Michael J Lea

US Patent:

55032001, Apr 2, 1996

Filed:

Jun 17, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/261734

Inventors:

Michael F. Lea - Columbus OH

International Classification:

B27C 706
B27C 700

US Classification:

142 38

Abstract:

A shaft tapering device having a body block with a transverse borehole through which the shaft to be tapered is introduced. A recess in the top of the body block intersects the borehole, forming an aperture into which a cutting blade extends substantially tangential to the curvature of the borehole. A cradle attached to the body block includes a pair of parallel wing-like members spaced apart by spreaders at each end of the wings, which are pivotably mounted to the body block. Each wing has a notch formed in the upper edge thereof that is semicircular in the deepest part and on pivoting the wings the deepest part of the notches can be substantially aligned with the borehole. On holding a handle attached to the body block, pivoting the wings during rotation of a workpiece, and moving the device laterally, the work piece is quickly and controllably tapered, the notches in the wings of the cradle bringing the work piece to the cutting blade with the work piece substantially centered under the cutting edge at all times. A portable kit combines the tapering device with a guide frame having a longitudinal way joining a head stock with a tail stock, and with a tapering template extending between the two. A template follower attached to the forward spreader of the cradle rides on the template and automatically pivots the cradle as the device is slid along the way as the work piece is rotated by a drill motor mounted on the head stock.