A discharge support assembly having a movable discharge support member

Abstract

A discharge support assembly includes a first discharge support member having a first upper portion, the first discharge support member defining a cutout portion. The discharge support assembly also includes a second discharge support member movably connected to the first discharge support member. The second discharge support member has a first position in which the second discharge support member is disposed within the cutout portion and a second upper portion of the second discharge support member is substantially coplanar with the first upper portion, and a second position in which the second discharge support member is at least partially outside the cutout portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to table saws, and more specifically to discharge support assemblies for table saws. Background Technology

[0002] Table saws, or benchtop cutting tools, are versatile and valuable tools used for tasks such as cross-cutting timber and sawing large planks or boards into narrow strips. While table saws come in a variety of designs, most consist of a base housing structure that supports the table and the cutting assembly located beneath it. The table has a generally flat upper surface on which the workpiece is supported.

[0003] The cutting assembly includes a circular saw blade mounted on a shaft, a portion of which extends upward through an opening defined in a table. The assembly also includes a motor and power transmission for rotating the shaft, thereby driving the cutting blade to cut a workpiece supported on the table. As the motor drives the cutting blade to rotate, the workpiece moves against the saw blade across the table, allowing the blade to cut the workpiece.

[0004] Most table saws consist of a workpiece support surface and a cutting blade that passes through an opening in the support surface. The workpiece support surface is a generally flat surface on which the user places the workpiece for cutting. The cutting blade (usually a circular saw blade) is configured to be driven to rotate by a motor located below the support surface. The upper part of the blade passes through the opening in the support surface to above the support surface and is configured to contact the workpiece. A slitting blade is positioned behind the saw blade and moves through a kerf in the workpiece to prevent the workpiece from getting stuck during cutting.

[0005] To provide additional support when cutting workpieces on a portable or field table saw, table saws typically include attachable left and rear discharge support frames. These support frames usually consist of a bracket attached to the bottom of the table and a support plate connected to two slender rods. The slender rods are assembled into the bracket, allowing the discharge support frames to be stored near the table saw and extended when material support is needed.

[0006] In some table saws, the workpiece support surface is partially defined by a sliding table portion located on the left side of the saw blade. This sliding table portion is movable relative to the saw blade in a direction parallel to the saw blade and serves to support the workpiece and help guide it during cutting. That is, the sliding table and workpiece move past the saw blade to cut within the workpiece. However, in some locations, the sliding table portion protrudes beyond the end of the worktable, which may obstruct the discharge support or limit its dimensions. Therefore, an improved discharge support is needed to facilitate the use of the sliding table portion. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a discharge support assembly for a table saw, the assembly comprising: a first discharge support member having a first upper portion defining a cut portion; and a second discharge support member movably connected to the first discharge support member, the second discharge support member having a first position in which the second discharge support member is disposed within the cut portion and a second upper portion of the second discharge support member is substantially coplanar with the first upper portion; and a second position in which the second discharge support member is at least partially located outside the cut portion.

[0008] In other respects, the technology described herein relates to a table saw comprising: a table assembly having a tabletop and a sliding table portion; and a discharge support assembly comprising: a first discharge support member having a first upper portion defining a cut portion; and a second discharge support member movably connected to the first discharge support member, the second discharge support member having a first position in which the second discharge support member is disposed within the cut portion and a second upper portion of the second discharge support member is substantially coplanar with the first upper portion, and a second position in which the second discharge support member is at least partially located outside the cut portion.

[0009] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a discharge support assembly for a table saw, the assembly comprising: a first discharge support plate having a first upper portion defining a cut portion; and a second discharge support plate movably connected to the first discharge support plate, the second discharge support plate having a first position in which the second discharge support plate is disposed within the cut portion, and a second upper portion of the second discharge support plate being substantially coplanar with the first upper portion; and a second position in which the second discharge support plate is at least partially located outside the cut portion, wherein the second discharge support plate pivots relative to the first discharge support plate about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the plane defined by the first and second upper portions. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a left front perspective view of a table saw with a discharge support assembly, in which a movable second discharge support member is shown in the first position.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Left front perspective view of the discharge support component.

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 1The front elevation view of a portion of the discharge support assembly depicts the second discharge support member in a first position.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The rear elevation view of a portion of the discharge support assembly depicts the second discharge support member in a first position.

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 The rear elevation view of a portion of the discharge support assembly depicts the second discharge support member in a second position.

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 The left front perspective view of the table saw depicts the second discharge support member of the discharge support assembly in the second position.

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 The left front perspective view of the table saw depicts the second discharge support member of the discharge support assembly in a second position, and the sliding table portion extending through the cut of the first discharge support member. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To facilitate understanding of the principles of the embodiments described herein, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings and the description in the following specification. These references are not intended to limit the scope of the subject matter herein. This disclosure also includes any changes and modifications to the illustrated embodiments, and further applications of the principles of the embodiments that would typically occur to those skilled in the art to which this document pertains.

[0018] Figure 1 A table saw 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted, designed for cutting workpieces larger than those of conventional table saws with the same blade size. The table saw 100 includes a base assembly 104, a table assembly 108, and a saw assembly 112. The base assembly 104 is configured to support the table assembly 108, which supports the saw assembly 112 via journals (not shown) connected to the table assembly 108. The base assembly 104 may include a frame structure or housing 120 surrounding the saw assembly 112, and one or more handles (not shown) that allow a user to easily move the table saw 100.

[0019] Furthermore, the base assembly 104 includes an adjustment mechanism 124, which may include various actuators such as an angle adjustment locking lever 128, a height adjustment wheel 132, and a height adjustment wheel handle 136. The adjustment mechanism 124 is configured such that rotating the height adjustment wheel 132 allows the saw assembly 112 to move upward relative to the table surface 160 between a recessed position (in which the saw blade 174 is completely below the table assembly 108) and a maximum cutting height position. With the angle adjustment locking lever 128 disengaged, laterally moving the height adjustment wheel 132 allows the saw assembly 112 to pivot relative to the table assembly 108, thereby performing a beveling cut.

[0020] The workbench assembly 108 includes a table surface 160 and a throat plate 164, which together define a support surface 168 configured to support the workpiece during cutting. The throat plate 164 defines a generally rectangular throat 172 through which the saw blade 174 extends when positioned for operation. The table surface 160 may also include a rip saw baffle assembly 176 configured to provide support for the sides of the workpiece during rip sawing.

[0021] Furthermore, the table assembly 108 includes a sliding section 180 that forms part of the support surface 168 of the table assembly 108. The sliding section 180 is formed as a plate 184 disposed within a recess 188 of the table surface 160, and configured such that the upper surface of the plate 184 is substantially coplanar with the top surface of the table surface 160. The sliding section 180 slides within guide grooves in the table surface 160, which are substantially parallel to the plane defined by the throat 172, i.e., the plane defined by the saw blade 174 when mounted on the table saw 100. Therefore, the sliding section 180 is movable relative to the table surface 160 along a sliding axis that is substantially parallel to the saw blade 174, or parallel to the cutting direction into the workpiece. Thus, the sliding section 180 provides an extension of the support surface 168 of the table assembly 108 to facilitate the guiding of large workpieces during cutting. Specifically, the plate 184 of the sliding table portion 180 extends to the left edge of the tabletop 160, thereby providing a sliding support at the left end of the tabletop 160.

[0022] The table saw 100 also features a discharge support assembly 200, which is configured to provide additional support for longer workpieces. For example... Figure 2 As best seen in the diagram, the discharge support assembly 200 includes two extension rods 204 and a first discharge support member 208. Each of the two extension rods 204 is slidably received in its respective bracket 212. Each bracket 212 is fixedly mounted to the bottom surface of the table 160.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the first discharge support member 208 is composed of a plate having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the saw blade 174, and the second portion is bent out of the plane at an angle between about 10° and about 40°, particularly between about 20° and about 30°, in a direction away from the table surface 160.

[0024] The first discharge support member 208 also includes an upper portion 216, which may be a surface or edge extending across the width of the table saw 100 and defining a first plane substantially coplanar with the support surface 168 of the table surface 160. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion 216 is formed as another bend in the plate defining the surface or edge of the first discharge support member 208. The discharge support assembly 200 can move away from the table surface 160 as the two extension rods 204 slide within their respective supports 212. Specifically, the discharge support assembly 200 can move relative to the table surface 160 along the sliding axis of the sliding table portion 180. When the discharge support assembly moves relative to the table surface 160, the upper portion 216 is substantially coplanar with the table surface 160, thereby enabling the upper portion 216 of the first discharge support member 208 to provide additional discharge support for workpieces at positions spaced apart from the table surface 160.

[0025] In conventional table saws that include both a sliding table portion and a discharge support assembly, the discharge support typically hinders the movement of the sliding table across the discharge end of the table saw. However, in the discharge support assembly 200 according to this disclosure, the first discharge support member 208 includes a cut portion 220 that is generally aligned with the plate 184 of the sliding table portion 180 and has a cross-sectional area slightly larger than that of the plate 184.

[0026] The discharge support assembly 200 also includes a second discharge support member 232, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is configured as an auxiliary discharge support plate and is arranged in the cut portion 220 in a first position (also referred to as an upright position). The second discharge support member 232 is movable relative to the first discharge support member 208 between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the second discharge support member 232 is arranged in the cut portion 220, and in the second position, the second discharge support member 232 is at least partially located outside the cut portion 220, more specifically, outside at least the area through which the plate 184 of the sliding table portion 180 arranged in the cut portion 220 moves.

[0027] Specifically, in Figures 1-7In the illustrated embodiment, the second discharge support member 232 is pivotable relative to the first discharge support member 208 about an axis 236 parallel or substantially parallel to the top surface or edge of the upper portion 216 of the first discharge support member 208. The second discharge support member 232 has an upper portion 240 configured such that, when the second discharge support member 232 is in a first position, the upper surface or edge of the upper portion 240 defines a second plane substantially coplanar with the first plane defined by the top surface or edge of the upper portion 216 of the first discharge support member 208. Therefore, in the first position, the second discharge support member 232 provides additional discharge support for the workpiece in the region of the cut portion 220.

[0028] As described above, the second discharge support member 232 also has a second position in which the second discharge support member 232 is at least partially disposed outside the cut portion 220, and the upper portion 240 of the second discharge support member 232 is not coplanar with the upper portion 216 of the first discharge support member 208. The second discharge support member 232 can pivot, slide, or otherwise move relative to the first discharge support member 208, thereby moving from the first position to the second position. In the illustrated embodiment, as in Figure 4 and Figure 5 As best seen in the rear view of the discharge support assembly 200 shown, the second discharge support member 232 is pivotally connected to the first discharge support member 208 via two hinges 248, one of which is arranged on each side of the second discharge support member 232 on the rear side of the discharge support assembly 200 (i.e., the side facing away from the table surface 160). The two hinges 248 are configured such that the second discharge support member 232 can... Figure 3 and Figure 4 The first position shown is Figure 5 Pivoting between the second position shown (also referred to as the retracted position). In some embodiments, the two hinges 248 are configured to allow a limited range of movement of the second discharge support member 232, such as 180 degrees, to prevent the second discharge support member 232 from pivoting through its position in the plane of the adjacent portion of the first discharge support member 208.

[0029] The discharge support assembly 200 also includes a locking device 260 configured to hold the discharge support assembly 200 in an upright position. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking device 260 includes a pair of locking knobs 264 and two tabs 268 formed on the second discharge support member 232. The locking knobs 264 are pivotally mounted to the first discharge support member 208. When the second discharge support member 232 is in a first position and the locking knobs 264 are in a locked position, the locking knobs 264 abut against the rear surfaces of the first discharge support member 208 and the second discharge support member 232, thereby preventing the second discharge support member 232 from pivoting relative to the first discharge support member 208 from the first position to the second position.

[0030] Although the locking device 260 of the illustrated embodiment includes two locking knobs 264, the reader should understand that other numbers of locking knobs 264, such as one, three or more, may be used in other embodiments. Furthermore or alternatively, in some embodiments, some or all of the locking knobs 264 may be mounted to the second discharge support member 232 and pivoted to engage with the first discharge support member 208 in the locked position.

[0031] The tab 268 extends below the second discharge support member 232 about its pivot axis 236. Since the hinge 248 extends across the gap in the first discharge support member 208 (in which the tab 268 is arranged in a vertical position), the hinge 248 forms a stop, preventing the two tabs 268 from rotating beyond the vertical position. Therefore, the interaction between the two tabs 268 and the two hinges 248 prevents the second discharge support member 232 from excessively rotating beyond the vertical position. Thus, because the tabs 268 prevent the second discharge support member 232 from rotating beyond the upright position, and in the locked position, the locking knob 264 prevents the second discharge support member 232 from pivoting from the upright position to the retracted position, the combination of the locking knob 264 and the tabs 268 locks the second discharge support member 232 in the upright position.

[0032] In other embodiments, the locking device 260 may include more or fewer than two locking knobs 264 and / or more or fewer than two tabs 268. In a further embodiment, the locking device 260 may include, for example, locking knobs that conformally engage with the second discharge support member 232 to lock the second discharge support member 232 into place, without including tabs. In another embodiment, the locking device 260 may include another suitable locking mechanism, such as a clamp, latch, or pin.

