Abstract:
An improved planing machine for performing an operation on the surface of wooden planks or boards is provided. The planing machine includes a base, at least two support columns disposed on the base, and a carriage assembly carrying a cutterhead. The carriage assembly may be mounted on the support columns. At least one of the base and the carriage assembly is movable vertically towards the other of the base and the carriage assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the planing machine includes a depth stop adjustment mechanism which allows the operator to accurately select a minimum workpiece depth from one or more predetermined depths. In another exemplary embodiment. The planing machine includes a dust exhaust channel for removing dust and wood chips/shaving generated during the planing operation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to woodworking. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable wood planing machine for the surface planing of wooden planks or boards. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Various power tools are used in woodworking in an effort to efficiently and accurately cut workpieces to desired dimensions and surface quality. As is widely known, planing machines are often used for surface planing of wooden boards. A conventional planing machine typically includes one or more rotatably mounted cutting blades attached to a vertically movable carriage assembly. Also known are jointer machines which are typically used for the edge planing of wood. In certain applications, the functions of conventional planing machines and jointers are combined within a single unit commonly referred to as a jointer/planer machine. 
         [0003]    In a typical wood planing machine, such as a surface planer, a selectively adjustable workpiece opening is defined between a carriage assembly and a support surface. The one or more rotationally mounted blades are carried on the underside of the carriage assembly adjacent the workpiece opening. The blades are adapted to remove a predetermined amount of material from the workpiece depending on the height of the workpiece opening. The carriage assembly also usually includes one or more feed rollers which urge the workpiece through the workpiece opening during operation of the wood planing machine. 
         [0004]    In most applications, the carriage assembly of a wood planing machine is movably mounted to a plurality of support columns for movement with respect to a workpiece support surface, such as a base or platen. Such movement of the carriage assembly adjusts the vertical dimension of the workpiece opening so as to selectively determines the amount of material to be removed from the workpiece. Alternatively, in certain applications it is desirable to fixedly mount the carriage assembly and to adjust the workpiece opening by moving the base or platen vertically with respect to the carriage assembly. 
         [0005]    In use, a workpiece is passed through the workpiece opening and a predetermined amount of material is removed from the surface of the workpiece adjacent the carriage assembly. Multiple passes of the workpiece through the workpiece opening are often necessary to obtain the desired thickness and surface quality. As with other woodworking operations, it is desirable that a planing machine accomplish workpiece preparation with precise tolerances, high surface quality, and a significant degree of reproducible results. 
         [0006]    In the field of woodworking it is desirable to provide a wood planing machine having a depth stop mechanism which serves to physically stop the lowering of the carriage assembly at a predetermined depth. Additionally, it is desirable to provide a wood planing machine having a depth stop adjustment which may be more adjustable and more quickly set to a desired depth as compared to prior known devices. 
         [0007]    It is also known in the field of woodworking to provide dust collection for a wood planing machine which provides for removal of dust and debris generated from the material removal from a workpiece. While prior known devices are available for dust collection, all are associated with one or more disadvantages. To overcome the disadvantages of prior known devices, it is desirable to provide a dust collector assembly for a wood planing machine which can have a smaller outlet for evacuating the dust but still will not clog or lose capacity. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, an improved planing machine is employed. The planing machine may include a base, at least two support columns disposed on the base, a carriage assembly carrying a cutterhead, the carriage assembly being mounted on the support columns, one of the workpiece support surface and the carriage assembly being movable vertically towards the other of the workpiece support surface and the carriage assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the planing machine includes a depth stop adjustment mechanism which allows the operator to accurately select a minimum workpiece depth from one or more predetermined depths. In another exemplary embodiment, the planing machine includes a dust exhaust channel for removing dust and wood chips/shaving generated during the planing operation 
         [0009]    Additional features and benefits of the present invention are described, and will be apparent from, the accompanying drawings and the detailed description below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which make reference to the drawings of which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable wood planing machine constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged partial perspective view of a first portion of the depth stop adjustment mechanism of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of a second portion of the depth stop adjustment mechanism of  FIG. 1 , in particular, a rear portion of the depth stop mechanism handle; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating the depth stop adjustment mechanism for the planing machine; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating a dust exhaust for the planing machine; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the dust exhaust of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0018]    The present invention provides an improved portable wood planing machine for the surface planing of a workpiece such as a wooden board or plank. As will become apparent below, the present invention more particularly relates to various features of a planing machine. Many of these various features, which are described in detail below, are shown cooperatively arranged within a single planing machine. However, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention as it independently relates to each of the features described is not so limited. In other words, while an exemplary embodiment of a planing machine is shown and described, it will be understood that the various features may be utilized independent from one another. 
