ROBERT, Firth (Kilnfield House45 Common Road,Dunnington, York YO19 5PA, GB)
| Claims: 1. Guide means for use with a cutting tool for guiding and/or the supporting the cutting tool and/or a workpiece in use, said guide means including a body portion and means for allowing the cutting tool to be movably mounted thereon and/or detachably attached thereto in use, and wherein said guide means further includes at least one support arm for supporting at least part of a workpiece in use, said at least one support arm movable with respect to said body portion between a first storage po sition and at least a second in-use position. 2. Guide means according to claim 1 wherein with the at least one support arm in the first storage position, said support arm is substantially parallel to and adjacent a base of the guide means or body portion, and with the at least one support arm in the second in-use position, said support arm protrudes outwardly from the base of the guide means or body portion. 3. Guide means according to claim 1 wherein the at least one support arm can be moved between two or more different in-use positions that are pre-determined positions and/or user selected arbitrary positions. 4. Guide means according to claim 1 wherein locking means are provided to lock the at least one support arm in a required po sition in use. 5. Guide means according to claim 4 wherein the locking means are in the form of a cam lock. 6. Guide means according to claim 4 wherein the locking means include user actuation means for allowing movement of the locking means between a locked position, wherein the at least one support arm is prevented from being moved relative to the body portion, and an unlocked position, wherein the at least one support arm is able to move relative to the body portion. 7. Guide means according to claim 4 wherein the locking means includes a locking plate that has engagement means defined thereon, said locking plate engaging with complementary engagement means provided on the body portion with the locking means in a locked po sition and disengaging with said complementary engagement means in an unlocked position. 8. Guide means according to claim 4 wherein resilient biasing means are provided to bias the locking means to an unlocked position. 9. Guide means according to claim 1 wherein the at least one support arm comprises two or more parts and at least one of said parts is movable with respect to another of said parts to allow the length and/or angle of said support arm to be adjusted. 10. Guide means according to claim 9 wherein the at least one support arm is telescopic and includes an inner part that is slidably mounted in or relative to at least one outer sleeve part. 1 1. Guide means according to claim 1 wherein further workpiece support means are provided on or associated with the at least one support arm. 12. Guide means according to claim 1 1 wherein said further workpiece support means are movable between an in-use position, wherein the further workpiece support means protrudes outwardly from the at least one support arm, to a storage po sition, wherein the further workpiece support means is substantially adjacent to and parallel with the longitudinal axis of at least part of the at least one support arm. 13. Guide means according to a preceding claim wherein locking means are provided to lock the further workpiece support means and/or the two or more parts of the at least one support arm in a required position in use. 14. Guide means according to claim 1 1 wherein the further workpiece support means is movable parallel to the longitudinal axis of the at least one support arm or part thereof. 15. Guide means according to claim 14 wherein the at least one support arm and/or one or more support arm parts includes an elongate slot arranged longitudinally thereof and at least part of the further workpiece support means is slidably mounted in said slot. 16. Guide means according to claim 1 wherein a viewing window is provided on the at least one support arm, body portion and/or guide means to allow a user to view a visual scale or measurement display provided on or associated with the at least one support arm, body portion and/or guide means. 17. Guide means according to claim 1 wherein clamp means are provided on or associated with the at least one support arm, body portion and/or guide means for clamping a workpiece in use. 18. Guide means according to claim 1 wherein the body portion includes at least one rail member and said cutting tool is movably or slidably mounted on said rail member. 19. Guide means according to claim 1 8 wherein the body portion includes two rail members that are a spaced distance apart from each and sub stantially parallel to each other and said cutting tool is movable or slidably mounted on or between said rail members. 20. Guide means according to claim 18 wherein a space is defined between the body portion and the at least one rail member to allow at least part o f a workpiece to be inserted therethrough in use. 21. Guide means according to claim 18 wherein the at least one rail member is provided with a protruding lip, flange and/or channel and a part of the cutting tool is movably or slidably mounted on or with said lip, flange and/or channel in use to allow relative movement of the cutting tool with respect to the guide means and/or workpiece. 22. Guide means according to claim 1 wherein a carriage member is movably mounted to the guide means and the cutting tool is integral with, attached to or detachably attached to the carriage member to allow relative movement between the cutting tool and the guide means and/or workpiece in use. 23. Guide means according to claim 22 wherein the carriage member includes any or any combination of one or more wheels, rollers, ball bearings, sleeve members or low friction surfaces to allow the carriage member to be movable with respect to the guide means. 24. Guide means according to claim 22 wherein the carriage member includes a frame or base plate and at least one aperture, slot and/or window is defined in the frame or base plate to allow at least part of the cutting blade or tool workpiece to protrude through the same and make contact with a workpiece located below the carriage member in use. 25. Guide means according to a preceding claim wherein attachment means are provided on the guide means and/or carriage member to allow attachment or detachable attachment of at least part of the cutting tool therewith. 26. Guide means according to claim 1 8 wherein one or more accessories are slidably mounted on said at least one rail member. 27. Guide means according to claim 1 in the form of a cross-cut or mitre guide. 28. Guide means according to claim 1 wherein said cutting tool is in the form of a hand held multi-cutter tool, a jigsaw, a serpentine saw or an electrical powered saw. 29. A method of using guide means, said guide means including a body portion and means for allowing the cutting tool to be movably mounted thereon and/or detachably attached thereto in use, and wherein said guide means further includes at least one support arm for supporting at least part of a workpiece in use, and said method includes moving the at least one support arm with respect to said body portion between a first storage position and at least a second in-use position. |
This invention relates to guide means for a cutting tool, and a method of use thereof.
