Spring-biased brake mechanism for power equipment
AssigneeSd3, LLC
InventorsStephen Gass, David D'Ascenzo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Woodworking machines are disclosed having cutting tools for cutting workpieces. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the cutting tool. The machines also include a mechanism having a moveable component adapted to move upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system. Movement of the moveable component contributes to one or more of the following actions to mitigate or prevent injury to the person: deceleration of the cutting tool, retraction of the cutting tool, and placement of a barrier over at least a part of the cutting tool. An actuator is adapted to move the moveable component at a high acceleration when the dangerous condition is detected.
Claims20
A woodworking machine comprising:
- a support frame;
- a motor supported by the frame;
- a cutting tool supported by the frame and moveable by the motor;
- a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the cutting tool;
- a mechanism having a moveable component adapted to move upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system, where movement of the moveable component contributes to one or more of the following actions to mitigate or prevent injury to the person:
- deceleration of the cutting tool, retraction of the cutting tool, and placement of a barrier over at least a part of the cutting tool;
- and
- an actuator having stored energy sufficient to start moving the moveable component within approximately 3 milliseconds or less after the dangerous condition is detected.
A woodworking machine comprising:
- a support frame;
- a motor supported by the frame;
- a cutting tool supported by the frame and moveable by the motor;
- a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the cutting tool;
- a mechanism having a moveable component adapted to move upon detection of the dangerous condition by the detection system, where movement of the moveable component contributes to the mitigation or prevention of injury to the person;
- and
- an actuator having stored energy sufficient to start moving the moveable component within approximately 3 milliseconds or less after the dangerous condition is detected at an acceleration of 500 ft/sec2 or more.
A method of mitigating a dangerous condition between a person and a cutting tool of a woodworking machine, the method comprising:
- detecting the dangerous condition;
- and
- using stored energy to start moving a moveable component within approximately 3 milliseconds or less after the dangerous condition is detected in such a manner that movement of the moveable component contributes to one or more of the following actions:
- deceleration of the cutting tool, retraction of the cutting tool, and placement of a barrier over at least a part of the cutting tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.