PANEL CUTTER WITH EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE CLAMPING SYSTEM

Abstract

A panel cutter has a clamping mechanism positioned adjacent to the cutting path to hold the panel material in position during the cutting process. The clamping mechanism includes a clamping bar which is removably coupled to a pair of lever mechanisms which are rotatably coupled to the framework of the panel cutter. An actuator bar having cams at both ends is also coupled to the framework and position adjacent to the lever arms, wherein movement of the actuator bar causes movement of the lever arms. Based upon the configuration and positioning of these components, movement of the lever arms causes the clamping bar to move between a locked position and an unlocked position.

Claims

1. A clamping mechanism for use on a panel cutting system to efficiently and effectively hold a panel to be cut using a movable cutting blade, comprising: an actuator arm having a handle attached thereto, wherein the handle is accessible by a user and is located a distance away from a cutting zone, and wherein the actuator arm is attached to a frame portion of the panel saw via a bracket, and movement of the handle causes movement of the actuator arm; a lever mechanism coupled to the frame of the panel saw and positioned adjacent the actuator arm, wherein movement of the actuator arm causes movement of the lever mechanism; and a clamp arm coupled to the lever mechanism to provide clamping force to the panel, wherein movement of the lever arm causes the clamp arm to be moved into contact with the entire panel at a location near the cutting blade.

2. The clamping mechanism of claim 1 wherein the clamping mechanism can be easily removed from the frame.

3. The clamping mechanism of claim 2 wherein the clamping arm is coupled to the lever mechanism using a spring loaded pin.

4. The clamping mechanism of claim 1 wherein the actuator arm is rotatably coupled to the panel cutting system and includes a cam attached thereto, and wherein the cam interacts with the lever mechanism to cause the movement of the lever mechanism.

5. The clamping mechanism of claim 1 wherein the movable cutting blade follows a predetermined cutting path, and wherein the clamp arm is positioned adjacent to and parallel with the cutting path.

6. The clamping mechanism of claim 5 wherein the clamp arm is within two inches from the cutting path when engaged with the panel material.

7. A panel cutting saw configured to support and hold panel material while being cut, the panel cutting saw comprising: a support framework having a support structure and a support rail configured to hold the panel material during cutting operations; a cutting carriage supporting a cutting blade and carried by a guide rail system which allows the cutting blade to follow a predetermined cutting path; and a panel clamping mechanism for holding the panel material on the support framework in a position adjacent the support structure and support rail, the clamping mechanism comprising: an actuator arm rotatable coupled to the support framework, the actuator arm having a first cam at a bottom end and a second cam at a top end; a first lever mechanism coupled to a lower portion of the framework and positioned adjacent to the first cam, wherein rotation of the first cam creates movement of the first lever mechanism; a second lever mechanism coupled to an upper portion of the framework and positioned adjacent to the second cam, wherein rotation of the second cam creates movement of the second lever mechanism; and a clamping bar coupled to the first lever mechanism and the second lever mechanism; wherein movement of the first and second lever mechanism causes related movement of the clamping bar.

8. The panel cutting saw of claim 7 wherein the clamping mechanism can be easily removed from the frame.

9. The panel cutting saw of claim 8 wherein the clamping arm is coupled to the first lever mechanism and the second lever mechanism using a pair of spring loaded pins.

10. The panel cutting saw of claim 7 wherein the clamp arm is within two inches from the cutting path when engaged with the panel material.

11. The panel cutting saw of claim 7 wherein the clamping bar is movable between a locked position to hold the panel material to be cut, and an unlock position wherein the clamping bar is clear from the panel material to be cut.

12. The panel cutting saw of claim 7 wherein the cutting blade is a straight blade.

13. The panel cutting saw of claim 7 wherein the cutting blade is a powered cutting blade

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The further details and advantages of the preferred embodiments can be seen from the following description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the panel cutting device with the improved holding mechanism;

[0005] FIG. 2 is a back view of the top end of the holding bar mechanism;

[0006] FIG. 3 is a back view of the bottom end of the holding bar mechanism;

[0007] FIG. 4 is a view of the top of the holding bar mechanism looking from the bottom;

[0008] FIG. 5 is a view of the bottom of the holding bar mechanism looking from the top; and

[0009] FIG. 6 is a view of the bottom of the holding bar mechanism looking from the top with the holding bar mechanism in the locked position.

DESCRIPTION

[0010] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, and generally discussed below, a newly designed panel saw clamping mechanism is presented which is particularly useful in the sign industry. That said, the same mechanism could be applied to other systems and applications. As will be appreciated from the details outlined below, certain elements of the panel saw apparatus are not shown in the attached figure, so that an improved clamping mechanism can be better illustrated.

