U.S. patent application number 11/363721 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for power tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to GMCA PTY LIMITED. Invention is credited to Peter J. Hosking, Keith Park.
Application Number | 20060207683 11/363721 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30004400 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060207683 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Keith ; et
al. |
September 21, 2006 |
Power tool
Abstract
A planer including a housing having a base planing surface for
contacting a workpiece, a rotatable blade cylinder located within
said housing and including more than one cutting blade for engaging
with and planing the work piece. A drive means is associated with
the blade cylinder and operable to cause rotation of the blade
cylinder. The drive means is located within the housing, above the
axis of rotation of the blade cylinder and a chip an debris removal
channel passes from the location of the cylinder to the rear end of
the planer.
Inventors: |
Park; Keith; (Pocklington,
GB) ; Hosking; Peter J.; (Victoria, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKEE, VOORHEES & SEASE, P.L.C.
801 GRAND AVENUE
SUITE 3200
DES MOINES
IA
50309-2721
US
|
Assignee: |
GMCA PTY LIMITED
Melbourne Airport
AU
|
Family ID: |
30004400 |
Appl. No.: |
11/363721 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10660346 |
Sep 11, 2003 |
7069967 |
|
|
11363721 |
Feb 28, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
144/136.95 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B27C 1/10 20130101; B23Q
11/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
144/136.95 |
International
Class: |
B27C 5/10 20060101
B27C005/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 13, 2002 |
AU |
AU 2002953315 |
Claims
1. A powered planer tool. said planer tool comprising: a cylinder
with at least one cutter blade mounted thereon; motor to cause the
cylinder to rotate about an axis of rotation with a portion of the
cylinder exposed through an opening in a planing surface of the
planer to cause the removal of material from a surface of a
workpiece along which the planing surface is moved; and said
cylinder and motor mounted within a housing and within a 120 degree
are depending upwardly from the rotational axis of the
cylinder.
2. A planer according to claim 1 wherein the motor is positioned
above the said axis of rotation of the cylinder and offset to one
side or the other of said axis.
3. A planer according to claim 1 wherein the weight of the motor is
directly above the cutting blade cylinder.
4. A planer according to claim 1 wherein the housing of the planer
includes a chip and debris removal system, said system including at
least one channel which passes from an opening at or adjacent to
the blade chamber in which the cylinder is located to at least one
further opening to allow the chips and debris to exit towards the
rear of the housing and a movable passage is incorporated within
the planer or attached to the rear of the planer at the end of the
at least one channel, and is used to direct the chips or shavings
in a direction desired by a planer operator.
5. A planer including: a housing having a base planning surface for
contacting a work piece; a rotatable blade assembly located within
said housing and including one or more cutting blades for engaging
with and planning the work piece; a motor associated with the blade
assembly and operable to cause rotation of the blade assembly:
wherein the motor is located within the planer housing directly
above the blade assembly such that the weight of the motor is
directly above the cutting blades.
6. A planer according to claim 5, wherein the blade assembly is
rotatably mounted within a blade chamber, the blade chamber being a
void space surrounding the blade assembly into which chips or
shavings off the workpiece are drawn by the stream of air created
by a high speed rotation of the blade assembly.
7. A planer according to claim 6, wherein the housing of the planer
further includes a channel for removal of chips of shavings from
the workpiece.
8. A planer according to claim 7, wherein the channel opens at one
end into the blade chamber and the opposite end of the channel
opens at the rear of the planer.
9. A planer according to claim 8, further including two passages
connected to the channel selectively via a selection means for
directing the chips or shavings along an open passage as desired by
the planer operator.
10. A powered planer tool comprising; a housing: a cylinder mounted
within the housing with at least one cutter blade mounted thereon,
said cylinder rotatable about an axis of rotation with a portion of
the cylinder exposed through an opening in a planing surface of the
planer to cause the removal of material from a surface along which
the planing surface is moved; and a driving device mounted within
the housing and positioned in the housing above the axis of
rotation of the cylinder with respect to the planing surface.
