Tomesani, Giuliano (Via Albareto, 291 Modena, I-41100, IT)
| 1. | A combined radial cutting machine, particularly for beams or similar items, comprising a base, a substantially circular platform for supporting and working the beams which is mounted on the base in such a way that it pivots about a substantially vertical axis, a beam fence above the platform and fixed to the base, a support, attached to the platform and supporting a cutting unit which rests on the platform and which comprises a frame supporting a motor powered circular blade, and a straight and radial groove in the platform designed to receive the lower portion of the blade in the cutting configuration, the machine being characterised in that it comprises straight lower guide means located between the support and the platform and designed to allow them to remove relative to one another and straight upper guide means located between the cutting unit and the support and designed to allow them to move relative to one another, the straight upper and lower guide means being substantially parallel with one another. |
| 2. | The machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the straight lower guide means and the straight upper guide means are substantially parallel with the groove. |
| 3. | The machine according to one or both of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the straight lower guide means comprise at least one lower bar with a portion which can be inserted in a seat in the platform, the opposite portion projecting from the back of the platform, the support being slidably mounted on said portion. |
| 4. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises means for fixing said lower bars to the platform, designed to adjust the position of the bars relative to the platform, the projecting portion of the lower bars being designed to form the sliding stroke of the support. |
| 5. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the fixing means comprise screw means which can be inserted in throughholes in the platform and are designed to engage with threaded holes in the bars. |
| 6. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises first means for stopping the support from sliding relative to the lower guide means. |
| 7. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the upper guide means comprise at least one upper bar which is attached to the support and bears the cutting unit. |
| 8. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the upper bars are slidably inserted in throughseats in the support. |
| 9. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the upper bars are fixed to the support. |
| 10. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the cutting unit is fixed to the front end of the upper bars. |
| 11. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the cutting unit is jointed to the front end of the upper bars about an axis which is substantially at a right angle to them. |
| 12. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the cutting unit is slidably mounted on the upper bars. |
| 13. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises second means for stopping the upper bars so that they cannot slide relative to the support. |
| 14. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the lower bars consist of two bars which are parallel with one another and positioned at offset heights relative to the horizontal plane. |
| 15. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the upper bars consist of two bars which are parallel with one another and positioned at offset heights relative to the horizontal plane. |
| 16. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the first and second stop means are tightening levers or similar items. |
| 17. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the groove extends along a diameter of the platform. |
| 18. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the fence and the groove intersect one another substantially at the platform vertical pivoting axis. |
| 19. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the fence has a geometrical shape designed to allow the blade to pass through it. |
| 20. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the fence is interrupted by a middle opening at the groove, being designed to allow the blade to pass through it. |
| 21. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the platform comprises a radial arm extending in front of it, the groove extending in the arm. |
| 22. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one pole in which there is a groove and which is designed to be placed in a radial or diametrical retaining seat in the platform. |
| 23. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the support comprises a shoe with sleeves in which the lower bars can be inserted, separated by antifriction means, a supporting body attached to the upper bars and jointed to the shoe about a pin which is substantially parallel with the groove, and tightening means for locking the supporting body relative to the shoe at a given angle to the vertical plane passing through the groove. |
| 24. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the supporting body comprises a base, jointed to the shoe about the pin, and a head which is hinged to the base about an axis substantially at a right angle to the bars and connected to the upper bars, the head being designed to allow the cutting unit to be raised and lowered relative to the pivoting platform. |
| 25. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the head comprises the throughseats in which the upper bars can be slidably inserted, separated by antifriction means. |
| 26. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the upper bars are fixed to the head. |
| 27. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the cutting unit comprises auxiliary beam cutting means housed in an upper zone of the cutting unit. |
| 28. | The machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the auxiliary cutting means consist of a work table supported in such a way that it is integral with the cutting unit frame and adjustable, and also characterised in that there is a slot in which the upper portion of the blade is inserted and projects. |
A combined radial cutting machine, particularly for beams or similar items Technical Field The present invention relates to a combined radial cutting machine, particularly for beams or similar items.
Background Art Radial and portable cutting machines are known which are used for in situ cutting of beams, bars or similar items, for example on a construction site. These basically consist of a base fitted with a pivoting platform designed to act as a supporting surface for the beams to be cut and to which a support is attached, with a cutting head jointed to it.
The cutting head is positioned above the pivoting platform and comprises a frame with a grip, supporting a circular blade driven by motor means and equipped with guard elements for the active cutting portion.
In the pivoting platform there is a straight groove in which the lower portion of the blade is inserted during the cutting step.
A fence for the beams to be cut is located above the platform and fixed so that it is integral with the base.
The cutting head support is jointed in such a way that it can raise and lower the head relative to the pivoting platform and, if necessary, turn it about an axis parallel with the groove to angle it relative to the platform for oblique cuts.
At the blade insertion groove the fence has a recess which guarantees that the blade fully penetrates the beam to be cut and that it is shaped according to the supporting platform amplitude of rotation and the various possible cutting head angles.
To increase the cutting length there are known cutting machines in which the back of the pivoting platform is fitted with straight guides, commonly known as rods, arranged parallel with the blade
insertion groove and on which the cutting head support is mounted.
