Abstract: In a brush cutter (100), when it is determined based on acceleration information including frequency components, supplied from an acceleration sensor (24) included in the brush cutter (100) that the acceleration shows a peak in a range of frequencies lower than 100 Hz, the flow moves to step S5 to amplify the acceleration peak. In next step S6, the acceleration peak is compared with a threshold. When the result of comparison shows that the acceleration peak is higher than the threshold, the flow moves to step S7 to produce a safety signal. The safety signal is output from the controller (26) to a high voltage generation circuit (30) to stop generation of a high voltage in the high voltage generating circuit (30). In this manner, the acceleration sensor (24) is used to detect any unexpected, sudden danger, while diminishing influence of the acceleration caused by vibration inherent to the own nature of the work apparatus, its intended regular operation and its posture change in regular operation.

Abstract: Power equipment with various safety systems is disclosed. Table saws with safety systems and/or blade retraction are disclosed. Over-molded arbors are disclosed, including arbors with prepreg over-molding. An electrically non-conductive material may be disposed to electrically insulate the arbor. The electrically non-conductive material may be made from fiber organized into a pattern.

Abstract: A saw is disclosed having a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a saw blade, and a brake adapted to stop the saw blade in response to detection of the dangerous condition. The saw further includes a brake positioning system that allows the brake to be positioned in at least two different operable positions to accommodate at least two different blade diameters. The saw may include a system to detect brake-to-blade spacing.

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 miter saw is disclosed having a base, a blade supported by the base, a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade, and a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of the dangerous condition. The blade is rotatable, and moves into a cutting zone to cut a workpiece. The predetermined action may be to retract the blade from the cutting zone.

Abstract: Miter saws are disclosed having a base, a blade supported by the base, a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade, and a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of the dangerous condition. The blade is rotatable, and moves into a cutting zone to cut a workpiece. The predetermined action may be to stop the blade from rotating, to create an impulse against movement of the blade into the cutting zone, or to cause the blade to move away from the cutting zone. The reaction system may include a brake member coupled to a housing.

Abstract: A fully structurally integrated high pressure, hydraulic hand-held tool for cutting dense materials, including the hooves on horses.

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: Woodworking machines are disclosed having cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the cutting tool. The machines also include a brake mechanism having one or more braking components adapted to engage and stop the cutting tool in response to the detection of a dangerous condition.

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: Woodworking machines are disclosed having electrically conductive cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a contact detection system capacitively coupled to the cutting tool, and adapted to detect contact between a person and the cutting tool. The machines also include a reaction system configured to cause one or more predetermined actions to take place upon detection of contact between a person and the cutting tool by the contact detection system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for controlling a brake of a microtome. The microtome (1) has an actuating element (2), a movement mechanism (8) and a brake. With the aid of the movement mechanism (8), an object to be cut can be moved relative to a knife blade. The actuating element (2) can be manually actuated by an operator and, as a result thereof, the relative motion between the object and the knife blade can be performed with the movement mechanism (8). The relative motion can be locked with the aid of the brake. So that the relative motion between the object and the knife blade can be used in a mechanically designed movement mechanism (8) and/or the relative motion can be locked without an additional hand movement of the operator, the inventive device is characterized by at least one sensor unit (5, 13). The sensor unit (5, 13) is provided on the actuating element (2) or adjacent to the actuating element (2). With the aid of the sensor unit (5, 13) a contact by the operator can be determined.

Abstract: Power tool includes a movable blade and a detection system for detecting contact between the blade and an object. Detection system includes an excitation plate capacitively coupling the drive signal to the movable blade. A circuit generates an in phase component signal and a quadrature component signal from a blade current signal indicative of the instantaneous current drawn by the movable blade and calculates an energy of the blade current signal considering the in-phase and the quadrature components. The circuit compares the energy of the blade current signal to an adaptive trigger threshold to detect contact between the blade and the object based on whether the energy of the blade current signal is greater than the adaptive trigger threshold.

Abstract: A tool emergency brake device, in particular for a stationary saw, has a brake unit. The brake unit is designed to brake in a self-energizing manner.

Abstract: Woodworking machines are disclosed having cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a safety system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the cutting tool, and to stop movement of the cutting tool upon detection of the dangerous condition. At least part of the safety system is housed in a removable cartridge substantially sealed against entry of sawdust.

Abstract: Cutting machines with high-speed safety systems, and actuators used in high-speed safety systems, are disclosed. The cutting machines may include a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a cutting tool and a person. A reaction system performs a specified action, such as stopping the cutting tool, upon detection of the dangerous condition. An actuator may be used to trigger the reaction system to perform the specified action.

Abstract: Improved methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as table saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood.

Abstract: A miter saw is disclosed having a base, a blade supported by the base, a detection system adapted to detect contact between a person and the blade, and a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of the dangerous condition. The blade is rotatable, and moves into a cutting zone to cut a workpiece. The predetermined action may be to stop the blade from rotating.