11. A planer according to claim 10 wherein the driving device is
positioned above the said axis of rotation of the cylinder when the
tool is in use with the planing surface on a work piece, and offset
to one side or the other of said axis.
12. A planet according to claim 10 wherein weight of the driving
device is above at least one of the cutting blades.
13. A planer according to claim 12 wherein the weight of the
driving device is directly above the cylinder.
14. A planer according to claim 10 wherein the housing further
comprises a chip and debris removal system, said system including
at least one channel which passes from an opening at or adjacent to
a blade chamber in which the cylinder is located, the channel
continuing to at least one further opening to allow chips and
debris to exit towards a rear of the housing.
15. A planer according to claim 10 wherein the planer is
portable.
16. A planer according to claim 10 wherein the planer is battery
operated.
17. A planer according to claim 10 wherein the planer is provided
with a power cord and operated by standard electrical power.
18. A powered planer tool comprising: a housing; a cylinder with at
least one cutter blade mounted thereon, said cylinder rotatable
about an axis of rotation with a portion of the cylinder exposed
through an opening in a planing surface of the planer to cause the
removal of material from a surface along which the planing surface
is moved the cylinder further comprises more than two straight
cutting blades positioned about 120 degrees, or less, apart around
a periphery of the cylinder; and a driving device for rotating the
cylinder;
19. A planer according to claim 18 wherein said driving device is
positioned to one side of the axis of rotation of the cylinder and
is removed from the planing surface.
20. A planer according to claim 18 wherein during one rotation of
the cylinder, at least three different blades contact the surface
to be planed.
21. A planer comprising: a housing having a base planing surface
for contacting a work piece; a rotatable blade assembly located
within said housing and having one or more cutting blades for
engaging with and planing the work piece; and a motor associated
with the blade assembly and operable to cause rotation of the blade
assembly, the motor located within the housing, above the blade
assembly such that the weight of the motor is above the cutting
blades.
22. A planer according to claim 21, wherein the blade assembly is
rotatably mounted within a blade chamber, the blade chamber being a
void space surrounding the blade assembly into which chips or
shavings from the work piece are drawn by a stream of air created
by high speed rotation of the blade assembly.
23. A planer according to claim 22, wherein the housing further
comprises a channel for the passage of chips or shavings from the
work piece.
24. A planer according to claim 23, wherein the channel opens at
one end into the blade chamber and an opposite end of the channel
opens towards a rear of the planer.
25. A planer according to claim 24, wherein a movable passage is
incorporated within the planer or attached to the rear of the
planer at the opposite end of the at least one channel and is used
to direct the chips or shavings in a direction desired by a planer
operator.
26. A planer according to claim 24, further comprising two
passages, selectively connected to the channel via a selection
device for directing the chips or shavings along an open passage
formed as desired by a planer operator.
27. A planer according to claim 21 wherein the motor is located in
the planer such that the motor lies within a 120.degree. arc
depending upwardly from the rotational axis of the cylinder.
28. A planer according to claim 21 wherein the motor is positioned
above an axis of rotation of the cylinder and offset to one side of
said axis.
29. A power planer tool, said planer tool comprising: a housing; a
cylinder with two or more helically shaped cutter blades mounted
thereon; and a drive means to cause the cylinder to rotate about an
axis for rotation with a portion of the cylinder exposed through an
opening in a planing surface of the planer to cause removal of
material from a surface along which the planing surface is moved,
said cylinder and drive means mounted within the housing.
30. A power planer tool according to claim 29 wherein said blades
are positioned substantially at 180 degrees or less apart around
periphery of the cylinder.
