Miter saw with safety system
A miter saw is disclosed having a base, a blade supported by the base, a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade, and a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of the dangerous condition. The blade is rotatable, and moves into a cutting zone to cut a workpiece. The predetermined action may be to retract the blade from the cutting zone.
1. A miter saw comprising:
a support structure having a cutting zone;
a swing arm above and pivotally attached to the support structure;
a rotatable blade supported by the swing arm;
a handle associated with the swing arm and adapted so that a user may grasp the handle to move the blade into the cutting zone;
a motor adapted to drive the blade;
a detection system adapted to detect contact between the blade and a person; and
a retraction mechanism adapted to pivot the blade away from the cutting zone upon detection by the detection system of the contact between the blade and the person.
2. A miter saw comprising:
a support structure having a cutting zone;
a swing arm above and movably attached to the support structure;
a rotatable blade supported by the swing arm;
a handle associated with the swing arm and adapted so that a user may grasp the handle to move the blade into the cutting zone;
a motor adapted to drive the blade;
a detection system adapted to detect contact between the blade and a person; and
retraction means for retracting the blade away from the cutting zone upon detection by the detection system of the contact between the blade and the person.