Table cutting machine

A cutting machine comprising:

• a table having an upper surface and configured to support a workpiece on the upper surface;
• a cutting machine body including a rotary blade;
• a support device configured to support the cutting machine main body such that (i) the cutting machine main body is vertically movable between an upper end position and a lower end position and (ii) the cutting machine main body is slidably movable within a slidable range in a sliding direction substantially parallel to the upper surface of the table;
• and
• an intermediate stopper device having a stopper end portion configured to selectively engage a portion of the support device in order to operate in a prevention mode and a release mode, wherein
• the prevention mode prevents a sliding movement of the cutting machine main body from a position between a first end of the slidable range and an intermediate position within the slidable range toward a second end of the slidable range opposite to the first end beyond the intermediate position while at the same time permitting the sliding movement of the cutting machine main body from the position between the first end of the slidable range and the intermediate position within the slidable range toward the first end of the slidable range, and
• the release mode permits the sliding movement of the cutting machine main body through the slidable range.

A cutting machine comprising:

• a table having an upper surface and configured to support a workpiece on the upper surface;
• a fence disposed on the upper surface of the table and configured to position the workpiece;
• a cutting machine body including a rotary blade, a fixed cover configured to cover a portion of the rotary blade, and a movable cover and an auxiliary cover each configured to cover a portion of the rotary blade that is not covered by the fixed cover,
• wherein each of the movable cover and the auxiliary cover is movable between a closed position for covering the portion of the rotary blade and an open position for uncovering the portion of the rotary blade;
• a support device configured to support the cutting machine main body such that (i) the cutting machine main body is vertically movable between an upper end position and a lower end position and (ii) the cutting machine main body is slidably movable within a slidable range in a sliding direction substantially parallel to the upper surface of the table,
• wherein the support device comprises:
• a support arm laterally tiltably connected to the table;
• a holder disposed at an upper portion of the support arm;
• a pair of parallel slide bars slidably supported by the holder and extending through the holder;
• and
• a bracket fixedly connecting end portions of the pair of slide bars to each other and vertically tiltably supporting the cutting machine main body;
• and
• an intermediate stopper device configured to prevent and permit a sliding movement of the cutting machine main body from an intermediate position within the slidable range toward a first end of the slidable range,
• wherein the intermediate stopper device includes a stopper member pivotable relative to one of the holder and the bracket between a restraining position and a non-restraining position about an axis;
• wherein the stopper member includes an end portion configured to selectively engage a portion of the support device;
• wherein when the stopper member is positioned at the restraining position, the end portion is situated between the holder and the bracket to be opposed to the other of the holder and the bracket in the sliding direction, so that the end portion of the stopper member contacts the other of the holder and the bracket in the sliding direction when the cutting machine main body reaches the intermediate position as a result of the movement from a position between a second end opposite to the first end of the slidable range and the intermediate position toward the first end in a cutting direction;
• wherein the movable cover is configured to open and close in response to the vertical movement of the cutting machine main body;
• wherein the auxiliary cover is normally held in the closed position by a spring;
• and
• wherein the auxiliary cover is configured such that:
• when the cutting machine main body is at the lower end position and at least between the intermediate position and the first end of the slidable range in the sliding direction, the auxiliary cover takes a position where the auxiliary cover has moved upward from the closed position toward the open position against a force of the spring through contact with the workpiece or the fence.