Patent Application
20160089809
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to push-stick storage systems and methods for storing push-sticks that can be used with various types of saws.
A push-stick is a safety device used in connection with saws having cutting blades. Push-sticks are generally used to aid in pushing the material to be cut (sometimes referred to as a “work-piece”) along a surface toward a saw blade in order to protect an operator's hands. A push-stick may be a shaped length of wood, plastic, metal, or other material that helps control the movement of the work-piece on a saw surface. Push-sticks are most commonly used on table saws, jointers, router tables, and band saws.
Push-sticks find particular use when the distance between the cutting blade and a rip fence is too small for an operator's hand to safely push the material to be cut past the edge of the saw. As shown in
Government regulations for table saws require that one push-stick be provided on all table saws and that storage for the push-stick be included on the saw. There are currently a number options in the market for providing and storing a push-stick, many of which include storing the push-stick on the side of the table saw. In many such instances, the push-stick is stored on the side of the table either using a hook and slot system or using one or more spring clips positioned along the side of the table. In another design, the push-stick is stored along an outer vertical surface of a rip fence. However, improved storage options for push-sticks are desired and provided herein.
Embodiments described herein thus provide improved storage options for push-sticks used in connection with rip fences on a table (or other saw). The push-stick storage system may include a rip fence and a push-stick retention mechanism. The push-stick retention mechanism may be defined by with upright side walls that define a channel or slot therebetween for receiving a push-stick. The retention mechanism may also include a stop (or a stop block) positioned at a first position within the channel, and a retainer positioned at a second position within the channel.
In one example, there may be provided a push-stick storage system for use with a saw, comprising: (a) a rip fence comprising upright side walls that define a slot therebetween for receiving a push-stick, (b) a stop positioned at a first position within the slot, and (c) a retainer positioned at a second position within the slot. The retainer may be a spring clip that is adapted to retain a push-stick within the slot. The spring clip may have first and second inward legs that are adapted to press against a push-stick when the push-stick is positioned in the slot and are adapted to release the push-stick in response to application of an upwardly directed force on the push-stick. In a specific example, the slot may be between about one half inch to about one inch wide. In use, it is possible for the push-stick to be removably stored in the slot of the rip fence. Each of the upright side walls of the rip fence may provide a generally unobstructed outer surface for use in guiding a work-piece.
In another example, there may be provided a push-stick storage system for use with a saw, comprising: (a) rip fence comprising two major surfaces that are substantially parallel to each other, wherein each of the two major surfaces is adapted to allow a work-piece to slide therealong during a cutting operation; and (b) a push-stick retention mechanism in the rip fence that is adapted to retain a push-stick such that the push-stick does not obstruct the sliding of the work-piece along either of the major surfaces when the push-stick is retained in the push-stick retention mechanism. The push-stick retention mechanism may have a slot in an upper surface of the rip fence, the slot being adapted to receive at least a portion of the push-stick. The push-stick retention mechanism may also have a stop and a retainer positioned in the slot that are adapted to retain a push-stick between the two major surfaces of the rip fence. The stop and retainer may be positioned to facilitate engagement of the stop by a tip of a push-stick and to facilitate pivoting of the push-stick after such engagement toward the retainer to achieve retention of the push-stick. The stop and retainer may be positioned such that retention of the push-stick occurs when an upper edge of the push-stick is substantially flush with, or below, the upper surface of the rip fence, except for a handle of the push-stick which extends out from the slot to facilitate grasping of the handle by a user during removal of the push-stick from the retention mechanism. The retainer may be a spring clip. The push-stick may be removably secured by the push-stick retention mechanism.
