Abstract: Methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as power saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood. Woodworking machines and memory devices for use in woodworking machines having safety systems designed to detect a dangerous condition between a human and a dangerous portion of the woodworking machine and to trigger some action to mitigate the dangerous condition are also disclosed.

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 and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system can include an explosive to trigger the system, and also can be configured to retract a cutting tool at least partially away from a cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.

Abstract: Miter saws are disclosed having a base, a blade supported by the base, a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade, and a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of the dangerous condition. The blade is rotatable, and moves into a cutting zone to cut a workpiece. The predetermined action may be to stop the blade from rotating, to create an impulse against movement of the blade into the cutting zone, or to cause the blade to move away from the cutting zone. The reaction system may include a brake member coupled to a housing.

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 and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system can include an explosive to trigger the system, and also can be configured to retract a cutting tool at least partially away from a cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.

Abstract: A woodworking machine having one or more dangerous portions is disclosed. The machine also includes a safety system configured to detect accidental contact between a person and at least one of the dangerous portions by electrically coupling a signal to the person's body, and detecting if the signal becomes coupled to the dangerous portion.

Abstract: A method of controlling a woodworking machine having a movable cutting tool. The method monitors a signal for a change indicative of a dangerous condition between the cutting tool and a person, senses movement of the cutting tool, and performs an action to mitigate the dangerous condition when the signal change and movement of the cutting tool are both detected. A woodworking machine including a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a working portion of the machine and then to perform some action to mitigate the dangerous condition is also disclosed. A motion detection system is adapted to detect motion of the working portion and to disable the reaction system when the working portion is not moving.

Abstract: Woodworking machines including cutting tools and motors adapted to drive the cutting tools are disclosed. The machines also include a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between the cutting tool and a person, and a reaction system adapted to perform a specified action upon detection of the dangerous condition. The machines further include a control system adapted to test the operability of at least a portion of the detection system and/or the reaction system. The control system is adapted to disable the motor if the tested portion is inoperable.

Abstract: Woodworking machines are disclosed having cutting tools for cutting workpieces. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the cutting tool. The machines also include a mechanism having a moveable component adapted to move upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system. Movement of the moveable component contributes to one or more of the following actions to mitigate or prevent injury to the person: deceleration of the cutting tool, retraction of the cutting tool, and placement of a barrier over at least a part of the cutting tool. An actuator is adapted to move the moveable component at a high acceleration when the dangerous condition is detected.

Abstract: Woodworking machines are disclosed having electrically conductive cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a contact detection system capacitively coupled to the cutting tool, and adapted to detect contact between a person and the cutting tool. The machines also include a reaction system configured to cause one or more predetermined actions to take place upon detection of contact between a person and the cutting tool by the contact detection system.

Abstract: Table saws are disclosed. The table saws may include a circular blade, an elevation mechanism configured to raise and lower the blade relative to the work surface; and a spring to provide a force biasing the blade up or down relative to the work surface. The spring may be a gas spring connected between a trunnion and an elevation plate.

Abstract: Throat plates for table saws and table saws including the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the throat plates and/or saws include at least one securement mechanism adapted to secure and prevent inadvertent removal of the throat plate from the throat of the saw. In some embodiments, at least one of the securement mechanisms also provides a height adjustment mechanism and/or prevents vertical removal of the throat plate. In some embodiments, the throat plate includes an accessory mounting port that provides a portal for accessories, including safety accessories, to extend through the plate from beneath the table of the saw. In some embodiments, the port extends from the plate's outer perimeter to divide the plate's rear end portion into a pair of spaced-apart members. In some embodiments, these members are independently secured to the table saw and retained apart from each other by one or more of the securement mechanisms.

Abstract: Methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as table saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood. The methods and woodworking equipment may include predictive blade stop algorithms that prevent unnecessary activations of a safety brake during coast down of a blade and continued protection in the event a main power switch is turned off.

Abstract: A miter saw is disclosed having a base, a blade supported by the base, a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade, and a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of the dangerous condition. The blade is rotatable, and moves into a cutting zone to cut a workpiece. The predetermined action may be to retract the blade from the cutting zone.

Abstract: Methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as power saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood. Woodworking machines and memory devices for use in woodworking machines having safety systems designed to detect a dangerous condition between a human and a dangerous portion of the woodworking machine and to trigger some action to mitigate the dangerous condition are also disclosed.

Abstract: Table saw blade guards with lateral guards, blade guard assemblies, and table saws including the same. The blade guards include at least one lateral guard that restricts access to a lateral side, or face, of the saw's blade, and may include a top guard. The lateral guard is selectively moved, such as responsive to engagement by a workpiece, between a non-cutting position and a plurality of cutting positions. In some embodiments, the lateral guard is a collapsing lateral guard that has a reduced perimetrical area and/or reduced vertical dimension relative to the saw's work surface when in a cutting position compared to the non-cutting position. In some embodiments, the lateral guard collapses toward the top guard when moved from its non-cutting position to a cutting position. In some embodiments, the lateral guard does not, or does not appreciably, project above the top guard even when in its maximum cutting position.

Abstract: Woodworking machines including conductive cutters adapted to cut workpieces, and motors adapted to drive the cutters are disclosed. The machines also include a contact detection system adapted to detect contact between a person and the cutter, and to distinguish contact between the person and the cutter from contact between the workpiece and the cutter. The machines further include a reaction system adapted to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of contact between the person and the cutter by the contact detection system.

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.

Abstract: Miter saws are disclosed having a base, a blade supported by the base, a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade, and a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of the dangerous condition. The blade is rotatable, and moves into a cutting zone to cut a workpiece. The predetermined action may be to stop the blade from rotating, to create an impulse against movement of the blade into the cutting zone, or to cause the blade to move away from the cutting zone. The reaction system may include a brake member coupled to a housing.

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.

Abstract: A method of controlling a woodworking machine having a movable cutting tool. The method monitors a signal for a change indicative of a dangerous condition between the cutting tool and a person, senses movement of the cutting tool, and performs an action to mitigate the dangerous condition when the signal change and movement of the cutting tool are both detected. A woodworking machine including a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a working portion of the machine and then to perform some action to mitigate the dangerous condition is also disclosed. A motion detection system is adapted to detect motion of the working portion and to disable the reaction system when the working portion is not moving.