Wood planing machine with a carriage locking mechanism which is controlled by a rotary lever

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a wood planing machine, more particularly to a wood planing machine which is provided with a carriage locking mechanism for releasably locking a cutter carriage thereof.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional wood planing machine is shown to include a machine base 10, left and right pairs of posts 11, a cutter carriage 12, and a carriage locking mechanism.

[0006] As illustrated, the machine base 10 has opposite mounting sides 100 spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction, and opposite feed-in and take-out sides spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction. The left and right pairs of posts 11 extend upward from the machine base 10 at the mounting sides 100. The cutter carriage 12 is disposed above the machine base 10, and has opposite end portions mounted movably on the posts 11 for sliding movement along the left and right pairs of posts 11. A cutter device (not shown) is mounted on the cutter carriage 12 in a known manner, and is rotatable about a horizontal axis that extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0007] Left and right threaded rods 13 are mounted rotatably on, and extend upwardly from the machine base 10 at the mounting sides 100 to pass threadedly through the opposite end portions of the cutter carriage 12. The threaded rods 13 are interconnected in such a manner to rotate synchronously. A rotary handle 14 is provided at the top end of one of the threaded rods 13 such that rotation of the latter will cause the cutter carriage 12 to slide vertically along the left and right pairs of posts 11 so as to define a gap between the cutter carriage 12 and the machine base 10 for passage of a workpiece to be processed. A top cover 17 is fixed to the left and right pairs of posts 11 above the cutter carriage 12.

[0008] The carriage locking mechanism includes a manually operable handle 16, two locking linkages 15 mounted respectively on two opposite ends of the handle 16, and four post clamps 155 (only three are shown in FIG. 1) carried on the cutter carriage 12 and associated with the posts 11, respectively. Each of the locking linkages 15 includes first and second links 151,152 connected pivotally to each other at inner ends thereof and to the handle 16, and further connected pivotally to an adjacent pair of the post clamps 155 at outer ends thereof. Each of the second links 152 consists of a front connecting rod 154 that is connected pivotally to a respective one of the first links 151, a rear sliding piece 153 that is connected movably to the front connecting rod 154 and a respective one of the post clamps 155 at two ends thereof, and a compression spring 156 that interconnects the front connecting rod 154 and the rear sliding piece 153. As such, the springs 156 bias the post clamps 155 to abut against the posts 11, respectively, when the carriage locking mechanism is at a releasing position, as shown in FIG. 2. When adjustment to a desired carriage height has been achieved, the handle 16 is operated to move downward against biasing action of the springs 156 so as to move the carriage locking mechanism from the releasing position to a locking position, where the post clamps 155 are forced to press against the posts 11, respectively. At the locking position, the first and second links 151,152 are disposed on a straight line (not shown). Thus, the carriage 12 is locked relative to the left and right pairs of posts 11 so as to retain the same at a selected height relative to the machine base 10.

[0009] One disadvantage that results from the use of the aforesaid conventional wood planing machine resides in that in order to release the cutter carriage 12 from the left and right pairs of posts 11, the handle 16 must be moved upward. In this condition, the handle 16 will prop upward swiftly by virtue of biasing action of the springs 156. As such, the hands of the operator may collide against the top cover 17, thereby possibly injuring the operator.

[0010] Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide a wood planing machine which is clear of the aforementioned drawbacks that result from the use of the conventional wood planing machine.

