Abstract: A system and method for detecting user entry into a defined danger zone surrounding a saw blade includes a non-conducting member defining an opening therein for receiving a saw blade. The non-conducting member may comprise, for example, an insert received by an opening in the work surface or table of a table saw, scroll saw, band saw, miter saw, etc. Alternatively, it may comprise the blade guard of a radial arm saw or miter saw, for example. A conductive sensor is situated on the non-conducting member adjacent the opening to define a danger zone near the saw blade. A voltage source is coupled to the sensor, and a monitor circuit is configured to detect a change in the sensor's capacitance so as to signal a user entry into the danger zone.

Abstract: A switch and speed control assembly for use in a wet/dry utility vacuum or blower is disclosed. The switch and speed control assembly provides a single rotary control actuator for turning the vacuum or blower on and off, for infinitely varying the speed of the motor, and for providing a momentary boost control. The switch and speed control assembly includes a thumb wheel fitted to the shaft of a voltage varying potentiometer, a snap action switch in operable relation to the exterior edge of the thumb wheel, and a compression spring contained beneath the thumb wheel. As the thumb wheel is rotated in an increasing "on" direction, the contacts of the snap action switch are closed, allowing electric current to flow to the motor of the wet/dry utility vacuum or blower. The voltage levels in the motor, and correspondingly the speed of the motor, are controlled by varying the potentiometer voltage through rotation applied to the thumb wheel.

Abstract: A method for winding a field assembly for a universal motor and apparatus produced thereby is disclosed. The method involves winding both a field winding and a brake winding over different field poles within a field core simultaneously. After the first field winding and the first brake winding are wound, the field core is indexed to allow a second brake winding to be wound over the first field winding, and a second field winding to be wound over the first brake winding. By using the disclosed method, a field assembly is produced in which both field windings and the brake windings are wound using one continuous wire for each. Moreover, the presented method can be performed on a single winding machine.

Abstract: A combination woodworking tool is disclosed. The combination woodworking tool includes a frame having a horizontal bed for supporting workpieces. A rigid column is supported by the frame in proximity to and extends vertically upwardly beyond the horizontal bed. A powerhead is mounted to an upper end of the column in overlying relationship to the horizontal bed, the powerhead being vertically adjustable for movement toward and away from the horizontal bed. The powerhead further includes a motor and spindle which extends below a lower end of the powerhead. The spindle is adapted to interchangeably receive a chuck for use with a drill or a collet for use with a router. The powerhead is adjustably and rotatably mounted relative to the column for positioning the spindle in predetermined vertical, angular or horizontal positions relative to the horizontal bed for vertical, angular or horizontal drilling or routing.

Abstract: A radial saw with independently and jointly operable saw blade guards is disclosed. The independently and jointly operable saw blade guards include an upper blade guard mounted in fixed position relative to a yoke that depends from a supporting arm, the upper blade guard covering at least approximately an upper half of a motor driven saw blade that is mounted on the yoke. A lower rear blade guard is pivotally mounted to the upper blade guard and is configured to cover a lower half rear area on at least one side of the motor driven saw blade, and a lower front blade guard is independently pivotally mounted to the upper blade guard and configured to cover a lower front half area on at least one side of the motor driven saw blade guard. The lower rear blade guard and lower front blade guard are independently and jointly operable and telescopically movable with respect to one another.

Abstract: A radial saw with safety guards and barriers for rip cutting and cross cutting of workpieces is disclosed. The radial saw includes a motor driven saw blade that is mounted on the supporting arm which overhangs a worktable. The motor driven saw blade is movable relative to a worktable mounted rip fence to enable the motor driven saw blade to be operated for rip cutting workpieces longitudinally along the length of the rip fence and for cross cutting workpieces transverse to the rip fence. An upper blade guard is mounted in fixed position relative to a yoke depending from the supporting arm for covering approximately an upper half of the motor driven saw blade. A lower blade guard depends from the upper blade guard and substantially covers approximately the lower half of the motor driven saw blade when resting on the worktable.

Abstract: A radial arm saw guard with operational interlock and adjustable outfeed user barrier is disclosed. The radial saw includes a motor driven saw blade that is mounted on a yoke depending from a supporting arm that overhangs a worktable. The motor driven saw blade is movable relative to a worktable mounted fence in order to enable the motor driven saw blade to be operated for rip cutting of workpieces longitudinally relative to the fence and for cross cutting transverse relative to the fence. A blade guard is mounted in fixed position relative to the yoke for covering at least approximately an upper half of the motor driven saw blade. An adjustable outfeed user barrier is mounted to the upper blade guard for operation between an upper disengaged position exposing the motor driven saw blade and a lower engaged position covering an outfeed end of the motor driven saw blade to protect a user during rip cutting.

Abstract: A lever lock hold down mechanism for clamping workpieces to a miter gauge is disclosed as including a workpiece supporting base or bar and a generally vertically directed workpiece supporting head extending upwardly from the base or bar. Extending further upwardly from the workpiece supporting head is a clamping frame having a vertically adjustable clamping rod slidably mounted to the frame and also having a clamping foot at its lower end. A spring biased apertured gripper plate is mounted over the rod in the vicinity of the clamping frame, and a lever lock is pivotally mounted to the clamping frame for engaging and disengaging the apertured gripper plate relative to the clamping rod.

Abstract: A rip fence for use with a table saw or the like having a rotatable saw blade extending through its upper surface is disclosed. The rip fence holds a workpiece in position relative to the rotatable saw blade for longitudinal or rip cutting along the length of the workpiece. The rip fence includes depending front and rear clamps which are operatively connected for simultaneous releasable clamping engagement with corresponding surfaces of the table saw. For adjusting of the rip fence, the front and rear clamps are unlocked, and a spring biased lever maintains the rip fence in squared relationship to the table, while permitting adjustment relative to the rotatable saw blade. Removal and storage of the rip fence, when not in use, is also facilitated by de-activating the spring biased lever. The locking, unlocking and release of the rip fence relative to the table saw is achieved by the use of a pivoting handle which is moved from a locked to an unlocked and also a released position, for the purposes desired.

Abstract: An interchangeable switching system for an electrical device includes a trigger, first and second electrical contacts, and first and second interchangeable housings for mountably receiving the trigger and the contacts. The trigger has first and second camming surfaces and the first housing includes structure for mounting the first and second electrical contacts such that inward movement of the trigger causes the first contact to be forced by the first camming surface into electrical contact with the second contact. The second housing includes structure for mounting the first and second contacts in positions in which a predetermined inward movement of the trigger causes the first contact to be forced by the first camming surface into contact with a third electrical contact disposed in this housing between the first and second contacts.

Abstract: A combination arc brazing and welding electrode holder for use with welding apparatus for holding a pair of brazing electrodes in proper arc striking and arc maintaining relation or for holding an arc welding electrode. The holder has a pair of hinged handle parts swingable between an open and a closed position and each of the handle parts carries an electrode holding clamp. One of the holding clamps together with its power lead is readily removable from its handle part so that it may be attached to a work piece remote from the holder thereby to constitute a grounding lead for electric arc welding. The holding clamps are so constructed as to wedgingly hold a range of sizes or diameters of electrodes.