This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/791,343, filed March 15, 2013, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a rip fence for use with a table saw and, in particular, to a rip fence that has a locking mechanism for securing the fence in position.

Background

[0002] Table saws of various designs include a frame and an upper surface having an opening through which a blade extends. The upper surface supports a material, such as wood, as it is pushed towards the blade for cutting. Table saws have traditionally been stand-alone pieces of equipment that are used in workshops. Because most stand-alone table saws are used in large open spaces, the dimensions of the table saw can be large enough to support materials of various sizes for cutting. Tables that are used in workshops are not readily moved from one location to another. At construction sites, it is useful to have a table saw that can be easily moved from one location to another or between different construction sites. Accordingly, smaller and portable table saws have been designed. These table saws use lighter materials and have reduced the dimensions of the frame and the upper surface to reduce the size and weight of the table saw thereby creating the desired portable table saw. The portable table saws also use a separable folding table to hold the table saw at the correct height for operation.

[0003] An integral part of most table saws is a movable rip fence. The rip fence is positioned perpendicular to the upper cutting surface and is aligned generally parallel to the position of the blade. Most rip fences are designed to span between the front edge and the rear edge of the upper cutting surface. Moreover, the rip fence can be positioned in any position along the upper surface and is secured in such a position by a locking mechanism. The rip fence is usually secured in a position a given distance away from the blade and can be put on either side of the blade. When the rip fence is secured in a position, the wood can be pushed against the side of the rip fence to slide on the upper surface to be cut by the blade. Thus, accurate and straight cuts can be made.

[0004] Rip fences of various different designs are readily known in the prior art.

In addition, different methods of securing the rip fence at a given location on the upper surface, including the use of a locking mechanism, are known. One of the primary objectives for the rip fence is for it to be generally parallel to the blade so that the most accurate cuts can be made. It is known that an effective way to make the rip fence parallel with the blade is to force it to be perpendicular to the front and rear edge surfaces of the table saw. Thus, many rip fences use a front clamping mechanism and a rear clamping mechanism. The front clamping mechanism presses against the front edge surface and the rear clamping mechanism presses against the rear edge surface. In this way, the clamping mechanism aligns the rip fence perpendicular to the edge surfaces and parallel to the blade. [0005] It is also helpful to properly align the rip fence if the front and rear clamping mechanism move simultaneously. To achieve this, rip fences typically include a handle which is connected to the front clamping mechanism and a rod that connects between the handle and the rear clamping mechanism. When the handle is in a first and released position, the front locking mechanism is positioned in a released position relative the front edge surface and the rod reduces pressure and allows the rear locking position to move into a released position relative the rear edge surface. When the handle is in a second and locked position, the front locking mechanism is positioned in a locked position along the front edge surface and the rod pushes the rear locking mechanism into the locked position. As the handle moves from the released to the locked position, the front and rear clamping mechanism engage with the front and rear edges at the same time.

[0006] Existing rip fence designs sometimes experience irregular movement or chattering when the rip fence is moved in its released position across the cutting surface of the table saw. This irregular movement is undesirable as it can make precise positioning of the rip fence more difficult. Existing rip fence designs also occasionally experience unintended movement when the locked rip fence is bumped or jolted by a workpiece during use of the table saw. This unintended movement is undesirable because the blade must be stopped and the rip fence must be repositioned before further use of the table saw. Therefore, rip fences with smooth movement in the released position and with restricted movement in the locked position are desirable. Summary

[0007] A rip fence for a table saw with a cutting surface, a blade extending through an opening formed in the cutting surface, a front edge upper surface, a front edge outer surface, and a rear edge surface includes an elongated casing extending substantially across the cutting surface, a front frame portion connected to a front end of the casing, a handle pivotally connected to the front frame portion and movable between a locked position and a released position, a clamping plate having at a first end a lip moveably engageable relative a first slot formed in the front edge upper surface, a locking clamp rotatable about a pivot on the front frame portion, the locking clamp having a friction portion at a first end movably engageable against the front edge outer surface and a contact portion at a second end, and a front activation plate pivotally connected to the front frame portion and having an upper end and a lower end, the activation plate cooperating at the lower end with the clamping plate and the locking clamp to slide the clamping plate and to rotate the locking clamp between a locked position to secure the rip fence in a generally parallel arrangement with the blade and a released position to allow the rip fence to slide along the cutting surface as the handle moves between the locked and released positions.

