Safety device for power cutting tools

An anti-kickback device for use with a powered cutting tool having a rotating cutting element for cutting a work piece, a table having at least one surface for supporting a work piece prior during and after cutting, and a guide fence having a second surface oriented perpendicular to the at least a one surface of the at least one table, comprising:

• a. a mounting plate configured to be secured to the table proximate the rotating cutting element and configured to permit adjustment of the position of the mounting plate relative to the cutting element;
• b. a base secured to the mounting plate, the base adjustably positionable relative to the mounting plate to permit the base to move toward and away from the guide fence;
• c. a first bearing assembly pivotally affixed to the base for applying pressure against a first surface of a work piece to push the work piece against the guide fence, the first bearing assembly comprising a first elongate bearing arm having a first portion and a second portion, a first bearing member disposed at the end of the first portion opposite the second portion and having a first bearing pivot about which the first bearing rotates relative to the first portion, the first bearing member for engaging a work piece, a first bearing arm pivot disposed in the first portion and about which the first bearing arm pivots relative to the base, and first adjustable biasing means connected between the base and the first elongate bearing arm whereby the first bearing member applies a first force against a first surface of the work piece at an acute angle relative to the first surface of the work piece surface;
• d. a second bearing assembly pivotally affixed to the base for applying pressure against a second surface of the work piece to push the work piece against the at least one surface of the table and not against the guide fence, the second bearing assembly comprising a second elongate bearing arm having a first portion and a second portion, a second bearing member disposed at the distal end of the first portion for engaging the work piece, the second bearing member having a second bearing pivot about which the second bearing member rotates relative to the second elongate bearing arm, a second bearing arm pivot associated with the second elongate bearing arm and about which the second elongate bearing arm pivots relative to the base, and second adjustable biasing means whereby the second bearing member applies a second force against a second surface of the work piece in a direction perpendicular to the force applied by the first bearing member;
• and
• e. the absence of any bearing members positioned following the rotating cutting element for applying pressure against the work piece in a direction toward the rotating cutting element.