Abstract: A power tool assembly includes a drop arm frame with an opening configured to rotatably support an arbor shaft, a lower surface spaced apart from the opening, and a plurality of ribs extending between the lower surface and the opening. The plurality of ribs define a respective one of a plurality of axes, the plurality of axes intersect at a locus, and the locus is adjacent to, but spaced apart from, a center of gravity of the drop arm assembly. The power tool assembly further includes an actuating device configured to transfer a force to the drop arm assembly when the drop arm assembly is at the first drop arm assembly position, and a control system configured to control the actuating device to transfer the force to the drop arm assembly when an unsafe condition is sensed.

Abstract: A table saw includes a safety system to protect a user from injury. The safety system detects a sensed condition and rapidly moves a saw blade away from the user. The safety system includes a dual ratchet mechanism to prevent the blade from rebounding back above a work surface after an initial rapid retraction of the blade. The table saw has a swing arm that rotates to move the blade below the work surface. A first ratchet engages a first contact surface of the swing arm after rotation of the swing arm over a first range of angular displacements to prevent counter rotation of the swing arm. A second ratchet engages a second contact surface of the swing arm after rotation of the swing arm over a second range of angular displacements to prevent counter rotation of the swing arm.

Abstract: A power tool assembly includes a drop arm frame with an opening configured to rotatably support an arbor shaft, a lower surface spaced apart from the opening, and a plurality of ribs extending between the lower surface and the opening. The plurality of ribs define a respective one of a plurality of axes, the plurality of axes intersect at a locus, and the locus is adjacent to, but spaced apart from, a center of gravity of the drop arm assembly. The power tool assembly further includes an actuating device configured to transfer a force to the drop arm assembly when the drop arm assembly is at the first drop arm assembly position, and a control system configured to control the actuating device to transfer the force to the drop arm assembly when an unsafe condition is sensed.

Abstract: A table saw includes a safety system to protect a user from injury. The safety system detects a sensed condition and rapidly moves a saw blade away from the user. The safety system includes a dual ratchet mechanism to prevent the blade from rebounding back above a work surface after an initial rapid retraction of the blade. The table saw has a swing arm that rotates to move the blade below the work surface. A first ratchet engages a first contact surface of the swing arm after rotation of the swing arm over a first range of angular displacements to prevent counter rotation of the swing arm. A second ratchet engages a second contact surface of the swing arm after rotation of the swing arm over a second range of angular displacements to prevent counter rotation of the swing arm.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a modular saw guard system for a power saw having a top and a vertically adjustable blade, the system comprises a riving knife mechanism, a blade guard mechanism that is releasably mounted to the riving knife mechanism when the riving knife mechanism is at least in its extended position, the blade guard mechanism generally covering the blade and being adjustable to enable a work piece to be moved into cutting position by the blade and a kickback prevention mechanism that is releasably mounted to the riving knife mechanism when the riving knife mechanism is at least in its extended position, the kickback prevention mechanism being configured to engage a work piece as it is being cut by the blade and apply resistance to prevent the work piece from being expelled in the reverse direction.

Abstract: An angular adjustment apparatus for a miter saw having a base and a turntable mounted to the base and rotatable around a generally centrally located axis, the turntable having a handle portion for rotating the turntable relative to the base. The apparatus includes an arcuate rack gear positioned on the base, and an elongated adjustment mechanism associated with the handle portion. The adjustment mechanism includes a pinion gear configured to engage the rack gear when brought into contact therewith, and a control wheel operatively connected to the pinion gear. The control wheel is rotatable around an axis concentric with the pinion gear and moveable along the concentric axis to cause the pinion gear to selectively engage and disengage the rack gear, wherein rotation of the control wheel while the pinion gear is engaged with the rack gear causes the turntable to rotate relative to the base.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modular saw guard system for a power saw of the type which has a table top, a rotatable circular saw blade that is vertically adjustable relative to the table top, wherein the system comprises a riving knife mechanism releasably mounted to the saw rearwardly of the blade, and being configured to be adjustable between retracted and extended positions relative to the blade, a blade guard mechanism that is releasably mounted to the riving knife mechanism and a kickback prevention mechanism that is releasably mounted to the riving knife mechanism when the riving knife mechanism is at least in its extended position, the kickback prevention mechanism being configured to engage a work piece as it is being cut by the blade and apply resistance to prevent the work piece from being expelled in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modular saw guard system for a power saw of the type which has a table top, a rotatable circular saw blade that is vertically adjustable relative to the table top, the table top having an opening through which the saw blade can extend, the blade being configured to cut a work piece as the work piece is moved forwardly from a forward position to a rearward position, wherein the system comprises a riving knife mechanism releasably mounted to the saw rearwardly of the blade, and being configured to be adjustable between retracted and extended positions relative to the blade, a blade guard mechanism that is releasably mounted to the riving knife mechanism when the riving knife mechanism is at least in its extended position, the blade guard mechanism generally covering the blade and being adjustable to enable a work piece to be moved into cutting position by the blade and a kickback prevention mechanism that is releasably mounted to the riving knife