[0008] A table saw includes a frame having an upper cutting surface, the upper cutting surface having an opening for a blade to extend through and having a front edge surface and a rear edge surface, a rail connected to the front edge surface, the rail having a first slot extending longitudinally along an upper surface of the rail and a second slot extending longitudinally along an outer surface of the rail, and a rip fence slideably engaged to the table saw between various secured positions such that the rip fence is generally parallel to the blade, the rip fence includes an elongated casing extending between a front end proximate the front edge surface and a rear end proximate the rear edge surface, a handle having an upper edge, the handle being configured to pivot relative the front end of the casing at one end of the upper edge, a rotatable cam having a first end and a second end, a movable link pivotally connected at one end to the first end of the cam and an opposing end pivotally connected at an opposing end of the upper edge of the handle, a first activation plate having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end engaged towards the second end of the cam, a clamping plate having a passage formed towards one end and a lip extending from an opposing end, the lower end of the first activation plate extending through the passage and the lip being slideably positioned within the first slot, a locking clamp having a contact portion at one end and a friction portion formed at an opposing end, the friction portion being movably engageable against the second slot, a push lever cooperating with the first activation plate at the lower end and the locking clamp at the contact portion, the first activation plate actuatable to press the push lever against the contact portion to move the locking clamp, an elongated rod movably supported by the casing, the rod having one end configured to engage the upper end of the first activation plate, and a second activation plate movably engaged at an upper end to a second end of the rod, the second activation plate having a tab at a lower end, the handle is movable between a lower locked position such that the link pushes the cam against the upper end of the first activation plate thereby pushing the lip of the clamping plate in a secured position against the first slot and moving the friction portion of the locking clamp in a secured position against the second slot and the first activation plate pushes the rod against the second activation plate so that the tab is in a secured position relative the table saw, and an upper released position such that the link pulls the cam away from the upper end of the first activation plate thereby pulling the lip into a released position within the first slot and enabling the friction portion to move into a released position spaced from the second slot and the cam pulls the rod away from the second activation plate so that the tab is in a released position relative the table saw.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a rip fence made in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure shown in a released position;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rip fence of FIG. 1 shown in a locked position;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the rip fence of FIG. 1 shown in the released position;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the rip fence of FIG. 1 shown in the locked position;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the rip fence of FIG. 2 shown with a flexible plate pressing against a clamping plate of the rip fence.

[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a table saw having a prior art rip fence;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the prior art rip fence of FIG. 6;

[0016] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the prior art rip fence of FIG. 6; [0017] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the table saw with the rip fence in the locked position taken along the lines 4—4 in FIG. 6;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the table saw with the rip fence shown in FIG. 9 in the release position;

[0019] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the front and rear ends of the table saw and rip fence shown in FIG. 9; and

[0020] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the front and rear end of the table saw and rip fence shown in FIG. 10.

Detailed Description

[0021] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described in the following written specification. It is understood that no limitation to the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. It is further understood that the disclosure includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates a table saw 10 with a prior art rip fence 12 having elements pertinent to the present disclosure. The table saw 10 can be of any known type such as a stand-alone table saw or a portable table saw. The table saw shown in FIG. 6 is designed as a professional-use portable table saw that is durable and can also be moved from site to site. The table saw 10 includes a frame 14 and an upper cutting surface 16. The upper cutting surface 16 has an opening 18 through which the blade 20 extends. The blade is used to cut a material, such as wood, that is pushed along the upper cutting surface 16. In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 6, the table saw includes an auxiliary table 22 that is movable between a position adjacent the upper cutting surface and an extended position separated from the upper cutting surface 16. FIG. 6 shows the auxiliary table 22 in the extended position.

[0023] The upper cutting surface 16 includes a front edge surface 24 and a rear edge surface 26 which extend perpendicularly from the upper surface. The auxiliary table 22 has a front rail 28, which is connected to the front edge surface of the auxiliary table, and a rear rail 30, which is connected to the rear edge surface of the auxiliary table. The rails 28, 30 are slidably engaged to the front and rear surfaces 24, 26, respectively, along brackets 32 which are attached to the front and rear edge surfaces 24, 26. As seen in FIG. 6, the rails 28, 30 include a channel 34 in which the brackets 32 pass slideably through the channel 34. In the preferred embodiment, the front rail 28 includes a slot 36 that extends longitudinally along the upper surface of the front rail 28. An upper flange 37 extends from the rail's upper surface over a portion of the slot 36. In an alternative embodiment, the slot 36 can be arranged on other surfaces relative to the front edge surface 24 such as the upper cutting surface 16, the outer edge surface of the rail 28, or the front edge surface 24.

[0024] The rip fence 12 is configured to slide on rails along the upper cutting surface 16 and, if necessary, with the auxiliary table 22 and on either side of the blade 20. The rip fence is configured to be in either a locked position, in which the rip fence is aligned generally parallel with the blade, or a released position, in which the rip fence 12 can slide on rails along the upper cutting surface 16 or the auxiliary table 22. Referring to FIGS. 7-12, the rip fence 12 includes a main casing 45, a front clamping mechanism 47 and a rear clamping mechanism 49. The main casing has a generally rectangular tubular form so that two of the outer surfaces are generally perpendicular to the upper cutting surface 16. The front clamping mechanism 47 is attached to the front end of the main casing 45. The rear clamping mechanism 49 is attached to the rear end of the main casing 45.

[0025] The front clamping mechanism 47 includes a handle 51 that pivots between a locked lower position and a released upper position, which will be described in further detail below. The handle 51 is pivotally connected to a frame through pivot holes 53 provided on the upper edge 55 of the handle. A cantilevered element 61 extends from an edge of the frame 59 proximate the casing 45. The cantilevered element 61 fits into the main casing 45. The frame 59 is supported on a generally L-shaped plate 65. The plate 65 can include a viewing window 67 through which a scale 69 can be read.

[0026] The front clamping mechanism 47 also includes an elongated link 71 that has an upper end and a lower end. As seen in FIGS. 9-12, the upper end of link 71 is pivotally connected to a point towards the upper edge 55 of the handle distal the pivot holes 53. The lower end of link 71 is pivotally connected to a cam 73. The cam 73 has a generally J-shape. The link 71 is pivotally connected to the straight leg of the J-shaped cam 73. The opposing end of link 71 is pivotally connected to the frame 59. The front clamping mechanism 47 also includes a front activation plate 75. The front activation plate 75 is pivotally connected to the frame 59 at a point between the upper and lower ends such that the activation plate's lower end extends below the lower edge of the frame 59.

[0027] The rip fence also includes a horizontally extending clamping plate 77. In one embodiment, the clamping plate 77 is made of spring steel or another suitably flexible material. At one end, the clamping plate 77 includes a laterally extending passage 79. At the opposing end, the clamping plate has a generally L-shaped lip, or flange 81. As it is assembled, the front activation plate's lower end extends into the passage 79. As the activation plate 75 pivots within the front clamping mechanism 47, the clamping plate 77 moves laterally within the slot 36 between a locked position and a released position.

[0028] In the embodiment shown, the front clamping mechanism 47 also includes a glide plate 83 which is secured to the L-shaped plate 65. The glide plate includes blocks 85 to assist the rip fence 12 as it slides through the slot 36. The glide plate and blocks are preferably made of plastic or another suitable material that will slide smoothly against the front rail 28 and in the slot 36.

