U.S. patent application number 16/188481 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-16 for insert for a table saw.
This patent application is currently assigned to SawStop Holding LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Sawstop Holding LLC. Invention is credited to John P. Nenadic, Paul H. Stasiewicz.
Application Number | 20190143427 16/188481 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43525744 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-16 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190143427 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stasiewicz; Paul H. ; et
al. |
May 16, 2019 |
INSERT FOR A TABLE SAW
Abstract
A dust collection system designed for a table saw is disclosed.
The dust collection system includes a dust shroud and dust shield
to channel dust generated by a blade as it cuts wood or other
material. The dust shroud includes fins and walls to "peel" dust
and air off a spinning blade and direct the dust and air downward.
The dust shroud encloses the lower front portion of a blade. An
insert with a channel into which a dust shield can extend is
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Stasiewicz; Paul H.; (Oregon
City, OR) ; Nenadic; John P.; (Camas, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sawstop Holding LLC |
Tualatin |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SawStop Holding LLC
Tualatin
OR
|
Family ID: |
43525744 |
Appl. No.: |
16/188481 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14096689 |
Dec 4, 2013 |
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16188481 |
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|
12804684 |
Jul 26, 2010 |
10022811 |
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14096689 |
|
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|
61273204 |
Jul 31, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
83/859 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23D 47/025 20130101;
B23D 59/006 20130101; Y10T 83/95 20150401; Y10T 83/7726 20150401;
Y10T 83/2098 20150401; B26D 7/1863 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B23D 47/02 20060101
B23D047/02; B23D 59/00 20060101 B23D059/00; B26D 7/18 20060101
B26D007/18 |
Claims
1. An insert for use with a table saw having a blade and a dust
shield, the insert comprising: a main body having a front edge, a
rear region, an upper surface, an underside, and a slot through
which the blade can extend, where the slot has a width and a
length, where the length of the slot is greater than the width, and
where the slot divides the main body into first and second sides;
and a channel in the underside of the main body into which the dust
shield can extend when the insert is installed in the table saw so
that the dust shield can overlap with the main body, where the
channel extends continuously across the underside of the main body
from the first side to the second side, and where the channel is
positioned between the front edge and the slot so that the channel
does not intersect with the slot.
2. The insert of claim 1, where the insert is for use with a table
saw having a blade and a dust shield that tilt, and where the
channel is sized and shaped to allow the dust shield to tilt with
the blade and still overlap with the main body.
3. The insert of claim 1, where the channel is elongate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/096,689, filed Dec. 4, 2013, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/804,684, filed
Jul. 26, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,022,811, which claims the
benefit of and priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 61/273,204, filed Jul. 31, 2009. These applications are
hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a dust collection system
that may be incorporated in a table saw or other piece of power
tool equipment.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In a workshop environment, such as a wood-working workshop,
dust is routinely generated as a byproduct of operating power tools
that perform cutting operations. The quantities of dust that can
accumulate in and around the power tools and surrounding workspace
can be considerable and it is often necessary to remove the dust to
keep the machinery functioning properly and the workspace clear of
interference. In addition, dust from wood and many other products
commonly processed in a workshop environment have been shown to
pose a health risk to those who are exposed to the dust, especially
if exposed to the dust on a regular basis. Thus, it is important to
limit the dust that can escape into the environment or that can
accumulate in the machinery when a dust-generating power tool is in
use. Enclosing the base of a power tool in a cabinet helps to trap
the dust that falls below the cutting surface but it does not
provide a way to keep dust from accumulating in certain interior
parts of the tool and removal of the dust can be cumbersome. To
address this issue, different kinds of dust collection systems have
been developed. A dust collection system provides a way to collect
dust generated by a power tool so that it can be contained and
removed.
[0004] This document describes a dust collection system designed
for a table saw.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a table saw.
[0006] FIG. 2 shows the interior mechanism of the table saw of FIG.
1 equipped with a dust collection system and a table and work piece
in cross-section.
[0007] FIG. 3 shows trajectories of dust coming off the blade.
[0008] FIG. 4 shows a dust shroud used in the dust collection
system of FIG. 2.
[0009] FIG. 5 shows another view of the dust shroud of FIG. 4.
[0010] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the dust shroud of FIG.
4.
[0011] FIG. 7 shows a right side view of the dust shroud of FIG. 4
relative to the front of the saw.
