Push-sticks for saws and storage systems thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10384366-B2
Application number	US-201414499446-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 29, 2014
Priority date	Sep 29, 2014
Publication date	Aug 20, 2019
Grant date	Aug 20, 2019

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide improved storage options for push-sticks used in connection with rip fences on table saws and similar cutting devices where push-sticks might be used. 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 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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. 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.

2. The push-stick storage system of claim 1 , wherein the retainer comprises a spring clip that is adapted to retain the push-stick within the slot.

3. The push-stick storage system of claim 2 , wherein the spring clip comprises first and second inward legs that are adapted to press against the 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.

4. The push-stick storage system of claim 1 , wherein the slot is between one half inch and one inch wide.

5. The push-stick storage system of claim 1 , further comprising the push-stick removably stored in the slot of the rip fence.

6. The push-stick storage system of claim 1 , wherein each of the upright side walls of the rip fence provides a generally unobstructed outer surface for use in guiding a work-piece.

7. A push-stick storage system for use with a saw, comprising:
(a) 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.

8. The push-stick storage system of claim 7 , wherein the push-stick retention mechanism comprises a slot in an upper surface of the rip fence, the slot being adapted to receive at least a portion of the push-stick.

9. The push-stick storage system of claim 8 , wherein the push-stick retention mechanism further comprises a stop and a retainer positioned in the slot that are adapted to retain the push-stick between the two major surfaces of the rip fence.

10. The push-stick storage system of claim 9 , wherein the stop and retainer are positioned to facilitate engagement of the stop by a tip of the push-stick and to facilitate pivoting of the push-stick after such engagement toward the retainer to achieve retention of the push-stick.

11. The push-stick storage system of claim 9 , wherein the stop and retainer are 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.

12. The push-stick storage system of claim 9 , wherein the retainer comprises a spring clip.

13. The push-stick storage system of claim 7 , further comprising the push-stick removably secured by the push-stick retention mechanism.

14. A push-stick storage system for use with a saw, comprising:
(a) 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
(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 substantially vertical and elongate surfaces when the push-stick is retained in the push-stick retention mechanism.

15. The push-stick storage system of claim 14 , wherein the push-stick retention mechanism comprises a slot in an upper surface of the rip fence, the slot being adapted to receive at least a portion of the push-stick.

16. The push-stick storage system of claim 15 , wherein the push-stick retention mechanism further comprises a stop and a retainer positioned in the slot that are adapted to retain the push-stick between the two substantially vertical and elongate surfaces of the rip fence.

17. The push-stick storage system of claim 16 , wherein the stop and retainer are positioned to facilitate engagement of the stop by a tip of the push-stick and to facilitate pivoting of the push-stick after such engagement toward the retainer to achieve retention of the push-stick.

18. The push-stick storage system of claim 16 , wherein the stop and retainer are 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.

19. The push-stick storage system of claim 16 , wherein the retainer comprises a spring clip.

20. The push-stick storage system of claim 14 , further comprising the push-stick removably secured by the push-stick retention mechanism.

21. 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.

22. The push-stick storage system of claim 21 , wherein the push-stick retention mechanism comprises a slot in an upper surface of the rip fence, the slot being adapted to receive at least a portion of the push-stick.

23. The push-stick storage system of claim 22 , wherein the push-stick retention mechanism further comprises a stop and a retainer positioned in the slot that are adapted to retain the push-stick between the two elongate and substantially straight surfaces of the rip fence.

24. The push-stick storage system of claim 23 , wherein the stop and retainer are positioned to facilitate engagement of the stop by a tip of the push-stick and to facilitate pivoting of the push-stick after such engagement toward the retainer to achieve retention of the push-stick.

25. The push-stick storage system of claim 23 , wherein the stop and retainer are 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.

26. The push-stick storage system of claim 23 , wherein the retainer comprises a spring clip.

27. The push-stick storage system of claim 21 , further comprising the push-stick removably secured by the push-stick retention mechanism.

28. 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

Assignees

• Lowes Companies Inc

Inventors

• Cooley Adriane Dian
• Coble Benjamin Worth
• Chang Kevin C Y

Classifications

• B27B27/08

  arranged adjustably, not limited to only one of the groups B27B27/02 - B27B27/06 · CPC title

• B27B5/29

  Details; Component parts; Accessories · CPC title

• B27B25/10 Primary

  Manually-operated feeding or pressing accessories, e.g. pushers · CPC title

• B27B27/02

  arranged laterally and parallel with respect to the plane of the saw blade · CPC title