Dovetail Slot Worktable With Extendable Center Slide Clamping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing worktables for drill presses and table saws have limited workspace and clamping options, often relying on costly aluminum inserts with cumbersome T-slot recesses, which restrict the ability to securely hold workpieces during operations.

Innovation Solution

A multi-purpose worktable featuring a grid of dovetail slots and an extendable center slide, compatible with Matchfit™ hardware, providing adjustable and secure clamping options and improved workspace, allowing for various tool configurations and easy replacement of worn parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If aluminum inserts with T-slot recesses are used to secure workpieces, then clamping capability is improved, but cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The worktable surface is segmented into a grid of individual dovetail slots rather than using continuous T-slot recesses. This allows independent positioning and clamping at multiple locations, improving adaptability while using simpler, smaller slot elements that reduce overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dovetail slots are designed to be simple, inexpensive features that can be easily cut into the worktable surface, replacing costly aluminum inserts. The slots serve as disposable or easily replaceable clamping features that don't require expensive manufactured components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If aluminum inserts with T-slot recesses are used, then workpiece securing is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece securingVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using T-slot recesses that require specialized T-bolts and complex insertion/removal procedures, the invention uses dovetail slots that accept simple clamp bodies from above. This inverts the traditional approach, making operation simpler and more intuitive while maintaining secure workpiece holding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If only two aluminum inserts are provided, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and clamping options are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidclamping options

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping system transitions from two discrete insert locations to a two-dimensional grid pattern of dovetail slots across the worktable surface. This adds spatial distribution as a new dimension, enabling multiple clamping positions and orientations while keeping each individual slot simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11786983B2Dovetail slot grid multi-purpose worktable

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 WANG HENRY

AI summary

A worktable (100), having: a left slot grid (102); a right slot grid (104) secured to the left slot grid; and a center slide (106) configured to be adjustably positionable between the left slot grid and the right slot grid.