Abstract:
A power saw arrangement includes a saw blade, a base, a table and a supplemental support. The base defines a support surface and includes first and second stops. The table is movably coupled to the base and rotates about a table axis. The handle extends from the table and is movable relative to the base between first and second positions. In the first and second positions, the handle engages the first and second stops, respectively. A handle space is defined by movement of the handle between the first and second stops. The supplemental support does not provide the first or second stop. The supplemental support is movably coupled to the base and is moveable between extended and retracted positions. In the extended and retracted positions, the supplemental support is positioned within and without the handle space, respectively.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This application relates to the field of workpiece supports and particularly to supplemental workpiece supports which extend forwardly. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]      FIG. 1   a  depicts a conventional power saw arrangement  100  including a base  102 , a fence  120 , a motor  122 , a saw blade  124 , a table  140  and a handle  160 . In this example, the power saw arrangement  100  is that of a miter saw. A support surface  104  of the base  102  is used to support a workpiece thereon during a cutting operation. The fence  120  is coupled to the base  102  perpendicular to the support surface  104 , and the workpiece abuts the fence  120  during the cutting operation. The table  140  is movably coupled to the base  102  such that it rotates about a table axis  142 . The saw blade  124  is coupled to the table  140  and is configured to rotate with the table  140  as is well known in the art. The table  140  also includes a table surface  144  perpendicular to the table axis  142  and substantially coplanar with the support surface  104 . The table  140  includes a saw blade opening  146  defined in the table surface  144 . The saw blade opening  146  is configured to receive the saw blade  124 , operated by the motor  122 , during the cutting operation. The saw blade opening  146  is fixed with respect to the table  140  such that it rotates with the table  140 . The saw blade opening  146  is aligned with the handle  160 . The handle  160  is fixed to the table  140  and extends outwardly therefrom. Movement of the handle  160  about the table axis  142  results in rotation of the table  140  about the table axis  142 . 
         [0003]      FIG. 1   b  illustrates a top view of the base of the basic power saw arrangement shown in  FIG. 1   a .  FIG. 1   c  and  1   d  illustrate top views of the basic power saw arrangement  100  shown in  FIG. 1   a  including the table and the handle. For simplicity, the illustrations of the basic power saw arrangement in  FIGS. 1   b - 1   d  do not include the motor or the saw blade. As shown in  FIG. 1   b , the base  102  includes the support surface  104 , as well as a first wall  106  and a second wall  108  which are perpendicular to the support surface  104 . Referring to  FIGS. 1   c  and  1   d , the first wall  106  and second wall  108  are also provided in planes that are parallel to the table axis  142 . The first wall  106  includes at least one point that acts as a first stop  107  which contacts the handle  160  as the handle  160  rotates with the table  140  in the direction of the first wall  106 . As shown in  FIG. 1   c , upon contact with the first wall  106 , the first stop  107  prevents the handle  160  from rotating any farther in the direction of the first wall  106 . The second wall  108  includes at least one point that acts as a second stop  109  which contacts the handle  160  as the handle  160  rotates with the table  140  in the direction of the second wall  108 . As shown in  FIG. 1   d , upon contact with the second wall  108 , the second stop  109  prevents the handle  160  from rotating any farther in the direction of the second wall  108 . It will be recognized that the first stop  107  and the second stop  109  may be provided in the form of planar surfaces or single points. The first stop  107  and the second stop  109  may be provided in the same or in different forms. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1   b - 1   d , the first stop  107  and the second stop  109  are both provided in the form of planar surfaces. 
         [0004]    As used herein, the term “handle space” refers to the space occupied by the handle  160 , and the space directly above or below the handle (i.e., in the direction defined by axis  142 ) when the handle moves between the first stop  107  and the second stop  109 . Thus, the “handle space” includes the space extending across the full range of motion of the handle  160 . An illustration of the handle space  110  for the saw of  FIGS. 1   c  and  1   d  is provided by the diagonal lines in  FIG. 1   b . As shown in  FIGS. 1   c  and  1   d , the handle  160  includes a handle edge  162  positioned opposite the table  140 . When the handle  160  contacts the first stop  107 , a point on the handle edge  162  and the first stop  107  define a first plane  106   a  that is parallel to the table axis  142 . When the handle  160  contacts the second stop  109 , a point on the handle edge  162  and the second stop  109  define a second plane  108   a  that is parallel to the table axis  142 . Thus, the “handle space”  110  for the exemplary saw of  FIGS. 1   c - 1   d  is provided within the space between the first plane  106   a  and the second plane  108   a , along an arc  143  defined by the outermost edge of the handle when the handle moves between the first stop  107  and the second stop  109 . In various power saws, corresponding structures create corresponding “handle spaces” as defined above. 
