Patent Abstract:
The present invention provides a precision miter gauge for orienting and positioning a workpiece relative to a cutting tool. The miter gauge reduces positioning errors and improves repeatability. The miter gauge includes a base and a body pivotably connected to the base. A positioning edge of the body contains a plurality of teeth between which a positioning member connected to the base is inserted and locked in place. In this manner, relative movement of the positioning body relative to the base is inhibited.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to woodworking equipment, and in particular, to an apparatus for precisely orienting a workpiece in a predetermined angular relationship to a cutting tool.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Operations associated with the cutting of wood or other materials with a power tool require the workpiece to be positioned accurately relative to the tool in order to achieve the desired results. In certain applications, the positioning of the workpiece is accomplished through the use of a “fence” which is positioned relative to the tool. Often, such as in table saw applications, the workpiece must be positioned such that the fence is at an angle relative to the saw blade. The typical method to achieve such angular positioning is to couple the fence to a miter gauge slidably disposed on the working surface of the table saw.  
           [0003]    The use of a miter gauge in combination with a table saw is well-known in the art. Indeed, most table saws are sold with a miter gauge as a standard piece of equipment associated with the saw. In most cases, even when performing cuts in which the fence is perpendicular to the saw blade, the fence against which the workpiece is positioned is secured to a miter gauge set at a zero-degree angle.  
           [0004]    Traditional miter gauges suffer from a wide variety of shortcomings. Notably, they typically lack the repeatability necessary to replicate cuts at specific angles without undue experimentation. This is caused, in large part, because existing miter gauges typically provide pre-defined stops at certain specific angles, typically 0, 15, 22½, 30, and 45 degrees. At any angle other than these limited positions, an accurate angular setting must be performed by trial-and-error.  
           [0005]    But even when the woodworker intends to make a cut using one of the pre-defined stops on an existing miter gauge, the accuracy or repeatability of the cut is not absolute. On a typical existing miter gauge, a shot pin slidably connected to a fixed base is inserted into pre-drilled holes on the angularly adjustable miter head corresponding to the various pre-defined angular settings. The shot-pin mechanism requires that the hole have a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the shot pin. That difference in diameter introduces some angular error into the miter gauge. Further error arises from the mechanical sleeve in which the shot pin is secured to the fixed base of the miter gauge. Because the shot pin must be free to slide within that sleeve, lateral movement of the pin within the sleeve will lead to an angular position error when the pin is inserted into the holes in the miter head.  
           [0006]    A further shortcoming of existing miter gauges is that they cannot provide the rigidity necessary for many woodworking operations. The lack of rigidity arises because, when an angle, other than one for which the shot-pin mechanism is provided, must be used, the pivoting miter head is secured to the fixed base through a bearing load applied through a single bolt. Typically, that bolt is inserted through a curved slot in the pivotable miter head and threaded into the fixed base. When the miter head is set at the desired angle, the bolt is tightened placing a bearing load between the miter head and a shoulder of the bolt and between the miter head and the base, thereby inhibiting angular movement of the miter head. Because the miter head is held in position only by the bearing load applied through the single bolt, the amount of torque applied to the miter head during certain woodworking operations, especially those involving large workpieces, may overcome the bearing load, causing an undesired rotation of the miter head.  
           [0007]    One example of an existing table-saw miter gauge is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,486 issued to Ducate, Sr. The &#39;486 patent describes a typical miter gauge using a shot-pin mechanism for angularly positioning the miter gauge at certain pre-defined angles. For any angle other than the angles having a hole in the miter head for receiving the shot pin, the angular position is determined using a scale imprinted on the miter head. Assuming that such a scale was accurate, existing miter gauges such as in the &#39;486 patent do not provide any method other than simple visual estimation for setting the miter-head angle at any angle that does not have a corresponding mark on the scale.  
           [0008]    Therefore, what is needed is a miter gauge capable of performing precision miter cuts without requiring trial-and-error setups. The miter gauge should be capable of precisely orienting a workpiece with respect to the blade of a cutting tool with a resolution of finer than one-half degree. The ability to perform repeated cuts of precise angles should also be enabled by the miter gauge intended as a solution to prior art limitations.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention seeks to resolve the above and other problems with the prior art. More particularly, the invention is an advancement in the art by providing a precision miter gauge achieving the objects listed below:  
           [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a precision miter gauge capable of making precision miter cuts when used with a cutting tool such as a table saw.  