Although the following description refers almost exclusively to guide means for a cutting tool in the form of an electrically powered hand held multi-cutter tool of a type giving the appearance of a miniature hand held circular saw, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention could be used with any type of cutting tool or electrically powered cutting tool that uses a cutting blade or cutting tool workpiece for applying a cutting action to a workpiece in use, such as for example a jigsaw, serpentine saw and/or the like. The cutting tool described herein typically is able to cut any type of material, such as for example, wood, sheet material, plastic, metal, ceramic, tiles and/or the like.
An example of a conventional hand held multi-cutter tool typically comprises a body portion with a circular cutting blade rotatably mounted to or in the body portion and arranged such that a portion of the circular cutting blade protrudes below a base of the body portion in use to allow the cutting of a slot or recess in a workpiece. A handle portion is associated with or attached to the body portion to allow a user to grip the tool in a single hand. An operational control button, such as in the form of a slidable or pushable on/off switch, is provided on the body portion or handle portion to allow a user to operate the tool in use. The tool is typically powered by a mains electrical power supply and the electrical supply powers a motor which in turn drives rotation of the circular cutting blade by suitable drive means. The base of the body portion comprises an aperture through which the circular cutting blade protrudes in use and a sole plate is typically associated with this aperture. A slot is defined in the sole plate through which the circular cutting blade protrudes through in use. Adjustment means can be provided on the tool to allow adjustment of the distance for which the circular cutting blade protrudes below the sole plate to be made.
It is also known to provide certain accessories for use with conventional multi-cutter tools, such as for example a dust extraction accessory or an edge guide that can be hand held by a user relative to a workpiece and multi cutter tool or that can be detachably attached to the tool via a small screw. The edge guide allows a user to cut along a straight edge during use of the tool.
It is aim of the present invention to provide improved guide means for use with a cutting tool.
It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an improved method of using guides means for a cutting tool.
It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide one or more accessories for use with guide means.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a method of using one or more accessories with guide means.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide cutting apparatus including guide means and a cutting tool.
It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using cutting apparatus including guide means and a cutting tool.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided guide means for use with a cutting tool for guiding and/or supporting the cutting tool and/or a workpiece in use, said guide means including a body portion and means for allowing the cutting tool to be movably mounted thereon and/or detachably attached thereto in use, and wherein said guide means further includes at least one support arm for supporting at least part of a workpiece in use, said at least one support arm movable with respect to said body portion between a first storage position and at least a second in-use po sition.
An advantage of providing a support arm that can be moved between a first storage position and an in-use position is that in the storage position, the size or surface area of the floor plan of the guide means is sub stantially less than in the in-use position, thereby providing a compact design in the storage position that can be easily transported and/or stored.
Preferably with the at least one support arm in the first storage position, the surface area of the floor/base plan of the guide means is such that it is substantially equal to or is not significantly greater than the surface area of the floor/base plan of the body portion of the guide means or cutting tool alone. As such, the guide means of the present invention can be located in similar sized packaging for transportation as would be used conventionally for the cutting tool alone (i.e. the width and length can be approximately the same but there may be a height difference) . This provides a significant cost advantage.
Preferably the at least one support arm is movably mounted or detachably mounted on the guide means to allow said at least one support arm to be moved relative to the guide means.
Preferably with the at least one support arm in the at least second in-use position, said support arm is movable between two or more pre-determined and/or user selected positions to allow a pre-determined and/or user selected angle or line of cut to be measured and/or for the workpiece to be supported relative to the cutting tool at said angle. The workpiece can be placed against or on said at least one support arm so the workpiece is cut or supported along a required line or at a required angle.
With the at least one support arm in the first storage or out-of- use position, said support arm is substantially parallel to and adjacent a base of the guide means and/or body portion. With the at least one support arm in the second in-use or cutting/measurement position, said support arm protrudes outwardly at a suitable angle from the base of the guide means or body portion.
In one embodiment the at least one support arm comprises two or more parts which are joined together, detachably attached together, movably mounted with respect to each other, telescopically mounted and/or the like. At least one of said parts is preferably movable with respect to another of said parts. The length and/or angle of the at least one support arm can therefore be adjusted or changed by the user by adjusting the number of parts forming the support arm and/or adjusting the distance, angle, spacing between or relative position of said two or more parts. The ability to adjust the length of the at least one support arm allows workpieces o f different sizes to be adequately supported by the support arm and to allow the guide means to be used in both confined localities and/or localities where there is a large amount of free space.
