Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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APPARATUS FOR PORTABLE CUTTING MACHINE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Some aspects generally relate to (and are not limited to) an apparatus
for a portable
cutting machine configured to cut a work piece (and method associated with the
apparatus).
BACKGROUND
[0002] Examples of a portable cutting machine having a cutting blade include a
circular saw,
a jigsaw, and a router.
[0003] The circular saw is a saw using a toothed or abrasive disc or blade to
cut different
materials using a rotary motion spinning around an arbor. The circular saw is
a tool for cutting
many materials such as wood, masonry, plastic, or metal and may be hand-held.
The circular
saw blade is specially designed for a particular material to be cut, and in
cutting wood, the blade
is specifically designed for making rip-cuts, cross-cuts, or a combination of
both.
[0004] The jigsaw is a tool used for cutting arbitrary curves, such as
stenciled designs or other
custom shapes, into a piece of wood, metal, or other material. Although a
jigsaw can be used to
cut arbitrary patterns, making a straight cut is more difficult.
[0005] The router is a tool used to rout out (hollow out) an area in the face
of a relatively hard
work piece, typically made of wood or plastic. The main application of routers
is in
woodworking, especially cabinetry.
SUMMARY
[0006] It will be appreciated that there exists a need to mitigate (at least
in part) at least one
problem associated with existing portable cutting machines. After much study
of the known
systems and methods with experimentation, an understanding of the problem and
its solution
has been identified and is articulated as follows:
[0007] It is very difficult to use a portable cutting machine to cut a work
piece along an
accurate angle in such a way that an angle cut may be formed on a repeatable
basis and/or a
reliable basis.
[0008] To mitigate, at least in part, at least one problem associated with
existing portable
cutting machines, there is provided (in accordance with a major aspect) an
apparatus. The
apparatus is for a portable cutting machine configured to cut a work piece.
The apparatus
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includes a work-piece datum assembly configured to spatially contact (to make
spatial contact
with), at least in part, the work piece. A cutting-tool guide assembly and the
work-piece datum
assembly are joined at an intersection. The cutting-tool guide assembly is
configured to guide
linear movement of the portable cutting machine relative to the work piece.
This is done in such
a way that the portable cutting machine (in use) forms a linearly-extending
cut extending along
the work piece. A protractor assembly extends between the cutting-tool guide
assembly and the
work-piece datum assembly. The protractor assembly is configured to facilitate
angular
alignment between the cutting-tool guide assembly and the work piece.
[0009] To mitigate, at least in part, at least one problem associated with
existing portable
cutting machines, there is provided (in accordance with a major aspect) an
apparatus. The
apparatus is for a portable cutting machine having a cutting device and a tool
guide assembly
spaced apart from the cutting device. The cutting device is configured to cut
a work piece having
a linearly-extending work-piece length. The apparatus includes a work-piece
datum assembly
having a linearly-extending datum length configured to spatially contact (to
make spatial contact
with), at least in part, the linearly-extending work-piece length of the work
piece once the
linearly-extending datum length is positioned just so. A cutting-tool guide
assembly and the
work-piece datum assembly are joined at an intersection. The cutting-tool
guide assembly has a
linearly-extending guide length configured to guide linear movement of the
tool guide assembly
of the portable cutting machine along the linearly-extending guide length
relative to the work
piece. This is done in such a way that the cutting device (in use) forms a
linearly-extending cut
extending along the work piece once the tool guide assembly is spatially moved
along the
cutting-tool guide assembly just so. A protractor assembly extends between the
cutting-tool
guide assembly and the work-piece datum assembly. The protractor assembly is
configured to
angularly align the cutting-tool guide assembly relative to the work piece
once the protractor
assembly is positioned just so.
[0010] To mitigate, at least in part, at least one problem associated with
existing portable
cutting machines, there is provided (in accordance with a major aspect) a
method. The method
is for a portable cutting machine having a cutting device and a tool guide
assembly spaced apart
from the cutting device. The cutting device is configured to cut a work piece
having a linearly-
extending work-piece length. The method is also for an apparatus including a
cutting-tool guide
assembly and a work-piece datum assembly joined at an intersection. The
apparatus also
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includes a protractor assembly extending between the cutting-tool guide
assembly and the work-
piece datum assembly. The method includes an operation (A), an operation (B),
an operation
(C), and an operation (D). Operation (A) includes positioning the protractor
assembly being
fixedly connected to the cutting-tool guide assembly and also to the work-
piece datum assembly
relative to the work piece. Operation (B) includes spatially contacting, at
least in part, a linearly-
extending datum length of the work-piece datum assembly with the linearly-
extending work-
piece length of the work piece once the linearly-extending datum length is
positioned just so.
