Panel cutter with efficient and effective clamping system
AssigneeSafety Speed Cut Manufacturing Company, Inc.
InventorsBrian Donahue, Vance Rades
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A panel cutter has a clamping mechanism positioned adjacent to the cutting path to hold the panel material in position during the cutting process. The clamping mechanism includes a clamping bar which is removably coupled to a pair of lever mechanisms which are rotatably coupled to the framework of the panel cutter. An actuator bar having cams at both ends is also coupled to the framework and position adjacent to the lever arms, wherein movement of the actuator bar causes movement of the lever arms. Based upon the configuration and positioning of these components, movement of the lever arms causes the clamping bar to move between a locked position and an unlocked position.
Claims13
A clamping mechanism for use on a panel cutting system to efficiently and effectively hold a panel to be cut using a movable cutting blade, comprising:
- an actuator arm having a handle attached thereto, wherein the handle is accessible by a user and is located a distance away from a cutting zone, and wherein the actuator arm is attached to a frame portion of the panel saw via a bracket, and movement of the handle causes movement of the actuator arm;
- a lever mechanism coupled to the frame of the panel saw and positioned adjacent the actuator arm, wherein movement of the actuator arm causes movement of the lever mechanism;
- and
- a clamp arm coupled to the lever mechanism to provide clamping force to the panel, wherein movement of the lever arm causes the clamp arm to be moved into contact with the entire panel at a location near the cutting blade.
A panel cutting saw configured to support and hold panel material while being cut, the panel cutting saw comprising:
- a support framework having a support structure and a support rail configured to hold the panel material during cutting operations;
- a cutting carriage supporting a cutting blade and carried by a guide rail system which allows the cutting blade to follow a predetermined cutting path;
- and
- a panel clamping mechanism for holding the panel material on the support framework in a position adjacent the support structure and support rail, the clamping mechanism comprising:
- an actuator arm rotatable coupled to the support framework, the actuator arm having a first cam at a bottom end and a second cam at a top end;
- a first lever mechanism coupled to a lower portion of the framework and positioned adjacent to the first cam, wherein rotation of the first cam creates movement of the first lever mechanism;
- a second lever mechanism coupled to an upper portion of the framework and positioned adjacent to the second cam, wherein rotation of the second cam creates movement of the second lever mechanism;
- and
- a clamping bar coupled to the first lever mechanism and the second lever mechanism;
- wherein movement of the first and second lever mechanism causes related movement of the clamping bar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.