Patent Publication Number: US-2003233925-A1

Title: Multi-function woodworking adapter

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] This invention relates to multi-functional woodworking and more particularly to handheld power tools.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Guides for portable, handheld power tools, such as routers, jig saws and circular saws are well known in the prior art. The use of power tool guides are essential to the accurate grooving, cutting and drilling of materials, such as plywood, plaster board, particle board and composite board and the like. Portable handheld power tools cannot normally be used for precision cabinetry, carpentry or wood working because of their design limitations. For example, circular saws are capable of making many types of cuts in many types of materials are difficult to use to make a straight and accurate cut without the use of a guide.  
       [0003] Typical power tool guides have significant shortcomings and limitations in their operation. Separate types of power tool guides are required for different power tools, such as a circular saw, jig saw, router, planer, sander, etc. Power tool guides are not easily extendable, with their range limited to their size. Power tool guides are typically large in size (i.e. width), and unwieldy, making them hard to transport. Most power tool guides require an off-set measurement and an off-set measurement device simply to produce an accurate cut line, making the device labor intensive, and inaccurate.  
       [0004] There are many types of power tool guides. A portable guide, for use with a circular saw or router to assist in making straight cuts or grooves within panels or sheets by moving the power tool along a straight edged guide bar, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,309 issued to Molburg. Clamp assemblies secure the portable guide to the material and support the material by clamping on both sides of the cut line. Power tool guides that support a circular saw on a guide bar or extension, such that the saw rests on a surface of the guide bar during the cutting rather than on the material are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,869,951; 3,983,776; 4,050,340; 4,660,450; 5,427,006; and 5,472,029. The circular saw is cradled and held in a channel between tracking-type members to prevent lateral movement. Power tool guides that use a rigid frame member which mount to a bench or worktable are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,016,649; 4,945,799 and 4,995,285. The rigid frame has a plate to attach the circular saw to. The attached saw then slides along a cut line. Another power tool guide for a circular saw is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,114 issued to Pennington. The power tool guide has a tracking guide bar and an integral clamp secured to the guide bar for aligning the guide bar to the work piece.  
       [0005] Therefore, there is a need for a power tool guide which functions with a variety of handheld power tools, is extendable in length of material, does not require complex offset measurements and is easily transported.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006] The present invention is an adapter for a multi-functional woodworking guide adapted for guiding interchangeable handheld power tools. One aspect of the present invention is that the adapters can be used simultaneously. Another aspect of the present invention is that the cut line can be set without the necessity of the need for offset measurements.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0007] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained from consideration of the following description with the drawings in which:  
     [0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a universal guide assembly with a first working surface configuration of a guide plate;  
     [0009]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the universal guide assembly of FIG. 1, with a second working surface configuration of the guide plate;  
     [0010]FIG. 3 a  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the universal guide assembly of FIG. 1 taken along section line  3   a - 3   a , showing the insertion of a slide bar within a tracking channel of the guide plate;  
     [0011]FIG. 3 b  is a cross-sectional view of the guide plate of FIG. 3 a , showing the alignment of the slide bar with the tracking channel positioned by a setscrew;  
     [0012]FIG. 4 a  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the universal guide assembly of FIG. 1 taken along section line  4   a - 4   a , showing the insertion of an alternate slide bar within the tracking channel of the guide plate;  
     [0013]FIG. 4 b  is a cross-sectional view of the guide plate of FIG. 4 a , showing the alignment of the alternate slide bar within the tracking channel positioned by a spring-loaded ball member;  
     [0014]FIG. 5 a  is a top view of a pair of guide plate of FIG. 1 being readied for assembly;  
     [0015]FIG. 5 b  is a top view of the two guide plates of FIG. 1 being joined and connected by slide bars within the adjoining tracking channels of each of the first working surface configurations of each guide plate;  
     [0016]FIG. 5 c  is a top view of the two guide plates of FIG. 2 being joined and connected by slide bars within one of the adjoining tracking channels of each of the second working surface configurations of each guide plate;  
     [0017]FIG. 6 a  is a perspective view of a connecting spline utilized in the assembly of the two guide plates of FIG. 5 b;    
     [0018]FIG. 6 b  is a perspective view of the connecting spline within the assembled pair of guide plates of FIG. 6 a;    
     [0019]FIG. 6 c  is a cross-sectional view of the assembled pair of guide plates utilizing the connecting spline of FIG. 6 b  taken along section line  6   c - 6   c;    
     [0020]FIG. 7 a  is a perspective view of a quick release clamp utilized in the holding of the universal guide assembly of FIG. 1;  
     [0021]FIG. 7 b  is a perspective view of the quick release clamp of FIG. 7 a  inserted within the tracking channel of the guide plate of FIG. 1;  
     [0022]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a side clamp assembly used with the universal guide assembly of FIG. 1;  
     [0023]FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the side clamp assembly of FIG. 8;  
     [0024]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the side clamp assembly of FIG. 1;  
     [0025]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the side clamp assembly of FIG. 8 showing the attachment of the guide plate of FIG. 2;  
     [0026]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a universal guide assembly with a first working surface configuration of an alternate guide plate;  
     [0027]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the universal guide assembly of FIG. 12, with a second working surface configuration of the alternate guide plate;  
     [0028]FIG. 14 a  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the universal guide assembly of FIG. 12 taken along section line  14   a - 14   a , showing the insertion of an alternate slide bar within a tracking channel of the alternate guide plate;  
     [0029]FIG. 14 b  is cross-sectional view of the alternate guide plate of FIG. 14 a , showing the alignment of the alternate slide bar within the tracking channel being positioned by a setscrew;  
     [0030]FIG. 15 a  is a perspective view of a router attachment assembly;  
     [0031]FIG. 15 b  is a cross-sectional view of the router attachment assembly of FIG. 15 a , showing the interfit of a sliding router shoe within a flexible attachment arm locked in place by an adjustment knob;  
     [0032]FIG. 16 a  is an exploded perspective view of the router attachment assembly of FIG. 15 a;    
     [0033]FIG. 16 b  is a bottom perspective view of the router attachment assembly of FIG. 16 a , showing the flexible attachment arm only;  
     [0034]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the router attachment assembly in conjunction with the universal guide assembly of FIGS. 2 and 15 a , showing the handheld router in operational use;  
     [0035]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a sander attachment assembly with a handheld portable belt sander;  
     [0036]FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the sander attachment assembly of FIG. 18;  
     [0037]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the sander attachment assembly with the universal guide assembly of FIGS. 2 and 18, showing the belt sander in operational use;  
     [0038]FIG. 21 a  is a perspective view of a saw attachment assembly with a handheld portable circular saw;  
     [0039]FIG. 21 b  is a bottom perspective view of the saw attachment assembly of FIG. 21 a;    
     [0040]FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the saw attachment assembly of FIG. 21 a;    
     [0041]FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the saw attachment assembly with the universal guide assembly of FIGS. 2 and 21 a , showing the circular saw in operational use;  
     [0042]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a jig saw attachment assembly with a handheld portable reciprocating jig saw;  
     [0043]FIG. 25 a  is an exploded perspective view of the jig saw attachment assembly of FIG. 24;  
     [0044]FIG. 25 b  is a bottom perspective view of the jig saw attachment assembly of FIG. 25 a , showing an attachment arm an adapter member only;  
     [0045]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the jig saw attachment with the universal guide assembly of FIGS. 2 and 24, showing the jig saw in operational use;  
     [0046]FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a planer attachment assembly with a handheld portable planer;  
     [0047]FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the planer attachment assembly of FIG. 27; and  
     [0048]FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the planer attachment assembly with the universal guide assembly of FIGS. 1 and 27, showing the planer in operational use.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS  
     [0049] The present invention is a multi-functional woodworking system for guiding interchangeable handheld power tools. One aspect of the present invention is that it is modular and easily extendable in length. Another aspect of the present invention is that the cut line can be set without the necessity of the need for offset measurements.  
     [0050] The multi-functional woodworking system is a portable universal guide assembly for multiple hand held power tools that is extendable with the use of multiple guide plates, side bars and edge bars in order to increase the size of the guide device to any length, thus being capable of cutting, grooving or sanding an unlimited length of material with the use of side extension clamps. The multi-functional woodworking system is compact, portable and easy to transport, as it fits into the back seat or trunk of a car. The multi-functional woodworking system is not easily damaged when dropped or when in use, because of the side edge bars prevent any denting of the side edges of the guide plate.  
