Router guide unit

Abstract

An improved arrangement by which a router may be accurately and inexpensively used to trim the edge of a laminate overlay flush with the edge of the underlying wooden member. It particularly comprises a guide fence having a relatively long straight edge interrupted centrally by a recess for the router bit, and provided with a rabbet into which the projecting edge of a rough trimmed laminate may project early in the edging process. The fence cooperates with a sub-base attachable to a router, and retains the versatility of the router for many usual applications.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In combination: a router having a flat base with a central aperture through which a selected router bit may project axially for peripheral engagement with the edge of a work piece;   a guide fence, having first and second flat faces, to be secured with respect to the router base with the first face of the fence turned toward the router, said fence including a straight edge having a length of the base, said edge being centrally interrupted by a recess of a width substantially the same as the diameter of the largest bit to be used;   adjustable means for securing said fence .[.flat against.]. .Iadd.to .Iaddend.said router base.[., with.]. .Iadd.to locate .Iaddend.said straight edge parallel to a line passing perpendicularly through the axis of the bit, said adjustable means enabling adjustment of said fence in a direction perpendicular to said straight edge, said adjustable means comprising a sub-base having a first face secured against said router base and having a second .[.base.]. .Iadd.face .Iaddend.remote from said router base including a groove extending radially with respect to the axis of said center aperture, and said fence including a tongue projecting from said first surface thereof and aligned with said direction of adjustment, and means adjustable along said groove independently of said fence and including at least one trammel point.   
     
     
       2. In combination: a router having a flat base with a center aperture through which a selected router bit may project axially for peripheral engagement with the edge of a work piece to trim the edge of an overlay laminate flush with the edge of an underlying member;   a flat guide fence to be secured with respect to said base with one face of the fence turned toward the router, said fence including a straight edge having a length of the same order of magnitude as a transverse dimension of said base, said edge having a rabbet extending along said one face, of selected width and of depth no less than the thickness of the overlay laminate;   and means securing said fence flat against said base with said straight edge parallel to a line passing perpendicularly through the axis of the bit, for adjustment in a direction perpendicular to said straight edge to a position spaced from said axis by the radius of the bit.   
     
     
       3. The structure of claim 2 in which said straight edge is centrally interrupted by a recess of a width substantially the same as the diameter of the largest bit to be used. 
     
     
       4. A router guide fence of flat material having a first face to be directed toward the router, said fence including: a straight edge centrally interrupted by a recess of a width .[.sbstantially.]. .Iadd.substantially .Iaddend.the same as the diameter of the largest bit to be used, said edge further having a rabbet extending along said one face, of selected .[.with.]. .Iadd.width .Iaddend.and depth;   and adjustable means for use in securing said fence with respect to a router, including at least one tongue and one groove extending perpendicular to said straight edge.   
     
     
       5. A router guide assembly particularly useful in trimming the edge of an overlay laminate flush with the edge of an underlying member comprising a flat sub-base, a flat guide fence, and adjustable means connecting said fence to said sub-base; said sub-base including means for use in securing the same to the base of a router and having a central aperture to be traversed axially by a selected bit in the router;   said fence having a first face to be directed toward the sub-base, and including a straight edge centrally interrupted by a recess of width substantially the same as the diameter of the largest router bit to be used, said edge further having a rabbet extending along said one face, of selected width and of depth no less than the thickness of the overlay laminate;   and said adjustable means including at least one tongue and one groove extending perpendicular to said straight edge. .Iadd.   
     