In another example, there may be provided a push-stick storage system for use with a saw, comprising: a rip fence comprising two substantially vertical and elongate surfaces, each of which is adapted to allow a work-piece to slide therealong during a cutting operation; and a push-stick retention mechanism in the rip fence that is adapted to retain a push-stick such that the push-stick does not obstruct the sliding of the work-piece along either of the substantially vertical and elongate surfaces when the push-stick is retained in the push-stick retention mechanism. The push-stick retention mechanism may have a slot in an upper surface of the rip fence, the slot being adapted to receive at least a portion of the push-stick. The push-stick retention mechanism may have a stop and a retainer positioned in the slot that are adapted to retain a push-stick between the two substantially vertical and elongate surfaces of the rip fence. The stop and retainer may be positioned to facilitate engagement of the stop by a tip of a push-stick and to facilitate pivoting of the push-stick after such engagement toward the retainer to achieve retention of the push-stick. The stop and retainer may be positioned so that retention of the push-stick occurs when an upper edge of the push-stick is substantially flush with, or below, the upper surface of the rip fence, except for a handle of the push-stick which extends out from the slot to facilitate grasping of the handle by a user during removal of the push-stick from the retention mechanism. The retainer may be a spring clip. The push-stick may be removably secured by the push-stick retention mechanism.
In another example, there may be provided a push-stick storage system for use with a table saw having an upper work surface, comprising: (a) a rip fence comprising two elongate and substantially straight surfaces, each of which is adapted to guide a work-piece along a straight line as the work-piece is slid across the upper work surface of the saw; and (b) a push-stick retention mechanism in the rip fence that is adapted to retain a push-stick such that the push-stick does not obstruct the sliding of the work-piece along either of the elongate and substantially straight surfaces when the push-stick is retained in the push-stick retention mechanism. The push-stick retention mechanism may have a slot in an upper surface of the rip fence, the slot being adapted to receive at least a portion of the push-stick. The push-stick retention mechanism further may have a stop and a retainer positioned in the slot that are adapted to retain a push-stick between the two elongate and substantially straight surfaces of the rip fence. The stop and retainer may be positioned to facilitate engagement of the stop by a tip of a push-stick and to facilitate pivoting of the push-stick after such engagement toward the retainer to achieve retention of the push-stick. The stop and retainer may be positioned so that retention of the push-stick occurs when an upper edge of the push-stick is substantially flush with, or below, the upper surface of the rip fence, except for a handle of the push-stick which extends out from the slot to facilitate grasping of the handle by a user during removal of the push-stick from the retention mechanism. The retainer may be a spring clip. The push-stick may be removably secured by the push-stick retention mechanism.
In another example, there may be provided a table saw comprising: (a) a work-piece support surface; (b) a cutting member adapted to cut a work-piece while the work-piece is supported on the work-piece support surface; (d) a push-stick for use when pushing a work-piece during a cutting operation; and (e) a rip fence comprising (i) upright side walls that define a slot therebetween; (ii) outer surfaces adapted to guide a work-piece during use; (iii) a stop block positioned at a first position wholly or at least partially within the slot; and (iv) a retainer positioned at a second position wholly or at least partially within the slot to retain the push-stick in place at least partially within the slot and configured such that the push-stick, stop block, and the retainer do not obstruct sliding of a work-piece along either of the outer surfaces of the rip fence. The table saw may also include (f) a storage feature on the housing for storing the rip fence and push-stick when not in use.
These and other embodiments of the present invention are described in greater detail in the Detailed Description that follows.
The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of future claims. The subject matter to be claimed may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.
While the configurations of this disclosure are particularly well-suited for use in connection with a powered table saw, such configurations can also be employed, or readily adapted to be employed, in connection with various other types of saws and cutting devices having work-piece support surfaces. Non-limiting examples of such saws and cutting devices include jointers, router tables, band saws, and miter saws. Because the general operations and features of such saws are known, only the portions that are related to the safety push-stick configuration are shown and discussed herein. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure can relate to any cutting device that includes a push-stick or other similarly shaped safety feature.
As discussed above, a push-stick is used to prevent an operator of a saw from cutting his/her hands when pushing a work-piece material through a blade area. Rather than pushing the wood with bare hands, woodworkers use the push-stick to push the wood as it is moved through a saw. Push-sticks can also help provide better control of the pressure on the work-piece through the saw, resulting in smoother, cleaner cuts. Table saws typically include a rip fence which generally acts as a guide that helps woodworkers cut wood evenly, precisely, and safely. In use, the rip fence runs parallel to the saw blade, and the saw operator can adjust the distance of the rip fence from the blade, according to the width of the cut to be made and the location on the work-piece where the cut is to be made. The side of the rip fence is used to guide the work-piece during cutting. The present disclosure provides a system for storing a push-stick in relation to a rip fence, ensuring that the push-stick is visible and accessible when the rip fence is used.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved storage for push-sticks. Particular embodiments are useful in connection with table saws that use a rip fence. As shown in
The push-stick 22 used with the described storage system 10 may be any commercially available push-stick. A push-stick 22 can also be made by the saw owner from stock wood sizes or other materials. In some embodiments, the push-stick 22 may be sold with a table saw or may be sold separately.
