Patent ID: 7600456
Filing Date: 2009-10-13
Classification: B23D,B27G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. 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, said system comprising: a riving knife mounted to the saw rearwardly of the blade and having a top surface and a predetermined thickness that is greater than the thickness of the blade body and less than the thickness of the kerf of the blade, said riving knife having at least one aperture near said top surface and a slot in said top surface spaced from said aperture, said slot extending downwardly and toward said riving knife aperture; a blade guard and kickback prevention mechanism that is releasably mounted to said riving knife, said mechanism having a blade guard portion above the blade and being adjustable to enable a work piece to be moved into cutting position by the blade and a kickback prevention portion 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, said mechanism further comprising: a mounting member configured to fit on and be releasably attached to said riving knife wherein said mounting member is elongated and has a generally U shaped cross section with spaced legs connected to one another by a center portion, said mounting member having leg apertures aligned with said riving knife aperture and thereby being configured to be locked to said riving knife when a pin member engages said aperture of said riving knife and said leg apertures of said mounting member; said blade guard portion being pivotally attached to said mounting member; said kickback prevention portion being pivotally attached to said mounting member and comprising a shaft that fits within aligned kickback apertures in said legs of said mounting member and said shaft being configured to fit within said slot when said mounting member is attached to said riving knife; a lever mechanism for holding said mounting member to said riving knife and for releasing said mounting member for removal therefrom, said lever mechanism including said movable pin member for engaging said aperture of said riving knife.