Patent ID: 6578460
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: B27G,Y10T

Abstract:
A blade guard assembly (20) for a table saw which includes a table top (15) and a saw blade (11), said blade guard assembly comprisinga) a blade guard (22) for the saw blade, said blade guard having i) a first protective position in which the peripheral portion of the saw blade above the table top is surrounded and a second elevated position permitting a workpiece to engage the saw blade, and ii) a laterally protruding bearing means (38) extending from side portions of said blade guard; b) linkage means (25) pivotally attached to said blade guard and to a portion of the table top remote from the saw blade; c) a lifter (24) having a forward camming surface (41) for engaging a workpiece (14) as it is moved toward the saw blade, said lifter having an upper surface (43) which engages said bearing means and lifts said blade guard to said second elevated position; d) a secondary link (46) pivotally attached between said lifter and the portion of the table top (17) remote from the saw blade in a manner to produce forward movement of said lifter as the workpiece engages the saw blade; e) first locking means (48) on said lifter which engages second locking means (50) on said blade guard to lock said lifter to said blade guard such that said blade guard assembly moves together as a unit as a result of said forward movement of said lifter; whereby locking of said blade guard to said lifter has the effect of reacting any torsional force into said linkage means to oppose any lifting force the saw blade may impart to the workpiece.