In one embodiment the at least one support arm is telescopic. In this embodiment preferably the support arm comprises at least a first outer sleeve arm part and a second inner sleeve arm part that is slidably mounted within or relative to said at least first outer sleeve arm part. Preferably locking means are provided to allow the position of the two or more parts of said support arm to be locked in a required po sition relative to each other. The locking means can include any or any combination of one or more clips, screws, nuts and bolts, protrusion and recess formation, inter-engaging members and/or the like.
In an alternative embodiment the length of the at least one support arm is substantially fixed.
The at least one support arm or the two or more parts forming the at least one support arm are typically elongate in form and further preferably are substantially linear in form. However, it will be appreciated that one or more parts of said support arm could be moved at an angle relative to one or more other parts of said support arm.
Measurement, angle and/or scale means can be provided on or associated with the at least one support arm and/or guide means to allow a user to select a suitable pre-determined or user selected position, angle, measurement and/or the like of the workpiece, guide means and/or cutting tool. The measurement, angle and/or scale means is typically in the form of a visual display including letters, numerals, symbols, images and/or the like. However, the measurement, angle and/or scale means could include audio and/or kinaesthetic means, such as for example one or more audible beeps, voices, vibrations and/or the like.
Preferably further workpiece support means are provided on or associated with the at least one support arm to support the workpiece in use or to provide a stop or abutment for a surface of the workpiece. This allows a guide to be provided along an edge of the workpiece for cutting whilst the width of the workpiece is adequately supported.
Preferably the further workpiece support means protrudes outwardly of the at least one support arm and at least part of the workpiece rests on the support means in use.
In one embodiment the further workpiece support means is movable between a first storage po sition, and a second in-use position.
In the first storage position, the further workpiece support means is preferably sub stantially adjacent to and parallel with at least a part of said support arm. In the second in-use position, the further workpiece support means is preferably protruding at an angle with respect to at least a part of said support arm.
In one embodiment the further workpiece support means can be slidably, pivotably and/or rotatably movable relative to said at least one support arm. Locking means can be provided to lock the further workpiece support means in a required position with respect to said at least one support arm. The locking means can include any or any combination of one or more clips, screws, nuts and bolts, protrusion and recess formation, inter-engaging members and/or the like.
In one embodiment the further workpiece support means is arranged to allow movement sub stantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the at least one support arm or part thereof. This allows the further workpiece support means to be moved to a position along the length of the support arm suitable for supporting the workpiece. In one embodiment the at least one support arm and/or one or more support arm parts includes an elongate slot arranged longitudinally thereof and at least part of the further workpiece support means is slidably mounted in the slot and can be moved and/or locked into different positions along the length of the slot.
Thus, in one embodiment the further workpiece support means can be moved along the longitudinal axis of the support arm and/or at an angle relative to said support arm.
Preferably a viewing window is provided on the at least one support arm, body portion and/or guide means to allow a user to view a visual scale or measurement display provided on or associated with the other of the guide means, body portion and/or support arm. In one embodiment the scale or measurement display provides an indication to the user of the angle of the support arm with respect to the body portion.
In one embodiment clamp means are provided on or associated with the at least one support arm, body portion and/or guide means for clamping a workpiece in use. In a preferred embodiment the clamp means are provided on the support arm. This has the advantage that the clamp means can move with the support arm, thereby staying in proximity to the workpiece at all times in use.
The cutting tool typically includes a housing and attachment means for allowing attachment of a cutting blade or tool workpiece therewith to allow one or more cuts to be made in a workpiece in use. Further preferably the cutting tool includes drive means located in said housing for driving movement of the cutting blade or tool workpiece in use.
Yet further preferably said cutting tool further includes power means for providing electrical power to the drive means.
With the cutting tool mounted on or with the guide means, the cutting tool is capable of undergoing controlled movement relative to the guide means and/or a workpiece to allow a more accurate and/or reproducible line of cut to be created in the workpiece.
In a preferred embodiment the guide means is typically provided as an accessory for use with the cutting tool and the guide means can be removed from the tool when use is not required, such as for certain cutting procedures, during repair and/or replacement of one or more parts of the tool, when the tool is stored and/or being transported.
The cutting tool for which the guide means is used is typically a hand held tool, and further preferably is a tool designed to be held and operated using a single hand of a user.
In one embodiment the power means is a mains electrical power supply and the tool includes an electrical cable for attachment to the electrical power supply. Alternatively, the power means can include one or more batteries, rechargeable batteries and/or the like.
Preferably the drive means includes a motor which drives movement of the cutting blade or tool workpiece via suitable gearing and/or drive mechanism. The cutting blade or tool workpiece can undergo linear movement, rotational movement, pivotal movement and/or the like.
Preferably control means are provided on the cutting tool for allowing operational control of the tool in use. The control means typically allows the tool to be moved between "on" and "off" conditions and can include any or any combination of a button, switch, dial and/or the like.
Preferably a base of the tool is integral with, attached to, detachably attached to or movably mounted to the guide means with attachment means. Further preferably a sole plate associated with a base of the tool is detachably or movably mounted to the guide means. The sole plate typically includes one or more apertures and/or slots through which at least part of the cutting blade protrudes through in use.
