TILE SAW WITH ADJUSTABLE FENCE AND METHODS
20200180185 ยท 2020-06-11
Inventors
- Nicholas Costanzo (Greenville, SC, US)
- Michael Hart (Anderson, SC, US)
- Eric M. Nevel (Anderson, SC, US)
- Charles Moody Wacker, II (Anderson, SC, US)
- Ryan Burt (Anderson, SC, US)
Cpc classification
B27B27/04
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B24B27/065
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B28D1/047
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B28D7/02
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B27B27/08
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
A tile saw includes a saw with a cutting blade, a frame supporting the saw, a table supporting a workpiece and being slidable relative to the frame, and a rear fence secured to the table. The rear fence has an engagement surface and is adjustable between an operating position and a bypassed position. The bypassed position includes the engagement surface of the fence being no higher than even with the planar surface of the table to allow a workpiece to extend beyond a rear edge of the table. In the operating position, the engagement surface of the rear fence projects axially from the planar surface of the table to support the workpiece as the workpiece is pushed into the cutting blade during operation. The fence can be adjusted between the operating and bypassed positions by using any one of a cam lever clamp, pin and guideway, or rotatable latch.
Claims
1. A tile saw comprising: (a) a saw having a cutting blade; (b) a frame supporting the saw; (c) a table having a planar surface configured to support a workpiece, the table being slidable relative to the frame; and (d) a rear fence secured to the table, the rear fence having an engagement surface that is adjustable between an operating position and a bypassed position, wherein: (i) when in the operating position, the engagement surface of the fence fixed projects upwardly from the planar surface of the table to support the workpiece during a cutting operation; and (ii) when in the bypassed position, the engagement surface of the fence is no higher than even with the planar surface of the table to allow the workpiece to extend beyond a rear edge of the table.
2. The tile saw of claim 1 wherein the engagement surface, when in the operating position, is disposed along a plane that is perpendicular to a plane containing the cutting plane.
3. The tile saw of claim 1 wherein the rear fence is pivotable between the operating position and bypassed position.
4. The tile saw of claim 3 wherein the engagement surface of the rear fence, when in the bypassed position, is in a same plane as the planar surface of the table.
5. The tile saw of claim 3 wherein the engagement surface of the rear fence, when in the bypassed position, is in a plane parallel to the planar surface of the table.
6. The tile saw of claim 2 wherein a latch arrangement selectively holds the rear fence in the operating position and releases the rear fence to the bypassed position.
7. The tile saw of claim 1 wherein the rear fence is slidable between the operating position and the bypassed position.
8. The tile saw of claim 7 wherein the engagement surface of the rear fence, when in both the operating position and the bypassed position, is perpendicular to the planar surface of the table.
9. The tile saw of claim 7 wherein a pin and guideway arrangement selectively holds the rear fence in the operating position and releases the rear fence to the bypassed position.
10. The tile saw of claim 9 wherein the pin and guideway arrangement includes a guideway defined within the fence and a knobbed pin adjustable within the guideway to selectively fix the rear fence in one of the operating position and bypassed position.
11. The tile saw of claim 1 further comprising a spring and detent arrangement for holding the fence in the selected operating position or the bypassed position, the spring and detent arrangement including: at least one spring secured to one of the fence and a rear face of the table; and at least one detent arrangement positioned to engage the spring defined by the other of the fence and rear face of the table.
12. The tile saw of claim 1 wherein a clamp arrangement selectively holds the rear fence in one of the operating position and the bypassed position.
13. The tile saw of claim 12 wherein the clamp arrangement comprises a cam lever clamp having a pivot lever secured to a spring-biased bolt, the bolt extending through the rear fence and into a rear face of the table.
14. The tile saw of claim 1 further comprising a rip guide secured to the table having a rip guide engagement surface in a plane parallel to a plane containing the cutting blade.
15. The tile saw of claim 1 further comprising a water tray on a side of the saw opposite of the table.
16. The tile saw of claim 1 wherein the table is fixed relative to the frame when the rear fence is in the bypassed position.
17. A method of adjusting a tile saw to accommodate a length of tile, the method comprising: (a) providing a saw comprising: a cutting blade; a frame supporting the saw; a table having a planar surface configured to support the tile, the table being slidable relative to the frame; a rear fence secured to the table; and (b) adjusting the rear fence from an operating position to a bypassed position by moving an engagement surface of the fence to a position substantially even with the planar surface of the table to allow the tile to extend beyond a rear edge of the table.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of adjusting includes pivoting the rear fence between the operating position and bypassed position.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of adjusting includes sliding the rear fence between the operating position and bypassed position.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of adjusting includes one of: (i) loosening a knob to release the rear fence from the operating position and then sliding the rear fence to the bypassed position; or (ii) pivoting a cam lever to loosen a clamping force between the rear fence and the table and then sliding the rear fence to the bypassed position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0063] This disclosure provides a wet tile saw 10 that can be used to accurately and quickly cut construction materials, such as ceramic, marble, or granite tiles, and the like. The wet tile saw 10 employs a lubricant, such as water, to cool a cutting blade 15 and to carry away debris removed during the cutting process. As illustrated in
[0064] The frame 30 is a structural component that includes one or more rails 50 (e.g., a pair of rails) that extend along a longitudinal axis 55 of the tile saw 10, the one or more rails 50 defining a guide. In some embodiments, at least two rails 50 are spaced apart from one another such that they are on opposite sides of the frame 30.
[0065] The table 25 may include a substantially planar top surface 95 that is arranged to support a workpiece 135, such as a piece of tile (shown schematically in
[0066] The top surface 95 includes a plurality of grooves or slots 100 arranged to direct the liquid coolant and collected cutting debris off the table 25 and into the pan 35. In addition, the table 25 includes multiple slots 105 (e.g., two slots 105, three slots 105, and/or the like) that extend parallel to the saw axis 55 and that are shaped to receive the cutting blade 15 during a cut. A first slot 105a is arranged to receive the blade 15 during a vertical cut and is therefore substantially vertical. A second slot 105b is angled at a first angle, such as 45 from vertical, to receive the saw blade 15 during a bevel cut at the first angle. A third slot 105c is arranged at a second angle, such as 60 from vertical, to receive the saw blade 15 during a bevel cut at the second angle. Additional slots 105 may be provided at different angles, if desired.
[0067] The extension 40 is configured to attach to the pan 35, the frame 30, and/or a stand (not shown) and extends beyond the pan 35 behind the saw 20. The extension 40 functions as a water tray 45 and is angled to catch lubricant that splashes in the rearward direction and direct the lubricant back to the pan 35. The water tray 45 is on a side of the saw 20 opposite of the cutting blade 15.
[0068] The table 25 may include a rear fence 110. The rear fence 110 is configured to provide support for the workpiece 135 as the workpiece 135 is pushed, or otherwise moved, into the blade 15 during a cutting operation. As is described further below, the rear fence 110 has an engagement surface 115 (
[0069] The operating position includes the engagement surface 115 of the rear fence 110 fixed to project upward from the planar top surface 95 of the table 25 to support workpiece 135, such as tile, as the workpiece 135 is pushed into the cutting blade 15 during operation. Alternatively, other arrangements can include saws in which the workpiece 135 is stationary, while the blade moves or translates over the workpiece 135.
[0070] The bypassed position includes the engagement surface 115 of the rear fence 110 no higher than even with the planar top surface 95 of the table 25. That is, in some embodiments the engagement surface 115 of the rear fence 110 may be substantially even with and, thus, substantially planar with the planar top surface 95 of the table 25. In some embodiments, the engagement surface 115 of the rear fence 110 may be lower than and non-planar with the planar top surface 95 of the table 25. This layout allows the workpiece 135 to extend beyond a rear edge 125 (
[0071] When the engagement surface 115 of the rear fence 110 is in the bypass position, a rip guide 145 (
[0072] When the engagement surface 115 of the rear fence 110 is in the bypassed position, the table 25 may be fixed relative to the frame 30. The workpiece 135 may be moved into the cutting blade 15 by the user pushing the workpiece 135 across the top surface 95 of the table 25 and into the cutting blade 15.
1. The Embodiment of FIGS. 2-11
[0073] Attention is now directed to the first embodiment of the rear fence 110 shown in
[0074] The rear fence 110 is pivotable about a hinge point 155. When the rear fence 110 is pivoted from the operating position to the bypassed position, the engagement surface 115 is in a same plane, or a plane no higher than the planar surface 95 of the table 25.
[0075] Still in reference to
2. The Embodiment of FIGS. 12-19
[0076] Reference is now made to the embodiment of
[0077] The engagement surface 115 of the rear fence 110 remains perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular (i.e., within about +/15 of being perpendicular), to the planar top surface 95 of the table 25, when in both the operating position and the bypassed position. The engagement surface 115 is also within a plane that is perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the plane containing the cutting blade 15. The engagement surface 115 is adjustable between the operating position and the bypass position by a pin and guideway arrangement 200. The pin and guideway arrangement 200 selectively holds the rear fence 110 in the operating position and releases the rear fence 110 to the bypassed position.
[0078] Many embodiments are possible. In the embodiment shown, the pin and guideway arrangement 200 includes a guideway 205 (
[0079] The knobbed pin 210 includes a threaded section 215 (
[0080] In use, when the user desires to move the rear fence 110 from the operating position to the bypass position, the user may rotate the knob 220 in a direction away from the rear fence 110. This allows the pin 210 to be moved within the guideway 205 from the operating position of
3. The Embodiment of FIGS. 20-23
[0081] Reference is now made to the embodiment of
[0082] The engagement surface 115 of the rear fence 110 remains perpendicular to the planar top surface 95 of the table 25, when in both the operating position and the bypassed position. The engagement surface 115 is also within a plane that is perpendicular to the plane containing the cutting blade 15. The engagement surface 115 is adjustable between the operating position and the bypass position by a pin and guideway arrangement 300. The pin and guideway arrangement 300 selectively holds the rear fence 110 in the operating position and releases the rear fence 110 to the bypassed position.