     [0051] The multi-functional woodworking system is easy to secure to a work piece (material) by using various integrated clamps (such as side extension clamps and slide under clamps) which do not have to be move when cutting, grooving or sanding the material, wherein the clamps are position relative to the guide plates as not to interfere with any movement of the power tools in the cutting, grooving or sanding of the material.  
     [0052] The multi-functional woodworking system allows for bi-directional of the power tool in either longitudinal direction.  
     [0053] The multi-functional woodworking system includes an integrated measurement system for repeatable and accurate cutting, grooving and drilling with a power tool without using a tape measure or marking the surface of the material.  
     [0054] The multi-functional woodworking system allows accurate and easy positioning to the material (work piece), wherein the cutting line (on the work piece) is at the outer side edge of the guide plate(s). Thus eliminating the need for any off-set measurements or add-on elements for measurements or the time consuming labor required for doing such measurements.  
     [0055] The multi-functional woodworking system is versatile, such that the guide tracking channels can be in a center position or in off-center positions in order to make it easier to connect to multiple power tools without the need for large extension arms. The multi-functional woodworking system allows for the guide plate(s) to function using either of its working surfaces and its edge tracking channels for multiple power tools, such as circular saws, jig saws, routers, belt sanders and planers, as well as other tools, such as a cut-off saw, a grinder, a drill, a sliding square, a sliding level, a tile layout guide and the like.  
     [0056] Referring to FIGS.  1 - 7   b , there is shown a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, multi-functional woodworking system expandable universal guide assembly  10  for use with handheld electrical power tools (e.g., such as circular saws, routers, planers, belt sanders, reciprocating saws, and other hand held tools as well) for cutting all types of materials. As shown in FIGS.  1  to  3   d , the multi-functional woodworking system  10  includes a guide plate  12  made from extruded aluminum, plastic, composite or other suitable materials. In one embodiment, the guide plate  12  is 6 inches in width, 48 inches in length and 0.5 inches in thickness. The guide plate  12  includes a first working surface area  14 , a second working surface area  16 , a front edge  18 , a rear edge  20 , a first perimeter side edge  22  and a second perimeter side edge  24 . The first working surface area  14  of guide plate  12  includes a centrally positioned first T-shaped track  26  extending from the front edge  18  to the rear edge  20 , along the longitudinal length of guide plate  12 . The T-shaped track  26  includes a pair of chamfered/beveled wall surfaces  28   a ,  28   b , a plurality of vertically aligned, interior sidewall surfaces  30   a ,  30   b ,  32   a  and  32   b , and an interior base wall surface  34  for forming an interior T-shaped tracking channel  36 . The first working surface area  14  of guide plate  12  also includes relief elements  38  for the deposit of sawdust, metal filings and the like, in order to not create friction with regard to the guide plate  12 .  
     [0057] Referring again to FIGS.  1  to  3   d , the second working surface area  16  includes a second T-shaped track  40  being positioned and adjacent to the first perimeter side edge  22  and is extending from the front edge  18  to the rear edge  20 , along the longitudinal length of guide plate  12 . The substantially second T-shaped track  40  includes a pair of chamfered/beveled wall surfaces  42   a ,  42   b , a plurality of vertically aligned, interior sidewall surfaces  44   a ,  44   b ,  46   a  and  46   b , and an interior base wall surface  48  for forming an interior T-shaped tracking channel  50 . The second working surface area  16  also includes a third T-shaped track  52  being positioned and adjacent to the second perimeter side edge  24  and is extending from the front edge  18  to the rear edge  20 , along the longitudinal length of guide plate  12 . The third T-shaped track  52  also includes a pair of chamfered/beveled wall surfaces  54   a ,  54   b , vertically aligned, interior sidewall surfaces  56   a ,  56   b ,  58   a  and  58   b , and an interior base wall surface  60  for forming an interior T-shaped tracking channel  62 . The second working surface area  16  further includes relief elements  64  for the collection of sawdust, metal filings and the like.  
     [0058] With reference to FIGS.  1  to  3   d , the first perimeter side edge  22  includes a centrally positioned first sidetrack  66  extending from the front edge  18  to the rear edge  20 , along the longitudinal length of guide plate  12 . The first sidetrack  66  includes an interior square-shaped tracking channel  68 . The second perimeter edge side  24  also includes a centrally positioned second sidetrack  70  extending from the front edge  18  to the rear edge  20 , along the longitudinal length of guide plate  12 . The second sidetrack  70  also includes an interior square-shaped tracking channel  72 .  
     [0059] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2,  3   a  to  3   d , the tracking channels  36 ,  50  and  62  for tracks  26 ,  40  and  52 , respectively, are used for receiving one or more substantially I-shaped slide bars  74  therethrough. Slide bars  74  are made of extruded aluminum or other composite materials and have lengths of 24 inches or 48 inches . Each slide bar  74  includes an upper wall  76  having an upper surface  77 , a lower base wall  78  having a lower surface  79 , opposing end surfaces  80  and  82  and an integrally connected column  84  between the upper and lower walls  76  and  78 . The column  84  includes opposing chamfered/beveled wall surfaces  86   a ,  86   b  integrally attached thereto. Each slide bar  74  includes two or more setscrew openings  88   a ,  88   b ,  88   c  or  88   d  (depending upon the length of slide bar  74 ) for receiving a setscrew  90 . Each setscrew opening  88   a ,  88   b ,  88   c  and  88   d  includes a counter-sink groove  92 . Each of the setscrew openings  88   a  to  88   d  extend from the upper surface  77  to the lower base surface  79 . Each of the setscrews  90  are of sufficient length, such that each end tip  94  of the setscrew  90  is set off from the interior base wall surfaces  34 ,  48  or  60  of tracking channels  36 ,  50  or  62 , respectively, as depicted in FIG. 3 b . The slide bar(s)  74  self-aligned within any one of the tracking channels  36 ,  50  or  62 , wherein the slide bar(s)  74  interact with the handheld power tools.  
     [0060] Referring to FIGS. 3 c  and  3   d , the slide bar  74 ′ has an alternate self-alignment mechanism, each of the slide bars  74 ′ include a spring-loaded ball member  96  having an end contact point  98 , with the spring-loaded ball member  96  being located on the lower base wall surface  78 ′. Two or more of the spring-loaded ball members  96  are spaced apart (depending upon the length of slide bar  74 ′) along the 24 inch or 48 inch length of slide bar  74 ′. Each of the spring-loaded ball members  96  are of a sufficient spring force, such that each end contact point  98  of the spring-loaded ball member is set off from the interior base wall surfaces  34 ,  48  or  60  of tracking channels  36 ,  50  or  62 , respectively, as depicted in FIG. 3 d . Thus, the slide bar(s)  74 ′ also become self-aligned within any one of the tracking channels  36 ,  50  or  62 , wherein the slide bar(s)  74 ′ will interact with the handheld power tools.  
     [0061] Referring to FIGS.  1  to  3   d  once again, the square-shaped tracking channels  68  and  72  for tracks  66  and  70 , respectively, are used for receiving one or more substantially I-shaped positioning edge bar(s)  100  therethrough. The positioning edge bars  100  are made of wood, plastic or other suitable materials and have lengths of 24 inches or 48 inches. Each edge bar  100  includes an outer wall  102 , an inner wall  104 , opposing end wall surfaces  106 ,  108 , and an integrally connected column  110  between the outer and inner walls  102  and  104 . The edge bar  100  is used for the positioning extension and protection of the guide plate  12 . By using the edge bar  100 , the positioning line and cutting line are the same, thus eliminating the offset measurements. Another use for tracking channels  68 ,  72  is to receive an optional side clamp assembly.  
     [0062]FIGS. 5 a ,  5   b  and  5   c  show the steps for connecting two guide plates  12  and  12 ′ together, using multiple slide bars  74   a ,  74   b  and  74   c  of various lengths (1-48 inch slide bar  74   a  and 2-24 inch slide bars  74   b  and  74   c ), as well as using multiple positioning edge bars  100   a ,  100   b  and  100   c  (1-48 inch edge bar  100   a  and 2-24 inch edge bars  100   b  and  100   c )(see FIG. 5 a ).  
     [0063]FIG. 5 b  shows the expandability and the connecting of guide plates  12  and  12 ′ together using slide bars  74   b ,  74   a  and  74   c  within the center tracking channel  36  on the working surfaces  14  and  14 ′ of guide plates  12  and  12 ′, respectively. Each of the slide bars  74   b ,  74   a  and  74   c  are held in position by setscrews  90  within screw openings  88   a ,  88   b ,  88   c  and  88   d  accordingly.  
