Patents Assigned to SD3
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Patent number: 7077039Abstract: A machine is disclosed having a detection subsystem adapted to detect contact between a person and a specified portion of the machine, and to distinguish that contact from contact with other materials. The detection subsystem imparts an electrical signal to a specified portion of the machine, and distinguishes that contact based on a predetermined frequency response of the electrical signal. A reaction subsystem then causes a predetermined action to take place. The machine may be a power saw designed to minimize injury in the event a person accidentally contacts the blade.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: SD3, LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer
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Patent number: 7055417Abstract: Safety systems for power equipment are disclosed. The safety systems include a detection system adapted to detect contact between a person and a working portion of a machine, where the detection system is adapted to capacitively impart an electric charge on the working portion and to detect when that charge drops; and a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place relative to the working portion upon detection of contact between the person and the working portion by the detection system. Machines equipped with safety systems are also disclosed, such as saws, jointers, etc.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2000Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: SD3, LLCInventor: Stephen F. Gass
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Patent number: 7024975Abstract: Woodworking machines are disclosed having cutting tools adapted to cut 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 brake mechanism having one or more braking components adapted to engage and stop the cutting tool in response to the detection of a dangerous condition.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2001Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: SD3, LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, Joel F. Jensen, Anwyl M. McDonald, David S. D'Ascenzo, Andrew L. Johnston
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Patent number: 7000514Abstract: Band saws with high-speed safety systems are disclosed. The band saws include a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a blade and a person. A reaction system performs a specified action such as stopping the blade upon detection of the dangerous condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: SD3, LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, Randall J. Huebner
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Patent number: 6997090Abstract: A saw with a safety system is disclosed. The safety system includes a detection system adapted to detect contact between a person and a blade while the blade is moving. The safety system further includes a brake system adapted to engage the blade and to stop the blade when the detection system detects contact between the person and the blade.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2004Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: SD3, LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning, J. David Fulmer, David S. D'Ascenzo, Jonathan N. Betts-LaCroix, Robert L. Chamberlain, Joel F. Jensen, Andrew L. Johnston, Sung H. Kim, Anwyl M. McDonald, Benjamin B. Schramm
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Patent number: 6994004Abstract: A table saw having a brake mechanism configured to engage and stop a blade is disclosed. The table saw includes a brake positioning system configured to adjust the position of the brake mechanism to maintain the brake mechanism in an operative position relative to the blade as the blade is raised and lowered.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: SD3, LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning
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Patent number: 6957601Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2001Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: SD3, LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning, J. David Fulmer, Randall J. Huebner
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Patent number: 6945148Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 14, 2002Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: SD3, LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer, Randall J. Huebner
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Patent number: 6945149Abstract: Cutting machines with high-speed safety systems, and actuators used in high-speed safety systems, are disclosed. The cutting machines may include a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a cutting tool and a person. A reaction system performs a specified action, such as stopping the cutting tool, upon detection of the dangerous condition. An actuator may be used to trigger the reaction system to perform the specified action.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: SD3, LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning
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Patent number: 6920814Abstract: A woodworking machine is disclosed. The machine includes a cutting tool and a motor adapted to drive the cutting tool. The machine further includes a detection system to detect a dangerous condition between the cutting tool and a person, such as a person coming into contact with the cutting tool. A reaction system is provided to disable the cutting tool, such as by covering, blocking, destroying, wrapping, etc., upon detection by the detection system of the dangerous condition.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2001Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: SD3, LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning, J. David Fulmer
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Patent number: 6880440Abstract: A miter saw having a base and an arm that pivots toward the base is disclosed. A blade is supported by the arm, and is designed to cut workpieces resting on the base when the arm and blade pivot downward. The saw includes a detection system configured to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the blade, such as when a person accidentally touches the spinning blade, and the saw includes a reaction system to stop the downward movement of the blade and arm when the dangerous condition is detected.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: SD3, LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning
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Patent number: 6877410Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 15, 2002Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: SD3, LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer
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Patent number: 6857345Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 13, 2001Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: SD3, LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, Andrew L. Johnston
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Patent number: 6826988Abstract: A woodworking machine is disclosed having a base, a blade, 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 and/or to stop movement of the blade toward the cutting zone.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: SD3, LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer
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Patent number: 6813983Abstract: A miter saw having a base and an arm that pivots toward the base is disclosed. A blade is supported by the arm, and is designed to cut workpieces resting on the base when the arm and blade pivot downward. The saw includes a detection system configured to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the blade, such as when a person accidentally touches the spinning blade, and the saw includes a reaction system to urge the arm and blade away from the base when the dangerous condition is detected.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: SD3, LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning