Accessory mounting system for connection to a work component having an elongated T-shaped slot

A method of connecting an accessory to a work component having a longitudinally extending elongated T-shaped slot, the method comprising:

• placing an accessory on a flat surface,
• the accessory comprising a generally planar body, an L-shaped retention element connected to the body, a clamp assembly spaced from the retention element and being connected to the body, the L-shaped retention element comprising an upright and a leg extending from an upper end of the upright and parallel to the body, a first upstanding reference surface on the body and being located between the retention element and the connection of the clamp assembly to the body;
• holding a work component in a selected location above the accessory,
• the longitudinally extending elongated T-shaped slot further comprising a central opening defined by spaced apart extensions, and having a first reference surface on an upstanding side wall of the work component;
• lowering the work component onto the accessory at any location along a length of the work component, wherein the retention element upright and leg of the accessory are inserted into the longitudinally extending T-shaped slot through the elongated central opening of the work component;
• and
• engaging the clamp assembly, wherein the work component is moved laterally relative to the longitudinally extending elongated T-shaped slot to a location wherein the first upstanding reference surface on the body of the accessory abuts the first reference surface on the upstanding side wall of the work component, and wherein the leg portion of the retention element underlies one of the extensions that defines the central opening of the elongated T-shaped slot, blocking withdrawal of the L-shaped retention element from the longitudinally extending T-shaped slot, and wherein the L-shaped retention element is spaced away from vertical surfaces on the spaced apart extensions that define the central opening to the T-shaped slot and away from vertical surfaces inside the T-shaped slot, and wherein the work component is removably fixed in a position laterally and longitudinally relative to the accessory.

An accessory for connection to a work component having an elongated central opening to a longitudinally extending T-shaped slot, wherein elongated central opening to the T-shaped slot is defined by opposed inward facing extensions of the T-shaped slot, and for use in aligning the work component with a work piece, the accessory comprising:

• a body having a first reference surface extending upward from the body and in a first direction;
• an L-shaped retention element extending upward and being spaced from the first reference surface in a second direction;
• a clamp assembly connected to the body and having a fastener extending in the second direction past the first reference surface;
• wherein the L-shaped retention element further comprises an upright and a leg extending from an upper end of the upright in the second direction;
• and
• wherein the fastener has a distal end and the clamp assembly is movable to draw the distal end toward the first reference surface of the accessory while drawing a portion of a T-shaped slot over the leg of the L-shaped retention element and spacing the L-shaped retention element away from vertical surfaces on the opposed inward facing extensions that define the central opening to the T-shaped slot and away from vertical surfaces inside the T-shaped slot, so as to prevent disconnection of the work component from the accessory.