Work piece guiding system for a table saw

Abstract

An improved table having improvements related to stock support, such as a rip fence stock support, as well as a lateral-table support system; features of laterally-slideable front and back rip fence guide rails, including an improved front rail configuration, an improved rear rail configuration, and an especially-configured front and back rail combination, including a rail configuration having cross-sectional aspects configured for use as both the front and rear rail, each instance of improved rail configuration providing the basis for an improved rip-fence locking system; improved sliding-rail lock shoes, including lock shoes that comprise an improved cross section for sliding in T-track, as well as lock and support shoes having a particular raised rib, also for improved sliding in a laterally-adjustable rail system, and a system wherein of one two rail shoes per rail, a rail-locking support shoe, is configured for biasing, and wherein the other shoe for each rail, a rail supporting shoe, remains fixed; front and back laterally-sliding fence rails coupled together in combination with an improved locking system; and a blade guard with quick-coupling and quick-release configuration for quickly and easily coupling and releasing the guard to and from the blade arbor.

1 - 97 . (canceled)  
   
   
       98 . A machine tool comprising: 
 a base;    a work table supported by the base, the work table having an upper surface, a front edge, a rear edge and a lateral side edge;    a front rail movably coupled to the front edge;    a rear rail movably coupled to the rear edge;    a fence assembly removably attached to the front and rear rails;    a workpiece support member removably attached to the front and rear rails, the workpiece support member being movable from a first position adjacent to the lateral side edge and a second position away from the lateral side edge, the workpiece support member being substantially coplanar with the upper surface.    
   
   
       99 . The machine tool of  claim 98 , wherein the workpiece support member remains attached to the front and rear rails even when the fence assembly is removed from the front and rear rails.  
   
   
       100 . The machine tool of  claim 98 , wherein the workpiece support member is supported by a cross-member coupled between the front and rear rails.  
   
   
       101 . The machine tool of  claim 98 , wherein the table has a ledge extending between the front and rear rails, the ledge having a support surface disposed lower than the upper surface.