WO1990015701A1

WO1990015701A1 - A machine to machine cylindrical spigots on posts, poles, rails, or others

Info

Publication number: WO1990015701A1
Application number: PCT/AU1990/000256
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Chester Cline
Original assignee: William Chester Cline
Priority date: 1989-06-14
Filing date: 1990-06-13
Publication date: 1990-12-27
Also published as: AU3653189A; AU612039B2

Abstract

A powered machine machines cylindrical spigots onto timber to enable strong dowel type joints to be made via holes drilled into the joining piece. A rotating, cylindrical base supports a conventional chain-saw chain in a helical groove about its periphery, which when engaged with a rotating piece of timber, will produce the required reduced diameter cylindrical dowel or spigot on its end. The cylindrical cutter can also operate at an angle to the timber axis to produce conical or chamfered ends.

Description

A MACHINE TO MACHINE CYLINDRICAL SPIGOTS ON POSTS, POLES RAILS, OR OTHERS

The following is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me.

This invention embodies an idea that enables the old style standard post and rail fences to be built easily and cheaply with modern lone lasting treated pine. The same invention can also enable treated pine or other to be used

effectively for many other farm, industrial, and civil uses. This invention easily machines a reduced diameter parallel. circular cross section, cylindrical spigot on the end of timber Pieces. These slip neatly into drilled holes in Posts or other as required, A simple pin or nail can be used to secure these joints.

A special cutter is made of a solid cast or fabricated cylindrically shaped base with a narrow groove cut or

Provided on the cylindrical surface in a helical shape like a large diameter course pitch thread. m this groove a conventional chain saw chain is wrapped around from one end to the other. Note drawing. This enables an economically and available cutter to be manufactured. This

chain is easy to sharpen, and can be replaced simply and quickly when required. This cutter can be mounted directly to an engine output shaft or can be remotely driven by "v" belt, propellor shaft, hydraulic, or other.

The timber post. pole, rail, or other is clamped and allowed to revolve around it's cylindrical axis. When the rotating cutter and the object to be machined, which is slowly counter rotated, comes into contact, the cutter machines a reduced diameter cylindrical spigot onto the end of the object. If, for instance, both ends of a rail were machined as above, and holes were drilled the same distance above ground level of two posts in such a way that the rail could be inserted into both posts horizontally, the first rail of a post and rail fence would be complete.

In similar ways, many other items could be built.

The following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention should be read in conjunction with the attached drawings.

This machine is designed to machine treated pine poles as are currently in use in the fencing industry. Normal diameters range from 75mm to 200mm. Usually approximately 50 mm diameter spigots are machined.

The machine cutter is made of a cast iron cylinder approximately 125mm long and 100mm diameter with a 20mm hole machined in it's axis to allow direct mounting to an engine output shaft. A narrow helical groove, 20mm pitch, is machined onto the periphery of the cylinder. A chain saw chain, attached each end by a screw, is wrapped around this groove with the cutting edge facing the appropriate direction.

A self centering clamping system is used to secure the pole to ensure directional and axially true rotation.

The self centering system is installed within a flanged circular housing that is guided in it's rotation by roller bearings spaced equally around it's circumference. See drawing. Handles spaced equally around this housing enables the pole to be rotated accurately and at the desired speed.

The other end of the pole rest in a simple "vee" at the other end of the frame. An adjustable stop helps position the pole for the desired spigot length, ie 50-65mm. A rotation directional limiting catch allows controllable rotation only.

To operate, a lever with an automatic catch is pulled to operate the self centering device and clamp. This pulls a chain which in turn rotates three separate sprockets evenly. Each sprocket is integral with a blade and pivot. When the chain is pulled, each sprocket and blade pivots equally which centers and clamps the inserted pole.

The motor cutter is mounted on a pivot off center so that gravity will pull the cutter into the pole end. The motor cutter is held by an easily released catch in the neutral position away from the pole end to allow pole insertion and removal. The movement of the motor cutter into the pol e end is dampened by a hydraulic dampener. An adjustable stop limits motor cutter travel to control spigot diameter. As gravity draws the rotating motor cutter Into the pole end, the pole is rotated by hand via the handles on the self centering locking rotatable housing. This rotation is continued until cutting is completed. Then the motor cutter is returned to neutral position, the rail clamp is released, and the pole or rail is removed with it's machined spigot end finished. The machine is then ready for further use. Optional features can include alternate cutter chains, ie carbide chain teeth, etc.: electric, hydraulic, or other remote drive of the cutter; electric, hydraulic, or remote powering of the pole clamping rotational member: electric hydraulic, or remote clamping of poles: and various support systems for the tail or un machined end.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

Claim 1

A post, pole, rail, or other, machining machine that machines parallel axis, cylindrical, spigots onto posts, poles, rails or other, comprising;

a) a powered cylindrical cutter base wrapped with chain saw chain which engages and machines a post, pole, rail, or other's end; and

b) a means of clamping and self centering within an area that can be guided and caused to rotate in one direction only at a desired speed, and

c) a support for the other end of the post, pole, rail, or other

Claim 2

A post, pole, rail, or other, machining machine that machines post, pole. rail, or other's ends as claimed in claim 1, and with options of powered rotation of post, pole, rail, or other self centering and clamping rotational system and or powered post. pole, rail, or other clamping system

Claim 3

A post, pole, rail, or other, machining machine as herein described, and Illustrated in the accompaning drawings.