Template and workpiece holder and method for using same
AssigneeWitt Family Partnership LP
InventorBradley R. Witt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A workpiece holder includes a template and a pair of slide blocks mounted to the template for slideable movement with respect to the template. The slide blocks and the template can be mounted to a base plate or can be mounted to each other without the use of a base plate. The slide blocks include straight edge surface and L-shaped notched surface which can be reversed to accommodate templates and workpieces of varying shapes.
Claims15
In combination:
- a workpiece having upper and lower flat surfaces, first and second opposite side edges, a front edge, and a rear edge;
- a base having a flat upper surface;
- first and second slide blocks embracing the workpiece therebetween, each of the slide blocks being mounted to the base for sliding movement thereon;
- a first stop member engaging both the first sliding block and the base;
- a second stop member engaging both the second sliding block and the base;
- each of the first and second stop members being selectively movable from a locked position holding the first and second sliding blocks and the workpiece embraced therebetween against sliding movement relative to the base to an unlocked position permitting sliding movement of the first and second sliding blocks and the workpiece embraced therebetween relative to the base;
- a template;
- a template holder mounting the template to the base and holding the template against movement with respect to the base during sliding movement of the blocks and the workpiece.
In combination:
- a template having first and second end edges, a forward guide edge for guiding a cutting tool relative to a workpiece, and a rear edge;
- a first sliding block and a second sliding block each having a front edge, a rear edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having a straight edge shoulder;
- first and second locking members mounting the first and second sliding blocks to the template, the mounting members being movable from an unlocked position permitting relative sliding movement between the template and the sliding blocks, to a locked position preventing relative movement between the template and the sliding blocks;
- the straight edge shoulders of the first and second sliding blocks engaging the rear edge of the template to maintain the first and second slide blocks in a predetermined rotational orientation during sliding movement with respect to the template with portions of the first side edges of the first and second sliding blocks being parallel to and facing one another.
A method for holding and moving a workpiece having first and second opposite side edges, a rear edge, and a front edge intended for engagement with a cutting tool having a guide collar thereon, the method comprising:
- taking a template having a guide edge of predetermined shape for guiding the workpiece relative to the cutting tool;
- pre-shaping the front edge of the workpiece to conform generally with the guide edge of the template;
- placing the workpiece between a first slide block and a second slide block, the first and second slide blocks being connected either directly or indirectly to the template for sliding movement with respect thereto;
- moving the workpiece and the first and second slide blocks relative to the template to position the guide edge of the template adjacent to and in approximate registration with the front edge of the workpiece;
- moving the first and second secured slide blocks, template, and workpiece into engagement with the cutting tool with the guide edge of the template engaging and being guided against the guide collar of the cutting tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.