Replaceable brake mechanism for power equipment

• US 7,958,806 B2
• Filed: 11/02/2009
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sawstop Holding LLC
• Original Assignee: SD3, LLC
• Inventors: McDonald, Anwyl M., D'Ascenzo, David S., Jensen, Joel F., Gass, Stephen F., Johnston, Andrew L., Kim, Sung H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alie; Ghassem
• Application Number:
  US12/590,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20100132523A1
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 83/58, 83/621, 834/90, 834/71, 834/77, 834/711, 834/712, 835/81, 83D/IG.1, 833/971, 834/713, 834/78, 836/66, 83/72, 83/67, 834/73, 83/767, 834/81, 834/87, 834/85, 835/74, 834/89, 838/21, 838/23, 838/27, 144/356, 144/154, 144/365, 144/117.1, 144/118
• US Class Current: 83/58
• 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 19/00 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: 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 83/613 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 83/773 Work-support includes passageway for tool [e.g., slotted table]
• 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

Woodworking machines are disclosed having cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a safety system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the cutting tool, and to stop movement of the cutting tool upon detection of the dangerous condition. At least part of the safety system is housed in a removable cartridge substantially sealed against entry of sawdust.

Claims

1. A woodworking machine comprising:

a cutting tool adapted to cut a workpiece;

a motor adapted to drive the cutting tool;

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

a reaction system adapted to mitigate the dangerous condition upon detection of the dangerous condition, where at least part of the reaction system is housed in a cartridge, where the cartridge is designed to be installed and removed from the machine by hand without the use of tools, and where the cartridge is at least substantially sealed against entry of sawdust.

2. The machine of claim 1, where the cartridge includes at least one opening sealed by a plastic film.

3. The machine of claim 1, where the cartridge includes at least one opening sealed by a metal film.

4. The machine of claim 1, where the reaction system includes at least one brake pawl mounted in the cartridge, and where the brake pawl is selectively movable into contact with the cutting tool upon detection of the dangerous condition.

5. The machine of claim 1, where the reaction system includes at least one brake pawl and an actuator configured to move the brake pawl into contact with the cutting tool, and where the actuator is mounted in the cartridge.

6. The machine of claim 1, where the reaction system is a brake system adapted to decelerate the cutting tool upon detection of the dangerous condition, and where at least part of the brake system is housed in the cartridge.

7. The woodworking machine of claim 1, where the reaction system includes electronics housed in the cartridge.

8. The machine of claim 1, where the reaction system is a brake system adapted to decelerate the cutting tool upon detection of the dangerous condition, and where at least part of the brake system is housed in the cartridge.

9. A woodworking machine comprising:

a cutting tool adapted to cut a workpiece;

a motor adapted to drive the cutting tool;

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

a reaction system adapted to mitigate the dangerous condition, where at least part of the reaction system is housed in a cartridge and where the cartridge is designed to be installed and removed from the machine by hand without the use of tools; and

means for substantially sealing the cartridge against entry of sawdust.