Planer apparatus

Abstract

A planer having a base, a first support member attached to the base and supporting a cutterhead for selective travel in a first direction toward the base and a second opposite direction, a top frame attached to the first support member and a depth stop mechanism attached to the top frame for selectively preventing travel of the cutterhead in the first direction beyond a pre-selected distance from the base. A depth measuring device including a retractable tape may be attached to the cutterhead. A workpiece level indicator plate movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position may be attached to the planer to indicate contact with a workpiece. A locking mechanism for locking a pivotable infeed table of a planer in the upright position for storage, and thereby switching off power to the planer is also disclosed. The planer may include a readily attachable and detachable dust removal assembly.

1 . A planer comprising: 
 a base;    a top frame connected to the base;    a cutterhead movably supported on the top frame relative to the base; and    a retractable measuring device attached to the top frame.    
   
   
       2 . The planer of  claim 1 , wherein the retractable measuring device has a first end retractably affixed to the top frame and a second end affixed to the cutterhead.  
   
   
       3 . The planer of  claim 2 , further comprising a scale indicator attached to the top frame adjacent the retractable measuring device.  
   
   
       4 . The planer of  claim 3 , wherein the scale indicator is located on a transparent member attached to the top frame and covering a portion of the retractable measuring device.  
   
   
       5 . The planer of  claim 4  wherein the retractable measuring device has a scale thereon and wherein the scale cooperates with the scale indicator to display a height at which the cutterhead is positioned from the base.  
   
   
       6 . The planer of  claim 2  wherein the first end of the retractable measuring device is attached to a roll coupled to the top frame.  
   
   
       7 . The planer of  claim 6  wherein the roll is housed within a housing affixed to the top frame.  
   
   
       8 . A depth measuring apparatus for a planer having a base, a top frame connected to the base and a cutterhead movably supported relative to the base, the depth measuring apparatus comprising: 
 a retractable measuring tape attachable to the top frame.    
   
   
       9 . The planer of  claim 8  wherein the retractable measuring device has a first end retractably affixed to the top frame and a second end affixed to the cutterhead.  
   
   
       10 . The planer of  claim 9  further comprising a scale indicator attached to the top frame adjacent the retractable measuring device.  
   
   
       11 . The planer of  claim 10  wherein the scale indicator is located on a transparent member attached to the top frame and covering a portion of the retractable measuring device.  
   
   
       12 . The planer of  claim 11  wherein the retractable measuring device has a scale thereon and wherein the scale cooperates with the scale indicator to display a height at which the cutterhead is positioned from the base.  
   
   
       13 . The planer of  claim 12  wherein the first end of the retractable measuring device is attached to a roll coupled to the top frame.  
   
   
       14 . The planer of  claim 13  wherein the roll is housed within a housing affixed to the top frame.  
   
   
       15 - 51 . (canceled)  
   
   
       52 . A planer comprising: 
 a base;    a top frame connected to the base;    a cutterhead supported on the top frame, a distance between the cutterhead and the base being adjustable; and    a retractable measuring device connected to the top frame.    
   
   
       53 . The planer of  claim 52 , wherein the retractable measuring device has a first end retractably affixed to the top frame and a second end affixed to the cutterhead.  
   
   
       54 . The planer of  claim 53 , further comprising a scale indicator attached to the top frame adjacent the retractable measuring device.  
   
   
       55 . The planer of  claim 54 , wherein the scale indicator is located on a transparent member attached to the top frame and covering a portion of the retractable measuring device.  
   
   
       56 . The planer of  claim 55  wherein the retractable measuring device has a scale thereon and wherein the scale cooperates with the scale indicator to display a height at which the cutterhead is positioned from the base.  
   
   
       57 . The planer of  claim 53  wherein the first end of the retractable measuring device is attached to a roll coupled to the top frame.  
   
   
       58 . The planer of  claim 57  wherein the roll is housed within a housing affixed to the top frame.