[0011] As generally illustrated in FIG. 1, the clamping mechanism 40 is attached to a frame 20 of a panel saw system 10 at a location adjacent a saw carriage 30. Those familiar with panel saws will recognize that a saw (not show) is often carried by saw carriage 30, thus allowing controlled movement. In the illustrated embodiment, the saw carriage 30 will be carried/guided by a set of rails 24 so it can easily move up and down. In this embodiment, a panel (e.g. plastic panel, plywood, or similar type of material configured as a relatively flat panel) is supported on the panel saw, so that desired cuts can be made by simply moving carriage 30 (and attached saw) along rails 24. Although reference is made to a saw, a cutting knife or blade could also be used, depending on the materials involved. In certain alternatives, this panel saw could be used in the cutting of plastic panels, plexiglass, foam board, etc. As will be appreciated, the clamping of these softer or more flexible materials provides significant advantages and helps to more efficiently carry out cutting operations.

[0012] To improve operation of the panel saw or cutting knife, clamping mechanism 40 is added so a panel can be securely held in position during cutting operations. The clamping mechanism 40 includes an actuator arm 50 which is rotatably and removably attached to the frame 20 via a bracket 46. A cam 52 is attached to each end of the actuator arm 50. A lever or handle mechanism 54 which is configured to allow rotation of actuator arm 50. Generally, a clamp bar 82 is attached to lever mechanism 72 which carries out a clamping function. All of these components are positioned and configured so that clamp bar 82 will be positioned close to or immediately adjacent to the cutting zone (i.e. the path of the cutting blade). Again, the path of cutting blade is controlled by the configuration of carriage 30 and guide rails 24. In addition, handle 54 is accessible by a user, but is positioned outside of the cutting area, thus providing an additional level of safety. Further, all components are designed so that the clamp bar 82 is easily removable so that alternative cutting operations can be completed and potential interference is avoided.

[0013] In use, handle 54 allows a user to rotate actuator arm 50, which will also cause rotation of cams 52. The cams 52 are specifically designed and fabricated to interact with lever mechanisms 62, 72, and thus cause clamp bar 82 to move into a locked position when desired. Similarly, clamp bar 82 can be moved to the unlocked position by rotating the actuator bar 50 in the opposite direction. Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, details of clamping operations can be better seen. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the top portion and bottom portion, respectively, of the clamping system. Again, a single actuator arm 50 is coupled between these two systems. In essence, the top portion (illustrated in FIG. 4) is a mirror image of the bottom portion (illustrated in FIG. 5). As can be seen, cams 52 are both attached to opposite ends of actuator arm 50. Bottom lever mechanism 72 is attached to framework bracket 46 at a pivot point 73. Similarly, top lever mechanism 62 is attached to framework bracket 47 at a pivot point 63.

[0014] As generally discussed above, actuator arm 50 is rotatably coupled to framework brackets 46 and 47 and can be operated using handle 54. Rotation of actuator arm 50 causes related movement of cams 52, which are permanently attached to actuator arm 50. As shown, cams 52 have an irregular shape, thus causing forces to be applied to top lever mechanism 62 and bottom lever mechanism 72 when actuator arm is rotated. In both FIGS. 4 and 5, clamp bar 82 is shown in the open or unlocked or unclamped position. By contrast, referring to FIG. 6, actuator arm 50 and cams 52 have been rotated causing lever mechanism 72 to rotate. This movement of lever mechanism 72 causes clamp bar 82 to move into the closed or locked or clamped position. Again, this closed or locked position is best illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0015] To provide efficiency, clamp bar 82 is designed to clamp the full length of the material being cut in a uniform manner. Although not required, it is helpful if this clamping can occur immediately adjacent the cutting zone, to make cutting operations more efficient. In one example, the clamp bar 82 is positioned within inches of the cutting zone and parallel to the cutting path.

[0016] In addition to the details above, clamp mechanism 40 was designed for easy removal, thus allowing the machine to perform other cutting applications which may not benefit from the clamp, including both horizontal and vertical cutting operations. As an example, the cutting of plywood, rigid plastic panels, or thicker material may not require the use of the clamp to obtain efficient cuts. In the disclosed embodiments, the removal and/or reinstallation of the clamp can be done in a matter of seconds. Referring to FIGS. 2 & 3, machined blocks 86, 96 on each end of the clamp bar 82 are slotted to except a pin 84, 94 that is connected to the main structure. These machine blocks include a pressure spring 89, 99 that can be pushed in to exert pressure on one end, which allows the other end of the clamp bar 82 to be removed.

[0017] As discussed above, the clamping mechanism described in the identified embodiment makes use of a rotatable actuator arm having cams 52 attached to each end which interact with lever mechanisms 62, 72 and to cause movement. With clamp bar 82 attached to an end of lever mechanisms 62, 72, this creates the desired movement between the closed or locked position, and the open or unlocked position. Those skilled in the art recognized that alternative schemes could be utilized. For example, gears, levers or other movement mechanism could be possible. In such an alternative mechanism, a lever could be used to create straight line movement of components, which could then be translated into movement of a related clamp bar between an unlocked position and a locked position.

[0018] Various embodiments of the invention have been described above for purposes of illustrating the details thereof and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. The details and features of the disclosed embodiment[s] are not intended to be limiting, as many variations and modifications will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to be interpreted broadly and to include all variations and modifications coming within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their legal equivalents.