Method of operating power equipment with detection and reaction systems

• US 8,408,106 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2012
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sawstop Holding LLC
• Original Assignee: SD3, LLC
• Inventors: Gass, Stephen F.
• Primary Examiner(s): PRONE, JASON D
• Application Number:
  US13/442,290
• Publication Number:
  US 20120260782A1
• Time in Patent Office: 358 Days
• Field of Search: 83D/IG.1, 83/58, 83/62, 83/621, 83/63, 83/72, 83/767, 837/88, 835/81, 834/712, 834/771, 834/772, 835/221.2, 835/26, 833/971, 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, 340/679, 340/680, 340/686.1, 340/687, 340/686.3, 340/686.6
• US Class Current: 83/62.1
• 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 and safety methods for use with those machines are disclosed. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system can include an explosive to trigger the system, and also can be configured to retract a cutting tool at least partially away from a cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.

Claims

1. A method of operating a woodworking machine having a cutting tool and a cutting region for cutting workpieces, the method comprising:

moving the cutting tool;

detecting a dangerous condition between a person and the cutting tool; and

pivoting the cutting tool at least partially away from the cutting region upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising firing an explosive to cause the pivoting of the cutting tool.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising stopping the pivoting of the cutting tool.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a stop to limit the pivoting of the cutting tool.

5. The method of claim 1, where the dangerous condition is contact between a person and the cutting tool.

6. The method of claim 1, where the dangerous condition is proximity of a person to the cutting tool.

7. The method of claim 1, where the woodworking machine is a table saw, where the cutting tool is a circular blade, where the table saw further comprises a rotatable arbor on which the circular blade is mounted, an arbor block adapted to support the arbor, and a support structure to which the arbor block is pivotally mounted, and where the pivoting of the cutting tool at least partially away from the cutting region upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system comprises pivoting the arbor and arbor block at least partially away from the cutting region.

8. A method of operating a table saw having a circular blade and a cutting region for cutting workpieces, the method comprising:

spinning the blade;

moving a workpiece in a feed direction into contact with the spinning blade to cut the workpiece;

detecting a dangerous condition between a person and the blade; and

pivoting the cutting tool at least partially away from the cutting region upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system, where the cutting tool pivots around an axis behind the blade relative to the feed direction.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising firing an explosive to cause the pivoting of the cutting tool.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising releasing a brake to cause the pivoting of the cutting tool.