Operation (C) includes angularly aligning the cutting-tool guide assembly
relative to the work
piece once the protractor assembly is positioned just so. Operation (D)
includes guiding linear
movement of the tool guide assembly of the portable cutting machine relative
to the work piece
along a linearly-extending guide length of the cutting-tool guide assembly.
This is done in such
a way that the cutting device (in use) forms a linearly-extending cut
extending along the work
piece once the tool guide assembly is spatially moved along the cutting-tool
guide assembly just
SO.
[0011] Other aspects are identified in the claims.
[0012] Other aspects and features of the non-limiting embodiments may now
become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed
description of the non-
limiting embodiments with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The non-limiting embodiments may be more fully appreciated by reference
to the
following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments when taken in
conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0014] FIGS. IA to lE depict views of embodiments of a portable cutting
machine having a
cutting device and a tool guide assembly.
[0015] FIGS. 2A and 2B depicts a view of an embodiment of an apparatus for the
portable
cutting machine of any one of FIGS. lA to 1E;
[0016] FIGS. 3A and 3B depict views of embodiments of an apparatus for cutting
a work
piece by using the portable cutting machine of any one of FIGS. IA to 1E;
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[0017] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict views of embodiments of an apparatus for cutting
a work
piece by using the portable cutting machine of any one of FIGS. IA to 1E;
[0018] FIGS. 5A and 5B depict views of embodiments of an apparatus for cutting
a work
piece by using the portable cutting machine of any one of FIGS. lA to 1E;
[0019] FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C depict views of embodiments of an apparatus for use
with the
portable cutting machine of any one of FIGS. lA to 1E;
[0020] FIGS. 6D and 6E depict views of embodiments of an apparatus for cutting
a work
piece by using the portable cutting machine of any one of FIGS. lA to 1E; and
[0021] FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C depict views of embodiments of an apparatus for
cutting a work
piece by using the portable cutting machine of any one of FIGS. lA to 1E.
[0022] The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by
phantom lines,
diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances,
details unnecessary
for an understanding of the embodiments (and/or details that render other
details difficult to
perceive) may have been omitted.
[0023] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components
throughout
the several figures of the drawings. Elements in the several figures are
illustrated for simplicity
and clarity and have not been drawn to scale. The dimensions of some of the
elements in the
figures may be emphasized relative to other elements for facilitating an
understanding of the
various disclosed embodiments. In addition, common, but well-understood,
elements that are
useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiments are often not
depicted to provide a
less obstructed view of the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0024] LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE DRAWINGS
100 apparatus
101 protractor assembly
102 protractor origin
103 protractor markings
104 auxiliary protractor assembly
105 auxiliary protractor markings
106 cutting-tool guide assembly
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108 work-piece datum assembly
109 intersection
110 work-piece fence
111 linearly-extending datum length
112 cutting tool fence
113 linearly-extending guide length
114 guide-extension assembly
116 complementary extension interface assembly
118 extension-interface portion
120 extension assembly
122 key assembly
900 portable cutting machine
901 cutting device
902 footprint
903 tool guide assembly
904 portable circular saw
905 circular cutting blade
906 portable jigsaw
907 reciprocating cutting blade
908 portable router
909 spinning cutting blade
910 work piece
911 linearly-extending work-piece length
912 linearly-extending cut
914 clamp assembly
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENT(S)
[0025] The following detailed description is merely exemplary and is not
intended to limit the
described embodiments or the application and uses of the described
embodiments. As used, the
word "exemplary" or "illustrative" means "serving as an example, instance, or
illustration." Any
implementation described as "exemplary" or "illustrative" is not necessarily
to be construed as
preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the
implementations described
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below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the
art to make or
use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope
of the disclosure.
The scope of the invention is defined by the claims. For the description, the
terms "upper,"
"lower," "left," "rear," "right," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and
derivatives thereof shall
relate to the examples as oriented in the drawings. There is no intention to
be bound by any
expressed or implied theory in the preceding Technical Field, Background,
Summary or the
following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the devices
and processes
illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following
specification, are exemplary
embodiments (examples), aspects and/or concepts defined in the appended
claims. Hence,
dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments
disclosed are not to
be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. It is
understood that the
phrase "at least one" is equivalent to "a". The aspects (examples,
alterations, modifications,
options, variations, embodiments and any equivalent thereof) are described
regarding the
drawings. It should be understood that the invention is limited to the subject
matter provided by
the claims, and that the invention is not limited to the particular aspects
depicted and described.
