Patent Publication Number: US-2021187638-A1

Title: Portable saw with circular blade

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to portable saws, and more particularly to a portable band saw with a circular blade. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vertical band saws were traditionally the tool of choice for cutting conduit, pipe and a variety of other materials. However, the size of such saws makes it difficult to easily transport vertical band saws to the job site. As a result, portable band saws were designed for use on the job site by electricians, steel workers, pipe fitters, etc. The conventional portable band saw design is still a substantial piece of equipment and requires two-handed operation to support the saw above the work piece. As a result of the two-handed operation and the weight of the tool, operators often must stand in awkward, physically detrimental, and potentially dangerous positions to make the appropriate cut. The manner in which the saw needs to be manipulated requires the work piece be fixed in some manner such as by clamp or vise. This process is sometimes cumbersome because of the length or weight of the stock and also results in lower back injuries because of the awkward posture in making the cut. Furthermore, the size of the stock that can be cut with conventional portable band saws is significantly limited by the shallow depth of the “throat” area in the cutting area between ends of conventional portable band saws. 
     Examples of deficiencies of conventional portable band saws include at least requiring two hand operation, heavy weight, line of sight issues (e.g., difficult to follow cutting guide markings), difficult blade changing, difficult cut control, and a limited throat depth. Similarly, conventional reciprocating saws include several deficiencies, including, for example, at least requiring two hand operation, heavy weight, kick back issues, and difficult cut control. The present invention advantageously solves all of the above-mentioned deficiencies present in conventional portable saws (e.g., portable band saw, reciprocating saw, etc.). 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a single-hand operable portable hand-held saw, including a handle portion with a motor is provided. The motor is operably connected to one or more drive gears positioned on an interior side of a protective cover. One or more idle gears are positioned on an interior side of the protective cover. The idle gears and the drive gears are operatively coupled with and rotatably engaged with an annular saw blade. A throat opening in the protective cover is positioned adjacent a stop guide for stabilizing the saw against a material during cutting operations. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a saw blade is provided. The saw blade includes an annular blade portion, a plurality of gear teeth disposed on an interior edge of the annular blade portion, and a plurality of saw teeth disposed on an exterior edge of the annular blade portion. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a single-hand operable portable hand-held saw, including a separable blade assembly portion and separable handle portion with a motor is provided. The motor is operably connected to one or more drive gears positioned on an interior side of a protective cover of the separable blade assembly portion. One or more idle gears are positioned on an interior side of the protective cover. The idle gears and the drive gears are operatively coupled with and rotatably engaged with an annular saw blade. A throat opening in the protective cover is positioned adjacent a stop guide for stabilizing the saw against a material during cutting operations. 
     These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following description will provide details of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a side view of a portable saw device with a circular blade and a protective cover with a locking mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view showing a portable saw device with a circular blade, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a side view of a portable saw device with a circular blade and an open protective cover including a locking mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a side view of a portable saw with no blade attached and an open protective cover including a locking mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a side view of a portable saw device with a separable handle and blade assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a perspective view of a circular saw blade for attachment to a portable saw device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a perspective view of a motor and connection assembly for separable parts of the portable saw device of  FIG. 5 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a single-hand operable portable band saw with a substantially circular blade and stop guide is provided such that the band saw can be comfortably held with a single hand while the other hand is free to, for example, control the stock being cut rather than requiring the stock (e.g., material to be cut) to be secured (e.g., using a vise, clamps, etc.). 
