Patent Publication Number: US-2023150165-A1

Title: Table saw blade safety system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This patent application relates to table saws and more particularly table saw safety devices. 
     Table saws are extremely useful, but potentially dangerous tools. In this regard, it is not uncommon for such saws to be equipped with safety equipment, such as a saw blade cover, riving knife, anti-kickback pawls, etc. The saw blade cover is typically suspended over the saw blade using the riving knife, as shown in  FIG.  1   . For certain cuts, however, the riving knife and/or the cover may get in the way, such as when using a table saw sled, forcing the user to remove the saw blade cover and thereby defeating the safety feature entirely. Accordingly, there is a need for a table saw blade safety cover system that is not so limited. 
     SUMMARY 
     A safety system for a table saw is provided that includes: a generally U-shaped structure having a horizontal bottom segment, a vertical segment extending from a first end of the horizontal bottom segment, and a horizontal top segment extending from a first end of the vertical member opposite the first end of the horizontal bottom segment; a receiver having an end configured for receiving a second end of the horizontal bottom segment opposite the first end thereof; and a saw blade cover coupled to a distal end of the horizontal to segment opposite the first end of the vertical member. 
     In one embodiment, the receiver is configured for being attached underneath a table saw top and wherein the generally U-shaped structure elevates the saw blade cover over the table saw top without obstructing the table saw top. 
     In one embodiment, at least two of: the horizontal top segment, the vertical segment, and the horizontal bottom segment are removably attached to each other. 
     In one embodiment, at least one of: the horizontal top segment, the vertical segment, and the horizontal bottom segment is telescopically extendible. 
     In one embodiment, the receiver has a tubular shape and wherein the tubular receiver accepts the horizontal bottom segment in a sliding arrangement. 
     In one embodiment, the receiver has openings at opposing ends each for receiving the horizontal bottom segment in a sliding arrangement. 
     In one embodiment, the receiver comprises a locking mechanism and wherein the receiver accepts the horizontal bottom segment in a sliding arrangement unobstructed, therewith allowing a user to adjust a distance of the vertical segment from a side of a table saw top and lock the horizontal bottom segment with respect to sliding movement. 
     In one embodiment, the horizontal bottom segment has a plurality of equally spaced holes and wherein the locking mechanism is configured to selectively engage one of the plurality of equally spaced holes. 
     In one embodiment, the horizontal top and bottom segments are essentially parallel to each other. 
     In one embodiment, the vertical segment is essentially perpendicular to at least one of the horizontal top and bottom segments. 
     In one embodiment, the horizontal top segment comprises an extension segment telescopically extendible from the horizontal top segment. 
     In one embodiment, the horizontal top segment comprises a locking mechanism and wherein the horizontal top segment accepts the extension segment in a sliding arrangement, therewith allowing a user to adjust a distance of the saw blade cover from the vertical segment. 
     In one embodiment, the receiver comprises a locking mechanism and wherein the receiver accepts the horizontal bottom segment in a sliding arrangement unobstructed, therewith allowing a user to adjust a distance of the vertical segment from a side of a table saw top and lock the horizontal bottom segment with respect to sliding movement. 
     In one embodiment, the horizontal bottom segment has a plurality of equally spaced holes and wherein the locking mechanism thereof is configured to selectively engage one of the plurality of equally spaced holes. 
     In one embodiment, the extension segment has a plurality of equally spaced holes and wherein the locking mechanism thereof is configured to selectively engage one of the plurality of equally spaced holes. 
     In one embodiment, the plurality of equally spaced holes in the horizontal bottom segment and in the extension segment have the same spacing. 
     In one embodiment, the saw blade cover is pivotally coupled to the horizontal top segment extending at a distal end opposite the first end of the vertical segment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing a typical table saw. 
         FIG.  2    is a front view showing a typical table saw in use. 
         FIG.  3    is a rear view showing a table saw blade safety system according to at least one embodiment of the systems disclosed herein functionally coupled to a table saw. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view showing a table saw blade safety system according to at least one embodiment of the systems disclosed herein functionally coupled to a table saw. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present application provides a table saw blade safety system which overcomes some or all the drawbacks associated with those in the art. Although the safety system may be discussed herein in relation to a certain type of table saws, it is understood that the system may be applied to various types of circular table saws, such as a cabinet, contractor, and tile type table saws, etc., as well as non-circular saws, such as band saws, scroll saws, etc. Accordingly, the system is not limited for use on any one type of table saw. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a table saw  100  generally includes a tabletop  102  and a base  104  to which the tabletop  102  is affixed and supported thereby. The tabletop  102  has a left side  106  and a ride side  106 ′ (opposite the left side  106 ). The left and right sides  106 ,  106 ′ may be parallel to each other. The tabletop  102  further includes a front  108  and back  100  (opposite the front  108 ). The front and back  108 ,  110  may be parallel to each other and may be perpendicular to the sides  106 ,  106 ′. The tabletop  102  preferably includes therein a slot through which the saw blade  112  protrudes, such as the circular saw blade shown. The saw blade  112  is preferably retractable relative to the top  102 . Material  200  that is being cut is placed on the top  102  and while the saw blade  112  is rotating, the user pushes the material  200  through the blade  112 , as shown in  FIG.  2   . Crosscuts may be achieved using a sled (not shown) that maintains the material  200  at the desired orientation relative to the plane of the blade, for example, at right angles, 45 degrees, etc. 
