A blade guard assembly for use with a band saw has a blade guard housing integral to, or attached to, a band saw housing. Disposed within the blade guard housing is a spring. A guard member is slidably received within and extend out of the blade guard housing. The guard member is biased by the spring to engage a bumper attached to the blade saw housing in a normal position and retracts when an object is in the cutting zone.

A multi-purpose tool guide apparatus for use with woodworking and similar applications where the apparatus can be employed as either a stationary guide for applying a biasing force against a workpiece or as a hand-held tool for pushing or controlling a workpiece that us being cut or shaped. The multi-purpose apparatus includes features and components that allow for it to be configured and employed in various configurations.

A multi-purpose tool guide apparatus for use with woodworking and similar applications where the apparatus can be employed as either a stationary guide for applying a biasing force against a workpiece or as a hand-held tool for pushing or controlling a workpiece that us being cut or shaped. The multi-purpose apparatus includes features and components that allow for it to be configured and employed in various configurations.

Table saws are disclosed. The table saws can include a blade, an arbor, an arbor block, an elevation carriage, and a latch that connects the arbor block and the elevation carriage. The arbor block can have a first position in which the latch connects the arbor block and the elevation carriage, and a second position in which the latch does not connect the arbor block and the elevation carriage. The arbor block can pivot from the first position to the second position upon the occurrence of a retraction force. The table saw can include an actuator to cause the occurrence of the retraction force, and detection electronics to detect contact between the blade and a person. Woodworking machines with detection and reaction systems are also disclosed. A reaction system can include an explosive that causes retraction of a cutting tool.

Table saws are disclosed. The table saws can include a blade, an arbor, an arbor block, an elevation carriage, and a latch that connects the arbor block and the elevation carriage. The arbor block can have a first position in which the latch connects the arbor block and the elevation carriage, and a second position in which the latch does not connect the arbor block and the elevation carriage. The arbor block can pivot from the first position to the second position upon the occurrence of a retraction force. The table saw can include an actuator to cause the occurrence of the retraction force, and detection electronics to detect contact between the blade and a person. Woodworking machines with detection and reaction systems are also disclosed. A reaction system can include an explosive that causes retraction of a cutting tool.

The present invention is directed to an electric handsaw devices equipped with safety arrangement, capable of halting rotation of the bandsaw upon sensing of a body in the proximity of the blade of said bandsaw. The safety arrangements include braking pads or tension releasing means.

The present invention is directed to an electric handsaw devices equipped with safety arrangement, capable of halting rotation of the bandsaw upon sensing of a body in the proximity of the blade of said bandsaw. The safety arrangements include braking pads or tension releasing means.

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.

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.

The safety attachment provides preferably 4 video cameras mounted around a bandsaw blade and looking parallel to the blade direction. Each camera CCD sensor is partly scanned in mode 1. In mode 1 an axis corner of each scanned area is aligned with the camera axis, produced to the table, defining a corner of a parallel-sided protected volume including the entire exposed blade. The blade is rapidly braked when the attachment detects a glove intrusion. In the alternative fully scanned mode 2 the protected area extends outside the mode 1 area and a warning only is emitted on intrusion.