Safety system for power equipment

Abstract

Safety systems for power equipment are disclosed. The safety systems include a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a working portion of a machine, and a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of the dangerous condition. The reaction system may be adapted to perform some action upon detection of the dangerous condition with sufficient speed so that the person is cut no deeper than ⅛th of an inch when contacting or approaching the blade at any point above the table at a rate of one foot per second.

1 . A method of operating a table saw, where the table saw includes a table, a circular blade adapted to spin and to extend at least partially above the table to cut a work piece on the table, a detection system capable of detecting contact or dangerous proximity between a person and the blade when the blade is spinning, and a reaction system adapted to perform some action upon detection of such contact or dangerous proximity with sufficient speed so that the person is cut no deeper than ⅛ th  of an inch when contacting or approaching the blade at any point above the table at a rate of one foot per second, the method comprising:
 spinning the blade,   detecting contact or dangerous proximity between the person and the blade, and   if contact or dangerous proximity between the person and the blade is detected, then triggering the reaction system to perform an action with sufficient speed so that the person is cut no deeper than ⅛ th  of an inch when contacting or approaching the blade at any point above the table at a rate of one foot per second.   
   
   
       2 . The table saw of  claim 1 , where the action performed by the reaction system is to stop the blade. 
   
   
       3 . The table saw of  claim 1 , where the action performed by the reaction system is to retract the blade. 
   
   
       4 . The table saw of  claim 1 , where the action performed by the reaction system is to move the blade away from the person. 
   
   
       5 . The table saw of  claim 1 , where the action performed by the reaction system is to stop and retract the blade