     The table saw  100  may include a safety system, such as a saw blade cover  114 . The cover  114  is typically attached to the top  102  with a riving knife  116 . The cover  114  and/or the riving knife  116  may interfere, for example, when the user opts to use the saw  100  with the crosscut sled. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , a safety system for a table saw  100  is provided that elevates the saw blade cover  114  over the top  102  without the need for a riving knife  116  or similar structure that extends upward and/or outward from the plane of the top  102 . Preferably, the system provides a suspended cover  114  such that the entire planar surface or at least the area near and/or around the saw blade of the top  102  remains unobstructed by the safety system. In one embodiment, the system includes a generally U-shaped structure, as shown. This structure is preferably formed by tubing bent to provide the desired shape. The interior space within this U-shape accommodates or otherwise provides clearance for the material being cut  200 , as shown. In this regard, the U-shaped structure may include a horizontal bottom segment  304 , followed by a bend that leads to a vertical segment  304 , which may be followed by another bend that leads to a horizontal top segment  308 . The system may be configured for use in various size table saws and for various size materials. Accordingly, the dimensions of these segments may vary according to need. For example, the bottom segment may have a length of between about 18 inches to about 48 inches. The height of the vertical element  306  may be between about 6 inches and about 18 inches. The tubing may have an inside dimension/diameter ranging from ¾″ to 4″. Moreover, the segments may be telescopic and/or extendible to accommodate these different dimensions. 
     The U-shaped structure is preferably coupled to the bottom of the tabletop  102  (opposite the top surface of the tabletop  102 ), as shown, to limit any interference with the material  200 . This may be accomplished in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, a tubular receiver  312  is provided that attaches, e.g., with screws or the like, to the tabletop  102 . The tubular receiver  302  accepts, in a sliding arrangement, the bottom segment  304 . The tubular receiver  302  may be open at both ends for the bottom segment  304  to be inserted from either end and slide therein unobstructed, and therewith allowing users to adjust the distance of the vertical segment  306  from the sides  106 ,  106 ′ of the tabletop  102 . The receiver  302  may have a locking mechanism  312 , which may be a threaded bolt that when screwed into the receiver  322  locks the bottom segment  304  with respect to sliding movement. The bottom segment  304  and/or the receiver  302  may have circular cross sections to allow the bottom segment  304  to rotate within the receiver  302 , thereby providing height adjustability with respect to the top segment  308  relative to the tabletop  102 . The locking mechanism  312  preferably also locks the bottom segment  304  with respect to rotational movement relative to the receiver  302 . In one embodiment, the bottom segment  304  includes a plurality of equally spaced holes  316  for positive engagement with the locking mechanism  312 . 
     The bottom segment  304  may be a straight pipe that is placed to be essentially parallel, that is, within reasonable manufacturing tolerances, relative to the planer tabletop  102 . The segments  304 ,  306 ,  308  may be constructed of a continuous pipe or separate interlocking pipes that are assembled for use. The orientation of the pipes may vary, but in a preferred embodiment, the vertical segment  306  is essentially perpendicular to the bottom segment  304 , and the top segment  308  is essentially perpendicular to the vertical segment  306 . As discussed, the segments may be telescopic and/or extendible to adjust the vertical and/or horizontal dimensions thereof. 
     In one embodiment, the top segment  308  is telescopically extendible. For example, the top segment  308  may have an extension  308 ′ that extends outward from the open end of the top segment  308  so as to increase the total length of the top segment  308  up to the cover  114 . Preferably, the extension  308  includes therein a locking mechanism that locks the extension  308 ′ relative to the top segment  308  laterally and/or rotationally. The locking system may include a plurality of holes  316  in the extension  308 ′ and/or the top segment  308  (not shown), preferably spaced equally the same as the holes in the bottom segment  304 , so that extension of the bottom segment  304  and the extension  308 ′ a certain number of spaces results in an equal total extension of the bottom segment  304  and the top segment  308 . 
     The safety system includes a cover  114  that is preferably pivotally attached to the distal end of the top segment  308  and/or extension  308 ′. This may be achieved in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, a structure  310  having an essentially vertical planer plate is attached to the distal end of the extension  308 ′ and the cover  114  is configured to pivot or rotate in the plane of the planer structure  310 . A locking mechanism  312 , such as a screw threaded through the cover  114  and that selectively contacts and/or engages the planar structure  310  to fix the orientation of the cover  114  relative to the structure  310 , as shown in  FIGS.  3 - 4   . 
     Beneficially, the design of the safety system allows the system to be removed from the tabletop, for example, for storage. The tubular elements further allow the system to be used as a conduit for liquid, for example, for a tile saw. Similarly, the tubing may provide a conduit for dust control. Other benefits are apparent to one skilled in the art. 
     While the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, from a reading of the disclosure, that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention.