System and Method for Rapidly Stopping a Spinning Table Saw Blade

• US 20080016998A1
• Filed: 10/02/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David Keller
• Original Assignee: David Keller
• Inventors: Keller, David
• Application Number:
  US11/865,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20080016998A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 83/13
• 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: B27B 5/38 Devices for braking the circular saw blade or the saw spindle; Devices for damping vibrations of the circular saw blade, e.g. silencing B23D47/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B27G 19/02 for circular saws
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/142 using image capturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/144 using light grids
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/148 using capacitive technology
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 83/01 Safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/04 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/081 With randomly actuated stopping means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/773 Work-support includes passageway for tool [e.g., slotted table]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8863 Explosive fluid

Abstract

A system for stopping a spinning table saw blade is comprised of a pin assembly disposed adjacent to a saw blade assembly for stopping a spinning saw blade. A receiving block is disposed on a side of the saw blade opposing the pin assembly for receiving the tip of the pin assembly. A driving assembly is coupled to the pin assembly for driving the pin assembly into the spinning saw blade into the receiving block. Finally, a sensing assembly is coupled to at least one of the saw blade assembly and the driving assembly for sensing encroachment of a user'"'"'s hand in a pre-defined zone. In use, upon sensing a user'"'"'s hand the sensing assembly signals the driving assembly to stop the spinning saw blade by driving the pin assembly through the saw blade and into the receiving block.

Claims

1. A system for stopping a spinning saw blade, comprising:

a pin assembly disposed adjacent to a saw blade assembly for stopping the spinning saw blade, the pin assembly including a first end, the first end including a pointed tip for piercing the saw blade;

a receiving block disposed on a side of the saw blade opposing the pin assembly for receiving the tip of the pin assembly;

a driving assembly coupled to the pin assembly for driving the pin assembly into the spinning saw blade and into the receiving block; and

a sensing assembly coupled to at least one of the saw blade assembly and the driving assembly for sensing encroachment of a user'"'"'s hand in a pre-defined zone,

wherein upon sensing a user'"'"'s hand the sensing assembly signals the driving assembly to stop the spinning saw blade by driving the pin assembly through the saw blade and into the receiving block.

2. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the sensing system comprises a video proximity device.

3. The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of claim 1, wherein the sensing assembly comprises a laser device.

4. The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of claim 1, wherein the sensing assembly comprises a sensor for detecting the difference between the electrical capacitance of a user'"'"'s hand and a workpiece.

5. The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of claim 1, wherein the sensing assembly comprises a sensor for detecting the difference between the electrical resistance of a user'"'"'s hand and a workpiece.

6. The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of claim 1, wherein the sensing assembly recognizes the differences between the shapes of human body parts and a workpiece.

7. The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of claim 1, wherein the pin assembly is actuated by a pyrotechnic device.

8. The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of claim 6, wherein the pyrotechnic device is included within a replaceable cartridge.

9. The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of claim 1, wherein the receiving block includes an aperture for receiving the pin assembly.

10. The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of claim 1, wherein the pin assembly is formed of hardened steel.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting system recognizes the difference between the shapes of human body parts and a workpiece.

11. A method of stopping a spinning saw blade, comprising:

detecting a user'"'"'s hand in a pre-defined zone by a detecting system; and

driving a pin assembly through the saw blade into a receiving block to stop the saw blade from spinning upon detecting the presence of the user'"'"'s hand.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the detecting system comprises a video proximity device.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the detecting system comprises a laser device.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the detecting system comprises a sensor for detecting the difference between the electrical capacitance of a user'"'"'s hand and a workpiece.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the detecting system comprises a sensor for detecting the difference between the electrical resistance of a user'"'"'s hand and a workpiece.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the pin assembly is actuated by a pyrotechnic device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the pyrotechnic device is included within a replaceable cartridge.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the receiving block includes an aperture for receiving the pin assembly.

20. A saw, comprising:

a pin assembly disposed adjacent to a saw blade assembly, the saw blade assembly being configured for receiving a saw blade, the pin assembly including a first end, the first end including a pointed tip for piercing the saw blade;

a receiving block disposed on a side of the saw blade opposing the pin assembly for receiving the tip of the pin assembly;

a driving assembly coupled to the pin assembly for driving the pin assembly into the saw blade and into the receiving block; and

a sensing assembly coupled to at least one of the saw blade assembly and the driving assembly for sensing encroachment of a user'"'"'s hand in a pre-defined zone,

wherein upon sensing a user'"'"'s hand the sensing assembly signals the driving assembly to stop the saw blade by driving the tip of the pin assembly through the saw blade and into the receiving block.