Brake mechanism for power equipment

• US 8,402,869 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2010
• Issued: 03/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sawstop Holding LLC
• Original Assignee: SD3, LLC
• Inventors: Gass, Stephen F., Jensen, Joel F., McDonald, Anwyl M., D'Ascenzo, David S., Johnston, Andrew L.
• Primary Examiner(s): PRONE, JASON D
• Application Number:
  US12/807,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20110061768A1
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 83D/IG.1, 83/58, 83/62, 83/621, 83/72, 83/767, 837/88, 835/81, 834/712, 834/771, 834/772, 835/221.2, 835/26, 833/971, 835/221.21, 144/154.5, 144/356, 144/384, 144/391, 144/427, 144/286.5, 297/08, 292/54, 294/13, 324/550, 324/424, 408/5, 56/109, 56/113, 192/192.A, 192/129.R, 192/130, 102/202.7, 89/15.6, 137/68.12, 137/72, 137/76, 188/5, 188/6, 188/110, 188/189, 169/57, 169/59, 169/42, 169/DIG.3, 74/2, 403/2, 403/28, 411/2, 411/39, 411/390, 335/1, 335/242, 335/132, 318/362, 241/32.5, 337/239, 337/148, 337/1, 337/5, 337/10, 337/17, 337/140, 337/170, 337/190, 337/237, 337/401, 337/290, 337/404, 337/405, 218/2, 218/154, 307/639, 307/328, 307/115, 307/326, 307/142, 307/117, 307/126, 307/131, 451/409, 280/806, 297/480, 187/69, 187/77, 187/89, 187/189, 187/216, 187/166, 187/72.3
• US Class Current: 83/62
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 47/025 of tables
• 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: B26D 7/24 arranged to disable the operating means for the cutting member
• 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: B27G 19/06 for band or strap 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 3/14 the means being photocells or other devices sensitive without mechanical contact
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/148 using capacitive technology
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 9/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 83/01 Safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/04 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/081 With randomly actuated stopping means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/088 Responsive to tool detector or work-feed-means detector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/089 Responsive to tool characteristic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/091 Responsive to work sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/141 With means to monitor and control operation [e.g., self-regulating means]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/162 : With control means responsive to replaceable or selectable information program
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/175 : With condition sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/178 : Responsive to work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/541 : Actuation of tool controlled in response to work-sensing means
• 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 83/85 : Signal; e.g., alarm
• 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 detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the cutting tool. The machines also include a brake mechanism having one or more braking components adapted to engage and stop the cutting tool in response to the detection of a dangerous condition.

Claims

1. A method for minimizing potential injuries from a woodworking machine having a rotatable blade with one or more teeth, the method comprising:

detecting one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the blade;

stopping the rotation of the blade if one of the dangerous conditions is detected by pivoting a brake into the teeth of the blade; and

configuring the brake in the saw so that the brake self-locks against the blade upon contact with the teeth.

2. A method for minimizing potential injuries from a woodworking machine having a rotatable blade with one or more teeth, the method comprising:

detecting one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the blade;

decelerating the rotation of the blade if one of the dangerous conditions is detected by pivoting a pawl into the teeth of the blade; and

configuring the pawl in the saw so that the pawl self-locks against the blade upon contact with the teeth.

3. A method for minimizing potential injuries from a woodworking machine having a rotatable blade with one or more teeth, the method comprising:

detecting one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the blade; and

a step for stopping the rotation of the blade if one of the dangerous conditions is detected by pivoting a brake into the teeth of the blade so that the brake self-locks against the blade upon contact with the teeth.