31. A planer comprising: a housing having a base planing surface
for contacting a workpiece a rotatable blade assembly located
within said housing and having one or more cutting blades for
engaging with and planing the workpiece; and a motor associated
with the blade assembly and operable to cause rotation of the blade
assembly, the motor located within the housing, above the blade
assembly such that the weight of the motor is above the cutting
blades, said blade assembly rotatably mounted within a blade
chamber, said blade chamber being a void space surrounding the
blade assembly into which chips or shavings from the workpiece are
drawn by a stream of air created by high speed rotation of the
blade assembly. said housing including a channel for passage of
chips or shavings from the workpiece and wherein the channel opens
at one end into the blade chamber and an opposite end of the
channel opens towards the rear of the planer and from which the
chips or shavings are discharged from the housing, wherein said
channel passes substantially adjacent the planing surface with the
housing.
32. A planer according to claim 31 wherein the said channel passes
substantially in line with the blade chamber and along the center
of the housing to the rear of the housing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Divisional Application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/660,346 filed Sep. 11, 2003, which claims
priority to Australian Patent Application No. AU 2002953315 filed
Dec. 13, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention to which this application relates is to a
power tool, powered by any suitable source but most typically via a
main electric or battery supply, which is used in the removal of
material from a surface of a typically wooden article. This type of
product is most typically referred to as a planer and that is the
term used herein,
[0003] The provision of powered planer tools is well known. Planers
are used in wood working to plane or smooth an uneven surface and
may also include the removal of paint layers. The planer includes a
blade assembly including a blade holding cylinder which is rotated
at high speed. As the planer is moved across the work surface,
raised parts of the uneven surface are shaved by the rotating
blades which protrude through an aperture in the planing surface of
the planar, the planing surface of the planar contacting the work
surface and acting as a level and guide.
[0004] In order to obtain a smooth finished surface, it is
typically necessary for the user of the planer to exert some
downward pressure on the tool in order to steady the tool and
maintain the rotating blades in contact with the work surface. This
can be particularly difficult if the surface being planed is
somewhat uneven. Further, maintaining a constant pressure to the
tool can be difficult, firstly due to the irregularities in the
work surface, and secondly due to the position of the user relative
to the tool.
[0005] Wood chips, shavings and other debris are produced by the
blade and are typically deflected towards the right or left side of
the planer by the high speed rotation of the blade assembly. This
can result in the work surface being obscured, the wood shavings
being deflected towards the user, or often the rotating blade
cylinder can become jammed by wood shavings accumulating within the
blade chamber of the assembly. Typically the cylinder is mounted
within the planer body for rotation about an axis which lies
perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the planing surface
of the tool along the wood, in use. The cylinder has on its outer
periphery at least one cutting blade and the cylinder is offset
from the planing surface such that the blade protrudes periodically
slightly through an aperture in the planing surface as the cylinder
rotates. This therefore means that as the cylinder rotates and the
planing surface is moved across the wooden surface, the blade cuts
into and removes chips of the wood. Typically, the blade position
is adjustable to allow alteration of the cut depth.
[0006] A problem with the conventional arrangement is that with the
provision of one, or in some instances, two blades on the cylinder
spaced 180 degrees apart, the size of chip removed and the spacing
between the blades contacting the work piece surface, means that as
the planer is moved along the surface a scalloping effect is
created on the surface which does not provide the desired effect.
Furthermore, removal of the large chips which are created can be
difficult.
[0007] The rotation of the cylinder is powered by a motor and
conventionally the motor is mounted towards the rear of the
cylinder. The front end of the planer is that which is at the front
of the planer as it is moved along the wood surface. Conventionally
it has been believed that to allow the most efficient positioning
and drive of the cylinder the motor should be provided at the rear.
However the positioning of the motor at the rear of the cylinder
creates a problem with respect to the removal of the chips of wood
and other debris created by the cutting action of the blade on the
cylinder. The problem is that because of the motor position, the
chips cannot easily be discarded from the rear of the planer which
would be the natural flow of the same and so, instead, relatively
complex chip removal channels are required to be formed in the
housing along which the chips and debris are required to pass prior
to leaving the planer housing and which typically are required to
be fan assisted. The complexity of the channels can mean that the
same are extremely prone to blockage by the chips which, in turn,
prevents use or efficient use of the planer. Furthermore, to
accommodate the removal channels, the housing can be required to be
increased in size and may also cause the chips and debris to exit
the housing at a location and/or side of the housing which is
inconvenient to the user.