Abstract: A power table saw of the type which has a generally rectangular table with front and rear end portions, a motor operatively coupled to drive a rotary cutting blade extending upwardly through a top of the table, the table saw including an elongated fence having front and rear end portions, and being configured to be laterally movable along the width of the table and be secured to the front and rear end portions of the table, front and rear releasable locking mechanisms operatively associated with the front and rear end portions of the fence for locking each end portion to the end portions of the table, and at least one positional sensor provided with each of the front and rear end portions of the fence for determining the lateral position of each end portion of the fence along the width of the table.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modular saw guard system for a power saw of the type which has a table top, a rotatable circular saw blade, the table top having an opening through which the saw blade can extend, the system comprising a riving knife mounted to the saw rearwardly of the blade and having a top surface and at least one aperture near the top surface, a blade guard and kickback prevention mechanism that is releasably mounted to the riving knife, the mechanism comprising a mounting channel configured to fit on and be releasably attached to the riving knife, the blade guard portion being pivotally attached to the mounting channel, the kickback prevention portion being pivotally attached to the mounting channel; and a lever mechanism for holding the mounting channel to the riving knife and for releasing the mounting channel for removal therefrom, the lever mechanism including a movable pin member for engaging the aperture of the riving knife.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modular saw guard system for a power saw of the type which has a table top, a rotatable circular saw blade that is vertically adjustable relative to the table top, the table top having an opening through which the saw blade can extend, the blade being configured to cut a work piece as the work piece is moved forwardly from a forward position to a rearward position, wherein the system comprises a riving knife mechanism releasably mounted to the saw rearwardly of the blade, a blade guard mechanism that is releasably mounted to the riving knife mechanism when the riving knife mechanism is at least in its extended position, and a kickback prevention mechanism that is releasably mounted to the riving knife mechanism.

Abstract: A workpiece stop is provided for a power tool such as a miter saw, wherein the stop is selectively movable to various positions for respective modes of operation. In one position, the stop is stored out of the way during non-use. In another position, the stop acts as a length-of-cut stop. In yet another position, the stop acts as a workpiece guide, especially useful for supporting crown molding during cutting. An embodiment of the stop includes an elongate main body portion with a guide tab portion and a stop tab portion projecting from the main body portion, and the stop is preferably mounted for selective movement both slidably and pivotally. Depending on the position of the stop, the guide tab portion or the stop tab portion are positioned to project adjacent a workpiece support surface on the saw to limit a position of a workpiece.

Abstract: A ferrule for coupling an attachment to a rotary hand tool unit of the type that has a housing with a nose portion through which a rotary output shaft extends. The nose portion has at least one groove extending generally circumferentially around at least a part of the nose portion, so that a groove portion is located on opposite sides of the nose portion. The ferrule includes a generally hollow cylindrical body with interior and exterior surfaces with an open mounting end portion and a smaller opposite end portion to which the attachment is mounted. The open mounting end portion fits on the nose portion of the housing when the ferrule is coupled to the rotary hand tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing disengagement of an axially movable and rotatable flexible core of a flexible shaft attachment, which has a driven end and a handpiece end, and the driven end has a ferrule for attachment to a rotary power tool. The rotary power tool has an exteriorly threaded hollow output shaft with a first predetermined interior depth for receiving the base end of tool bits that can be used with the power tool, and the flexible shaft attachment has a drive cap attached to the output shaft, and the drive cap has an aperture sized and shaped for receiving the core in fixed rotating engagement. The apparatus includes a generally cylindrical stop plug having an open end portion and a closed end portion, and a cylindrical chamber extending from said open end portion to said closed end portion. The open end portion has an outward extension adapted to engage the end of the output shaft and be held in place by the attached drive cap, and the chamber is capable of receiving the core therein.