[0012] FIG. 8 shows a left side view of the dust shroud of FIG. 4
relative to the front of the saw.
[0013] FIG. 9 shows a front view of the dust shroud of FIG. 4
relative to the front of the saw.
[0014] FIG. 10 shows a rear view of the dust shroud of FIG. 4
relative to the front of the saw.
[0015] FIG. 11 shows a top view of the dust shroud of FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the dust shroud of FIG.
4.
[0017] FIG. 13 shows a dust shield used in the dust shroud of FIG.
4.
[0018] FIG. 14 shows the dust shield of FIG. 13 seated in the left
half of the dust shroud.
[0019] FIG. 15 shows the dust shield of FIG. 13 seated in the right
half of the dust shroud.
[0020] FIG. 16 shows the dust shroud of FIG. 4 with the dust shield
of FIG. 13 extending up into a channel in a table insert.
[0021] FIG. 17 shows another view of the dust shield of FIG. 13
extending up into a channel in a table insert.
[0022] FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of the dust shield of FIG.
13 from the back.
[0023] FIG. 19 shows a front view of the dust shield of FIG. 13
relative to the front of the saw.
[0024] FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of the dust shield of FIG.
13 from the right.
[0025] FIG. 21 shows a left side view of the dust shield of FIG. 13
relative to the front of the saw.
[0026] FIG. 22 shows a right side view of the dust shield of FIG.
13 relative to the front of the saw.
[0027] FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of the dust shield of FIG.
13 which shows the bottom edge.
[0028] FIG. 24 shows a bottom view of the dust shield of FIG.
13.
[0029] FIG. 25 shows the blade seated in a lowered position in the
left half of the dust shroud.
[0030] FIG. 26 shows a rear view of the blade seated in a lowered
position in the dust shroud.
[0031] FIG. 27 shows the flow of air through the left half of the
dust shroud of FIG. 4.
[0032] FIG. 28 shows the flow of air through the right half of the
dust shroud of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] A saw 10 with a cabinet base 12 is shown in FIG. 1. Saw 10
includes a table 14 and a circular blade 16 that extends up through
a slot 18 in a table insert 20 that fits within an opening in the
table. The slot 18 has a forward-most end 63. A piece of wood, or
other material to be cut, is placed on the table and pushed into
contact with the spinning blade to make a cut. Saw 10 is a type of
saw called a cabinet saw. A cabinet saw typically includes an
enclosed casing or cabinet which houses the motor and other parts
underneath the table and forms the base of the saw.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows an interior mechanism of saw 10 designed to
raise, lower and tilt blade 16 relative to table 14, with a work
piece 22 on the table (the work piece and table are shown in
cross-sectional view along a line adjacent the blade). The front of
the saw and table is to the left in FIG. 2. Blade 16 is shown
mounted on a rotatable arbor 17 driven by a motor 19 and supported
by the interior mechanism. The interior mechanism is also equipped
with a dust collection system 24. The dust collection system
catches and channels dust generated by the blade as it cuts wood or
other materials so that the dust can be captured and removed.
[0035] In a table saw, blade 16 rotates in the direction of arrow
26 so that the teeth of the blade emerge from the table at the
right of FIG. 2, contact and cut a work piece on the table, and
then move beneath the table at the left of FIG. 2. Blade 16 may
rotate at 3,000 to 4,000 revolutions per minute, so the spinning
blade creates an airflow pattern and moves air and dust particles
near the blade generally along lines tangent to the direction the
teeth are moving at any given instant, as shown by arrows 28 and 30
in FIG. 3. Typically, the teeth on blade 16 cut the work piece and
create dust as the teeth move down from the highest point of the
blade toward the table. Dust created by the teeth at the front of
the blade typically moves down with the teeth, generally in the
direction of arrow 30 in FIG. 3. The work piece itself and the
table top help direct the dust and airflow downward by surrounding
the blade. Dust collection system 24 partially surrounds a front
portion of the blade and is designed to capture dust particles as
they are directed downward by the blade.
[0036] A main component of dust collection system 24 is dust shroud
32 shown in FIGS. 4 through 6. The dust shroud is positioned and
shaped to catch dust coming off the blade and direct the dust
downward where it can be collected by a vacuum system. Dust shroud
32 is composed of two halves, a right half 34 and a left half 36.
