Power tool with remote stop

• US 20050248303A1
• Filed: 07/23/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Weston, Jeffrey D., Garcia, Jaime E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,064,502 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/480
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/001 Measuring or control devices, e.g. for automatic control of work feed pressure on band saw blade measuring in general G01; controlling in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 11/0092 actuating braking or stopping means
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 9/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 388/937 Hand tool

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a power tool including a wireless remote stop for terminating the flow of electricity to an electric motor. The electric motor is configured for operating a working element assembly of a power tool, such as an arbor/circular saw blade included a table saw. In an embodiment, a remote stop is a hand-held fob, having a housing and a button. Alternatively, the remote stop may be implemented as a foot pedal apparatus, for being disposed on a shop floor.

Claims

1. A power tool, comprising:

a working tool assembly configured to receive a working tool for performing a task on a workpiece;

an electric motor operatively connected to the working tool assembly;

a receiver configured to receive a wireless signal;

a decoder coupled to the receiver, the decoder for recognizing an encoded signal;

a first switch included in the power tool for interrupting power supplied to the electric motor; and

a remote stop wirelessly coupled with the receiver, the remote stop including

an encoder for encoding a signal and

a transmitter coupled to the encoder, the transmitter configured to transmit a wireless signal, and

a second switch for initiating wireless transmission via the transmitter of a signal encoded via the encoder,

wherein the first switch is communicatively coupled with the decoder for terminating the flow of electricity to the electric motor upon recognition via the decoder of an encoded signal wirelessly received via the receiver.

2. The power tool of claim 1, further comprising a fob housing for substantially encompassing the remote stop.

3. The power tool of claim 2, wherein the fob is configured to be worn by a user.

4. The power tool of claim 1, further comprising a foot pedal coupled to the second switch such that manipulation of the foot pedal activates the second switch.

5. The power tool of claim 4, wherein constant actuation of the foot pedal is required to maintaining a flow of electricity to the motor.

6. The power of claim 1, wherein the second switch is connected to an accelerometer such that pre-selected acceleration of the remote stop activates the second switch.

7. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the encoder encodes a second signal to be transmitted to at least one of an external indicator or a remote monitor.

8. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits at least one of a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, or a microwave signal.

9. The power tool of claim 1, further comprising a visual indicator communicatively coupled with the remote stop.

10. The power tool of claim 1, wherein the first switch is integrated in an electric system included in the power tool, the electric system for supplying power to the electric motor.

11. A table saw, comprising:

an arbor configured to receive a circular saw blade for cutting a workpiece;

a receiver configured to receive a wireless signal;

a decoder coupled to the receiver, the decoder for recognizing an encoded signal;

an electric system including;

an electric motor operatively connected to the arbor; and

a first switch coupled to the electric motor for interrupting power supplied to the electric motor; and

a remote stop wirelessly coupled with the receiver, the remote stop including;

an encoder for encoding a signal; and

a transmitter coupled to the encoder, the transmitter configured to transmit a wireless signal, and

a second switch for initiating wireless transmission via the transmitter of a signal encoded via the encoder,

wherein the first switch is communicatively coupled with the decoder for terminating the flow of electricity to the electric motor upon recognition via the decoder of an encoded signal wirelessly received via the receiver.

12. The table saw of claim 11, further comprising a fob housing for substantially encompassing the remote stop.

13. The table saw of claim 12, wherein the fob is configured to be worn by a user.

14. The table saw of claim 11, further comprising a foot pedal coupled to the second switch such that manipulation of the foot pedal activates the second switch.

15. The table saw of claim 14, wherein constant actuation of the foot pedal is required to maintaining a flow of electricity to the motor.

16. The table saw of claim 11, wherein the second switch is connected to an accelerometer such that pre-selected acceleration of the remote stop activates the second switch.

17. The table saw of claim 11, wherein the encoder encodes a second signal to be transmitted to at least one of an external indicator or a remote monitor.

18. The table saw of claim 11, wherein the transmitter transmits at least one of a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, or a microwave signal.

19. The table saw of claim 11, further comprising a visual indicator communicatively coupled with the remote stop.

20. The table saw of claim 11, wherein the first switch is integrated in an electric system included in the power tool, the electric system for supplying power to the electric motor.

21. A power tool, comprising:

a working tool assembly configured to receive a working tool for performing a task on a workpiece;

an electric motor operatively connected to the working tool assembly;

a receiver configured to receive a wireless signal;

a first switch included in the power tool for interrupting power supplied to the electric motor; and

a remote stop wirelessly coupled with the receiver, the remote stop including

a transmitter configured to transmit a wireless signal, and

a second switch for initiating wireless transmission via the transmitter of a signal,

wherein the first switch is communicatively coupled with the receiver for terminating the flow of electricity to the electric motor upon receipt of a signal wirelessly received via the receiver.

22. A power tool, comprising:

a working tool assembly configured to receive a working tool for performing a task on a workpiece;

an electric motor operatively connected to the working tool assembly; and

means for remotely terminating the flow of electricity to the electric motor.

23. The power tool of claim 22, further comprising a fob housing for enclosing the remote terminating means.

24. The power tool of claim 22, further comprising a foot pedal coupled to the terminating means.