Abstract: A circle cutting accessory for use with a generally cylindrical powered rotary hand tool with an output shaft at one end thereof, the tool having a second accessory attached to the one end, with the second accessory having at its distal end an outwardly extending flange with a first predetermined diameter around a substantial portion of the circumference thereof, the circle cutting accessory including a generally flat housing for receiving and supporting the second accessory and the rotary hand tool. The housing has an upper support surface with an aperture through which a cutting tool attached to the output shaft can pass. The circle cutting accessory further includes a generally horizontal elongated arm mounted to the housing and extends outwardly from the housing. A circle center and sizing elongated member is slidably attached to the arm and has a centering pin extending downwardly therefrom at one end portion.

Abstract: A circle cutting accessory for use with a generally cylindrical powered rotary hand tool with an output shaft at one end thereof, the tool having a second accessory attached to the one end, with the second accessory having at its distal end an outwardly extending flange with a first predetermined diameter around a substantial portion of the circumference thereof, the circle cutting accessory including a generally flat housing for receiving and supporting the second accessory and the rotary hand tool. The housing has an upper support surface with an aperture through which a cutting tool attached to the output shaft can pass. The circle cutting accessory further includes a generally horizontal elongated arm mounted to the housing and extends outwardly from the housing. A circle center and sizing elongated member is slidably attached to the arm and has a centering pin extending downwardly therefrom at one end portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing disengagement of an axially movable and rotatable flexible core of a flexible shaft attachment, which has a driven end and a handpiece end, and the driven end has a ferrule for attachment to a rotary power tool. The rotary power tool has an exteriorly threaded hollow output shaft with a first predetermined interior depth for receiving the base end of tool bits that can be used with the power tool, and the flexible shaft attachment has a drive cap attached to the output shaft, and the drive cap has an aperture sized and shaped for receiving the core in fixed rotating engagement. The apparatus includes a generally cylindrical stop plug having an open end portion and a closed end portion, and a cylindrical chamber extending from said open end portion to said closed end portion. The open end portion has an outward extension adapted to engage the end of the output shaft and be held in place by the attached drive cap, and the chamber is capable of receiving the core therein.

Abstract: A ferrule for coupling an attachment to a rotary hand tool unit of the type that has a housing with a nose portion through which a rotary output shaft extends. The nose portion has at least one groove extending generally circumferentially around at least a part of the nose portion, so that a groove portion is located on opposite sides of the nose portion. The ferrule includes a generally hollow cylindrical body with interior and exterior surfaces with an open mounting end portion and a smaller opposite end portion to which the attachment is mounted. The open mounting end portion fits on the nose portion of the housing when the ferrule is coupled to the rotary hand tool.

Abstract: A rip fence used with a table saw, where the table saw has an upper cutting surface with a front edge surface and a rear edge surface. The rip fence includes a main casing having a front clamping mechanism at the front end and a rear clamping mechanism at the rear end. The front clamping mechanisms has a frame with a handle pivotally connected thereto. A link is connected at one end to the handle and at another end to a cam. An activation plate is also connected the cam and to a clamping plate. The handle rotates between a locked position and a released position thereby moving the link to rotate the cam against the activation plate. The activation plate causes the clamping plate to laterally move between a locked position and a released position relative the front edge surface. The handle also causes the rear clamping mechanism to move between a locked and a released position relative the rear edge surface.

Abstract: A rip fence used with a table saw, where the table saw has an upper cutting surface with a front edge surface and a rear edge surface. The rip fence includes a main casing having a front clamping mechanism at the front end and a rear clamping mechanism at the rear end. The front clamping mechanisms has a frame with a handle pivotally connected thereto. A link is connected at one end to the handle and at another end to a cam. An activation plate is also connected the cam and to a clamping plate. The handle rotates between a locked position and a released position thereby moving the link to rotate the cam against the activation plate. The activation plate causes the clamping plate to laterally move between a locked position and a released position relative the front edge surface. The handle also causes the rear clamping mechanism to move between a locked and a released position relative the rear edge surface.