[0008] This problem has previously been recognized and at least one
patent, EP0563350 attempts to provide a solution by improving the
chip removal paths. In this patent, the motor is still mounted to
the rear of the blade cylinder and so it is not possible to move
the channels past the drive means motor as it will increase the
width of the planer body. Instead, the patent suggests the
provision of two channels leading from the cylinder, one passing
along a first side of the body and the other passing along the
opposing side of the body. The two channels each lead to an opening
the user can control via a valve which of the channels is opened to
allow the flow of the chips and debris, with the same leaving the
planer body towards the front of the planer at a position in front
of the blade cylinder. This complex channel arrangement requires
the chips and debris to pass along a relatively long distance and
in a direction which is required to be fan assisted as it is
against the natural direction in which the chips and debris would
flow having been removed from the wooden surface.
[0009] The aim of the present invention is to provide a planer
which is powered and which has significant advantage to the user in
terms of usage, in the removal of chips from the wooden surface and
also in the removal of debris from the planer.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a
powered planer tool, said planer tool having a cylinder with at
least one cutter blade mounted thereon, drive means to cause the
cylinder to rotate about an axis of rotation with a portion of the
cylinder exposed through an opening in a planing surface of the
planer to cause the removal of material from a surface along which
the planing surface is moved, said cylinder and drive means mounted
within a housing and wherein the drive means is positioned in the
housing above the axis of rotation of the cylinder.
[0011] More preferably, the drive means is located in the planer
such that the drive means motor lies within a 120 degree arc
depending upwardly from the rotational axis of the cylinder.
[0012] In one embodiment the drive means is positioned above the
said rotational axis of the cylinder but offset to one side or the
other of said axis.
[0013] The invention accordingly provides, in one embodiment, a
planar including: a housing having a planing surface for contacting
a workpiece; a blade assembly including a rotatable blade cylinder
located within said housing and including one or more cutting
blades for engaging with and planing the work piece; a motor
associated with the blade assembly and operable to cause rotation
of the blade assembly; wherein the motor is located within the
planer housing above the blade assembly such that the weight of the
motor is above the cutting blades.
[0014] In one embodiment the weight of the motor is directly above
the cutting blade cylinder.
[0015] The blade assembly incorporates the blade cylinder which is
preferably rotatably mounted within a blade chamber, the blade
chamber being a void space into which chips or shavings from the
workpiece are drawn by the stream of air created by the high speed
rotation of the blade cylinder.
[0016] In one preferred embodiment the housing of the planer
includes a chip and debris removal system, said system including at
least one channel which passes from an opening at or adjacent to
the blade chamber towards the rear of the housing to at least one
further opening positioned behind the cylinder with respect to the
direction of movement of the planer, thereby allowing the chips and
debris to exit towards the rear of the housing.
[0017] In use, chips or shavings from the workpiece are scooped
forwardly and upwardly and are drawn into the blade chamber and are
caused, by the draft associated with the high speed rotation of the
blade assembly, to move directly into the channel and out of the
rear of the planer.
[0018] In one embodiment a further movable passage is preferably
incorporated within the planer or attached to the rear of the
planer at the end of the channel, and is used to direct the chips
or shavings in a direction desired by the planer operator. As the
drive means is no longer positioned at the rear of the cylinder the
channel can pass in a path substantially adjacent the planing
surface of the planer and substantially centrally of the body
housing.
[0019] In one embodiment the channel from the cylinder leads into
at least two passages, each passage having an opening to allow the
passage of the chips and debris from the housing, with a first
passage leading to an opening on a first side of the body housing,
and the other passage leading to an opening at the rear or the
other side of the housing. Typically, user selection means are
provided to allow one of the passages to be opened to allow the
chips and debris to move through the same, with the other passage
held closed.
[0020] In a further embodiment two channels are provided from the
blade chamber, each channel leading to a passage, each passage
having an opening to allow the passage of the chips and debris from
the housing, with one passage leading to an opening on a first side
of the body housing, and the other passage leading to an opening at
the rear or the other side of the housing. In one arrangement the
two channels both lead from the blade chamber and lie in a side by
side arrangement as they pass towards the rear of the housing.
Again, user selection means can be provided to allow one of the
channels or passages to be opened to allow the chips and debris to
move through the same, with the other channel and passage
closed.
[0021] In a further aspect of the invention, the blade cylinder for
the planer is provided with more than two straight cutting blades,
said blades positioned substantially 120 degrees, or less, apart
around the cylinder periphery,
[0022] The provision of additional blades means that in use, a
cutting blade contacts with the workpiece surface being planed more
frequently during a single revolution of the blade cylinder.
[0023] This feature means that when the cylinder is rotating at
normal speeds, then, in comparison with the conventional blade
cylinders which have one or two straight blades, the length of
movement of the planer along the surface before the next blade
contacts the surface is reduced. This therefore means that the
scalloping effect on the surface is reduced as the removal of
material is achieved by a plurality of blade contacts rather than
just one blade contact.
[0024] In a further embodiment, the blades provided on the cylinder
are helically shaped in which case the cylinder includes two or
more blades and provides the advantages of reduced scalloping.
Preferably the planer is portable. In one embodiment the planer is
a portable battery powered tool.
[0025] Alternatively, the planer may be provided with a power cord
and operated by mains power.
[0026] Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an elevation of a planer in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a first end elevation of the front end of
the planer of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a second end elevation of the rear end of
the planer of FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view from above of the planer of
FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view from below of the planing
surface of the planer of FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section along line A-A of FIG. 2
and illustrates the layout, in one embodiment of the chip removal
channel and one of the passages as incorporated in the planer of
FIGS. 1-5.
[0033] FIG. 7a and b illustrate two possible cylinder blade
arrangements.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a planer according to a
further embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the blade assembly and motor,
with the housing cover removed, of the planer shown in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0036] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1-5 there is illustrated a planer
2 in accordance with the invention.
[0037] The planer comprises a housing 4 with a planing surface 6
which is provided to be moved along the surface of a workpiece to
be planed 8 (shown in broken lines in FIG. 1) in the direction 10.
The planing surface includes ail aperture 12 and positioned above
said aperture, within the body housing 4 is a blade assembly
including a blade cylinder 14 in a blade chamber 15. The cylinder
is provided to rotate about an axis of rotation 16 in the direction
indicated by arrow 11 and is positioned such that the periphery
surface 20 of the cylinder passes through the aperture 12 and
exposes blades 22, 24, 26, shown in FIG. 6, mounted at spaced
locations on the cylinder as shown, to the surface 8 to be planed.
The rotation and exposure of the blades causes the removal of
wooden chips and shavings from the surface to provide the planing
effect.
[0038] The cylinder rotation is driven by drive means 28 mounted in
the body housing with the drive means typically comprising an
electric motor connected to the cylinder to drive the same to
rotate in a conventional way. However the position of the drive
means with respect to the cylinder is not conventional in that the
drive means is positioned in the housing 4 at a location above the
axis of rotation 16 of the cylinder and, in this embodiment,
slightly to the front of the vertical plane 30 from the axis
16.
[0039] This arrangement is in contrast to conventional planers
where the drive means has always been provided to the rear or front
of the blade cylinder. The provision of the drive means in a
position above the blade cylinder means that the weight
distribution in the planar is improved for use and further
advantages can be implemented as will now be described.
