Abstract: A ceiling fan with retractable fan blades includes an electric motor operable to spin a rotor with a plurality of fan blades attached thereto. Each of the fan blades is operable to move between a closed position and an open position. A rotatable center ring is included on the rotor and connecting rods join each fan blade to the center ring. Rotation of the center ring relative to the rotor moves the plurality of connecting rods and fan blades in unison. The fan blades are spring biased toward the closed position. When the rotor rotates, centrifugal forces acting on the fan blades overcome the spring biasing forces and cause the fan blades to move toward the open position. A governor is positioned between the rotor and at least one of the fan blades to limit the speed of movement of the fan blades between the closed position and the open position. The governor may take the form of a fluid cylinder.

Abstract: A table saw apparatus including an extendable table. The table saw also includes a rip fence with a constant alignment spring finger to ensure alignment at all times between the rip fence and the table saw blade. The table saw further includes a self-adjusting rip fence scale associated with the extending portion of the table. The table saw further includes a self-aligning blade guard that, once adjusted a first time, ensures alignment between the blade guard and the blade on any subsequent installations of the guard. The table saw also includes a novel cradle assembly for elevating and beveling the blade.

Abstract: A compound miter saw is described having a bevel lock and bevel index to facilitate setting and locking the blade of the miter saw at desired bevel angles. Also described is a compound miter saw having a miter lock and miter index to facilitate setting and locking of the blade of the miter saw at desired miter angles. An improved down stop is disclosed that facilitates the return of the miter saw to a desired depth of cut. The disclosed miter saw is described having an improved fence, improved dust collection system, and improved carry handles.

Abstract: A miter saw clamp accessory to facilitate vertical and/or horizontal clamping of a workpiece against a supporting worktable and fence is disclosed. The miter saw clamp accessory includes a pair of extension rods extending laterally outwardly from one end of a frame with a clamp support mounted on such extension rods. A clamp shaft is adapted to be mounted in a top opening of the clamp support for vertical clamping or in a side opening of the clamp support for horizontal clamping of the workpiece. A clamp assembly is mounted on the clamp shaft and includes a connecting arm for adjustable mounting of a clamping arm having a workpiece clamp at one end that is arranged for confronting opposed positioning relative to the frame for vertical clamping or to the fence for horizontal clamping of the workpiece. A miter saw crown molding jig accessory is also disclosed for mounting on a miter saw frame.

Abstract: A compound miter saw with an adjustable/bypassable bevel stop is disclosed. The compound miter saw includes a turntable rotatably mounted on a supporting frame. A power driven saw blade is pivotally mounted to the turntable and moves along a predetermined path from an upper raised to a lower operational position that includes a saw blade slot in the turntable. A bevel adjusting features selectively rotates the power driven saw blade relative to the turntable. The adjustable/bypassable bevel stop includes predetermined bevel stop settings at set angles, for example, such as 0.degree. and 45.degree., as well as an over-riding feature when angles either less than or greater than the predetermined bevel stop settings are desired. The over-riding feature does not require re-adjustment of the predetermined bevel stop settings.

Abstract: A switch lock-out device to prevent unintended operation of a power tool through inadvertent actuation of a trigger operably associated with a motor as disclosed. The trigger is pivotally mounted in handle grip for energizing the power tool when depressed. An outer free end of the trigger extends within the handle grip. The switch lock-out device includes an integral multiple-armed element that is pivotally mounted within the handle grip. The pivotally mounted multiple-armed element includes a first arm that engages the outer free end of the trigger to prevent actuation, a second arm that includes a manual engageable button that extends outside of the handle grip and a third arm that engages an internal wall of the handle grip in biased and resilient engagement. When the manually engageable button is depressed, a first arm of the multiple-armed element is pivoted out of engagement with the free end of the trigger for actuation of the trigger to operate the power tool.