Ratcheting quick-adjust drilling jig

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9969042-B2
Application number	US-201414275402-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 12, 2014
Priority date	May 16, 2013
Publication date	May 15, 2018
Grant date	May 15, 2018

Abstract

A quick adjust ratcheting pocket hole jig is presented. The pocket hole jig has a base with a removable upright connected thereto. A guide assembly is slidably received within the upright. Removable and replaceable side supports are connected to the base by way of a dove tail joint. Removable and replaceable adjustable stops are connected to the base by way of key holes. A clamp assembly is connected to the base having a handle portion and a clamp follower. The clamp follower has a ratcheting mechanism and a compressible plunger assembly. The clamp follower can quickly be adjusted using a button on the clamp follower that disengages the ratcheting member such that it can be quickly adjusted. When the handle is operated, it draws the clamp follower towards the upright and guide assembly compressing the spring loaded plunger assembly thereby quickly and tightly and adjustably holding a workpiece therebetween.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. An adjustable workpiece holding jig configured to clamp workpieces of various size, comprising:
a base;
an upright assembly connected to the base;
a clamping assembly connected to the base,
the clamping assembly having a handle assembly and a clamp follower;
the clamp follower having a plunger assembly extending from a housing that is slidingly mounted on a ratchet plate;
a tooth engaging member between the housing and the ratchet plate and configured to engage teeth of the ratchet plate to prevent a backwards movement of the housing on the ratchet plate,
wherein
the handle assembly is operably connected to the clamp follower,
the ratchet plate is configured to facilitate movement of the housing with respect to the upright,
the handle assembly is configured to move the plunger assembly, housing, and ratchet plate when the handle assembly moves from a non-clamping position to a clamping position,
the ratchet plate is configured to facilitate clamping of a workpiece of various size between the upright assembly and the clamp follower, and
the handle assembly includes a handle.

2. The adjustable workpiece holding jig of claim 1 wherein the tooth engaging member includes a tooth tab configured to engage the teeth of the ratchet plate.

3. The adjustable workpiece holding jig of claim 1 wherein the clamp follower includes a button that disengages the tooth engaging member from ratchet teeth of the ratchet plate thereby allowing adjustment of the housing with respect to the ratchet teeth.

4. The adjustable workpiece holding jig of claim 1 wherein the tooth engaging member is pre-loaded to engage the ratchet teeth of the ratchet plate.

5. The adjustable workpiece holding jig of claim 1 wherein the ratchet plate is between the housing and the base.

6. The adjustable workpiece holding jig of claim 1 wherein the ratchet plate allows for movement of the housing in a first direction while preventing movement in a second direction opposite the first direction.

7. An adjustable workpiece holding jig configured to clamp workpieces of various size, comprising:
a base;
a clamping assembly connected to the base,
the clamping assembly having a handle assembly and a clamp follower, the clamp follower having a plunger assembly extending from a housing that is slidingly mounted on a ratchet plate and a tooth engaging member between the housing and the ratchet plate and configured to engage teeth of the ratchet plate to prevent a backwards movement of the housing on the ratchet plate; and
an upright assembly connected to the base,
the upright assembly being removably connected to the base, wherein
the ratchet plate is operatively connected to the handle assembly,
the ratchet plate facilitates movement of the housing and plunger assembly with respect to the upright,
the handle assembly is configured to move the ratchet plate and the housing when the handle assembly moves from a non-clamping position to a clamping position,
a workpiece is clamped between the upright assembly and the clamp follower by operation of the handle assembly.

8. The adjustable workpiece holding jig of claim 7 , wherein the upright assembly fits within a recessed platform of the base.

9. The adjustable workpiece holding jig of claim 7 , wherein the upright assembly has at least one foot which is aligned with a through hole in the base so as to facilitate connection of the upright to the base.

10. The adjustable workpiece holding jig of claim 7 , further comprising a guide assembly adjustably received by the upright assembly.

11. An adjustable workpiece holding jig comprising:
a base;
a clamping assembly connected to the base,
the clamping assembly having a handle assembly and a clamp follower, the clamp follower having a plunger extending from a housing that is slidingly mounted on a ratchet plate and a tooth engaging member between the housing and the ratchet plate and configured to engage teeth of the ratchet plate to prevent a backwards movement of the housing on the ratchet plate;
an upright assembly connected to the base; and
at least one side support member connected to the base,
wherein
the at least one side support member removably connects to the base by an interlocking joint,
the ratchet plate is movable by the handle assembly, and
the handle assembly includes a handle.

12. The adjustable workpiece holding jig of claim 11 wherein the interlocking joint is a dovetail joint.

13. The adjustable workpiece holding jig of claim 11 wherein the interlocking joint is a dovetail joint having a tail-cut section positioned in one of the base and the at least one side support member, and a pin-cut suction positioned in the other of the base and the at least one side support member.

14. The adjustable workpiece holding jig of claim 11 wherein the interlocking joint is a dovetail joint, the width of the dovetail joint angles inwardly as it extends from top to bottom.

15. An adjustable workpiece holding jig configured to clamp workpieces of various size, comprising:
a base;
a handle assembly connected to the base, the handle assembly including a handle;
a clamp follower movably connected to the base;
an upright assembly between the clamp follower and the handle the upright assembly
connected to the base; and
at least one side support member removably connected to the base, wherein
the at least one side support member has a storage compartment positioned therein,
the clamp follower having a plunger assembly extending from a housing that is slidably mounted on a ratchet plate and a tooth engaging member between the housing and the ratchet plate and configured to engage teeth of the ratchet plate to prevent a backwards movement of the housing on the ratchet plate, the clamp follower being operatively connected to the handle assembly and movable by the handle assembly.

16. The adjustable workpiece holding jig of claim 15 further comprising a door operably connected to the side support member, wherein the door is configured to cover the storage compartment.

17. The adjustable workpiece holding jig of claim 15 further comprising a door operably connected to the side support member, wherein the door is connected to the at least one storage compartment by a hinge.

18. An adjustable workpiece holding jig configured to clamp workpieces of various size, comprising:
a base;
an upright assembly connected to the base; and
a clamping assembly connected to the base,
the clamping assembly having a handle assembly with a handle and a clamp follower,
the clamp follower having a plunger assembly extending from a housing that is slidingly mounted on a ratchet plate and a tooth engaging member between the housing and the ratchet plate and configured to engage teeth of the ratchet plate to prevent a backwards movement of the housing on the ratchet plate,
wherein
the plunger assembly has a plunger pad connected to a spring,
when actuated, the plunger assembly compresses thereby holding a workpiece between the plunger pad and the upright;
the ratchet plate facilitates movement of the housing with respect to the upright assembly; and
the handle assembly is configured to move the clamp follower when the handle assembly moves from a non-clamping position to a clamping position.

19. The adjustable workpiece holding jig of claim 18 wherein the spring is positioned around a rod connected to the plunger pad.

20. The adjustable workpiece holding jig of claim 18 wherein the spring is held within the hous

Assignees

• Kreg Enterprises Inc

Inventors

• Clark Scott L

Classifications

• B23B47/287 Primary

  Jigs for drilling plate-like workpieces (templates for marking the position of fittings on wings or frames E05D11/0009) · CPC title

• Y10T408/50

  with product handling or receiving means · CPC title

• B23B2247/10

  Jigs for drilling inclined holes · CPC title

• Y10T408/563

  Work-gripping clamp · CPC title

• B23Q11/0042 Primary

  Devices for removing chips (B23Q11/02, B23Q11/0875 take precedence) · CPC title