Woodturning Gouge for the Fabrication of Bowls

Abstract

The present invention surrounds a gouge for use in woodturning, particularly in the fabrication of wood bowls, wherein the gouge is configured to provide longer reach with decreased deflection. The decreased deflection allows safer and more efficient woodturning process, resulting in better quality woodturning products. The gouge includes an inner cutting profile which is offset upward from the center of the outer profile, thus providing more structural rigidity when extending the tool from a tool rest and into the concavity of a bowl being turned.

Claims

1. A bowl gouge for woodturning comprising: a distally located fluted portion; the fluted portion further comprising an inner aspect having a radius (r) and a center; the fluted portion further comprising an outer aspect having a radius (R) and a center; and the center of the inner aspect of the fluted portion offset vertically upward from the center of the outer aspect of the fluted portion by a distance (O).

2. The bowl gouge of claim 1, wherein (R>r).

3. The bowl gauge of claim 2, wherein (O<r).

4. The bowl gouge of claim 2, wherein (R≥2*r).

5. The bowl gouge of claim 4, wherein (O=.sup.2/.sub.3*r).

6. The bowl gouge of claim 4, wherein (O≥.sup.2/.sub.3*r).

7. The bowl gouge of claim 6, wherein the bowl gouge further comprises a bar configured to interconnect with a handle.

8. The bowl gouge of claim 7, wherein a transition from the fluted portion to the bar portion comprises a radius (t).

9. The bowl gouge of claim 8, wherein the bar comprises a diameter (d) and wherein (t≤5d).

10. The bowl gouge of claim 9, wherein the inner aspect of the fluted portion comprises a U-shaped profile.

11. The bowl gouge of claim 10, wherein the outer aspect of the fluted portion comprises a round profile.

12. The bowl gouge of claim 10, wherein the outer aspect of the fluted portion comprises an elliptical profile.

13. The bowl gouge of claim 9, wherein the inner aspect comprises an elliptical profile.

14. The bowl gouge of claim 9, wherein the inner aspect comprises a parabolic profile.

15. The bowl gouge of claim 9, wherein the inner aspect comprises a V-shaped profile.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1A—A perspective view of woodturning on an external surface of a woodturning piece in the prior art

[0026] FIG. 1B—A perspective view of woodturning on an external surface of a woodturning piece in the prior art

[0027] FIG. 2A—A cross-sectional view of a fluted portion of a bowl gouge of the prior art

[0028] FIG. 2B—A cross-sectional view of a fluted portion of a bowl gouge of the prior art

[0029] FIG. 2C—A cross-sectional view of a fluted portion of a bowl gouge of the prior art

[0030] FIG. 2D—A cross-sectional view of a fluted portion of a spindle gouge of the prior art

[0031] FIG. 3—A perspective view of certain embodiments of a bowl gouge of the present invention

[0032] FIG. 4A—A side view of certain embodiments of a of certain embodiments of a bowl gouge of the present invention

[0033] FIG. 4B—A cross-sectional view of the bowl gouge of FIG. 4A

[0034] FIG. 4C—A distal end view of certain embodiments of a of certain embodiments of a bowl gouge of the present invention

[0035] FIG. 4D—A cross-sectional view of the bowl gouge of FIG. 4C

[0036] FIG. 4E—A detailed view of the cross-sectional view as shown in FIG. 4B

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Certain embodiments of the present invention, shown in FIG. 3 comprise a bowl gouge 2000 a bar portion 2100 configured to interconnect with a handle, and a distally located fluted portion 2200. In certain embodiments the bar portion 2100 comprises a round profile. As shown in FIG. 4A-FIG. 4E, the fluted portion 2200 comprises an inner aspect 2300 comprising a radius (r), and an outer aspect 2400 comprising a radius (R) which is larger than the radius (r) of the inner aspect. The radius (r) of the inner aspect is eccentrically offset (O) from the radius (R) of the outer aspect. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4E, the center 2310 of the inner aspect of the fluted portion is offset vertically upward from the center 2410 of the outer aspect by a distance (O).

[0038] Although embodiments shown comprise an inner aspect 2300 wherein the profile of the inner aspect and outer aspect comprise a circular arc, alternate shapes not shown herein are within the spirit and scope the present invention. Although embodiments shown comprise an outer aspect 2400 having a profile of a circular arc are shown, embodiments within the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited thereto. Embodiments comprising an outer aspect 2400 having an elliptical, parabolic, V-shaped, U-shaped, square, hexagonal, octagonal, or other geometrically shaped outer aspect 2400 profile are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments comprising an inner aspect 2300 having an elliptical, parabolic, V-shaped, or U-shaped, inner aspect 2300 profile are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0039] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4E, the inner aspect comprises a radius (r), and the outer aspect comprises a radius (R), wherein: (R≥2*r). The use of a smaller inner radius (r) in relation to (R) results in a cutting edge 1100 results in a smaller cutting edge, which results in a tool which is less prone to catching. However, embodiments where the inner aspect comprises a radius (r), and the outer aspect comprises a radius (R), wherein: (R≤2*r), are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The inner aspect of certain embodiments comprises an offset (O) wherein: (2*O≥r). In certain embodiments the inner aspect comprises an offset (O) wherein: (O=.sup.□2/.sub.3□*r). In certain embodiments the inner aspect comprises an offset (O) wherein: (O≥.sup.□2/.sub.3□*r).

[0040] In efforts to maintain rigidity while maximizing a usable fluted portion of the tool, the transition from the fluted portion 2200 to the bar 2100 is minimized. In certain embodiments the bar diameter of the tool is represented as (d). In certain embodiments, the transition between the fluted portion 2200 and the bar 2100 occurs within a transition radius (t) wherein: (t≤5d).

[0041] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Further, the inventions described herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “adding” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.