Rip fence having dual adjustment for a power tool

摘要

A guide assembly, or rip fence, supported by guides of a table saw includes a clamping apparatus having locking mechanisms located at each end of the guide assembly. Each of the locking mechanisms is independently adjustable to provide accurate and repeatable positioning of the guide assembly with respect to the table and with respect to the saw blade with self-alignment and desired force. An adjustable locking self-alignment spring provides for self-alignment of the rip fence with respect to the blade.

主权项

1. A guide assembly for aligning a workpiece on a table of a saw device, comprising:
an alignment member having a first end and a second end; a first lock mechanism located at the first end of the alignment member and configured to secure the first end to the saw device, the first lock mechanism including (i) an activation member that is pivotable between a locked position and a unlocked position and (ii) a self-alignment biasing element (a) having a passive portion fixedly attached to the activation member and (b) configured to be moved into engagement with the saw device via conjoint rotation with the activation member when the activation member is in the locked position; a second lock mechanism located at the second end of the alignment member and configured to secure the second end to the saw device, the second lock mechanism being adjustable to apply an adjustable clamping force to the saw device; a linkage operably coupled to the first lock mechanism and to the second lock mechanism, wherein movement of the first lock mechanism causes the linkage to move the second lock mechanism into engagement with the saw device to secure the first and second ends to the saw device; and a positioner operatively coupled to the self-alignment biasing element, the positioner including an adjustment feature configured to adjust a position of an active portion of the self-alignment biasing element with respect to an engagement portion of the saw device, wherein the active portion is positionable in a first position and a second position with respect relative to the activation member by bending the self-alignment biasing element via the adjustment feature while spaced apart from the engagement portion, wherein, when the active portion of the self-alignment biasing element is in the first position and the activation member is in the locked position, the self-alignment biasing element is configured to apply a first self-alignment force to the saw device, and wherein, when the active portion of the self-alignment biasing element is in the second position and the activation member is in the locked position, the self-alignment biasing element is configured to apply a second self-alignment force to the saw device, the second self-alignment force being different than the first self-alignment force.