[0011] Accordingly, the wood planing machine of the present invention includes an elongated machine base, left and right pairs of posts, a cutter carriage, vertical left and right threaded rods, and a carriage locking mechanism. The machine base has a top surface, opposed left and right mounting sides spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction, and opposed feed-in and take-out sides spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction. The left and right pairs of posts are fixed on the top surface of the machine base at the left and right mounting sides, respectively. The cutter carriage is disposed above the machine base, and has opposite end portions mounted respectively, vertically and movably on the left and right pairs of posts. The left and right threaded rods are mounted respectively and rotatably on the left and right mounting sides of the machine base such that the threaded rods are disposed respectively between the left and right pairs of posts and extend threadedly through the opposite end portions of the cutter carriage for moving the cutter carriage along the posts when the threaded rods rotate on the machine base, thereby adjusting height of the cutter carriage. The carriage locking mechanism locks the cutter carriage at a selected height relative to the machine base. The carriage locking mechanism includes an elongated mounting plate, a left locking unit, a right locking unit, a cam member, a rotary lever, a left biasing unit, and a right biasing unit. The elongated mounting plate is disposed fixedly on the cutter carriage, and extends in the longitudinal direction. The left locking unit includes a pair of left clamping claws that press respectively and releaseably against two of the left pair of posts and the left threaded rod. The right locking unit includes a pair of right clamping claws that press respectively and releaseably against two of the right pair of posts and the right threaded rod. The cam member is disposed pivotally on the mounting plate, and has left and right projections that engage respectively the left and right locking units. A pivot end of the rotary lever is mounted pivotally on the mounting plate, and is connected to the cam member so as to rotate synchronously with the cam member. The rotary lever is disposed at a locking position, and is rotatable to an unlocking position so as to remove the left and right projections of the cam member from the left and right locking units. The left biasing unit biases the left clamping claws to separate from the two of the left pair of posts and the left threaded rod when the left projection of the cam member is removed from the left locking unit. The right biasing unit biases the right clamping claws to separate from the two of the right pair of posts and the right threaded rod when the right projection of the cam member is removed from the right locking unit.

[0012] Other features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional wood planing machine;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of the conventional wood planing machine of FIG. 1, illustrating carriage locking mechanism is mounted on a cutter carriage thereof;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a wood planing machine according to the present invention, illustrating how a carriage locking mechanism is mounted on a cutter carriage thereof;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary partly sectional, schematic side view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating how the cutter carriage is locked relative to left and right pairs of posts;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating how a rotary lever is connected to a cam member;

[0019] FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating how the cutter carriage is unlocked relative to the left and right pairs; and

[0020] FIG. 8 is another schematic top view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating how the cutter carriage is locked relative to the left and right pairs of posts.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the preferred embodiment of a wood planing machine of this invention is shown to include an elongated machine base 20, left and right pairs of posts 21, a cutter carriage 22, vertical left and right threaded rods 23, and a carriage locking mechanism.

[0022] As illustrated, the machine base 20 has a top surface, opposed left and right mounting sides 201 spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction, and opposed feed-in and take-out sides spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction.

[0023] The left and right pairs of posts 21 are fixed on the top surface of the machine base 20 at the left and right mounting sides 201, respectively.

[0024] The cutter carriage 22 is disposed above the machine base 20, and has opposite end portions 221 mounted respectively, vertically and movably on the left and right pairs of posts 21. A cutter device (not shown) is mounted rotatably on the cutter carriage 22 in the conventional manner so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. Since the structure of the cutter device is not pertinent to the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein for the sake of brevity.

[0025] The left and right threaded rods 23 are mounted respectively and rotatably on the left and right mounting sides 201 of the machine base 20 such that the threaded rods 23 are disposed respectively between the left and right pairs of posts 21, and extend threadedly through the opposite end portions 221 of the cutter carriage 22 for moving the cutter carriage 22 along the posts 21 when the threaded rods 23 rotate on the machine base 20, thereby adjusting height of the cutter carriage 22.

[0026] The carriage locking mechanism locks the cutter carriage 22 at a selected height relative to the machine base 20, and includes an elongated mounting plate 30, a left locking unit 50, a right locking unit 60, a cam member 43, a rotary lever 40, a left biasing unit 56, and a right biasing unit 65.

[0027] The mounting plate 30 is disposed fixedly on the cutter carriage 22, and extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0028] The left locking unit 50 includes a pair of left clamping claws 53 that press respectively and releaseably against two of the left pair of posts 21 and the left threaded rod 23. In this embodiment, the left clamping claws 53 press against the left pair of posts 21.

[0029] The right locking unit 60 includes a pair of right clamping claws 63 that press respectively and releaseably against two of the right pair of posts 21 and the right threaded rod 23. In this embodiment, the right clamping claws 63 press against the right threaded rod 23 and one of the right pair of posts 21.

[0030] The cam member 43 is disposed pivotally on the mounting plate 30 and is rotatable about a vertical axis. Left and right projections 431 are formed on the cam member 43, and engage respectively the left and right locking units 50,60.

