Blade tension gauge
OwnerHoward Snodgrassinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a blade tension gauge for a band saw which provides a constant reading of the magnitude of the forces that act to put tension on the blade. The band saw includes a moveable wheel, a blade, and a frame, where movement of the moveable wheel in relation to the frame tensions the blade. The blade tension gauge includes a wheel positioning assembly rigidly connected to the moveable wheel and connected to the frame to be moveable relative to the frame. A load element is positioned to receive a load existing between the wheel positioning assembly and the frame. A sensor is configured to measure the load. A display is configured to display the tension value. Also disclosed is a method for outputting the tension of the blade of a band saw.
Claims29
A blade tension gauge for a band saw having a moveable wheel, a blade, and a frame, where movement of the moveable wheel in relation to the frame tensions the blade, comprising:
- a wheel positioning assembly rigidly connected to the moveable wheel and connected to the frame to be moveable relative to the frame;
- a load element positioned to receive a load existing between the wheel positioning assembly and the frame;
- a sensor configured to measure the load;
- a circuit in communication with the sensor and configured to analyze the measure of the load to determine a tension value;
- and
- a display in communication with the circuit and configured to display the tension value.
A blade tension gauge for a band saw having a moveable wheel, a blade, and a frame, where movement of the moveable wheel in relation to the frame tensions the blade, comprising:
- a member including a passageway, the member connected to the moveable wheel and connected to the frame;
- a rod having a threaded portion and configured to extend through the passageway;
- a threaded nut configured to engage the threaded portion of the rod;
- and
- a load element positioned to receive a load created by the blade,
- wherein rotation of the rod forces the nut to travel along the rod and engage the passageway, thereby forcing the wheel positioning assembly to move relative to the frame.
A method for outputting tension on a blade of a band saw, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a load element within a load path existing between a moveable wheel of the band saw and a stationary frame of the band saw, where a load is created in the load path by the tension of the blade;
- measuring the load;
- and
- displaying the load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.