[0040] One inventive possibility which is provided with the drive
means in this new position is to remove the chips and debris from
the planer in a more efficient and novel manner. FIG. 6, which is a
vertical cross section through the planer housing and illustrates
one embodiment. To remove the chips and debris a channel or
channels 32, (when two channels the same are typically side by
side), pass from the opening 33 at the blade chamber 15 to collect
the chips and debris from the blade chamber from the planing
operation of the blade cylinder 14 with blades 22, 24, 26 as it
rotates and the planer is moved in the direction 31 as shown in
FIG. 6. The chips and debris move along the channel or channels 32
as indicated by arrow 34, and towards the rear of the housing. As
the drive means is no longer located to the rear of the cylinder so
the channel or channels can be sized as required, can pass
substantially adjacent the planing surface and, advantageously, in
line with the blade chamber and along the centre of the housing
therefore providing a relatively straight, non complex passage and
hence increasing the efficiency of chip and debris pick up from the
planing surface, and reducing the risk of blockage in the
channel.
[0041] The channels 32 as shown in FIG. 5, lead to, in this
embodiment, two passages, 36, 38, which are symmetrically arranged
in this embodiment. Both passages lead to an opening, passage, 36
leading to an opening 40 on a first side of the housing 4 at the
rear of the same and passage 38 leading to opening 42 on the
opposing side of the housing.
[0042] In one embodiment, both passages may be open, but more
typically, the user can use a selection means 44 as shown in FIG.
16 which includes a flap 46 and the selection means is mounted with
regard to the channels at location 45 so that the flap can be
pivoted 39 by the user gripping the externally positioned paddle
41, to close off one of the channels and passages and hence cause
the chips and debris to exit along the open passage to one, user
selected, opening at one side of the planer (thereby allowing the
desired disposal of the chips and debris.
[0043] In one embodiment one channel 32 is provided or
alternatively, and as illustrated in this embodiment, two side by
side channels 32 are provided, each running from the blade chamber
15 to one of the openings 40, 42 via a passage 36, 38. In this
embodiment the selection means 44 is mounted close to the blade
chamber. In the embodiment where one channel is provided, the
selection means can be mounted towards the end of the same and
adjacent the entries to the respective passages.
[0044] Typically, as shown in FIG. 6 there can be provided a motor
cooling air exhaust assisted flow 51 which assists in the operation
of the motor.
[0045] Thus, the location of the drive means as herein described
allows the improved debris deposition which represents a
significant advantage. It should however be appreciated that the
chip channel and passage arrangement as herein described may be
used to advantage independently of the position of the drive and
therefore the channel and passage arrangement has, in its own
right, inventive merit.
[0046] In certain instances if the chip or debris removal is not
regarded as being of particular importance, the chip and debris
removal arrangement shown may not be provided and instead a single
channel can be provided which simply exits from the housing at a
single opening. However even in this arrangement the positioning of
the drive means with respect to the blade cylinder provides
significant advantage in the positioning and shaping of the said
channel in comparison with conventional powered planers.
[0047] A further advantage is achieved with respect to the cuts
which are made by the planer by the provision, as indicated in FIG.
7a of more than two straight planing blades on the cylinder and in
FIG. 7b of at least two helical planing blades on the cylinder. In
both cases the aim is to ensure that there is more frequent contact
between a blade and the surface to be planed in a single rotation
of the cylinder than is conventionally the case with single blade
cylinders, thereby reducing the scalloping effect caused by only
one blade creating the cut in to the article as opposed to, and in
accordance with the invention, a series of blade contacts causing
the material removal. This also ensures smaller chippings from the
wood, the extraction of the chippings s is therefore easier, there
is less potential restriction of the discharge and more debris can
be collected in the collection means attached to the discharge from
the passages.
[0048] A further advantage is that by providing an increased number
of blades, the life of each blade is increased. For example, by
using 3 rather than 2 straight blades then for a given amount of
work, the use rate is increased by 50%.
[0049] FIG. 8 illustrates a planer 110 according to a further
embodiment of the invention. Planer 110 has a body 112, which
includes main handle 114, front handle 116, base 118, and belt
drive cover 120.