         [0005]      FIG. 2  illustrates the base of a basic power saw arrangement  100  like that shown in  FIGS. 1   b - 1   d . The power saw arrangement  100  includes the table  140  and the handle  160  which projects from the table  140  into the handle space  110 . When the table  140  rotates about the table axis  142 , the handle  160  moves within the handle space  110 . The movement of the handle  160  within the handle space  110  is limited by contact with the first stop  107  and the second stop  109 . Consequently, the rotation of the table  140  is limited by the movement of the handle  160  within the handle space  110 . 
         [0006]    When performing a cutting operation, a user places the workpiece  10  (illustrated by dotted lines in  FIG. 2 ) on the support surface  104  and the table surface  144  as shown. The workpiece  10  rests against the fence  120  to control the position and prevent movement of the workpiece  10  during the cutting operation. The workpiece  10  has a length  12  and a width  14 . The angle of the handle  160 , and thus the angle of the table  140 , with respect to the base  102 , determines the angle of the saw blade opening  146  which is configured to receive the saw blade. Therefore, when the saw blade opening  146  is aligned with the centerline  103  of the base  102 , the saw blade will cut the workpiece at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. 
         [0007]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the table  140  can be rotated by rotating the handle  160  relative to the base  102  such that the saw blade opening  146  is no longer aligned with the centerline  103  of the base  102 . When the handle  160  is rotated relative to the base  102 , the table  140  is also rotated relative to the base  102  such that the saw blade and the saw blade opening  146  are rotated relative to the base  102 . Because this arrangement causes the saw blade opening  146  to be out of alignment with the centerline  103  of the base  102 , the workpiece  10  is cut at an angle other than 90 degrees. 
         [0008]    As illustrated by  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the size of the workpiece  10  that can be accommodated by the power saw arrangement  100  is somewhat limited by the size of the base  102  and the position of the fence  120 . In particular, if the width  14  of the workpiece  10  is too great, the workpiece  10  will not be stably supported by the support surface  104  and the table surface  144  which may result in inconsistent cuts. Therefore, supplemental supports which extend into the handle space  110  accommodate workpieces  10  having greater widths  14 . However, supplemental supports which extend into the handle space  110  limit the range of movement of the handle  160  within the handle space  110  and thus limit the angles at which workpieces  10  can be cut. In view of the foregoing, it would be advantageous to provide an improved power saw arrangement including supplemental supports accommodating workpieces having greater widths. It would be further advantageous if the supplemental supports did not extend into the handle space unless necessary for wider workpieces so that the range of angles for rotation of the table would not be unnecessarily reduced. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a power saw arrangement including a saw blade. The power saw arrangement also includes a base, a table, a handle and a supplemental support. The base defines a support surface. The base also includes a first stop and a second stop. The table is moveably coupled to the base and is configured to rotate about a table axis. The handle extends from the table. The table and the handle are moveable relative to the base between a first position, wherein the handle engages the first stop, and a second position, wherein the handle engages the second stop. A handle space is defined by movement of the handle between the first stop and the second stop. The supplemental support is movably coupled to the base and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The supplemental support is not positioned within said handle space in the retracted position and is positioned within said handle space in the extended position. The supplemental support does not provide the first stop or the second stop. 
         [0010]    In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a power saw including a base, a table, a handle, a saw and a supplemental support surface. The table includes a support surface. The base further includes a first wall and a second wall. The table is configured to rotate relative to the base about a table axis. The table includes a table surface that is perpendicular to the table axis and substantially coplanar with the support surface. The handle projects from the table. The handle is moveable within a handle space between the first wall and the second wall. The saw is coupled to the table and configured to rotate with the table. The supplemental support is coupled to the base and rotatable with respect to the base. The supplemental support is movable between an extended position, wherein the supplemental support extends into the handle space, and a retracted position, wherein the supplemental support does not extend into the handle space. 
