Apparatus for use with power tools

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for use with at least one module comprising a base with, or for the receipt of, a power tool. The module base is received in a recess, aperture or slot defined in a frame. Engagement means are provided to allow the module to be releasably engaged in position, and guide means to allow the accurate introduction and removal of the module from the frame is provided. A plurality of support legs is also provided, movable between a first extended position holding a top surface of the frame at a first distance from a support surface on which the legs are located, and a second position in which at least a portion of the legs are folded or retracted such that the top surface is positioned with a gap at a reduced distance from the support surface.

Claims

1. Apparatus (2) for use with at least one type of power tool to perform a power tool operation on a workpiece, said apparatus (2) comprising a frame (12) defining a slot, recess or aperture (14) in which is selectively received one of a plurality of modules, each module including a base (60) for the reception of or carrying at least one power tool thereon, said base (60) is received in said slot, recess or aperture (14) and engaged with the frame (12) to secure one of the plurality of modules in position to thereby form, in combination, a work surface on which the workpiece is positioned during the operation of the at least one type of power tool, wherein the frame (12) includes a plurality of support legs (4, 6, 8, 10), said support legs movable to a first extended position holding a top surface (66) of the frame (12) at a first distance from a support surface (26) on which the legs are located and a second position in which the legs (4, 6, 8, 10) are folded or retracted towards the base, out of contact with the support surface (26), the apparatus (2) being supported by feet portions (4, 6, 8, 10) in the second position such that the said top surface (66) is positioned with a gap (28), defined between an underside of the frame (12) and the support surface (26), which is a reduced distance compared to the first distance in the first position, thereby allowing the apparatus (2) to be used at the first distance and also at the reduced distance, and wherein said reduced distance (28) is sufficiently large so as to allow said at least one power tool received on or carried by the at least one module base (60) to be used when the support legs (4, 6, 8, 10) are in the second position and the apparatus (2) is supported by the feet portions (4, 6, 8, 10).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame (12) comprises a set of wheels, castors or rollers (30) which allows movement of the apparatus when the support legs are in the first, extended position.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame (12) comprises a set of wheels, castors or rollers (16) which allows movement of the apparatus when the support legs are in the second position.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the set of wheels, rollers or castors (16) are provided at a first end of the frame and the frame (12) includes a handle (22) at an opposing end (20).

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support legs (4, 6, 8, 10) are pivotally movable about an axis (24) with respect to respective feet portions (4, 6, 8, 10), permitting the legs (4, 6, 8, 10) to fold away and towards the base (60), allowing the legs (4, 6, 8, 10) to move between the first and second positions.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in either the first or the second position the use of the apparatus is selectively changeable by the selective positioning of a module with respect to the frame (12) and the slot, recess or aperture (14) defined by the frame (12).

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein adjustment means in the form of a threaded shaft (61) are provided to allow user adjustment of a level of the top surface (64) of the module base (60) with respect to the top surface (66) of the frame (12).

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said adjustment means in the form of a threaded shaft (61) includes a first member provided on the said base (60), a second member located on the frame (12) and engaging with the first member and a user actuation means in the form of a threaded shaft (108).

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when said user actuation means in the form of a threaded shaft (108) are operated, said operation causes movement of the said first member with respect to the said second member such that the top surface (64) of the base (60) of the module is set with respect to the top surface (66) of the frame.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the adjustment means in the form of a threaded shaft (61), once set after initial alteration, are retained in an adjusted position such that when the module is thereafter placed into position, the level of the top surface (64) of the module base (60) with respect to the level of the frame (12) top surface (66) is at the adjusted position.

11. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the adjustment means in the form of a threaded shaft (61) includes a series of user actuation means in the form of a threaded shaft (108) each of which contact with a support means in the form of a support plate (112) extending from the frame (12) and which causes the base (60) and hence the level of the top surface (64) of the base (60) to be adjusted with respect to the frame (12).

