Push feed system for a saw

A push feed system as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

• said control means includes a computer and keyboard, said computer being programmed to advance said push bar a predetermined distance in response to information keyed into the computer via the keyboard.

In a push feed system for advancing and positioning work pieces relative to a work station, wherein the work pieces are placed on an infeed table and engaged by a push bar to push the work pieces onto a work surface at the work station for work to be performed thereon by a work tool, the improvement comprising:

• said infeed table being inclined to the horizontal and having a guide fence disposed perpendicular thereto, defining a juncture for supporting engagement with the work piece to maintain it in alignment with the push bar and to guide it as it is moved along the infeed table to the work surface;
• and
• said work surface being inclined to the horizontal for mating alignment with the infeed table, and having a guide fence disposed perpendicular thereto and in mating alignment with the guide fence on the infeed table, defining a juncture for engaging and supporting the work piece to maintain it in alignment with the push bar and to guide it relative to the work tool, whereby said work piece is held by gravity against the respective tables and guide fences for proper alignment with the push bar and work tool.

Positioning means for advancing and positioning a work piece relative to a work station for performing work on the workpiece, said positioning means comprising:

• an elongate toothed rack mounted to a frame so as to be stationary;
• a toothed belt disposed around spaced apart wheels and supported in contiguous relationship with the toothed rack, at least two adjacent teeth of said toothed belt being in mutually contacting relationship with at least two adjacent teeth of said rack for reducing the reactive loading per tooth and for positioning the rack without backlash, said rack serving as a locating element for the work piece.