     [0064]FIG. 5 c  shows the expandability and the connecting of guide plates  12  and  12 ′ together using slide bars  74   b ,  74   a  and  74   c  within one of non-centered tracking channels  50  or  62  on the working surface  16  and  16 ′ of guide plates  12  and  12 ′, respectively. Each of the slide bars  74   b ,  74   a  and  74   c  are also held in position by setscrews  90  within screw openings  88   a ,  88   b ,  88   c  and  88   d  accordingly.  
     [0065] Referring now to FIGS. 6 a ,  6   b  and  6   c , there is shown an optional, self-aligned connecting spline member  112  for connecting two guide plates  12  and  12 ′ together in which to prevent any lateral flexing or movement of the two assembled guide plates  12  and  12 ′ (see FIG. 6 b ). The connecting spline member  112  is received within one of the paired tracking channels  36 ,  36 ′ or  50 ,  50 ′ or  62 ,  62 ′, such that a portion of the inverted T-shaped spline member  112  is within each tracking channel  36 ,  36 ′ or  50 ,  50 ′ or  62 ,  62 ′. The connecting spline member  112  is always attached to the opposing working side  14  or  16  of where the slide bars  74  and  74 ′ are being used. The connecting spline member  112  is made of steel, aluminum or other composite materials and has a length of 12 inches. The spline member  112  includes an upper wall  114  having an upper surface  116 , a lower base wall  118  having a lower base surface  120 , and opposing end surfaces  122  and  124 . The lower base wall  118  includes opposing chamfered/beveled wall surfaces  126   a  and  126   b  for self-centering action thereto (see FIG. 6 a ). The connecting spline member  112  includes a plurality of setscrew openings  128   a ,  128   b ,  128   c  and  128   d  for receiving a setscrew  130  therein. Each setscrew opening  128   a  to  128   d  includes a counter-sink groove  132  therein. Each of the setscrew openings  128   a  to  128   d  extend from the upper surface  116  to the lower base surface  120 . Each of the setscrews  130  are of sufficient length, such that each end tip  134  of setscrew  130  is set off from the interior base wall surfaces  34 ,  48  or  60  of tracking channels  36 ,  50  or  62 , respectively, as shown in FIG. 6 c . The connecting spline member  112  becomes self-aligned and a rigid support within any one of the tracking channels  36 ,  36 ′ or  50 ,  50 ′ or  62 ,  62 ′ of guide plates  12 ,  12 ′, respectively, in order to prevent the lateral flexing of the connected guide plates  12  and  12 ′ (see FIG. 6 b ).  
     [0066] Referring to FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b , there is shown a slide under clamp  136  for holding in position one or more guide plates  12 ,  12 ′ to a work table  138 . The clamp  136  includes a slide member  140  having an upper wall surface  142  and a lower wall surface  144 , a height adjustment bar  146 , a clamping bar  148 , and a clamping post  150 . The adjustment bar  142  is integrally connected to the lower wall surface  144  of slide member  140 . The clamping bar  148  includes a first end  152  having a rectangular opening  154  for receiving the height adjustment bar  146  therein. The clamping bar  148  further includes a second end  156  having a circular opening  158  for receiving a threaded clamping adjustment rod  160  of the clamping post  150  therein. The clamping post  150  also includes an adjustment knob  162  at one end  164  and a clamping member  166  at the other end  168 . In operation, the upper wall surface  142  of slide member  140  is in contact with the interior base wall surfaces  34 ,  48  or  60  of tracking channels  36 ,  50  or  62 , respectively, depending upon which work surface  14  or  16  of guide plate  12  is not being used, as depicted in FIG. 7 b . The clamping member  166  of clamping post  150  is in contact with an underside  170  of work table  138  which allows for the slide under clamp  136  to be positioned for holding the guide plate  12  in place.  
     [0067] Referring to FIGS.  8  to  11 , there is shown an optional side extension clamp assembly  180  for use with one or more guide plates  12 ,  12 ′ for repetitive cutting of the same width/length of the work material (e.g., plywood). In operation, at least two ( 2 ) side clamp assemblies  180 ,  180 ′ would be used in conjunction with guide plates  12 ,  12 ′, respectively, as depicted in FIG. 11. The side clamp assembly  180  includes a slide plate  182  having a proximal end  184  and a distal end  186 . The slide plate  182  includes a top wall surface  188 , a bottom wall surface  190 , perimeter sides  192 ,  194 , a proximal end wall surface  196  and a distal end wall surface  198 . The proximal end wall surface  196  includes an integrally attached insertion member  200  having a substantially square-shaped tab insert  202  thereon. The tab insert  202  of insertion member  200  is received within one of the square-shaped tracking channels  68 ,  68 ′ of  72 ,  72 ′ of guide plates  12 ,  12 ′.  
     [0068] Referring again to FIGS.  8  to  11 , the top surface  188  includes a first thin, flat elongated metal strip  204  having a top wall surface  206  extending from the proximal end  184  to the distal end  186 , along the longitudinal length of slide plate  182  and being adjacent to the perimeter side  192 . The metal strip  204  includes measurement indicia  208  along the length of the top surface  206  of metal strip  204 , as shown in FIG. 8. The top wall surface  188  also includes a second thin, flat elongated metal strip  210  having a top wall surface  212  extending from the proximal end  184  to the distal end  186 , along the longitudinal length of side plate  182  and being adjacent to the perimeter side  184 . Each of the top surfaces  206 ,  212  of metal strips  204 ,  210 , respectively, are in the same plane. The top wall surface  188  of slide plate  182  further includes an elongated recessed opening  214  being centrally positioned along the longitudinal axis of slide plate  182 , extending from the proximal end  184  to the distal end  186  of slide plate  182  (see FIGS. 8 and 9).  
     [0069] Referring now the FIG. 9, the bottom wall surface  190  includes a substantially elongated oval-shaped recess  216  having interior sidewall surfaces  218 ,  220 , curved end wall surfaces  222 ,  224  and a base wall surface  226 . The oval-shaped recess  216  is centrally positioned along the longitudinal axis of slide plate  182 , extending from the proximal end  184  to the distal end  186  of slide plate  182 . The base wall surface  226  includes the elongated opening  214  therethrough being centrally positioned on the base wall surface  226  (see FIG. 9), along the longitudinal axis of slide plate  182 .  
     [0070] Referring once again to FIGS.  8  to  11 , the side clamp assembly  180  includes a dual-action clamping array  228 . The dual action clamping array  228  includes an upper knob  230  having a threaded opening  232  therein, an indicator plate  234  having a pair of vertically aligned and centrally positioned insert tabs  236   a ,  236   b  and a centrally positioned mounting opening  238 , a bottom oval-shape slide cam  240  having a threaded opening  242  therein, an L-shaped clamping block  244  having a threaded opening  246  therein, a lower knob  248  having a threaded opening  250  therein and a threaded rod  252 . The threaded rod  252  is received within openings  232 ,  238 ,  214 ,  242 ,  246 , and  250 , of the upper knob  230 , the indicator plate  234 , the slide plate  182 , the bottom slide cam  240 , the clamping block  244  and the lower knob  248 , respectively, as depicted in FIG. 10. The upper knob  230  includes a stem section  254  having a base wall surface  256 . The indicator plate  234  includes a top wall surface  258 , a bottom wall surface  260  and a pair of indicator points  262   a  and  262   b . When assembled, the upper knob  230  is tightened, such that the base wall surface  256  of knob  230  is in contact with the top wall surface  258  of indicator plate  234  and the bottom wall surface  260  of indicator plate  234  is in contact with the top wall surfaces  206 ,  212  of metal strips  204 ,  210 , respectively, and wherein the indicator point  262   a  is pointing to a particular indicia measurement  208 . The bottom slide cam  240  includes a top wall surface  264  and a bottom wall surface  266 . The L-shaped clamping block  244  includes an upper wall surface  268 , a lower wall surface  270 , a front wall surface  272 , a rear wall surface  274 , an interior (vertically aligned) wall surface  276 , an interior (horizontally aligned) wall surface  278  and sidewall surfaces  280 ,  282 . The lower knob  248  includes a stem section  284  having a base wall surface  286 . When assembled, the lower knob  248  is tightened, such that the base wall surface  286  of lower knob  248  is in contact with the lower wall surface  270  of clamping block  244 , and the upper wall surface  268  of clamping block  244  is in contact with the bottom wall surface  266  of slide cam  240 , as well as the bottom wall surface  190  of slide plate  182 . The bottom wall surface  266  and  190  of slide cam  240  and slide plate  182 , respectively, are in the same horizontal plane, as depicted in FIG. 9. The top wall surface  264  of slide cam  240  is in contact with the base wall surface  226  of the oval-shaped recess  216 , such that slide cam  240  slides along the base wall surface  226  of the recess  216  prior to the final clamping adjustment.  