In the depicted embodiment, the two halves are molded from plastic.
The two halves fit together by tongue and groove edges 38 that run
along the edges of each half. The tongue and groove form a tight
seal between the two halves and help prevent dust from escaping the
dust shroud. The tongue and groove also help with the alignment of
the two halves in the assembly process. When joined, the tongue and
groove form ridges 40 along the outside surface of the dust shroud
and those ridges are interrupted by several non-threaded screw
bosses 42. Self-threading screws 44 are threaded into the bosses to
secure the two halves. In the depicted embodiment, two screws
secure the upper and middle front edge and one screw secures the
middle rear edge of the dust shroud. A fourth screw passes through
a non-threaded sunken boss 46 generally in the center of the right
half 34. Boss 46 extends into the interior of the dust shroud and
includes a portion extending inward from left half 36. In the
depicted embodiment, the two halves are also held together with two
clips 48, as shown in FIG. 6. Clips 48 snap over or crimp around
ridges 40 at the bottom of the dust shroud. Ridges 40 may include
grooves 50 to accommodate the clips. Clips are used at these
locations instead of screws because bosses for screws would not be
in line with the direction at which the part is drawn from the
mold. Other fasteners besides screws and clips could also be
used.
[0037] Various views of dust shroud 32 are shown in FIGS. 7 through
12. As shown in FIG. 7, the upper right edge of the right half of
dust shroud 32 has a somewhat parabolic edge 52. That edge is
mirrored on the left half along the upper left edge looking from
the left, as shown in FIG. 8. From the front and rear, as shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10, dust shroud 32 is generally narrow with a vertical
upper section 54 and a bend 56 towards the bottom. As shown in FIG.
11, dust shroud 32 is open at the top and this upper opening 58
continues down along parabolic edge 52. As shown in FIG. 12, the
bottom of the dust shroud also includes an opening 60.
[0038] Dust shroud 32 mounts in the saw by four screws that fit
into four bosses 62 located towards the lower middle of left half
36, shown in FIG. 5. Screws pass from a predetermined part of the
internal mechanism of the saw into the screw bosses to hold the
dust shroud in place. For example, a bracket may be designed in the
internal mechanism to position and hold the dust shroud in
place.
[0039] Another important component of dust collection system 24 is
dust shield 64, shown with dust shroud 32 in FIGS. 4-6 and shown
isolated in FIG. 13. Dust shield 64 is a metal piece positioned at
the front and top of dust shroud 32. The dust shield may be the
first part of the dust collection system that dust particles moving
off the blade encounter. Dust shield 64 is made of metal or some
other hard material because the dust from certain kinds of
materials can be very abrasive and wear through plastic or other
soft materials. Dust shield 64 fits vertically along the inner
front wall of dust shroud 32 and protrudes above the top of the
dust shroud, as seen in at least FIG. 9. The dust shield rests on
the bottom legs of L-shaped ribs 66 that are molded into each dust
shroud half, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The L-shaped ribs extend
upwards along the sides of the dust shield and these, along with a
vertical rib 68 located at the top of the left half of the dust
shroud, define the area within which the dust shield is positioned.
To prevent the dust shield from moving vertically upwards, rounded
notches 70, one cut along the edge of each side of the dust shield,
fit around semi-circular protrusions 72 that are molded along the
L-shaped rib 66 on one side of the dust shield and along vertical
rib 68 on the other side of the dust shield. The dust shield is
somewhat dished or cupped in shape because it includes sides and a
top that are curved or bent over to form a generally recessed area
or concavity to help catch and direct dust into dust shroud 32. The
bottom edge of the dust shield, however, is open; it is not bent or
curved to form a wall because that would impede the flow of dust
into dust shroud 32.
[0040] As seen in FIG. 2, dust shroud 32 and dust shield 64 are
positioned below the upper surface of table 14 at the front of the
blade so that the dust shroud partially encloses the forward
portion of the blade. In that position, dust coming off the front
of the blade is caught by the dust shield and dust shroud,
especially when the blade is raised above the table a sufficient
distance so that the movement of the teeth at the front of the
blade is generally downward toward the table. However, when the
blade is lowered so that less of the blade extends above the table,
the movement of the teeth above the table is more horizontal
relative to the table top and the dust coming off the blade
typically moves in more of a horizontal direction toward the front
of the saw rather than down into the dust shroud. If there is a gap
between the top of the dust shroud and the underside of the table
or table insert, then dust would move through the gap and
escape.
