Safety methods for use in power equipment

• US 8,061,245 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2004
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sawstop Holding LLC
• Original Assignee: SD3, LLC
• Inventors: Gass, Stephen F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alie; Ghassem
• Application Number:
  US10/984,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20050066784A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,570 Days
• Field of Search: 83/621, 83/58, 83/47, 83/12, 834/772, 834/90, 835/81, 83/72, 83D/IG.1, 83/62, 834/87, 834/88, 833/97, 834/771, 834/85, 834/713, 83/788, 83/767, 834/91, 835/26, 833/571, 835/44, 144/154.5, 144/356, 144/384, 144/391, 144/427, 144/286.5, 408/5, 408/10.4, 408/11.3, 56/104, 56/113, 74/2
• US Class Current: 83/58
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 45/06 with a circular saw blade arranged underneath a stationary work-table
• 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 47/12 of drives for circular saw blades
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 51/166 Devices for arresting movement of the saw blades B23D51/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 55/08 of devices for guiding or feeding strap saw blades
• 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: B23D 59/005 for preventing collision of saw blades with other machine parts or workpieces
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 11/0082 by determining whether the operator is in a dangerous position B23Q17/2438 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 11/0092 actuating braking or stopping means
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 11/06 Safety devices for circular cutters
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/2438 of an operator or a part thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 5/58 Safety devices protecting the operator B23Q11/0089
• 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 13/16 Accessories, e.g. for cooling the 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: B27G 21/00 Safety guards or devices specially designed for other wood-working machines auxiliary devices facilitating proper operation of said wood-working machines
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/00 Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement adjustable bearings F16C23/00, F16C25/00 ; electrically insulating bearings H02K5/173
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2322/39 : General build up of machine tools, e.g. spindles, slides, actuators in general B23Q
• 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: H02K 5/08 : Insulating casings
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/161 : radially supporting the rotary shaft at both ends of the rotor H02K5/165, H02K5/167, H02K5/173 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/10 : Structural association with clutches, brakes, gears, pulleys or mechanical starters
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/108 : with friction clutches
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/116 : with gears
• 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 83/707 : By endless band or chain knife
• 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 83/773 : 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 and safety methods for use with those machines are disclosed. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the cutting tools, and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system is configured to retract the cutting tool at least partially away from the cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.

Claims

1. A method for minimizing potential injuries from a woodworking machine having a movable cutting tool, the method comprising:

detecting accidental contact between a person and the cutting tool; and

retracting the cutting tool away from the person in the event accidental contact between the person and the cutting tool is detected;

where the cutting tool rotates and has angular momentum, and where the step of retracting includes using at least a portion of the angular momentum of the cutting tool to retract the cutting tool away from the person.