Work Guard Patents (Class 83/397.1)
  • Patent number: 8919231
    Abstract: Various safety systems for power tools, and in particular table saws, include detection systems for detecting a dangerous condition relative to a blade of the power tool, and reaction systems for taking mitigation action in response to detection of a dangerous condition. The safety system may detect, prevent, and/or mitigate a dangerous condition associated with the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Power Tool Institute
    Inventors: Andy Butler, Brian Lamb, Chris Tacklind, Clinton Lazzari, Edward Cooper, Eric Edward Schultz, Frank Buhrmann, John Gilbert, David Titzler, William Scott, Peter L. Domeny
  • Patent number: 8857302
    Abstract: A cutting tool includes a tool unit having a rotary circular blade, a movable cover mounted to the tool unit and having a cover body movable in a moving direction to cover and uncover a part of the rotary circular blade by the cover body, and a position adjusting mechanism configured to adjust the position of the cover body of the movable cover in an adjusting direction different from the moving direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kani, Yoshihiro Kimura
  • Patent number: 8677633
    Abstract: A hand-held band saw has a handle for grasping the band saw, a motor, a drive wheel driven by the motor, a driven wheel and a continuous blade disposed about the drive wheel and the driven wheel. A portion of the continuous blade is positioned in a cut zone to perform a cutting operation. A workpiece guard is spaced from the continuous blade and positioned generally between the cut zone and the handle for limiting movement of the workpiece after the cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Holly, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Scott D. Bublitz, Steven W. Hyma, Kurt Limberg, John G. Marx, Richard J. LaSota, Ryan J. Denissen, John S. Scott
  • Publication number: 20130259558
    Abstract: A sheet processing device includes a cutter including a movable unit moving toward or away from a predetermined position and cutting a sheet held in the predetermined position, a door provided to a housing having an opening, the door opening and closing the opening for an operation for the cutter. The sheet processing device further includes the housing holding the cutter, a locking member locking and unlocking the door closing the opening and a locking mechanism mechanically connecting the movable unit to the locking member and causing the locking member to lock or unlock the door depending on a position of the movable unit relative to the predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Akira TSUNODA
  • Patent number: 8459157
    Abstract: Safety systems for power equipment, components, brake cartridges and mounting systems for brake cartridges are disclosed. The safety systems, components, brake cartridges and mounting systems are specifically applicable for woodworking equipment such as saws. A brake cartridge system may include a key adapted to secure the brake cartridge in a power tool, and a bracket configured to receive at least part of the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer, David A. Fanning
  • Patent number: 8430005
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer
  • Patent number: 8186255
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer
  • Patent number: 8100039
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen F. Gass
  • Patent number: 8061246
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer
  • Patent number: 8011279
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, David S. D'Ascenzo
  • Patent number: 7958806
    Abstract: Woodworking machines are disclosed having cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a safety system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the cutting tool, and to stop movement of the cutting tool upon detection of the dangerous condition. At least part of the safety system is housed in a removable cartridge substantially sealed against entry of sawdust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, David S. D'Ascenzo, Andrew L. Johnston, Joel F. Jensen, Sung H. Kim, Anwyl M. McDonald
  • Patent number: 7930958
    Abstract: A blade housing for an electronic cutting apparatus includes an outer housing having a distal end, an inner housing coupled to the inner housing and longitudinally selectively adjustable relative thereto and a blade rotatably coupled to the inner housing with a sharpened distal end. Adjustment of the inner housing relative to the outer housing adjusts an amount of the blade that protrudes from the distal end of the inner housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Provo Craft and Novelty, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Emmett Workman, William Craig Youse, Jason B. Brinkerhoff, Jonathan Aaron Johnson, James R. Gunter, Rodney Stock, Phil Beffrey
  • Patent number: 7908950
    Abstract: A table saw having an adjustable blade, a detection system to detect contact between a person and the blade, and a brake mechanism to engage and stop the blade upon detection of contact between the person and the blade is disclosed. The saw includes a brake positioning system that adjusts the position of the brake mechanism to maintain the brake mechanism in an operative position relative to the blade as the position of the blade is adjusted. The saw also may include a retraction system that urges the blade downward, away from a user, upon detection of contact between a person and the blade. The retraction system may include a releasable gear. The saw may be constructed so that the blade is adjustable up and down around a pivot point downstream of the blade relative to the feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: SD3
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning, Joel F. Jensen, Sung H. Kim, Andrew L. Johnston, David S. D'Ascenzo
  • Patent number: 7832314
    Abstract: A saw is disclosed having a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a saw blade, and a brake adapted to stop the saw blade in response to detection of the dangerous condition. The saw further includes a brake positioning system that allows the brake to be positioned in at least two different operable positions to accommodate at least two different blade diameters. The saw may include a system to detect brake-to-blade spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen F. Gass
  • Patent number: 7698976
