Dry cutting rail saw with integrated dust collection function

Abstract

Various embodiments of a sawing apparatus include a work table, a cutting head including a circular saw blade, and a vacuum source. In a first embodiment, the cutting head moves along a rail, and a vacuum source provides a negative pressure area below the trolley, which moves along the work table so that a central slot is maintained in axial alignment with the circular saw blade. In a second embodiment, the cutting head moves along a rail, and a dust guard is connected to the circular saw blade. The vacuum source provides a negative pressure area above the work table. In another embodiment, the cutting head moves along a rail, and a vacuum source provides a negative pressure area below the trolley, which is coupled to the cutting head via a pulley system, which maintains alignment between the cutting head and the trolley as the cutting head moves along the rail.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to dust collection, and more particularly to incorporating a dust collection system within a dry-cut rail saw apparatus.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 416,878, entitled "DRY-CUT RAIL SAW WITH INTEGRATED DUST COLLECTION," filed October 17, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] In conventional rail saws for cutting stone slabs and tiles, water is sprayed onto the diamond cutting blade and the stone slab and tile material to cool the blade and suppress dust. However, this water supply poses several problems. For example, the use of water can cause stains on the stone slab and some tile materials being cut. Furthermore, conventional stone slab and tile rail saws typically include a water container or pan with a pump that supplies water to the cutting head. During cutting, water is sprayed and distributed around the cutting area of ​​the rail saw. Many attempts have been made to contain this water with extension trays or spray guards and return it to the supply pan, but the results have not been perfect. Because this water can drip, splash, and even spill, stone slab and tile rail saws cannot always be located near the area where the actual stone and / or tile installation is taking place. This results in users spending a great deal of time traveling back and forth between the rail saw and the stone and / or tile installation site.

[0004] Therefore, a dry rail saw that prevents dust from being released into the environment is desirable. It should be noted that the above-mentioned deficiencies are intended merely to provide a summary of some of the problems with conventional systems and are not intended to be exhaustive. Other problems in the art and some corresponding advantages of various non-limiting embodiments will become more apparent upon review of the following detailed description. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A simplified summary is provided here to aid in a basic or general understanding of various aspects of the exemplary, non-limiting embodiments (followed by a more detailed description and accompanying drawings). However, this summary is not intended to be an extensive or exhaustive overview. Instead, the sole purpose of this summary is to present some concepts related to some exemplary, non-limiting embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description of the various embodiments that follows.

[0006] In accordance with one or more embodiments and corresponding disclosures, various non-limiting aspects are described in connection with a dust collection system. In one such aspect, a sawing apparatus is disclosed that facilitates dust collection. In such an embodiment, the sawing apparatus includes a work platform and a cutting head including a circular saw blade, the cutting head configured to move along a rail. The apparatus further includes a trolley including a central slot and configured to move along the work platform, the central slot configured to maintain axial alignment with the circular saw blade as the cutting head moves along the rail. This embodiment also includes a vacuum source connected to the trolley, the vacuum source configured to provide a negative pressure region below the trolley at the central slot.

[0007] In a further aspect, another sawing apparatus that facilitates dust collection is disclosed. In this embodiment, the sawing apparatus includes a work table and a cutting head including a circular saw blade, the cutting head configured to move along a rail disposed above the work table. The apparatus also includes a dust guard connected to the circular saw blade and a vacuum source connected to the dust guard. The vacuum source is configured to provide a negative pressure region above the work table in proximity to an expected point of contact between the circular saw blade and a workpiece.

[0008] In yet another aspect, a sawing apparatus that also facilitates dust collection is disclosed. In this embodiment, the sawing apparatus includes a work table and a cutting head including a circular saw blade, the cutting head configured to move along a rail disposed above the work table. The apparatus further includes a trolley coupled to the cutting head via a pulley system configured to maintain alignment between the cutting head and the trolley as the cutting head moves along the rail. The apparatus also includes a vacuum source connected to the trolley, the vacuum source configured to provide a negative pressure region below the trolley in proximity to an expected point of contact between the circular saw blade and the workpiece.