[0031] A pivot end 41 of the rotary lever 40 is mounted pivotally on the mounting plate 30, and is connected to the cam member 43 so as to rotate synchronously with the cam member 43. The rotary lever 40 is disposed at a locking position, and is rotatable about the vertical axis to an unlocking position so as to remove the left and right projections 431 of the cam member 43 from the left and right locking units 50,60.

[0032] The left biasing unit 56 biases the left clamping claws 53 to separate from the left pair of posts 21 when the left projection 431 of the cam member 43 is removed from the left locking unit 50, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0033] The right biasing unit 65 biases the right clamping claws 63 to separate from the right threaded rod 23 and one of the right pair of posts 21 when the right projection 431 of the cam member 43 is removed from the right locking unit 60, as shown in FIG. 7. A torsion spring 432 is fixed to the mounting plate 30 at one end, and to the cam member 43 at the other end so as to urge the cam member 43 to rotate in a direction, thereby biasing the rotary lever 40 to the locking position, as best shown in FIG. 8. Each of the left and right locking units 50,60 includes a horizontal follower rod 51,61 that extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0034] The mounting plate 30 includes vertical left and right rod-guiding plates 36 fixed respectively on two end portions thereof. Each of the left and right rod-guiding plates 36 is formed with a rod-extension hole 37 for extension of a respective one of the follower rods 51,61 therethrough. An inverted U-shaped cam-retaining seat 31 is fixed on the mounting plate 30 between the left and right rod-guiding plates 36, and has a horizontal top plate 310 (see FIG. 5), and vertical left and right side plates 311 that extend respectively, integrally and downwardly from two opposite sides of the top plate 310 and that are fixed on the mounting plate 30. The cam member 43 is disposed between the top plate 310 and the mounting plate 30 and between the left and right side plates 311. Each of the left and right side plates 311 is formed with a rod-extension hole 33 for extension of a respective one of the follower rods 51,61 therethrough. Each of the follower rods 51,61 has an inner end that contacts a respective one of the left and right projections 431 of the cam member 43.

[0035] The cam member 43 has a semicircular-cross-sectioned hole 430 (see FIG. 5) that is formed therethrough. Each of the top plate 310 of the cam-retaining seat 31 and the mounting plate 30 has a pin hole 32, 300 that is formed therethrough. The rotary lever 40 is located over the top plate 310 of the cam-retaining seat 31, and includes a counterbore 411 that is formed in the pivot end 41 and that has a semicircular-cross-sectioned lower portion and an enlarged upper portion, a nut 46 that is disposed within the enlarged upper portion of the counterbore 411 in the rotary lever 40, and a pivot pin 42 which has a semicircular-cross-sectioned portion that engages fittingly the semicircular-cross-sectioned lower portion of the counterbore 411 in the rotary lever 40 and the hole 430 in the cam member 43 and that extends through the pin holes 32, 300 in the top plate 310 of the cam-retaining seat 31 and the mounting plate 30, an externally threaded upper end that engages threadably the nut 46, and an enlarged lower end that is located under the mounting plate 30 so as to limit the rotary lever 40, the cam-retaining seat 31 and the cam member 43 between the nut 46 and the lower end of the pivot pin 42, thereby retaining the rotary lever 40 and the cam member 43 on the cam-retaining seat 31.

[0036] The top plate 310 of the cam-retaining seat 31 has a top surface that is formed with two positioning holes 34. The rotary lever 40 includes a spring-biased ball 44 that engages one of the positioning holes 34 in the top plate 310 when the rotary lever 40 is disposed at the locking position. The spring-biased ball 44 is moved to the other one of the positioning holes 34 in the top plate 310 when the rotary lever 40 rotates to the unlocking position.

[0037] The top plate 310 of the cam-retaining seat 31 is further formed with a curved restricting slot 35 that has two closed ends. The rotary lever 40 has a positioning element 413 that projects integrally and downwardly therefrom to engage slidably the restricting slot 35 in the top plate 310 (see FIG. 6) and that is located at one of the two ends of the restricting slot 35 when the rotary lever 40 is located in the locking position, and at the other one of the two ends of the restricting slot 35 when the rotary lever 40 is moved to the unlocking position.

