Safety Detection and Protection System for Power Tools

摘要

A detection system for detecting a dangerous condition for an operator using a power tool of the type which has an exposed blade relative to a work surface and a protection system for minimizing, if not eliminating the possibility of a user being injured by contacting the blade. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a proximity detection system is capable of detecting the presence of a user near the blade of a table saw and a protection system that can either retract the blade below the work surface of the table saw or terminate the drive torque to the blade which can result in rapid stopping of the saw blade by a work piece that is being cut.

主权项

1. A table saw comprising:
a frame structure with a generally flat work surface; a rotatable circular blade mounted on an arbor and being adapted to have at least a portion of said blade extending above the flat work surface in position to cut a work piece; a drive motor with an output shaft mounted to the frame structure for powering the saw blade; a sensing mechanism for generating at least a first actuation signal responsive to predetermined sensed characteristics relating to the existence and/or movement of a person in close proximity thereto; a retracting mechanism located beneath said work surface for rapidly moving the blade downwardly below the work surface responsive to said first actuation signal being received.