[0009] Other embodiments and various non-limiting examples, scenarios and implementations are described in further detail below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] Various non-limiting embodiments are further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary rail saw apparatus that facilitates removal of airborne dust in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first view of an exemplary rail saw apparatus that facilitates removal of airborne dust in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second view of an exemplary rail saw apparatus that facilitates removal of airborne dust in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary trolley coupled to a work platform in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary trolley according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first view of an exemplary tilt mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second view of an exemplary tilt mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first view of an exemplary dust guard that facilitates providing an upper vacuum chamber in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second view of an exemplary dust guard that facilitates providing an upper vacuum chamber in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a third view of an exemplary dust guard that facilitates providing an upper vacuum chamber in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fourth view of an exemplary dust guard that facilitates providing an upper vacuum chamber in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] overview Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to incorporating dust collection systems into dry-cut rail saw apparatus, including aspects directed to slate and / or tile rail saws with fully integrated dust collection and filtration systems.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary dry-cutting rail saw apparatus that facilitates airborne dust removal in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. As illustrated, the rail saw apparatus 100 includes a housing 110, a work table 120, a cutting head 130, and a rail system 140. In this embodiment, the housing 110 may further include a vacuum source 112 and a filter 114, the work table 120 may include a trolley 122, and the cutting head 130 may include a circular saw blade 132. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cutting head 130 is configured to move along the rail system 140, and the trolley 122 includes a central slot and is configured to move along the work table 120, the central slot being configured to remain axially aligned with the circular saw blade 132 as the cutting head 130 moves along the rail system 140. During use, the vacuum source 112 is configured to apply a negative pressure beneath the trolley 122 at the central slot.

[0013] Various aspects of the rail saw apparatus 100 are contemplated and disclosed herein. For example, various aspects related to the trolley 122 are contemplated. Another aspect is contemplated, a tilt mechanism to facilitate angled cuts. Yet another aspect is contemplated, a dust guard configuration to facilitate providing a second negative pressure area above the work table 110 and adjacent the circular saw blade 132.

[0014] Exemplary Trolley Embodiments In a first exemplary embodiment, it is contemplated that the trolley 122 is configured to travel on the work table 120 directly below the circular saw blade 132. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the work table 120 can include a trolley track, and rollers on the trolley 122 can be configured to roll on the trolley track. It is further contemplated that the cutting head 130 and the trolley 122 can be coupled via a pulley system (e.g., including a spring and cable) to maintain alignment between the cutting head 130 and the trolley 122 as the cutting head 130 moves along the rail system 140. As shown, the trolley 122 can include a vacuum port configured to connect to the vacuum source 112 via a vacuum hose. During use, the vacuum source 112 forms a vacuum chamber (i.e., a dust collection chamber) within the trolley 122 directly below the central slot, and the vacuum chamber follows the movement and position of the circular saw blade 132. As a result, airborne dust from the material cut by the circular saw blade 132 is drawn into the vacuum chamber and directed toward the filter component 114. It should be understood that the filter component 114 may include multiple stages of filters of different filter types (e.g., the airborne dust first passes through a set of cyclone filters and then through a cylindrical filter).

[0015] Exemplary Tilt Mechanism Embodiments 6 and 7, schematic diagrams illustrating first and second views, respectively, of an exemplary tilt mechanism according to one aspect of the present invention are shown. It should be understood that rail saw apparatus 200 is substantially similar to rail saw apparatus 100, work table 220 is substantially similar to work table 120, and cutting head 230 is substantially similar to cutting head 130. Rail system 240 is also substantially similar to rail system 140, but as shown, rail system 240 further includes tilt mechanism 242. In such an embodiment, tilt mechanism 242 is configured to facilitate angled cuts by rotating rail system 240 about a pivot point. As shown, tilt mechanism 242 can include a knob to facilitate rotating rail system 240 to lock the cutting head at multiple tilt angles (e.g., up to 45 degrees).

[0016] Exemplary Top Vacuum Embodiments 8-11, there are shown schematic diagrams illustrating various views of an exemplary dust guard that facilitates providing an upper vacuum chamber in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that rail saw apparatus 300 is substantially similar to rail saw apparatuses 100 and 200, work table 320 is substantially similar to work tables 120 and 220, and cutting head 330 is substantially similar to cutting heads 130 and 230.

[0017] As shown, dust guards 334 are attached to either side of the circular saw blade 332 and configured to form vacuum chambers above the worktable 320 in proximity to the expected point of contact between the circular saw blade 332 and a workpiece. The dust guards 334 may include vacuum ports that connect the dust guards 334 to the vacuum source 112 via, for example, a vacuum hose, as shown in FIG. 11 . In such an embodiment, airborne dust generated by cutting material with the circular saw blade 332 is collected above the worktable 320 via the upper vacuum chamber provided by the dust guards 334 and below the worktable 320 via the lower vacuum chamber provided by the trolley 322.

[0018] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. Moreover, any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it intended to exclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those skilled in the art. Moreover, to the extent that "includes," "has," "contains," and other similar terms are used in either the detailed description or the claims, for the avoidance of doubt, such terms are intended to be inclusive in the same manner as the open transitional term "comprising," without excluding additional or other elements.

[0019] The systems described above are described with respect to interactions between multiple components. It should be understood that such systems and components can include those components or designated subcomponents, portions of the designated components or subcomponents, and / or additional components according to various permutations and combinations of those described above. Subcomponents can also be implemented as components coupled to other components rather than contained within a parent component (hierarchical). Furthermore, it should be noted that one or more components can be combined into a single component providing aggregate functionality or can be divided into several separate subcomponents, and that one or more intermediate layers can optionally be provided to couple such subcomponents to provide integrated functionality. The components described herein can also interact with one or more other components not specifically described herein but generally known to those skilled in the art.

