Patent ID: 8266996

Claim:
An adjustable fence assembly for use with a power tool, comprising: an elongated lower fence for attachment to the power tool, said lower fence having a base with an upper support and locking surface configuration extending along a substantial portion of the length of said base and a vertical front face for positioning a work piece; an elongated upper fence having a upwardly facing surface angled obliquely relative to said vertical front face and a bottom surface configuration generally opposite said upwardly facing surface for engaging said surface configuration of said lower fence, said upper fence being releasably attached to said lower fence and adjustable relative to said lower fence along its lengthwise direction, said upper fence having a front wall extending vertically upwardly from said upwardly facing surface, said front wall having a front face that is substantially coplanar with said front face of said lower fence when secured thereto; and a locking mechanism carried by said lower fence and having a locking surface for operatively engaging said upwardly facing surface for selectively applying at least a downward force and a face biasing force for securing said upper fence to said lower fence in a manner whereby a coplanar relationship of said front faces of said upper and lower fence is substantially assured; wherein said locking mechanism further comprises a sleeve having a head receiving top portion and a non-circular shank portion, said shank portion fitting within a similarly shaped non-circular hole in said lower fence to prevent rotation by said sleeve in said hole; a threaded bolt having a head that fits into said head receiving top portion which prevents rotational movement of said bolt, said bolt having a cylindrical shank with at least a threaded end that extends through said sleeve, said upper fence and said lower fence; and a lever with a threaded portion for engaging said threaded end, rotation of said lever to a locked position pulls said fences toward one another to apply said downward and face biasing force for securing said upper fence to said lower fence, and rotation to an unlocked position permits said upper fence to be released for movement relative to said lower fence.