In one embodiment the sole plate and/or base of the tool includes an outwardly protruding lip or flange and said lip or flange is attached to, detachably attached to or movably mounted to the guide means.
In one aspect of the invention the guide means or body portion includes at least one and preferably two rail members located a spaced distance apart. The two rail members are preferably sub stantially parallel to each other. The tool can be movably or slidably mounted to, between or on the one or more rail members and can be moved on the rail members relative to a workpiece in use.
Preferably a gap, aperture or space is defined below at least part of the rail members and the body portion or the remaining part of the guide means to allow part of a workpiece to be located therethrough in use. Each or both rail members can be provided with an inwardly and/or protruding lip, flange and/or channel associated with the same and a part of the cutting tool is typically movably or slidably mounted on or with said lip, flange or in said channel to allow relative movement of the cutting tool with respect to the guide means and/or workpiece.
In one embodiment an outwardly protruding lip or flange of the sole plate or base of the tool is located on or with an inwardly protruding lip, flange and/or channel of the guide means.
In one embodiment a carriage member is movably mounted to the guide means and the cutting tool is integral with, attached to or detachably attached to the carriage member to allow relative movement between the cutting tool and the guide means and/or workpiece in use.
The carriage member can include any or any combination of one or more wheels, rollers, ball bearings, sleeve members, low friction surfaces and/or the like to allow the carriage member to be movable with respect to the guide means.
Preferably the carriage member includes a frame or base plate and at least one aperture, slot and/or window is defined in the frame or base plate to allow at least part of the cutting blade or tool workpiece to protrude through the same and make contact with a workpiece located below the carriage member in use.
Preferably the guide means is in the form of a cross-cut and mitre guide. The term "cro ss-cut" typically describes a cut made across the width of a workpiece (i.e. from one side of the workpiece to an opposite side of the workpiece) . Preferably attachment means are provided on the guide means and/or carriage member to allow attachment or detachable attachment of at least part of the cutting tool therewith. The attachment means can include any or any combination of one or more clips, hooks, screws, nuts and bolts, ties, VELCRO (hook and loop fastening), friction fit, inter-engaging members and/or the like.
Further preferably a base platform of the guide means is arranged to sit in sub stantial abutment with a base of the tool or sole plate.
In one aspect of the present invention the guide means is provided with movement means thereon to allow the guide means to be moved relative to the workpiece.
Preferably the movement means includes any or any combination of one or more wheels, rollers, ball bearings and/or the like. Further preferably the movement means are located on or adjacent a top of the guide means. In use the work piece is typically located on an upper surface of the movement means and is moved relative thereto.
In one embodiment further movement means can be provided on the guide means to allow the guide means to be movable across a surface on which the guide means is located in use. The further movement means can include any or any combination of one or more wheels, rollers, ball bearings and/or the like.
Preferably a base or sole plate of the tool is integral with, attached to, or detachably attached via attachment means to the top platform of the guide means. The attachment means can include any or any combination of one or more clips, hooks, screws, nuts and bolts, ties, VELCRO (hook and loop fastening), friction fit, inter-engaging members and/or the like.
A slot can be defined in the base platform of the guide means to allow location of the cutting blade or tool workpiece therethrough in use.
The cutting blade can include a saw blade, circular saw blade, linear saw blade and/or the like.
The tool workpiece can include any suitable type of workbit that can be attached to or detachably attached to the tool and that can be driven to move in a required manner by the drive means of the tool to allow work on a workpiece to be undertaken.
Examples of the tool include, but are not limited to, a multi- cutter tool, a jigsaw, serpentine saw, electrical powered saw and/ or the like.
In one embodiment the guide means are provided with attachment means to allow one or more accessories to be attached or detachably attached thereto. For example, the one or more accessories could include a quick release clamp, a light guide, a tape measure, a handle, a carrying strap and/or the like.
Preferably the one or more accessories are slidably mounted to a rail member provided on the guide means.
Preferably locking means are provided on or associated with the guide means and/or support arm for locking the at least one support arm in a required position with respect to a body portion of the guide means. In one embodiment the locking means is in the form of a cam lock.
Preferably the locking means include user actuation means for allowing movement of the locking means between a locked position, wherein the at least one support arm is prevented from being moved relative to the body portion, and an unlocked position, wherein the at least one support arm is able to move relative to the body portion.
Preferably the locking means includes a locking plate that has engagement means defined thereon. The locking plate engagement means engage with complementary engagement means provided on the body portion or the guide means in a locked position. The locking plate engagement means are moved out of engagement with the complementary engagement means of the guide means base with the locking means in an unlocked position. This arrangement provides a strong mechanical lock arrangement for the at least one support arm to maintain the arm in a required position whilst allowing the at least one support arm to be extended to a relatively long in-use po sition with respect to the body portion, and whilst not significantly increasing the floor plan dimensions o f the guide means.
Preferably the locking plate is provided below the body portion of the guide means.
Preferably the engagement means includes one or more teeth, detents, protrusions and/or the like.
