Radial arm saw safety top

• US 7,044,039 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2004
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael S. Powell
• Original Assignee: Michael S. Powell
• Inventors: Powell, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dexter, Clark F.
• Application Number:
  US10/930,928
• Publication Number:
  US 20060042439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 83/24, 831/00, 833/75, 833/91, 833/971, 833/98, 834/52, 834/59, 834/671, 834/681, 834/712, 834/78, 834/85, 83487-489, 835/20, 835/221.5, 83544-546, 835/78, 835/81, 144/251.1, 144/252.1, 144/252.2, 451/451, 451/453, 451/456, 451/457
• US Class Current: 83/100
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 45/025 Radial sawing machines
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 47/025 of tables
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 47/04 of devices for feeding, positioning, clamping, or rotating work
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/006 for removing or collecting chips
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 11/0046 by sucking
• CPC Class Codes: B27B 5/30 for mounting or securing saw blades or saw spindles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/10 Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/207 By suction means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7533 With biasing or counterbalancing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7607 Normal to plane of cut
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7693 Tool moved relative to work-support during cutting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7734 With guard for tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7763 Tool carrier reciprocable rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/828 With illuminating or viewing means for work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/853 Indicates tool position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/872 With guard means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8722 Static
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/929 Tool or tool with support

Abstract

A radial arm saw is adapted with a safety top configured with cutting box enclosure that contains and collects substantially all of the sawdust generated during use. A dust collection system is in fluid communication with the cutting box for removing the sawdust contained therein. Spring biased push blocks function to hold the work piece in place during the sawing process while maintaining the user'"'"'s hands safely away from the saw blade. A laser alignment device projects a beam within the cutting box along the cutting plane. A control panel is provided to allow use by authorized users upon entry of an authorization code.

Claims

1. In combination with a radial arm saw assembly comprising a table having a top and a rip fence projecting upward therefrom, a vertical column extending upwardly near the rear of the top, a radial arm extending horizontally from the top of the column, a rotary power saw suspended below the radial arm by a carriage adapted for travel along the length of radial arm, the saw including a rotating blade, a protective blade shroud, and a handle, the improvement comprising:

a work surface mounted to the table top;

at least one push handle in slidable engagement with said work surface for movement toward and away from said rip fence;

a cutting box disposed on top of the work surface, said cutting box defining an interior bounded by a top in spaced relation with said work surface, opposing side walls, and front and rear walls;

at least one of said side walls defining an opening therein with brush bristles disposed in said opening to allow a work piece to be at least partially inserted within said cutting box through said opening;

said cutting box top defining an elongate slotted aperture for receiving the lower portion of the saw blade as the blade travels during the sawing process; and

said cutting box interior in fluid communication with dust collection structure for collecting sawdust.

2. The combination of claim 1, further including a laser alignment device projecting a beam along said cutting box top slotted aperture toward the saw blade.

3. The combination of claim 1, further including said protective blade shroud including downwardly projecting brush bristles connected along a lower peripheral edge thereof, said brush bristles engaging the top of said cutting box.

4. A safety top for use in combination with a radial arm saw assembly comprising a table having a top, a vertical column extending upwardly near the rear of the top, a radial arm extending horizontally from an uppermost portion of the column, a rotary power saw suspended below the radial arm by a carriage adapted for travel along the length of radial arm, the saw including a rotating blade, a protective blade shroud, and a handle, comprising:

a planar top work surface mounted on the table top, said planar top work surface including a rip fence extending vertically upward therefrom, and at least one push handle in slidable engagement with said top work surface for movement toward and away from said rip fence;

a cutting box disposed on top of the work surface, said cutting box defining an interior bounded by a top in spaced relation with said work surface, opposing side walls, and front and rear walls;

at least one of said side walls including an opening therein, the opening having brush bristles disposed therein to allow a work piece to be at least partially inserted within said cutting box through said opening;

said cutting box top defining an elongate slotted aperture for receiving the lower portion of the saw blade as the blade travels during the sawing process; and

said cutting box interior in fluid communication with dust collection structure for collecting sawdust.

5. A safety top for use in combination with a radial arm saw assembly according to claim 4, further including means for projecting a light beam toward the saw blade in alignment with said cutting box top slotted aperture.

6. A safety top for use in combination with a radial arm saw assembly according to claim 4, further including a protective saw blade shroud disposed in partial covering relation with said saw blade, said shroud having a lower peripheral edge portion defining an opening, said lower peripheral edge including downwardly projecting brush bristles in sweeping engagement with said cutting box top.