         [0019]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a planing machine constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral  10 . The planing machine  10  may include a base assembly  12  including a support platen  13  and feet  15 , at least two, but preferably four, support columns  14 , and a carriage assembly  16  mounted on the support columns  14 . Carriage assembly  16  may carry a motor, a cutterhead  17  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) driven by the motor, and/or feed rollers driven by the motor, as is well known in the art. 
         [0020]    In the embodiment shown, the carriage assembly  16  is preferably slideably mounted on four support columns  14  for bidirectional vertical movement. The carriage assembly  16  may be selectively translated upwardly or downwardly along a path of travel along the support columns  14  by a user via operation of handle  20 . An exemplary arrangement for translating the carriage assembly is described in further detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,949 entitled, “Portable Wood Planing Machine” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,035 entitled, “Apparatus for Adjusting the Relative Positions of Two Components of a Power Tool”, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. The carriage assembly  16  preferably cooperates with the support platen  13  to define a workspace opening  18  into which a workpiece may be inserted. 
         [0021]    Base assembly  12  as well as top assembly  22  may include handles  24  and  26 , respectively, for enabling the user to carry the planing machine  10 . Preferably, base assembly  12  includes openings  28  which allow a user to wrap his or her hand around the handle  24  and comfortably insert his or her fingers into the openings  28 . With respect to handles  26 , they preferably extend outwardly from top assembly  22  allowing a user to comfortably wrap his or her hand around the handle  26  without any interference from the top assembly  22 . 
         [0022]    With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , planing machine  10  also preferably includes forwardly and rearwardly extending feed tables  30  and  32  for further supporting the workpiece during operation of the planing machine  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the forwardly and rearwardly extending feed tables  30  and  32  are each pivotally attached to the base assembly  12  through a pair of pivot supports  34  which are fixedly attached to the base assembly  12 . The means to attach feed tables  30  and  32  to pivot support  34  are conventional and can include any number of fasteners and/or rods. Since feed tables  30  and  32  are pivotally attached to the base assembly  12 , they can then be folded upwardly from their positions shown in  FIG. 1  to storage positions substantially adjacent the front and rear of the planing machine  10 , respectively, when the planing machine  10  is not in use. 
         [0023]    Turning now to  FIGS. 1-3 , planing machine  10  also preferably includes infinite depth stop mechanism  40 , constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, for limiting the downward movement of carriage  16  toward platen  13 . Infinite depth stop mechanism  40  preferably includes an adjustment knob  42  which is rotatably connected to the planing machine  10  and movable with carriage assembly  16 , a locking member  44  which is operably connected to adjustment knob  42 , and a stop rod  46  which is fixedly connected to base assembly  12 . In another exemplary embodiment, stop rod  46  may be adjustably connected to base assembly  12 . In yet another preferred embodiment, adjustment knob  42  may be rotatably attached to base assembly  12  and stop rod  46  may be fixedly or adjustable attached to carriage assembly  16 . The operation of infinite depth stop mechanism  40  is explained below. 
