System and Method for Rapidly Stopping a Spinning Table Saw Blade

Abstract

A system for stopping a spinning table saw blade is comprised of a pin assembly disposed adjacent to a saw blade assembly for stopping a spinning saw blade. A receiving block is disposed on a side of the saw blade opposing the pin assembly for receiving the tip of the pin assembly. A driving assembly is coupled to the pin assembly for driving the pin assembly into the spinning saw blade into the receiving block. Finally, a sensing assembly is coupled to at least one of the saw blade assembly and the driving assembly for sensing encroachment of a user's hand in a pre-defined zone. In use, upon sensing a user's hand the sensing assembly signals the driving assembly to stop the spinning saw blade by driving the pin assembly through the saw blade and into the receiving block.

1 . A system for stopping a spinning saw blade, comprising: 
 a pin assembly disposed adjacent to a saw blade assembly for stopping the spinning saw blade, the pin assembly including a first end, the first end including a pointed tip for piercing the saw blade;    a receiving block disposed on a side of the saw blade opposing the pin assembly for receiving the tip of the pin assembly;    a driving assembly coupled to the pin assembly for driving the pin assembly into the spinning saw blade and into the receiving block; and    a sensing assembly coupled to at least one of the saw blade assembly and the driving assembly for sensing encroachment of a user's hand in a pre-defined zone,    wherein upon sensing a user's hand the sensing assembly signals the driving assembly to stop the spinning saw blade by driving the pin assembly through the saw blade and into the receiving block.    
   
   
       2 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing system comprises a video proximity device.  
   
   
       3 . The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing assembly comprises a laser device.  
   
   
       4 . The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing assembly comprises a sensor for detecting the difference between the electrical capacitance of a user's hand and a workpiece.  
   
   
       5 . The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing assembly comprises a sensor for detecting the difference between the electrical resistance of a user's hand and a workpiece.  
   
   
       6 . The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing assembly recognizes the differences between the shapes of human body parts and a workpiece.  
   
   
       7 . The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of  claim 1 , wherein the pin assembly is actuated by a pyrotechnic device.  
   
   
       8 . The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of  claim 6 , wherein the pyrotechnic device is included within a replaceable cartridge.  
   
   
       9 . The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving block includes an aperture for receiving the pin assembly.  
   
   
       10 . The system for stopping a spinning saw blade of  claim 1 , wherein the pin assembly is formed of hardened steel.  
   
   
       11 . A method of stopping a spinning saw blade, comprising: 
 detecting a user's hand in a pre-defined zone by a detecting system; and    driving a pin assembly through the saw blade into a receiving block to stop the saw blade from spinning upon detecting the presence of the user's hand.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the detecting system comprises a video proximity device.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the detecting system comprises a laser device.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the detecting system comprises a sensor for detecting the difference between the electrical capacitance of a user's hand and a workpiece.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the detecting system comprises a sensor for detecting the difference between the electrical resistance of a user's hand and a workpiece.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting system recognizes the difference between the shapes of human body parts and a workpiece.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pin assembly is actuated by a pyrotechnic device.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the pyrotechnic device is included within a replaceable cartridge.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the receiving block includes an aperture for receiving the pin assembly.  
   
   
       20 . A saw, comprising: 
 a pin assembly disposed adjacent to a saw blade assembly, the saw blade assembly being configured for receiving a saw blade, the pin assembly including a first end, the first end including a pointed tip for piercing the saw blade;    a receiving block disposed on a side of the saw blade opposing the pin assembly for receiving the tip of the pin assembly;    a driving assembly coupled to the pin assembly for driving the pin assembly into the saw blade and into the receiving block; and    a sensing assembly coupled to at least one of the saw blade assembly and the driving assembly for sensing encroachment of a user's hand in a pre-defined zone,    wherein upon sensing a user's hand the sensing assembly signals the driving assembly to stop the saw blade by driving the tip of the pin assembly through the saw blade and into the receiving block.