[0050] The planer 110 may be mains power operated and for this
purpose a power cord 122 is provided at the rear 124 of the body
112. Some models of the planer 110 may be battery powered in which
case the power cord 122 extension is not provided.
[0051] The planning surface 118 of the planer 110 includes a rear
shoe 126 an front shoe 128 which are broad and flat and serve to
contact the work surface during use of the tool and maintain an
even planing surface. Located above the front shoe 128 at the front
of the tool 110 is an adjustment knob 130. Knob 130 is used to
adjust the height of the cutting blade assembly 132 relative to a
workpiece being planed and this is incorporated in the planer shown
in FIGS. 1-5. The operation of the cutting blade assembly 132 will
be discussed in further detail below.
[0052] An edge guide 134 is removably mounted to the front of the
planer 10 in a conventional manner. The edge 134 is used for
running along a straight edge of a work piece and assists in
keeping the planer parallel to the edge of the work piece. The edge
guide 134 can be removed and the planer used without in situations
where planning near a straight edge is required.
[0053] Power to the planer 110 is provided in accordance with known
safety guidelines in a two-step manner. A lock-off button 136 is
provided on the side of the main handle 114. The lock off button
136 ensures that the planer 110 cannot be operated without an
operator, i.e. the planer 110 cannot be left running while
unattended. An on/off trigger switch 138 is provided on the inner
side of the main handle 114. An operator wishing to use the planer
110 must firstly depress the lock-off button 136 and pull the
trigger switch 138 upwardly towards the handle 114.
[0054] As best illustrated in FIG. 9, the drive cover 120 encloses,
at its lower end, the cutting blade assembly 132, comprising a
rotatably mounted cylinder 142, upon which a pair or more blades
143 and equally spaced about the cylinder 142. The cylinder 142 is
rotated such that each blade is rotated in the direction opposite
to the feed direction of the work piece, known as up-milling, and
excess material from the work surface is removed. The direction of
the rotation of the cylinder 142 is shown by the arrow marked "A"
in FIG. 8. The chips or shavings from the workpiece are effectively
scooped forwardly and upwardly by the action of the blades,
together with the draft created by the high speed rotation of the
blade assembly 132, into chamber 144 surrounding the blade cylinder
142.
[0055] Chamber 144 surrounding the blade cylinder 142 has a further
opening 146 in the upper rear surface of the chamber 144, which
connects the chamber 144 with an exit chute 148. Exit chute 148
links the chamber 144 with an opening 150 at the rear of the planer
110. The opposite end of the exit chute 148 includes a movable
passage 154 which is adapted to fit to the rear of the planer 110,
In preferred embodiments, the movable passage 154 is instead
provided within the planer 110 itself.
[0056] Blade cylinder 142 is driven at high speed by a belt drive
(not shown) inked to motor 160, which is operated by trigger switch
138. The motor 160 operates in a conventional manner but instead of
being located towards the rear of the tool it is located above, in
this case directly, above the blade chamber 144. The weight of the
motor being directly above the blade assembly provide additional
downward force on the cutting blades thereby providing an improved
cut and balance to the planer.
[0057] The blade assembly 132 is located towards the planing
surface of the planer 110, and is positioned so that the cutting
blades 143 contact the workpiece intermediate the front shoe 128
and rear shoe 126. In use, as the blade cylinder 142 is rotated at
high speed a stream of air is created which draws chips or shaving
from the workpiece into chamber 144 where they are swept directly
into and along exit channel 148 towards the rear of the planer 110.
The chips or shavings exit the tool via movable passage 154.
Movable passage 154 can be shifted from left to right for example
and can be positioned to deposit the chips or shavings away from
the area being planed.
[0058] It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a
planer that enables an improved cut and balance due to the weight
of the motor being located above the cutting blades. Clearance of
wood chippings from the back of the tool keeps the work surface
clear and does not obstruct the vision or movement of the user.
[0059] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and
defined in this specification extends to all alternative
combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or
evident from the text or drawings. All of these different
combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the
invention.
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