Patent Publication Number: US-2011057374-A1

Title: Worktable and Its Mounting Structure

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a worktable for a machine and, in particular, to a worktable including a first platform which can be mounted on a machine through a mounting structure and a second platform made of a material which is characterized by a superior ability to remain flat and to resist against any intrinsic and extrinsic deformation, and which cooperates with the first platform to from a surface such that a workpiece moved thereon can be manufactured precisely. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, machines and, particularly woodworking machines, have their worktables made of cast iron. Additionally, the woodworking machine would generally utilize a protractor to assist aligning workpieces precisely, and the worktable generally includes a slot in which the protractor is slidably installed. However, it is often encountered that the protractor is not working effectively, and the cause of the problem appears to be that the cast iron made worktable is liable to suffer thermal expansion and contraction. 
     The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, a worktable includes a first platform including a plurality of channels and of that each is formed adjacent to a lateral peripheral edge thereof. The first platform includes a first top side from which each of the plurality of channels is recessed. In addition, each of the plurality of channels defines a base side and a lateral side extending from the first top side and base side. The worktable further includes at least one second platform including a lateral peripheral edge contacting with the lateral peripheral edge of the first platform. The lateral edge of the second platform, and the base side and lateral side of the associated channel cooperates to from a passage which has an opening being level and between the first and second top sides. 
     It is an object of the present invention that the first platform saves manufacturing connections on the at least one second platform which are used to connect the at least one second platform with the machine 
     It is another object of the present invention that the first top side and second top side cooperating together to form a flat and flush surface on which a workpiece is moved during its manufacture thereof. 
     Other objects, advantages, and new features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanied drawings 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a worktable and its mounting structure in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, and with the worktable mounted on a machine. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the worktable and its mounting structure embodying the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is another exploded perspective view of the worktable and its mounting structure embodying the present invention taken from a different angle of view. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the worktable and its mounting structure embodying the present invention taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the worktable and its mounting structure embodying the present invention taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a partial, enlarged view of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a partial, enlarged view of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  is a partial, enlarged view of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a joining device used on the mounting structure embodying the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view illustrating assembly of the worktable embodying the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the worktable and its mounting structure embodying the present invention taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is a partial, enlarged view of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a worktable and its mounting structure in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is another exploded perspective view of the worktable and its mounting structure embodying the second embodiment of the present invention taken from a different angle of view. 
         FIG. 15  is a partial, enlarge view of the worktable and its mounting structure embodying the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the  FIGS. 1 through 12 , a worktable in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention includes a first platform  10 , a mounting structure  91  fixed to the first platform  10  so as to mount the first platform  10  on a pedestal  90  for a machine securely. For easy connection with the mounting structure and manufacture, the first platform  10  is made of metal. 
     The worktable further includes two second platforms  20  detachably joined to a lateral peripheral edge  12  of the first platform  10  such that the first platform  10  is disposed between the two second platforms  20 . Each second platform  20  includes a lateral peripheral edge  22  contacting with the lateral edge  12  of the first platform  10  after the first  10  and second  20  platforms are joined one another. Additionally, each second platform  20  is made of granite. 
     The first platform  10  includes a first top side  11  and each second platform  20  includes a second top side  21  cooperating with the fist top side  11  to form a flat and flush surface such that the flat surface on which a workpiece is moved during its manufacture thereof and the workpiece can be manufactured precisely. 
     Basically, each of the granite made second platforms  20  has a superior ability to remain flat and to resist against any intrinsic and extrinsic deformation because granite has hardness of 5-7 according to Moh&#39;s hardness, which is 8 times higher than steel, and 2.5 times higher than cast steel, and is not susceptible to erosion caused by acid, and can sustain at least the pressure of 2000 thousand gram per square millimeter. In addition, granite is insulated from magnetic forces, and is not sticky to foreign matters, as well as is resistant to intrinsic deformation caused by temperature and humidity changes, and is able to be maintained and cleaned easily. In this regard, since it is difficult and is costly to manufacture granite made second platforms  20 , the applicant of the present invention has avoided manufacturing the second platforms  20  as much as possible, and components such as a plurality of channels  13 , and a cavity for receiving a seat  14  for a cutting blade are manufactured on the first platform  10 . Furthermore, the second top side  21  of each second platform  20  has a cross-sectional area being larger than a cross-sectional area of the first top side  11  of the first platform  10  so as to make full use of granite made second platforms  20 . 