Preferably resilient biasing means are provided to bias the locking plate to an unlocked po sition. The resilient biasing means can include a spring, compression spring, sprung material and/ or the like. In one embodiment, a locking pin engages the user actuation handle, the locking plate and the base of the guide means together in use. Actuation of the user actuation handle moves the locking pin relative to the locking plate and guide means, thereby moving the engagement means of the locking plate out of engagement with the complementary engagement means o f the guide means.
In a preferred embodiment the at least one support arm can be moved to an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the body portion. This allows a common width of laminate flooring (i.e. of approximately 8.25 inches width) to be supported by the guide means. The guide means in this embodiment is arranged so as to be a compact design whilst allowing a large size of laminate flooring to be adequately supported.
It will be appreciated that the at least one support arm can be moved to any suitable angle relative to the body portion between 0-360 degrees and further preferably 0-1 80 degrees.
In one embodiment the at least one support arm is able to extend from the body portion or cut line of the guide means in an in-use position by a distance approximately equal to a third of the length of the workpiece to be cut.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a cutting tool.
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using guide means. According to a further independent aspect of the present invention there is provided a cross-cut and mitre guide;.
According to yet further independent aspects of the present invention there is provided cutting apparatus including a cutting tool and guide means; and a method o f using cutting apparatus.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:
Figures l a-I d show a top plan view, a side view, a base view and a perspective view of a cutting tool respectively according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 2a-2e show a perspective view of a cross cut and mitre guide according to a first embodiment of the present invention in an out-of-use position, the guide in an in-use position without a cutting tool located therewith, the guide in an in-use position with a cutting tool located therewith; a detailed front view showing the cutting tool located in the guide, and an enlarged detail view of the cutting tool located in the guide respectively;
Figures 3a and 3b shows a partial enlarged perspective view of a cross cut and mitre guide according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and a side view of the cross cut and mitre guide according to the second embodiment with a cutting tool respectively;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a cross cut and mitre guide according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 5a-5d show a perspective view of guide means according to an embodiment of the present invention with the support arm in an "in-use" po sition, a rear plan view, a front plan view and a detailed view of the section marked 'A' in figure 5c respectively;
Figures 6a-6d show a perspective view of guide means according to an embodiment of the present invention with the support arm in an "out of use" po sition, a rear plan view, a front plan view and a detailed view of the section marked 'B' in figure 6c respectively;
Figures 7a-7d show a cross sectional view through the support arm of the guide means shown in figures 5a-6d; a detailed view of the section marked 'C in figure 7a, an exploded view of figure 7a and a detailed view of the section marked 'D' in figure 7c;
Figure 8 is an example of a clamp accessory that can be used with the guide means according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
Figures 9a-9d show further examples of accessories that can be used with the guide means according to embodiments of the present invention.
Referring to figures l a-I d, there is illustrated a hand held electrically powered multi-cutter tool 2. The tool is capable of cutting a variety of different materials using a circular saw blade 4.
The tool 2 comprises a body portion 6 having an elongate handle portion 8 extending from a rear of body portion 6. An electrical power cable 10 extends from a rear of handle portion 8. An operational control switch 12 is provided on a side of body portion 6 to allow the tool to be moved between an on/operational condition and off/non-operational condition. The body portion 6 and handle portion 8 house a motor that is powered by an electrical power supply delivered by cable 10 and drive means for driving rotation of circular saw blade 4 in use.
Furthermore, the body portion 6 and handle portion 8 are typically comprised from two moulded or shaped housing members which are joined together to form the exterior housing of the body portion and handle portion. However, a single body member could be provided or a plurality of body members could be provided if required. The body portion and handle portion are ergonomically designed to allow a user to easy grip and handle the same, and suitable gripping means can be provided on the tool housing to aid a user's grip of the tool.
Circular saw blade 4 is located at a front of body portion 6 and is contained within a pivotably mounted guard member 14. Guard member 14 can be pivotably moved about pivot point 1 5 to allow access to the blade for replacement and/or repair. The guard 14 helps to prevent a user from getting their fingers too close to blade 4 when the tool is in use.
A sole or base plate 1 8 is located at the base of guard 14. A plurality of slots 20 are defined in sole plate 1 8 to allow passage of at least part of blade 4 therethrough to allow cutting of a workpiece in use.
A blade adjustment member 22 is slidably mounted in a slot 24 on the front of body portion 6 and allows adjustment of the position of the blade 4 in body portion 6. For example, with the adjustment member 22 in the highest position setting shown in figure l c, the blade 4 is recessed within guard 14. With the adjustment member 22 in the lowest position setting shown in figure l e, the blade 4 partially protrudes from a slot 20 in sole plate 18 to allow the blade to cut a workpiece in use. Intermediate blade positions can be obtained by a user sliding the blade adjustment member 22 to an appropriate setting, thereby defining the depth of cut of the circular blade in the workpiece in use. A scale 26 can be provided adjacent slot 20 to allow a user to measure the distance of protrusion of blade 4 from the base of sole plate 1 8.