     
       6.  The structure of claim 1 wherein: said fence has another edge means generally opposite the straight edge, and a second recess in said edge means for accommodating a bit, said tongue extending between said first and second recesses across the first face of the fence along a line that is perpendicular to the straight edge and having ends that are located closely adjacent the first and second recesses, said fence being selectively mounted on the sub-base with the tongue located in the groove in a first position wherein the straight edge can engage the edge of the work piece and in a second position wherein the edge means can engage the edge of the work piece, and means engageable with said sub-base releasably connected to said tongue to selectively hold said fence in adjusted first and second positions on said sub-base. .Iaddend. .Iadd.7. The structure of claim 1 wherein: said tongue has threaded means adjacent each end thereof, and means engageable with said sub-base releasably connected to said tongue and cooperating with one of said threaded means to hold the fence on the sub-base. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. The structure of claim 1 wherein: said sub-base has a linear slot closed at the opposite ends thereof, said slot being aligned with said groove, said groove being open at its outer end and extended inwardly almost to the central aperture to limit the inward position of the fence and preclude the bit from engaging the fence. .Iaddend. 9. The structure of claim 1 wherein: said first face of the sub-base has a boss surrounding the central aperture adapted to interfit 
     
     
        with the router base.  .Iadd.10.  The structure of claim 1 wherein: the first face of the fence has a portion thereof extended from the straight edge and spaced below the second face of the sub-base providing a space between the first face of the fence and the second face of the sub-base, said space accommodating an edge of a laminate secured to a work piece whereby the bit can trim the edge of the laminate flush with the edge of 
     
     
        the work piece. .Iadd.11.  The structure of claim 1 wherein: said fence has edge means having a second recess opposite the straight edge, a first rabbet extended along and located in said straight edge, and a second rabbet located in said edge means adjacent the second means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. A guide for a router having a power unit drivably connected to a bit used to cut a work piece, a base mounted on the power unit having a bottom with a central aperture, said bit projecting through said aperture comprising: a guide fence having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, straight edge means having a length of at least the length of the bottom of the base for guiding the bit relative to an edge of a work piece, said straight edge means being divided into first and second straight edge sections, a first recess centrally interrupting said straight edge means located between said first and second straight edge sections, said first recess having a width substantially the same as the diameter of the largest bit to be used, said first and second straight edge sections being generally equal in length and longer than the width of said first recess, second and third edges opposite said straight edge means, said second and third edges being mutally perpendicular, the angle between said second and third edges being bisected by a line that is perpendicular to said straight edge means, and a second recess to accommodate a bit separating said second and third edges, said first and second recesses being located along the line that is perpendicular to said straight edge means, tongue means located on and joined to the first surface of the fence extended only between said first and second recesses along the line that is perpendicular to said straight edge means, said tongue means projected away from said first surface of the fence and extended perpendicular to said straight edge means, said tongue means having at least one threaded means, sub-base means for securing said fence to said base of the router to locate said straight edge means parallel to a line passing perpendicularly through the axis of the bit, said sub-base means having a seat portion attachable to the base of the router, said seat portion having a central hole to allow a selected bit to project away from the seat portion, said sub-base means having an arm portion joined to the seat portion and extended laterally therefrom, said arm portion having a single linear slot extended along a line projected radially from the central aperture in the seat portion, a single linear groove in the seat portion and arm portion linearly aligned and open to said slot, said groove being wider than said slot, said groove having an open outer end and a width to slidably engage the tongue means whereby said fence is linearly movable relative to said sub-base means to adjust said fence in a direction perpendicular to said straight edge means, said fence being selectively mounted on the sub-base with the tongue means located in the groove in a first position wherein the straight edge means can engage the edge of the work piece and a second position wherein adjacent end portions of the second and third edges can engage the edge of the work piece, and means engageable with said arm portion and cooperating with said threaded means to selectively hold said fence in adjusted first and second positions on said sub-base means, said groove adapted to accommodate means adjustable along said groove independently of said fence and including at 
     
     
        least one trammel point. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13.  The guide of claim 12 wherein: said first and second straight edge sections extend laterally in opposite directs from opposite portions of the seat portion of the 
     