           [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a miter gauge capable of securely positioning a workpiece relative to a cutting tool.  
           [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a miter gauge capable of delivering precision, repeatable miter cut accuracy without trial-and-error setups.  
           [0013]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a miter gauge with positive angle stops capable of providing angular measurement accuracy and absolute miter gauge engagement to one-half degree of precision.  
           [0014]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a miter gauge allowing continuous angular adjustment capable of establishing miter cuts with finer than one-half degree of precision.  
           [0015]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a miter gauge capable of being employed with a slot disposed on either side of a cutting tool.  
           [0016]    To accomplish the foregoing objects, the present invention provides a miter gauge for orienting a workpiece with respect to a cutting tool including a base, a pivotable body pivotably connected to said base, the pivotable body having a positioning edge, the positioning edge containing a plurality of teeth defining a plurality of notches between the teeth, a positioning member connected to said base, the positioning member including a teeth interface element configured to be inserted into at least one of the notches, and means for inhibiting movement of the pivotable body relative to the base.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    Other objects, advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods, operation and functions of related elements of structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become apparent upon consideration of the following description and claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 illustrates an operational implementation of a preferred embodiment of the current invention on a conventional table saw.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 depicts a top view of a preferred embodiment of the miter gauge of the current invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 illustrates a partially exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the miter gauge of the current invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 illustrates the continuous adjustment feature employed by the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 illustrates the miter gauge of the present invention in the reversed configuration for use in the right miter slot of a cutting tool.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the miter gauge of the current invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the miter gauge of the current invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]    A typical installation of miter gauge  10  on a conventional table saw  400  is shown in FIG. 1. Table saw  400  includes a substantially horizontal working surface  402 . A portion of saw blade  404  protrudes through working surface  402 . Longitudinal slot  406  is disposed within working surface  402  and is substantially parallel to the cutting axis of saw blade  404 . In FIG. 1, slot  406  is shown as being located to the left of saw blade  404 . Those skilled in the art understand that convention table saws include two longitudinal slots within the working surface, one to the left of the saw blade and one to the right of the saw blade.  
         [0026]    In the installation of FIG. 1, fence  408  is removably attached to miter gauge  10 . Fence  408  is used for positioning a workpiece (not shown) relative to the saw blade  404 , by maintaining an edge of the workpiece in abutting relationship with a face of fence  408 . To permit sliding movement of miter gauge  10  along the axis of saw blade  404 , miter gauge  10  is connected to a guide  300 . In the preferred installation shown in FIG. 1, miter gauge  10  is connected to guide  300  using threaded miter push knob  12  and a shoulder bolt  14 . Guide  300  is slidably disposed within slot  406  to enable the workpiece, when positioned against fence  408 , to be moved relative to saw blade  404  along the cutting axis of the blade. Those skilled in the art understand the operation of guide  300  when installed on table saw  400 . Thus, the details of the guide&#39;s operations need not be included.  
         [0027]    As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, as described in greater detail below, a portion of miter gauge  10  is pivotable about shoulder bolt  14  to vary the angle of fence  408  relative to the cutting axis of saw blade  404 .  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 depicts a preferred embodiment of the miter gauge  10 . A substantially wedge-shaped base plate  16  is connected to a substantially wedge-shaped top plate  18  using shoulder bolt  14 . When so connected, top plate  18  is pivotable about shoulder bolt  14  relative to base plate  16 . While a variety of materials could be used, base plate  16  and top plate  18  are preferably steel because of the strength and rigidity necessary for many woodworking operations.  
         [0029]    Top plate  18  includes a first engagement edge  22  and a second engagement edge  24 , the intersection of which is at corner  26  of top plate  18 . Opposite corner  26  and connecting first and second engagement edges  22  and  24  is positioning edge  20  of top plate  18 . Preferably, positioning edge  20  is configured to form an arc. First and second fence attachment flanges  28  and  30  are mounted to top plate  18 . First flange  28  includes a face  32  that is substantially parallel to first engagement edge  22 . Similarly, second flange  30  includes a face  34  that is substantially parallel to second engagement edge  24 . Preferably, first and second flanges  28  and  30  are connected to top plate  18  using a plurality of screws  36 , but those skilled in the art will appreciate that any method of attachment, including riveting, welding, and the like, could be used. Also, the flanges could be integrally formed as part of top plate  18 . As will be described in greater detail below, first and second flanges  28  and  30  are used to attach a woodworking fence to miter gauge  10 .  
