Movable fence for a machine tool

Abstract

An adjustable rip fence for a machine tool has a fence which is movable with respect to the cutting tool due to a rack and pinion. The rail assembly supporting the fence include a pair of stationary rails which are secure to the machine tool. A movable rail telescopically engages each stationary rail and the movement of each rail is accomplished by the rotation of a pair of pinion gears each of which engages a respective rack on the movable rails. The simultaneous rotation of the pinion gears is the result of both pinion gears being secured to a common pinion shaft which is rotatably secured to the machine tool. The telescoping nature of the rails allows for adjustment of the fence beyond the working surface of the machine tool.

1 .- 123 . (canceled)  
   
   
       124 . A machine tool comprising: 
 a base;    a first rail member connected to the base, the rail assembly extending in a longitudinal direction;    a fence defining a surface extending in a lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of first rail member;    a first mount disposed between the fence and the first rail member; and    a first adjustment mechanism disposed between the first mount and the first rail member, the first adjustment mechanism adjusting the lateral direction of the surface of the fence with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first rail member.    
   
   
       125 . The machine tool according to  claim 124 , wherein the first adjustment mechanism comprises a pin member movably attached to the first mount and a hole defined by the first rail member.  
   
   
       126 . The machine tool according to  claim 125  wherein the first adjustment mechanism further comprises a bolt rotatably supported by the first mount, the bolt threadingly engaging the pin member such that rotation of the bolt moves the pin member with respect to the first mount.  
   
   
       127 . The machine tool according to  claim 126 , wherein the pin member comprises a pin disposed within the hole and a pin mount threadingly engaging the bolt.  
   
   
       128 . The machine tool according to  claim 127 , wherein the pin mount defines a slot for attachment to the first mount.  
   
   
       129 . The machine tool according to  claim 125 , wherein the pin member comprises a pin disposed within the hole and a pin mount movably attached to the first mount.  
   
   
       130 . The machine tool according to  claim 125 , wherein the first adjustment mechanism further comprises a mounting pin movably attached to the first mount.  
   
   
       131 . The machine tool according to  claim 130 , wherein the pin member is movable in the longitudinal direction of the first rail and the mounting pin is movable in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first rail.  
   
   
       132 . The machine tool according to  claim 130 , wherein the mounting pin threadingly engages the first mount.  
   
   
       133 . The machine tool according to  claim 132 , wherein the mounting pin comprises a threaded member and a non-threaded member.  
   
   
       134 . The machine tool according to  claim 125 , wherein the pin member is movable in the longitudinal direction of the first rail.  
   
   
       135 . The machine tool according to  claim 124 , wherein the first adjustment mechanism comprises a mounting pin movably attached to the first mount.  
   
   
       136 . The machine tool according to  claim 135 , wherein the mounting pin is movable in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first rail.  
   
   
       137 . The machine tool according to  claim 135 , wherein the mounting pin threadingly engages the first mount.  
   
   
       138 . The machine tool according to  claim 137 , wherein the mounting pin comprises a threaded member and a non-threaded member.  
   
   
       139 . The machine tool according to  claim 124 , wherein the first rail member comprises a fixed rail and a movable rail engaging the fixed rail, the first adjustment mechanism being disposed between the first mount and the movable rail.  
   
   
       140 . The machine tool according to  claim 124 , further comprising: 
 a second rail member connected to the base extending in the longitudinal direction;    a second mount disposed between the fence and the second rail member; and    a second adjustment mechanism disposed between the second mount and the second rail member, the second adjustment mechanism adjusting the lateral direction of the surface of the fence with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first rail member.    
   
   
       141 . The machine tool according to  claim 140 , wherein: 
 the first adjustment mechanism comprises a first pin member movably attached to the first mount and a first hole defined by the first rail member; and    the second adjustment mechanism comprises a second pin member movably attached to the second mount and a second hole defined by the second rail member.    
   
   
       142 . The machine tool according to  claim 141 , wherein: 
 the first adjustment mechanism further comprises a first bolt rotatably supported by the first mount, the first bolt threadingly engaging the first pin member such that rotation of the first bolt moves the first pin member with respect to the first mount; and    the second adjustment mechanism further comprises a second bolt rotatably supported by the second mount, the second bolt threadingly engaging the second pin member such that rotation of the second bolt moves the second pin member with respect to the second mount.    
   
   
       143 . The machine tool according to  claim 141 , wherein: 
 the first pin member comprises a first pin disposed within the first hole and a first pin mount movably attached to the first mount; and    the second pin member comprises a second pin disposed within the second hole and a second pin mount movably attached to the second mount.    
   
   
       144 . The machine tool according to  claim 141 , wherein: 
 the first adjustment mechanism further comprises a first mounting pin movably attached to the first mount; and    the second adjustment mechanism further comprises a second mounting pin movably attached to the second mount.    
   
   
       145 . The machine tool according to  claim 144 , wherein: 
 the first pin member is movable in the longitudinal direction of the first rail and the first mounting pin is movable in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first rail; and    the second pin member is movable in the longitudinal direction of the second rail and the second mounting pin is movable in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second rail.    
   
   
       146 . The machine tool according to  claim 144 , wherein the first mounting pin threadingly engages the first mount and the second mounting pin threadingly engages the second mount.  
   
   
       147 . The machine tool according to  claim 140 , wherein: 
 the first adjustment mechanism comprises a first mounting pin movably attached to the first mount; and    the second adjustment mechanism comprises a second mounting pin movably attached to the second mount.    
   
   
       148 . The machine tool according to  claim 147 , wherein the first mounting pin threadingly engages the first mount and the second mounting pin threadingly engages the second mount.