         [0011]    In accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a power saw including a base, a table, a handle, a saw and a supplemental support. The base includes a support surface and at least one of a mount member or a slot. The base further includes a first wall providing a first stop and a second wall providing a second stop. The table is configured to rotate relative to the base about a table axis. The table includes a table surface that is perpendicular to the table axis. The handle projects from the table is and moveable with the table. The handle is limited in movement between the first stop and the second stop defining a handle space. The saw is coupled to the table and is configured to rotate with the table. The supplemental support is coupled to the base and moveable with respect to the base between an extended position, wherein the supplemental support extends into the handle space, and a retracted position, wherein the supplemental support does not extend into the handle space. The supplemental support includes a supplemental support surface that is coplanar with the support surface of the base when the supplemental support is in the extended position. 
         [0012]    The above described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. While it would be desirable to provide a power saw arrangement that provides one or more of these or other advantageous features, the teachings disclosed herein extend to those embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the above-mentioned advantages. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1   a  depicts a basic power saw arrangement; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1   b  depicts a top view of the base of the basic power saw arrangement shown in  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0015]      FIGS. 1   c  and  1   d  depict top views of the basic power saw arrangement shown in  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0016]      FIG. 2  depicts a top view of the power saw arrangement shown in  FIG. 1   a  and a workpiece; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  depicts a top view of the power saw arrangement shown in  FIG. 2  with the table rotated relative to the base and a workpiece; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  depicts a top view of one embodiment of a power saw arrangement including supplemental supports in an extended position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  depicts a side view of the power saw arrangement of  FIG. 4  including supplemental supports in an extended position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  depicts a top view of the power saw arrangement of  FIG. 4  including supplemental supports in a retracted position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  depicts a side view of the power saw arrangement of  FIG. 4  including supplemental supports in a retracted position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8   a  depicts a top view of another embodiment of a power saw arrangement including supplemental supports in an extended position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8   b  depicts an alternative embodiment of the power saw arrangement of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  depicts a side view of the power saw arrangement of  FIG. 8   a  including supplemental supports in an extended position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  depicts a top view of the power saw arrangement of  FIG. 8   a  including supplemental supports in a retracted position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  depicts a side view of the power saw arrangement of  FIG. 8   a  including supplemental supports in a retracted position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  depicts a top view of another embodiment of a power saw arrangement including supplemental supports in a retracted position; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  depicts a top view of the power saw arrangement of  FIG. 12  including supplemental supports in an extended position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  depicts a top view of another embodiment of a power saw arrangement including supplemental supports in an extended position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  depicts a side view of the power saw arrangement of  FIG. 14  including supplemental supports in an extended position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  depicts a top view of another embodiment of a power saw arrangement including supplemental supports in an extended position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  depicts a top view of the power saw arrangement of  FIG. 16  including supplemental supports in a retracted position; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  depicts a front view of the power saw arrangement of  FIG. 16  excluding supplemental supports. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]      FIGS. 4-18  depict alternative embodiments of power saw arrangements. The power saw arrangements shown in  FIGS. 4-18  are substantially similar to the power saw arrangement  100  of  FIGS. 2-3  where the motor and saw blade are omitted for simplicity. However, as discussed below, the power saw arrangements shown in  FIGS. 4-18  possess different structures to enable accommodation of wider workpieces when desired. 
         [0035]    Base with Vertically Rotatable Support 