         [0030]    As shown in FIG. 2 and in the partially exploded view in FIG. 3, top plate  18  includes arcuate slot  38 . The threaded shaft of thumbscrew  40  is disposed through a flat washer  42  and arcuate slot  38  and threaded into a threaded hole  80  in base plate  16  such that when thumbscrew  40  is tightened, top plate  18  is clamped between flat washer  42  and base plate  16 , thereby inhibiting movement of top plate  18  relative to base plate  16 . When thumbscrew  40  is loosened, however, top plate  18  may be pivoted in either direction about shoulder bolt  14  relative to base plate  16  to the position at which thumbscrew  40  impacts either extent of arcuate slot  38 .  
         [0031]    Positioning edge  20  includes a plurality of teeth  44  disposed thereon. Each tooth corresponds to an angular position of top plate  18  relative to bottom plate  16 . Preferably, the teeth are spaced according to one degree increments, although a special tooth spacing is provided at a predefined position according to an angular position of 22½ degrees. A template  45 , which is preferably an angular scale, may be disposed on top plate  18  for use in angularly positioning top plate  18  relative to base plate  16  by providing marks at predetermined intervals along template  45  according to the angular positions of teeth  44 .  
         [0032]    Referring to FIG. 2, attached to bottom plate  16  are first and second actuators  46  and  48 . First actuator  46  includes a first hammer  50  pivotably attached to bottom plate  16  by shoulder bolt  54 . First hammer  50  includes an actuator tooth  58  configured to engage teeth  44  disposed on positioning edge  20 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that top plate  18  may be pivoted relative to bottom plate  16  to a position at which tooth  58  engages the notch formed between two adjacent teeth  44  according to the desired angular position of top plate  18 . With tooth  58  is so engaged, first hammer  50  is locked in place by first actuator thumbscrew  62 , the shaft of which is disposed through a slot  66  in hammer  50  and threaded into a threaded hole in base plate  16 . In this incremental angular positioning mode as described above, first actuator  46 , in addition to providing precision positioning, serves to inhibit any movement of top plate  18  relative to base plate  16 . Actuator tooth  58  is preferably configured to match the shape of the notch formed between any two adjacent teeth  44  of top plate  18 . Thus, when first hammer  50  is locked in place using first actuator thumbscrew  62 , actuator tooth  58  inhibits rotation of top plate  18 . And because fence  408  (see FIG. 1) is connected to top plate  18 , angular movement of fence  408  is similarly inhibited by locking actuator tooth  58  in place between adjacent teeth  48 .  
         [0033]    While the preferred embodiment of first actuator  46  has been described above, miter gauge  10  preferably also includes second actuator  48 . In the preferred embodiment of miter gauge  10 , only one of the actuators is used at a time. The determination of which actuator is used is dependent on whether miter gauge  10  is configured for use on the left or right slot associated with a woodworking tool. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the operation of second actuator  48  is identical to that of first actuator  46 . Second actuator  48  includes second hammer  52 , which further includes actuator tooth  60 . Second hammer  52  is pivotable about shoulder bolt  56  and includes slot  68  disposed therein. Second hammer  52  may be locked in place using second actuator thumbscrew  64  that is threaded into a hole in base plate  16 .  
         [0034]    Those skilled in the art will understand that a typical woodworking table saw includes two longitudinal slots disposed in the working surface of the table, which slots are substantially parallel to the cutting axis of the saw blade with one slot to the left and one slot to the right of the saw blade. For most woodworking operations, miter gauge  10  will be configured such that, when attached to guide  300 , guide  300  will be disposed in the slot to the left of the blade, as depicted in FIG. 1. For clarity, the configuration of miter gauge  10  for use in connection with the left slot of the woodworking tool is referred to herein as the “left configuration.” In the left configuration, fence  408  (see FIG. 1) is connected to first flange  28 , and first actuator  46  is used to engage the teeth  44  of positioning edge  20  (see FIG. 2). Some applications, however, will require miter gauge  10  to be used with the slot to the right of the saw blade. In those applications, miter gauge  10  will be configured in the “right-reversed configuration” with fence  408  connected to second flange  30  and second actuator  48  engaging the teeth  44  of positioning edge  20 . The reversible nature of miter gauge  10  is discussed in greater detail below.  