[0026] FIGS. lA to lE depict views of embodiments of a portable cutting
machine 900 having
a cutting device 901 and a tool guide assembly 903. FIGS. 1A, 1B, IC and 1E
depict perspective
views. FIG. IC depicts a top view of a footprint 902 of the portable cutting
machine 900 of
FIGS. 1 A and 1B.
[0027] The portable cutting machine 900 includes a cutting device 901. The
portable cutting
machine 900 also includes a tool guide assembly 903 that is spaced apart from
the cutting device
901. The cutting device 901 is spaced a set distance from the tool guide
assembly 903. The
cutting device 901 may be called a cutting blade (etc.). The tool guide
assembly 903 is also
called a base plate, a guide plate, a fence-following base, a fence-following
surface, a fence-
following device, etc. The cutting device 901 is configured to cut a work
piece 910 having a
linearly-extending work-piece length 911 (positioned at a side of the work
piece 910).
Embodiments of the work piece 910 are depicted in FIGS. 1A, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B,
5A, 5B, 6D, 6E,
7A, 7B and 7C. The work piece 910 may include a piece of wood or a piece of
stone, such as a
sheet (a plywood sheet, etc.), or a baseboard having a baseboard profile, etc.
[0028] Preferably, the cutting device 901 of the portable cutting machine 900
is configured to
form a cross cut and/or a rip cut in the work piece 910. The cross cut is a
cut that is aligned
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across the main grain of the work piece 910, or is a cut that is aligned
perpendicular to the grain
of the work piece 910. The rip cut is a cut that severs or divides a piece of
the work piece 910
parallel to the grain of the work piece 910.
[0029] In accordance with the embodiments of FIGS. IA, 1B and IC, the portable
cutting
machine 900 includes a portable circular saw 904 having a circular cutting
blade 905. The
circular cutting blade 905 is an embodiment of the cutting device 901.
[0030] In accordance with the embodiment of FIG. IC, a tool guide assembly 903
of the
portable circular saw 904 (depicted in FIGS. IA and 1B) encloses a footprint
902 of the circular
cutting blade 905 of FIGS. IA and 1B. The tool guide assembly 903 may have any
suitable
shape. The tool guide assembly 903 is depicted as having a rectangular form or
shape.
[0031] In accordance with the embodiment of FIG. ID, the portable cutting
machine 900
includes a portable jigsaw 906 having a reciprocating cutting blade 907. The
portable jigsaw
906 also includes the tool guide assembly 903. The reciprocating cutting blade
907 is an
embodiment of the cutting device 901.
[0032] In accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1E, the portable cutting
machine 900
includes a portable router 908 having a spinning cutting blade 909 (also
called a rotating cutting
blade). The portable router 908 also includes the tool guide assembly 903. The
spinning cutting
blade 909 is an embodiment of the cutting device 901.
[0033] FIG. 2A depicts a view of an embodiment of an apparatus 100 for the
portable cutting
machine 900 of any one of FIGS. IA to IE. FIG. 2A depicts a top view.
[0034] Referring to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A, the apparatus 100
includes a
combination of a protractor assembly 101, an auxiliary protractor assembly
104, a cutting-tool
guide assembly 106, a work-piece datum assembly 108, a work-piece fence 110, a
cutting tool
fence 112, a guide-extension assembly 114, and an extension-interface portion
118.The
protractor assembly 101 and the auxiliary protractor assembly 104 are
configured to measure
and facilitate the construction of angles (angled cuts).
[0035] The protractor assembly 101 extends between the cutting-tool guide
assembly 106
(also called a guide plate) and the work-piece datum assembly 108 (also called
a datum plate).
The protractor assembly 101 includes a body forming opposite ends. One of the
opposite ends
of the protractor assembly 101 is fixedly connected to the cutting-tool guide
assembly 106, and
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another of the opposite ends of the protractor assembly 101 is fixedly
connected to the work-
piece datum assembly 108. In this manner, the opposite ends of the protractor
assembly 101 are
fixedly connected, respectively, to the cutting-tool guide assembly 106 and
the work-piece
datum assembly 108. As depicted in FIG. 2A, the protractor assembly 101 forms
(defines) a
quarter arch shape (an accurate shape). It will be appreciated that the
protractor assembly 101
may have any suitable shape (if desired).