In a first embodiment, the rods are fixed to the platform and the cutting head support is slidably mounted on them. In a second embodiment the cutting head support is fixed to the rods, whilst the latter are slidably mounted in seats made in the pivoting platform.
Alternatively, there are known cutting machines in which the jointed cutting head support is fixed to the pivoting platform and the top is fitted with rods, arranged parallel with the blade insertion groove, with the cutting head mounted on the rods. In a first embodiment the rods are fixed relative to the support and the head is slidably mounted on them. In a second embodiment the rods are slidably mounted relative to the support and the head is fixed or jointed to them.
In each case the cutting length depends on the cutting head stroke relative to the pivoting platform.
These known types of cutting machines are not without disadvantages, including limited operating capacity, in terms of limited cutting length, negatively limiting the dimensions of the beams that they can cut.
The operating capacity of the known machines depends on the structure of the machines which, in turn, is constrained by the construction of moulding dies.
The cutting length also depends on the head stroke and, therefore, the dimensions of the rods which, if too long, would result in the head being in an offset position, creating play, bending and wobbling which would reduce cutting precision.
Therefore, in known machines, an increase ih the cutting length corresponds with a reduction in cutting precision.
Another disadvantage of the known machines is the fact that they are heavy and bulky and, being of the portable type, make it awkward and difficult for operators to transport them and position them manually in the place where they will be used.
Disclosure of the Invention The main aim of the present invention is to overcome the above- mentioned disadvantages of the known machines by providing a combined radial cutting machine, particularly for beams or similar items which, although the same size as the known machines, has a
greater cutting length and, vice versa, with the same cutting length as the known machines, is smaller.
Other aims of the present invention are to provide a combined radial cutting machine, particularly for beams or similar items, which has an increased operating capacity, in terms of the cutting length, and greater cutting precision and which allows the cutting of beams larger than those cut by the known machines and more suitable for trimming and squaring and for the machining of grooves and joints, such as dovetail joints.
Other aims of the present invention are to provide a combined radial cutting machine, particularly for beams or similar items which is substantially compact and light, which can easily be transported and manually positioned by operators in the places where it will be used, and is versatile, flexible and designed to satisfy various operating requirements.
As part of this technical task, another aim of the present invention is to perform the above-mentioned tasks with a simple structure, which is relatively easy to produce, safe to use and efficient, as well as having a relatively low cost.
This task and these aims are all fulfilled by the combined radial cutting machine, particularly for beams or similar items disclosed, comprising a base, a substantially circular platform for supporting and working on the beams which is mounted on the base in such a way that it pivots about a substantially vertical axis. There is also a fence for the beams positioned above the platform and fixed to the base, a support, attached to the platform and supporting a cutting unit which rests on the'platform and which comprises a frame holding a motor-powered circular blade, and a straight and radial groove in the platform, designed to receive the lower portion of the blade in the cutting configuration. The present invention is characterised in that it comprises straight lower guide means located between the support and the platform and designed to allow them to move relative to one another and straight upper guide means located between the cutting unit and the support and designed to allow them to move relative to one another. The straight lower and upper guide means are substantially parallel with one another.
Brief Description of the Drawings Further features and advantages are more clearly illustrated in the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of a combined radial cutting machine, particularly for beams or similar items, without limiting the scope of its application, and in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the support, the lower and upper guide means and a portion of the platform of a first embodiment of the machine according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic rear axonometric projection of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the support, the lower and upper guide means, a portion of the platform and the cutting unit of a second embodiment of the machine according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic rear axonometric projection of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the support, the lower and upper guide means, a portion of the platform and the cutting unit of a third embodiment of the machine according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a schematic rear axonometric projection of Figure 5; Figure 7 is an exploded schematic view of the platform and the lower guide means of the machine made according to the present invention; Figure 8 is a perspective schematic view'of a machine made according to the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention With reference to the accompanying drawings, a combined radial cutting machine, particularly for beams or similar items, preferably made of wood, is labelled 1 as a whole.
The machine 1 comprises a base 2 on which a substantially circular platform 4 which acts as a table for supporting and working the beams is mounted, pivoting about a vertical axis defined by a pin 3.
On the platform 4 there is a fence 5 for the beams, which is fixed in the known conventional way to the base 2.
The machine 1 also comprises a support 6, attached to the platform 4 and supporting a cutting unit 7 which rests on the platform 4 and which comprises a frame 8 holding a motor-powered circular blade 9 and is fitted with guards 10 which protect the active cutting portion, not illustrated in detail, since they are of the known type.
The platform 4 has a straight, radial groove 11 designed to receive the active lower portion of the blade 9 when the latter is in the cutting configuration.
The machine 1 has straight lower guide means consisting of two lower bars or rods 12 located between the support 6 and the platform 4 and designed to allow them to move relative to one another.
The machine 1 is also fitted with straight upper guide means consisting of two upper bars or rods 13 located between the cutting unit 7 and the support 6 designed to allow them to move relative to one another.
The upper rods 13 and the lower rods 12 are parallel with the groove 11.