[0029] The rear clamping mechanism 49 for the rip fence 12 includes a rear frame

90. At one end, the rear frame 90 includes a rectangular portion 92 that fits into the main casing 45. A hole 94 is provided in the rectangular portion which extends through to the other end of the rear frame 90. A rear activation plate 96, having an upper end and a lower end, is pivotally connected towards its lower end proximate the lower edge of the rear frame 90. At the plate's upper end, a hole 98 is provided through which an adjustment screw 100 can be threaded. At the lower end, the rear activation plate 96 includes a portion 102, which is a triangular tab. The tab moves between a locked position and an unlocked position and can engage in a generally triangular groove 104 that is provided in the rear rail 30. Alternatively, the groove 104 can be provided in the rear edge surface 26 of the table saw. A low-friction element 106 is provided along the lower edge of the rear frame 90. The low-friction element 106 assists the movement of the rip fence 12 as it moves longitudinally across the rear rail 30 attached to surface 26. In some embodiments, the low- friction element 106 is a roller element configured to roll along the lower edge of the rear frame 90 as the rip fence is moved on the table saw. In other embodiments, the low- friction element 106 is a sliding element, such as a block of DuPont™ Delrin® or other low-friction material, configured to slide across the lower edge of the rear frame as the rip fence is moved on the table saw.

[0030] The rip fence 12 also includes an elongated rod 108. The elongated rod

108 extends through the main casing 45 between the front activation plate 75 and the rear activation plate 96 and adjustment screw 100. The rod 108 is supported towards the front end of the casing 45 by the cantilevered element 61 and towards the rear end of the casing 45 by the rear frame 90. The rod 108 extends through the hole 94 to come into contact with the adjustment screw 100. A spring 110 can be provided on the rod 108 towards the rear frame 90. The spring 110 is biased between the rear frame 90 and a ridge 112 provided on the rod 108 thereby pushing the rod against the front activation plate 75. As shown, the spring 110 is a compression spring.

[0031] Referring in particular to FIGS. 9-12, an assembled version of the rip fence 12 is shown as it is slidably engaged with the table saw 10. The frame 59 is connected to the front end of main casing 45 such that the cantilevered element 61 is positioned within the internal space provided by the main casing 45. For the front clamping mechanism 47, the handle 51 is pivotally connected to the frame 59 such that the handle's pivot point is proximate the main casing 45. Within the internal portion of handle 51 and the frame 59, the link 71, the cam 73 and the front activation plate 75 are arranged. As described above, the link, cam and front activation plate are pivotally connected, thereby reducing the space needed for the handle to move the clamping plate 77 between a released position and a locked position. Accordingly, the front clamping mechanism 47 has multiple pivot points. As seen in the Figures, the lateral movement of the activation plate is in the space provided directly underneath the handle 51 and the frame 59 such that it laterally moves in the same general vertical plane as the handle pivots. The front clamping mechanism 47, including the clamping plate 77, is generally positioned on top of the slot 36 such that the handle 51 extends only slightly in front of the front rail 28.

[0032] The rip fence 12 extends laterally across the upper cutting surface 16 between the front edge surface and the rear edge surface. In operation, the rip fence slides longitudinally along the upper cutting surface when the handle 51 , the clamping plate 77 and tab 102 are in the released position. The rip fence 12 can be positioned on either side of the blade 20. In the released position, the handle is in the upper position, as seen in FIG. 10 and 12. The lip 81 does not engage with the edges of the slot 36 or the flange 37. In addition, the glide blocks 85 move through the slot. The tab 102 is also removed from the groove 104. As the lip 81 and the tab 102 are not engaged with the rails 28, 30 the glide plate 83 and the low-friction element 106 allow the rip fence 12 to slide longitudinally along the upper cutting surface to any desired location.

[0033] To secure the rip fence in a desired location, the viewing window 67 can be used to select a position along the scale 69. When a desired location is found, the handle 51 can be moved from the released position to the locked position, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. In the locked position, the lip 81 is engaged with the walls of slot 36, and the rail 28, and the flange 37, and the tab 102 is engaged with the walls of groove 104. Due to the width of both the clamping plate and the tab, that engagement is sufficient to secure the rip fence 12 in the desired position such that it is generally parallel to the blade 20.