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein guide means (142, 142) are located at or adjacent to one end of the module and on opposing sides thereof to allow the guided introduction and/or removal of the module into and/or from the slot, recess or aperture (14) in the frame (12), and wherein the guide means (142, 142) comprise a protruding member (122) provided on one of the base (60) and frame (12) and a shaped ramp portion (124) provided on the other of the base or frame and along which the protruding member moves.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gap (28) is defined by the length of respective feet portions (4, 6, 8, 10) supporting the frame (12) on the support surface (26) in the second position.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one power tool for which respective modules are provided is selected from the group consisting of: a router; a circular saw; a flooring saw; a band saw; a table saw; a clamping base; a sander; a jigsaw; a vacuum base; a biscuit jointer; a finger jointer or combinations thereof.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said base (60) has an upper surface defining a first plane, and the support surface (26) defines a second plane, and the first plane and the second plane are parallel to each other in both the first position and the second position.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a relative position between: (i) the frame (12) and (ii) the base (60) is identical in both the first position and the second position.

17. A method of using an apparatus for use with at least one type of power tool to perform a power tool operation on a workpiece, said method including the steps of: providing an apparatus having a frame (12) defining a slot, recess or aperture (14) in which is selectively received one of a plurality of modules, selected by a user, each including a base (60) for reception of or carrying at least one power tool thereon; positioning said base (60) in said slot, recess or aperture (14) and engaging the frame (12) to secure the module in position thereby forming, in combination, a work surface on which the workpiece is to be positioned during the operation of the power tool, wherein the frame (12) includes a plurality of support legs (4, 6, 8, 10), said support legs being selectively moved by a user between a first extended position holding a top surface (66) of the frame (12) at a first distance from a support surface (26) on which the legs are located, and a second position in which the legs (4, 6, 8, 10) are folded or retracted towards the base, out of contact with the support surface (26), the apparatus being supported by feet portions (4, 6, 8, 10) such that the said top surface (66) is positioned with a gap (28), located between a frame underside and the support surface (26), which is a reduced distance compared to the first distance in the first position, thereby allowing the apparatus (2) to be used at both the first distance and also at the reduced distance, and wherein said reduced distance (28) is sufficiently large so as to allow said at least one power tool received on or carried by the at least one module base (60) to be used when the support legs (4, 6, 8, 10) are in the second position and the apparatus is supported by the feet portions (4, 6, 8, 10).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention in a first condition;

(3) FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a second condition;

(4) FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2a and b in a transport mode;

(5) FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate the manner in which the apparatus frame can be altered;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates the positioning of a power tool with the frame of the apparatus of FIGS. 1a-4b;

(7) FIGS. 6a-6g illustrate the frame with a number of modules located therewith;

(8) FIGS. 7a-7c illustrate engagement means in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

(9) FIGS. 8a-8e illustrate guide means in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

(10) FIGS. 9a-9d illustrate adjustment means in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(11) Referring firstly to FIG. 1 there is shown power tool apparatus of a type which can be adapted and manipulated to perform a number of different functions. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the apparatus 2 in a first condition in which there is provided a plurality of legs 4,6,8,10 and a frame 12 supported by the same and which defines a central aperture 14 in this embodiment but which could equally be a slot or recess. The frame also includes a plurality of wheels 16 at end 18 and, at the opposing end 20, a handle 22. The ends of legs 4 and 10 can also be provided with wheels 30 to allow the location of the apparatus to be adjusted.

(12) The legs are each provided to be pivotally movable about an axis 24 with respect to respective feet portions 4,6,8,10 so as to allow the legs to be folded towards the base and allow the same to take the form shown in FIGS. 2a and b in which the frame 12 can be supported above a support surface 26, such as a floor, and for the gap 28 between the frame underside and the support surface 26 to be sufficiently large so as to allow the apparatus to still be used in this arrangement. The folding of the legs also allows the apparatus to be wheeled along for transport purposes by the user gripping the handle 22 and rolling the same along the surface on wheels 16 as shown in FIGS. 3a and b. Thus, in accordance with the invention, the apparatus can be provided in a first condition shown in FIG. 1 for use and a second condition shown in FIGS. 2a and b for use. It can also be moved via rollers, castors, or wheels 30 in the first condition and via wheels, rollers or castors 16 in the second condition as shown in FIGS. 3a and b.

(13) In either of the conditions the use of the apparatus can be selectively changed by the selective positioning of a module with respect to the frame 12 and in particular with respect to the aperture 14 defined by the frame.

(14) The effective area of the work surface of the frame can also be adjusted as illustrated with reference to FIGS. 4a and b. In FIG. 4a the frame is illustrated as having a work surface defined by the end 18 and 20 and sides 32,34. The work surface includes guiderails 36, 38 to allow the selective engagement with components and the guided movement and positioning of the same and a fence 40 is provided as shown for the guided movement of a workpiece on which work is being performed by tools located on the apparatus at that time.

(15) The frame can be adapted as shown with reference to FIG. 4b. This adaptation can be achieved by the provision of one or more side extensions 42,44 and/or one or more end extensions 46. It should be noted that although in FIG. 4b two side extensions 42,44 are shown it may be that only one is provided and that can be selectively positioned on either side of the frame. The side extension 42,44 is provided with members 48,50 which engage with guides on the underside of the frame 12 and which allow the controlled sliding movement as indicated by arrow 52 to and from the frame so as to effectively increase the useful working area of the frame by providing the means to support larger workpieces when work is being performed on the same. Similarly, the end extension 46 can be adjusted as indicated by arrow 54 via movement of the members 56, 58.

(16) FIG. 5 illustrates the manner in which the aperture 14 can receive a module base 60 which is formed so as to allow a machine tool supported thereby to be used in conjunction with the frame. The base 60 is lowered into position as indicated by arrow 62 and preferably is initially lowered at one end and then pivotally moved into position in a manner which will subsequently be described. The location of the base with respect to the frame has to be ensured to be secure so that the module effectively becomes an integral part of the apparatus when located therewith. Furthermore, it is normally important and is desired that the top surface 64 of the base 60 is substantially flush with the top surface 66 of the frame 12 so as to form in combination, a substantially integral and uniform work surface so that accurate machining operations can be performed. In one embodiment this is achieved by providing on each of the modules one, but typically a plurality, of adjustment means 61 described in more detail subsequently.

(17) Referring now to FIGS. 7a-7c there are illustrated views of engagement means in accordance with the invention and which are provided in order to releasably engage the base 60 of a module in position with the frame 12. FIG. 7a illustrates a plan view of part of the base and frame in position and shows the respective top surfaces 64, 66 of the frame and base held in position by mechanical engagement means 68, 68, one of which, engagement means 68, is now described in detail. FIGS. 7b and 7c illustrate a cross section elevation along line AA and which show the engagement means in two positions. The engagement means are provided, typically at opposing ends of the base and on the frame, which allow the mechanical engagement. The engagement means 68 comprises an aperture 130 provided in the part 69 which is accessible via an aperture 132 provided in the frame and through which a person can place their finger in the direction of arrow 134 to engage the part 69. The part 69 is mounted in the frame to be slidingly movable in the direction of arrow 75 between a release position in which the part is substantially wholly located within the frame 12, and an engaging position shown in FIG. 7c in which the leading edge 73 of the part 69 moves into an aperture 70 provided in part 95 mounted on the underside 77 of the base. The leading edge 73 of the part 69 is preferably tapered as shown and the part 69 is biased towards the underside 79 of the frame by one or more springs 136 mounted in the aperture 138 in the frame 12 in which the part 69 is located and which act on the part 69 so that when the part 69 is located in the aperture 70 in the engaging position shown in FIG. 7c the effect of the tapered leading edge 73, the ramp portion 138 of the aperture 70 and the biasing means springs 136 is transferred to the module base 60 which is effectively pushed down as indicated by arrows 140 by the bias force to ensure good contact of the adjustment means and hence ensure that the base is retained in the desired position with respect to the frame. This ensures that the position of the module base 60 is maintained during use of the machining by the power tool located on the base and acts against any movement forces which may be exerted by the same.