[0033] The first discharge support member 208 also includes a stop protrusion 272 assigned to each locking knob 264. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop protrusions 272 are formed as part of the first discharge support member 208, cut out and bent from the plane of the first discharge support member 208 to form a stop surface 276. The locking knob 264 is configured to abut against the associated stop surface 276 to hold the locking knob 264 in the unlocked position. In other embodiments, the stop protrusions 272 may be formed as protrusions or projections integrally formed with or attached to the rear surface of the first discharge support member 208.

[0034] Now for reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 A notch 284 is defined in the upper portion 240 of the second discharge support member 232, forming a narrowed portion 288 of the second discharge support member 232. A clip 292 is formed on the rear surface of the first discharge support member 208 at a lateral position corresponding to the narrowed portion 288 of the second discharge support member 232. In the illustrated embodiment, this clip is constructed as a spring clip. When the second discharge support member 232 is folded to the retracted position, the narrowed portion 288 is clamped into the clip 292, thereby holding the second discharge support member 232 in the retracted position.

[0035] Two hinges 248 are mounted to the first discharge support member 208 and the second discharge support member 232 via fasteners 296, which are substantially flush with the front surfaces of the first discharge support member 208 and the second discharge support member 232. Similarly, a locking knob 264 is also mounted to the first discharge support member 208 via fasteners 298, the head of which is substantially flush with the front surface of the first discharge support member 208. Specifically, the fasteners 298 may be countersunk screws or counterboring screws, which are embedded in their respective first discharge support member 208 or second discharge support member 232. Furthermore, any other structures mounted to the first discharge support member 208 and / or the second discharge support member 232 may also be attached via fasteners flush with their respective first discharge support member 208 or second discharge support member 232. Because fasteners 296 and 298 are approximately flush with the front surfaces of the first discharge support member 208 and the second discharge support member 232, fasteners 296 and 298 will not hinder the movement of the workpiece along the front surfaces of the first discharge support member 208 and the second discharge support member 232, and in particular, fasteners 296 and 298 will not jam or clamp the workpiece.

[0036] like Figure 1As seen, when in the vertical position, the second discharge support member 232 combines with the first discharge support member 208 to provide discharge support for the workpiece along the length of the discharge support assembly 200, which is approximately the same as the width of the table surface 160. Therefore, the discharge support assembly 200 can provide a wide range of discharge support for cutting large workpieces using the table saw 100.

[0037] However, when the sliding table portion 180 is in use, the discharge support assembly 200 typically has its baffle 184 extending beyond the first discharge support member 208. To address this issue, the user can unlock the locking device 260 by rotating the locking knob 264 to disengage it from the rear surface of the second discharge support member 232, thereby unlocking the second discharge support member 232. The user then pivots the second discharge support member 232 downwards until the narrowed portion 288 in the retracted position is clamped into the clip 292, as shown. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown. Thus, the plate 184 of the sliding table portion 180 can slide beyond the left end of the first discharge support member 208 through the cut portion 220, while the remaining portion of the first discharge support member 208 can still be used for workpiece support.

[0038] When the sliding table portion 180 is no longer in use, the discharge support assembly 200 provides only limited support on its left side because the second discharge support member 232 is in the second position (i.e., the retracted position). Therefore, when discharge support assembly 200 needs to provide discharge support along its entire width, the user removes the retracted portion 288 of the second discharge support member 232 from the clamp 292 and pivots the second discharge support member 232 from the second position to... Figures 1-4 The first position is shown. The user applies manual force to hold the second discharge support member 232 in the position where the tab 268 engages with the two hinges 248, thereby holding the second discharge support member 232 in the first position, while the user rotates the locking knob 264 to prevent the second discharge support member 232 from pivoting out of the first position. Thus, the second discharge support member 232 is locked in the first position, such that the upper portion 240 of the second discharge support member 232 provides an extension of the support provided by the upper portion 216 of the first discharge support member 208.

[0039] In conventional table saws with a sliding table and discharge support, the discharge support assembly may include a slit for the sliding table. However, when the sliding table is not in use, the area of ​​the slit on the discharge support lacks any support for the workpiece. In some conventional table saws, a small wing is arranged on the left side of the slit to provide additional support, but this wing is ineffective when the workpiece has a width that terminates within the slit area. Furthermore, this wing must either extend beyond the left end of the table, creating a potential safety hazard, or the width of the sliding table is limited so that it cannot fully extend to the left end of the table saw.

[0040] In contrast, the table saw 100 according to this disclosure allows the plate 184 of the sliding table portion 180 to extend to the left end of the worktable assembly 108 without restricting the discharge support at the left end of the worktable assembly 108. Furthermore, the table saw 100 allows the discharge support to be provided along the entire width of the discharge support assembly 200, particularly in the portion of the first discharge support member 208 that defines the cut portion 220.