[0038] The left locking unit 50 includes an elongated left embracing plate 52 which extends in the transverse direction and which is disposed slidably on the mounting plate 30, a guiding unit for guiding the left embracing plate 52 to move on the mounting plate 30 in the longitudinal direction, and a left adjustment screw 54. The left clamping claws 53 are mounted respectively and fixedly on two ends of the left embracing plate 52 and press respectively against the left pair of posts 21. The follower rod 51 of the left locking unit 50 has an internally threaded outer end 511. The left adjustment screw 54 engages threadably the internally threaded outer end 511 of the follower rod 51 of the left locking unit 50, and has an end surface that is formed with an open-ended slot 541 (see FIG. 5). The left embracing plate 52 is located between the left rod-guiding plate 36 and the left pair of posts 21, and has a middle portion 520 that engages fittingly the slot 541 in the left adjustment screw 54 so that the outer end 511 of the follower rod 51 of the left locking unit 50 presses against the left embracing plate 52, thereby pressing the left clamping claws 53 against the left pair of posts 21. The left biasing unit 56 is shaped as a tension spring that interconnects the left embracing plate 52 and the left rod-guiding plate 36 so as to bias the left embracing plate 52 toward the left rod-guiding plate 36, thereby retaining the left embracing plate 52 on the left adjustment screw 54.

[0039] The left embracing plate 52 further has a generally inverted U-shaped plate section which includes a horizontal plate portion 520 and two outwardly and downwardly inclined plate portions that are formed integrally on two opposite sides of the horizontal plate portion 520. The horizontal plate portion 520 is slightly wider than the mounting plate 30, and is formed with two slide slots 521 that extend in the longitudinal direction. The mounting plate 30 is formed with two threaded holes 301. The guiding unit includes a guiding block 38 that is fixed on the mounting plate 30 between the left rod-guiding plate 36 and the left pair of posts 21, and between the U-shaped plate section of the left embracing plate 52 and the mounting plate 30, and that is formed with two holes, and two bolts 55 that extend respectively through the slide slots 521 in the left embracing plate 52 and the holes in the guiding block 38 and that engage the threaded holes 301 in the mounting plate 30.

[0040] The follower rod 51 of the left locking unit 50 has an outer surface which is formed with a plurality of projecting blocks 512 that are adapted to facilitate rotation of the follower rod 51 of the left locking unit 50 relative to the left adjustment bolt 54 by using a clamping tool, which holds the follower rod 51 of the left locking unit 50 thereon.

[0041] The follower rod 61 of the right locking unit 60 has an internally threaded outer end 611. The right locking unit 60 includes an elongated right embracing plate 62 that is connected pivotally to the right clamping claws 63 at two end portions thereof, a vertical pivot bolt 66 that connects an end of the right embracing plate 62 rotatably to the mounting plate 30, and a right adjustment screw 64 which engages the internally threaded outer end 611 of the follower rod 61 of the right locking unit 60 and which has an end surface that is formed with an open-ended slot 641. The right embracing plate 62 is located between the right rod-guiding plate 36 and the right pair of posts 21, and has a middle portion 620 that engages fittingly the slot 641 in the right adjustment screw 64 of the right locking unit 60 so that the outer end 611 of the follower rod 61 of the right locking unit 60 presses against the right embracing plate 62, thereby pressing the right clamping claws 63 against the threaded rod 23 and one of the right pair of posts 21. The right biasing unit 65 is shaped as a tension spring that interconnects the right embracing plate 62 and the right rod-guiding plate 36 so as to bias the right embracing plate 62 to turn toward the right rod-guiding plate 36, thereby retaining the right embracing plate 62 on the right adjustment screw 64.

[0042] The follower rod 61 of the right locking unit 60 has an outer surface which is formed with a plurality of projecting blocks 612 that are adapted to facilitate rotation of the follower rod 61 of the right locking unit 60 relative to the right adjustment screw 64 by using a clamping tool, which holds the follower rod 61 of the right locking unit 60 thereon.

[0043] Preferably, one of the right clamping claws 63 disposed on the right embracing plate 62 is aligned with the right threaded rod 23, and has a horizontal-toothed surface 631 that engages the right threaded rod 23.

[0044] With this invention thus explained, it is apparent that numerous modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. It is therefore intended that this invention be limited only as indicated in the appended claims.