Miter saw with improved safety system

• US 7,698,976 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2008
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sawstop Holding LLC
• Original Assignee: SD3, LLC
• Inventors: Gass, Stephen F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alie; Ghassem
• Application Number:
  US12/220,946
• Publication Number:
  US 20080282858A1
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 83/58, 83/621, 834/771, 83D/IG.1, 834/88, 833/97, 835/44, 835/81, 834/73, 837/78, 83/768, 833/971, 834/712, 834/713, 834/90, 83/767, 834/85, 834/87, 144/356, 144/154, 144/365, 144/117.1, 144/118, 144/352
• US Class Current: 83/58
• 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 3/148 using capacitive technology
• 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 83/613 Work guard
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7693 Tool moved relative to work-support during cutting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7697 Tool angularly adjustable relative to work-support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7726 By movement of the tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7734 With guard for tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7788 Tool carrier oscillated or rotated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8773 Bevel or miter cut

Abstract

A miter saw is disclosed having a base, a blade supported by the base, a detection system adapted to detect contact between a person and the blade, and a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of the dangerous condition. The blade is rotatable, and moves into a cutting zone to cut a workpiece. The predetermined action may be to stop the blade from rotating.

Claims

1. A miter saw comprising:

a support structure having a cutting zone;

a swing arm above and movably attached to the support structure;

a rotatable blade supported by the swing arm;

a handle associated with the swing arm and adapted so that a user may grasp the handle to move the blade into the cutting zone;

a motor adapted to drive the blade;

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

a brake mechanism adapted to stop rotation of the blade upon detection by the detection system of contact between the blade and the person.

2. A miter saw comprising:

a support structure having a cutting zone;

a swing arm above and movably attached to the support structure;

a rotatable blade supported by the swing arm;

a handle associated with the swing arm and adapted so that a user may grasp the handle to move the blade into the cutting zone;

a motor adapted to drive the blade;

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

brake means for stopping rotation of the blade upon detection by the detection system of contact between the blade and the person.