Retraction system for use in power equipment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A table saw having a cutting region for cutting workpieces, the table saw comprising:
- a circular blade for cutting workpieces in the cutting region;
an arbor to support the blade;
an arbor block to support the arbor;
a pivot pin to pivotally support the arbor block;
a rack gear associated with the arbor block;
a worm gear to engage the rack gear;
a shaft associated with the worm gear and configured to turn the worm gear to move the rack gear and arbor block;
a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade; and
a reaction system associated with the detection system and the blade, where the reaction system is configured to retract the blade at least partially away from the cutting region upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system; and
a release mechanism adapted to hold the worm gear in place relative to the shaft during normal operation of the saw, and further adapted to release the worm gear relative to the shaft upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system, where the blade is free to retract when the worm gear is released.
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Abstract
Woodworking machines are disclosed having movable cutting tools for cutting workpieces in a cutting region. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the cutting tools, and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system is configured to retract the cutting tool at least partially away from the cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.
388 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A table saw having a cutting region for cutting workpieces, the table saw comprising:
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a circular blade for cutting workpieces in the cutting region; an arbor to support the blade; an arbor block to support the arbor; a pivot pin to pivotally support the arbor block; a rack gear associated with the arbor block; a worm gear to engage the rack gear; a shaft associated with the worm gear and configured to turn the worm gear to move the rack gear and arbor block; a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade; and a reaction system associated with the detection system and the blade, where the reaction system is configured to retract the blade at least partially away from the cutting region upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system; and a release mechanism adapted to hold the worm gear in place relative to the shaft during normal operation of the saw, and further adapted to release the worm gear relative to the shaft upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system, where the blade is free to retract when the worm gear is released. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A woodworking machine having a cutting region for cutting workpieces, the woodworking machine comprising:
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a circular blade for cutting workpieces in the cutting region; a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade; and a reaction system associated with the detection system and the blade, where the reaction system is configured to retract the blade at least partially away from the cutting region upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system; where the woodworking machine further comprises an arbor to support the blade, and where the reaction system includes a compressible bushing positioned between the arbor and the blade and configured to allow the blade to refract due to compression of the bushing.
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4. A woodworking machine having a cutting region for cutting workpieces, the woodworking machine comprising:
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a movable cutting tool for cutting workpieces in the cutting region; a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the cutting tool; a spring to retract the cutting tool at least partially away from the cutting region upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system; a restraint to prevent the spring from retracting the cutting tool until detection of the dangerous condition; and a release mechanism to release the restraint and allow the spring to refract the cutting tool, where the release mechanism is triggerable upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A band saw having a cutting region for cutting workpieces, the band saw comprising:
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a band blade for cutting workpieces in the cutting region; a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade; a reaction system associated with the detection system and the blade, where the reaction system is configured to retract the blade at least partially away from the cutting region upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system; and a roller positioned adjacent the blade and configured to retract the blade by pushing against the blade upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system.
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Specification