     [0071] In operation, the side clamp assembly  180  is attached to the guide plate  12  as shown in FIG. 11. The operator&#39;s initial step is the insertion of the square-shaped tab insert  202  of insertion member  200  within the square-shaped tracking channel  68  at a particular depth (depending upon the size of the work piece). The operator then adjusts the upper knob  230  in a lateral movement to a particular measurement setting  208  via the indicator point  262   a  of indicator plate  234 , when then the upper knob  230  is tightened. The operator then adjusts the lower knob  248 , such that the interior wall surfaces  276 ,  278  are aligned and in contact with a side edge  288  and a bottom wall surface  290  of a work piece  292  (e.g., plywood). This completes the clamping process of the first side clamp assembly  180 , where then the clamping procedure for the second side clamp assembly  180 ′ is exactly the same as the clamping procedure of the first side clamp assembly  180 , as shown in FIG. 11.  
     [0072] Even with the use of only one (section of) guide plate  12  and two (2) side extension clamp assemblies  180 ,  180 ′, the user can achieve cuts of any length of the work piece material  292  (being greater than the length of the single guide plate  12 ) by sliding the guide plate  12  relative to an uncut section of material and repositioning one of the side extension clamp assemblies  180  to the uncut section of material.  
     [0073] A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.  12  to  14   b . Elements illustrated in FIGS.  12  to  14   b  which correspond to the elements described above with reference to FIGS.  1  to  3   b  have been designated by corresponding reference numbers increased by one thousand. The second embodiment is constructed and operates in the same manner as the first embodiment 10, unless it is otherwise stated.  
     [0074] With reference to FIGS.  12  to  14   b , there is shown an expandable universal guide assembly  1000  for use with handheld, portable power tools. The universal guide assembly  1000  includes a guide plate  1012  made from extruded aluminum, durable plastic or other composite materials having general dimensions of 6 inches in width, 48 inches in length and 0.5 inches in thickness. The guide plate  1012  includes a first working surface area  1014 , a second working surface area  1016 , a front edge  1018 , a rear edge  1020 , a first perimeter side edge  1022  and a second perimeter side edge  1024 . The first working surface area  1014  of guide plate  1012  includes a centrally positioned first T-shaped track  1026  extending from the front edge  1018  to the rear edge  1020 , along the longitudinal length of guide plate  1012 . The first T-shaped track  1026  includes a pair of V-notched grooves  1302   a ,  1302   b , a plurality of vertically aligned, interior sidewall surfaces  1030   a ,  1030   b ,  1032   a  and  1032   b  and an interior base wall surface  1034  having a pair of centrally positioned peak-shaped ribs  1304   a ,  1304   b  thereon for forming an interior T-shaped tracking channel  1036 . The peak-shaped ribs  1304   a ,  1304   b  are used for strengthening and self-centering of the slide bar  1074  (to be discussed hereinafter). The first working surface area  1014  of guide plate  1012  also includes a plurality of relief elements  1038  for the deposit of sawdust, metal filings and the like, in order to not create a friction problem when the guide plate  1012  is in operation.  
     [0075] Referring again to FIGS.  12  to  14   b , the second working surface area  1016  includes a second T-shaped track  1040  being positioned and adjacent to the first perimeter side edge  1022  and is extending from the front edge  1018  to the rear edge  1020 , along the longitudinal length of guide plate  1012 . The second T-shaped track  1040  includes a pair of V-notched grooves  1306   a ,  1306   b , vertically aligned, interior sidewall surfaces  1044   a ,  1044   b ,  1046   a  and  1046   b , and an interior base wall surface  1048  having a pair of centrally positioned peak-shaped ribs  1308   a ,  1308   b  thereon for forming an interior T-shaped tracking channel  1050 . The second working surface area  1016  also includes a third T-shaped track  1052  being positioned and adjacent to the second perimeter side edge  1024  and is extending from the front edge  1018  to the rear edge  1020 , along the longitudinal length of guide plate  1012 . The third T-shaped track  1052  includes a pair of V-notched grooves  1310   a ,  1310   b , a vertically aligned, interior sidewall surfaces  1056   a ,  1056   b ,  1058   a  and  1058   b , and an interior base wall surface  1060  having a pair of centrally positioned peak-shaped ribs  1312   a ,  1312   b  thereon for forming an interior T-shaped tracking channel  1062 . The second working surface area  1016  further includes a plurality of relief elements  1065  for the collection of sawdust, metal filings and the like.  
     [0076] The guide plate  12  further includes rectangular-shaped weight relief channels  1314 . The weight relief channels  1314  extend from the front edge  1018  to the rear edge  1020 , along the longitudinal length of guide plate  1012 . The weight relief channels  1314  of guide plate  1012  provide for a reduction in total weight, as compared to the total weight of guide plate  12  of the first embodiment.  
     [0077] Referring now to FIGS. 12, 13,  14   a  and  14   b , the tracking channels  1036 ,  1050  and  1062  for tracking  1026 ,  1040  and  1052 , respectively, are used for receiving one or more substantially I-shaped slide bars  1074  therethrough. Slide bars  1074  are made of extruded aluminum, plastic or other composite materials and have lengths of 24 inches or 48 inches. Each slide bar  1074  includes an upper wall  1076  having an upper surface  1077  with a pair of spaced-apart notched grooves  1316   a ,  1316   b  thereon and having upper sidewall surfaces  1318   a ,  1318   b  each with a notched groove  1320   a ,  1320   b  thereon, a lower base wall  1078  having a lower surface  1079 , opposing end surfaces  1080 ,  1082  and an integrally connected column  1084  between the upper and lower walls  1076  and  1078 . The lower base wall  1078  includes opposing notched ribs  1322   a ,  1322   b  being integrally attached thereto. Each slide bar  1074  includes two or more setscrew openings  1088   a ,  1088   b ,  1088   c  or  1088   d  (depending upon the length of slide bar  1074 ) for receiving a setscrew  1090  therein. Each setscrew opening  1088   a ,  1088   b ,  1088   c  and  1088   d  includes a counter-sink groove  1092  therein. Each of the setscrew openings  1088   a  to  1088   d  extend from the upper surface  1077  to the lower base surface  1079 . Each of the setscrews  1090  are of sufficient length, such that each end tip  1094  of the setscrew  1090  is set off from the interior base wall surfaces  1034 ,  1048  or  1060  of tracking channels  1036 ,  1050  or  1062 , respectively, as depicted in FIG. 11 b . The slide bar(s)  1074  become self-aligned within any one of the tracking channels  1036 ,  1050  or  1062 , wherein the slide bar(s)  1074  will interact with the handheld power tools.  
     [0078] Additionally, the slide bar  1074  includes an I-shaped weight relief channel  1324 . The I-shaped weight relief channel extends from the front opposing end surface  1080  to the rear opposing end surface  1082 , along the longitudinal length of slide bar  1074  (see FIG. 14 b ). The notched grooves  1316   a ,  1316   b ,  1320   a ,  1320   b  on the upper wall  1076  of slide bar  1074  will interfit with various power tool attachment assemblies.  
     [0079] The universal guide assembly  10  or  1000  is used with various handheld power tools each having an attachment assembly used in conjunction with the universal guide assembly  10  or  1000 . Each attachment assembly for a given power tool is unique in its structure and operation.  
     [0080] Referring now to FIGS. 15 a  to  17 , there is shown a router attachment assembly  1400  for use with a conventional portable, handheld router  1402 . The router attachment assembly  1400  includes an adapter member  1404  having a front-end wall  1406  and a convex end wall  1408 . Wherein, the front wall  1406  includes a pair of spaced-apart adapter pins  1410   a ,  1410   b  and the convex rear wall  1408  includes a centrally located male hinge element  1412  having a longitudinal pin opening  1414  therethrough.  
