Switch box for power tools with safety systems

• US 7,525,055 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2006
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sawstop Holding LLC
• Original Assignee: SD3, LLC
• Inventors: Fanning, David A., Gass, Stephen F., Fulmer, J. David
• Primary Examiner(s): Enad; Elvin G
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAROC, LHEIREN MAE ANGLO
• Application Number:
  US11/401,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20060180451A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 200/50.37
• US Class Current: 200/50.37
• 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 3/12 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: H01H 27/00 Switches operated by a removable member, e.g. key, plug or plate; Switches operated by setting members according to a single predetermined combination out of several possible settings combined with plug-and-socket connectors H01R13/70; with current-carrying plug H01R31/08
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/022 Emergency operating parts, e.g. for stop-switch in dangerous conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/161 comprising light emitting elements
• 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 83/175 With condition sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/178 Responsive to work
• 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 83/7788 Tool carrier oscillated or rotated

Abstract

Switch boxes for power tools with safety systems are disclosed. The switch boxes are particularly useful for woodworking equipment such as table saws equipped with safety systems that detect and react to dangerous conditions. The switch boxes may include a power switch, a start/stop switch, a bypass switch and a visual indicator.

Claims

1. A switch box for use with a woodworking machine having a cutting blade, a motor adapted to move the blade, a control subsystem adapted to control the motor, and a safety system to detect contact or proximity between a person and the blade, the switch box comprising:

a housing;

a first switch at least partially supported by the housing and switchable between an “

off”

position and an “

on”

position in which power is switched to the control subsystem and to the safety system so that the safety system can function as intended if it is operable;

a second switch at least partially supported by the housing and configured to trigger the operation of the motor, where the second switch will not trigger the operation of the motor until after the first switch has switched power to the control subsystem and to the safety system; and

a light system that illuminates when the first switch is in the “

on”

position regardless of the operability of the safety system, where the light system illuminates in a first manner to indicate if the safety system is operable and where the light system illuminates in a second manner distinguishable from the first manner to indicate if the safety system is inoperable.

2. The switch box of claim 1, where the second switch is a paddle switch.

3. The switch box of claim 1, where the first switch includes a portion that may be removed to disable the switch from switching power to the control subsystem.

4. The switch box of claim 1, where the light system includes at least two light emitting diodes.

5. The switch box of claim 1, where the light system includes a green light and a red light.

6. The switch box of claim 1, where the light system includes a first light to illuminate in the first manner and a second light to illuminate in the second manner.

7. The switch box of claim 1, for use with a woodworking machine having a bypass system to deactivate the safety system, where the light system illuminates in a third manner distinguishable from the first and second manners to indicate the bypass system has deactivated the safety system.

8. The switch box of claim 1, where the light system includes a green light to illuminate in the first manner and a red light to illuminate in the second manner.

9. The switch box of claim 1, where the light system includes a green light to illuminate in the first manner and a red light to illuminate in the second manner, and where at least one of the green and red lights illuminates when the first switch is switched to the “

on”

position.