         [0035]    The preferred configuration of base plate  16  is depicted in the partially exploded view in FIG. 3. Preferably, base plate  16  includes a steel main plate  70  attached to plastic sliding plate  72 . When miter gauge  10  is used for woodworking operations such as in the table saw application of FIG. 1, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that use of plastic sliding plate  72  on the lower surface of base plate  16  provides a sliding interface between working surface  402  and miter gauge  10  having less friction than a metal-to-metal interface would provide, thereby improving the operability of miter gauge  10 .  
         [0036]    Referring again to FIG. 3, base plate  16  further includes a series of apertures disposed therein, each of which performs a specific function. Pivot hole  74  is included in base plate  16  to allow base plate  16  to be pivotably coupled to guide  300 , and for top plate  18  to be pivotably coupled to base plate  16  using shoulder bolt  14 . In the preferred embodiment, shoulder bolt  14  passes through both top plate  18  and pivot hole  74  of base plate  16  and threaded into a first threaded hole  302  disposed in the upper surface of guide  300 .  
         [0037]    As shown in FIG. 3, base plate  16  preferably includes two series of apertures, similar to each other. First push knob attachment hole  76  is disposed in base plate  16  to permit installation of push knob  12  on miter gauge  10  when in the left configuration. A threaded end of push knob  12  passes through hole  76  and is received by a second threaded hole  304  in the upper surface of guide  300  to further connect miter gauge  10  to guide  300 . For operation of miter gauge  10  in the left configuration, base plate  16  includes first threaded socket  80  for receiving thumbscrew  40 .  
         [0038]    Base plate  16  preferably includes a first slot  84 . As an alternative to being disposed through hole  76 , the threaded end of push knob  12  may be disposed through first slot  84  and threaded into a third threaded hole  306  in the upper surface of guide  300 . As depicted in FIG. 2, teeth  44  of positioning edge  20  are preferably spaced to provide precision angular positioning of the miter gauge  10  at whole number angular increments. Some applications, however, may require precision positioning according to half-degree increments. With push knob  12  disposed through first slot  84 , base plate  16 , and correspondingly miter gauge  10 , are pivotable about shoulder bolt  14  relative to guide  300  to the extent permitted by slot  84 . Preferably, first slot  84  is configured so that when the threaded shaft of push knob  12  is abutted against one extent of first slot  84 , the angular position of miter gauge  10  relative to guide  300  is −½ degree, and when abutted against the other extent of first slot  84 , the angular position of miter gauge  10  relative to guide  300  is +½ degree, as compared to the angular position between miter gauge  10  relative to guide  300  when push knob  12  is disposed through first push knob attachment hole  76 .  
         [0039]    Thus, those skilled in the art will understand that precise ½-degree angular settings can be achieved by engaging actuator  46  with teeth  44  at the whole-number angular position adjacent to the desired setting and pivoting base plate  16  about shoulder bolt  14  to the position where the threaded shaft of push knob  12  is abutted against an extent of first slot  84 . For example, if an angular setting of 29½ degrees is desired, top plate  18  is positioned such that actuator tooth  58  is positioned in the notch formed between two adjacent teeth  44 , which notch corresponds to 29 or 30 degrees. With actuator  46  tightened when actuator tooth  58  is so positioned, base plate  16  is then pivoted until the threaded shaft is abutted against the respective extent of first slot  84  corresponding to +½ degree or −½ degree as appropriate.  
         [0040]    Of course, some woodworking operations require a miter gauge to be set at angles other than those corresponding to whole or half degrees. Accordingly, the current invention provides means for precisely positioning the miter gauge  10  at any angle within the range of motion of the miter gauge. To provide this continuous indexing, base plate  16  preferably includes first indexing marker  88  extending radially in a direction from pivot hole  74  such that a portion of first indexing marker  88  is visible when top plate  18  is connected to base plate  16  as shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 4 demonstrates the operation of the continuous indexing feature of the present invention. When top plate  18  is pivoted to an angular position not corresponding precisely to a notch between any adjacent teeth of the teeth  44 , the intersection of first indexing marker  88  and the edges of teeth  44  creates a vernier scale to accurately position top plate  18  angularly relative to base plate  16 . In the example shown in FIG. 4, edges  452  and  450  of adjacent teeth  440  and  442  define notch  444  corresponding to an angular position of 7 degrees. In the preferred embodiment shown with one-degree tooth spacing, adjacent teeth  442  and  446  define notch  448  corresponding to an angular position of 8 degrees. The peak of tooth  442  corresponds to an angular position of 7.5 degrees. Thus, in the FIG. 4 example, if the woodworker wanted to adjust the top plate  18  (and consequently the fence  408  in FIG. 1) to an angle of 7.3 degrees, the woodworker would loosen thumbscrew  40  (see FIG. 2) and pivot top plate  18  to the position where first indexing marker  88  intersects edge  450  of tooth  442  at a point sixty percent of the distance from the intersection of edges  450  and  452  to the peak of tooth  442 . When the first indexing member  88  is aligned at the proper angle on top plate  18 , first thumbscrew  40  is tightened, clamping top plate  18  between washer  40  and base plate  16 , inhibiting relative movement between top plate  18  and base plate  16 .  