         [0024]    Looking at  FIGS. 1 and 3 , adjustment knob  42  has a front or outward side  43  which is configured and dimensioned for user interfacing and a rear or inward side  45 , which can best be seen in  FIG. 3 . The front or outward side  43  may include texturing to facilitate gripping by the user and preferably includes a scale  48  to provide a user with visual indication of a desired measurement or setting. In a preferred embodiment, adjustment knob  42  also includes cam  50  on rear or inward side  45  thereof. Cam  50  is preferably mounted to adjustment knob  42  in a manner that allows cam  50  to move with adjustment knob  42 . In an exemplary embodiment, cam  50  is mounted on inward side  45  of adjustment knob  42  via a plurality of fasteners  52 . Although cam  50  is shown attached via a plurality of fasteners  52 , other means of fastening are also contemplated including chemical bonding, molding, and welding. As can be seen best in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , cam  50  preferably has a generally nautilus shape and includes a central aperture  54 , which, in a preferred embodiment is at least partially threaded and extends through adjustment knob  42 . 
         [0025]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , a portion of planing machine  10  can be seen where adjustment knob  42  preferably is mounted to carriage assembly  16 . In a preferred embodiment, a portion of carriage assembly  16  that is mounted on support column  14  also includes post  56 , which is at least partially threaded in a preferred embodiment, and frame  58 . Frame  58  also preferably includes opening  60  and an indicator  61 , which is used in conjunction with scale  48 . Although adjustment knob  42  is shown to include scale  48  and frame  58  is shown to include indicator  61 , in another preferred embodiment, frame  58  may include a scale and adjustment knob  42  may include an indicator. In a preferred embodiment, adjustment knob  42  is mounted to planing machine  10  by threadably attaching adjustment knob  42  to post  56  via central aperture  54 . Adjustment knob  42  is preferably mounted in such a manner as to abut frame  58  when mounted to planing machine  10 . 
         [0026]    In another preferred embodiment, adjustment knob  42  may be mounted to base assembly  12  instead of carriage assembly  16  and stop rod  46  may be mounted to carriage assembly  16  instead of base assembly  12 . In this preferred embodiment, a portion of base assembly  12  that is near support column  14  also includes post  56 , which is at least partially threaded in a preferred embodiment, and frame  58 . Frame  58  also preferably includes opening  60  and an indicator  61 , which is used in conjunction with scale  48 . Although adjustment knob  42  is shown to include scale  48  and frame  58  is shown to include indicator  61 , in another preferred embodiment, frame  58  may include a scale and adjustment knob  42  may include an indicator. In a preferred embodiment, adjustment knob  42  is mounted to planing machine  10  by threadably attaching adjustment knob  42  to post  56  via central aperture  54 . Adjustment knob  42  is preferably mounted in such a manner as to abut frame  58  when mounted to planing machine  10 . 
         [0027]    Turning back to  FIG. 1 , located preferably in the center of adjustment knob  42  is a locking member  44  configured to lock adjustment knob  42  in place once a user has set adjustment knob  42  in the desired position. In a preferred embodiment, locking member  44  will include an opening, preferably a threaded opening, that will threadably attach to post  56 . The operation of the locking member  42  will be described below. 
         [0028]    In an exemplary use of infinite depth stop mechanism  40 , a user would first rotate adjustment knob  42  to the desired measurement or setting with the assistance of scale  48  and indicator  61 . As adjustment knob  42  is rotated, cam  50  is also rotated since cam  50  is fixedly attached to adjustment knob  42 . The user then locks adjustment knob  42  in place by turning locking member  44  and moving locking member  44  into further threaded engagement with post  56 . In a preferred embodiment, as locking member  44  is further threaded onto post  56 , locking member  44  locks adjustment knob  42  in place by a threaded friction or interference fit. Once adjustment knob  42  is locked in place, the user lowers carriage assembly  16  towards platen  13  by actuating handle  20 . As carriage assembly  16  approaches the desired depth, depth stop mechanism  40  will prevent carriage assembly  16  from lowering beyond the desired depth measurement. 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , as carriage assembly  16  approaches the desired depth, stop rod  46  will abut cam  50  on abutment surface  51  by entering frame  58  via opening  60 . The abutment of stop rod  46  with abutment surface  51  of cam  50  will prevent further downward movement of carriage assembly  16  toward platen  13 . In a preferred embodiment, the generally nautilus shape of cam  50  allows a user to choose the desired depth stop measurement at any desired increment because abutment surface  51  of cam  50  is an arcuate surface with a variable curvature. Furthermore, the variable curvature of the arcuate surface of abutment surface  51  of cam  50  prevents back driving of cam  50  once cam  50  is engaged by stop rod  46 . 