The lower rods 12 have a front portion 12a which can be inserted in corresponding seats 14 in the platform 4 and the opposite portion 12b projects from the back of the platform 4, with the support 6 slidably mounted on it. The projecting portion 12b defines the sliding stroke of the support 6.
There are means for fixing the lower rods 12 to the platform 4 which are designed to adjust the position of the rods relative to the platform. In the embodiments illustrated these consist of screw means 15 inserted in through-holes in the platform 4 and designed to engage in threaded holes 16 made in the lower rods 12.
Alternative embodiments of the means for fixing the lower rods 12 to the platform 4, for example, clamp means, are not excluded.
There is a succession of threaded holes 16 along each of the lower rods 12.
The support 6 has first means for stopping sliding relative to the lower rods 12, consisting of a first tightening lever 17.
The upper rods 13 may be rigidly fixed to the support 6 and if this is the case, the cutting unit 7 is slidably mounted on the upper rods 13 (Figures 5 and 6).
Alternatively, the upper rods 13 may be slidably inserted in through-seats 18 made in the support 6 separated from them by anti- friction means, of the known type and not illustrated. In the latter case, the cutting unit 7 may be fixed to the front end of the upper rods 13 (Figures 3 and 4) or it may be jointed to it about an axis substantially at a right angle to them and defined by a transversal joint 19 (Figures 1 and 2).
The support 6 comprises a shoe 20, with sleeves 21 in which the lower rods 12 can be inserted, separated by customary anti-friction means, not illustrated, and a supporting body 22 to which the upper rods 13 are attached.
The shoe 20 allows the support 6 to slide on the lower rods 12.
The body 22 is jointed to the shoe 20 about a pin 23 which is substantially parallel with the groove 11. Tightening means, consisting of a lever 24, lock the body 22 relative to the shoe 20 at a set angle to the vertical plane passing through the groove 11.
This means that the cutting unit 7 can be angled relative to the platform 4 for oblique cuts, both on the right and the left.
The body 22 in turn consists of a base 25 and a head 26. The base 25 is jointed to the shoe 20 about the pin 23.
In the first embodiment (Figures 1 and 2) the head 26 is rigidly fixed to the base 25 and there are through-seats 18 in it, in which the upper rods 13 are slidably inserted. The transversal joint 19 for articulation of the cutting unit'7 is fixed to the front end of the upper rods.
In the second and third embodiments the head 26 is hinged to the base 25 (Figures 3 to 6) about an axis substantially at a right angle to the upper rods 13 and the lower rods 12 and which is defined by a transversal pin 27.
In the second embodiment the upper rods 13 are slidably inserted in the through-seats 18 in the head 26 and the cutting unit 7 is fixed to their front end.
In the third embodiment the upper rods 13 are rigidly fixed to the head 26 and the cutting unit 7 is slidably supported on them.
In each case, the machine 1 allows a double movement: one movement by the support 6 relative to the platform 4 and one movement by the cutting unit 7 relative to the support 6.
If the upper rods 13 slide relative to the support 6, there are second means for stopping their sliding relative to the support, consisting of a second tightening lever 28.
Advantageously, the two lower rods 12 are positioned at offset heights relative to the horizontal plane, increasing the stability under torsion. The upper rods 13 can be similarly positioned at offset heights relative to the horizontal plane and may have any shape.
The groove 11 extends at least along a diameter of the platform 4.
The platform 4 may have a radial arm 29 which extends to the front of it and in which the groove 11 extends.
The machine 1 conveniently comprises one or more shaped poles, not illustrated, each with a groove 11 made in it, and which are designed to be positioned in a radial or diametrical retaining seat in the platform 4.
The fence 5 for the beams intersects the groove 11 at the vertical pin 3 and, at this point of intersection, is, for example, interrupted by a middle opening 30 designed to allow the passage of the blade 9 in the various radial configurations assumed by the platform 4.
Other possible geometrical shapes for the fence 5, allowing the passage of the blade 9, are not ruled out.
Finally, the machine 1 comprises auxiliary'beam cutting means, of the known type and not illustrated, housed in an upper zone of the cutting unit 7 and consisting of a work table supported by the cutting unit frame 8, integral with the latter and adjustable, having a slot in which the upper portion of the blade 9 is inserted.
The above is a description of how the present invention fulfils the preset aims.
The double movement, that is to say, the movement of the cutting unit relative to the support and that of the support relative to the platform, with the same cutting length, allows a reduction (halving) of the length of the rods and, therefore, the dimensions relative to known machines.
The fact that the rods are shorter increases their strength and so reduces cutting unit play, bending and wobbling, giving improved cutting precision.
Similarly, with the same dimensions, that is to say rod length, the double movement gives the machine disclosed a greater cutting length than the known machines.
Therefore, the machine disclosed has an improved operating capacity, is more compact and allows the precision cutting of larger beams than the known machines.
Finally, it must be noticed that the opening in the beam fence allows the cutting unit to be moved without raising it relative to the working platform. Therefore, the machine made in accordance with the present invention may be used both as a radial cutting machine and as a radial squaring machine.
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