[0036] The auxiliary protractor assembly 104 is spaced apart from the
protractor assembly
101. The auxiliary protractor assembly 104 extends between the cutting-tool
guide assembly
106 and the work-piece datum assembly 108. The auxiliary protractor assembly
104 includes a
body forming opposite ends. One of the opposite ends of the auxiliary
protractor assembly 104
is fixedly connected to the cutting-tool guide assembly 106, and another of
the opposite ends of
the auxiliary protractor assembly 104 is fixedly connected to the work-piece
datum assembly
108. In this manner, the opposite ends of the auxiliary protractor assembly
104 are fixedly
connected, respectively, to the cutting-tool guide assembly 106 and the work-
piece datum
assembly 108. As depicted in FIG. 2A, the auxiliary protractor assembly 104
forms (defines) a
shape having a linear length. It will be appreciated that the auxiliary
protractor assembly 104
may have any suitable shape (if desired).
[0037] The cutting-tool guide assembly 106 and the work-piece datum assembly
108 form an
L-shaped body (or an L-shaped jig). The cutting-tool guide assembly 106 and
the work-piece
datum assembly 108 are fixedly connected to each other at the intersection
109. The cutting-
tool guide assembly 106 includes the cutting tool fence 112 having a linear
shape (a linear
surface) extending along a length of the cutting-tool guide assembly 106. The
work-piece datum
assembly 108 includes the work-piece fence 110 having a linear shape (a linear
surface)
extending along a length of the work-piece datum assembly 108.
[0038] The cutting tool fence 112 is configured to guide a linear movement of
the portable
cutting machine 900 along a linear length of the cutting tool fence 112 once
the portable cutting
machine 900 is positioned against the cutting tool fence 112 and is then moved
along the cutting
tool fence 112 (by the operator of the portable cutting machine 900, once made
to do just so).
The cutting tool fence 112 extends vertically above the cutting-tool guide
assembly 106. The
work-piece fence 110 extends below the work-piece datum assembly 108.
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[0039] The guide-extension assembly 114 may be called a guide plate. The guide-
extension
assembly 114 (also called a guide plate) extends from the cutting-tool guide
assembly 106 and
from the cutting tool fence 112. The guide-extension assembly 114 receives (at
least in part) the
tool guide assembly 903 (as depicted in FIG. 3A), and is configured to
facilitate linear movement
of the portable cutting machine 900 along a length of the guide-extension
assembly 114.
[0040] In accordance with an embodiment, the cutting-tool guide assembly 106
and the guide-
extension assembly 114 forms or defines instances of the extension-interface
portion 118 at the
opposite ends of the cutting-tool guide assembly 106 and the guide-extension
assembly 114.
The extension-interface portion 118 is configured to facilitate attachment of
an extension
assembly 120 (depicted in the embodiments of FIG. 6A). The extension-interface
portion 118
may include a groove formation, etc.
[0041] Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 3A, by way of example, the work-
piece fence
110 of the work-piece datum assembly 108 is configured to be positioned
against (to abut) a
linear length of the work piece 910. In this manner, the work-piece datum
assembly 108 may be
positioned relative to a datum reference (such as, the linearly-extending work-
piece length 911
also called a face side or a face edge) of the work piece 910. The operator of
the portable cutting
machine 900 nominates a straight edge of the work piece 910 as the datum edge
(in subsequent
markings and measurements, the measurements are then taken from the datum
reference).
Sometime, two datum references positioned orthogonally to each other are used.
The work-piece
fence 110 of the work-piece datum assembly 108 is positioned to the datum edge
(such as the
linearly-extending work-piece length 911 as depicted in FIG. 3A) of the work
piece 910.
[0042] Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 7A, by way of example, the
protractor assembly
101 and the auxiliary protractor assembly 104 are configured to be positioned
against (to abut)
a linear length of the work piece 910. In this manner, the protractor assembly
101 and the
auxiliary protractor assembly 104 may be positioned relative to a datum
reference (such as the
linearly-extending work-piece length 911, also called a face side or a face
edge) of the work
piece 910. The operator of the portable cutting machine 900 nominates a
straight edge of the
work piece 910 as the datum edge (in subsequent markings and measurements, the
measurements are taken from the datum reference). Sometimes, two datum
references
positioned orthogonally to each other are used. The protractor assembly 101
and the auxiliary
protractor assembly 104 are positioned to the datum edge (such as the linearly-
extending work-
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piece length 911 as depicted in FIG. 3A) of the work piece 910. Selected
corresponding
instances of the protractor markings 103 (as depicted in FIG. 2B) of the
protractor assembly 101
and the auxiliary protractor markings 105 (as depicted in FIG. 2B) of the
auxiliary protractor
assembly 104 are aligned with a datum reference (the linearly-extending work-
piece length 911)
of the work piece 910. More specifically, the protractor markings 103 of the
protractor assembly
101 and the auxiliary protractor markings 105 of the auxiliary protractor
assembly 104 are
configured to be aligned with a datum reference of the work piece 910. For
instance, the
protractor markings 103 and the auxiliary protractor markings 105
corresponding to the 45
degree angle may be selected for the case where the operator desires to form
an angled cut line
through the work piece 910. For instance, the angled cut line may be aligned
at 45 degrees
relative to the linearly-extending work-piece length 911 of the work piece 910
(if desired).
