Brake positioning system

• US 20080029184A1
• Filed: 06/11/2007
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sawstop Holding LLC
• Original Assignee: SD3, LLC
• Inventors: Gass, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 7,832,314 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 144/382
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 47/08 of devices for bringing the circular saw blade to the workpiece or removing same therefrom
• 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 13/14 Braking devices specially designed for band sawing machines, e.g. acting after damage of the band saw blade
• 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 19/00 Safety guards or devices specially adapted for wood saws; Auxiliary devices facilitating proper operation of wood saws
• CPC Class Codes: B27G 19/02 for circular saws
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/12 with means, e.g. feelers, which in case of the presence of a body part of a person in or near the danger zone influence the control or operation of the machine F16P3/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/145 using magnetic technology
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/147 using electro-magnetic technology, e.g. tags or radar
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/148 using capacitive technology
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 83/01 Safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/081 With randomly actuated stopping means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/089 Responsive to tool characteristic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/141 With means to monitor and control operation [e.g., self-regulating means]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/613 Work guard
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7697 Tool angularly adjustable relative to work-support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7705 Adjustable angular relationship
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7726 By movement of the tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/773 Work-support includes passageway for tool [e.g., slotted table]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/778 And means to rotate tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7788 : Tool carrier oscillated or rotated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8773 : Bevel or miter cut

Abstract

A saw is disclosed having a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a saw blade, and a brake adapted to stop the saw blade in response to detection of the dangerous condition. The saw further includes a brake positioning system that allows the brake to be positioned in at least two different operable positions to accommodate at least two different blade diameters. The saw may include a system to detect brake-to-blade spacing.

Claims

1. A woodworking machine comprising:

a blade;

a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade;

a mounting pin;

a brake supported by the mounting pin, where the brake is adapted to decelerate the blade in response to detection of the dangerous condition; and

a brake positioning system configured to pivot the brake on the mounting pin, thereby to selectively position the brake relative to the blade.

2. The woodworking machine of claim 1, where the dangerous condition is contact between a person and the blade.

3. The woodworking machine of claim 1, where the dangerous condition is proximity between a person and the blade.

4. The woodworking machine of claim 1, where the machine is a table saw.

5. The woodworking machine of claim 1, where the blade is a circular blade with a cutting edge at its perimeter.

6. The woodworking machine of claim 5, where the mounting pin is positioned beyond the cutting edge of the blade.

7. The woodworking machine of claim 1, where the blade has a cutting edge, and where the brake positioning system is configured to pivot the brake toward and away from the cutting edge.

8. The woodworking machine of claim 1, where the blade is planar and where the brake positioning system is configured to pivot the brake around an axis perpendicular to the plane of the blade.

9. A woodworking machine comprising:

a working portion adapted to work when moving, the working portion having a diameter and a cutting edge;

a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the working portion;

a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place relative to the working portion upon detection of the dangerous condition, where the reaction system includes a component having a pre-actuation position adjacent and radially beyond the cutting edge, and where the component is adapted to move from beyond the cutting edge into contact with the cutting edge; and

a positioning system adapted to allow the component to be positioned in more than one pre-actuation position adjacent and radially beyond the cutting edge.

10. The woodworking machine of claim 9, where the machine is a table saw.

11. The woodworking machine of claim 9, where the working portion is a blade.

12. The woodworking machine of claim 9, where the working portion is a circular blade with a cutting edge at its perimeter.

13. The woodworking machine of claim 9, where the machine is a table saw and the working portion is a circular blade.

14. The woodworking machine of claim 9, where the dangerous condition is contact between a person and the working portion.

15. The woodworking machine of claim 9, where the dangerous condition is proximity between a person and the working portion.

16. The woodworking machine of claim 9, where the positioning system includes a mechanism to maintain the component in its pre-actuation condition until the dangerous condition is detected.

17. The woodworking machine of claim 16, where the mechanism to maintain the component in its pre-actuation condition includes a positioning pin.

18. The woodworking machine of claim 9, where the component is a brake pawl.

19. The woodworking machine of claim 9, where the component is adapted to pivot from beyond the cutting edge into contact with the cutting edge.

20. The woodworking machine of claim 19, where the working portion is a planar blade and the component is adapted to pivot around an axis perpendicular to the plane of the blade.