Abstract: Power tools with conductive couplings used with active injury mitigation technology are disclosed. Conductive couplings are particularly relevant to table saws, hand-held circular saws, track saws, miter saws, and band saws with active injury mitigation technology. Conductive couplings provide a mechanism through which an electrical signal can be coupled or imparted to a blade, and then monitored for changes indicative of human contact with the blade. An exemplary conductive coupling includes a brush that establishes an electrical connection with a moving part of a power tool, and the brush maintains contact with the moving part of the power tool during at least 40 hours of cumulative time when the motor is spinning the arbor and blade without an interruption in the electrical connection sufficient to trigger the reaction system. A conductive coupling may be two-sided compliant. A conductive coupling may connect to a motor shaft to minimize electrical noise.

Abstract: Inserts for table saws are disclosed. The table inserts are equipped with a toolless locking mechanism that mechanically holds the insert in place and which allows for the installation and removal of the insert without the use of tools. The locking mechanism is easy to lock and unlock and yet robust enough to hold a zero-clearance insert in place.

Abstract: Power tools with conductive couplings used with active injury mitigation technology are disclosed. Conductive couplings are particularly relevant to table saws, hand-held circular saws, track saws, miter saws, and band saws with active injury mitigation technology. Conductive couplings provide a mechanism through which an electrical signal can be coupled or imparted to a blade, and then monitored for changes indicative of human contact with the blade. An exemplary conductive coupling includes a brush that establishes an electrical connection with a moving part of a power tool, and the brush maintains contact with the moving part of the power tool during at least 40 hours of cumulative time when the motor is spinning the arbor and blade without an interruption in the electrical connection sufficient to trigger the reaction system. A conductive coupling may be two-sided compliant. A conductive coupling may connect to a motor shaft to minimize electrical noise.

Abstract: Fences for use in table saws are disclosed. One embodiment may include an actuator, handle or lever to lock and unlock the fence from the table, where the actuator, handle or lever is positioned substantially above the tabletop and substantially within the perimeter of the table (including any rail associated with the table). Another embodiment may include an actuator, handle or lever to lock and unlock the fence from the table, where the actuator, handle or lever is positioned along a top surface of the fence and configured so that the fence unclamps from the saw when the actuator, handle or lever is pressed. The fence may be configured to include a material support shelf that is selectably extendable and retractable.

Abstract: Power tools with conductive couplings used with active injury mitigation technology are disclosed. Conductive couplings are particularly relevant to table saws, hand-held circular saws, track saws, miter saws, and band saws with active injury mitigation technology. Conductive couplings provide a mechanism through which an electrical signal can be coupled or imparted to a blade, and then monitored for changes indicative of human contact with the blade. An exemplary conductive coupling includes a brush that establishes an electrical connection with a moving part of a power tool, and the brush maintains contact with the moving part of the power tool during at least 40 hours of cumulative time when the motor is spinning the arbor and blade without an interruption in the electrical connection sufficient to trigger the reaction system. A conductive coupling may be two-sided compliant. A conductive coupling may connect to a motor shaft to minimize electrical noise.

Abstract: Power saws and features for power saws are disclosed. Various features are particularly relevant to jobsite or benchtop table saws, such as a trunnion formed from a shaped tube, an elevation carriage, and an arbor block retention mechanism. Other features are particularly relevant to table saws, hand-held circular saws, track saws, miter saws, and band saws with active injury mitigation technology, such as an electrically isolating gear and an overmolded arbor/gear element.

Abstract: Power saws and features for power saws are disclosed. Various features are particularly relevant to jobsite or benchtop table saws, such as a trunnion formed from a shaped tube, an elevation carriage, and an arbor block retention mechanism. Other features are particularly relevant to table saws, hand-held circular saws, track saws, miter saws, and band saws with active injury mitigation technology, such as an electrically isolating gear and an overmolded arbor/gear element.

Abstract: Table saws and features for table saws are disclosed. Some of the disclosed features are particularly relevant to portable table saws such as jobsite and bench-top table saws. Disclosed features include, but are not limited to, extendable rails, mechanisms to lock rails in position, drawers, compartments and components to store table saw accessories, switch boxes, dust collection systems, table saw housings, tables, and handles.

Abstract: A dust collection system designed for a table saw is disclosed. The dust collection system includes a dust shroud and dust shield to channel dust generated by a blade as it cuts wood or other material. The dust shroud includes fins and walls to “peel” dust and air off a spinning blade and direct the dust and air downward. The dust shroud encloses the lower front portion of a blade. An insert with a channel into which a dust shield can extend is disclosed.

Abstract: Blade guards for power tools such as table saws are disclosed. The blade guard may include a shroud that pivots up and down to allow a workpiece to move past the guard, a dust collection channel, and a pivot joint which maintains the dust collection channel in an operable condition as the shroud pivots up or down. The guard may also include a wood stop and anti-kickback pawls. The blade guard may be part of a dust collection system and may be connected to a vacuum system by a conduit such as a flexible hose.

Abstract: Inserts for table saws are disclosed. The table inserts are equipped with a toolless locking mechanism that mechanically holds the insert in place and which allows for the installation and removal of the insert without the use of tools. The locking mechanism is easy to lock and unlock and yet robust enough to hold a zero-clearance insert in place.

Abstract: Table saws and features for table saws are disclosed. Some of the disclosed features are particularly relevant to portable table saws such as jobsite and bench-top table saws. Disclosed features include, but are not limited to, extendable rails, mechanisms to lock rails in position, drawers, compartments and components to store table saw accessories, switch boxes, dust collection systems, table saw housings, tables, and handles.

Abstract: Inserts for table saws are disclosed. The table inserts are equipped with a toolless locking mechanism that mechanically holds the insert in place and which allows for the installation and removal of the insert without the use of tools. The locking mechanism is easy to lock and unlock and yet robust enough to hold a zero-clearance insert in place.

Abstract: Power tools with conductive couplings used with active injury mitigation technology are disclosed. Conductive couplings are particularly relevant to table saws, hand-held circular saws, track saws, miter saws, and band saws with active injury mitigation technology. Conductive couplings provide a mechanism through which an electrical signal can be coupled or imparted to a blade, and then monitored for changes indicative of human contact with the blade. An exemplary conductive coupling includes a brush that establishes an electrical connection with a moving part of a power tool, and the brush maintains contact with the moving part of the power tool during at least 40 hours of cumulative time when the motor is spinning the arbor and blade without an interruption in the electrical connection sufficient to trigger the reaction system. A conductive coupling may be two-sided compliant. A conductive coupling may connect to a motor shaft to minimize electrical noise.

Abstract: Fast-acting and low-inertia actuators useable in various applications where a high force must be applied very quickly are disclosed. Power tools with detection systems configured to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a cutting tool are disclosed. In power tools, for example in a woodworking machine, a fast-acting and low-inertial actuator as disclosed herein can be used to retract a blade upon detection of a dangerous condition by a detection system. The actuator includes a charge of pressurized fluid and one or more electromagnets to selectively retain or release the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: Fences for use in table saws are disclosed. One embodiment may include an actuator, handle or lever to lock and unlock the fence from the table, where the actuator, handle or lever is positioned substantially above the tabletop and substantially within the perimeter of the table (including any rail associated with the table). Another embodiment may include an actuator, handle or lever to lock and unlock the fence from the table, where the actuator, handle or lever is positioned along a top surface of the fence and configured so that the fence unclamps from the saw when the actuator, handle or lever is pressed.

Abstract: A dust collection system designed for a table saw is disclosed. The dust collection system includes a dust shroud and dust shield to channel dust generated by a blade as it cuts wood or other material. The dust shroud includes fins and walls to “peel” dust and air off a spinning blade and direct the dust and air downward. The dust shroud encloses the lower front portion of a blade. An insert with a channel into which a dust shield can extend is disclosed.

Abstract: Table saws and features for table saws are disclosed. Some of the disclosed features are particularly relevant to portable table saws such as jobsite and bench-top table saws. Disclosed features include, but are not limited to, extendable rails, mechanisms to lock rails in position, drawers, compartments and components to store table saw accessories, switch boxes, dust collection systems, table saw housings, tables, and handles.

Abstract: Power saws and features for power saws are disclosed. Various features are particularly relevant to jobsite or benchtop table saws, such as a trunnion formed from a shaped tube, an elevation carriage, and an arbor block retention mechanism. Other features are particularly relevant to table saws, hand-held circular saws, track saws, miter saws, and band saws with active injury mitigation technology, such as an electrically isolating gear and an overmolded arbor/gear element.

Abstract: Fast-acting and low-inertia actuators useable in various applications where a high force must be applied very quickly are disclosed. Power tools with detection systems configured to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a cutting tool are disclosed. In power tools, for example in a woodworking machine, a fast-acting and low-inertial actuator as disclosed herein can be used to retract a blade upon detection of a dangerous condition by a detection system. The actuator includes a charge of pressurized fluid and one or more electromagnets to selectively retain or release the pressurized fluid.