[0041] To catch dust shooting off at a more horizontal angle, the
top of dust shield 64 is designed to protrude up into a groove or
channel 74 cut into the underside of table insert 20, as shown in
FIGS. 16 and 17. Table insert 20 has a front edge 65 and a rear
region 67. In this manner, dust shield 64 and the underside of
table insert 20 overlap so there is no gap between the top of the
dust shield and the plane of the underside of table 14.
[0042] The blade in a table saw is allowed to tilt between 90 and
45 degrees relative to the table top in order to make miter or
angled cuts. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, dust shield 64 has a
short horizontal top portion 76 and then a sloped section 78 that
slopes downward at 45 degrees. When the blade is at 90 degrees
relative to the table top, the horizontal top portion 76 of the
dust shield protrudes up into channel 74 in the underside of table
insert 20. As the blade is tilted from 90 degrees, the dust
collection system tilts as well. When the blade is tilted to 45
degrees, sloped section 78 becomes generally parallel to the bottom
of table 14 and protrudes up into channel 74 to maintain the
overlap with the underside of the table insert. Channel 74 is sized
and shaped to allow the dust shield to tilt with the blade and
still maintain the overlap.
[0043] Both the horizontal top portion and sloped section of the
dust shield are cupped in such a way that the rounded corners
evolve into a surface or wall 80 that extends back toward the
blade, as shown in FIG. 21. Surface 80 provides what may be thought
of as a shingling effect with channel 74 to help prevent dust from
moving past the dust shield. Without the shingling effect, more
dust particles might escape at the junction between the dust shield
and the table insert even though the dust shield and table insert
overlap. As the dust and airflow from the blade strike the dust
shield, the dust and air may bounce back toward the blade and
create turbulence, causing some dust to escape. Surface 80 and the
bowl-shaped cupping of the dust shield help prevent dust from
moving past the dust shield and help direct the dust and air so
that it bounces back into the downward flow of air off the blade
and into the dust shroud.
[0044] The cupping shape of the dust shield is different on the
right and left sides. The side wall along the left side of the dust
shield extends roughly normal from the front of the dust shield,
and the side wall is created with a sharp bend 82 near top portion
76. However, bend 82 changes into a less sharp curve 84 at the
bottom of the dust shield, as shown in FIGS. 18, 20, 23 and 24. A
sharp bend near the top, such as bend 82, better directs dust back
toward the downward airflow created by the blade, especially given
that the top of the side wall is above the dust shroud. A less
sharp curve at the bottom, such as curve 84, can be used to match
the inside curve of the dust shroud because the dust shroud itself
covers the side wall and blocks dust.
[0045] The side wall along the right side of the dust shield is
created from a more uniform sharp or squared bend 86 along the
entire length of the side. It was found experimentally that a
sharper, squarer bend works better along the right side of the dust
shield. It is believed a squarer bend works better along the right
side of the dust shield because the front and right half of dust
shroud 32 do not extend vertically as high as the left half,
leaving an open area 88 on the upper right side of the dust shroud,
as seen in FIG. 17, through which dust particles can escape. (The
front and right half of the dust shroud do not extend as high as
the left half in order to provide clearance for the dust shroud to
tilt with the blade; without that clearance the dust shroud would
run into the underside of the table when the blade tilts.) A less
sharp curve would allow more dust to escape over the top of the
dust shroud through opening 88. This is particularly true when the
blade is lowered and the dust hits the dust shield at a more
horizontal angle. The sharp bend 86 of the dust shield blocks the
dust better than a less sharp bend. Additionally, sharp bend 86
allows for more clearance to remove the blade off the arbor while
maintaining the dust shroud as narrow as possible when viewing the
dust shroud from the front of the saw.
[0046] The right and left side walls of dust shield 64 also change
from a narrow profile at the top of the dust shield to a larger
dimension as the walls extend downward. Specifically, the left side
wall is shown in FIG. 21 to include a transition region 90 where
the side wall becomes larger. Similarly, FIG. 22 shows a transition
region 92 where the right side wall becomes larger. Generally,
larger side walls are better to block dust; however, the top of the
dust shield includes smaller side walls to better fit into channel
74 in the table insert. Channel 74 would have to be larger to
accommodate bigger side walls, and a bigger channel could interfere
with the blade or the slot in the table insert through which the
blade passes. Accordingly, the depicted embodiment includes side
walls that increase in size as they extend down.
