Patents by Inventor Stephen F. Gass
Stephen F. Gass has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11548083Abstract: Inserts for use in table saws are disclosed. One embodiment may include a mechanism to lock mechanically and affirmatively the insert in a blade opening in a table saw. The mechanism is designed so that a user can install and remove the insert without tools. The mechanism also can be designed so that the front of the insert pops up above the table when released from its locked position. The mechanism can be further designed so that the insert can be unlocked or released by a user pressing a button or tab.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2018Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, James F. W. Wright
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Patent number: 11273504Abstract: Inserts for table saws are disclosed. The table inserts are equipped with a toolless locking mechanism that mechanically holds the insert in place and which allows for the installation and removal of the insert without the use of tools. The locking mechanism is easy to lock and unlock and yet robust enough to hold a zero-clearance insert in place.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: SawStop, Holding LLCInventors: John P. Nenadic, James F. W. Wright, Stephen F. Gass
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Publication number: 20220042648Abstract: Power tools with conductive couplings used with active injury mitigation technology are disclosed. Conductive couplings are particularly relevant to table saws, hand-held circular saws, track saws, miter saws, and band saws with active injury mitigation technology. Conductive couplings provide a mechanism through which an electrical signal can be coupled or imparted to a blade, and then monitored for changes indicative of human contact with the blade. An exemplary conductive coupling includes a brush that establishes an electrical connection with a moving part of a power tool, and the brush maintains contact with the moving part of the power tool during at least 40 hours of cumulative time when the motor is spinning the arbor and blade without an interruption in the electrical connection sufficient to trigger the reaction system. A conductive coupling may be two-sided compliant. A conductive coupling may connect to a motor shaft to minimize electrical noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Applicant: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, John P. Nenadic, Louis R. Slamka
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Patent number: 11104028Abstract: Fences for use in table saws are disclosed. One embodiment may include an actuator, handle or lever to lock and unlock the fence from the table, where the actuator, handle or lever is positioned substantially above the tabletop and substantially within the perimeter of the table (including any rail associated with the table). Another embodiment may include an actuator, handle or lever to lock and unlock the fence from the table, where the actuator, handle or lever is positioned along a top surface of the fence and configured so that the fence unclamps from the saw when the actuator, handle or lever is pressed. The fence may be configured to include a material support shelf that is selectably extendable and retractable.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2015Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: Jeremy J. Burke, John P. Nenadic, Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer, Paul H. Stasiewicz
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Patent number: 11098849Abstract: Power tools with conductive couplings used with active injury mitigation technology are disclosed. Conductive couplings are particularly relevant to table saws, hand-held circular saws, track saws, miter saws, and band saws with active injury mitigation technology. Conductive couplings provide a mechanism through which an electrical signal can be coupled or imparted to a blade, and then monitored for changes indicative of human contact with the blade. An exemplary conductive coupling includes a brush that establishes an electrical connection with a moving part of a power tool, and the brush maintains contact with the moving part of the power tool during at least 40 hours of cumulative time when the motor is spinning the arbor and blade without an interruption in the electrical connection sufficient to trigger the reaction system. A conductive coupling may be two-sided compliant. A conductive coupling may connect to a motor shaft to minimize electrical noise.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, John P. Nenadic, Louis R. Slamka
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Publication number: 20210245390Abstract: Power saws and features for power saws are disclosed. Various features are particularly relevant to jobsite or benchtop table saws, such as a trunnion formed from a shaped tube, an elevation carriage, and an arbor block retention mechanism. Other features are particularly relevant to table saws, hand-held circular saws, track saws, miter saws, and band saws with active injury mitigation technology, such as an electrically isolating gear and an overmolded arbor/gear element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Applicant: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: J. David Fulmer, Stephen F. Gass, John P. Nenadic
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Publication number: 20210229197Abstract: Fast-acting and low-inertia actuators useable in various applications where a high force must be applied very quickly are disclosed. Power tools with detection systems configured to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a cutting tool are disclosed. In power tools, for example in a woodworking machine, a fast-acting and low-inertial actuator as disclosed herein can be used to retract a blade upon detection of a dangerous condition by a detection system. The actuator includes a charge of pressurized fluid and one or more electromagnets to selectively retain or release the pressurized fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: SawStop Holding LLCInventor: Stephen F. Gass
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Patent number: 11027452Abstract: Blade guards for table saws are disclosed. The blade guards can be used in a configuration where the guard holds a work piece against a work surface. This may be thought of as blade guards with hold-down capability. The blade guards also include splitters and anti-kickback assemblies. The anti-kickback assemblies include anti-kickback pawls that can be in an operable configuration or a disabled configuration.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, James F. W. Wright
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Patent number: 10981238Abstract: Fast-acting and low-inertia actuators useable in various applications where a high force must be applied very quickly are disclosed. Power tools with detection systems configured to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a cutting tool are disclosed. In power tools, for example in a woodworking machine, a fast-acting and low-inertial actuator as disclosed herein can be used to retract a blade upon detection of a dangerous condition by a detection system. The actuator includes a charge of pressurized fluid and one or more electromagnets to selectively retain or release the pressurized fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: SawStop Holding LLCInventor: Stephen F. Gass
