Adjustable planer

A planer apparatus for plaining a face of a wood workpiece, comprising:

• (a) a stationary frame, the stationary frame having
• a first base member and a second base member, the first base member and the second base member spaced apart and each having a front end and a rear end,
• a first front post and a second front post, the first front post and the second front post each having a bottom and a top, the bottom of the first front post affixed at or near the front end of the first base member and extending upward therefrom, and the bottom of the second front post affixed at or near the front end of the second base member and extending upward therefrom,
• a first rear post and a second rear post, the first rear post and the second rear post each having a bottom and a top, the bottom of the first rear post affixed at or near the rear end of the first base member, and the bottom of the second rear post affixed at or near the rear end of the second base member,
• a front cross bar, the front cross bar oriented orthogonally to the first base member and to the second base member, wherein the front cross bar is secured to the first front post and to the second front post,
• a first pivot mount and a second pivot mount, the first and second pivot mounts spaced apart and each affixed to the front cross bar, and each further comprising a pivot pin,
• an upper rear cross member, the upper rear cross member oriented orthogonally to the first base member and to the second base member, the upper rear cross member secured to the first rear post and to the second rear post, at or near their respective top,
• a lower rear cross member, the lower rear cross member oriented orthogonally to the first base member and to the second base member, the lower rear cross member secured to and between the first rear post and the second rear post,
• (b) a pivoting planer frame, the pivoting planer frame having
• a first longitudinal planer frame member and a second longitudinal planer frame member, the first longitudinal planer frame member and the second longitudinal planer frame each having a front end and a rear end,
• a rear planer frame cross member, the rear planer frame cross member mounted between the first longitudinal planer frame member and the second longitudinal planer frame member, and at or near the rear end of each,
• a front planer frame cross member, the front planer frame cross member mounted between the first longitudinal planer frame member and the second longitudinal planer frame member, at or near the front end of each of the first and second longitudinal planer frame members,
• a first pivot receiver and a second pivot receiver, the first pivot receiver located at the front end of the first longitudinal planer frame member, and the second pivot receiver located at the front end of the second longitudinal planer frame member, the first and second pivot receivers sized and shaped for pivoting engagement with the pivot pins disposed from the first pivot mount and from the second pivot mount, whereby the pivoting planer frame is secured for pivotal movement with respect to the stationary frame,
• (c) an adjustable frame cylinder, the adjustable frame cylinder comprising a mount, a cylinder barrel, and an adjustable piston, the adjustable piston having a distal end, the adjustable frame cylinder operably secured between the upper rear cross member and the rear planer frame cross member, wherein the adjustable frame cylinder is configured to effect movement there between;
• and
• (d) a planer cutter head, the planer cutter head rotatably mounted to the pivoting planer frame, wherein a height of the planer cutter head above the wood workpiece, or a depth of engagement with the wood workpiece, is adjustable by operation of the adjustable frame cylinder, and whereby the planer cutter head may be adjustably engaged with, or disengaged from, a wood workpiece.