    Abstract: A miter saw is disclosed having a base, a blade supported by the base, a detection system adapted to detect contact 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen F. Gass
  • Patent number: 7685912
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer
  • Patent number: 7661343
    Abstract: Brake pawls for use in safety systems for power equipment are disclosed. The brake pawls include an energy-absorbing region. The energy absorbing regions may include a deformable or collapsible region made from apertures in the brake pawl or from collapsible members or from materials of differing hardnesses, strengths, or structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning
  • Patent number: 7640837
    Abstract: A table saw having an adjustable blade, a detection system to detect contact between a person and the blade, and a brake mechanism to engage and stop the blade upon detection of contact between the person and the blade is disclosed. The saw includes a brake positioning system that adjusts the position of the brake mechanism to maintain the brake mechanism in an operative position relative to the blade as the position of the blade is adjusted. The saw also may include a retraction system that urges the blade downward, away from a user, upon detection of contact between a person and the blade. The retraction system may include a releasable gear. The saw may be constructed so that the blade is adjustable up and down around a pivot point downstream of the blade relative to the feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning, Joel F. Jensen, Sung H. Kim, Andrew L. Johnston, David S. D'Ascenzo
  • Patent number: 7617752
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer
  • Patent number: 7610836
    Abstract: Woodworking machines are disclosed having cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a safety system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the cutting tool, and to stop movement of the cutting tool upon detection of the dangerous condition. At least part of the safety system is housed in a removable cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, David S. D'Ascenzo, Andrew L. Johnston, Joel F. Jensen, Sung H. Kim, Anwyl M. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20090235795
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention can include a cutting machine having a table, a cutting machine body supported by the table via a sliding mechanism to allow movement in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, the cutting machine body including a fixed cover positioned around an upper side of a rotary blade mounted to a rotatably driven spindle, the rear edge portion of the fixed cover is recessed upward to enable a large cutting depth. The sliding mechanism includes an intermediate stopper mechanism that can be operated to switch between a state where the cutting machine body can slide within an entire slidable range and a state were the cutting machine body can slide only within a partial slidable range at a midway position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Syuji Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7509899
    Abstract: Woodworking machines are disclosed having movable cutting tools for cutting workpieces in a cutting region. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning, David S. D'Ascenzo, Joel F. Jensen, Sung H. Kim, Andrew L. Johnston
  • Patent number: 7377199
    Abstract: A woodworking machine having one or more dangerous portions of the machine 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer
  • Patent number: 7353737
    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 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer
  • Patent number: 7350445
    Abstract: Safety systems for power equipment, and components and brake cartridges for use in those safety systems, are disclosed. The safety systems, components and brake cartridges are specifically applicable for woodworking equipment such as saws. An exemplary brake cartridge includes a housing, a brake pawl, a spring, a fuse wire, circuitry a plug, an aperture for a key, and a switch activated by the key to indicate the cartridge is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer, David A. Fanning
  • Patent number: 7350444
    Abstract: A table saw having an adjustable blade, a detection system to detect contact between a person and the blade, and a brake mechanism to engage and stop the blade upon detection of contact between the person and the blade is disclosed. The saw includes a brake positioning system that adjusts the position of the brake mechanism to maintain the brake mechanism in an operative position relative to the blade as the position of the blade is adjusted. The saw also may include a retraction system that urges the blade downward, away from a user, upon detection of contact between a person and the blade. The retraction system may include a releasable gear. The saw may be constructed so that the blade is adjustable up and down around a pivot point downstream of the blade relative to the feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning, Joel F. Jensen, Sung H. Kim, Andrew L. Johnston, David S. D'Ascenzo
  • Patent number: 7347131
    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 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen F. Gass
  • Patent number: 7308843
    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 at least one brake component adapted to engage and stop movement of the cutting tool, and an actuator adapted to move the brake component into contact with the cutting tool at a high acceleration when the detection system detects the dangerous condition between the person and the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, David S. D'Ascenzo
  • Patent number: 7290472
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer
  • Patent number: 7243587
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a blade guard assembly capable of allowing increased capacity for saws, such as radial arm saw, miter saws, and the like. The assembly includes a U-shaped guard and a pivot pin for allowing the guard to obtain a plurality of positions including a guarding orientation and a cutting orientation. The guard may pivot so as to allow a larger dimension workpiece to be cut without exposing the saw blade unnecessarily. Additionally, a biasing device may be included for generally forcing the guard into a guarding orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Carroll, Chad Hollis, Vance Roe