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Patent number: 10967536Abstract: Blade guards for table saws are disclosed. The blade guards can be used in a configuration where the guard holds a work piece against a work surface. This may be thought of as blade guards with hold-down capability. The blade guards also include splitters and anti-kickback assemblies. The anti-kickback assemblies include anti-kickback pawls that can be in an operable configuration or a disabled configuration.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2012Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, James F. W. Wright
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Patent number: 10933554Abstract: Power saws and features for power saws are disclosed. Various features are particularly relevant to jobsite or benchtop table saws, such as a trunnion formed from a shaped tube, an elevation carriage, and an arbor block retention mechanism. Other features are particularly relevant to table saws, hand-held circular saws, track saws, miter saws, and band saws with active injury mitigation technology, such as an electrically isolating gear and an overmolded arbor/gear element.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: J. David Fulmer, Stephen F. Gass, John P. Nenadic
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Patent number: 10882207Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer, David A. Fanning
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Patent number: 10875210Abstract: Blade tilt mechanisms for table saws are disclosed. The disclosed tilt mechanisms provide easy and intuitive operation. They also provide auto-locking so that a user simply releases a component to lock the blade at a specific angle. The tilt mechanisms also provide defined incremental steps for the tilt of the blade and the steps are typically spaced at 1-degree intervals.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer, James F. W. Wright
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Patent number: 10864651Abstract: Control systems are disclosed for power tools such as table saws, miter saws, band saws, hand-held circular saws, jointers, shapers, routers, and up-cut saws. The control systems include systems to turn power tools on and off, and to control the supply of power to motors. The systems to turn power tools on and off may include dual switches that must be operated together to turn a power tool on. The systems to provide power to motors may include dual relays in series implemented with methods to minimize arcing and welding of the relays. The systems described herein may be implemented in power tools equipped with active injury mitigation technology.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, Louis R. Slamka
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Patent number: 10722959Abstract: Elevation and blade tilt mechanisms for table saws are disclosed. The elevation and tilt mechanisms may include an indexable position adjustment system configured to adjust the position of the blade relative to the table in discrete increments. Such table saws may also include a trunnion assembly with an elevation carriage slideably mounted to front and rear brackets, the brackets being tiltable with the elevation carriage relative to the table, and the elevation carriage being adapted to maintain the tilt of each bracket relative to the other bracket in a fixed orientation.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: SawStop Holding LLCInventor: Stephen F. Gass
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Publication number: 20200215629Abstract: Inserts for table saws are disclosed. The table inserts are equipped with a toolless locking mechanism that mechanically holds the insert in place and which allows for the installation and removal of the insert without the use of tools. The locking mechanism is easy to lock and unlock and yet robust enough to hold a zero-clearance insert in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Applicant: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: John P. Nenadic, James F.W. Wright, Stephen F. Gass
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Publication number: 20200108522Abstract: Control systems are disclosed for power tools such as table saws, miter saws, band saws, hand-held circular saws, jointers, shapers, routers, and up-cut saws. The control systems include systems to turn power tools on and off, and to control the supply of power to motors. The systems to turn power tools on and off may include dual switches that must be operated together to turn a power tool on. The systems to provide power to motors may include dual relays in series implemented with methods to minimize arcing and welding of the relays. The systems described herein may be implemented in power tools equipped with active injury mitigation technology.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Applicant: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, Louis R. Slamka
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Patent number: 10589366Abstract: Inserts for table saws are disclosed. The table inserts are equipped with a toolless locking mechanism that mechanically holds the insert in place and which allows for the installation and removal of the insert without the use of tools. The locking mechanism is easy to lock and unlock and yet robust enough to hold a zero-clearance insert in place.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: John P. Nenadic, James F. W. Wright, Stephen F. Gass
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Patent number: 10562114Abstract: Table saws and table saws designed to incorporate safety systems are disclosed. The table saws may include vertical slide elevation mechanisms positioned toward the rear of the saw and constructed so that an arbor block and blade can retract when a safety system detects an unsafe condition. Other table saw parts and components are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer, William L. Emery, Paul H. Stasiewicz
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Patent number: 10537949Abstract: Elevation mechanisms for table saws and anti-backdrive mechanisms for use in elevation mechanisms for table saws are disclosed. The anti-backdrive mechanisms typically include three sub-assemblies: an input assembly, an output assembly, and a fixed assembly. The anti-backdrive mechanisms prevent a torque related to the output assembly from changing the blade elevation. For example, the weight of the blade and the structure supporting the blade is prevented from backdriving the elevation mechanism and allowing the blade to drop.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2018Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: SawStop Holding LLCInventors: Stephen F. Gass, James F. W. Wright, J. David Fulmer, Jeffrey D. Weston, Steven D. McDaniel, D. Tate Fanning, Paul H. Stasiewicz