     Exemplary applications/uses to which the present invention can be applied include, but are not limited to cutting any of a plurality of materials, including, for example, metal piping, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping, iron piping, wood, braces, flat stock, cast iron, forming tenons, tree limbs, stair rails, forming notches, compound miter cuts, decorative ends and corbels, etc., in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The present invention provides a user a lightweight and portable saw for single-handed cutting operation such that the stock can be placed in contact with the stop guide during cutting to naturally orient the cutting section of the blade in a plane normal to the stock to make a precision clean cut. The stop guide/fence further can be a safety feature serving as a barrier between the hand of a user and the saw blade. The stop guide/fence can support the stock and aid in making an accurate cut. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, a single-hand operable band saw with a circular saw blade can include a frame or chassis assembly and a drive shaft, drive chain, axle, etc. type assembly disposed within a portion of the frame, handle, or chassis assembly and connected to a driven gear for allowing the driven gear to move relative to the drive gear(s). In some embodiments, a single-hand operable band saw includes a frame or chassis assembly and a cam assembly (e.g., camshaft) disposed within a portion of the frame, handle, or chassis assembly and connected to a driven gear for allowing the driven gear to move relative to the drive gear, and the drive gear is configured to attach to teeth on an inside edge of a substantially circular blade to turn the blade at any of a plurality of selectable speeds, and/or change blade rotation direction. In some embodiments, the blade assembly is removable from the handle portion and differently sized blades/blade assemblies (e.g., 8-inch diameter blade, 12-inch diameter blade, etc.) can be interchangeably attached to the handle portion using a universal connector (e.g., snap connection, twist connection, clip connection, etc.). Moreover, appropriate gearing reduction is provided between the motor and the drive gear to control the maximum rotation of the cutting blade. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a single-hand operable hand-held portable band saw with a substantially circular blade and stop guide is provided, including grasping the band saw by a handle extending at an acute angle from a longitudinal edge of the saw frame, orienting a work piece to be cut by the saw, resting the work piece against a stop guide/fence extending from a frame of the saw, and engaging the motor (e.g., battery powered, plug-in, gasoline powered, etc.) of the saw to cause the blade to cut through the work piece along a path selected by a user. 
     Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals represent the same or similar elements and initially to  FIG. 1 , a side view of a portable saw device  100  including an attached substantially circular blade  118  and a protective cover  104  with a locking mechanism  124  is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In various embodiments of the present invention, the blade  118  can be circular and can include a center cutout portion of a larger planar width than the remaining portion of the blade, and it is to be appreciated that different blade to center cutout portion ratios can be employed in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the portable saw device  100  can include a handle portion  102 , which can include a power port/charging port  122  (e.g., USB, AC, etc.) and a non-removable internal rechargeable battery (not shown) or a removable rechargeable battery, as described herein below with reference to element  210  of  FIG. 2 . The removable battery pack  210  can include a built-in power port/charging port (not shown) or the battery pack  210  can be placed in a charging station (e.g., charging cradle) after removal from the saw  100  for recharging. In some embodiments, the saw  100  can be a corded, plug-in device without a battery pack or internal battery. 
     A speed selector  120  (e.g., switch, wheel, dial, touch-screen, etc.) can be positioned on the handle portion  102  such that the speed selector  120  is easily accessible for a user to select any of a plurality of speeds during single-handed operation of the saw  100 . The speed of the saw blade  118  can be adjusted for cutting any of a plurality of types of materials (e.g., steel piping, tree branches, staircase railings, etc.) efficiently and accurately. The handle portion can include a trigger  112  (e.g., button, switch, touch screen, etc.) for engaging a motor  114 . The motor  114  can be operatively coupled to the saw blade  118  to provide rotation for the saw blade  118  for cutting operations, and can include a vent  116  for temperature regulation of the saw  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the saw  100  can include a blade assembly protective cover  104 , which can include two substantially similar portions functionally connected by a hinge mechanism  106  for opening the cover  104  to expose the saw blade  118  (e.g., to change blade, remove debris, etc.) and the gears  202 ,  204 , described in further detail herein below with reference to  FIG. 3 . The protective cover  104  can include a cutout throat portion  108  which provides a deep clearance space for cutting material using the blade  118 . The protective cover  104  can be secured in a closed state using any appropriate locking mechanism  124  (e.g., clip, snap, slider, etc.) in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. A stop guide/fence  110  can be positioned with an edge along the edge of the throat portion  108  of the protective cover  104 , and can be utilized by pushing the stop guide  110  against the material being cut during cutting operations to provide stability and a precision cut during single-handed cutting using the saw, thereby freeing up a user&#39;s other hand to, for example, hold the material being cut without the use of a vise or other securing mechanism. It is to be appreciated that the plurality of components of the saw device  100  can be formed from any appropriate materials, including, for example, forged metal, plastic, PVC, glass, alloys, cast metal, diamond blade, carbon tip, etc. in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a cross-sectional view of a portable saw device  100  including a circular blade  118  is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the portable saw device  100  can include a handle portion  201 , which can include a removable rechargeable battery pack  210 . The removable battery pack  210  can include a built-in power port/charging port (not shown) or the battery pack  210  can be placed in a charging station (e.g., charging cradle) after removal from the saw  100  for recharging. In some embodiments, the saw  100  can be a corded, plug-in device without a battery pack  210  or internal battery. 
     In some embodiments, a motor  114  can be operatively coupled to the saw blade  118  to provide rotation for the saw blade  118  for cutting operations, and can be positioned in any of a plurality of positions including, for example, connected on a side of a blade assembly  104  of the saw  100  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) or within the handle. The motor  114  can be directly operatively linked (e.g., gears seated together, drive sprocket, etc.) to a drive gear  204 , and the drive gear  204  can be operatively coupled for cutting operations to the blade  118  and protective cover  104  using any appropriate connector  203  (e.g., pin (e.g., cotter pin, clevis pin, threaded rod, bearings, etc.), drive sprocket, clip, etc.), and connector receiver, as described in further detail with reference to element  205  of  FIG. 3  herein below. The protective cover  104  can be secured in a closed state using any appropriate locking mechanism (e.g., clip, snap, slider, etc.), as shown by element  124  of  FIGS. 1 and 5 , element  324  of  FIG. 3 , and element  424  of  FIG. 4 , in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. It is to be appreciated that although the embodiments showing locking mechanisms  124 ,  324 , and  424  are particularly placed and are of a particular type for simplicity of illustration, any of a plurality of types of locking mechanism placement and/or types of locking mechanisms can be employed in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The drive gear  204  can be configured to rotate the blade  118  toward the stop guide  110  to pull the material to be cut and the blade toward the stop guide  110 , but it is to be appreciated that the saw  100  can include a reverse function in which the blade  118  can rotate in the opposite direction in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The protective cover  104  can be opened for access to the blade  118 , gears  202 ,  204 , etc. using a hinge  106 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more idle gears  202  can be utilized to provide tension on the blade  118  and/or to push/pull the blade  118  away or toward the drive gear for stabilization of the blade  118  for precision cuts during cutting operations. The gears can be positioned within a gear shaft  208  (e.g., positioned to be operably connected to the motor for providing rotation to the blade  118 ), and one or more blade wear/stabilization guides  206  can be positioned on the interior side of the protective cover  104 . The blade wear/stabilization guides  206  can be sized to be equal to, or more narrow than the width of the blade  118  between the blade teeth  602  and the gear teeth  604  (described in further detail with reference to  FIG. 6  herein below) such that the blade wear/stabilization guide  206  prevents the blade  118  and/or gears/sprockets  202 ,  204  from contacting the protective cover  104  during use. 
     In some embodiments, the blade wear/stabilization guides  206  can include blade guide adjustors (not shown) for adjusting the distance between respective blade wear/stabilization guides  206  and the saw blade  118  to, for example, enable user customization for saw blades of different thicknesses, reduce rubbing of the blade  118  against the blade wear/stabilization guide  206 , increase stabilization of the blade  118  by reducing the space between the blade  118  and the blade wear/stabilization guide  206 , etc. In some embodiments, the blade wear/stabilization guide  206  is fixed and optimally positioned for a saw blade  118  of a pre-determined thickness (e.g., ⅛-inch, 1/16 inch, etc.), depending on the particular desired cutting operation and/or blade type. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a side view of a portable saw device  100  with a circular blade  118  and an open protective cover  104  including a locking mechanism  324  is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the portable saw device  100  can include a handle portion  102 , which can include a power port/charging port  122  (e.g., USB, AC, etc.) and a non-removable internal rechargeable battery (not shown) or a removable rechargeable battery, as described above with reference to element  210  of  FIG. 2 . The removable battery pack  210  can include a built-in power port/charging port (not shown) or the battery pack  210  can be placed in a charging station (e.g., charging cradle) after removal from the saw  100  for recharging. In some embodiments, the saw  100  can be a corded, plug-in device without a battery pack or internal battery. 
     A speed selector  120  (e.g., switch, wheel, dial, touch-screen, etc.) can be positioned on the handle portion  102  such that the speed selector  120  is easily accessible for a user to select any of a plurality of speeds during single-handed operation of the saw  100 . The speed of the saw blade  118  can be adjusted for cutting any of a plurality of types of materials (e.g., steel piping, tree branches, staircase railings, etc.) efficiently and accurately. The handle portion  102  can include a trigger  112  (e.g., button, switch, touch screen, etc.) for engaging a motor  114 . The motor  114  can be operatively coupled to the saw blade  118  to provide rotation for the saw blade  118  for cutting operations. 
     In some embodiments, the motor  114  can be operatively coupled to the saw blade  118  to provide rotation for the saw blade  118  for cutting operations, and can be positioned in any of a plurality of positions including, for example, connected on a side of a blade assembly  104  of the saw  100  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) or within the handle  102 . The motor  114  can be directly operatively linked (e.g., gears seated together, drive sprocket, etc.) to a drive gear  204 , and the drive gear  204  can be operatively coupled for cutting operations to the blade  118  and secured to the protective cover  104  using any appropriate connector  203  (e.g., pin (e.g., cotter pin, clevis pin, threaded rod, bearings, etc.), drive sprocket, clip, etc.) and attachment point/mechanism  205  (e.g., pinhole, clamp, threaded rod receiver, bearing receiver, etc.) in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The protective cover  104  can be secured in a closed state using any appropriate locking mechanism  324  (e.g., clip, snap, slider, etc.) in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The drive gear  204  can be configured to rotate the blade  118  toward the stop guide  110  to pull the material to be cut and the blade toward the stop guide  110 , but it is to be appreciated that the saw  100  can include a reverse function in which the blade  118  can rotate in the opposite direction in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The protective cover  104  can be opened for access to the blade  118 , gears  202 ,  204 , etc. using a hinge  106 . One or more idle gears  202  can be utilized to provide tension on the blade  118  and/or to push/pull the blade  118  away or toward the drive gear  204  for stabilization of the blade  118  for precision cuts during cutting operations. 
     In some embodiments, the saw  100  can include a blade assembly protective cover  104 , which can include two substantially similar portions functionally connected by a hinge mechanism  106  for opening the cover  104  to expose the saw blade  118  (e.g., to change blade, remove debris, etc.) and the gears  202 ,  204  for user access. The protective cover  104  can include a cutout throat portion  108  which provides a deep clearance space for cutting material using the blade  118 . A stop guide/fence  110  can be positioned with an edge along the edge of the throat portion  108  of the protective cover  104 , and can be utilized by pushing the stop guide  110  against the material being cut during cutting operations to provide stability and a precision cut during single-handed cutting using the saw, thereby freeing up a user&#39;s other hand for other tasks, including, for example, holding the material being cut with the user&#39;s free hand (e.g., without the use of a vise or other securing mechanism). It is to be appreciated that the plurality of components of the saw device  100  can be formed from any appropriate materials, including, for example, forged metal, plastic, PVC, glass, alloys, cast metal, etc. in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a side view of a portable saw device  100  with no blade attached and an open protective cover  104  including a locking mechanism  424  is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the portable saw device  100  can include a handle portion  102 , which can include a power port/charging port  122  (e.g., USB, AC, etc.) and a non-removable internal rechargeable battery (not shown) or a removable rechargeable battery, as described above with reference to element  210  of  FIG. 2 . The removable battery pack  210  can include a built-in power port/charging port (not shown) or the battery pack  210  can be placed in a charging station (e.g., charging cradle) after removal from the saw  100  for recharging. In some embodiments, the saw  100  can be a corded, plug-in device without a battery pack or internal battery. 
     A speed selector  120  (e.g., switch, wheel, dial, touch-screen, etc.) can be positioned on the handle portion  102  such that the speed selector  120  is easily accessible for a user to select any of a plurality of speeds during single-handed operation of the saw  100 . The speed of the rotation of the drive gear  204  can be adjusted for cutting any of a plurality of types of materials (e.g., steel piping, tree branches, staircase railings, etc.) efficiently and accurately. The handle portion can include a trigger  112  (e.g., button, switch, touch screen, etc.) for engaging a motor  114 . The motor  114  can be operatively coupled to the drive gear  204  for rotating a saw blade  118 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 1 , for cutting operations, and can include a vent  116  for temperature regulation of the saw  100  during use. 
     The motor  114  can be positioned in any of a plurality of positions including, for example, connected on a side of a blade assembly  104  of the saw  100  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) or within the handle  102 . The motor  114  can be directly operatively linked (e.g., gears seated together, drive sprocket, etc.) to a drive gear  204 , and the drive gear  204  can be operatively coupled for cutting operations to the blade  118  of  FIG. 1 , and secured to the protective cover  104  using any appropriate connector (e.g., pin, drive sprocket, clip etc.), as described in further detail with reference to elements  203  and  205  of  FIG. 3 , and the protective cover  104  can be secured in a closed state using any appropriate locking mechanism  424  (e.g., clip, snap, slider, etc.) in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     The drive gear  204  can be configured to rotate the blade  118  of  FIG. 1  toward the stop guide  110  to pull the material to be cut and the blade toward the stop guide  110 , but it is to be appreciated that the saw  100  can include a reverse function in which the blade  118  of  FIG. 1  can rotate in the opposite direction in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. One or more idle gears  202  can be utilized to provide tension on the blade  118  of  FIG. 1  and/or to push/pull the blade  118  of  FIG. 1  away or toward the drive gear  204  for stabilization of the blade  118  of  FIG. 1  for precision cuts during cutting operations. 
     In some embodiments, the saw  100  can include a blade assembly protective cover  104 , which can include two substantially similar portions functionally connected by a hinge mechanism  106  for opening the cover  104  to expose a saw blade (e.g., element  118  of  FIG. 1 ) and the gears  202 ,  204  for user access to, for example, change blades, remove debris, etc. The protective cover  104  can include a cutout throat portion  108  which provides a deep clearance space for cutting material. A stop guide/fence  110  can be positioned with an edge along the edge of the throat portion  108  of the protective cover  104 , and can be utilized by pushing the stop guide  110  against the material being cut during cutting operations to provide stability and a precision cut during single-handed cutting using the saw, thereby freeing up a user&#39;s other hand to, for example, hold the material being cut without the use of a vise or other securing mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, one or more blade wear/stabilization guides  206  can be positioned on the interior side of the protective cover  104 . The blade wear/stabilization guides  206  can be sized to be equal to, or more narrow than the width of the blade (e.g., element  118  of  FIG. 1 ) between the blade teeth  602  and the gear teeth  604  (described in further detail with reference to  FIG. 6  herein below) such that the blade wear/stabilization guide  206  prevents the blade  118  and/or gears/sprockets  202 ,  204  from contacting the protective cover  104  during use. However, it is to be appreciated that the blade wear/stabilization guides  106  can be of any size and/or configuration which sufficiently functions as a blade wear/stabilization guide in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments, blade wear/stabilization guides  206  can include blade guide adjustors (not shown) for adjusting the distance between respective blade wear/stabilization guides  206  and the saw blade (e.g., element  118  of  FIG. 1 ) to, for example, enable user customization for saw blades of different thicknesses, reduce rubbing of the blade (e.g., element  118  of  FIG. 1 ) against the blade wear/stabilization guides  206 , increase stabilization of the blade (e.g., element  118  of  FIG. 1 ) by reducing the space between the blade (e.g., element  118  of  FIG. 1 ) and the blade wear/stabilization guides  206 , etc. In some embodiments, the blade wear/stabilization guides  206  can be fixed and optimally positioned for a saw blade (e.g., element  118  of  FIG. 1 ) of a pre-determined thickness (e.g., ⅛-inch, 1/16 inch, etc.), depending on the particular desired cutting operation and/or blade type. The blade wear/stabilization guides  206  can include indicators (e.g., color change, indentations, etc.) that alert a user to replace the worn blade wear/stabilization guides  206  for optimal functionality of the saw  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a side view of a portable saw device  500  with a separable handle  502  and blade assembly  504  is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the saw device  500  can include similar features as the saw device of,  FIG. 1 , including, for example, a handle  502 , a triggering device  512 , a removable rechargeable battery pack  210 , a stop guide/fence  510 , a throat portion  508 , and a protective cover  504  configured for securing a substantially circular saw blade  118  and one or more gears (e.g.,  202  and  204  of  FIG. 4 ). The protective cover  504  can be secured in a closed state using any appropriate locking mechanism  124  (e.g., clip, snap, slider, etc.) in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The gears (e.g.,  202  and  204  of  FIG. 4 ) can be operatively connected to a motor  514  using the connector portions  506  to provide rotational force to the saw blade  118  during use. It is to be appreciated that the saw device  500  of  FIG. 5  can include one or more features of the saw device  100  of  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 , and the saw device  100  of  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4  can similarly include one or more features