         [0036]    The power saw arrangement  200  shown in  FIGS. 4-7  includes a base  202 , a table  240  with a handle  260  extending into the handle space  210  and two supplemental supports  270  movably coupled to the base  202 . The embodiment of the power saw arrangement  200  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6  includes two supplemental supports  270 , but it is understood that the power saw arrangement  200  could alternatively include less than two or more than two supplemental supports  270 . Note that the first stop  207  and second stop  209 , defining the handle space  210 , are provided on the base  202  and are not provided on the supplemental supports  270 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the base  202  includes base sides  212  that are opposite one another on either side of the centerline  203  and are fixed with respect to the base  202 . A side axis  214  that is perpendicular to the table axis  242  and the centerline  203  extends through each base side  212 . One supplemental support  270  is coupled to each base side  212  with a fastener  218 . Each fastener  218  defines a fastener axis  215  that is orthogonal to the table axis  242  and the centerline  203 . Each supplemental support  270  is configured to rotate about the fastener axis  215  at the fastener  218 . The fastener  218  may be configured to possess any form which will rotatably couple the supplemental support  270  to the side base  212 . For example, in this embodiment, the feature is configured in the form of a pin passing through the supplemental support  270  into the base  202  and a head projecting outwardly from the supplemental support  270  and retaining the supplemental support  270  on the pin. The supplemental supports  270  are rotatable between an extended position (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) and a retracted position (shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). When the supplemental supports  270  are in the extended position, they are extended into the handle space  210 . When the supplemental supports  270  are in the retracted position, they are retracted out of the handle space  210 . 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , each supplemental support  270  includes a supplemental support surface  273 , an extended notch  274  and a retracted notch  276 . Each base side  212  includes a post  216  extending parallel to the fastener axis  215 . When the supplemental supports  270  are in the extended position, the posts  216  are received within the extended notches  274  and the supplemental support surfaces  273  are substantially coplanar with the support surface  204  of the base  202  and the table surface  244  of the table  240 . Workpieces are placed on the supplemental support surfaces  273  of the supplemental supports  270  when the supplemental supports  270  are in the extended position. As shown more clearly in  FIG. 5 , the weight of a workpiece  10  on the supplemental support surface  273  creates a force shown by arrow Fl. The force F 1  causes the post  216  to remain within the extended notch  274 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the supplemental supports  270  are rotatable about the fastener axes  215  at the fasteners  218  such that they no longer extend into the handle space  210 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , when the supplemental supports  270  are in the retracted position, the posts  216  are received within the retracted notches  276 . The force of gravity is shown by arrow F 2  and causes the post  216  to remain within the retracted notch  276 . 
         [0040]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , the supplemental support  270  is provided substantially in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, also known as a rectangular prism, and the supplemental support surface  273  is a planar surface thereof. However, the supplemental support  270  may be configured to possess any form which will provide support for workpieces that are wider than can be accommodated by the support surface  204  of the base  202  and the table surface  244  of the table  240 . The supplemental support  270  could be provided in any form which enables it to rotate about the fastener axis  215  and receive the post  216  within the extended notch  274  such that the supplemental support  270  extends into the handle space  210  when in the extended position and receive the post  216  within the retracted notch  276  such that the supplemental support  270  does not extend into the handle space  210  when in the retracted position. The supplemental support  270  is provided in a form which enables it to support workpieces on its supplemental support surface  273 . For example, the supplemental support  270  may be provided substantially in the form of a cylinder including a supplemental support surface  273  in the form of a line on the outer surface of the cylinder rather than a plane on the outer surface of a rectangular parallelepiped. 
         [0041]    The power saw arrangement  200  shown in  FIGS. 4-7  accommodates workpieces having larger widths than the power saw arrangement  100  shown in  FIGS. 2-3  because the supplemental supports  270  in the power saw arrangement  200  provide additional support for workpiece width. A workpiece supported on the power saw arrangement  100  is supported by the support surface  104  and the table surface  144  but a workpiece supported on the power saw arrangement  200  is supported by the support surface  104 , the table surface  144  and the supplemental support surface  273  of the supplemental support  270 . 
         [0042]    Because the supplemental supports  270  of the power saw arrangement  200  are rotatable about the fastener axes  215  between an extended position and a retracted position, the supplemental supports  270  can be used to accommodate wider workpieces when in the extended position (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) but do not extend into the handle space  110 , and thus do not decrease the range of rotation of the handle  160  about the table axis  242 , when in the retracted position (shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). 
         [0043]    Base with Side Sliding Support 
         [0044]    In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 8   a - 11 , a power saw arrangement  300  with sliding side supports is disclosed. The power saw arrangement  300  includes a base  302 , a table  340  with a handle  360  extending into the handle space  310  and two supplemental supports  370  movably coupled to the base  302 . The embodiment of the power saw arrangement  300  shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  10  includes two supplemental supports  370 , but it is understood that the power saw arrangement  300  could alternatively include less than two or more than two supplemental supports  370 . Note that the first stop  307  and second stop  309 , defining the handle space  310 , are provided on the base  302  and are not provided on the supplemental supports  370 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 8   a , the base  302  includes base sides  312  that are opposite one another on either side of the centerline  303  of the base  302  and are fixed with respect to the base  302 . A side axis  314  that is perpendicular to the table axis  342  and the centerline  303  extends through each base side  312 . One supplemental support  370  is coupled to each base side  312  with fasteners  318  and is configured to slide relative to the base  302  in a direction perpendicular to the side axis  314  and parallel to the centerline  303 . The supplemental supports  370  are slidable relative to the support surface  304  between an extended position (shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  9 ) and a retracted position (shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). When the supplemental supports  370  are in the extended position, they are extended into the handle space  310 . When the supplemental supports  370  are in the retracted position, they are retracted out of the handle space  310 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  10 , each fastener  318  includes a post  322  and a head  324 . The head  324  is sized larger than the post  322 . Each fastener  318  is fixed in place on one of the base sides  312 . As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , each supplemental support  370  includes a slot  372  extending through the supplemental support  370 . Each slot  372  is sized such that it is larger than the post  322  but smaller than the head  324  of the fastener  318 . The post  322  of each fastener  318  extends through the slot  372 , with the head  324  positioned outwardly from the slot  372 . The supplemental supports  370  are thus perpendicularly slidable relative to the side axis  314  on the posts  322  and retained on the posts  322  by the heads  324 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  10 , each supplemental support  370  includes a support portion  382 . The support portion  382  is movably coupled to the supplemental support  370  by hinges  376 . The hinges  376  enable the support portion  382  to rotate upwardly toward the support surface  304  of the base  302  or outwardly away from the centerline  303  of the base  302 . When rotated inwardly, the support portions  382  are substantially coplanar with the support surface  304  of the base  302  and the table surface  344  of the table  340 . As shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  9 , when the supplemental supports  370  are in the extended position, the support portions  382  are rotated inwardly to provide support for a workpiece. As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , when the supplemental supports  370  are in the retracted position, the support portions  382  are rotated outwardly so that the support portions  382  do not contact the base  302  and the supplemental supports  370  can be fully removed from the handle space  310 . 
         [0048]    In an alternative embodiment, the support portions  382  could be provided in any form which is movably coupled to the supplemental supports  370  such that the support portions  382  are substantially coplanar with the support surface  304  of the base  302  and the table surface  344  of the table when in the extended position and do not contact the base  302  such that they can be completely removed from the handle space  310  when in the retracted position. 
         [0049]    Because the supplemental supports  370  of the power saw arrangement  300  are perpendicularly slidable relative to the side axes  314 , and because the support portions  382  are hingedly coupled to the supplemental supports  370 , the supplemental supports  370  can be moved between an extended position and a retracted position. Thus, the supplemental supports  370  can be used to accommodate wider workpieces when in the extended position (shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  9 ) but do not extend into the handle space  310 , and thus do not decrease the range of rotation of the handle  360  about the table axis  342 , when in the retracted position (shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). 
         [0050]    In another alternative embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8   b , the supplemental supports  370  may not include hinges  376  shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  9 - 11 . Instead, the supplemental portions  382  are otherwise sized and shaped such that they are fully removed from the handle space  310  when the supplemental supports  370  are in the retracted position. For example, as shown in  FIG. 8   b , the supplemental portions  382  may extend outwardly from the supplemental supports  370  away from the centerline  303 . As another example, the supplemental portions  382  may have a triangular shape that allows the supplemental supports  370  to be fully removed from the handle space  310  when the supplemental supports  370  are in the retracted position with the triangularly shaped supplemental portions  382  abutting the support surface  304  on the base  302 . 
         [0051]    Base with Horizontally Rotatable Support 
         [0052]    In another alternative embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a power saw arrangement  400  with a horizontally rotatable support is disclosed. The power saw arrangement  400  includes a base  402 , a table  440  with a handle  460  extending into the handle space  410  and two supplemental supports  470  movably coupled to the base  402 . The embodiment of the power saw arrangement  400  shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  includes two supplemental supports  470 , but it is understood that the power saw arrangement  400  could alternatively include less than two or more than two supplemental supports  470 . Note that the first stop  407  and second stop  409 , defining the handle space  410 , are provided on the base  402  and are not provided on the supplemental supports  470 . 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , the base  402  includes base sides  412  that are opposite one another on either side of the centerline  403  and are fixed with respect to the base  402 . Each base side  412  includes a side axis  414  that is perpendicular to the table axis  442  of the table  440  and perpendicular to the centerline  403  of the base  402 . Additionally, the base  402  includes lateral portions  422  that are opposite one another on either side of the centerline  403  and are fixed with respect to the base  402 . One supplemental support  470  is coupled to each lateral portion  422  with a fastener  418  and is configured to rotate perpendicularly relative to the side axis  414  about the fastener  418 . The supplemental supports  470  are rotatable between an extended position (shown in  FIG. 13 ) and a retracted position (shown in  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0054]    Shown more clearly in  FIG. 13 , each lateral portion  422  includes a recess  424  sized and configured to retain the supplemental support  470 . The supplemental supports  470  are received in the recesses  424  when in the retracted configuration (shown in  FIG. 12 ) such that the supplemental supports  470  are completely removed from the handle space  410 . 