         [0030]    Turning now to  FIGS. 5-6 , planing machine  10  also preferably includes dust exhaust  62 , constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, for exhausting dust or wood chips/shaving generated by the cutterhead during the planing operation. Persons of skill in the art are directed to U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,621, which is incorporated herein by reference, for exemplary information of how dust generated during a planing operation exits through a dust exhaust. 
         [0031]    Dust exhaust  62  is preferably removably attached to carriage assembly  16  via a plurality of fasteners. However, it is further contemplated that dust exhaust  62  may be attached to carriage assembly  16  in a number of ways including chemical bonding, welding, and molding. In a preferred embodiment, dust exhaust  62  includes shroud  64  and exhaust channel  66 . Shroud  64  is preferably configured and dimensioned to attach to carriage assembly  16  in a manner to allow for airflow from the cutterhead to exhaust channel  66 . As is well known in the art, a vacuum source is preferably attached to exhaust channel  66  to exhaust the dust and wood chips/shaving generated during the planing operation. The vacuum source may be attached to exhaust channel  66  in a variety of way including an interference fit, a threaded fit, or via fasteners. 
         [0032]    Turning to  FIG. 6 , a preferred embodiment of exhaust channel  66  can be seen. Exhaust channel  66  includes at least one, but preferably includes a plurality of ribs  68 . 
         [0033]    With power tools, such as planing machine  10 , that generate a high volume of dust and wood chips/shavings, there is a potential for those shaving/chips to block or clog the dust exhaust channel, particularly when the dust exhaust channel diameter is smaller. The plurality of ribs  68  prevents or at least substantially prevents the clogging of exhaust channel  66  with dust and wood chips/shavings. Furthermore, ribs  68  substantially prevent the introduction of foreign objects from the environment into the carriage assembly  16  via exhaust channel  66 . 
         [0034]    In a preferred embodiment, ribs  68  are not connected across exhaust channel  66 , rather ribs  68  leave center portion  70  of exhaust channel  66  substantially unobstructed. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, ribs  68  have a substantially tapered configuration where the portion of ribs  68  adjacent to wall  72  of exhaust channel  66  are longer in length and the portion of the ribs  68  near center  70  of exhaust channel  66  are shorter in length. In addition, the tapered configuration is such that the direction of taper follows in the direction opposite of the airflow from the cutterhead to the vacuum source. In other words, ribs  68  extend toward center portion of  70  increasingly in the direction from inner end  67  of exhaust channel  66 , which is closest to the cutterhead, to outer end  69  of exhaust channel  66 . This preferred rib pattern shed dust and shaving/chips, funneling them towards center  70  of exhaust channel  66 , substantially preventing the dust and shaving/chips from building up in exhaust channel  66  eventually leading to a block or clog of exhaust channel  66 . 
         [0035]    While the above description constitutes the preferred embodiment and various alternative constructions of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation, and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the present invention. In this regard, while the various features of the present invention have been shown and described in connection with a portable wood planer, it will be appreciated by those skilled in that art that many of these features are suitable in connection with other woodworking power tools. For example, many of the features may be readily modified for use with a jointer machine or a combination jointer/planer machine. Further, it will be understood that the teachings of the present invention are equally applicable for planing machines in which a portion of the base is moved relative to a stationary carriage assembly or cutting head.