described with respect to the saw device  500  of  FIG. 5 , in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of a circular saw blade for attachment to a portable saw device is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments of the present invention, a substantially circular (e.g., annular) saw blade  118  includes saw teeth  602  positioned on an outer circumference edge and gear teeth  604  on an inner circumference edge of the saw blade  118 . The gear teeth  604  can be seated and operatively coupled to one or more gears (e.g.,  202 ,  204  of  FIG. 3 ) such that the one or more gears (e.g., drive gear  204  of  FIG. 3 ) can apply rotational force to the gear teeth  604  of the saw blade  118  to provide sufficient rotational torque to the saw blade  118  for cutting operations at any of a plurality of selectable blade rotation speeds. The idle gears (e.g., element  202  of  FIG. 3 ) can be seated and operatively coupled to the gear teeth  604  for stabilization, precision cutting, etc. in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The saw teeth  602  can be configured such that the saw blade  118  rotates toward a stop guide (e.g., element  110  of  FIG. 1 ) during cutting operations. In some embodiments, the saw blade  118  can include a cutout portion  606  with the edge of the cutout portion  606  including the gear teeth  604 . The cutout portion  606  can be sized such that the diameter of the cutout portion is significantly larger (e.g., 10/1 ratio, 5/1 ratio, etc.) than the planar width of the blade between the saw teeth  602  and the gear teeth  604 . However, it is contemplated that other blade sizing configurations can be utilized dependent on placement of gears (e.g.,  202 ,  204  of  FIG. 3 ) and/or to accommodate different blade sizes in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. An exemplary embodiment including, for example, a 10-inch diameter saw blade  118  can include a substantially circular cutout portion  606  with a diameter of 6 inches with a planar width of the blade between opposing sides (e.g., between the saw teeth  602  and the gear teeth  604 ) being 2 inches. The saw blade  118  can be formed from any appropriate saw materials, including, for example, metals, alloys, molded plastic, abrasive discs, etc.), and can include any of a plurality of teeth per inch (TPI) of the saw teeth  602  (e.g., for precise cutting of any of a plurality of different types of materials) or the gear teeth  604  (e.g., for different gear configuration embodiments), in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a perspective view of a motor and connection (e.g., motor/gear connection) assembly for operably connecting separable parts of the portable saw device  500  of  FIG. 5  for sawing operations is illustratively depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the saw device  500  can include a base portion  702  and a blade assembly portion  710 . The base portion  702  can include a removable rechargeable battery pack  210  connectable to a handle  502  for powering the saw  500  during use. The base portion can include a motor with a powered connector gear  708  for providing rotational force/torque during use of the saw  500 . The blade assembly portion  710  can include a protective cover  504 , a blade  118 , and a receiver connector gear  706  operably attached to the powered connector gear  708  to provide rotational force/torque during use of the saw  500 . A locking mechanism  704  can secure the base portion  702  and the blade assembly portion  710  to engage the powered connector gear  708  and the receiver connector gear  706  to prepare the saw device  510  for use in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present invention, as well as other variations thereof, means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment”, as well any other variations, appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     It is to be appreciated that the use of any of the following “/”, “and/or”, and “at least one of”, for example, in the cases of “A/B”, “A and/or B” and “at least one of A and B”, is intended to encompass the selection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the selection of both options (A and B). As a further example, in the cases of “A, B, and/or C” and “at least one of A, B, and C”, such phrasing is intended to encompass the selection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of the second listed option (B) only, or the selection of the third listed option (C) only, or the selection of the first and the second listed options (A and B) only, or the selection of the first and third listed options (A and C) only, or the selection of the second and third listed options (B and C) only, or the selection of all three options (A and B and C). This may be extended, as readily apparent by one of ordinary skill in this and related arts, for as many items listed. 
     A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, elements of different implementations may be combined, supplemented, modified, or removed to produce other implementations. Additionally, one of ordinary skill will understand that other structures and processes may be substituted for those disclosed and the resulting implementations will perform at least substantially the same function(s), in at least substantially the same way(s), to achieve at least substantially the same result(s) as the implementations disclosed. Accordingly, these and other implementations are contemplated by this disclosure and are within the scope of this disclosure. 
     The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing the invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range of equivalents.