Patent ID: 6412179
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: B23Q,B27B

Abstract:
A cutting guide apparatus for guiding a portable circular saw in a cutting process to cut a substantially planar workpiece having at least one side and at least one end, the cutting guide apparatus comprising:a. a substantially rectangular shaped guide base plate having a rectangular shaped opening on one side for accommodating a cutting blade of said circular saw; b. a pair of spaced apart guide rails affixed on the other side of said guide base plate and located parallel in a lengthwise direction to said rectangular shaped opening; c. locking and mounting means to releasably attach said guide base plate to said portable circular saw such that the cutting blade of said circular saw extends downwardly through said rectangular shaped opening; d. a slidable plate slidably disposed between said pair of guide rails and moving along a direction of the cut to guide said circular saw throughout the cutting process for cutting said workpiece; e. an elongated abutment guide member pivotably connected to said slidable plate and having an outer sleeve and an inner rod slidably disposed within said outer sleeve, where the abutment guide member can be positioned in an operative position for abutting against said at least one side of said workpiece and partially positioned underneath said guide base plate to maintain said circular saw in a precise cutting position during the cutting process and is in an inoperative position when the precise cutting position is not required, said abutment guide member pivotable upwardly when the cut exceeds a length of said pair of guide rails such that the abutment guide member slides along the workpiece and further allows said guide base plate and said circular saw to continue the cutting process on said workpiece; f. means for holding said abutment guide member in both said operative position and said inoperative position, said means for holding having a biasing means allowing the abutment guide member to extend and to retract with respect to the lengthwise direction to thereby place the abutment guide member in the respective positions; and g. means for providing tension so that said slidable plate is returned to an initial position after each cutting process on the workpiece is completed; h. whereby said cutting guide apparatus automatically places said circular saw in said precise cutting position to achieve an accurate cut every time to expedite the cutting process on said workpiece.