Translation stop for use in power equipment

• US 6,957,601 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2001
• Issued: 10/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sawstop Holding LLC
• Original Assignee: SD3, LLC
• Inventors: Huebner, Randall J., Fanning, David A., Gass, Stephen F., Fulmer, J. David
• Primary Examiner(s): ASHLEY, BOYER DOLINGER
• Application Number:
  US09/955,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20020020265A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,499 Days
• Field of Search: 83D/IG.1, 834/87, 834/88, 834/771, 834/772, 835/44, 833/97, 834/90, 83/58, 834/712, 834/85, 83/62, 83/72, 83/768, 835/81, 834/91, 83/621, 835/26, 833/571, 834/713, 83/767, 144/154.5, 144/356, 144/384, 144/391, 144/427, 144/286.5, 797/08, 792/54, 794/13, 408/5, 56/104, 56/113, 192/192.A, 192/129.R, 192/130, 74/2
• US Class Current: 83/62.1
• 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: B23Q 11/0092 actuating braking or stopping means
• 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: 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: 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 83/7693 Tool moved relative to work-support during cutting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7722 Support and tool relatively adjustable
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8858 Fluid pressure actuated

Abstract

Woodworking machines are disclosed having a blade adapted to cut workpieces, and an actuating mechanism operable to move the blade toward the workpiece. The machines also include a detection system configured to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a user and the blade, and a reaction system configured to stop the movement of the blade toward the user upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.

Claims

1. An up-cut chop saw, comprising:

a frame;

a work surface supported by the frame and adapted to support a workpiece;

a rotatable blade configured to cut a workpiece on the work surface by moving from below the work surface to a position where at least part of the blade is above the work surface, where the blade is electrically isolated so that it may carry an electric signal;

at least one brace member coupled to move upward with the blade,

at least one motor configured to drive the blade;

at least one actuating mechanism operable to move the blade upward to a position where at least part of the blade is above the work surface;

a detection system adapted to impart an electric signal to the blade and to monitor the signal for a predetermined change indicative of contact between a person and the blade; and

a reaction system configured to retract the blade from a position where at least part of the blade is above the work surface to a position where the blade is completely below the work surface upon detection by the detection system of the predetermined change indicative of contact between a person and the blade;

where the actuating mechanism is further operable to lower the blade below the work surface after the blade has been moved to a position where at least part of the blade is above the work surface;

where the reaction system is configured to operate the actuating mechanism to lower the blade upon detection by the detection system of the predetermined change indicative of contact between a person and the blade; and

where the reaction system includes a brake mechanism configured to engage the brace member and stop the upward motion of the blade upon detection by the detection system of the predetermined change indicative of contact between a person and the blade.

2. An up-cut chop saw, comprising:

a frame;

a work surface supported by the frame and adapted to support a workplace;

a rotatable blade configured to cut a workpiece on the work surface by moving from below the work surface to a position where at least part of the blade is above the work surface, where the blade is electrically isolated so that it may carry an electric signal;

at least one brace member coupled to move upward with the blade,

at least one motor configured to drive the blade;

at least one actuating mechanism operable to move the blade upward to a position where at least part of the blade is above the work surface;

a detection system adapted to impart an electric signal to the blade and to monitor the signal for a predetermined change indicative of contact between a person and the blade; and

a reaction system configured to retract the blade from a position where at least part of the blade is above the work surface to a position where the blade is completely below the work surface upon detection by the detection system of the predetermined change indicative of contact between a person and the blade; and

where the reaction system includes a brake mechanism configured to engage the brace member and stop the upward motion of the blade upon detection by the detection system of the predetermined change indicative of contact between a person and the blade.