     [0081] The router attachment assembly  1400  also includes an attachment arm  1416  having a top wall surface  1418 , a bottom wall surface  1420 , a concave front-end wall  1422  and a rear end wall  1424 . Wherein, the concave front-end wall  1422  includes a pair of spaced-apart hinge elements  1424   a ,  1424   b , each having a longitudinal pin opening  1426   a ,  1426   b  therethrough. The spaced-apart hinge elements  1424   a ,  1424   b  receive the male hinge element  1412  therebetween, such that pin openings  1426   a ,  1414  and  1426   b  are aligned with each other in order to receive a hinge pin  1426  therethrough to which form a hinge member  1428  (see FIG. 15). The hinge member  1428  allows the attachment arm  1416  to move in an upwardly directed arc A relative to the adapter member  1404 . The top wall surface  1418  of attachment arm  1416  includes an elongated grooved channel  1430  extending in a longitudinal axis from a proximate front-end wall  1422  to a proximate rear end wall  1424 . The groove channel  1430  extends in depth (along a vertical axis) from the top wall surface  1418  to the bottom wall surface  1420 . The bottom wall surface  1420  includes a center tracking bar  1432 , and a pair of opposing tracking channels  1434 ,  1436 , wherein the center tracking bar  1432  is between the opposing tracking channels  1434  and  1436  accordingly.  
     [0082] The router attachment assembly  1400  further includes a router sliding shoe  1438  having a top wall surface  1440 , a bottom wall surface  1442 , a front-end wall  1444 , a rear end wall  1446  and opposing sidewalls  1448 ,  1550 . The top wall surface  1446  of sliding shoe  1438  includes a center tracking channel  1452  having a threaded opening  1454  therein, and a pair of opposing tracking bars  1456 ,  1458 , wherein the center tracking channel  1452  is between the opposing tracking bars  1456  and  1458  accordingly. The center tracking channel  1452 , as well as the opposing tracking bars  1456  and  1458  extend along a longitudinal axis from the front-end wall  1444  to the rear end wall  1446 . The bottom wall surface  1442  of sliding shoe  1438  includes a central located tracking channel  1460  which extends along a lateral axis from the first sidewall  1448  to the second sidewall  1450 , as depicted in FIG. 16 a . The center tracking bar  1432  and opposing tracking channels  1434 ,  1436  of attachment arm  1416  detachably interfit with the center tracking channel  1452 , and opposing tracking bars  1456 ,  1458  of sliding shoe  1438 , respectively, as shown in FIGS. 15 a  and  16   a . Additionally, the router attachment assembly  1400  includes an adjustment knob  1462  and a washer  1464  having an axial opening  1466  therein. The adjustment knob  1462  includes a stem section  1468  and a threaded rod section  1470  being integrally attached to the stem section  1468 . The sliding shoe  1438  is fixedly locked in place via the adjustment knob  1462 , wherein the threaded rod section  1470  is received within the axial opening  1466  of washer  1464 , through the grooved channel  1430  of attachment arm  1416 , and received within the threaded opening  1454  of the center tracking channel  1452  of sliding shoe  1438 , respectively, in order to lock down the sliding shoe  1438  to a predetermined position with respect to the universal guide assembly  10  or  1000 .  
     [0083] The router  1402  includes a conventional router housing  1472  having a pair of spaced-apart adapter pin openings  1474   a ,  1474   b  for receiving adapter pins  1410   a  and  1410   b  of adapter member  1404  for attaching the assembled router attachment assembly  1400  to the conventional router  1402 , as shown in FIGS. 15 a  and  16   a.    
     [0084] In operation, as shown in FIG. 17, the user clamps the universal guide assembly  10  to the work piece  292  via slide under clamps  136  in order to hold in position one or more guide plates  12 ,  12 ′ to the work piece  292 . Side bar  74  and end edge bar  100  are appropriately positioned within tracking channels  62  and  68 , respectively, of guide plate  12 . The router attachment arm  1416  in conjunction with the sliding shoe  1438  allows for the easy and accurate positioning of the guide plate  12  with respect to the work piece  292  to be grooved. The operator now secures the guide plate  12  within 5 inches to 12 inches of the desired groove line G. The user then places the sliding shoe  1438  of the router attachment assembly  1400  on the slide bar  74  of guide plate  12 , such that the tracking channel  1460  of the sliding shoe  1438  slides along the upper surface  77  of slide bar  74 . Where then the user tightens the adjustment knob  1462  along the elongated grooved channel  1430  of attachment arms  1416  to the desired position of groove line G. This step affords the router attachment assembly  1400  to move along the length of slide bar  74  as the router  1402  performs its cutting function. The use of the guide plate  12  with the router attachment arm  1416  allows the placement of a router bit  1476  of router  1402  at a precise location (groove line G) along the surface of the work piece  292 . This is especially difficult due to many different sizes and profiles of router bits  1476  that makes the step of the placement of the router bit  1476  on the groove line G normally hard to do. Previous (prior art) router guide devices are limited to “edge” guides having limited working surface and blind spots (as the router does not have access to all of the working surface area) and without the secure movement of the router relative to the work piece. All prior art edge guides protect the movement of the router only on one side of the edge guide and are limited to only the length of the edge guide as the router can go out on a tangent and not on its intended cut line. The use of the router attachment assembly  1400  and the universal guide assembly of the present invention prevents any problems associated with the previous prior art router guide devices. After the router  1402  completes its cut C by the router bit  1476 , the attachment arm  1416  of the router attachment assembly  1400  is flipped upwardly via hinge member  1428  in which to remove the sliding shoe  1438  from the slide bar  74  of guide plate  12 .  
     [0085] With reference to FIGS.  18  to  20 , there is shown a sander attachment assembly  1500  for use with a conventional portable, handheld belt sander  1502 . The belt sander  1502  includes a sander housing  1504  having a pivoting handle  1506  that rotates from a vertical position P 1  to a horizontal position P 2  when in operational use with the guide plate  12  of the universal guide assembly  10  of the present invention. The sander housing  1504  includes a sidewall  1508  having a female insert member  1510  thereon (see FIGS. 18 and 19). The sander attachment assembly  1500  includes an extension arm  1512  having a proximal end  1514  and a distal end  1516 . The proximal end  1514  of extension arm  1512  includes a mounting plate  1518  being integrally attached to the proximal end  1514 , wherein the mounting plate  1518  has a male insert member  1520  attached thereto by a mounting screw  1522 . The male insert member  1520  is received within the female insert member  1510  of sander housing  1504  in which to lock the extension arm  1512  of the sander attachment assembly  1500  in place with respect to the belt sander  1502  (see FIGS. 18 and 20). The distal end  1516  of extension arm  1512  includes a sliding arm shoe  1524  and an attachment knob  1526  with a handle grip  1528 . The sliding arm shoe  1524  is integrally attached to a longitudinal section  1530  of extension arm  1512  (see FIG. 19) in a downward relationship.  
     [0086] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the sander attachment assembly  1500  includes a sliding sander shoe  1532  with a top wall surface  1534 , a bottom wall surface  1536 , a front wall end  1538 , a rear wall end  1540 , an angled sidewall  1542  and a second sidewall  1544 . The top wall surface  1534  of sliding shoe  1532  includes a tracking channel  1546  having a stop pin  1548 . The stop pin  1548  is adjacent to the rear wall end  1540 . The tracking channel  1546  extends along a longitudinal axis from the front wall end  1538  to the rear wall end  1540 . The sliding arm shoe  1524  of extension arm  1512  is received within the tracking channel  1546  and a distal end wall  1550  of the sliding arm shoe  1524  is held from moving forward by the stop pin  1548 . The bottom wall surface  1536  of sliding shoe  1532  includes a centrally located tracking channel  1552 , which extends along a lateral axis from the angled sidewall  1542  to the (second) sidewall  1544 .  
     [0087] Handheld belt sanders  1502  are typically designed for flat or horizontal sanding of a work surface, but in many instances the belt sander  1502  is used for edge or vertical sanding of a side or perimeter edge of a work piece  292  (see FIG. 29). This edge sanding is a most difficult task for the operator, as it is “back-breaking” as the belt sander  1502  is heavy to hold and very aggressive and hard in maintaining a vertical position to achieve a 90° vertical sanding edge and a straight edge. The sander attachment assembly  1500  with the universal guide assembly  10  allows the operator to achieve perfect sanding at any desired angle along the sanding line R. Additionally, the belt sander  1502  is equipped with a pivoting handle  1506  that will make the operation of the belt sander  1502  more ergonomical and eliminates back injuries to the operator when in operational use. The attachment assembly  1500  allows the belt sander  1502  to perfectly sand an edge  288  of work piece  292  in all three axial directions.  
