Portable Multidirectional Surface Device for Router Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing woodworking devices, particularly routers, face challenges in creating a level and smooth surface on wide workpieces due to stability and portability issues, limiting the size of workpieces that can be efficiently processed.

Innovation Solution

A portable multidirectional surface device with a rigid base and multiple contact points that allow for movement in any direction, enabling a router to be easily moved over a workpiece, including epoxy 'river' sections, to achieve a uniform level surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional stationary fixtures or rail systems are used to hold the router, then stability and cutting precision are improved, but portability and ease of movement deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into a rigid base structure and separate contact points (casters/wheels) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the base to maintain structural rigidity for precision while the contact points provide mobility and ease of repositioning on large workpieces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contact points (casters or wheels) act as intermediaries between the rigid base and the workpiece surface. These intermediaries enable easy movement and repositioning of the entire assembly while the rigid base maintains cutting precision, resolving the contradiction between portability and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the apparatus width increases to accommodate larger workpieces, then the size limit of workpieces is extended, but stability and accuracy deteriorate due to sagging and flexing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece coverage areaVSAvoidflat surface cut accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The base structure uses multiple separate contact points distributed across the base rather than a single continuous support. This segmentation allows the base to span large areas without requiring the entire structure to be extremely rigid, as each contact point independently supports the weight and minimizes flexing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions from traditional rail-based linear movement to multidirectional movement using casters or wheels. This allows the router to be repositioned in any direction across the large workpiece area, maintaining accuracy without requiring the base to be rigid in all directions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid materials are used to increase apparatus stability, then stability is improved, but portability and ease of repositioning deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus stabilityVSAvoidease of repositioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid base is segmented from the support function by introducing separate contact points (casters/wheels). The base itself can be rigid for stability, while the contact points provide the mobility needed for easy repositioning, resolving the contradiction between stability and portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contact points serve as intermediaries that decouple the rigidity requirement from the mobility requirement. The rigid base maintains stability during cutting operations, while the contact points enable easy repositioning of the entire assembly across the workpiece.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If traditional sleds with rail systems are used, then cutting accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting accuracyVSAvoidrail system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex rail system is extracted and replaced with simple contact points (casters or wheels). This extraction eliminates the need for intricate rail mechanisms while maintaining cutting accuracy through the rigid base and contact point geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using fixed rails to guide the router, the device inverts the approach by using a rigid base with mobile contact points that can be freely repositioned. This inversion simplifies the device structure while maintaining the ability to achieve accurate cuts on large workpieces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12269188B2Portable multidirectional surface device

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 IPE CLIP FASTENER CO LLC

AI summary

A portable multidirectional surface device, which may include one or more slide bearing glides and one or more base lengths which may are positioned adjacent the one or more slide bearing glides. One or more connecting plates, positioned above the base length(s), is connect with the base length(s) and the slide bearing glide(s). Providing motion to the device are multidirectional contact point(s) which are connected to the one or more connecting plates. The slide bearing glide(s) in conjunction with the base length(s) enable the use and operation of tools with the device.