Patent ID: 8074546

Claim:
A table saw configured to retract a saw blade in response to an activation signal from a normal operating position, where the saw blade extends out of an opening in a table top of the table saw, into a retracted position, where the upper reach of the saw blade is positioned below the table top, the table saw comprising: a plate mounted to the table saw below the table top, wherein an arcuately-shaped track is defined in the plate; an arm pivotally mounted to the plate about a first shaft; a second shaft mounted to the arm at a location spaced a distance from the first shaft and extending into at least a portion of the arcuately-shaped track, wherein the second shaft comprises an arbor, and wherein the arbor is engagable with the saw blade; a detent assembly mounted to the plate and configured to releasably engage the arm to hold the arm in position when the saw blade is in the normal operating position; and a firing mechanism comprising: a barrel comprising a bore; and an extendable piston positioned at least partially within the bore, wherein the piston is configured to cause the arm to pivot about the first shaft when the firing mechanism is activated by the activation signal, wherein the pivoting of the arm overrides the detent assembly and causes the second shaft to move downwardly along the arcuately-shaped track, and wherein the downwardly movement of the second shaft along the arcuately-shaped track brings the saw blade below the table top into the retracted position.