(18) The guide means for the base and frame are shown in more detail in FIGS. 8a-8e. The guide means 142,142 are provided at or towards one end of the base and aperture in the frame and on either side thereof as shown in FIGS. 8c and 8d and are provided to aid in the movement of the base 60 into and from an engaged position in the aperture in the frame 12. In FIG. 8c the base 60 is shown having been almost moved into position with regard to the frame and in FIG. 8d the base 60 is shown in a position prior to being moved into engagement with the frame or having been moved out of engagement with the frame. One of the two guide means is shown in detail in FIGS. 8a and 8b and includes a member 122 which acts as a roller or slide and which protrudes from the edge of the base 60 and is received in a ramp portion 124 located at the edge of the frame as shown. In order to introduce the module base 60 into the aperture, the base is moved at an angle to the frame apertures such that the member 122 for each of the respective guide means lies at the top 126 of the ramp portion and contacts with the same. The base is then slid and pivoted downwardly, with the guide means in contact, so that the member 122 moves to the bottom 128 of the ramp portion as shown in FIG. 8b and therefore provides the base in the required position in the aperture of the frame. FIG. 8e illustrates one of the guide means 142 with portions of the base and frame removed in order to show the member 122 of the base in a final position to locate the base with the frame 12, with the member 122 located at the bottom 128 of the ramp portion 124.

(19) When in position, the level of the top surface 66 of the base 60 can then be adjusted with respect to the frame 12 top surface 64 by the use of adjustment means, which, in one embodiment includes at least first and second sets of adjustment means and further adjustment means. Typically a first set of adjustment means are located adjacent a first of the guide means 142 and a second set of adjustment means are located adjacent a second of the guide means 142 and act to aid in the guiding of the module base 60 into and from the recess slot or aperture in the frame aperture as well as then allowing adjustment of the level of the base with respect to the frame. One of the sets of adjustment means is shown in more detail in FIGS. 9a and 9b which are cross sectional elevations along line BB which shows the adjustment means set in differing positions and FIG. 9c shows part of the set of adjustment means which is mounted on the base along with one of the further adjustment means located on the base 60.

(20) The aim of the use of the adjustment means is normally to move the top surface 66 of the base into line with the top surface 64 of the frame 12. The adjustment means in the set comprise a first bobbin shaped member 100 on the underside of the base and a shaped member 102 which protrudes from the underside of the frame and the face 104 of the same is shaped so as to engage within the central portion 106 of the bobbin 100 which is defined by upper rim 107 and lower rim 109. User actuation means 108 in the form of a threaded shaft pass through the centre of the bobbin and are actuable by a user from the top surface aperture 144 on the base. These adjustment means allow positive adjustment of the base with respect to the frame to raise and lower the same with use of the actuation means 108. There is a sufficient gap 146 between the bobbin and the underside of the base such that rotation of the actuation means in a first direction causes the upper rim 107 to contact the face 104 to provide a pushing force against the same and move the base in a first direction with respect to the frame as shown in FIG. 9b and rotation of the member 108 in the opposite direction causes contact of the lower rim 109 of the bobbin 100 with the member face 104 to cause a pulling force against the same and move the base in a second, opposing, direction with respect to the frame and allow the adjustment of the position of the top surface of the base with respect to the frame. Thus the provision of the adjustment means sets ensures that positive adjustment of the base with respect to the frame can be achieved in both directions at the location of the guide means along axis 111 whilst, at the same time ensuring that there is sufficient freedom to allow the guide means to function.