         [0042]    As mentioned above, some woodworking operation require a miter gauge to be used with the slot in the working surface of a table saw that is located to the right of the saw blade. The preferred embodiment of miter gauge  10  is configured to enable it to be used with either the left or right table saw slot. Referring again to FIG. 3, base plate  16  preferably includes two sets of elements, namely apertures, markers, and actuators. When miter gauge  10  is in the left configuration for use with the left slot of a table saw, the first set of these elements are used, as described above. However, for use with the right slot, miter gauge  10  is reconfigured to the right-reversed configuration.  
         [0043]    In the right-reversed configuration shown in FIG. 5, miter gauge  10  is pivotably connected to guide  300  using shoulder bolt  14 . In addition, the threaded end of push knob  12  passes through either second push knob attachment hole  78  or second slot  86  and is threaded into the corresponding threaded hole in the upper surface of guide  300  as described above for the left configuration. Second slot  86  is identical in size to first slot  84 , and thus, the half-degree adjustment described above in connection with first slot  84  is available in the right-reversed configuration using second slot  86 . Thumbscrew  40  is threaded into second threaded socket  82 . In the right-reversed configuration, second actuator  48  is employed to accurately position miter gauge  10  by engaging teeth  44  of top plate  18 . Further, when the continuous indexing feature of miter gauge  10  is used in the right-reversed configuration, the woodworker uses the intersection of second indexing marker  90  and teeth  44  to accurately position the miter gauge.  
         [0044]    In certain alternative embodiments such as the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the need for a reversible gauge is eliminated. In FIG. 6, miter gauge  610  includes a positioning plate  612  pivotably connected to a guide  616  using shoulder bolt  614 . Positioning plate  612  includes a positioning edge  618  having a plurality of teeth  620  disposed thereon. Further, positioning plate  612  includes an arcuate slot  622 .  
         [0045]    Miter gauge  610  includes a flange  624  connected to positioning plate  612 . Preferably, flange  624  is connected to positioning plate  612  using a plurality of bolts  626 , but those skilled in the art will understand that any method of attachment, including riveting, welding, and the like, could be used. Also, flange  624  could be integrally formed as part of positioning plate  612 . Flange  624  is used to attach a fence to miter gauge  610 , as shown in FIG. 1 for the preferred embodiment of the miter gauge invention.  
         [0046]    Similar to the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 6, the threaded shaft of thumbscrew  628  is disposed through a flat washer  630  and arcuate slot  622 . In this alternative embodiment, the threaded shaft of thumbscrew  628  is threaded into a threaded hole in guide  616 .  
         [0047]    Angular positioning of positioning plate  612  is accomplished through rotation of the positioning plate  612  about shoulder bolt  614 . Unlike in the preferred embodiment described above, in this alternative embodiment, there is no base plate. Thus, positioning plate  612  is pivotably connected directly to the guide  616 , which serves as the base of rotation for positioning plate  612 . In operation, after positioning plate  612  has been pivoted to the desired angular position, thumbscrew  628  is tightened, clamping positioning plate  612  between washer  630  and guide  616 , thereby inhibiting rotation of positioning plate  612 .  
         [0048]    Similar to the preferred embodiment, however, in the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, miter gauge  610  includes an actuator  632  connected to guide  616  using shoulder bolt  634 . Actuator  632  preferably includes two actuator teeth  636  to engage teeth  620  disposed on positioning edge  618 . In operation, when positioning plate  612  is rotated to the desired angular position, actuator  632  is rotated either clockwise or counter-clockwise so that one of the actuator teeth  636  moves into the notch formed by two adjacent teeth  620  on positioning edge  618 , which notch corresponds to the desired angular position. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that actuator  632  could be configured to have only one actuator tooth  636 .  
