock member in a desired position. 
   In various embodiments of the invention, both the first chain saw and tailstock spindle member are coupled to the transverse arm of the tailstock member. This allows either or both the first chain saw and tailstock spindle member to be further repositionable by adjustment of a set of jackscrew drives. In various related embodiments of the invention, the first chain saw is replaceable with another cutting, grinding or finishing tool and/or may be pivotally coupled to the transverse arm such that the chain of the chain saw engages the object at an angle to the common rotational axis. 
   In a horizontally oriented embodiment of the invention, the concentric coaxial cutting machine is configured similar to a large horizontal lath. In this horizontal embodiment of the invention, the transverse support member comprises a pair of horizontal rails aligned in parallel and secured to each other by a plurality of periodically spaced perpendicular cross members. 
   In this horizontally embodiment of the invention, a pair of traveling tool arms aligned in opposition is slidably mounted on one of the horizontal rails while the headstock member and the tailstock member are slidably mounted on the other horizontal rail. The first chain saw is variably mounted to one traveling tool arm member while an optional second chain saw may be variably mounted to the other traveling tool arm member. Both chain saws are variably aligned at the angle to the common rotational axis but in opposition to each other. 
   Lastly, an optional pair of roller support members are slidably mounted to the first and second horizontal rails in opposition to each other and are intended to support the object at least when the object is being concentrically cut. 
   In another embodiment of the invention, a method for using The concentric coaxial cutting machine is provided which comprises the steps of: securing the object between a drive spindle means and a tailstock spindle means, activating a drive assembly means, aligning a first chain saw means to a desired concentric cutting angle, positioning the first chain saw means to a desired concentric cutting location on the object, activating the first chain saw means, and concentrically cutting the object. Certain of these steps may be repeated to make additional concentric cuts in one end of the object. Likewise, the object may be repositioned 180 degrees to allow additional cuts to be made in the opposite end of the object. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals and characters are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the invention. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the subject invention as defined in the claims. 
     FIG.  1 —is a frontal view of a vertically oriented embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG.  2 —is a side view of the vertically oriented embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG.  3 —is a top view of the vertically oriented embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG.  4 —is another frontal view of the vertically oriented embodiment of the invention illustrating pivoting of a cutting assembly. 
     FIG.  5 —is another frontal view of the vertically oriented embodiment of the invention illustrating replacement of the cutting assembly with another finishing assembly. 
     FIG.  6 —is another frontal view of the vertically oriented embodiment of the invention illustrating use of an accessory table. 
     FIG.  7 —is a frontal view of a horizontally oriented embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG.  8 —is an end view of the horizontally oriented embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG.  9 —is a top view of the horizontally oriented embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   This present invention provides a cutting machine which produces concentrically and/or coaxially cut cylinders or cylindroids from a single larger object such as wood trunk, a block of ice, a block of plastic or equivalent material. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a vertically oriented embodiment of the invention is shown. The vertically oriented embodiment of the invention resembles a large industrial drill press and is constructed of typical industrial strength metals. This embodiment of the invention comprises a horizontal base assembly  80 , a vertical conduit  5  mounted on one end of the horizontal base assembly  80  and a horizontal tool arm assembly  10  mounted on an opposite end  15  of the vertical conduit  5 . The horizontal base assembly  80  has mounted thereupon, a rotary table  120  arranged in opposition to the horizontal tool arm assembly  10  and radially displaced from the vertical conduit  5 . In an embodiment of the invention, the rotary drive table  120  is horizontally repositionable outward from the vertical conduit  5  along a centerline of the horizontal base assembly  80 . The rotary table  120  includes a centered drive spindle  75  arranged in opposition to the horizontal tool arm  10 . 
   The rotary table  120  is driven by a variable speed electric motor  90  coupled to the rotary table  120  by a belt  95  and pulley system  85 ,  100 . The belt  95  and pulley system  85 , 100  and variable speed electric motor  90  are adapted to rotate the drive table  120  in a range of 0–300 RPM. Alternately, a gear and chain drive system will work as well. The vertical conduit  5  includes a horizontally aligned accessory table  125 , which is both vertically and radially repositionable about the long dimension of the vertical conduit  5 . A vertical travel stop  3  may be provided on a lower portion of the vertical conduit  5  to prevent either the accessory table  125  or the horizontal tool arm assembly  10  from being positioned in an unsafe manner. The accessory table  125  is securely locked into position with a hand-operated compressive type clamp  110 . The hand-operated compressive type clamp  110  compressively engages the outer circumference of the vertical conduit  5 . The accessory table  125  provides support for additional cutting, grinding or finishing tools. 
   The horizontal tool arm assembly  10  is likewise vertically and radially repositionable about the long dimension of the vertical conduit  5  and is held in position by a second hand operated compressive type clamp  105  mounted at the bottom of the horizontal tool arm assembly  10 . The second hand operated compressive type clamp  105  compressively engages the outer circumference of the vertical conduit  5  as well. An electrical motor control center  160  may be attached to the end of the vertical conduit  5  in closest proximity to the horizontal tool arm assembly  10 . One skilled in art will appreciate that the electrical motor control center  160  may be position elsewhere as well. 