[0034] As the handle moves from the released position to the locked position, the handle rotates around the pivot point connected to the frame 59. The rotational movement of the handle 51 pushes the link 71 so that it rotates around its upper end and pushes the cam 73 to rotate about its pivot point on the frame 59. As the cam 73 pivots, it pushes the upper end of the front activation plate 75 towards the rear of the rip fence 12, thereby rotating the front activation plate around its pivot point on the frame 59. The lower end of the activation plate 75, which is connected through the passage 79, causes the clamping plate 77 to laterally move and therefore pushes the lip 81 against the walls of the slot 36, the flange 37 and front rail 28. The lateral movement of the clamping plate and the shape of the lip secure the position of the rip fence relative the slot 36.

[0035] In addition, the rotation of the front activation plate 75 pushes the rod 108 towards the rear clamping mechanism 49. The far end of rod 108 pushes against the activation screw 100 thereby rotating the rear activation plate 96 about its pivot point on the rear frame 90. As the upper end of the rear activation plate 96 is pushed towards the outer end of rear frame 90, the tab 102 is pushed into the groove 104 in rear rail 30. The adjustment screw can be threaded into a suitable position so that tab 102 is properly positioned within the groove 104 when the handle is in the locked position. [0036] As the handle is moved from the locked position into the released position, the handle 51 pivots about its pivot point on the frame 59. The link pulls up on one end of the cam 73 so that the cam pivots about its point on the frame 59. As the cam 73 moves away from the front activation plate 75, the spring 110 pushes the rod against the upper end of the activation plate 75 causing the activation plate to pivot about its pivot point on the triangular frame 59. As the front activation plate 75 moves about its pivot point, it pulls the clamping plate 77 and the lip 81 away from the walls of the slot 36 and the flange 37. The clamping plate is therefore released from the front rail 28. As the rod 108 moves towards the front end of the rip fence 12, the rear activation plate 96 rotates about its pivot point on the rear frame 90 so that the tab 102 moves out of the groove 104. The rip fence is therefore released from the front and rear rails 28, 30 and can slide along the upper cutting surface 16.

[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the prior art rip fence 12 is modified to include a friction lock 110 positioned within the front mechanism 47' to improve the maneuverability and stability of the modified rip fence on the table saw 10. As shown in the Figures, the friction lock 110 includes a locking clamp 112 that is pivotally connected to the frame 59 through a pivot 114. The locking clamp 112 is pivotable between a locked position that corresponds to the locked position of the handle 51 (FIGS. 2 and 4) and a released position that corresponds to the released position of the handle 51 (FIGS. 1 and 3). A spring 116 is positioned proximate to the locking clamp 112 to bias the locking clamp 112 in the released position. In some embodiments, the spring 116 is a torsion spring having legs configured to generate a biasing force on the locking clamp 112. In other embodiments, the spring is a compression spring that is compressible along its coil length to generate the biasing force on the locking clamp 112. In yet further embodiments, the spring 116 is a portion of resilient material, such as a rubber stopper, positioned to generate the biasing force on the locking clamp 112.

[0038] The friction lock 110 further includes a horizontally extending push lever

118 positioned adjacent to the activation plate 75 at one end and adjacent to the locking clamp 112 at the other end. The push lever 118 is configured for slidable contact with the activation plate 75 and the locking clamp 112 at its respective ends. The push lever 118 in some embodiments is magnetically bonded to one or both of the activation plate 75 and the locking clamp 1 12 such that contact therebetween is maintained for any position of the push lever 118. In some of these embodiments, the spring 116 is omitted and the magnetic bond enables the activation plate 75 and the push lever 118 to bias the locking clamp 112 in the released position. Portions of the frame 59 slidably support the push lever 118 for movement of the push lever 118 in the horizontal direction. A guide post 120 is inserted through an elongated slot formed in the push lever 118 to vertically fix the push lever 118 relative to the frame 59. In some embodiments, the guide post 120 is configured for threaded engagement with the frame 59 and a head portion 122 of guide post 120 is vertically adjustable to increase or decrease the frictional resistance on the horizontal movement of the push lever 118.