     The first platform  10  also includes a plurality of first joints  15  utilized for fixing it to the mounting structure  91 . The mounting structure  91  includes two opposing sides including a first side and a second side and of that one of the first and second sides is utilized to connect to the pedestal  90 , thereby fixing the mounting structure  91  on the pedestal  90 . The mounting structure  91  further includes a plurality of first apertures extending through the first and second sides, and when it is fixed to the first platform  10 , the plurality of joints  15  on the first platform  10  are disposed correspondingly to the plurality of first apertures, respectively. Further, a plurality of first fasteners  16  are utilized to connect the fist platform  10  to the mounting structure  90 , and each first fastener  16  is partially disposed in one first aperture and is partially disposed in one first joint  15  thereafter. Preferably, each first fastener  16  is installed by inserting through the associated first aperture and is fixed in the associated first joint  15 . Preferably, each first fastener  16  includes a threaded section and the associated first joint  15  includes a threaded section that the threaded section of the first fastener  16  can engage, thereby fixing the first fastener  16  in the first joint  15 . Further, a plurality of spacers may be disposed between the first platform  10  and the mounting structure  91  to ensure secure engagement therebetween. Moreover, each spacer is inserted by one first fastener  16 . 
     As to the plurality of channels  13 , each channel  13  is formed adjacent to the lateral peripheral edge  12  of the first platform  10  and extends therealong. Each channel  13  is also recessed from the first top side  11  of the first platform  10  so it includes a base side spaced from a bottom side of the first platform  10  at a first distance, and the first distance is smaller than a second distance measured between the first top side  11  and the bottom side of the first platform  10 . In this regard, each channel  13  includes a lateral side extending from the first top side  11  of the first platform  10  to the base side. Furthermore, each channel  13  includes a ridge  131  extending from the lateral side thereof. However, it is understood the ridge  131  of each channel  13  can extend from one of the lateral side of each of the plurality of channels  13  and the lateral edge of the associated second platform  20 . In addition, the ridge  131  is spaced from the base side and doesn&#39;t protrude over the first top side  11 . Preferably, each ridge  131  has its most upper side being flush with the first top side  11  and second top side  21 . 
     Further, since the second platform  20  that is joined to the first platform  10  has its lateral peripheral edge  22  contacting with the lateral peripheral edges  12  of the first platform  10 , so the lateral edge  22  of the second platform  20 , and the base side and lateral side of the associated channel  13  would cooperate to from a passage with an opening which is level and between the first  11  and second  21  top sides, and the opening has a width delimited by a distance between the ridge  131  formed on the first platform  10  and the second top side  21  of the second platform  20 . 
     Furthermore, a protractor  30  is adapted to be disposed in one of the plurality of channels  13 . The protractor  30  includes a mounting member  31  engaged in the channel  13 . The mounting member  31  also includes two opposing sides including an upper side and a lower side and a roller  33  fixed on the lower side thereof by an axle  32 . Additionally, the roller  33  has a diametrical size larger than the width of the opening of the associated channel  13 . 
