Patent Publication Number: US-2006011191-A1

Title: Tile saw stand

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/587,394 filed Jul. 13, 2004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND  
      1. Field  
      These inventions relate to stands for tile saws and other concrete and masonry saws.  
      2. Related Art  
      Tile saws are used to cut masonry, concrete, tile, stone and other natural or manufactured materials used in or about buildings and as paving, and the like. These saws generally include an abrasive or diamond cutting blade driven by a motor supported above or adjacent the tile or other work piece. The term “tile” will be used herein to represent any work piece of the type operated on by conventional tile saws. The tile is supported on a tile cart that moves the tile in a straight line for cutting. The tile cart is supported by a frame, which also supports a water/slurry pan for catching water and any slurry resulting from the cutting process. The frame and the rest of the saw can be supported on a workbench or other stable surface, or on a stand at the work site.  
      Many conventional tile saws are portable so that they can be used either on a workbench or at a remote work site. However, because of the weight of the motor and other components of the tile saw, which may be more than 50 pounds, the tile saw is sometimes difficult to store, transport and set up.  
     SUMMARY  
      Apparatus and methods are described for supporting tile saws and similar equipment. The apparatus and methods provide for easier setup, use and transport. They may include a stand for making it easier to use the equipment, for example where the stand is adjustable in height to accommodate different users. The stand may also include wheels or other assists so that the equipment is easier to move and setup. Biasing components, for example springs, can be used also to help in setting up the equipment.  
      In one example of a saw, the saw includes a frame and cutting blade supported by the frame and driven by a drive motor. A stand supports the frame and includes at least one wheel on the stand contacting a surface such as the ground for supporting the equipment and for allowing easy movement of the equipment. In one example, the saw and motor for driving the saw are supported above a water or other material collection pan, and the motor is supported from a point off center of the saw. For example, the motor is supported from a point near one corner of the collection pan. In another example, the motor is supported from a point above the wheel.  
      In another example of a saw, the saw includes a frame and a motor and blade supported by the frame with a pan also being supported by the frame. A stand includes at least one wheel on the stand for supporting the stand on a surface for movement across the surface. In one example, the saw includes a motor stand extending from the pan to the motor for supporting the motor above the pan. The motor stand may be positioned above the wheel. The saw may also include a handle on a portion of the stand, for example in one configuration at a portion of the stand opposite the wheel. The stand can be configured so that it can extend to a raised configuration and collapse to a transport or storage configuration.  
      A further example includes a saw having a frame and motor and blade supported by the frame wherein the blade is used for cutting tile, stone, masonry, concrete or similar materials. A stand supports the frame, motor and blade, as well as other components of the saw. The saw stand includes a bias element, in one example a spring, which may be used to help in setting up the equipment. In one configuration, where the stand includes several stand support portions, the spring extends between and is coupled to the several stand support portions. The springs may be adjustable to different positions on one or more of the stand portions. For example, the springs may be moved from one set of openings to another set of openings on the stand support portions.  
      An additional example has a saw with a frame, motor and blade supported by a stand that is adjustable in height. The stand may include a plurality of holes to be used in adjusting the height. The stand has several structural portions each having one or more holes for receiving a pin to hold the stand at the desired height. The stand can be placed at a different height by putting the pin in another combination of holes. In one configuration, the pin can also serve as a pivot pin for two of the structural portions of the stand. The pin is preferably releasable so that the height of the stand can be adjusted as desired. The stand can also include one or more wheels and/or one or more springs or other components to help in setting up, using or storing the equipment.  
      Another example includes a saw having a frame and a motor and blade supported by the frame. The frame also supports a pan for collecting material during operation. A stand supports the frame and has first and second stand portions and at least one resilient element extending between them. The resilient element is configured to bias the first and second stand portions toward each other. The bias element may be a spring or other similar structure. In one example, the stand and bias element are configured so that the stand has a pivot pin located above an approximate mid-portion of the bias element. For example, where the bias element is a spring extending between two blade portions of a pivoting stand structure, the pivot point for the structure may be positioned approximately above a midpoint of the spring. The stand may be adjustable in height, for example through combinations of holes in the stand.  
      These and other examples are set forth more fully below in conjunction with drawings, a brief description of which follows. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a left side isometric view of a tile saw and stand in a folded or collapsed configuration disposed horizontally.  
       FIG. 2  is a left side isometric view of the tile saw and stand combination of  FIG. 1  folded and with a handle lifted for transportation.  
       FIG. 3  is a left side elevation view of the tile saw and stand of  FIG. 1  with the handle lifted for transportation.  
       FIG. 4A  is a cross-section of a back portion of an upper frame element of a tile saw engaging a portion of a stand.  
       FIG. 4B  is a cross-section of a front portion of an upper frame element of a tile saw engaging a portion of a stand.  
       FIG. 5  is a left side elevation view of the tile saw and stand of  FIG. 1  in a folded horizontal orientation with a handle portion resting on a block  
       FIG. 6  is a left side isometric view of the tile saw and stand combination in an unfolded or extended configuration at a first height.  
       FIG. 6A  is a left side isometric view of a stand that can be used for a tile saw in an unfolded or extended configuration at a first height.  
       FIG. 7  is a left side isometric view of the tile saw and stand combination at a second height lower than the first height.  
       FIG. 8  is a left side elevation view of the tile saw and stand combination of  FIG. 6  at the first height.  
       FIG. 9  is a left front isometric view of a portion of an upper frame and stand for use with a tile saw such as that shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 10  is a left side elevation view of the tile saw and stand combination of  FIG. 7  at the second height.  
       FIG. 11  is a left side elevation view of a tile saw and folded stand with a plurality of wheels supporting the stand.  
       FIG. 12  is a left front isometric view of a stand and upper frame assembly for a tile saw showing the upper frame about to engage a portion of the stand.  
       FIG. 13  is a right side isometric view of a portion of the upper frame and stand for a tile saw showing the stand supporting the upper frame. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      The following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings sets forth examples of apparatus and methods incorporating one or more aspects of the present inventions in such a manner that any person skilled in the art can make and use the inventions. The examples provide the best modes contemplated for carrying out the inventions, although it should be understood that various modifications can be accomplished within the parameters of the present inventions.  
      Examples of tile saw stands and of methods of making and using the tile saw stands are described. Depending on what feature or features are incorporated in a given structure or a given method, benefits can be achieved in the structure or the method. For example, tile saw stands using wheels may be easier to move and stow. They may also be easier to set up. Tile saw stands that use springs or similar helping aids may benefit also from one or more features described, for example making it easier to set up.  
      Tile saw stands that are height adjustable may benefit also from one or more features described, for example making the saw easier to use and reducing strain.  
      In saw stands similar to tile saw stand configurations, one or more aspects of the examples described may allow easier assembly and/or storage or transport of the equipment.  
      These and other benefits will become more apparent with consideration of the description of the examples herein. However, it should be understood that not all of the benefits or features discussed with respect to a particular example must be incorporated into a stand, component or method in order to achieve one or more benefits contemplated by these examples. Additionally, it should be understood that features of the examples can be incorporated into a stand, component or method to achieve some measure of a given benefit even though the benefit may not be optimal compared to other possible configurations. For example, one or more benefits may not be optimized for a given configuration in order to achieve cost reductions, efficiencies or for other reasons known to the person settling on a particular product configuration or method.  
      Examples of a number of stand configurations and of methods of making and using the tile saw stands are described herein, and some have particular benefits in being used together. However, even though these apparatus and methods are considered together at this point, there is no requirement that they be combined, used together, or that one component or method be used with any other component or method, or combination. Additionally, it will be understood that a given component or method could be combined with other structures or methods not expressly discussed herein while still achieving desirable results.  
      Tile saw stands are used as examples of a stand that can incorporate one or more of the features and derive some of the benefits described herein, and in particular tile, stone, masonry or concrete saw stands. However, only tile saw stands will be described and stands other than tile stands can benefit from one or more of the present inventions.  
      In one example of a saw and stand combination ( FIGS. 1-8 ), the saw and stand combination  100  includes a saw frame  102  and the saw drive motor  104 . The saw frame  102  in the present examples supports a pan  106  ( FIG. 3 ) on a front bar  108  and a back bar  110  of the saw frame  102 . The saw frame also includes side brackets  112  for supporting the pan from the sides. The side brackets are mounted to the front and back bars on or near the ends of the bars, and the pan fits between the side brackets and may extend forward of the front bar and rearward of the back bar as shown in  FIG. 3 . The size of the pan and its location on the saw frame  102  determine how much the pan extends forward of the front bar and rearward of the back bar. However, conventional pans typically have a size sufficient to extend under the motor  104  and the saw blade  116 . The pan is preferably supported level on the saw frame  102  and collects water sprayed onto the blade and/or the tile, and also serves as a reservoir for water to be used to cool the blade. A pump and tubing collects water to pump the water onto the blade and/or onto the tile. Water may be applied through tubes, restrictions or other means that may be mounted adjacent the blade, such as through the blade guard  117 , such as through the tubing opening  117 A or adjacent the tile. The pan also collects particles or slurry produced during cutting. The pan is easily removable from the saw frame.  