[0047] Air and dust particles that hit dust shield 64 are
redirected downward into the dust shroud 32. Like the dust shield,
the dust shroud is also squared in the corner along the side of and
just below opening 88 as shown at 94 in FIG. 15. This redirects
dust downward that would otherwise follow the curvature of a curved
corner and escape through opening 88.
[0048] Dust shroud 32 has two channels in its interior, a front or
primary channel 96 and a rear or secondary channel 98. The two
channels are partially separated by a barrier formed by a lower fin
100 and a side fin 102, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. When the dust
shroud is positioned in the saw, blade 16 is above lower fin 100
and to the right of side fin 102 when looking at the blade from the
front of the saw. The front channel catches fast moving air from
the blade, and the lower and side fins "peel" or direct the air and
dust particles off the rotating blade as it passes by because of
their proximity to the blade.
[0049] Side fin 102 consists of a wall-like projection that is
perpendicular to and runs generally vertically along the inner wall
of the left half of the dust shroud, as best seen in FIGS. 6 and
27. The side fin extends from the dust shroud towards the blade and
fills in the area between the blade and the dust shroud along the
length of the blade leaving only a small gap 104 between it and the
blade, as shown in FIG. 26. Generally, side fin 102 should be as
close to the blade as possible and generally within 2 to 10
millimeters from the side of the blade. Side fin 102 is long enough
to run along the blade when the blade is in both its raised and
lowered positions. A side fin could extend from the right half of
the dust shroud as well so that the blade is surrounded on both
sides, as indicated by dashed line 103 in FIG. 15. The additional
side fin could be configured like fin 102, but typically would have
a larger side-to-side dimension in order to be closer to the blade
to peel dust and air from the blade. The additional side fin also
could be configured as a removable fin so that it could be removed
when necessary, such as to accommodate thicker blade stacks, such
as dado stacks, and/or blade removal. In the depicted embodiment,
no side fin extends from the right half of the dust shroud in order
to leave room for thicker blade sets and to facilitate blade
removal.
[0050] Lower fin 100 is a relatively short and generally vertically
oriented wall located in the lower part of dust shroud 32. The
lower fin is situated below the perimeter of the blade where it is
most effective in peeling air and dust particles off the rotating
blade, and lower fin 100 is closest to the blade when the blade is
lowered so that only a small gap 108 is left between the lower fin
and the teeth of the blade, as shown in FIG. 25. As with the side
fin, the lower fin should be as close to the perimeter of the blade
as possible when the blade is fully lowered and generally within 5
to 15 millimeters from the edge of the blade. Lower fin 100 extends
across the dust shroud from one side to the other, thereby
separating the front and rear channels within the dust shroud, as
shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. As seen in FIGS. 14, 15, 27 and 28, lower
fin 100 has slanted surfaces 106, one at the top and another at the
bottom. Those surfaces provide rigidity and strength to lower fin
100, and surfaces 106 slope downward so that dust does not collect
on them. In forming the front channel, the side and lower fins may
be thought of as constricting the airway at least partially so that
the air coming off the blade may increase in speed through a
venturi effect. In any event, by peeling the fast moving air off
the blade and directing it downwards the fins help create a
powerfully blowing airstream that passes through and out the lower
part of the dust shroud.
[0051] Rear or secondary channel 98 provides an additional or
second layer of dust removal capability. The fast moving air
channeled through the front channel, as shown by arrow 110 in FIGS.
27 and 28, creates a region 112 of low pressure in front of lower
fin 100 relative to the region in the rear channel behind the lower
fin. Consequently, air and dust within the rear channel is drawn
into the stream of fast moving air in the front channel, especially
as the air in the front channel passes lower fin 100, as shown by
arrow 114 in FIGS. 27 and 28.
[0052] Some air and dust from the blade will follow the movement of
the blade and move horizontally into contact with lower fin 100.