The dimensions of the channel or slot 16 can depend on a number of factors including, for example, the dimensions of the push-stick 22 to be stored, the desired dimensions of the rip fence 12, the size of a table saw, the materials from which the rip fence 12 or push-stick 22 are to be constructed, and others. The width of the channel 16 and push-stick storage area is designed, in some embodiments, so that it can accept stock or standard push-sticks, as well as similar push-sticks (e.g., replacement push-sticks) created from stock wood width sizes of about ½″ and/or about ⅝″, in the event that the original push-stick 22 is lost or damaged. In general, the channel 16 can have a width suitable to securely hold and store a desired push-stick 22, but also remain easily accessible when use is desired. The channel 16 is generally sized such that it can accommodate various sizes and styles of push-sticks. For example, in one embodiment, the channel 16 is between about one half inch and about one inch wide. In another embodiment, the channel 16 is about ⅝ inch wide. In another embodiment, the channel 16 is less than about an inch wide.
A push stick retention mechanism 14 may be used to secure the push-stick 22 in place. The retention mechanism 14 may include the above-described slot/channel 16, as well as a stop block 24, a retainer 30, or any combination thereof. As shown in
As shown in
The push-stick retention mechanism 14, as illustrated in the embodiment shown, may also include a retainer 30 positioned in the channel 16. The retainer 30 is provided to securely receive and maintain the push-stick 22 in position when it is stored in the channel 16. As shown in
In another embodiment, the retainer 30 in the channel 16 may be a magnet that secures to a magnetic surface on the push-stick. In another embodiment, the retainer 30 may be moveable side tabs that fit into a corresponding slot (or corresponding slots) on the push-stick. In another embodiment, the retainer 30 may be friction fit, such that the retainer has a receiving taper and the push-stick has a corresponding taper that creates a friction fit with the receiving taper, but that can be overcome with appropriate upward pressure. In another embodiment, the retainer 30 may be a latch and lever combination.
In another embodiment, as shown in
When the push-stick 22′ is inserted into the channel 16, the flexible clip(s) and/or protrusion(s) 32′ are pushed into the push-stick 22′ by an upper portion 16′ of a corresponding channel wall 16″ until the push-stick is fully inserted, at which time the flexible clip(s) and/or protrusion(s) 32′ snap or slide into a corresponding one of the recesses 60. This engagement of the flexible clip(s) and/or protrusion(s) 32′ tends to resist removal of the push-stick 22′ from the channel 16. In some embodiments of the system 10′, the flexible clip(s) and/or protrusion(s) 32′ are configured so that the resistance to removal prevents the force of gravity from removing the push-stick 22′ from the channel, regardless of whether the rip fence 12 is turned sideways or upside down. A user of the rip fence 12, however, can overcome this resistance by pulling on the push-stick 22′ or by pulling a handle 46 of the push-stick 22′, to remove the push-stick 22′ from the channel 16. It should be understood that other retainers, or similar structures, may be used and is considered within the scope of this disclosure.
The stop block 24 and retainer 30 are positioned to facilitate engagement of the stop 24 by a tip of the push-stick 22. They then facilitate pivoting of the push-stick 22 after such engagement toward the retainer 30 in order to achieve retention of the push-stick 22 in place. For example, as shown in
Although specific embodiments of a push-stick retention mechanism have been described, it should be understood that any feature or combination of these features that function to retain the push-stick 22 in place may collectively be referred to as a push-stick retention mechanism 14.
As illustrated by
The current design of storing the push-stick 22 within the rip fence 12 can also result in a safer and more convenient user experience. The push-stick 22 is more conveniently located by being positioned within a channel 16 on the rip fence 12. This storage location (integrated within the rip fence 12) means that the push-stick 22 is in plain sight and very accessible. When a user sets up a job on the saw, s/he will immediately see the push-stick and be more inclined to use it. As shown in
Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and subcombinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.
