A post 22D may be disposed between holders 22H. Post 22D preferably does not extend from panel 22 as much as holders 22H. Post 22D may have a protrusion 22DD. Pushstick 70 may also have a detent or protrusion 70D extending therefrom. Preferably protrusion 70D moves past protrusion 22DD as pushstick 70 is moved along posts 22HP. Protrusions 70D and 22DD may contact, preventing pushstick 70 from moving along panel 22.

Persons skilled in the art will recognize that protrusions 70D and/or 22DD may engage notches in panel 22 and/or pushstick 70, respectively. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the interaction of protrusions 70D and/or 22DD can be used instead or in conjunction with the friction-based retaining arrangement, i.e., where friction is created between narrow area 71N and post 22HH, discussed above.

Holders 22H and/or post 22D are preferably integrally molded with panel 22. Accordingly, pushstick 70 may be held unto the panel 22 without requiring any additional parts.

Persons skilled in the art may recognize other additions or alternatives to the means disclosed herein. However, all these additions and/or alterations are considered to be equivalents of the present invention.

Table saws and table saws designed to implement safety systems that detect contact between a person and a dangerous portion of the saw are disclosed. Table saw components, mounting systems for table saws, and table saw attachments are also disclosed. One embodiment may include a first clamp surface, a second clamp surface spaced apart from the first clamp surface so that a base portion of a riving knife or splitter can be placed between the clamp surfaces with the opposing sides of the base portion generally parallel to the first and second clamp surfaces.

A power tool having an integrated control system includes a workpiece supporting surface, a cutting instrument extendable above the workpiece supporting surface, a guard assembly securable above the workpiece supporting surface for covering at least a portion of the cutting instrument, a motor coupled with the cutting instrument, and a power switch operable for starting the motor for driving the cutting instrument. The power tool includes a control system in communication with the guard assembly for determining if the guard assembly is installed. Before the motor is started, the control system automatically disables the motor if it determines that the guard assembly is not installed. The control system includes a bypass switch for enabling starting of the motor when the guard assembly is not installed.

A table saw includes a table, a saw unit movably coupled underneath the table, a riving knife extending through the table, and a quick-release assembly selectively coupling the riving knife to the table. The quick-release assembly includes a mounting plate coupled to the table and a clamping plate movable relative to the mounting plate between a clamping position, in which the riving knife is clamped between the mounting plate and the clamping plate to secure the riving knife to the table, and a release position, in which the riving knife is releasable from the table. The quick-release assembly further includes a pin coupled for movement with the clamping plate and a handle pivotably coupled to the pin. The pin has a cam portion engageable with the saw unit. The clamping plate is movable between the clamping position and the release position in response to pivoting movement of the handle.

A table saw has a base assembly, a table assembly supported by the base assembly, and a saw assembly supported by at least one of the table assembly and the base assembly. The saw assembly includes a saw blade extending through the table assembly. The base assembly has at least one tube connected to the table assembly.

A table saw includes a table, a saw unit movably coupled underneath the table, a riving knife extending through the table, and a quick-release assembly selectively coupling the riving knife to the table. The quick-release assembly includes a mounting plate coupled to the table and a clamping plate movable relative to the mounting plate between a clamping position, in which the riving knife is clamped between the mounting plate and the clamping plate to secure the riving knife to the table, and a release position, in which the riving knife is releasable from the table. The quick-release assembly further includes a pin coupled for movement with the clamping plate and a handle pivotably coupled to the pin. The pin has a cam portion engageable with the saw unit. The clamping plate is movable between the clamping position and the release position in response to pivoting movement of the handle.

Inserts for table saws are disclosed. The table inserts are equipped with a toolless locking mechanism that mechanically holds the insert in place and which allows for the installation and removal of the insert without the use of tools. The locking mechanism is easy to lock and unlock and yet robust enough to hold a zero-clearance insert in place.

Various aspects of an apparatus are disclosed. In a particular aspect, an apparatus comprising a cylindrical filter, a filter cleaning knob, and a filter cleaning flap is disclosed. Within such embodiment, the filter cleaning knob is configured to rotate the cylindrical filter. The filter cleaning flap is coupled to the cylindrical filter and configured to sequentially make contact with a plurality of pleated segments of the cylindrical filter as the filter cleaning knob is rotated.

Various safety systems for power tools, and in particular table saws include detection systems for detecting a dangerous condition relative to a blade of the power tool, reaction systems for taking mitigation action in response to detection of a dangerous condition. The safety system may detect, prevent, and/or mitigate a dangerous condition associated with the power tool.

Inserts for table saws are disclosed. The table inserts are equipped with a toolless locking mechanism that mechanically holds the insert in place and which allows for the installation and removal of the insert without the use of tools. The locking mechanism is easy to lock and unlock and yet robust enough to hold a zero-clearance insert in place.