Offset base for router

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021237306-A1
Application number	US-202017052454-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 14, 2020
Priority date	May 15, 2019
Publication date	Aug 5, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present invention provides, in one aspect, a router including a motor unit and a base configured to selectively receive the motor unit to support the router on a work piece surface. The motor unit includes a motor and a spindle configured to output a torque supplied by the motor. The base includes an input shaft configured to selectively couple to the spindle, an output shaft laterally offset from the input shaft, and a belt. The input shaft includes a first pulley and the output shaft includes a second pulley and a tool holder. The belt wraps around the first and second pulleys to rotationally couple the input shaft to the output shaft. When the motor unit is received into the base, the spindle couples to the input shaft.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A router comprising:
a motor unit including a motor and a spindle configured to output a torque supplied by the motor; and a base configured to selectively receive the motor unit to support the router on a work piece surface, the base including
an input shaft configured to selectively couple to the spindle, the input shaft including a first pulley;
an output shaft laterally offset from the input shaft, the output shaft including a second pulley and a tool holder; and
a belt wrapped around the first and second pulleys to rotationally couple the input shaft to the output shaft;
wherein when the motor unit is received into the base, the spindle couples to the input shaft.

2 . The router of claim 1 , further comprising an adapter bit configured to attach to the spindle and configured to couple the spindle to the input shaft.

3 . The router of claim 2 , wherein the adapter bit includes a first connection member, and the input shaft includes a second connection member that engages the first connection member to couple adapter bit to the input shaft.

4 . The router of claim 3 , wherein the adapter bit includes a threaded bore that threadably receives the spindle.

5 . The router of claim 3 , wherein one of the first connection member or the second connection member comprises a male connection member, and wherein the other of the second connection member or the first connection member comprises a female hub having a shape corresponding to the male connection member.

6 . The router of claim 1 , wherein the base includes a housing including a keyway configured to lock the output shaft against rotation when a key is inserted through the keyway.

7 . The router of claim 1 , wherein the tool holder is configured to support a tool element, and wherein the base includes a set screw rotatable to adjust a cutting depth of the tool element.

8 . The router of claim 1 , wherein the belt is configured as a synchronous belt.

9 . The router of claim 1 , further comprising a fan configured to generate an airflow within the base.

10 . The router of claim 9 , wherein the fan is supported on the output shaft for co-rotation therewith.

11 . The router of claim 10 , wherein the base includes a housing, wherein the housing includes an inlet opening located adjacent an upper end of the output shaft through which air is drawn into the base when the fan is rotated, and wherein the housing includes an outlet opening radially outboard of the fan and from which the air is discharged by the fan.

12 . A router comprising:
a motor unit including a motor and a spindle configured to output a torque supplied by the motor; and a base configured to selectively receive the motor unit to support the router on a work piece surface, the base including
an output shaft laterally offset from the spindle when the motor unit is received into the base, the output shaft including a tool holder; and
a fan configured to generate an airflow within the base.

13 . The router of claim 12 , wherein the fan is supported on the output shaft for co-rotation therewith.

14 . The router of claim 12 , wherein the fan receives torque from the motor to generate the airflow.

15 . The router of claim 12 , wherein the base includes a housing that defines an inlet opening, and wherein the fan draws air through the inlet opening into the base.

16 . The router of claim 15 , wherein the housing further includes an outlet opening, and wherein air is discharged by the fan through the outlet opening.

17 . The router of claim 16 , wherein the outlet opening is located radially outboard of the fan.

18 . The router of claim 12 , wherein when the motor unit is received into the base, the spindle couples to the output shaft.

19 . The router of claim 18 , wherein the base further comprises
an input shaft configured to selectively couple to the spindle, the input shaft laterally offset from the output shaft and including a first pulley; a second pulley coupled for co-rotation with the output shaft; and a belt wrapped around the first and second pulleys to rotationally couple the input shaft to the output shaft.

20 . A router comprising:
a motor unit including a motor and a spindle configured to output a torque supplied by the motor; and a base configured to selectively receive the motor unit to support the router on a work piece surface, the base including
a housing;
an input shaft rotatably supported within the housing and configured to selectively couple to the spindle, the input shaft including a first pulley;
an output shaft rotatably supported within the housing at a location laterally offset from the input shaft, the output shaft including a second pulley and a tool holder;
a belt wrapped around the first and second pulleys to rotationally couple the input shaft to the output shaft; and
a fan coupled for co-rotation with the output shaft to induce an airflow through the housing;
wherein when the motor unit is received into the base, the spindle is coupled to the input shaft without removing the belt from the first pulley.

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Sigafoose Tyler S
• Spraggon Jeffery D
• Van Hoorn Andrew D
• Dong Zhenxin
• Wang Ye

Classifications

• Y10T409/303976

  with means to control temperature or lubricate · CPC title

• Y10T409/306608

  End mill [e.g., router, etc.] · CPC title

• H02K7/003

  Couplings; Details of shafts (means for mounting rotors on shafts H02K1/28) · CPC title

• H02K7/116

  with gears · CPC title

• H02K7/145

  Hand-held machine tool · CPC title