When using the multi-cutter tool 2 in a conventional manner, the sole plate 18 is placed on a surface of the workpiece that is to be cut and is moved along the workpiece. Problems associated with use of the multi-cutter tool in a conventional manner are that it can be difficult to obtain accurate and/or reproducible lines of cut. The present invention provides a number of accessories that improve the accuracy and/or reproducibility of lines of cut using the multi-cutter tool.
Referring to figures 2a-2e, there is illustrated an accessory in the form of a cro ss-cut and mitre guide 30 according to a first embodiment of the present invention to help accurately make cross cuts and mitre cuts in a workpiece 31. In addition, the guide means ensures the tool remains in a substantially upright and supported position if the user lets go of the tool.
The guide 30 includes a base platform 32 which can be located on a suitable surface in use. Two substantially parallel and linear rail members 34, 36 are located on opposite sides of base platform 32. Each rail member 34, 36 is raised a pre-determined spaced distance above base platform 32 via end supports 38. The space 40 defined below rail members 34, 36 and above platform 32 allows the workpiece 31 to be inserted below the rail members. An elongate measurement arm 42 is pivotably mounted on a side of base platform 32 to allow pivotal movement about pivot point 44 between a stored position, wherein the arm is sub stantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of base platform 32, and a measurement position, wherein the arm protrudes outwardly from base platform 32. An elongate slot 46 is defined sub stantially longitudinally of arm 42 and support means 48 are slidably mounted in the slot. In the illustrated example, the support means 48 includes a locking portion 50 which protrudes through slot 46 and is slidable therein and can be locked in a suitable position, typically by rotating or screwing the same relative to the slot, and a support portion 52 which protrudes outwardly from arm 42 and allows workpiece 31 to abut against the same or rest on the same in use. The support means is moved to a suitable position along slot 46 where it will provide adequate support for the workpiece being cut.
Visual measurement markers 54 can be provided on base platform 32 to allow a user to po sition measurement arm 42 in a required position in use. A viewing window in the form of a slot 56 can be defined in arm 42 to allow markers 54 located below arm 42 to be easily viewed by a user o f the guide 30.
In use, an outwardly protruding flange 58 of sole plate 18 of cutting tool 2 is slidably mounted on an inwardly protruding lip 60 of rail members 34, 36 to allow the tool 2 to be moved relative to the guide means 30 and thus the workpiece 31. The positioning of the tool on the guide means also prevents the tool from twisting or falling over if a user releases their grip on the tool.
Referring to figures 3a-3b, there is illustrated a second embodiment of a cro ss-cut and mitre guide 62. The same reference numerals have been used to define the same features as in the first embodiment described above. In this embodiment, the sole plate 18 of the cutting tool 2 is detachably attached to the base 64 of a carriage member 66. The carriage member is movably mounted on the guide to increase the ease with which the tool can be moved relative to the guide and thus to a workpiece.
Carriage member 66 has four rotatable wheels 68, one wheel mounted at each corner of base 64. The wheels 68 rotate about an axis 70 defined generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of base 64 and longitudinal axis of guide 62.
Attachment means in the form of clips 72 are provided at spaced intervals on base 64 to allow detachable attachment of the outwardly protruding flange 58 of sole plate 18 thereto, as shown in figure 3b.
An elongate slot 74 is defined in base 64 to allow at least part of cutting blade 4 to protrude therethrough in use and make contact with the workpiece 31. Thus, the slot is po sitioned so as to be sub stantially aligned with the slot defined in sole plate 1 8.
Channels 76 are defined in rail members 34, 36 and are provided sub stantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail members. The opening 78 of the channels 76 typically face inwardly of the rail members (i. e. face the opposite rail member) . Wheels 68 of carriage 66 are rotatably mounted in channels 76 to allow movement of carriage 66 and tool 2 relative to the guide 62 and workpiece 31. The wheels of the carriage can be located via the free ends of the rails with openings to the channels. Stop means can be provided to prevent removal of the wheels of the carriage from the channels if required. The friction between the wheels 68 of carriage 66 and the channels 76 typically determines the force a user is required to apply to move the carriage 66 relative to the guide means.
Referring to figure 4, there is illustrated a third embodiment of a cross-cut and mitre guide 80. In this embodiment, the carriage 82 includes a base plate 64 with sleeve members 84 located at each corner in place of wheels 68. The rail members 34, 36 o f guide 80 are typically substantially cylindrical or tubular in form and the sleeve members 84 are slidably located on the rail members 34, 36. The tool 2 is detachably attached to the base plate 64 of carriage 82 as previously described.
Referring to figures 5a-6d, there is illustrated a further embodiment of a guide 102 for use with a cutting tool. As with the earlier described embodiments, the guide 102 includes a base platform 32 and two parallel rail members 34, 36 with end supports 38. An elongate slot 103 is defined longitudinally o f base platform 32 and is positioned so as to allow for the location of a cutting blade of the cutting tool used with the guide in use. Elongate slot 103 is located sub stantially parallel to rail members 34, 36.