     [0088] In operation, as shown in FIG. 20, the user clamps the universal guide assembly  10  to the work piece  292  and optional work table  138  by slide under clamps  136  in order to hold in position one or more guide plates  12 ,  12 ′ to the work piece  292  and the work table  138  co-jointly. Slide bar  74  and edge bar  100  are appropriately positioned within tracking channels  50  and  72 , respectively, of guide plate  12 . The user has also vertically aligned the outer wall  102  of edge bar  100  with that of the side edge  288  of the work piece  292  prior to the clamping by the slide under clamps  136 . Also, the extension arm  1512  is set at a desired angle (e.g., 45°, 60° or 90°) via the mounting plate  1518 , as the mounting plate  1518  is adjusted and tightened by the mounting screw  1522  for the aforementioned desired angle. Further, by the combining of the extension arm  1512  and sander sliding shoe  1532  with that of the guide plate  12 , the operator can always achieve a perfect sanding result of the side edge  288  of the work piece  292  at the desired angle. Mistakes are vertically eliminated because the sander extension arm  1512  is keeping the belt sander  1502  on the desired angle and the sander sliding shoe  1532  controls the straightness of the sanding line R of the belt sander  1502  when operated. The operator then places the lower tracking channel  1552  of the sander sliding shoe  1532  on the upper surface  77  of the slide bar  74 , such that the front wall end  1538  of sliding shoe  1532  is also in alignment with that of the outer wall  102  of edge bar  100  and side edge  288  of work piece  292  (see FIG. 20). Minimal sanding is easily achieved by placing the outer wall  102  of edge bar  100  (guide plate  12 ) on the desired location (sand line R) of the work piece  292  being sanded. The operator then slides and positions the sliding arm shoe  1524  of extension arm  1512  within the upper tracking channel  1546 . The operator now proceeds to rotate the pivoting handle  1506  from its vertical position P 1  to its horizontal position P 2  (see FIG. 20), where then the belt sander  1502  is in an operational state for sanding such that one hand of the operator is on the pivoting handle  1506  and the other hand is on the attachment knob  1526  and handle grip  1528 , accordingly. With the operators&#39; hands in place, the operator can leverage a proper amount of pressure to sand away the side edge  288  of work piece  292  to a correct depth and over sanding is eliminated because the tracking channel  1546  of the sliding shoe  1532  is equipped with the depth control stop pin  1548  that stops the belt sander  1502  at the desired sanding line R which is at the outer wall side  102  of edge bar  100  of guide plate  12 . At the end of the sanding process of side edge  288  of work piece  292 , the operator removes the sliding arm shoe  1524  of extension arm  1512  from the upper tracking channel  1546  of the sliding sander shoe  1532 . The sliding sander shoe  1532  can then be removed from the sliding bar  74 .  
     [0089] Referring to FIGS.  21  to  23 , there is shown a circular saw attachment assembly  1600  for use with a conventional portable, handheld circular saw  1602 . The circular saw  1602  includes a housing  1604  having a base plate  1606 . The base plate  1606  includes a pair of threaded mounting openings  1608  and a retainer pin opening  1609  therethrough. The saw attachment assembly  1600  includes a sliding saw shoe  1610  having a proximal end  1612  and a distal end  1614 . The sliding saw shoe  1610  also includes a top wall surface  1616 , a bottom wall surface  1618 , a front-end wall  1620 , a rear end wall  1622  and sidewalls  1624 ,  1626 . The sliding saw shoe  1610  further includes a pair of mounting openings  1628  and a retainer pin opening  1629  and a rectangular opening  1630  for receiving of a circular saw blade  1632  and a blade guard  1634  therethrough (see FIGS. 21, 21 a  and  22 ) of the circular saw  1602 . The bottom wall surface  1618  includes a 45° cut tracking channel  1636 , a 90° cut tracking channel  1638  and a dove-tailed receiving channel  1640  for receiving of an anti-split sliding bar  1642  therein. The anti-split sliding bar  1642  includes a top wall surface  1644 , a bottom wall surface  1646 , a front-end wall  1648  and a rear end wall  1650 . The top wall surface  1644  includes a retainer pin opening  1652  being adjacent to the front-end wall  1648 ._The bottom wall surface  1646  includes an L-shaped notched section  1654  for receiving a portion of the saw blade  1632  thereto (see FIG. 21 a ). The optional anti-split sliding bar  1642  prevents the cut work piece  292  from splitting or splintering while being cut. The anti-split sliding bar  1642  has a thickness T which is also the same thickness of guide plate  12 , allowing the saw sliding shoe  1610  to be level relative to the surface of the work piece  292 . Also, the anti-split sliding bar  1642  has a width W, in which width W represents a particular saw blade thickness. The anti-split sliding bar  1642  can be sized for any saw blade thickness, as different widths W represent different saw blade thicknesses (see FIG. 22). The 45° cut tracking channel  1636  is used when a 45° beveled side edge is desired on the working piece  292 , and the 90° cut tracking channel  1638  is used when a 90° straight edge is desired on the working piece  292  (see FIG. 23). The tracking and receiving channels  1636 ,  1638  and  1640 , respectively, extend along a longitudinal axis from the front-end wall  1620  to the rear end wall  1622 . The saw sliding shoe  1610  is mounted to the base plate  1606  of circular saw  1602  by alignment of mounting openings  1628 ,  1608 , of sliding shoe  1610  and base plate  1606 , respectively, for receiving of a mounting bolt and nut  1656  and  1658  therethrough (see FIGS. 21 a  and  21   b ). The anti-split sliding bar  1642  is kept in place and from moving within the receiving channel  1640  by the alignment of the retainer pin openings  1609 ,  1629 ,  1652  of base plate  1606 , of sliding shoe  1610  and of sliding bar  1642 , respectively, for receiving a retainer pin  1660  therethrough (see FIG. 22). The bottom wall surface  1618  also includes a plurality of relief elements  1662  thereon for the collection of sawdust, metal filings and the like. The dust relief elements  1662  of sliding shoe  1610  are provided such that the user does not have to push the sawdust under the_guide plate  12  but instead the sawdust is between the relief elements  1662  on the sliding shoe  1610  and the relief elements  64  on the guide plate  12  without compromising the sliding of the sliding shoe  1610  relative to the clamped guide plate  12  when using the circular saw  1602  in cutting the work piece  292  (see FIG. 23). The sliding shoe  1610  and guide plate  12  when attached with each other, only allows an opening that is as wide as the saw blade  1632 , and very little sawdust escapes. The space between the bottom wall surface  1618  of sliding shoe  1610  and the working surface  16  of guide plate  12  is able to retain approximately 90 to 95% of the sawdust generated by circular saw  1602  when cutting a piece of plywood. Also, the unused tracking channel  1636  or  1638  becomes a sawdust relief channel for retaining the sawdust generated by circular saw  1602 . This sawdust retention by sliding shoe  1610  and guide plate  12  provides a healthier and safer environment for the operator.  
     [0090] The circular saw sliding shoe  1610  can be designed as an original part of the circular saw  1602  or the saw sliding shoe  1610  can be provided as an add-on accessory.  
