Pull Rod Release Mechanism for a Push-Pull Table Tool

Abstract

In at least one embodiment, a table saw includes a table, a moveable carriage supported by the table, a saw assembly supported by the carriage, and a pull rod coupled to the carriage. The pull rod is configured to move in a linear direction relative to the housing between a back position and a forward position. The carriage and saw assembly move in the linear direction when the pull rod is moved in the linear direction. A collar is positioned on the pull rod and configured to move in the linear direction between a locked position and an unlocked position. The pull rod is configured to move in the linear direction from the back position toward the forward position when the collar is in the unlocked position, and the pull rod is blocked from moving from the back position when the collar is in the locked position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A table tool with a retention mechanism comprising:
 a table having a table top;   a carriage assembly coupled to the table top and movable in relation to the table top;   a pull rod assembly connected to the carriage assembly, the pull rod assembly configured to move in a linear direction, wherein movement of the pull rod assembly in a linear direction results in movement of the carriage assembly in relation to the table top, the pull rod assembly comprising:
 a pull rod; 
 a detent movably supported by the pull rod and positionable in a blocking position and a recessed position; and 
 a collar movably positioned on the rod, wherein the collar is engaged with the detent such that movement of the collar causes movement of the detent between the blocking position and the recessed position; 
 wherein the pull rod is inhibited from moving in the linear direction relation to the table top when the detent is in the blocking position, and wherein the pull rod is allowed to move in the linear direction in relation to the table top when the detent is in the recessed position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The table tool of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a bushing connected to the table, the bushing having an interior side and an exterior side, and the pull rod extending through the bushing; 
 a button hole formed in a portion of the rod with the detent positioned in the button hole. 
 
     
     
         3 . The table tool of  claim 1  wherein the detent further comprises a leaf spring and a detent button, the detent button attached to the leaf spring, wherein the detent is in the blocking position when the detent button is in an extended position in the button hole and the button hole is positioned on the interior side of the bushing. 
     
     
         4 . The table tool of  claim 3  further comprising a roll pin connected to the collar and engaging the leaf spring;
 the roll pin configured to move the leaf spring such that the detent button is moved to a recessed position in the button hole when the collar is moved in the linear direction away from the bushing; and 
 the roll pin configured to allow the leaf spring to return the detent button to the extended position when the collar is moved in the linear direction towards the bushing. 
 
     
     
         5 . The work tool of  claim 3  wherein the detent button is a tapered detent button. 
     
     
         6 . The work tool of  claim 5  wherein the tapered detent button includes a beveled edge configured to engage the exterior side of the bushing and urge the detent button towards the recessed position when the collar is moved in the linear direction towards the bushing. 
     
     
         7 . The work tool with a retention mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the carriage assembly further comprises:
 a saw blade and a motor configured to rotate the saw blade.