     As to the axle  32 , the axle  32  includes a body inserting through an orifice formed in the roller  33  and engaging in the mounting member  31  such that the roller  33  is pivotal with respect to the body. The axle  32  further includes a head formed on the body, and which includes a diametrical size larger than a diametrical size of the orifice of the roller  33 , thereby retaining the roller  33  between the head of the axle  32  and the lower side of the mounting member  31 . Furthermore, the roller  33  includes an inner peripheral edge spacing from the axle  32  by a gap  34  so as to allow it to move and be limited by the head of the axle  32 . Specifically, the roller  33  has an outer peripheral edge urged by the lateral peripheral edge  22  of the second platform  20  associated with the channel  13  in which the mounting member  31  of the protractor  30  is disposed, and the roller  33  has a portion of its outer peripheral edge disposed between the ridge  131  and base side of the channel  13  so as to prevent the protractor  30  from unintended disengagement from the channel  13 , as shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  also shows that roller  33  includes its outer peripheral edge urged by the lateral edge  22  of the second platform  20  on the right, and the second platform  20  is disposed on the right of the first platform  10 . Likewise, if the protractor  30  is disposed in the channel  13  that cooperates with the platform  20  disposed on the left of the first platform  10 , the roller  33  would have its outer peripheral edge urged by the lateral edge  22  of the second platform  20  on the left. 
     In addition, in order to prevent the second platforms  20  from disengagement from the first platform  10  each second platform  20  includes a bottom side fixed to the mounting structure  91 . Further, a plurality of orifices  23  are recessed from the bottom side of each second platform  20 . Preferably, the plurality of orifices  23  in each second platform  20  are disposed adjacent to its lateral peripheral edge  22  with which the lateral peripheral edge  12  of the first platform  10  contacts upon engagement of the first platform  10  and this second platform  20 . The mounting structure  91  also includes a plurality of second apertures extending through the first and second sides, and when the second platforms  20  are fixed to the mounting structure  91 , the plurality of orifices  23  in the second platforms  20  are disposed correspondingly to the plurality of second apertures, respectively. Additionally, a plurality of engaging device  50  and second fasteners  24  cooperated therewith are utilized to connect the second platforms  20  to the mounting structure  90 , and each engaging device  50  is disposed in one orifice  23  and is prevented from disengagement therefrom while the associated second fastener  24  is partially disposed in the engaging device  50  and is partially disposed in one second aperture thereafter. 
     Each engaging device  50  includes a body  51  including a proximal end  511  and a distal end  512 , a hole  515  extending from the proximal end  511  to distal end  512 , and a plurality of slots  513  each extending along the body  51  and formed on the proximal end  511  thereof. In addition, each slot  513  extends diametrically from one point on its outer periphery to another point and across the hole  512  such that the hole  512  is connected with and is in communication with each slot  513 . Each engaging device  50  further includes a pressing member  52  disposed in the hole  515  to expand the proximal end  511  of the body  51  such that the body  51  has its outer periphery abutting against a circumferential wall of the associated orifice  23 , thereby tight-engaging and retaining the body  51  in the orifice  23 . Each engaging device  50  also includes a pushing member  53  disposed in the hole  515  to urge the pressing member  52  towards the proximal end  511  of the body  51  until the body  51  is tight-engaged in the orifice  23 . 
     Preferably, the hole  515  in the body  51  has a threaded section formed thereon and the pushing member  53  has a threaded section that the threaded section of the body  51  can engage, thereby retaining the pushing member  53  in the hole  515 . 
     Preferably, the second fastener  24  that cooperates with the engaging device  50  includes a shank with a threaded section. Additionally, the shank is inserted through the mounting structure  91 . Moreover, the threaded section on the shank of the second fastener  24  can be engaged with the threaded section of the body  51 , thereby fixing the associated second platform  20  on the mounting structure  91 . 
     Preferably, the mounting structure  91  includes a plurality of couplers and adjusters cooperated therewith mounted thereon and inserted by the plurality of second fasteners  24 , respectively. Further, each adjuster is moveable relative to the associated coupler so as to make the associated second platform  20  including its second top side  22  being level with the first top side  11  of the first platform  10 . 
