System, apparatus, and method for blade clearance tuning
AssigneeBlack & Decker Inc.
InventorsDale K. Wheeler, William R. Lessig III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
When connecting two elements that are moveable with respect to one another, some amount of clearance, i.e., spacing between the elements, is included to minimize friction between the elements. The present invention is directed to setting the clearance within a desired range, regardless of manufacturing tolerances of the two elements. In particular, the present invention is directed to power cutting tools wherein it is necessary to set the clearance between one or more reciprocating blades and a blade support member.
Claims17
A system for setting a clearance between relatively movable elements, the system comprising:
- a first element;
- a second element relatively movable with respect to said first element;
- and
- a third element penetrating said second element along an axis, said third element being fixed against axial displacement with respect to said first element, and said third element having:
- a first axial portion extending a first dimension along said axis between first and second axial ends, said first dimension exceeding a thickness of said second element along said axis, and
- a second axial portion being connected to said first axial portion at said second axial end and having an enlarged radial dimension relative to said first portion, said second element being interposed between said first element and said second portion;
- whereby said first axial end extends into a depression in said first element a second dimension that is less than the difference between said first dimension and said thickness.
A system for setting blade clearance in a power cutting tool, the system comprising:
- a blade support member;
- a first cutting blade relatively movable with respect to said blade support member;
- a second cutting blade relatively moveable with respect to said blade support member and with respect to said first cutting blade;
- and
- a spacer penetrating said first and second cutting blades along an axis, said spacer being fixed against axial displacement with respect to said blade support member, and said spacer having:
- a first axial portion extending a first dimension along said axis between first and second axial ends, said first dimension exceeding a combined thickness of said first and second cutting blades along said axis, and
- a second axial portion being connected to said first axial portion at said second axial end and having an enlarged dimension relative to said first portion, said first and second cutting blades being interposed between said blade support member and said second portion;
- whereby said first axial end extends into a depression in said blade support member a second dimension that is less than the difference between said first dimension and said combined thickness.
An apparatus for setting a clearance between relatively movable elements connected by a spacer having a flange, the apparatus comprising:
- a first jaw adapted for engaging a first one of the relatively movable elements;
- a second jaw including a surface adapted for engaging a second one of the relatively movable elements, said surface having a recess adapted for engaging the flange;
- and
- a press moving said first and second jaws toward one another;
- wherein said second jaw is adapted for displacing the spacer to deform the first one of the relatively moveable elements, and said surface is adapted for stopping spacer displacement by engaging the second one of the relatively movable elements.
A method of setting a clearance between relatively movable elements, the method comprising:
- orienting adjacent first and second relatively movable elements against a first press jaw;
- inserting a third element along an axis extending through an aperture in said second element, said third element including:
- a first axial portion extending a first dimension along said axis between first and second axial ends, said first dimension exceeding a thickness of said second element along said axis, and
- a second axial portion being connected to said first axial portion at said second axial end and having an enlarged radial dimension relative to said first portion, said second element being interposed between said first element and said second portion;
- aligning a second press jaw against said third element and in opposition to said first press jaw;
- pressing said third element along said axis against said first element;
- deforming said first element with said first axial end so as to create a depression extending into said first element a second dimension;
- whereby axial clearance between said first element, said second element, and said second portion is equal to said first dimension less a combined total of said thickness and said second dimension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.