Safety mechanism for saws

Abstract

An improvement is set forth in a sawing apparatus having a table supporting a workpiece, a fence for guiding the workpiece and an operator moveable electrically operated saw having a first normally biased off switch controlling application of electric power to the apparatus, the switch being positioned to be controlled by the hand of an operator which controls movement of the saw. The improvement comprises a second normally biased off switch connected in series with the first normally biased off switch, the second switch being mounted adjacent to the fence a sufficient distance from the saw blade to prevent the saw blade from contacting the operator's off hand when the off hand is activating the second switch and in a position whereat the off hand can, simultaneously with activating the second switch, adjust the position of the workpiece along the fence. Since in order for the saw blade to rotate both hands of an operator must be holding onto normally off switches and since both switches are in positions removed from the area of movement of the saw blade, the operator is protected from accidently cutting himself. Yet, the apparatus allows the operator adequate control of the workpiece being cut and further allows a radial arm saw to function as a ripping saw without interference.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.