Abstract: Safety systems for power equipment, components, cartridges and mounting systems for cartridges are disclosed. The safety systems, components, cartridges and mounting systems are specifically applicable for woodworking equipment such as saws. A cartridge system for use in safety systems for power tools might include a cartridge adapted to perform a predetermined action when triggered, where the predetermined action causes the deceleration and/or retraction of a working portion of the power tool, where the cartridge includes a first connector, and where a second connector is mounted in the power tool and adapted to connect to the first connector.

Abstract: Table saws and table saws designed to implement safety systems that detect contact between a person and a dangerous portion of the saw are disclosed. Table saw components, mounting systems for table saws, and table saw attachments are also disclosed. One embodiment may include a first clamp surface, a second clamp surface spaced apart from the first clamp surface so that a base portion of a riving knife or splitter can be placed between the clamp surfaces with the opposing sides of the base portion generally parallel to the first and second clamp surfaces.

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.

Abstract: A table saw having a reaction system configured to take a predetermined action to mitigate injury upon detection of a dangerous condition is disclosed. The reaction system has a component in a predetermined orientation relative to the blade and the component is configured to maintain its orientation relative to the blade as the blade is raised and lowered.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 and a braking component configured to engage a moving part of the power tool upon occurrence of a predetermined event. The brake cartridge may further include a switch configured so that proper installation of the cartridge in the power tool triggers the switch.

Abstract: Table saws and table saws designed to implement safety systems that detect contact between a person and a dangerous portion of the saw are disclosed. Table saw components, mounting systems for table saws, and table saw attachments are also disclosed. One embodiment may include a first clamp surface, a second clamp surface spaced apart from the first clamp surface so that a base portion of a riving knife or splitter can be placed between the clamp surfaces with the opposing sides of the base portion generally parallel to the first and second clamp surfaces.

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.

Abstract: A table saw having a reaction system configured to take a predetermined action to mitigate injury upon detection of a dangerous condition is disclosed. The reaction system has a component in a predetermined orientation relative to the blade and the component is configured to maintain its orientation relative to the blade as the blade is raised and lowered.

Abstract: Elevation mechanisms for table saws are disclosed. Embodiments include mechanisms with an elevation carriage, a trunnion structure, and a shaft with a cantilevered portion. The shaft can be fixed to one of the elevation carriage and trunnion structure, and the other of the elevation carriage and trunnion structure slides on the cantilevered portion.

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 and a braking component configured to engage a moving part of the power tool upon occurrence of a predetermined event. The brake cartridge may further include a switch configured so that proper installation of the cartridge in the power tool triggers the switch.

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: Table saws having a mounting system configured to hold a riving knife or splitter adjacent a blade. The mounting system includes a clamping structure having a handle adapted to pivot between a first position where the clamping structure is open and a second position where the clamping structure is closed, and where the handle can be pivoted from the first position to the second position by hand without using tools. The clamping structure may include a spring to help open the clamp.

Abstract: Table saws with elevation mechanisms are disclosed. One embodiment includes a table saw with a blade, an elevation carriage, a trunnion structure, and a shaft positioned beyond the perimeter of the blade. Another embodiment includes a second shaft interconnecting the elevation carriage and trunnion structure, where the second shaft is positioned beyond the perimeter of the blade.

Abstract: 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.

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.