Search Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »
Advanced Patent Search | Web History | Sign in

Patents

A radial arm saw is adapted with a safety top configured with cutting box enclosure that contains and collects substantially all of the sawdust generated during use. A dust collection system is in fluid communication with the cutting box for removing the sawdust contained therein. Spring biased push blocks function to hold the work piece in place during the sawing process while maintaining the user's hands safely away from the saw blade. A laser alignment device projects a beam within the cutting box along the cutting plane. A control panel is provided to allow use by authorized users upon entry of an authorization code.

Inventor: Michael S. Powell
Current U.S. Classification: 83/100; 83/485; 83/DIG.1

View patent at USPTO
Search USPTO Assignment Database

Claims

1. In combination with a radial arm saw assembly comprising a table having a top and a rip fence projecting upward therefrom, a vertical column extending upwardly near the rear of the, a radial arm extending horizontally from the top of the column, a rotary power saw suspended below the radial arm by a carriage adapted for travel along the length of radial arm, the saw including a rotating blade, a protective blade shroud, and a handle, the improvement comprising:

a work surface mounted to the top of said table;

at least one push handle in slidable engagement with said work surface

a cutting box disposed on top of the work surface, said cutting box defining an interior bounded by a top in spaced relation with said work surface, opposing side walls, and front and rear walls;

at least one of said side walls defining an opening with brush bristles disposed in said opening to allow a work piece to be at least partially inserted within said cutting box through said opening;
said cutting box top defining an elongate slotted aperture for receiving the lower portion of the saw blade as the blade travels during the sawing process; and
said cutting box interior in fluid communication with a dust collection system for collecting sawdust.

2. The combination of claim 1, further including a laser alignment device projecting a beam along said cutting box top slotted aperture toward the saw blade.

3. The combination of claim 1, further including a control panel, said control panel including a keypad, and internal controls that enables operation of the radial arm saw upon entry of an authorization code.

4. The combination of claim 1, further including said protective blade shroud including downwardly projecting brush bristles connected along a lower peripheral edge thereof, said brush bristles engaging the top of said cutting box.

5. A safety top for use in combination with a radial arm saw assembly comprising a table having a top, a vertical column extending upwardly near the rear of the top, a radial arm extending horizontally from an uppermost portion of the column, a rotary power saw suspended below the radial arm by a carriage adapted for travel along the length of radial arm, the saw including a rotating blade, a protective blade shroud, and a handle, the improvement comprising:

a planar top work surface mounted on the table top, said planar top work surface including a rip fence extending vertically upward therefrom, and at least one push handle in slidable engagement with said top work surface;

a cutting box disposed on top of the work surface, said cutting box defining an interior bounded by a top in spaced relation with said work surface, opposing side walls, and front and rear walls;

at least one of said side walls including an opening with a portion thereof having brush bristles disposed therein to allow a work piece to be at least partially inserted within said cutting box through said brush bristles;

said cutting box top defining an elongate slotted aperture for receiving the lower portion of the saw blade as the blade travels during the sawing process; and
said cutting box interior in fluid communication with a dust collection system for collecting sawdust.

6. A safety top for use in combination with a radial arm saw assembly according to claim 5, further including means for projecting a light beam toward the saw blade in alignment with said cutting box top slotted aperture.

7. A safety top for use in combination with a radial arm saw assembly according to claim 5, further including a control panel, said control panel including a keypad, and internal controls that enables operation of the radial arm saw upon entry of an authorization code.

8. A safety top for use in combination with a radial arm saw assembly according to claim 7, wherein said control panel includes transformer means for stepping down a plurality of voltages to 24 VAC.

9. A safety top for use in combination with a radial arm saw assembly according to claim 7, wherein said control panel includes a main disconnect switch that enables disconnection of power to the saw.

10. A safety top for use in combination with a radial arm saw assembly according to claim 7, wherein said control panel includes a push-start/pull-stop control button to initiate or discontinue operation of the saw.

11. A safety top for use in combination with a radial arm saw assembly according to claim 7, wherein said control panel includes a visual alarm beacon configured to flash when power is supplied to the radial arm saw.

12. A safety top for use in combination with a radial arm saw assembly according to claim 7, wherein said control panel further includes a strobe light configured to flash when power is supplied to said saw.

13. A safety top for use in combination with a radial arm saw assembly according to claim 7, further including a protective saw blade shroud disposed in partial covering relation with said saw blade, said shroud having a lower peripheral edge portion defining an opening, said lower peripheral edge including downwardly projecting brush bristles in sweeping engagement with said cutting box top.

Drawings