[0083] Many embodiments are possible. In the embodiment shown, the pin and guideway arrangement 300 includes a guideway 301 embodied as at least a first elongated through slot 305 defined by the fence 110. The slot 305 has a longitudinal axis 306 (
[0084] While only a single pin and guideway arrangement 300 can be used, in the embodiment shown, there may additionally be a second elongated through slot 330 and a second threaded bolt 332 with a second turn knob 334, functioning the same as the first slot 305, first bolt 312, and first turn knob 320.
[0085] In accordance with principles of this disclosure, the tile saw 10 may additionally include a spring and detent arrangement 340 for holding the fence 110 in the selected operating position or bypassed position. The spring and detent arrangement 340 includes at least one spring 342 secured to either one of the fence 110 and a rear face 195 of the table 25, and at least one detent arrangement 344 positioned to engage the spring 342 defined by the other of the fence 110 and rear face 195 of the table 25.
[0086] In the embodiment shown, the at least one spring 342 comprises a leaf spring 346 secured to the rear face 195 of the table 25 and positioned to engage the detent arrangement 344 defined by the fence 110 along the same surface as the engagement surface 115. While only a single spring and detent arrangement 340 can be used, there may be two springs 342, 343, each being a leaf spring secured to the rear face 195 of the table 25, and two detent arrangements 344, 345.
[0087] Attention is directed to
[0088] In use, when the user desires to move the rear fence 110 from the operating position to the bypass position, the user may rotate the knobs 320, 334 in a direction away from the rear fence 110. This allows the fence 110 to be moved vertically so that the slots 305, 330 move about the bolts 312, 332 from the operating position of
4. The Embodiment of FIGS. 24-28
[0089] Reference is now made to the embodiment of
[0090] The engagement surface 115 of the rear fence 110 remains perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the planar top surface 95 of the table 25, when in both the operating position and the bypassed position. The engagement surface 115 is also within a plane that is perpendicular to the plane containing the cutting blade 15. In this embodiment, the engagement surface 115 is adjustable between the operating position and the bypass position by a clamp arrangement 400. The clamp arrangement 400 selectively holds the rear fence 110 in the selected position of either the operating position or the bypassed position.
[0091] Many embodiments are possible. In the embodiment shown, the clamp arrangement 400 includes a pair of cam lever clamps 402, 403. Each cam lever clamp 402, 403 includes a pivot lever 404 with a handle 406 a cam head 408. The handle 406 is sized to be gripped by a human hand and can be used to pivot the pivot lever 404 between a locked position and an unlocked position. In this embodiment, the locked position has the handle 406 adjacent and generally parallel to the fence 110 (
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[0094] In use, when the user desires to move the rear fence 110 from the operating position to the bypass position, the user may pivot the pivot lever 404 by gripping the handles 406 and moving in the direction of arrows 410 from the locked position to the unlocked position. This motion rotates the cam head 408, which loosens the clamping force between the table 25 and the fence 110. Loosening of the clamping force allows the fence 110 to be moved vertically from the operating position of
[0095] When the user desires to move the rear fence 110 from the bypass position to the operating position, the user pivots the pivot lever 404 in the direction of arrows 410 from the locked position to the unlocked position, which loosens the clamping force between the table 25 and the fence 110 and allows the fence 110 to be moved vertically from the bypass position of
5. Methods
[0096] The tile saw 110 can be used in a method of adjusting the tile saw 110 to accommodate a long length of tile. The method includes providing saw 20 having cutting blade 15. The frame 30 supports the saw 20. Table 25 has planar surface 95 configured to the support the workpiece 135, which can be tile. Rear fence 110 is secured to the table 25. The method includes the step of adjusting the rear fence 110 from the operating position to the bypassed position by moving the engagement surface 115 to a position no higher than even with the planar surface 95 of the table 25 to allow the workpiece 135, such as tile, to extend beyond the rear edge 125 of the table 25.
[0097] The step of adjusting the rear fence 110 may include pivoting the rear fence 110 between the operating position and bypass position.
[0098] The step of adjusting the rear fence 110 can include using latch 165 to release the rear fence 110 from the operating position and then pivoting the rear fence 110 to the bypassed position.
[0099] The step of adjusting the rear fence 110 can include sliding the rear fence 110 between the operating position and bypass position. This may include the step of loosening a knob 220 to release the rear fence 110 from the operating position and then sliding the rear fence 110 to the bypassed position.
[0100] The step of loosening a knob 220 can include loosening first and second knobs 320, 334 to release the rear fence 110 from the operating position, and then sliding the rear fence 110 to the bypassed position.
[0101] The step of sliding the rear fence 110 between the operating position and bypassed position may also include moving the fence 110 against a spring 342 between a pair of detents 352, 350.
[0102] The step of sliding the rear fence 110 between the operating position and bypassed position can include moving the fence 110 against a pair of springs 342, 343, each spring 342, 343 moving between a respective pair of detents 352, 350.
[0103] The step of adjusting the rear fence 110 can include pivoting a pivot lever 404 of a cam lever clamp 402, 403 to loosen a clamping force between the rear fence 110 and the table 25 and then sliding the rear fence 110 to the bypassed position.
[0104] The above represents example principles. Many embodiments can be made using these principles.