# US 7,610,836 B2 · Replaceable brake mechanism for power equipment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,610,836 B2 - Document ID: US7610836B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 09/929,236 - Filed: 2001-08-13 - Published: 2002-02-21 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2000-08-14 - Assignees: Sd3, LLC - Inventors: Stephen F. Gass; David S. D'Ascenzo; Andrew L. Johnston; Joel F. Jensen; Sung H. Kim; Anwyl M. McDonald - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7610836B2 ## CPC - B27B 5/381: {with at least one brake member contacting saw blade portions} - B23D 59/001: {Measuring or control devices, e.g. for automatic control of work feed pressure on band saw blade (measuring in general G01; controlling in general G05)} - B27G 19/008: {with sensing of human contact or proximity with the blade} - F16P 3/12: with means, e.g. feelers, which in case of the presence of a body part of a person in or near the danger zone influence the control or operation of the machine (F16P3/08 takes precedence) - F16P 3/148: {using capacitive technology} - Y10T 83/089: Responsive to tool characteristic - Y10T 83/613: Work guard - Y10T 83/7693: Tool moved relative to work-support during cutting - Y10T 83/773: Work-support includes passageway for tool [e.g., slotted table] - Y10T 83/7788: Tool carrier oscillated or rotated - Y10T 83/8773: Bevel or miter cut - B27B: SAWS FOR WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; COMPONENTS OR ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (saws specially adapted for pruning or debranching A01G3/08; sawing apparatus specially adapted for felling trees A01G23/091; features not restricted to a particular type of wood saw B23D, e.g. attaching saw blades B23D51/00; machine tool frames, beds, pillars or like members, in general B23Q1/01) - B23D: PLANING; SLOTTING; SHEARING; BROACHING; SAWING; FILING; SCRAPING; LIKE OPERATIONS FOR WORKING METAL BY REMOVING MATERIAL, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (making toothed gears or the like B23F; cutting metal by applying heat locally B23K; arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - B27G: ACCESSORY MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR WORKING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS; TOOLS FOR WORKING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS (tools for grinding B24D; sawing tools B27B33/00; tools for slotting or mortising machines B27F5/02; tools for the manufacture of wood shavings, chips, powder or the like B27L11/00); SAFETY DEVICES FOR WOOD WORKING MACHINES OR TOOLS - F16P: SAFETY DEVICES IN GENERAL; {SAFETY DEVICES FOR PRESSES} - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Woodworking machines are disclosed having cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a safety system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the cutting tool, and to stop movement of the cutting tool upon detection of the dangerous condition. At least part of the safety system is housed in a removable cartridge. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A woodworking machine comprising: a support frame including a work surface for supporting workpieces; a cutting tool supported by the frame and movable relative to the work surface to cut the workpieces supported by the work surface; and a safety system configured to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the cutting tool and to perform a predetermined action upon detection of the dangerous condition to mitigate the dangerous condition, wherein the safety system includes a cartridge removably coupled to the support frame, wherein the cartridge is adapted to perform the predetermined action a single time and then to be replaced, and wherein the cartridge has one or more single-use components configured to be expended when the cartridge performs the predetermined action. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, where the one or more single-use components include a brake pawl selectively movable to engage the cutting tool upon detection of the dangerous condition. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The machine of claim 2, where the safety system includes a spring mounted in the cartridge and arranged to urge the brake pawl into contact with the cutting tool. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The machine of claim 2, wherein the brake pawl and the cartridge include concentric bores adapted to couple the cartridge and the brake pawl to the support frame for pivotal movement relative to each other after the dangerous condition is detected. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, further comprising at least one motor configured to drive the cutting tool, and a control system configured to determine if at least one of the single-use components has been used, end where the control system is configured to prevent operation of the at least one motor if one of the single-use components has been used. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, where the cartridge includes key structure, and where the support frame includes corresponding key structure configured to engage the cartridge key structure to prevent incorrect installation of the cartridge. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes at least two single-use components. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The machine of claim 7, wherein at least one of the single-use components is an electrical component. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The machine of claim 7, wherein at least one of the single-use components is adapted to engage and stop the cutting tool after detection of the dangerous condition. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, wherein the cutting tool includes a cutting surface and at least one single-use components is adapted to engage the cutting surface of the cutting tool to stop the cutting tool after detection of the dangerous condition. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes a brake pawl and a housing defining an internal compartment having an opening, and further wherein the cartridge includes a biasing mechanism within the compartment and adapted to urge the brake pawl in a direction generally away from the opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The machine of claim 11, wherein the biasing mechanism is a spring positioned to extend at least partially through the opening when urging the brake pawl in a direction generally away from the opening. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The machine of claim 11, wherein the brake pawl is adapted to move relative to the cartridge upon detection of the dangerous condition and urging of the brake pawl in the direction generally away from the opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, where the predetermined action is moving a brake into contact with the cutting tool. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, where the predetermined action is stopping the cutting tool. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, where the dangerous condition is contact between a person and the cutting tool. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, where the dangerous condition is proximity between a person and the cutting tool. ### Claim 18 A woodworking machine comprising: a support frame including a work surface for supporting workpieces; a cutting tool supported by the frame and movable relative to the work surface to cut the workpieces supported by the work surface; and a safety brake means for detecting a dangerous condition between a person and the cutting tool, and for stopping the movement of the cutting tool upon detection of the dangerous condition, wherein the safety brake means comprises a cartridge removably coupled to the support frame and one or more single-use components associated with the cartridge and adapted to be used upon detection of the dangerous condition.