[0043] Referring back to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A, the protractor
assembly 101
forms (defines) an arch that extends between the cutting-tool guide assembly
106 and the work-
piece datum assembly 108. The protractor assembly 101 is fixedly attached to
the cutting-tool
guide assembly 106. The protractor assembly 101 is also fixedly attached to
the work-piece
datum assembly 108.
[0044] The auxiliary protractor assembly 104 forms (defines) a triangular
shape that extends
between the cutting-tool guide assembly 106 and the work-piece datum assembly
108. The
auxiliary protractor assembly 104 is fixedly attached to the cutting-tool
guide assembly 106.
The auxiliary protractor assembly 104 is also fixedly attached to the work-
piece datum assembly
108.
[0045] The cutting tool fence 112 is configured to permit linear movement of
the portable
cutting machine 900 so that the cuts formed by the portable cutting machine
900 on the work
piece 910 are aligned straight relative to an edge of the work piece 910.
[0046] In accordance with one embodiment, the method for using the apparatus
100 includes:
an operation (A) including placing the work-piece fence 110 against the work
piece 910; and an
operation (B) including clamping the apparatus 100 to the work piece 910 in
such a way that the
cutting tool fence 112 is fixedly positioned relative to the work piece 910.
The portable cutting
machine 900 is moved (by the operator or user) linearly along the cutting tool
fence 112 in such
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a way as to form a linear cut in the work piece 910. For the case depicted in
FIG. 3A, a clamping
device (known and therefore not depicted) is not depicted. For the case
depicted in FIG. 7B, a
clamp assembly 914 is depicted. It will be appreciated that the clamp assembly
914 depicted in
FIG. 7B may be deployed in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3A (if so desired).
[0047] For the case depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the linearly-extending cut
912 formed by
using the portable cutting machine 900 with assistance from the apparatus 100
is aligned 90
degrees relative to the linearly-extending work-piece length 911.
[0048] For the case depicted in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, the linearly-extending
cut 912 formed
by using the portable cutting machine 900 with the apparatus 100 is aligned at
an acute angle
relative to the linearly-extending work-piece length 911.
[0049] FIG. 2B depicts a view of an embodiment of an apparatus 100 for the
portable cutting
machine 900 of any one of FIGS. IA to 1E. FIG. 2B depicts atop view.
[0050] Referring to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2B, the apparatus 100
further includes
protractor markings 103 defined by (provided by) the protractor assembly 101,
and auxiliary
protractor markings 105 defined by (provided by) the auxiliary protractor
assembly 104. The
protractor markings 103 and the auxiliary protractor markings 105 are
positioned at
corresponding angular positions relative to the work-piece datum assembly 108.
For instance,
the 45-degree marking provided by the protractor markings 103 correspond with
the 45-degree
marking provided by the auxiliary protractor markings 105.
[0051] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B depict views of embodiments of an
apparatus 100
for cutting the work piece 910 by using the portable cutting machine 900 of
any one of FIGS.
IA to 1E. FIG. 3B depicts a view of the embodiment of the work piece 910 of
FIG. 3A that was
cut by using the portable cutting machine 900 of any one of FIGS. IA to 1E
with the apparatus
100 of FIG. 3A. FIGS. 3A and 3B depict top views. FIGS. 4A and 4B depict end
views. FIGS.
5A and 5B depict side views.
[0052] By way of example, before the portable cutting machine 900 is
positioned on the
apparatus 100 (as depicted in FIG. 3A), the operator measures out a length
(using a tape measure,
for instance) along the linearly-extending work-piece length 911 of the work
piece 910. The
operator make a mark on the desired spot on the linearly-extending work-piece
length 911. Then,
the operator places (positions) the apparatus 100 in such a way that the work-
piece fence 110
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abuts (makes contact with) the linearly-extending work-piece length 911, and
the intersection
109 is positioned at the spot where the end of the measurement was marked on
the work piece
910 (along the linearly-extending work-piece length 911). The apparatus 100
may be clamped
down to the work piece 910, and then the portable cutting machine 900 is
placed on the apparatus
100 as depicted in (FIG. 3A), and the cut is made (using the portable cutting
machine 900)
starting from where the measured mark was placed on the linearly-extending
work-piece length
911 and ending where desired along the work piece 910. It will be appreciated
that using the
apparatus 100 may reduce (at least in part) the amount or degree of chipping
that may occur
along the linearly-extending cut 912 (depicted in FIG. 3B) as a result of
using the portable
cutting machine 900.