[0041] It should be understood that variations or alternatives to the above and other features and functions can be combined in a desired manner into many other different systems, applications, or methods. Various alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements that are not currently foreseen or anticipated may then be made by those skilled in the art, and these alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements are also intended to be included in the foregoing disclosure.

Claims

1. A discharge support assembly for a table saw, comprising: A first discharge support member having a first upper part, the first discharge support member defining a cut portion; A second discharge support member is movably connected to a first discharge support member. The second discharge support member has a first position in which the second discharge support member is arranged within a cut-out portion, and the second upper portion of the second discharge support member is substantially coplanar with the first upper portion. And a second position, in which the second discharge support member is at least partially located outside the cut portion.

2. The discharge support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second discharge support member pivots relative to the first discharge support member between a first position and a second position.

3. The discharge support assembly of claim 2 further includes at least one hinge connecting the first discharge support member and the second discharge support member, and enabling the second discharge support member to pivot relative to the first discharge support member.

4. The discharge support assembly as claimed in claim 3 further includes a locking device having a locked position in which the second discharge support member is locked in a first position; and an unlocked position in which the second discharge support member is movable relative to the first discharge support member.

5. The discharge support assembly as described in claim 4, wherein, The locking device includes at least one locking knob configured to engage with the surfaces of both the first discharge support member and the second discharge support member in a locked position, thereby preventing the second discharge support member from pivoting from the first position to the second position.

6. The discharge support assembly as described in claim 5, wherein, The locking device further includes at least one tab configured to limit the range of pivoting movement of the second discharge support member relative to the first discharge support member.

7. The discharge support assembly as described in claim 6, wherein, The locking device also includes a respective stop protrusion assigned to each of the at least one locking knobs, each locking knob being configured to abut against the respective stop protrusion when the locking device is in the unlocked position.

8. The discharge support assembly as described in claim 5, wherein, Each hinge of at least one hinge and each locking knob of at least one locking knob are mounted to their respective first or second discharge support members by one or more fasteners, the heads of which are substantially flush with the front surface of their respective first or second discharge support members.

9. The discharge support assembly of claim 2, further comprising a clamp connected to the first discharge support member, the clamp being configured to receive the second discharge support member in a second position.

10. The discharge support assembly as described in claim 9, wherein, The second discharge support member defines a notch at the narrowed portion of the second discharge support member, and in the second position, the narrowed portion is received in a clamp.

11. The discharge support assembly as described in claim 10, wherein, The clip is constructed as a spring clip.

12. The discharge support assembly as described in claim 1, wherein, The first and second discharge support components are constructed of plates.

13. The discharge support assembly as described in claim 1, wherein, The discharge support assembly is configured to be installed on the bottom surface of the table saw table, such that the first and second discharge support members are translatably movable relative to the table surface, while the first and second upper parts are substantially coplanar with the table surface.

14. A table saw, comprising: A worktable assembly having a tabletop and a sliding table section; as well as The discharge support assembly includes: A first discharge support member having a first upper portion, the first discharge support member defining a cut portion; and A second discharge support member is movably connected to a first discharge support member, the second discharge support member having a first position in which the second discharge support member is arranged within a cut portion and a second upper portion of the second discharge support member is substantially coplanar with the first upper portion; and a second position in which the second discharge support member is at least partially located outside the cut portion.

15. The table saw as described in claim 14, wherein, The cut portion is aligned with the sliding axis of the sliding table portion.

16. The table saw as claimed in claim 15, wherein, The platform has a support surface that is substantially coplanar with the first upper part and the second upper part.

17. The table saw as claimed in claim 16, wherein, The discharge support assembly is movable relative to the table surface along the sliding axis.

18. The table saw as claimed in claim 15, wherein, The sliding table extends to the edge of the tabletop.

19. The table saw as claimed in claim 14, wherein, The material discharge support assembly is installed on the bottom surface of the table.

20. A discharge support assembly for a table saw, comprising: A first discharge support plate having a first upper part, the first discharge support plate defining a cut portion; and A second discharge support plate is movably connected to a first discharge support plate. The second discharge support plate has a first position in which the second discharge support plate is disposed within the cut portion and a second upper portion of the second discharge support plate is substantially coplanar with the first upper portion; and a second position in which the second discharge support plate is at least partially located outside the cut portion. The second discharge support plate pivots relative to the first discharge support plate about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position, the pivot axis being substantially parallel to the plane defined by the first upper part and the second upper part.

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