Abstract: A table saw has a movable cutting tool for cutting a workpiece in a cutting region. The table saw includes a detection system to detect one or more conditions between a person and the cutting tool and a retraction system associated with the detection system. The retraction system retracts the cutting tool away from the cutting region independently of the motor and disengages the cutting tool from driving rotation with the motor upon detection of the one or more conditions by the detection system.

Abstract: A machine is described having at least one dangerous portion. The machine also includes a safety system to detect dangerous proximity between a person and the dangerous portion and perform a predetermined action to limit or prevent injury to the person from the dangerous portion. The machine may include high voltage generation means, connection means, and electronic detection means.

Abstract: A woodworking machine including a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a working portion of the machine is disclosed. The machine includes a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place relative to the working portion upon detection of the dangerous condition. A motion detection system is adapted to detect motion of the working portion and to disable the reaction system when the working portion is not moving. The motion detection system may include a sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, an electromagnetic field sensor, an optical sensor, or an electrical sensor. The woodworking machine may take the form of a saw, the working portion may be a blade adapted to cut when spinning, and the dangerous condition may be a person contacting the blade.

Abstract: A system effectuates increased cutting device safety through rapid detection of abrupt motion of the device, and/or the proximity of the device cutting elements in relation to its operator. An signal processor receives, generates and processes signals from multidimensional relative distances measurement module(s) and adjusts an electro-mechanical interface with the cutting device drive and/or power mechanism as well as actuators to counteract dangerous movements of the chainsaw. Distance measurement modules resident on the user may be spatially dispersed to protect multiple areas of potential interaction between device and operator. The signal processor receives and processes the sensor signals, determines motion and proximity measurements, compares the measurements to predetermined and set thresholds, and effectuates device interruption should thresholds be reached.

Abstract: A machine tool protective device for a machine tool, having a monitoring unit which is provided for monitoring a protective region assigned to a tool. It is provided that the machine tool protective device has a guiding unit, which is provided for guiding the protective region as a function of a position of the tool.

Abstract: A power cutting tool, such as a table saw, comprising a sensing system for detecting certain conditions with respect to an exposed blade of the power cutting tool is disclosed. Several embodiments of the sensing system comprise at least one sensor located above the blade and positioned to (1) monitor one or more volume zones adjacent the blade, (2) detect when an object enters one or more of the zones, and (3) trigger a reaction system in response to the detection. Another embodiment uses an optical sensor to measure the height of objects approaching the blade to detect an increase in the height beyond a predetermined threshold. Still another embodiment uses an optical distance sensor to detect the occurrence of a work piece lifting from the table top which can indicate that a kick-back condition is imminent. The reaction system can be triggered when such a condition is detected.

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.

Abstract: A cutting machine of the present invention for cutting a material to be cut, which is placed on a table, with a rotating saw blade, includes an imaging device, a determination device and a stopping device. The imaging device takes a video image of an area on the table and outputs the video image. The determination device makes a determination on whether or not a number of pixels of a specific color, which is previously set, exceeds a predetermined threshold in one frame of image constituting the video image outputted from the imaging device. The stopping device stops rotation of the saw blade when it is determined by the determination device that the number of pixels of the specific color exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A machine such as a saw, jointer, planer, etc. is disclosed. The machine has cutting tool, a direct drive mechanism configured to move the cutting tool, a detection system adapted to detect the occurrence of an unsafe condition between a person and the cutting tool, and a reaction system adapted to mitigate the unsafe condition upon the detection of the unsafe condition by the detection system. An electrical signal is imparted on the cutting tool, and the signal is used to determine the occurrence of the unsafe condition. The direct drive mechanism is electrically isolated so that the electric signal may be imparted on the cutting tool. The electric isolation may be achieved through configurations such as insulated bearings, a substantially non-conductive housing, and a substantially non-conductive coupling joining two shaft portions.

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: Woodworking machines are disclosed having electrically conductive cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a contact detection system capacitively coupled to the cutting tool, and adapted to detect contact between a person and the cutting tool. The machines also include a reaction system configured to cause one or more predetermined actions to take place upon detection of contact between a person and the cutting tool by the contact detection system.

Abstract: A manually fed machine for working on materials, objects or the like, in particular a circular saw or a band saw bench, a planing bench, a bench drill, a press, or scissors, comprises a working tool (14), a feeding area (18) in front of the tool (14), within which a person's hand is present when feeding material to be worked on to the tool (14), and a detector (24) covering at least a section (22) of the feeding area (18) for a contactless detection of human skin.