   The horizontal tool arm assembly  10  has mounted thereon, a vertical cutting assembly  20  and a tailstock spindle assembly  40 . Both assemblies  20 ,  40  are vertically aligned in opposition to the horizontal base assembly  80 . The cutting assembly  20  includes an electrically powered chain saw  35  attached to the bottom end of the cutting assembly  20  by a bracket  60 . 
   The chain saw blade assembly  65  of the chain saw  35  is aligned in opposition to the horizontal base assembly  80 . In an embodiment of the invention, the chain saw  35  is vertically repositionable by an electrically driven gear motor  25 , which turns a vertically oriented jackscrew  30  in which the chain saw  35  is coupled. In another embodiment of the invention, the chain saw  35  is manually repositioned. A suitable electric chain saw is available from Logosol, Inc., P.O. Box 660, Madison, Miss. 39130; www.logosol.com. 
   The tailstock spindle assembly  40  includes a tailstock spindle  70  aligned in opposition to the drive spindle  75 . The space between the tailstock spindle  70  and the drive spindle  75  containing an object to be concentrically cut by the chain saw  35 . The object (shown in  FIG. 3 )  140  is held in position by impaling the ends of the object to be cut with the drive spindle  75  and tailstock spindle  70 . The weight of the object  140  is supported by the rotary table  120 . In one embodiment of the invention, the tailstock spindle  70  is likewise vertically repositionable by a second electrically driven gear motor  45 , which turns a second vertically oriented jackscrew  50  in which the tailstock spindle  70  is coupled. In another embodiment of the invention, the tailstock spindle  70  may be manually repositioned. 
   In another embodiment of the invention, both the cutting assembly  20  and the tailstock assembly  40  are horizontally repositionable by a third electrically driven gear motor  55  which turns a third jackscrew  115  horizontally installed within the horizontal tool arm assembly  10 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that various mechanisms (manual or automated) for repositioning of the cutting and tailstock spindle assemblies  20 ,  40  may be incorporated into the invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , an extravagated side view of the vertical embodiment of the invention is shown. This side view of the invention illustrates the vertical travel of the chain saw  35  in relation to the horizontal base assembly  80 . A third clamp  135  is provided on the horizontal tool assembly  10  to securely lock the cutting assembly  20  in a cutting position. 
   In this embodiment of the invention, the chain saw  35  is shown at its maximum extent of travel provided by the electrically driven gear motor  25  and jackscrew  30 . An equivalent arrangement is provided for the tailstock spindle assembly  40  (not shown). A side view of some of the major components described in  FIG. 1  is shown as well. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a top view of the vertical embodiment of the invention is shown. This top view illustrates positioning of the accessory table  125  during main cutting operations and an object  140  being concentrically cut  150  by the chain saw blade assembly  65 . A top view of some of the major components described in  FIG. 1  is shown as well. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , an alternate embodiment of the invention is shown which illustrates a pivotal cutting assembly  20 . The pivotal cutting assembly  20  allows concentric conical cuts to be made by the chain saw blade assembly  65  in the object  140 . Rotation of the object  140  is provided by a drive dog  155  mounted on the drive spindle  75 . The maximum amount of pivoting  170  of the cutting assembly  20  is limited by the placement of the vertical conduit  5 . A maximum of 75° from vertical center is envisioned. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , another embodiment of the invention is shown where the chain saw  35  and the tailstock spindle  70  have been replaced with other cutting, grinding, or finishing tools  175 ,  180 . This embodiment of the invention provides greater flexibility in completing an object  140  to a desired finish. In this embodiment of the invention, a multi-jawed chuck  165  is attached to the rotary table  120  and is used to hold the near finished object  140 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment of the invention is shown where a second chain saw  185  is mounted on the accessory table  125 . In this embodiment of invention, the second horizontally oriented chain saw  185  is being used to square one of the ends of the object  140 . Other cutting, grinding, or finishing equipment may be mounted on the accessory table  125  as well, depending on the needs of the operator. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , a front view of a horizontally oriented embodiment of the invention is shown. The horizontal embodiment of invention resembles a large industrial lathe and is likewise constructed of industrial-strength metals. The horizontal embodiment of the invention allows greater lengthwise cutting of an object  140  than is reasonably afforded by the vertical embodiment of the invention. The horizontal embodiment of invention comprises a pair of parallel, horizontally aligned metal rails  205   a ,  205   b  secured together by periodically spaced metal cross beams  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ,  200   e ,  200   f ,  200   g.    
   Slidably mounted on the inside rail  205   a , is at least one traveling cutting assembly  235   a . The traveling cutting assembly  235   a  comprises an electrically driven chain saw  35   a  in which the chain saw blade assembly  65   a  engages the object  140  generally in parallel with the horizontal rails  205   a ,  205   b . However, in this embodiment of the invention, the chain saw  35   a  may be rotated a full 180°, via a pivoting bracket  60   a , since there are no obstructions to interfere with the positioning of the chain saw  35   a  as is the case with the vertical embodiment of invention. 
   The chain saw  35   a  and chain saw blade assembly  65   a  are repositionable in three dimensions, including; vertically repositionable along a long vertical axis of the traveling cutting assembly  235   a , inwardly repositionable along a long inward axis of the traveling cutting assembly  235   a  and horizontally repositionable by sliding the entire traveling cutting assembly  235   a  to a desired position on the horizontal rail  205   a . A set of repositionable roller supports  210   a ,  210   b  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) are provided on both horizontal rails  205   a ,  205   b  for supporting a heavy object  140  to be cut. In another horizontal embodiment of the invention, a second traveling cutting assembly  235   b  is provided which allows cutting of the object  140  from either or both ends of the object  140 . 
   The second traveling cutting assembly  235   b  comprises a second electrically driven chain saw  35   b  and chain saw blade assembly  65   b  which may likewise be rotated through a full 180° via another pivoting bracket  60   b  and repositioned in three dimensions analogous to the first traveling cutting assembly  235   a . On the outer horizontal rail  205   b , a traveling tailstock assembly  230  is provided which slidably supports a center beam  225  having an integrated tailstock spindle  70 . The tailstock spindle  70  is aligned in parallel to the horizontal rails  205   a ,  205   b  and engages one end of the object  140  to be cut at approximately its centerline. The tailstock spindle  70  is vertically repositionable along a long vertical axis of the traveling tailstock assembly  230  and traveling horizontal support assembly  220  and inwardly repositionable along a long inward axis of the traveling tailstock assembly  230  and traveling horizontal support assembly  220 . The traveling tailstock assembly  230  is horizontally repositionable by sliding the entire traveling tailstock assembly  230  and traveling horizontal support assembly  220  to a desired position on the outer horizontal rail  205   b.    
   A traveling drive assembly  250  is provided on the outer horizontal rail  205   b . The traveling drive assembly  250  comprises an electrically driven variable speed motor  90  coupled by belt drive or chain  95  to vertically aligned drive table  120 . The drive table  120  incorporates a drive spindle  75 . In an embodiment of the invention, the drive spindle  75  includes a drive dog  155  for rotating the object  140  and is aligned in opposition to the tailstock spindle  70 . The drive spindle  75  is aligned in parallel to the horizontal rails  205   a ,  205   b  and engages an opposite end of the object  140  along a common centerline axis with the tailstock spindle  70 . The drive spindle  75  is vertically repositionable along a long vertical axis of the traveling drive assembly  250  and inwardly repositionable along a long inward axis of the traveling drive assembly  250 . 
   In an embodiment of the invention, the traveling drive assembly  250  is horizontally repositionable by sliding the entire traveling drive assembly  250  to a desired position on the outer horizontal rail  205   b . In another embodiment of the invention, the drive assembly  250  is fixed in position and centered between the horizontal rails  205   a ,  205   b . In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a traveling horizontal support assembly  220  may be provided on the outer horizontal rail  205   b  which incorporates a center beam  225  having the tailstock spindle  70  mounted on and end thereto. In this embodiment of the invention, the center beam  225  passes through the traveling horizontal support assembly  220  and traveling tailstock assembly  230  to engage the object  140 . This embodiment of the invention allows for the removal of longer cylindrical cuts obtained from the object  140 . The traveling horizontal support assembly  220  is identically repositionable as the traveling tailstock assembly  230  and tailstock spindle  70 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , an end view of the horizontal embodiment of invention is shown. This end view of the invention illustrates the variable positioning geometry available to the first and second traveling cutting assemblies  235   a ,  235   b  and roller supports  210   a ,  210   b . The traveling tailstock assembly  230  and traveling horizontal support assembly  220  incorporate the same variable positioning geometry (not shown.) A hand operated clamp  153  is shown which maintains the center beam  225  and tailstock spindle  70  in position against the object being cut. In an alternate embodiment of invention, horizontal movement of the traveling cutting assemblies  235   a ,  235   b  and roller supports  210   a ,  210   b  along the horizontal rails  205   a ,  205   b  is accomplished by two or more electrically driven gear drives  245   a ,  245   b.    
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , a top view of the horizontal embodiment of the invention is shown. This top view illustrates the positioning of the various traveling assemblies  220 ,  230 ,  250 ,  235   a ,  235   b  and roller supports  210   a ,  210   b  during cutting operations of the object  140 . A top view of the major components described in  FIG. 7  is shown as well. 
   The foregoing described embodiments of the invention are provided as illustrations and descriptions. They are not intended to limit the invention to any one precise form described. In particular, it is contemplated that functional implementation of the invention described herein may be implemented using manual repositioning of the cutting, rotational and drive assemblies. In addition, gasoline powered chain saws may be employed as an alternative to the electrically driven chains saws described herein. No specific limitation is intended to a particular type of object or construction material is intended. Other variations and embodiments are possible in light of above teachings, and it is not intended that this Detailed Description limit the scope of invention, but rather by the claims following herein.