A telescopic support arm 104 is pivotably mounted on base platform 32 as will be described in more detail below and is movable between an "in-use" position, as shown in figures 5a- 5d, to a "storage" position, as shown in figures 6a-6d. With arm 104 in the in-use position, arm 104 protrudes outwardly from base platform 32 at a user selected arbitrary or pre-determined angle. With arm 104 in a storage position, arm 104 is arranged sub stantially parallel to and adjacent base platform 32. The provision of the telescopic support arm is particularly advantageous in that it allows length adjustment of the support arm, thereby allowing different sized workpieces to be supported and/or located with the support arm.
For example, in the illustration telescopic support arm 104 can be extended to a length of approximately 388mm from the pivot point with the base platform. This length allows approximately a third of the length of a typical workpiece (i. e. a length of laminate flooring) to be supported from the line of cut of the workpiece in use.
Arm 104 includes a first outer sleeve part 106 joined to base platform 32 and a second inner part 108 which is slidably mounted in a channel defined in first outer sleeve part 106 to allow adjustment of the length of arm 104.
More particularly, inner part 108 has an elongate slot 1 10 defined longitudinally thereof and locking means in the form of screws 1 12 are located through outer sleeve part 106 for sliding movement in slot 1 10. Nuts 1 14 are provided on the rear of part 108 to lock the screws in a required position, thereby locking the position of the inner part 108 relative to the outer sleeve part 106.
A workpiece support arm 1 1 6 is pivotably mounted to the free end of inner part 108 (i.e. at the end 1 18 opposite to the end associated with the first outer part 106) via screw 109. Workpiece support arm 1 16 is movable to any required angle with respect to inner part 108 as selected by the user. In the illustration, arm 1 1 6 is shown as being substantially perpendicular to inner part 108. Arm 1 1 6 can be moved between an in-use position, wherein arm 1 16 protrudes outwardly from inner part 108, as shown in figures 5a-5d, to an out-of-use position, wherein arm 1 16 is located below and sub stantially parallel inner part 108, as shown in figures 6a-6d. It is to be noted that the arm 104 can be in the in-use position when the workpiece support arm 1 16 is in the storage position and vice versa.
In one example, the arm can be moved + /- 45 degrees with respect to the body portion of the base platform. This allows a common width of laminate flooring to be adequately supported (i.e. laminate flooring having a width of approximately 8.25 inches) .
Base platform 32 has a recess 120 defined along side wall 122 that is substantially complementary in shape to workpiece support arm 1 1 6. As such, when arm 104 and workpiece support arm 1 1 6 are both in the out of use or storage positions, workpiece support arm 1 16 is located in recess 120. Side wall 122 is therefore sub stantially flush with side wall 124 of arm 1 1 6 and provides the guide with a compact structure when in a storage position. Since the surface area of the floor plan of the guide when in the storage position is not significantly greater than the floor plan of a conventional guide means or of the cutting tool, the guide does not require significantly more packaging to be used to pack the same. This provides a cost advantage whilst providing the guide with the significant advantage of being able to support a number of different sized workpieces when the support arm is in the in-use position.
A workpiece clamp 128 is pivotably mounted on outer sleeve arm 106 and is movable with arm 104 and relative to a workpiece located with the guide means in use. Clamp 128 has an elongate body portion 129 with a first end 130 pivotably mounted to arm 104 and a second end 132 provided with a screw adjustable clamping arm 134. A clamping plate 136 is provided at a free end of clamping arm 134 opposite to rotatable user actuation handle 138. The height of the clamping plate 136 relative to the workpiece can be adjusted by rotation of handle 138, thereby allowing the clamp to be moved between a clamped position, wherein the workpiece is securable between the plate 136 and the base platform 32, and an undamped position, wherein the workpiece is removable and/or locatable between the plate 136 and base platform 32.
Arm 104 is pivotably mounted to base platform 32 at end 126 of outer sleeve arm 106. Arm 104 can be adjusted to move to one of a plurality of different angles with respect to the base platform and in this illustration these different angle positions are preferably in the range of + /-60 degrees with respect to the base platform. However, any suitable range of angled positions could be provided. A number of pre-determined angle positions are defined on the pivot mechanism, such as for example to represent an angle of 5 °, 10°, 15 °, 30°, 45 degrees and/or the like with respect to the base platform. A cam lock 140 ensures arm 104 is locked at a required angle cho sen by the user with respect to base platform 32.
Cam lock 140 includes a user actuation handle 142 that is pivotally mounted to a locking pin 144 via pivot pin 146 and said handle 142 can be moved between an unlocked po sition, as shown in figures 7a-7b, and a locked position, as shown in figures 5a-6d. In the unlocked position, handle 142 is moved to a sub stantially vertical position wherein it is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of locking pin 144. In the locked position, handle 142 is moved to a sub stantially horizontal position wherein it is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of locking pin 144. The cam surface 148 is provided on end 150 of handle 142 adjacent the pivot pin 146. Movement of the cam surface over arm 104 provides movement of the locking pin in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the locking pin. Cam lock 140 also includes a locking plate 152 with a plurality of detents or locking teeth 1 54 defined on an upper surface 156 thereof. The locking plate 1 52 is substantially circular in plan view and the locking teeth 154 are provided adjacent the peripheral edge thereof. An upstanding sleeve portion 1 58 is defined substantially centrally on upper surface 156 of the locking plate.
