Patent ID: 8281695

Claim:
A chip vacuum system for use with a sawing machine and a vacuum device operable to create suction, the sawing machine comprising a saw blade, a holder operable to clamp a longitudinally-extending piece of hollow stock comprising a cut surface, the holder comprising a saw blade cutting area within which the saw blade is operable to cut the longitudinally-extending stock substantially transversely, the cut surface of the hollow stock having a cross-sectional shape, and a mounting surface, the system comprising: a vacuum hose having an end, the vacuum hose feeding back to the vacuum device to provide suction through the vacuum hose; a vacuum suction head attached to the vacuum hose end; a vacuum nozzle attached to the vacuum suction head; the vacuum hose, the vacuum suction head and the vacuum nozzle comprising a combined structure without direct contact with the saw blade, the combined structure being separately movable relative to the saw blade; the vacuum suction nozzle comprising an end having a shape that substantially matches the cross-sectional shape of the cut surface of the hollow stock, the vacuum suction nozzle further being placed in direct contact with the cut surface of the hollow stock to substantially seal the vacuum suction nozzle with the cut surface of the hollow stock to create a vacuum continuum through the stock, the vacuum nozzle, the vacuum suction head and the vacuum hose to remove chips from within the stock, such chips being created during cutting of the stock; and bracketry for placing the vacuum suction head in direct contact with the cut surface of the hollow stock, the bracketry being attached to the mounting surface of the sawing machine and being movable such that the vacuum suction head is moved alternatively into and out of engagement with the cut surface of the hollow stock, the bracketry further comprising: a first longitudinally-extending member having a central axis, the first longitudinally-extending member being rotatable about its axis; a second longitudinally-extending member; a third longitudinally-extending member; and a nozzle-receiving member; the nozzle-receiving member being attachable to the third longitudinally-extending member; and wherein the second longitudinally-extending member is slideably attachable to each of the first and third longitudinally-extending members; wherein the first longitudinally-extending member comprises an internally threaded distal portion and the chip vacuum system further comprises an externally threaded bolt and keeper attached to the mounting surface of the sawing machine, the threaded portions thereof being complementary such that rotational movement of the first longitudinally-extending member about its axis further incrementally moves the first member along its axis and moves the nozzle incrementally outward and away from the cut surface of the hollow stock; and wherein chips created by the saw blade during cutting of the hollow stock are extracted from within the hollow stock.