A band saw including a frame, at least two, spaced apart, rotatable wheels supported by the frame, a blade looped around the wheels, where rotation of at least one wheel causes the blade to move around the wheels, a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade, and a reaction system configured to engage and stop the blade within 10 milliseconds after detection of the dangerous condition is disclosed. The reaction system may be configured to cut and grip the blade.

Table saws with safety systems are disclosed. The safety systems detect and react to dangerous conditions, such as contact between the blade and a person. The table saws may include a switch, a first light that illuminates to indicate the safety system is operable, and a second light that illuminates to indicate that the safety system is inoperable. The switch may not power the saw when switched on if the second light is illuminated.

A tree shear head assembly is comprised of a connecting frame which provides connecting sections, one of which is angulated at a specific angle to connect to a boom of a motorized vehicle. The connecting frame has a shear structure secured to a lower connecting wall thereof and additional connecting sections for attachment of at least one of a clamping grapple and a tree trunk support fork secured to a support column. The shear structure has a blade which co-acts with a channel formed between gripping plates to immovably arrest a tree trunk being cut by the blade with a slicing action to prevent shattering of the trunk and damage to the tree fibers thereby achieving a clean cut. Different combinations of the shear head assembly with the clamping grapple and/or the tree support fork are easily adapted in combination with the tree shear head assembly.

A device for deflecting a detached cutting chain off the drive sprocket of a chain saw in order to deenergize and arrest it. A ramp provides a surface disposed below the chain guide bar, which surface is oblique with respect to the chain guide bar, slightly below a lower edge of the chain guide bar and obliquely angled with respect to a plane that contains the exterior surface of the chain guide bar, and distal to the drive sprocket. Sliding engagement of a detached cutting chain with the oblique surface moves the cutting chain exteriorly away from the chain guide bar and off the drive sprocket. A chain catcher is also provided to arrest the detached cutting chain and/or chain shot portions thereof.

A handheld tool configured to procure fuel is described. Embodiments of the fuel procurement tool include a handhold having a cutting mechanism located proximate one end of the handhold. Typically, the cutting mechanism can include at least one cutter link having a depth gauge, a top plate, and a gullet formed between the depth gauge and the top plate. The fuel procurement tool can be implemented to procure kindling from a piece of wood.

Throat plates for table saws and table saws are disclosed. In some embodiments, the throat plates and/or saws have at least one securement mechanism to secure and prevent inadvertent removal of the throat plate from the throat of the saw. In some embodiments, at least one of the securement mechanisms also provides a height adjustment mechanism and/or prevents vertical removal of the throat plate. In some embodiments, the throat plate has an accessory mounting port that provides a portal for accessories, including safety accessories, to extend through the plate from beneath the table of the saw. In some embodiments, the port extends from the plate's outer perimeter to divide the plate's rear end portion into a pair of spaced-apart members. In some embodiments, these members are independently secured to the table saw and retained apart from each other by one or more of the securement mechanisms.

Throat plates for table saws and table saws are disclosed. In some embodiments, the throat plates and/or saws have at least one securement mechanism to secure and prevent inadvertent removal of the throat plate from the throat of the saw. In some embodiments, at least one of the securement mechanisms also provides a height adjustment mechanism and/or prevents vertical removal of the throat plate. In some embodiments, the throat plate has an accessory mounting port that provides a portal for accessories, including safety accessories, to extend through the plate from beneath the table of the saw. In some embodiments, the port extends from the plate's outer perimeter to divide the plate's rear end portion into a pair of spaced-apart members. In some embodiments, these members are independently secured to the table saw and retained apart from each other by one or more of the securement mechanisms.

A power tool operator protection system comprises a plurality of wearable position sensors configured to be worn by an operator of a handheld power tool; a power tool position sensor configured to detect the position of a handheld power tool; and processing equipment configured to generate a model of the operator based on the mutual positions of the respective wearable sensors relative to each other, the mutual positions defining the operator's posture; associate each of a plurality of limbs (32a-g) of the operator with a respective protection volume (30a-g); and based on the position and/or motion of the power tool in relation to the protection volume (30a-g) indicating an imminent danger that the working implement enters a protection volume (30a-g), generate a protection signal.

A handheld chainsaw includes a cutting assembly, a housing with a lateral contact surface, a sprocket-wheel cover, and a chain catcher with a catch edge. The chainsaw extends in the direction of a longitudinal axis predefined by the cutting assembly. The chain catcher is arranged on the sprocket-wheel cover. The contact surface defines a contact plane. The chain catcher has a free end adjoining the contact surface with no form-fitting position holder acting rearwardly in the direction of the longitudinal axis. At least in the region of its free end, the catch edge of the chain catcher has a catch slope oriented away from the contact surface.

Woodworking machines and safety methods for use with those machines are disclosed. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system can include an explosive to trigger the system, and also can be configured to retract a cutting tool at least partially away from a cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.