     
        sub-base means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14.  The guide of claim 12 wherein: said second and third edges extend at right angles to said first straight edge section. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. The guide of claim 12 wherein: said tongue means has ends that are located closely adjacent the first and second recesses. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. The guide of claim 12 wherein: said tongue means has threaded means adjacent each end thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. The guide of claim 12 wherein: said linear slot is closed at the opposite ends thereof, said slot being aligned with said groove, said groove being open at its outer end and extended inwardly almost to the central hole to limit the inward position of the fence and preclude the bit from engaging the fence. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. The guide of claim 12 wherein: said seat portion has a boss surrounding the central aperture therein adapted to interfit with the router base. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. The structure of claim 12 wherein: the first face of the fence has a portion thereof extended from the straight edge and spaced below the second face of the sub-base, said space accommodating an edge of a laminate secured to a work piece whereby the bit can trim the edge of laminate flush with the edge of the work piece. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. The guide of claim 12 including: a first rabbet extended along said first and second straight edge sections, and a second rabbet located in said second and third edges adjacent the second 
     
     
        recess. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21.  In combination: a router having a power unit drivably connected to a selected bit used to cut a work piece, said router having a base mounted on the power unit having a bottom with a central aperture of a size to allow the bit to project through said central aperture, a guide fence having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, straight edge means on said fence having a length of at least the bottom of the base for guiding the bit relative to an edge of a work piece, said straight edge means divided into first and second straight edge sections, a first recess centrally interupting said straight means located between said first and second straight edge sections, said first recess having a width substantially the same as the diameter of the largest bit to be used, said first and second straight edge sections being generally equal in length and each having a length longer than the width of the first recess, second and third edges opposite said straight edge means, said second and third edges being bisected by a line that is perpendicular to said straight edge, a second recess separating said second and third edges to accommodate a bit, said first and second recesses being located along the line that is perpendicular to said straight edge, tongue means located on and joined to the first surface of the fence extended between the first and second recesses along the line that is perpendicular to said straight edge, said tongue means projected away from said first surface of the fence and extended perpendicular to said straight edge means, said tongue means having at least one threaded means, sub-base means for securing said fence to said base of the router to locate said straight edge means parallel to a line passing perpendicularly through the axis of the bit, said sub-base means having a seat portion connected to the base of the router, said seat portion having a central hole aligned with the aperture in the base to allow a selected bit to project away from the seat portion, said sub-base having an arm portion joined to the seat portion and extended laterally therefrom, said arm portion having a single linear slot extended along a line radially from the central hole of the seat portion, a single linear groove in the seat portion an arm porton, said groove being linearly sligned with said slot and wider than said slot, said groove having an open outer end and a width to slidably engage the tongue means whereby said fence is linearly movable relative to said sub-base means, said fence being selectively mounted on the sub-base with the tongue means located in the groove in a first position wherein the straight edge means can engage the edge of the work piece, and means engageable with said arm portion cooperating with said threaded means to selectively hold the fence in adjusted first and second positons on said sub-base means, said groove adapted to accommodate means adjustable along said groove independently of 
     