[0053] Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 3A, by way of example, the work-
piece fence
110 of the work-piece datum assembly 108 is positioned against (abuts) a
linear length of the
work piece 910. In this manner, the work-piece datum assembly 108 may be
positioned relative
to a datum reference (such as, the linearly-extending work-piece length 911
also called a face
side or a face edge) of the work piece 910. The operator of the portable
cutting machine 900
nominates a straight edge of the work piece 910 as the datum edge (in
subsequent markings and
measurements, the measurements are taken from the datum reference). Sometimes,
two datum
references positioned orthogonally to each other are used. The work-piece
fence 110 of the
work-piece datum assembly 108 is positioned to the datum edge (such as the
linearly-extending
work-piece length 911 as depicted in FIG. 3A) of the work piece 910.
[0054] In accordance with a first major aspect and with reference to the
embodiments depicted
in FIGS. 3A, 4A and 5A, the apparatus 100 is for the portable cutting machine
900. The portable
cutting machine 900 is configured to cut the work piece 910. The apparatus 100
includes (and
is not limited to) a combination of a cutting-tool guide assembly 106, a work-
piece datum
assembly 108 and a protractor assembly 101. The work-piece datum assembly 108
is configured
to spatially contact (to make spatial contact with), at least in part, the
work piece 910. The
cutting-tool guide assembly 106 and the work-piece datum assembly 108 are
joined at an
intersection 109. The cutting-tool guide assembly 106 is configured to guide
linear movement
of the portable cutting machine 900 along the work piece 910. This is done in
such a way that
the portable cutting machine 900 (in use) forms a linearly-extending cut 912
extending along
the work piece 910. The protractor assembly 101 extends between the cutting-
tool guide
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assembly 106 and the work-piece datum assembly 108. The protractor assembly
101 is fixedly
connected to the cutting-tool guide assembly 106. The protractor assembly 101
is also fixedly
connected to the work-piece datum assembly 108. The protractor assembly 101 is
configured to
facilitate angular alignment between the cutting-tool guide assembly 106 and
the work piece
910. A technical effect provided by the apparatus 100 is that the components
of the apparatus
100 are not moveable relative to each other, and therefore are less prone to
failure due to
movable parts and/or components.
[0055] In accordance with a second major aspect and with reference to the
embodiments
depicted in FIGS. 3A, 4A and 5A, the apparatus 100 is for the portable cutting
machine 900.
The portable cutting machine 900 has the cutting device 901 and the tool guide
assembly 903
spaced apart from the cutting device 901. The cutting device 901 is configured
to cut the work
piece 910 having a linearly-extending work-piece length 911 (depicted in FIGS.
3A and 3B).
The apparatus 100 includes (and is not limited to) a combination of the
cutting-tool guide
assembly 106, the work-piece datum assembly 108 and the protractor assembly
101. The work-
piece datum assembly 108 has a linearly-extending datum length 111. The
linearly-extending
datum length 111 is configured to spatially contact (to make spatial contact
with), at least in
part, the linearly-extending work-piece length 911 of the work piece 910 once
the linearly-
extending datum length 111 is positioned just so. The cutting-tool guide
assembly 106 and the
work-piece datum assembly 108 are joined at an intersection 109. The cutting-
tool guide
assembly 106 has a linearly-extending guide length 113. The linearly-extending
guide length
113 is configured to guide linear movement of the tool guide assembly 903 of
the portable
cutting machine 900 along the linearly-extending guide length 113 relative to
the work piece
910. This is done in such a way that the cutting device 901 (in use) forms a
linearly-extending
cut 912 extending along the work piece 910 once the tool guide assembly 903 is
spatially moved
along the cutting-tool guide assembly 106 just so. The protractor assembly 101
extends between
the cutting-tool guide assembly 106 and the work-piece datum assembly 108. The
protractor
assembly 101 is fixedly connected to the cutting-tool guide assembly 106. The
protractor
assembly 101 is also fixedly connected to the work-piece datum assembly 108.
The protractor
assembly 101 is configured to angularly align the cutting-tool guide assembly
106 relative to
the work piece 910 once the protractor assembly 101 is positioned just so. A
technical effect
provided by the apparatus 100 is that the components of the apparatus 100 are
not moveable
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relative to each other, and therefore are less prone to failure due to movable
parts and/or
components.