     [0091] The circular saw attachment assembly  1600  with the guide plates  12  and  12 ′ of the universal guide assembly  10  provides for full access to any surface area within a particular work piece  292  (i.e., a 4 foot by 8 foot sheet of plywood) in order to cut anywhere on that surface or work piece  292  by circular saw  1602 . There are no blind spots on the surface of the work piece  292  when using attachment assembly  1600  and the guide plate(s)  12 ,  12 ′ together as shown in FIG. 23. In operation, as shown in FIG. 23, the user clamps the universal guide assembly  10  to the work piece  292  by slide under clamps  136  in order to hold in position one or more guide plates  12 ,  12 ′ to the work piece  292 , as well as a side extension clamping assembly  180 . Slide bar  74  and edge bar  100  are appropriately positioned within tracking channels  50  and  72 , respectively, of guide plate  12 . The operator then positions either the 45° cut tracking channel  1636  or the 90° cut tracking channel  1638  of the circular saw attachment assembly  1600  on the upper surface  77  of slide bar  74  (depending upon the type of edge, 45° or 90°, the user desires on work piece  292 ). By positioning the tracking channels  1636  and  1638  at precise distances D 1  and D 2  relative to the outer side  1626  of sliding shoe  1610 , both of the tracking channels  1638  and  1638  can use the same slide bar  74 , thus when making either a 45° or 90° cut, both are done at the same cutting line S. Further, by placing either one of the tracking channels  1636  or  1638  on the slide bar  74  of guide plate  12  at the predetermined cutting line S, the operator eliminates the need to offset the guide plate  12  on the surface of the work piece  292  which always avoids the inaccurate placement of the guide plate  12  relative to the cutting line S. Also, minimal trimming is easily achieved by placing the outer wall  102  of edge bar  100  (guide plate  12 ) on the desired position (cut line S) of the work piece  292  while being cut by saw blade  1632 . The operator then slides the anti-split sliding bar  1642  into the dove-tailed receiving channel  1640 , where then the sliding bar  1642  is retained via the retainer pin  1660  being received through retainer openings  1609 ,  1629 ,  1652  accordingly. Typically, when cutting a piece of plywood  292  with a circular saw  1602 , the saw blade  1632  rotates in a counter-clockwise movement such that the underside of plywood is cut clearly and the top side of the plywood tends to be jagged and/or splintered. This problem is eliminated with the use of the anti-split sliding bar  1642  within the receiving channel  1640  of sliding shoe  1610 . None of the prior art circular saw guide devices offer this type of protection to the work piece  292  for preventing splintering of the work piece  292 . The guide plate  12  also offer the benefits of an anti-split device because the cutting line is always at the outer wall  102  of edge bar  100  in which to hold down the guide plate  12  to the work piece  292  (see FIG. 23). When in operational use, the saw blade  1632  is between the anti-split sliding bar  1642  and the outer wall  102  of edge bar  100  which allows a clean saw cut through work piece  292  without splintering or damage to the saw blade  1632 . The disengage the circular saw  1602  from the slide bar  74  on guide plate  12 , the user simply lifts the circular saw  1602  and the attached saw attachment assembly  1600  vertically from the work piece  292 .  
     [0092] Referring now to FIGS.  24  to  26 , there is shown a jig saw attachment assembly  1700  for use with a conventional portable handheld jig saw (reciprocating saw)  1702 . The jig saw  1702  includes a housing  1704  having a mounting base  1706  thereon. The mounting base  1706  includes a threaded mounting opening  1708  therethrough. The jig saw  1702  also includes a saw mounting member  1710  for locking a jig saw blade  1712  thereto. The jig saw attachment assembly  1700  includes an adapter member  1714  having a proximal end  1716  and a distal end  1718 . The adapter member  1714  also includes a top wall surface  1720 , a bottom wall surface  1721 , front-end wall surfaces  1722   a ,  1722   b , a rear end wall  1723 , a first sidewall  1724  and a second sidewall  1725 . The proximal end  1716  of adapter member  1714  includes a substantially rectangular-shaped cut-out opening  1726 . The proximal end  1716  also includes a first beveled section  1728  and a second beveled section  1729  having the cut-out opening  1726  therebetween. The adapter member  1714  further includes an oval-shaped mounting opening  1730  being proximate to the distal end  1718 . The first sidewall  1724  includes a pair of spaced-apart hinge elements  1732   a ,  1732   b  each having a longitudinal pin opening  1734   a ,  1734   b  therethrough. Hinge elements  1732   a ,  1732   b  are proximate to the proximal end  1716  of adapter member  1714 . The bottom wall surface  1721  of adapter member  1714  includes a plurality of threaded mounting openings  1735  being adjacent to each of the sidewalls  1724 ,  1725 , respectively (see FIG. 25 a ).  
     [0093] As shown in FIGS. 25 and 25 a , the jig saw attachment assembly  1700  also includes an attachment arm  1738  having a top wall surface  1740 , a bottom wall surface  1741 , a front-end wall  1742 , a rear end wall  1743 , an outer sidewall  1744  and a convex sidewall  1745 . The convex sidewall  1745  includes a centrally located male hinge element  1746  having a longitudinal pin opening  1748  therethrough. The spaced apart hinge elements  1732   a  and  1732   b  of adapter member  1714  receive the male hinge element  1746  of attachment arm  1738  therebetween, such that pin opening  1734   a ,  1748 ,  1734   b  are aligned with each other in order to receive a hinge pin  1750  therethrough in which to form a hinge member  1752  (see FIGS. 25 and 27). The hinge member  1752  allows the attachment arm  1738  to flex relative to the adapter member  1714  when in operational use. The bottom wall surface  1741  of attachment arm  1738  includes a centrally located tracking channel  1754  extending along a longitudinal axis from the front-end wall  1742  to the rear end wall  1743 . The tracking channel  1754  includes a threaded mounting opening  1756 .  
     [0094] The jig saw attachment assembly  1700  further includes an adapter base plate  1758  having a proximal end  1760  and a distal end  1762 . The adapter base plate  1758  also includes a top wall surface  1764 , a bottom wall surface  1765 , front-end walls  1766   a ,  1766   b , a rear end wall  1767  and sidewall edges  1766 ,  1769 . The adapter base plate  1758  further includes a substantially rectangular-shaped cut-out opening  1770  being located at the proximal end  1760 , an oval-shaped mounting opening  1774  being proximate to the distal end  1762 , and a plurality of mounting openings  1776  being adjacent to each of the sidewall edges  1769 ,  1770 , respectively (see FIG. 25). Additionally, the jig saw attachment assembly  1700  includes a jig saw sliding shoe  1778  having a top wall surface  1780 , a bottom wall surface  1781 , a front-end wall  1782 , a rear end wall  1783  and sidewall  1784 ,  1785 . The bottom wall surface  1782  of sliding shoe  1778  includes a centrally located tracking channel  1786  extending along a longitudinal axis from the front-end  1782  to the rear end wall  1783 . The tracking channel  1786  includes a centrally located mounting opening  1788 .  
     [0095] The assembly of the jig saw attachment assembly  1700  to the jig saw  1702  is shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 accordingly. The operator aligns the mounting openings  1776  of the adapter base plate  1758  to that of the threaded mounting openings  1736  of the adapter member  1714 , such that machine screws  1790  are received within the aligned openings  1776  and  1736  therethrough and tightened accordingly, wherein the top wall surface  1764  of adapter base plate  1758  is adjacent and in contact with the bottom wall surface  1721  of adapter member  1714 . The end wall surfaces  1766   a ,  1722   a  and  1766   b ,  1722   b  of the adapter base plate  1758 , and adapter member  1714  are aligned with each other, respectively, such as the end wall surfaces  1766   a  and  1722   a  have a width E being slightly smaller than the width of edge bar  100 . This was done in order to keep the cutting line S the same when the edge bar  100  is removed from the guide plate  12  prior to the operational use of the jig saw  1702 . The operator now inserts the top wall surface  1780  of sliding shoe  1778  within the tracking channel  1754  of attachment arm  1738 , such that the mounting opening  1788  of the sliding shoe  1778  is aligned with the threaded mounting opening where then a machine screw  1792  is received within the aligned openings  1788  and  1756  therethrough and tightened accordingly. A machine screw  1794  is then received through aligned the oval-shaped mounting openings  1774  and  1730  of the adapter base plate  1758  and the adapter member  1714 , respectively, such that the machine screw  1794  is received and tightened within the threaded mounting opening  1708  of mounting base  1706  for the jig saw  1702 . Thus, completing the attachment of the jig saw attachment assembly  1700  to the jig saw  1702  (see FIGS. 25 and 26).  
     [0096] In operation, as shown in FIG. 26, the operator clamps the universal guide assembly  10  to the work piece  292  and an optional work table  138  by the slide under clamps  136  in order to hold in position one or more guide plates  12 ,  12 ′ to the work piece  292  and the work table  138  co-jointly. The slide bar  74  is appropriately positioned within tracking channel  62  of guide plate  12  and the edge bar  100  removed from tracking channel  68  after the guide plate  12  had been positioned at the cutting line S, as shown in FIG. 26. By doing this step, the cutting line S is still at its desired location and there is no need for repositioning the guide plate  12  in order to cut on the cutting line S. The operator now places the tracking channel  1786  of the jig saw sliding shoe  1778  on the upper surface  77  of slide bar  74 , such that the sidewalls  1724 ,  1768  of the adapter member  1714  and that adapter base plate  1758 , respectively, are adjacent and in contact with the side edge  22  of the guide plate  12  (see FIG. 26). The aforementioned assembly configuration eliminates the need for an off-set measurement, as the jig saw blade  1712  is in exact positioning for the blade  1712  to cut the predetermined saw line S. Previously, jig saw guides would require an off-set measurement and/or an off-set measurement device to perform the jig saw cut needed. To disengage the jig saw  1702  from the slide bar  74  on the guide plate  12 , the operator lifts the jig saw  1702  in an upward direction, which then separates the jig saw  1702  and the jig saw attachment assembly  1700  from the work piece  292 .  