     
        said fence and including at least one trammel point. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The structure of claim 21 wherein: said first and second straight edge sections extend laterally in opposite directions from opposite portions of the seat portion of the sub-base means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. The structure of claim 21 wherein: said second and third edges are each linear edges located at right angles to each other. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The structure of claim 21 wherein: said tongue has ends that are located closely adjacent the first and second recesses. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The structure of claim 21 wherein: said tongue means has a threaded means adjacent each end thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. The structure of claim 21 wherein: said linear slot is closed at the opposite ends thereof, said slot being aligned with said groove, said groove being open at its outer end and extended inwardly almost to the central hole to limit the inward position of the fence and preclude the bit from engaging the fence. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. The structure of claim 21 wherein: the seat portion has a boss surrounding the central aperture which interfits with the router base. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. The structure of claim 21 including: a rabbet in each of said first and second straight edge sections. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The structure of claim 21 including: a first rabbet extended along said first and second straight edge sections and a second rabbet located in said second and third edges adjacent the second recess. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A guide for a router having a power unit drivably connected to a bit used to cut a work piece, a base mounted on the power unit having a bottom with central aperture, said bit projecting through said aperture comprising: a guide fence having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, straight edge means having a length of at least the length of the bottom of the base for guiding the bit relative to an edge of a work piece, said straight edge means divided into first and second straight edge sections, a first recess centrally interrupting said straight edge means located between said first and second straight edge sections, said first recess havig a width substantially the same as the diameter of the largest bit to be used, said first and second straight edge sections being generally equal in length and longer than the width of said recess, edge means on the side of the fence opposite said straight edge means, a second recess in said edge means to accommodate a bit, said first and second recesses being located along the line that is perpendicular to said straight edge means, tongue means located on and joined to the first surface of the fence extended between said first and second recess along the line that is perpendicular to said straight edge means, said tongue means projected away from said first surface of the fence and extended perpendicular to said straight edge means, said tongue means having at least one threaded means, sub-base means for securing said fence to said base of the router to locate said straight edge means parallel to a line passing perpendicularly through the axis of the bit, said sub-base means having a seat portion attachable to the base of the router, said seat portion having a central hole to allow a selected bit to project away from the seat portion, said sub-base means having an arm portion joined to the seat portion and extended laterally therefrom, said arm portion having a single linear slot extended along a line projected radially from the central aperture in the seat portion, a single linear groove in the seat portion and arm portion, said groove being linearly aligned and open to said slot and wider than said slot, said groove having an open outer end and a width to slidably engage the tongue means whereby said fence is linearly movable relative to said sub-base means to adjust said fence in a direction perpendicular to said straight edge, said fence in a direction perpendicular to said straight edge, said fence being selectively mounted on the sub-base with the tongue means located in the groove in a first position wherein the straight edge can engage the edge of the work piece and a second position wherein the edge means can engage the edge of the work piece, and means engageable with said arm portion and cooperating with said threaded means to hold said fence in adjusted first and second positions in said sub-base means, said groove adapted to accommodate means adjustable along said groove independently of said fence and including at least one trammel point. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. The guide of claim 30 wherein: said first and second straight edge sections extend laterally in opposite directions from opposite portions of the seat portion of the sub-base means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. The guide of claim 30 wherein: said tongue means has opposite ends located closely adjacent the first and second recesses. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. The guide of claim 30 wherein: said tongue means has a threaded means adjacent each end thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. The guide of claim 30 wherein: said linear slot is closed at the opposite ends thereof, said slot being aligned with said groove, said groove being open at its outer end and extended inwardly almost to the central hole to limit the inward position of the fence and preclude the bit from engaging the fence. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. The guide of claim 30 wherein: said seat portion has a boss surrounding the central aperture therein adapted to interfit with the router base. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. The guide of claim 30 including: a rabbet in each of said first and second straight edge sections. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. The guide of claim 30 including: a first rabbet extended along the first and second straight edge sections and a second rabbet located in said edge means adjacent the 
     
