Patent ID: 7509899

Claim:
A table saw having a cutting region for cutting workpieces, the table saw comprising: a circular blade for cutting workpieces in the cutting region; an arbor to support the blade; an arbor block to support the arbor; a pivot pin to pivotally support the arbor block; a rack gear associated with the arbor block; a worm gear to engage the rack gear; a shaft associated with the worm gear and configured to turn the worm gear to move the rack gear and arbor block; a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade; and a reaction system associated with the detection system and the blade, where the reaction system is configured to retract the blade at least partially away from the cutting region upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system; and a release mechanism adapted to hold the worm gear in place relative to the shaft during normal operation of the saw, and further adapted to release the worm gear relative to the shaft upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system, where the blade is free to retract when the worm gear is released.