[0039] A friction pad 124 formed from material having a high-coefficient of friction is attached to the locking clamp 112 at an end opposite the end adjacent to the push lever 118. The friction pad 124 is shaped to slide within a slot 126 formed in the front rail 28 of the table saw 10 that extends for the length of the movement of the modified rip fence on the table saw 10. The friction pad 124 is attached to the locking clamp 112 by any practical method. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the friction pad 124 is attached to the locking clamp 1 12 via a rivet 128. The friction pad 124 in other embodiments is attached to the locking clamp 112 by adhesive, a screw or other fastener, a mechanical snap-fit or interference fit on the locking clamp 112, an overmolding process that forms the friction pad 124 on the locking clamp 112, or the like, or any combination of techniques thereof. In yet further embodiments, the friction pad 124 is an integrally formed portion of the locking clamp 112, such as a friction portion formed into a material of the locking clamp 112 or punched out partially from the material.

[0040] Although the locking clamp 112 has been depicted as a pivoting lever in the Figures, other embodiments can be utilized to move the friction pad 124 into contact with the slot 126. In some embodiments, for example, a dual surface cam element can be used to linearly translate the locking clamp 112 and the friction pad 124 toward and away from the slot when the cam is rotated. Any number and configuration of linkages can be used to coordinate movement of the handle 51 with the linear actuation of the friction pad 124 toward or away from the slot 126.

[0041] The glide plate 83' of the modified rip fence is made from any suitable material having a low coefficient of friction. In one embodiment, the glide plate 83' is made from DuPont™ Delrin ®, which provides better frictional properties than other plastics, such as glass-filled polycarbonate. The blocks 85' of the low friction glide plate 83' give the modified rip fence smooth, chatter free movement when moved across the surface of the table saw 10. [0042] In operation, the modified rip fence slides longitudinally along the upper cutting surface when the handle 51, the clamping plate 77, and tab 102 (FIG. 10) are in the released position. When the handle is in the released position, as illustrated in the front mechanism 47' of FIGS. 1 and 3, the lip 81 does not engage with the edges of the slot 36 or the flange 37. In addition, the friction pad 124 attached to the locking clamp 112 does not engage the slot 126 of the front rail 28. In the rear mechanism 49 (FIG. 10), the tab 102 is removed from the groove 104. As the lip 81, the friction pad 124, and the tab 102 are not engaged with the rails 28, 30, the glide plate 83' and the low-friction element 106 allow the rip fence 12 to easily slide longitudinally along the upper cutting surface to any desired location.

[0043] To secure the modified rip fence in a desired location, the handle 51 is moved from the released position to the locked position, as illustrated in the front mechanism 47' of FIGS. 2 and 4. In the locked position, the lip 81 is engaged with the walls of slot 36, and the rail 28, and the flange 37, and the friction pad 124 is engaged with the slot 126 in the front rail 28. In the rear mechanism, the tab 102 is engaged with the walls of groove 104. The width of both the clamping plate 77 and the tab 104 against their respective mating surfaces, and the width of the friction pad 124 against the front rail 28, secures the modified rip fence in the desired position such that it is generally parallel to the blade 20.

[0044] The engagement of the friction pad 124 with the slot 126 provides the modified rip fence with resistance to movement in both the vertical direction and the slide direction of the modified rip fence. In the vertical direction, the engagement of the friction pad 124 within the walls of the slot 126 prevents the modified rip fence from moving vertically relative to the front rail 28. In the slide direction, the high- friction interface formed between the friction pad 124 of the locking clamp 112 and the slot 126 of the front rail 28 resists relative movement in the slide direction.

[0045] As the handle 51 moves from the released position to the locked position, the handle 51 rotates around the pivot point connected to the frame 59. The rotational movement of the handle 51 pushes the link 71 so that it rotates around its upper end and pushes the cam 73 to rotate about its pivot point on the frame 59. As the cam 73 pivots, it pushes the upper end of the front activation plate 75 towards the rear of the modified rip fence, thereby rotating the front activation plate 75 around its pivot point on the frame 59. The lower end of the activation plate 75, which is connected through the passage 79, causes the clamping plate 77 to laterally move and therefore pushes the lip 81 against the walls of the slot 36, the flange 37, and front rail 28. The lateral movement of the clamping plate and the shape of the lip secure the position of the rip fence relative the slot 36.

[0046] In some embodiments, such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, a layer of flexible, wear resistant material is positioned adjacent to the activation plate 75 between the interfaces of the activation plate 75 with the push lever 118 and the clamping plate 77. In the embodiment shown, the layer is a spring steel plate 76 that has a thickness of approximately 1 to 1.5 mm. The plate 76 extends through the passage 79 formed in the clamping plate 77 to interact with the clamping plate 77 when the handle 51 is moved between its locked and released positions. In the embodiment shown, the activation plate 75 does not extend below the lower edge of the frame 59 to enable the plate 76 to flex in the direction of arrow 78 while pressing on the clamping plate 77. The plate 76 provides a wear surface for the rotating surface of the cam 73 and enables the clamping plate 77 to be formed from a more rigid material to alleviate concerns of overstressing.

[0047] Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, the rotation of the lower end of the activation plate 75 also causes the push lever 118 to laterally move and push against the upper end of the locking clamp 112. When the force of the push lever 118 against the upper end of the locking clamp 112 overcomes the bias of the spring 1 16, the locking clamp 112 rotates about its pivot 114 and presses the friction pad 124 into the slot 126 and against the surface of the front rail 28. The rotational movement of the locking clamp 112, the shape of the interface between the friction pad 124 and the slot 126, and the high frictional resistance between the friction pad 124 and the surface of the front rail 28 firmly secure the position of the rip fence relative the upper surface of the table saw 10.

[0048] In addition, the rotation of the front activation plate 75 pushes the rod 108 towards the rear clamping mechanism 49. The far end of rod 108 pushes against the activation screw 100 thereby rotating the rear activation plate 96 about its pivot point on the rear frame 90. As the upper end of the rear activation plate 96 is pushed towards the outer end of rear frame 90, the tab 102 is pushed into the groove 104 in rear rail 30.

[0049] As the handle is moved from the locked position into the released position, the handle 51 pivots about its pivot point on the frame 59. The link pulls up on one end of the cam 73 so that the cam pivots about its point on the frame 59. As the cam 73 moves away from the front activation plate 75, the spring 110 pushes the rod against the upper end of the activation plate 75 causing the activation plate to pivot about its pivot point on the frame 59. As the front activation plate 75 moves about its pivot point, it pulls the clamping plate 77 and the lip 81 away from the walls of the slot 36 and the flange 37. The clamping plate is therefore released from the front rail 28.

[0050] At the same time, since the rotating activation plate 75 no longer presses the push lever 118 against the upper end of the locking clamp 112, the spring 116 causes the locking clamp 112 to rotate about the pivot 1 14 to its released position. The rotation of the locking clamp 112 causes its upper end to press against the push lever 118 and to laterally move the push lever 118 with the rotating activation plate 75. The rotation of the locking clamp 112 also causes friction pad 124 to move out of the slot 126 and away from the front rail 28. The friction pad 124 is therefore released from the front rail 28.

[0051] As the rod 108 moves towards the front end of the rip fence 12, the rear activation plate 96 rotates about its pivot point on the rear frame 90 so that the tab 102 moves out of the groove 104. The rip fence is therefore released from the front and rear rails 28, 30 and can slide along the upper cutting surface 16.

[0052] The present disclosure contemplates a rip fence for use with a table saw.

The rip fence includes a frame portion and a handle that is pivotally connected to the frame portion and configured to move between a locked position and a released position. A link is movably connected to the handle and a cam is connected at a first end to a lower end of the link. A front activation plate is connected to a second end of the cam such that the link, the cam, and the front activation plate are contained by the frame. The rip fence further includes a locking clamp that is pivotally connected to the frame and is movable between a locked position and a released position corresponding to the locked and released positions of the handle. The locking clamp at a lower end includes a friction pad configured to engage a front rail of the table saw when the locking clamp is in the locked position. The front activation plate engages a push lever positioned between the activation plate and the locking clamp such that the friction pad is movably engaged relative a horizontal slot formed in the front rail of the table saw. The locking clamp is movable between the locked position where the friction pad secures the rip fence in a position parallel to the blade and the released position where the friction pad permits the rip fence to slide relative the upper surface.

[0053] While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes, modifications and further applications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.