     
        second recess. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38.  In combination: a router having a flat base with a bottom including a central aperture through which a selected router bit may project axially for peripheral engagement with an edge of a work piece; a guide fence having first and second flat faces to be secured with respect to the bottom of the router base with the first face of the fence turned toward the router, said fence including a straight edge having a length of the bottom of the base for guiding the router bit relative to an edge of a work piece, said edge being centrally interrupted by a recess of a width substantially the same as the diameter of the largest bit to be used; adjustable means for securing said fence to said router base to locate said straight edge parallel to a line passing perpendicularly through the axis of the bit, said adjustable means enabling adjustment of said fence in a direction perpendicular to said straight edge, said adjustable means comprising a sub-base having a first portion secured against said router base and a second portion remote from said router base including a groove extending radially with respect to the axis of said center aperture, said fence including a tongue projected from said first face thereof into said groove and aligned with said direction of adjustment, means engageable with said second portion releasably connected to said tongue to hold said fence in an adjusted position on said sub-base, and said groove adapted to accommodate means adjustable along said groove independently of said fence and including at least one trammel point. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. The structure of claim 38 wherein: said sub-base has a central hole through which a selected router bit can project, said groove being open at its outer end and extending inwardly almost to the central hole, said tongue being slidably located in said groove to adjust the position of the fence relative to the router bit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. The structure of claim 39 wherein: said sub-base has an elongated slot having closed ends open to the groove extended radially with respect to the axis of the center aperture and fastener means extended through said slot into said fence to retain the tongue in the groove and to fix the position of the fence with respect to the sub-base. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. The structure of claim 40 wherein: said tongue has opposite ends, and said fence has a pair of threaded means located adjacent opposite ends of the tongue, said fastener means including screw means extended through the slot adapted to cooperate with either of the threaded means to fix the position of the fence with respect to the sub-base. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. The structure of claim 38 wherein: said fence has a rabbet open to the first surface of the fence extended along the entire length of said straight edge of selected width and depth. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43. The structure of claim 38 wherein: the first face of the fence has a portion thereof extended from the straight edge and spaced below the second face of the sub-base, said space accommodating the edge of a laminate secured to a work piece whereby the bit can trim the edge of the laminate flush with the edge of the work piece. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44. In combination: a router having a base with a bottom including a central aperture through which a selected bit may project axially for peripheral engagement with an edge of a laminate secured to a work piece to trim the edge of the laminate flush with the edge of the work piece; a guide fence, having first and second flat faces, to be secured with respect to the bottom of the router base with the first face of the fence turned toward the router, said fence including a straight edge having a length of the bottom of the base for guiding the router bit relative to the edge of the work piece, said straight edge being centrally interrupted by a first recess of a width substantially the same as the diameter of the largest bit to be used, said first recess dividing said straight edge into first and second edge sections, said first and second straight edge sections being generally equal in length, said fence having another edge generally opposite the straight edge, and a second recess in said edge means for accommodating a bit, adjustable means for securing said fence to said router base to locate said straight edge parallel to a line passing perpendicularly through the axis of the bit, said adjustable means enabling adjustment of said fence in a direction perpendicular to said straight edge, said adjustable means comprising a sub-base having a first seat portion having a hole for the bit and a face secured against said bottom of the router base and a second arm portion remote from said router base including a groove extending radially with respect to the axis of said hole, and said fence including a tongue joined to and projected upwardly from said first face thereof into said groove and aligned with said direction of adjustment, said first face of the fence having a portion thereof extended from the straight edge and spaced below the second face of the sub-base, said space accommodating the edge of a laminate secured to the work piece whereby the bit can trim the edge of the laminate flush with the edge of the work piece, said tongue extending between said first and second recesses across the first face of the fence along a line that is perpendicular to the straight edge, said fence being selectively mounted on the sub-base with the tongue located in the groove in a first position wherein the straight edge can engage the edge of the work piece and a second position wherein the edge means can engage the edge of the work piece, means engageable with said arm portion releasably connected to said tongue to selectively hold said fence in adjusted first and second positions on said sub-base, and said groove adapted to accommodate means adjustable along said groove independently of said fence and including at least one trammel point. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45. The structure of claim 44 wherein: said groove is open at its outer end and extending inwardly almost to said hole to limit the inward position of the fence and preclude the bit from engaging the fence, said tongue being slidably located in the groove to adjust the position of the fence relative to the router bit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. The structure of claim 45 wherein: said arm portion of the sub-base has an elongated slot having closed ends open to the groove and extended radially with respect to said aperture, said means engageable with said arm portion releasably connected to said tongue comprising fastener means extended through said slot into the fence to retain the tongue in the groove and fix the position of the fence with respect to the sub-base. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47. The structure of claim 46 wherein: said tongue has opposite ends, and said fence has a pair of threaded means located adjacent opposite ends of the tongue, said fastener means including screw means extended through the slot adapted to cooperate with either of the threaded means to fix the position of the fence with respect to the sub-base. .Iaddend.