BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure is directed to a fence and stop assembly system. More particularly, this disclosure is directed to a fence and stop assembly system having improved accuracy, consistency, and efficiency. Specifically, this disclosure is directed to a fence and stop assembly system having a fence and a selectively engageable and fine-adjustable stop assembly.

Background Information

When undertaking projects, such as, for example, woodworking or metal working projects, a worker may be required to perform repeatable operations on multiple workpieces. For example, a project may require a worker to crosscut multiple workpieces to the same length. As performing repeatable operations on multiple workpieces is typically difficult and time consuming, workers may look for tools to aid the process. However, conventional tools available to workers performing repeatable operations have some drawbacks including, among others, being inaccurate, inconsistent, and inefficient.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a fence and stop assembly system, comprising a fence configured to guide and/or secure a workpiece, a track defined in the fence extending along a length thereof, a stop assembly operably engaged with the track, and a stop portion of the stop assembly configured to engage the workpiece. At least a part of the stop portion may be positioned within the track. In some implementations, the entire stop assembly may be positioned between a top end and a bottom end of the fence.

The track may include a front opening, and the stop assembly may include a pivot shaft defining a pivot axis. The stop portion may be pivotable about the pivot axis between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In some implementations, when the stop portion pivots about the pivot axis from the disengaged position to the engaged position, at least a portion of the stop portion may pass through the front opening defined by the track.

The stop portion may include a stop surface configured to engage the workpiece. In some implementations, when the stop portion is in the disengaged position, the stop surface may face the track, and when the stop portion is in the engaged position, the stop surface may face a direction perpendicular to a front opening defined by the track. In some implementations, the stop portion may pivot about the pivot axis 90 degrees or less between the disengaged position and the engaged position.

The stop assembly may further include a locking assembly configured to engage the track and lock at least a part of the stop assembly at a desired location along the track. The stop assembly may further include a fine-adjustment assembly configured to move the stop portion in a linear direction.

The stop assembly may further include a first portion and a second portion operably engaged with the first portion. The locking assembly may be operably engaged with the first portion and the fine-adjustment assembly may be operably engaged with the second portion. In some implementations, the fine-adjustment assembly may be configured to move the second portion in a linear direction relative to the first portion. The stop portion may be operably engaged with the second portion. In some implementations, the fine-adjustment assembly may be configured to move the stop portion in a linear direction relative to the first portion.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a method, comprising: operably engaging a stop assembly with a track defined in a fence such that at least a part of a stop portion of the stop assembly is positioned within the track. The method may further include moving the stop portion in a linear direction along the track such that the entire stop assembly is positioned between a top end of the fence and a bottom end of the fence when the stop portion moves in the linear direction. The method may further include moving the stop portion in a linear direction along the track such that at least a portion of the stop portion is within the track as the stop portion moves in the linear direction.

The method may further include pivoting the stop portion, about a pivot axis defined by a pivot shaft of the stop assembly, through a front opening defined by the track to position the stop portion in an engaged position. The method may further include pivoting the stop portion, about a pivot axis defined by a pivot shaft of the stop assembly, to an engaged position such that a stop surface of the stop portion faces a direction perpendicular to a front opening defined by the track when the stop portion is in the engaged position. The method may further include pivoting the stop portion, about a pivot axis defined by a pivot shaft of the stop assembly, 90 degrees or less about the pivot axis to an engaged position.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a fence and stop assembly system and method of use thereof. The fence and stop assembly system may include a fence configured to guide and/or secure a workpiece, and a track defined in the fence extending along a length thereof. The stop assembly may be operably engaged with the track. The stop assembly may include a stop portion configured to engage the workpiece such that at least a part of the stop portion is positioned within the track. The method may include operably engaging a stop assembly with a track defined in a fence such that at least a part of a stop portion of the stop assembly is positioned within the track.