         [0049]    After the actuator  632  has been pivoted to insert one of actuator teeth  636  into the notch formed between two adjacent teeth  620  on positioning edge  618 , actuator  632  is locked into place using actuator thumbscrew  638 . A threaded shaft of actuator thumbscrew  638  is disposed through a slot  640  in actuator  632  and threaded into a threaded hole in guide  616 . When actuator thumbscrew  638  is tightened, actuator  632  is clamped between guide  616  and the head of actuator thumbscrew  638  inhibiting movement of actuator  632  relative to guide  616 .  
         [0050]    A template  642 , which is preferably an angular scale, may be disposed on positioning plate  612  for use in angularly positioning plate  612  relative to guide  616  by providing marks at predetermined intervals along template  642 . Those skilled in the art will understand that in some situations, the operator will need to angularly configure the miter gauge  610  at angles that do not correspond to the angles associated with the teeth  620  on positioning edge  618 . Thus, the scale of template  642  may be finer than that corresponding to the positions formed by teeth  620  on positioning edge  18 . In those situations, the operator may use the tip of one of actuator teeth  636  as a pointer to the angles depicted on template  642  to set the proper angular position of positioning plate  612 . When the proper position is so set, positioning plate  612  is locked in position by tightening thumbscrew  628 .  
         [0051]    Because of operational constraints of the typical woodworking table saw, it is impractical to space teeth  620  to correspond to one-degree angles, as in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2. In the configuration of FIG. 6, the teeth  620  are defined to provide notches for precise and repeatable positioning at five-degree increments, with additional notches corresponding to ±22½ degrees. However, a second alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7 provides for precise and repeatable positioning at much finer angles.  
         [0052]    In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 7, miter gauge  710  includes a positioning plate  712  disposed on a base plate  713 . Positioning plate  712  is pivotable relative to base plate  713  and guide  716  about shoulder bolt  714 , which is disposed through positioning plate  712  and base plate  713  and threaded into a threaded hole in guide  716 . Similarly, base plate  713  is independently pivotable about shoulder bolt  714  relative to guide  716 .  
         [0053]    Similar to the alternative embodiment described in connection with FIG. 6, in the miter gauge  710  in FIG. 7, positioning plate  712  includes a positioning edge  718  having a plurality of teeth  720  disposed thereon. Positioning plate  712  also includes an arcuate slot  722 . Attached to positioning plate  712  is flange  724  for connecting miter gauge  710  to a fence for woodworking and other materials fabrication operations. As in the previously described embodiments, flange  724  may be attached to positioning plate  712  using any standard attachment methods, but is preferably attached using a plurality of bolts  726 .  
         [0054]    The threaded shaft of thumbscrew  728  is disposed through washer  730 , through arcuate slot  722 , through aperture  731  in base plate  713 , and is threaded into a threaded hole in guide  716 . When thumbscrew  730  is tightened, relative movement of both positioning plate  712  and base plate  713  with respect to guide  716  is inhibited because both plates are clamped between washer  730  and guide  716 .  
         [0055]    In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7, base plate  713  also includes a positioning edge  732  having a plurality of teeth  734  disposed thereon. Positioning plate  712  preferably includes a first template  736  disposed thereon, and base plate  713  preferably includes a second template  738  disposed thereon. Both templates are preferably angular scales having marks according to the angular positions of the notches formed by the teeth on the respective positioning edges of each plate. In the manner described below, these templates are used together to provide accurate and repeatable angular positioning of miter gauge  710 .  
         [0056]    Miter gauge  710  includes a positioning plate actuator  740  pivotably connected to base plate  713 . Positioning plate actuator  740  includes an actuator tooth  742  for engaging teeth  720  of positioning plate  712  when actuator  740  is pivoted to a position where actuator tooth  742  is located in a notch on positioning edge  718  formed by two adjacent teeth  720 . When actuator tooth  742  is so engaged, a thumbscrew (not shown) whose threaded shaft is disposed through a gap  744  on actuator  740  and threaded into a threaded hole in base plate  713  is tightened, clamping the actuator between the head of the thumbscrew and base plate  713 . With the actuator locked in place, angular movement of positioning plate  712  relative to base plate  713  is inhibited by the engagement of actuator tooth  742  and teeth  720  of positioning plate  712 . However, the interfaced plates  712  and  713  may still be pivoted as a unit relative to guide  716  about shoulder bolt  714  when thumbscrew  728  is not tightened.  