         [0055]    When the supplemental supports  470  are in the extended position, they are rotated out of the recesses  424  and extended into the handle space  410  such that they are substantially coplanar with the support surface  404  of the base  402  and the table surface  444  of the table  440 . When the supplemental supports  470  are in the retracted position, they are retracted out of the handle space  410  into the recesses  424  and remain substantially coplanar with the support surface  404  of the base  402  and the table surface  444  of the table  440 . 
         [0056]    Because the supplemental supports  470  of the power saw arrangement  400  are perpendicularly rotatable relative to the side axes  414  and are rotatably coupled to the lateral portions  422 , the supplemental supports  470  can be moved between an extended position and a retracted position. Thus, the supplemental supports  470  can be used to accommodate wider workpieces when in the extended position (shown in  FIG. 13 ) but do not extend into the handle space  410 , and thus do not decrease the range of rotation of the handle  460  about the table axis  442 , when in the retracted position (shown in  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0057]    Base with Front Sliding Support 
         [0058]    In another alternative embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a power saw arrangement  500  with front sliding supports is disclosed. The power saw arrangement  500  includes a base  502 , a table  540  with a handle  560  extending into the handle space  510  and two supplemental supports  570  movably coupled to the base  502 . The embodiment of the power saw arrangement  500  shown in  FIG. 14  includes two supplemental supports  570 , but it is understood that the power saw arrangement  500  could alternatively include less than two or more than two supplemental supports  570 . Note that the first stop  507  and second stop  509 , defining the handle space  510 , are provided on the base  502  and are not provided on the supplemental supports  570 . 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , the base  502  includes base sides  512  that are opposite one another on either side of the centerline  503  and are fixed with respect to the base  502 . A side axis  514  that is perpendicular to the table axis  542  and the centerline  503  extends from each base side  512 . Additionally, the base  502  includes lateral portions  522  that are opposite one another on either side of the centerline  503  and are fixed with respect to the base  502 . Each lateral portion  522  includes channels  524  sized and configured to retain the supplemental support  570 . The channels  524  are aligned perpendicularly relative to the table axis  542 , perpendicularly relative to the side axis  514  and in parallel relative to the centerline  503 . The supplemental supports  570  are received in the channels  524  when in the extended configuration (shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 ) such that the supplemental supports  570  extend into the handle space  510 . The supplemental supports  570  are removed from the channels  524  when in the retracted position (not shown) such that they are fully removed from the handle space  510 . 
         [0060]    Each supplemental support  570  consists of two arms  580  and a support portion  582  coupled to the arms  580 . When the supplemental supports  570  are in the extended position, the arms  580  are inserted into the channels  524  and the supplemental supports  570  extend into the handle space  510  such that the support portions  582  are substantially coplanar with the support surface  504  of the base  502  and the table surface  544  of the table  540 . When the supplemental supports  570  are in the retracted position, the arms  580  are removed from the channels  524  and the supplemental supports  570  are removed from the handle space  510 . 
         [0061]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the supplemental supports  570  are provided in the form of arms  580  and support portions  582  such that the supplemental supports  570  are in the retracted position when the arms  580  are removed from the channels  524 . Alternatively, the supplemental supports  570  could be provided in any form which enables the supplemental supports  570  to extend into the handle space  510  such that the support portions  582  are substantially coplanar with the support surface  504  and the table surface  544  when in the extended position and enables the supplemental supports  570  to be removed from the handle space  510  when in the retracted position. For example, the supplemental supports  570  could be configured such that they are inserted farther into longer channels  524  and do not extend into the handle space  510  when in the retracted position. 
         [0062]    Because the supplemental supports  570  of the power saw arrangement  500  are removably inserted into the lateral portions  522  perpendicularly relative to the side axes  514 , the supplemental supports  570  can be moved between an extended position and a retracted position. Thus, the supplemental supports  570  can be used to accommodate wider workpieces when in the extended position (shown in  FIG. 14 ) but do not extend into the handle space  510 , and thus do not decrease the range of rotation of the handle  560  about the table axis  542 , when in the retracted position (not shown). 