Abstract: A saw comprises a surface having an opening defined therein, a plate structure configured to be attached to the saw below the surface, and an arm pivotally attached to the plate structure about a first shaft. A blade is configured to be engaged with the arm at a location spaced from the first shaft. A portion of the blade extends through the opening when the saw is in a normal operating position. The saw comprises a firing mechanism comprising a barrel end portion having a bore defined therein and an extendable piston at least partially positioned within the bore. The barrel end portion is attached to the plate structure. The extendable piston engages the arm during its extension and causes the arm to pivot about the first shaft when the firing mechanism is activated by an activation signal. The pivoting of the arm causes the blade to be moved downwardly below the surface.

Abstract: A band saw including a frame, at least two, spaced apart, rotatable wheels supported by the frame, a blade looped around the wheels, where rotation of at least one wheel causes the blade to move around the wheels, a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade, and a reaction system configured to engage and stop the blade within 10 milliseconds after detection of the dangerous condition is disclosed. The reaction system may be configured to cut and grip the blade.

Abstract: A woodworking machine having one or more dangerous portions is disclosed. The machine also includes a safety system configured to detect accidental contact between a person and at least one of the dangerous portions by electrically coupling a signal to the person's body, and detecting if the signal becomes coupled to the dangerous portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hand tool machine protection device for a hand tool machine (12), having at least one operating element (14, 16) and a shut-off unit (18), which brings about a shut-off during a deactivation of the control element (14, 16) by means of at least one shut-off means (24). The invention provides that the hand tool machine protection device comprises an emergency shut-off unit (28), which is provided for an emergency shut-off of an operation of the tool (26) with an activated operating element (14, 16).

Abstract: Woodworking machines are disclosed having cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a safety system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the cutting tool, and to stop movement of the cutting tool upon detection of the dangerous condition. At least part of the safety system is housed in a removable cartridge.

Abstract: The safety device mainly contains a main controller, a detector, and an emergency braking member. The main controller contains a detection member connecting the detector, an alarm member producing visual or audible alarm, and a driving member for activating the emergency braking member to reverse or stop the motor of the machine tool. The detection member could be an electrostatic detection unit, or a capacitance detection unit, or a combination of the two. The detector is positioned on a top surface of a platform and in front of a saw of the machine tool. The detector could also be part of an axle of the saw so that the saw is effectively an extension of the detector and provides both cutting and safety functions.

Abstract: Woodworking machines including cutting tools and motors adapted to drive the cutting tools are disclosed. The machines also include a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between the cutting tool and a person, and a reaction system adapted to perform a specified action upon detection of the dangerous condition. The machines further include a control system adapted to test the operability of at least a portion of the detection system and/or the reaction system. The control system is adapted to disable the motor if the tested portion is inoperable.

Abstract: A machine is described having at least one dangerous portion. The machine also includes a safety system to detect dangerous proximity between a person and the dangerous portion and perform a predetermined action to limit or prevent injury to the person from the dangerous portion.

Abstract: Improved methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as table saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood.

Abstract: Power equipment with various safety systems is disclosed. Table saws with safety systems and/or blade retraction are disclosed. Over-molded arbors are disclosed for use in power equipment with safety systems and/or blade retraction, including arbors with fiber and/or prepreg over-molding.

Abstract: Improved methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as table saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood.

Abstract: Power equipment with various safety systems is disclosed. Table saws with safety systems and/or blade retraction are disclosed. Over-molded arbors are disclosed for use in power equipment with safety systems and/or blade retraction.

Abstract: A woodworking machine having one or more dangerous portions is disclosed. The machine also includes a safety system configured to detect accidental contact between a person and at least one of the dangerous portions by electrically coupling a signal to the person's body, and detecting if the signal becomes coupled to the dangerous portion.

Abstract: A power cutting tool having a movable blade, such as a table saw, comprising a radar sensing system for movement of an object in a region near the blade is disclosed. The radar sensing system emits a radio frequency wave and receives wave energy reflected by the object. The system measures the Doppler shift of the received wave energy to detect the presence of a fast moving object in a zone near the blade. When such a condition is detected, a reaction system can be activated to mitigate the condition.

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: 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 woodworking machine is disclosed. The machine includes a cutting tool and a motor adapted to drive the cutting tool. The machine further includes a detection system to detect a dangerous condition between the cutting tool and a person, such as a person coming into contact with the cutting tool. A reaction system is provided to disable the cutting tool, such as by covering, blocking, destroying, wrapping, etc., upon detection by the detection system of the dangerous condition.

Abstract: A miter saw is disclosed having a base, a blade supported by the base, a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade, and a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of the dangerous condition. The blade is rotatable, and moves into a cutting zone to cut a workpiece. The predetermined action may be to stop the blade from rotating, to create an impulse against movement of the blade into the cutting zone, or to cause the blade to move away from the cutting zone.

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, a brake pawl, a spring, a fuse wire, circuitry a plug, an aperture for a key, and a switch activated by the key to indicate the cartridge is installed.

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.