Table saw with improved safety system

Abstract

A table saw having a brake mechanism configured to engage and stop a blade is disclosed. The table saw includes a brake positioning system configured to adjust the position of the brake mechanism to maintain the brake mechanism in an operative position relative to the blade as the blade is raised and lowered.

1 . A table saw comprising: 
 a frame including a table defining a work surface;    a rotatable blade coupled to the frame and extendable up through the work surface;    an adjustment mechanism configured to selectively raise and lower the blade relative to the table;    a brake mechanism configured to engage and decelerate the blade; and    a brake positioning system configured to maintain the brake mechanism in an operative position adjacent the perimeter of the blade as the blade is raised and lowered.    
   
   
       2 . The table saw of  claim 1  where the brake positioning system is configured to prevent the brake mechanism from raising and lowering relative to the table when the blade is raised and lowered.  
   
   
       3 . The table saw of  claim 1 , where the brake positioning system is configured to move at least a portion of the brake mechanism around the perimeter of the blade when the blade is raised and lowered.  
   
   
       4 . The table saw of  claim 1 , where the brake positioning system includes a rack assembly.  
   
   
       5 . The table saw of  claim 1 , further comprising a detection system configured to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade, and where the brake mechanism is configured to engage and decelerate the blade upon detection of the dangerous condition.  
   
   
       6 . The table saw of  claim 5 , where the dangerous condition is contact between a person and the blade.  
   
   
       7 . The table saw of  claim 5 , where the dangerous condition is proximity between a person and the blade.  
   
   
       8 . The table saw of  claim 1 , where the table has a front and a back, where the blade has a front and a back corresponding to the portion of the blade adjacent the front and the back of the table, and where the brake mechanism is adjacent the back of the blade.  
   
   
       9 . The table saw of  claim 1 , where the table saw has a feed direction, and where the brake mechanism is adjacent the downstream perimeter of the blade relative to the feed direction.  
   
   
       10 . A table saw comprising: 
 a frame including a table defining a work surface;    a rotatable blade coupled to the frame and extendable up through the work surface;    an adjustment mechanism configured to selectively raise and lower the blade relative to the table;    a detection system configured to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade;    a brake mechanism configured to engage and decelerate the blade upon detection of the dangerous condition; and    brake positioning means for maintaining the brake mechanism in an operative position adjacent the perimeter of the blade as the blade is raised and lowered.