         [0063]    Base with Top Sliding Support 
         [0064]    In yet another alternative embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 16-18 , a power saw arrangement  600  with a top sliding support is disclosed. The power saw arrangement  600  includes a base  602 , a table  640  with a handle  660  extending into the handle space  610  and two supplemental supports  670  movably coupled to the base  602 . The embodiment of the power saw arrangement  600  shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17  includes two supplemental supports  670 , but it is understood that the power saw arrangement  600  could alternatively include less than two or more than two supplemental supports  670 . Note that the first stop  607  and second stop  609 , defining the handle space  610 , are provided on the base  602  and are not provided on the supplemental supports  670 . 
         [0065]    As shown in  FIG. 16 , the base  602  includes base sides  612  that are opposite one another on either side of the centerline  603  and are fixed with respect to the base  602 . Each base side  612  includes a side axis  614  that is perpendicular to the table axis  642  of the table  640  and perpendicular to the centerline  603  of the base  602 . Additionally, the base  602  includes lateral portions  622  that are opposite one another on either side of the centerline  603  and are fixed with respect to the base  602 . Each lateral portion  622  includes recesses  624  sized and configured to retain the supplemental support  670 . The recesses  624  are aligned perpendicularly relative to the table axis  642 , perpendicularly relative to the side axis  614  and in parallel with the centerline  603 . 
         [0066]    The supplemental supports  670  are slidable with respect to the base  602  between the extended position and the retracted position. The supplemental supports  670  are extended out of the recesses  624  when in the extended position (shown in  FIG. 16 ) such that they extend into the handle space  610 . The supplemental supports  670  are received in the recesses  624  when in the retracted position (shown in  FIG. 17 ) such that the supplemental supports  670  are completely removed from the handle space  610 . The supplemental supports  670  are coplanar with the table surface  644  of the table  640  and the support surface  604  of the base  602  when in the retracted position and in the extended position. As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the supplemental supports  670  include slots  672  extending through the supplemental supports  670  in a direction parallel with the table axis  642 . 
         [0067]    For simplicity,  FIG. 18  does not include the supplemental supports  670 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the base  602  includes recesses  624  in the lateral portions  622 . Each recess  624  includes mount members  626 . Each mount member  626  consists of a post  628  and a head  632 . The post  628  is fixed with respect to the recess  624 . The post  628  extends along a post axis  630  which is parallel to the table axis  642  and is perpendicular to the slot  672  in the supplemental support  670 . The post  62  is dimensioned such that it fits within a slot  672  in a supplemental support  670  (shown in  FIGS. 16-17 ). The head  632  is coupled to the post  628  and sized larger than the post  628 . The head  632  is dimensioned such that it is larger than, and does not fit within, the slot  672  in the supplemental support  670 . The mount members  626  are configured such that the posts  628  extend through the slots  672  in the supplemental supports  670  and the supplemental supports  670  are retained on the posts  628  by the head  632 . 
         [0068]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 16-18 , each recess  624  includes two mount members  626  and each supplemental support  670  includes two corresponding slots  672 . In an alternative embodiment, each recess  624  may include more or fewer than two mount members  626  and each supplemental support  670  includes a corresponding number of slots  672 . 
         [0069]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 16-18 , the recesses  624  are provided on the lateral portions  622  of the base  602  and the post axes  630  extend perpendicularly to the side axes  614  and in parallel with the table axis  642 . In an alternative embodiment, the recesses  624  may be provided on the base sides  612  of the base  602  and the post axes  630  may extend in parallel with the side axes  614  and perpendicularly to the table axis  642 . 
         [0070]    Because the supplemental supports  670  of the power saw arrangement  600  are perpendicularly slidable into and out of recesses  624  in the lateral portions  622  of the base  602  and remain coplanar with the table surface  644  and the support surface  604  , the supplemental supports  670  can be moved between an extended position and a retracted position. Thus, the supplemental supports  670  can be used to accommodate wider workpieces when in the extended position (shown in  FIG. 16 ) but do not extend into the handle space  610 , and thus do not decrease the range of rotation of the handle  660  about the table axis  642 , when in the retracted position (shown in  FIG. 17 ). 
         [0071]    The foregoing detailed description of one or more embodiments of the power saw arrangement has been presented herein by way of example only and not limitation. It will be recognized that there are advantages to certain individual features and functions described herein that may be obtained without incorporating other features and functions described herein. Moreover, it will be recognized that various alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements of the above-disclosed embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different embodiments, systems or applications. Presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the appended claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of any appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.