The locking teeth 1 54 are sub stantially complementary in form to locking teeth 160 defined on the underside 1 62 of base platform 32. On the opposite top side 166 of base platform 32 in the locality of the locking teeth 160 there is located an upstanding sleeve portion 1 64. With the lock 140 in a locked position, locking teeth 1 54 engage with complementary recesses 161 defined between locking teeth 1 60 to prevent rotation of arm 106 with respect to base platform 32. Locking teeth 160 in turn engage with complementary recesses 165 defined between teeth 1 54 on the locking plate with the lock 140 in the locked position. In this example, the free end or crown of the locking teeth 154, 1 60 does not engage with the rear wall of the recesses 161 , 1 65 in order to ensure physical interlocking between the teeth and side walls defining the recesses 1 61 , 165 and to ensure accurate angular adjustment of the arm 104. Locking teeth 1 54, 160 have a narrowing taper towards the free end thereof which also helps to ensure physical interlocking between the teeth and side walls defining the recesses 161 , 165. Sleeve portion 1 64 is provided adjacent side wall 122 of the guide 102 at the pivot location of arm 104 with respect to base platform 32.
Outer sleeve part 106 is provided with a downward protruding sleeve portion 1 68 protruding from a base surface thereof adjacent end 126. With the cam lock 140 assembled on the guide 102, the dimensions of sleeve portions 1 58, 164 and 168 are such that arm sleeve portion 168 is located through the channels of guide sleeve portion 164 and locking plate sleeve portion 158. The locking plate sleeve portion 1 58 is located in the channel of guide sleeve portion 164. Sprung washers 170 and locking nut 172 are provided for engagement with the lower end 1 74 of locking pin 144 to maintain the lock assembly in an assembled position, as shown in figures 7a-7b.
Resilient biasing means in the form of a spring 171 is provided between the guide sleeve portion 1 64 and the locking plate sleeve portion 158. This biases the locking plate 152 apart from base 162 of base platform 32 when the cam lock 140 is in the unlocked po sition, thereby releasing engagement between locking teeth 154 on the locking plate and locking teeth 160 on the base platform and allowing rotation or pivotable movement of arm 104 with respect to base platform 32. Spring 171 is located around the arm sleeve portion 164.
The channel 176 defined in the arm sleeve portion 168 typically has a narrowing taper towards end 1 78 adjacent the rear surface of arm 104. The channel 180 of the locking plate sleeve portion 158 typically has a narrowing taper towards upper end 1 82. The narrowing tapers of the two channels 176, 1 80 ensures there is little or no clearance between arm sleeve portion 168 and locking plate sleeve portion 1 58 when brought into engagement with each other. This in turn ensures there is substantially no movement between the arm assembly and the lock assembly when the cam lock is in the locked po sition.
In use of the cam lock 140, when the user wishes to move the support arm 104 relative to the base platform 32 they move the user actuation handle 142 from the locked position, as shown in figures 6a-6d, to the unlocked position, as shown in figures 7a- 7b. In the locked position, the spring 171 and the sprung washers 1 70 are under compression and teeth 1 54 of the locking plate are in engagement with complementary recesses 1 61 on base 162. As the cam surface 148 of handle 142 moves against the top surface of arm 104 in moving the same from the locked to the unlocked position, this lowers locking pin 144 relative to the guide means, which in turn pushes locking plate 1 52 out of engagement with the base 162 of platform 32. A user is then able to rotate arm 104 to a required position with respect to the base platform.
An advantage of the above described lock is that it provides a secure lock whilst not increasing the surface area of the floor plan of the guide means, thereby providing a compact design.
A window 1 82 is defined in user actuation handle 142 to allow a user to view a visual angle display 184 provided on top surface 166 of the platform 32. The visual angle display 184 shows the angle at which the arm 104 is located relative to the platform base.
Referring to figures 8-9d, there are illustrated examples of different accessories that can be used to engage with an outer surface of one or both rail members 34, 36 of the guide. In these examples, rail members 34, 36 have attachment means in the form of an externally located channel 202 provided longitudinally of the rail members. The accessories have complementary attachment means to allow said accessories to be releasably engaged with the rail members. For example, the complementary attachment means can include a sub stantially T- shaped protrusion 204 that is slidably mounted in complementary shaped channel 202. Any number of different accessories could be provided for use with the guide means including, but not limited to, a quick release clamp 206 as shown in figure 8 having a user actuation handle 208 and clamping jaws 210; a light guide 212 having a user actuation operating switch 214 to move the light guide between "on" and "off" conditions and a laser type light 216 as shown in figure 9a; a carrying handle 220 as shown in figure 9b ; a carrying strap 222 as shown in figure 9c, and a tape measure 21 8.
It will be appreciated that any or any combination of the abovementioned features can be provided with the tool or guide means of the present invention.