[0020] In view of the exemplary systems described above, methodologies that may be implemented in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can be understood with reference to the various figures. For ease of explanation, the methodologies are described as a series of steps; however, it should be understood and appreciated that the disclosed subject matter is not limited by the order of the steps, as some steps may occur in a different order than described herein and / or concurrently with other steps. Furthermore, not all of the disclosed steps may be required to implement the methods described below.

[0021] Although various embodiments have been described in connection with exemplary embodiments in the various figures, it should be understood that other similar embodiments may be used, or modifications or additions may be made thereto to perform the same functions without departing from the described embodiments. Thus, the present invention should not be limited to a single embodiment.

Claims

1. 1. A sawing device, comprising: A workbench and a cutting head including a circular saw blade, the cutting head configured to move along a rail; a trolley configured to move along the work platform, the trolley including a central slot, the central slot configured to maintain axial alignment with the circular saw blade as the cutting head moves along the rail; a vacuum source connected to the trolley, the vacuum source configured to provide a negative pressure region beneath the trolley at the central slot.

2. 2. The sawing apparatus according to claim 1, 1. A saw apparatus comprising: a cutting head and a trolley coupled via a pulley system configured to maintain alignment between the cutting head and the trolley as the cutting head moves along the rail.

3. 2. The sawing apparatus according to claim 1, 10. A sawing apparatus, wherein the cutting head is configured to be tilted to facilitate angled cuts.

4. 4. The sawing apparatus according to claim 3, 10. A sawing apparatus, wherein the cutting head is configured to be tilted at up to 45 degrees relative to the work table.

5. 4. The sawing apparatus according to claim 3, 10. A sawing apparatus, wherein the cutting head is configured to be fixed at a plurality of tilt angles.

6. 2. The sawing apparatus according to claim 1, 10. The saw apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a dust guard coupled to the circular saw blade and the vacuum source, the vacuum source configured to provide a second negative pressure region above the work table in proximity to an expected point of contact between the circular saw blade and a workpiece.

7. 7. The sawing apparatus according to claim 6, A sawing device, wherein the dust guard is made of a flexible material.

8. 7. The sawing apparatus according to claim 6, A sawing apparatus characterized in that the dust guard includes a viewing window.

9. 2. The sawing apparatus according to claim 1, The saw apparatus further comprising a filter component coupled to the vacuum source.

10. 1. A sawing device, comprising: A workbench and a cutting head including a circular saw blade, the cutting head configured to move along a rail disposed above the work table; a dust guard connected to the circular saw blade; a vacuum source connected to the dust guard, the vacuum source configured to provide a negative pressure area above the work table in proximity to an expected point of contact between the circular saw blade and a workpiece.

11. 11. The saw apparatus according to claim 10, The sawing apparatus, wherein the vacuum source is configured to provide a second negative pressure region below the worktable in proximity to an expected point of contact between the circular saw blade and the workpiece.

12. 12. The saw apparatus of claim 11, 10. The sawing apparatus of claim 9, wherein a second negative pressure region below the work table is configured to maintain axial alignment with the circular saw blade as the cutting head moves along a rail.

13. 11. The saw apparatus according to claim 10, 10. A sawing apparatus, wherein the cutting head is configured to be tilted to facilitate angled cuts.

14. 14. The saw apparatus of claim 13, 10. A sawing apparatus, wherein the cutting head is configured to be tilted at up to 45 degrees relative to the work table.

15. 14. The saw apparatus of claim 13, 10. A sawing apparatus, wherein the cutting head is configured to be fixed at a plurality of tilt angles.

16. 1. A sawing device, comprising: A workbench and a cutting head including a circular saw blade, the cutting head configured to move along a rail disposed above the work table; a trolley coupled to the cutting head via a pulley system configured to maintain alignment between the cutting head and the trolley as the cutting head moves along the rail; a vacuum source connected to the trolley and configured to provide a negative pressure region below the trolley in proximity to an expected point of contact between the circular saw blade and a workpiece.

17. 17. The saw apparatus of claim 16, 10. The saw apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a dust guard coupled to the circular saw blade and the vacuum source, the vacuum source configured to provide a second negative pressure region above the work table in proximity to an expected point of contact between the circular saw blade and the workpiece.

18. 17. The saw apparatus of claim 16, 10. A sawing apparatus, wherein the pulley system is configured to tilt to facilitate angled cuts.

19. 20. The saw apparatus of claim 18, 10. The sawing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pulley system is configured to be inclined at up to 45 degrees relative to the work table.

20. 20. The saw apparatus of claim 18, The pulley system is configured to lock into a plurality of tilt angles.

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