     In addition, the body  51  of each engaging device  50  may include a groove  514  recessed from its outer periphery edge and extending annularly therealong, and a clip  54  is engaged in the groove  514 . Furthermore, each orifice  23  may include a recess  231  extending annularly from its circumferential wall. In this regard, when each engaging device  50  is disposed in one orifice  23 , the clip  54  on the associated body  51  is partially engaged in the groove  514  and is partially engaged in the recess  231  of the associated orifice  23 , thereby preventing the engaging device  50  disengaging from the orifice  23 . Preferably, the clip  54  includes a plurality of locking sections  541  extending radially outwardly from its outer circumferential wall so as to increase its structural area engaged in the associated recess  231 , thereby preventing the clip  54  from disengaging from the recess  231  accidentally. 
     Further, a track mechanism  40  for a fence which is a common component on a machine as guiding apparatuses is adapted to be mounted on the worktable of the present invention. The fencing device  40  includes a plurality of tracks including a first track  41  and a second track  42 . Furthermore, the first platform  10  includes a portion of its lateral peripheral edge  12  cooperating with a portion of the lateral peripheral edge  22  of one second platform  20  and a portion of the lateral peripheral edge  22  of the other second platform  20  to form a first side on which the first track  41  is mounted. Preferably, the first side is straight and flat. Likewise, the first platform  10  includes another portion of its lateral peripheral edge  12  cooperating with another portion of the lateral peripheral edge  22  of one second platform  20  and another portion of the lateral peripheral edge  22  of the other second platform  20  to form a second side on which the second track  42  is mounted. Preferably, the second side is straight and flat. Additionally, the first platform  10  includes a plurality of second joints  17  utilized for fixing it to the first  41  and second  42  tracks. Both the first and second sides have second joints  17  extending therefrom. Further, a plurality of third fasteners  43  are utilized connect the first  41  and second  42  tracks to the first platform  10 , and each third fastener  43  is partially disposed in one second joint  17  and is partially disposed in the associated one of the first  41  and second  42  tracks thereafter. 
     Preferably, each third fastener  43  is installed by inserting through the selected one of the first  41  and second  42  tracks and is fixed in the associated second joint  17 . Preferably, each third fastener  43  includes a threaded section and the associated second joint  17  includes a threaded section that the threaded section of the second fastener  17  can engage, thereby fixing the third fastener  43  in the first joint  17 . 
     In addition, in order to fix the track mechanism  40  to the second platforms  20  both the first and second sides include a plurality of orifices  25  recessed therefrom and each orifice  25  includes one engaging device  50  disposed therein, and a fourth fasteners  44  is cooperated with one engaging device  50  to connect the track mechanism  40  to the second platforms  20 . Likewise, the engaging devices  50  that are disposed in the respective orifices  25  are prevented from disengagement therefrom. Furthermore, each fourth fastener  44  is partially disposed in the engaging device  50  and is partially disposed in the associated one of the first  41  and second  42  tracks thereafter. 
     Preferably, the fourth fastener  44  that cooperates with the engaging device  50  includes a shank with a threaded section. Additionally, the shank is inserted through associated one of the first  41  and second  42  tracks. Moreover, the threaded section on the shank of the fourth fastener  44  can be engaged with the threaded section of the body  51 , thereby fixing the track mechanism  40  to the second platforms  20 . 
     Likewise, each orifice  25  may include a recess  251  extending annularly from its circumferential wall. In this regard, when each engaging device  50  is disposed in one orifice  25 , the clip  54  on the associated body  51  is partially engaged in the groove  514  and is partially engaged in the recess  251  of the associated orifice  25 , thereby preventing the engaging device  50  disengaging from the orifice  25 . 
     Referring to the  FIGS. 13 through 15 , a worktable in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention differentiates from the first embodiment in that it utilize a different way to fix second platforms  20 A to the mounting structure  91 . In this embodiment, each second platform  20 A includes a plurality of orifices  23 A recessed from its bottom side. Instead of engaging devices  50 , each orifice  23 A includes a magnetic member  60  disposed therein. Additionally, each second fastener  24  is substituted by a second fastener  24 A to cooperate with one magnetic member  60 . In this regard, each second platform  20 A is mounted to the mounting structure  91  by magnetic attraction between the associated magnetic members  60  and second fasteners  24 A. 
     While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of invention, and the scope of invention is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.