The lower fin will block that air and direct it downward. This is
part of what was referred to previously as "peeling" air off the
blade. As that horizontal airstream hits the lower fin 100, a local
eddy or low pressure region 116 forms on the upper backside of the
lower fin and that eddy can catch dust moving past the fin. The
dust caught by the eddy eventually falls downward and is drawn into
the stream of fast moving air in the front channel. Experiments
have shown that the front surface of lower fin 100 should be
positioned substantially vertical in order to maximize this effect,
or in other words, generally perpendicular to the horizontal
airstream, as shown in FIGS. 11, 27 and 28. Additional fins may be
positioned within the air channels to create additional eddies or
to further direct air and dust downward.
[0053] The rear channel also has rear walls and a bottom flange to
peel the air and dust particles off the blade as the blade exits
the dust shroud. As shown in FIGS. 11, 14 and 26, a left rear wall
118 (left with respect to the front of the saw) extends toward the
blade from the left half 36 of the dust shroud. Left rear wall 118
slopes downward and is perpendicular to the blade, leaving only a
small gap 120 between it and the blade. The left rear wall should
be as close to the side of the blade as possible and generally
within 2 to 10 millimeters from the side of the blade. Similarly, a
right rear wall 122, shown in FIGS. 11, 15 and 26, extends toward
the blade from right half 34 of the dust shroud and is as close to
the blade as practical, generally within 2 to 10 millimeters. The
right rear wall does not extend up the dust shroud as far as the
left rear wall in order to provide clearance for a stack of smaller
diameter blades, such as an 8 inch diameter dado set. The left and
right rear walls create what may be thought of as a slot through
which the teeth on the blade may emerge from the dust shroud. A
bottom flange 124 also extends from the left half of the dust
shroud adjacent and just below where the edge of the blade exits
the dust shroud, as shown in FIGS. 11, 14, 25 and 26. Only a small
gap 126 is left between bottom flange 124 and the edge of the
blade, generally on the order of 5 to 15 millimeters from the
perimeter of the blade.
[0054] The dust shroud is sized from front-to-back to be sufficient
to catch dust, but experiments have shown that little is gained if
the dust shroud were to extend substantially beyond the front lower
portion or lower front quadrant of the blade. Extending the dust
shroud rearwardly beyond the center or midpoint of the blade (or
beyond the arbor) to substantially cover the lower rear quadrant of
the blade is not necessary because the disclosed dust shroud is
able to "peel" air and dust off the blade. Covering the blade only
partially allows for a more compact dust shroud, thereby permitting
more easy access to the blade and other parts of the saw near the
blade. Also, the side-to-side width of the dust shroud is set wide
enough to accommodate a set of dado blades and effectively catch
dust by trapping and channeling the air near the side surfaces of
the blade or dado set while not interfering with other parts of the
saw.
[0055] The main body of the dust shroud sits vertically in the saw,
although in the embodiment shown the dust shroud includes a bend 56
towards its lower end. The bend allows the dust shroud to fit
around other parts that may be in a saw, but is not otherwise
necessary.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 5, the lower portion of the dust shroud
includes an opening 60 through which the dust and air exits the
dust shroud. Opening 60 may also be referred to as an exit port. As
shown in FIG. 2, opening 60 is positioned substantially if not
completely between the front of the saw and the blade center, and
not rearward of the rear or back edge of the blade. The position of
opening 60 allows the downward airflow in the shroud to easily exit
the shroud. Opening 60 is bounded by a flange 128 and a flexible
hose can be positioned over the flange to connect the dust shroud
with a vacuum port in the saw cabinet. A user may then connect a
vacuum system to the vacuum port to collect dust captured by the
dust shroud and dust shield.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0057] The dust collection system disclosed herein is applicable to
dust-generating woodworking power tool equipment, and particularly
to table saws. The described dust collection system provides a
simple and effective means for channeling dust within the table saw
so that the dust can be captured and later removed.
[0058] It is believed that the disclosure set forth above
encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility.
While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred
form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated
herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous
variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions
includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and
sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions
and/or properties disclosed herein. No single feature, function,
element or property of the disclosed embodiments is essential to
all of the disclosed inventions.
[0059] It is believed that the following claims particularly point
out certain combinations and sub-combinations that are directed to
one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious.
Inventions embodied in other combinations and sub-combinations of
features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed
through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new
claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new
claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or
directed to the same invention, whether different, broader,
narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also
regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of
the present disclosure.
* * * * *