         [0057]    In this embodiment, course adjustment of angular position is achieved by pivoting positioning plate  712  relative to base plate  713  and inhibiting relative movement between those plates by engaging actuator  740  with teeth  720  at an angular position close to the desired final angular position. Preferably, teeth  720  on positioning edge  718  are positioned to provide notches for engaging actuator  740  at five-degree angles relative to shoulder bolt  714 .  
         [0058]    Fine adjustment of angular position is achieved by pivoting the combined plates  712  and  713  relative to guide  716 . A fine adjustment actuator  746  is pivotably connected to guide  716  using a bolt  747 . Fine adjustment actuator  746  includes a first engagement tooth  748  and a second engagement tooth  750  disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of guide  716 . When fine adjustment actuator  746  is pivoted clockwise about bolt  747 , first engagement tooth  748  may engage teeth  734  of base plate  713 . When fine adjustment actuator  746  is pivoted counter-clockwise about bolt  747 , second engagement tooth  750  may engage teeth  732 .  
         [0059]    Preferably, the teeth  734  engaged by first engagement actuator  748  are spaced to provide notches for engaging fine adjustment actuator  746  according to whole-number angular positions of base plate  713  relative to guide  716  (e.g., 0, ±1, ±2, ±3, etc. degrees). Also, the teeth  732  engaged by second engagement actuator  50  are preferably spaced to provide notches for engaging fine adjustment actuator  746  according to half-degree angular positions of base plate  713  relative to guide  716  (e.g., ±½, ±1½, ±2½, etc. degrees).  
         [0060]    The operation of this embodiment can be illustrated by the following example. If the operator desires to set the miter gauge at an angle of 37½ degrees, the operator first loosens thumbscrew  728  and disengages actuator  740  by loosening the thumbscrew that secures that actuator. Positioning plate  712  is then rotated clockwise relative to base plate  713  to the angular position where actuator tooth  742  can be inserted into the notch formed by adjacent teeth  720 , which notch corresponds to 35 degrees on template  736 . After actuator  744  has been pivoted to insert actuator tooth  742  into the appropriate 35-degree notch, the operator tightens the thumbscrew (not shown) disposed through gap  744  to lock actuator  740  in place. This completes the course-adjustment part of the operation. Then, the combined plates  712  and  713  are pivoted clockwise together about shoulder bolt  714  to the angular position where second engagement tooth  750  can be inserted into the notch formed by adjacent teeth  734  on base plate  713 , which notch corresponds to 2½ degrees on template  738 . After fine adjustment actuator  746  has been pivoted counterclockwise to insert second engagement tooth  750 , the operator tightens thumbscrew  752  which is disposed through gap  754  in fine adjustment actuator  746  and threaded into guide  716  to inhibit angular movement of base plate  713  relative to guide  716 . Also, the operator then tightens thumbscrew  728  to further inhibit any angular rotation. Thus, the 37½ degree desired angle is achieved by the combination of the 35 degree course-adjustment rotation and the ½ degree fine-adjustment rotation.  
         [0061]    Of course, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that miter gauge  710  can be set at any angular position between −90 and +90 degrees, not just one-half degree increments. When the desired angular position does not correspond to a half-degree increment, the operator engages actuator  740  with teeth  720  at an angle close to the desired angle. Then, the operator uses the fine-adjustment part of miter gauge  710  to complete the angular positioning. For example, if an angular setting of 42.2 degrees were required, positioning plate  712  would be rotated clockwise and actuator  740  locked in place with actuator tooth  742  inserted in the notch on positioning plate  712  corresponding to 40 degrees. Then, the combined plates  712  and  713  would be rotated clockwise about shoulder bolt  714  until the tip of first engagement tooth  748  pointed to an angular position {fraction (2/10)} of a degree between the 2-degree and 3-degree marks on template  738  when the tip of first engagement tooth  48  is positioned against positioning edge  732 . Miter gauge  710  is then locked in position by tightening thumbscrew  728 .  
         [0062]    It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments set forth hereinbefore are merely exemplary of the numerous arrangements for which the invention may be practiced, and as such may be replaced by equivalents without departing from the invention which will now be defined by appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8