     [0097] With reference to FIGS.  27  to  29 , there is shown a planer attachment assembly  1800  for use with a conventional portable, handheld joiner-planer  1802 . The planer  1802  includes a housing  1804  having a sidewall  1806  with a pair of rectangular-shaped mounting openings  1808   a ,  1808   b  therein. The planer attachment assembly  1800  includes an L-shaped mounting plate  1810  having a proximal end  1812  and a distal end  1814 . The L-shaped mounting plate  1810  also includes a front wall surface  1816 , a rear wall surface  1817 , an upper edge  1818 , a lower ledge wall  1819 , a proximal end edge  1820  and a distal end edge  1821 . The rear wall surface  1817  includes a pair of J-shaped adjustable height bars  1822   a ,  1822   b  (having a rectangular cross-section). Each of the adjustable height bars  1822   a ,  1822   b  includes an attachment section  1824   a ,  1824   b  for connecting to the rear wall surface  1817  at the proximal and distal ends  1812 ,  1814 , respectively, by connecting means in the form of welding, gluing and the like. Each of the adjustable height bars  1822   a ,  1822   b  includes an insertion section  1826   a ,  1826   b , wherein the insertion sections  1826   a ,  1826   b  of the adjustable height bars  1822   a ,  1822   b  are received within the rectangular-shaped mounting openings  1808   a ,  1808   b  of the planar housing  1804  (see FIGS. 28 and 29). The L-shaped mounting plate  1810  further includes a pair of vertically aligned mounting openings  1828   a ,  1828   b  being centrally located on mounting plate  1810 . The front wall surface  1816  includes a tilting arm base plate  1830  having a front curved perimeter edge  1832 , a rear perimeter edge  1833 , an upper perimeter edge  1834 , a lower perimeter edge  1835 , an outer wall surface  1836  and an inner wall surface  1837 . The rear perimeter edge  1833  includes a pair of threaded mounting openings  1834   a ,  1834   b . The tilting arm base plate  1830  also includes a plurality of adjustment openings  1838   a ,  1838   b ,  1836   c ,  1836   d  and  1836   e  and a control knob opening  1839 . The mounting openings  1828   a ,  1828   b  of mounting plate  1810  are aligned with the threaded mounting openings  1838   a ,  1838   b  of base plate  1830  for receiving of machine screws  1840  therein, for the attachment of tilting arm base plate  1830  to the front wall surface  1816  of mounting plate  1810  (see FIG. 27).  
     [0098] Referring now to FIGS. 27 and 28, the planer attachment assembly  1800  also includes a tilting attachment arm  1842  having a front perimeter edge  1844 , a curved rear perimeter edge  1845 , an upper perimeter edge  1846 , a lower perimeter edge  1847 , an outer wall surface  1848 , and an inner wall surface  1849 . The upper perimeter edge  1846  includes a threaded mounting opening  1850  for receiving a threaded stem  1852  of a knob handle  1854 . The lower perimeter edge  187  includes an attached dovetail-shaped sliding arm shoe  1856  having an upper wall surface  1858 , a lower wall surface  1859 , a front-end wall  1860 , a rear end wall  1861  and beveled sidewalls  1862 ,  1863 . The lower perimeter edge  1847  of attachment arm  1842  is attached to the upper wall surface  1858  of sliding arm shoe  1856  by connecting means in the form of welding, gluing and the like. The outer wall surface  1848  includes a recessed circular compartment  1864  having a centrally located control knob opening  1866  therein. The tilting attachment arm  1842  also includes an adjustment knob opening  1868  therethrough. The tilting attachment arm  1842  is connected to the tilting arm base plate  1830  by aligning the control knob opening  1866  therein. The tilting attachment arm  1842  is connected to the tilting arm base plate  1830  by aligning the control knob opening  1866  of attachment arm with the control knob opening  1839  of base plate  1830  for receiving a male control knob  1870  and a female control knob  1872 , respectively, therethrough. The tilting attachment arm  1842  is further adjusted relative to the base plate  1830  by aligning the adjustment opening  1866  of attachment arm  1842  with one of the plurality of adjustment openings  1836   a  to  1836   e  of base plate  1850  for receiving a control adjustment pin  1874  therethrough. The control knob  1870  and  1872  are further tightened allowing the tilting attachment arm  1842  to be locked against the base plate  1830 , wherein the inner wall surfaces  1849  and  1837  are in frictional contact with each other (see FIGS. 27 and 28).  
     [0099] Referring again to FIGS. 27 and 28, the planar attachment assembly  1800  further includes a sliding planer shoe  1876  having an upper wall surface  1878 , a bottom wall surface  1879 , a front-end wall  1880 , a rear end wall  1881 , a proximal sidewall  1882  and a distal angled sidewall  1883 . The upper wall surface  1878  includes a dovetailed-shaped tracking channel  1884  having a depth control pin  1886  therein. The control pin  1886  is adjacent to the front-end wall  1880  (see FIG. 28). The tracking channel  1884  extends along a longitudinal axis from the front-end wall  1880  to the rear end wall  1881 . The dovetailed-shaped tracking channel  1884  is for receiving the dovetailed-shaped sliding arm shoe  1856  of the tilting attachment arm  1842 . The depth control pin  1886  is used for stopping the front-end wall  1860  of sliding arm shoe  1856  from moving any further forward within tracking channel  1884  (see FIG. 27). The bottom wall surface  1879  includes a  450  cut tracking channel  1888  and a 90° cut tracking channel  1890 . The 45° cut tracking channel  1888  is used when a 45° beveled side edge (or other beveled side edges, e.g., 22.5°, 60°, etc.) is desired on the working piece  292 , and the 90° cut tracking channel  1890  is used when a 90° straight edge is desired on the working piece  292  (see FIG. 29). The tracking channels  1888  and  1890  extend along a lateral axis from the proximal sidewall  1882  to the distal angled sidewall  1883 . The planer attachment assembly  1800  is now in its assembled state ready for operational use thereof.  
     [0100] Typically, the planer  1802  is useful for off-set planing or trimming of work piece materials  292  that arc too much for using a belt sander or too small for using a circular saw or reciprocating saw. For example, a typical use of the planer  1802  would be the planing of a wood door or a doorframe due to the dragging of the door/door frame structure. As such, the planer  1802  is more practical to use than the belt sander, as the planer is faster and gives straighter edges. The major drawback is the start and the finish of the planing process, the problem being at the starting and the finishing of the edges of the work piece there is no support to control the depth of planing. Normally, the user would extend each end of the work piece to avoid the aforementioned drawback, but this process requires extra labor and materials to accomplish this planing process. The use of the planer attachment assembly  1800  and the universal guide assembly  10  eliminates all of the aforementioned problems of planning, as the attachment assembly  1800  and guide assembly  10  provides depth control and secure guiding of the planer  1802  in all axial directions.  
     [0101] In operation, as shown in FIG. 29, the operator clamps the universal guide assembly  10  to the work piece  292  and an optional work table  138  by slide under clamps  136  in order to hold in position one or more guide plates  12 ,  12 ′ to the work piece  292  and work table  138  co-jointly. Slide bar  74  and edge bar  100  are appropriately positioned within tracking channels  36  and  68 , respectively, of guide plate  12 . The operator then positions either the 45° cut tracking channel  1888  or the 90° cut tracking channel  1890  on the upper surface  77  of slide bar  74  (depending upon the type of edge, 22.5°, 45°, 60° or 90°, the user desires on the work piece  292 ). When in operational use, the user puts manual pressure on the knob handle  1854 , such that the sliding arm shoe  1856  of the tilting attachment arm  1842  moves in a forwardly fashion within the tracking channel  1884 , until the sliding arm shoe  1856  is stopped by the depth control pin  1886 , while simultaneously moving the planer  1802  in a lateral motion/movement in order to plane the side edge  288  of work piece  292  by a rotating planer blade  1892  of planer  1802 . To disengage the planer  1802  from the sliding bar  74  on guide plate  12 , the user simply lifts the planer  1802  and the attached planer attachment assembly  1800  from the sliding bar  74  on guide plate  12  and from the work piece  292 .  
     [0102] It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.