(21) At other spaced locations around the periphery of the frame further adjustment means in the form of threaded shafts such as grub screws 61 are provided and preferably ten adjustment points are provided in total around the base and frame. Two of the threaded shaft adjustment means 61 are illustrated in FIG. 9d. The grub screw has a free end 110 which depends downwardly from the underside of the module base 60 and which engages with a support plate 112 mounted in a fixed position on the frame 12 and extending from the frame. Thus, when the module base is in position, the user can adjust, from the top surface of the base, the length by which each of the screws 61 depend downwardly from the underside of the base so the user can effectively adjust and determine the level of the top surface 66 of the base with respect to the top surface 64 of the frame for each module base independently. The extent to which these adjustment means, such as grub screws, extend from the base can be altered until typically, the top surface 66 of the base is flush with the top surface 64 of the frame. This means that in subsequent use the adjustment means need not be altered again as long as the contact between the adjustment means and the frame is clean. As the adjustment means are provided on the module so each module can be adjusted to provide the required flush surface and so there is no need for the adjustment of the frame structure to be performed.

(22) The apparatus therefore allows a number of different modules to be used in conjunction therewith for different machining operations to be performed on workpieces. As, in each case, the module has a base which is of the same size and which can be received in the same manner in the aperture 14 so the apparatus is extremely flexible in terms of its use. In one embodiment the module can be formed solely by the base and in this arrangement the base may have a plurality of apertures, slots and/or engagement means to allow clamping, holding and guiding means to be selectively positioned thereon.

(23) FIG. 6a illustrates the apparatus being used with a module 71 which allows a router 72 to be used. The main part of the router is located underneath the base and the working portion depends upwardly from the top surface of the base. In this case there is a need to be able to adjust parameters of the router body such as to adjust the height of the same and/or engage the spindle lock on the router but these control means are located on the underside of the module base. In accordance with the invention the control means can be engaged from the top surface of the module base 60 as the fitting of the router power tool is aligned with an aperture 63 provided in the module base which allows the fitting of a tool to the adjustment means which can be accessed from the top surface of the base. FIGS. 6b and 6c show the module 74 being used with a circular saw 76 and in this case it is possible for the height of the module base 60 to be adjusted with respect to the frame by the user adjusting an adjustment screw (not shown) located to be accessible at the top surface of the base and which passes down to the underside of the base and thereby allow operation of a scissor hinge arrangement mounted on the frame and acting on the module base so as to allow the height of the base to be adjusted with respect to the frame to thereby adjust the height of the protrusion of the cutting blade 130 with respect to the frame to surface. FIG. 6d shows a module 78 being used in which there is provided a circular saw 80 mounted on slide members 82, 84 and which, most typically can be used to saw through relatively thin workpieces such as flooring panels in differing modes of operation. Furthermore, in this arrangement the module can be used independently of the remainder of the apparatus without the requirement of adaptation as the module is provided with feet (not shown) which protrude from below the module base 60. FIG. 6e illustrates a frame 12 with a module 86 with a band saw 88 machining tool mounted thereon. FIG. 6f illustrates the frame 12 with a further support table 90 provided. In this embodiment it will be seen that the support table 90 includes a plurality of location apertures 132 thereon for the user placing of tools, components and or fixtures in selected positions using clamping means of a conventional form. In one embodiment the module may comprise a base with a similar plurality of location apertures formed thereon as shown in FIG. 6g. In this case therefore the module base does not have a tool fixed thereto when placed into the frame but may receive a tool thereon subsequently. In addition, a frame portion 42 can include a series of location apertures therein also and, as the same can be moved relative to the remainder of the frame to extend the effective work surface of the apparatus as indicated by arrow 150, then the need for the additional table 90 shown in FIG. 6f is removed.

(24) There is therefore provided apparatus which can be used to receive a plurality of modules and thereby allow the apparatus to be used to advantage in the operation of the power tools mounted on said modules.