[0056] In accordance with a third major aspect and with reference to the
embodiments
depicted in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B, a method is for the portable
cutting machine 900.
The method is also for the apparatus 100 including the cutting-tool guide
assembly 106, the
work-piece datum assembly 108, and the protractor assembly 101. The protractor
assembly 101
is fixedly connected to the cutting-tool guide assembly 106. The protractor
assembly 101 is also
fixedly connected to the work-piece datum assembly 108. The method includes
(and is not
limited to) a combination of an operation (A), an operation (B), an operation
(C), and an
operation (D). The operation (A) includes positioning the protractor assembly
101 being fixedly
connected to the cutting-tool guide assembly 106 and also to the work-piece
datum assembly
108 (relative to the work piece 910). The operation (B) includes spatially
contacting (making
spatial contact with), at least in part, the linearly-extending datum length
111 of the work-piece
datum assembly 108 with the linearly-extending work-piece length 911 of the
work piece 910
once the linearly-extending datum length 111 is positioned just so. The
operation (C) includes
angularly aligning the cutting-tool guide assembly 106 relative to the work
piece 910 (once the
protractor assembly 101 is positioned just so). The operation (D) includes
guiding linear
movement of the tool guide assembly 903 of the portable cutting machine 900
relative to the
work piece 910 along a linearly-extending guide length 113 of cutting-tool
guide assembly 106;
this is done in such a way that the cutting device 901 (in use) forms a
linearly-extending cut 912
extending along the work piece 910 once the tool guide assembly 903 is
spatially moved along
the cutting-tool guide assembly 106 just so.
[0057] In accordance with an embodiment, the protractor assembly 101 has a
protractor origin
102 positioned between the cutting-tool guide assembly 106 and the work-piece
datum assembly
108. The protractor origin 102 is aligned with the intersection 109.
[0058] In accordance with an embodiment, the linearly extending work-piece
datum assembly
108 extends from the cutting-tool guide assembly 106. This is done in such a
way that the
cutting-tool guide assembly 106 and the work-piece datum assembly 108 are
mutually
orthogonal (aligned mutually orthogonal relative to each other).
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[0059] In accordance with an embodiment, the protractor assembly 101 is
configured to assist
in angular alignment between the cutting-tool guide assembly 106 and the work-
piece datum
assembly 108.
[0060] In accordance with an embodiment, the cutting-tool guide assembly 106
and the work-
piece datum assembly 108 define an L-shape.
[0061] In accordance with an embodiment, the protractor assembly 101 extends
symmetrically between the cutting-tool guide assembly 106 and the work-piece
datum assembly
108. The protractor origin 102 is positioned symmetrically between the cutting-
tool guide
assembly 106 and the work-piece datum assembly 108.
[0062] FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C depict views of embodiments of an apparatus 100 for
use with
the portable cutting machine 900 of any one of FIGS. 1A to 1E. FIGS. 6A, 6B
and 6C depict
top views.
[0063] In accordance with the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 6A to 6D, the
apparatus 100
further includes an extension assembly 120 (or instances of an extension
assembly 120). The
extension assembly 120 includes opposite sides that provide (form) the
extension-interface
portion 118 and the complementary extension interface assembly 116. By way of
example, the
complementary extension interface assembly 116 may include a tongue (extending
from the
extension assembly 120). The extension-interface portion 118 may include a
groove (defined by
the extension assembly 120). By way of example, instances of the extension
assembly 120 are
positioned on opposite sides of the cutting-tool guide assembly 106 and the
guide-extension
assembly 114. Instances of the extension assembly 120 include corresponding
instances of the
cutting-tool guide assembly 106, the cutting tool fence 112 and the guide-
extension assembly
114.
[0064] A key assembly 122 (also called a key) is configured to lock positions
of the extension
assembly 120 relative to the cutting-tool guide assembly 106. The key assembly
122 may
include any suitable shape (examples of which are depicted in FIGS. 6B and
6C). The extension
assembly 120 and the cutting-tool guide assembly 106 define cavities that are
configured to
lockably receive the key assembly 122.
[0065] FIGS. 6D and 6E depict views of embodiments of an apparatus 100 for
cutting a work
piece 910 by using the portable cutting machine 900 of any one of FIGS. IA to
1E. FIGS. 6D
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and 6E depict top views. FIG. 6E depicts a view of the embodiment of the work
piece 910 of
FIG. 6D that was cut by using the portable cutting machine 900 of any one of
FIGS. IA to I E
with the apparatus 100 of FIG. 6D.
[0066] The case depicted in FIG. 6D is similar to the case for FIG. 3A;
moreover, the
extension assembly 120 permits the portable cutting machine 900 to cut along a
relatively longer
linear length aligned along the work piece 910.
[0067] FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C (SHEETS 11 AND 12 OF 13 SHEETS) depict views of
embodiments of an apparatus 100 for cutting a work piece 910 by using the
portable cutting
machine 900 of any one of FIGS. IA to 1E. FIG. 7B depicts a view of the
embodiment of the
work piece 910 of FIG. 7A that was cut by using the portable cutting machine
900 of any one
of FIGS. IA to 1E with the apparatus 100 of FIG. 7A. FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C
depict top views.
[0068] The embodiment depicted in FIG. 7A permits the apparatus 100 to be used
to form an
angled cut aligned along the work piece 910. Referring to the embodiment of
FIG. 7A, by way
of example, the protractor assembly 101 and the auxiliary protractor assembly
104 are
positioned against a linear length of the work piece 910. In this manner, the
protractor assembly
101 and the auxiliary protractor assembly 104 may be positioned relative to a
datum reference
(such as the linearly-extending work-piece length 911, also called a face side
or a face edge) of
the work piece 910. The operator of the portable cutting machine 900 nominates
a straight edge
of the work piece 910 as the datum edge (in subsequent markings and
measurements, the
measurements are then taken from the datum reference). Sometimes, two datum
references
positioned orthogonally to each other are used. The protractor assembly 101
and the auxiliary
protractor assembly 104 are positioned to the datum edge (such as the linearly-
extending work-
piece length 911 as depicted in FIG. 3A) of the work piece 910. Selected
instances
(corresponding instances) of the protractor markings 103 (as depicted in FIG.
2B) of the
protractor assembly 101 and the auxiliary protractor markings 105 (as depicted
in FIG. 2B) of
the auxiliary protractor assembly 104 are aligned with the linearly-extending
work-piece length
911. For instance, the protractor markings 103 and the auxiliary protractor
markings 105
corresponding to the 45 degree angle may be selected for the case where the
operator desires to
form an angled cut line through the work piece 910. For instance, the angled
cut line may be
aligned at 45 degrees relative to the linearly-extending work-piece length 911
of the work piece
910 (if desired).
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[0069] Selected markings of the protractor assembly 101 and the auxiliary
protractor
assembly 104 are positioned along the linearly-extending work-piece length 911
in such a way
as to measure out an angle 124. The angle 124 is formed between: (A) the work-
piece datum
assembly 108, and (B) the markings of the protractor assembly 101 and the
auxiliary protractor
assembly 104. As a result, the cutting tool fence 112 is aligned in such a way
that the angle 124
is formed between the cutting tool fence 112 and the line that is aligned
normal to the linearly-
extending work-piece length 911. Once the desired angle is formed
(constructed), the apparatus
100 is clamped to the work piece 910 (as depicted in FIG. 7B).
[0070] In accordance with the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7B, the clamp
assembly 914 is
used (deployed) to clamp the apparatus 100 to the work piece 910 before the
portable cutting
machine 900 is deployed (for forming the linearly-extending cut 912 depicted
in FIG. 7C).
[0071] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,
including the best
mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the
invention. The
patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include
other examples that
occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are within the scope of
the claims if they
have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the
claims, or if they
include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the
literal language of
the claims.
[0072] It may be appreciated that the assemblies and modules described above
may be
connected with each other as required to perform desired functions and tasks
within the scope
of persons of skill in the art to make such combinations and permutations
without having to
describe each and every one in explicit terms. There is no particular assembly
or component that
may be superior to any of the equivalents available to the person skilled in
art. There is no
particular mode of practicing the disclosed subject matter that is superior to
others, so long as
the functions may be performed. It is believed that all the crucial aspects of
the disclosed subject
matter have been provided in this document. It is understood that the scope of
the present
invention is limited to the scope provided by the independent claim(s), and it
is also understood
that the scope of the present invention is not limited to: (i) the dependent
claims, (ii) the detailed
description of the non-limiting embodiments, (iii) the summary, (iv) the
abstract, and/or (v) the
description provided outside of this document (that is, outside of the instant
application as filed,
as prosecuted, and/or as granted). It is understood, for this document, that
the phrase "includes"
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18
is equivalent to the word "comprising." The foregoing has outlined the non-
limiting
embodiments (examples). The description is made for particular non-limiting
embodiments
(examples). It is understood that the non-limiting embodiments are merely
illustrative as
examples.