      The saw frame also supports the motor  104  and the saw blade  116  through a stand or post  118 . The post  118  extends substantially vertically from the saw frame to a motor platform  120 , to which the motor is mounted. The saw blade  116  is also supported by the motor platform. The saw blade is preferably a conventional blade suitable for cutting tile, stone, masonry, concrete and other natural or manufactured materials used in or on buildings, pavement and the like. However, it should be understood that the examples described herein apply to work pieces other than tile and such materials. The saw blade is driven by the motor through a belt or other drive mechanism  122  having a housing  124  also supported by the post  118  through a support bracket  126 . In the configuration shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the post and therefore the motor and blade is supported on the saw frame  102  from a point near a left back corner  128  of the saw frame. In this configuration, the weight of the motor and the other components supported by the post  118  is off center relative to the saw frame and relative to the stand supporting the saw frame. However, the saw blade  116  is still positioned as it is with conventional tile saws, for example centered over a tile cart used for moving the tile or other work piece to the blade, even though the blade may not be centered over the pan or over the frame. Additionally, the orientation and positioning of the saw blade, motor and pan are substantially similar to the orientation and positioning for conventional blades and pans.  
      A tile cart  130  ( FIGS. 6-8 ) runs along the upper portion of the pan and supports the tile for cutting by the saw blade  116 . The tile cart is removable from the pan  106 , and pan  106  is removable from the saw frame.  
      The saw frame  102  can take a number of configurations, but in the example shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the saw frame has a U-shaped configuration formed by the front bar  108 , the back bar  110  and a sidebar  132 . The sidebar connects the front and back bars, and a portion of the sidebar  132  near the left back corner  128  supports the post  118 . The bars forming the U-shaped saw frame can have a number of cross-sectional configurations, and in the example shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the bars have a substantially rectangular cross-section with angled or flattened corners. However, other shapes can be used.  
      The saw frame  102  and tile saw and the pan can be supported on a tabletop, on the ground or on another support surface for cutting tiles. The saw can also be supported by a stand  134 . The stand  134  allows the saw to be easily portable, and the saw can be moved to and used at remote locations. The stand can be used to position the saw at a height allowing the saw to be used easily by the operator.  
      In the present examples, the stand  134  uses a pivoting or scissor configuration to fold and unfold the stand, or to collapse or expand the stand. The terms “fold,”, “unfold,” “collapse,” and “expand” are used to describe the operation and end result of changing the stand configuration about the pivot point for raising and lowering the stand. These terms are used in the context of the pivoting movement of the stand and not in the context of folding a structure in half in the way of folding a piece of paper.  
      The stand  134  includes one and preferably two wheels  136  and  138  on a first or lower end portion of the stand. The wheels support the stand on a surface such as the ground  139  ( FIG. 3 ) and assist in movement of the stand, such as over the ground when the stand is being moved. The wheel  136  is a left wheel mounted to a left side of a frame member  140  ( FIG. 6 ) forming part of the stand, and the wheel  138  is a right wheel mounted to a right side of the frame member  140 . In one example, the wheels are solid and may be mounted to the frame member  140  through a common axle or on separate pins in the frame. The frame member  140  will be called the wheel frame member  140  as being that frame member forming the stand to which the wheels are mounted, only for purposes of distinguishing it from the other frame member described below making up the tile saw stand.  
      The wheel frame member  140  has a generally rectangular construction formed by a left leg member  142  and a right leg member  144  extending substantially parallel to each other. The terms “left” and “right” as used herein are taken in the context of the sides of the saw and stand as seen by an operator standing in front of the tile cart  130 . However, these terms are used only for ease of discussion, and do not indicate any required orientation. The left and right leg members are spaced apart by a bottom frame member  146  extending substantially horizontally and perpendicular to the left and right leg members. The wheels are rotatably attached to the bottom frame member  146 . The wheels support the stand through the wheel frame member  140  and allow easy movement of the stand. Additionally, they also help in storing the stand, such as in the bed of a truck.  
      The left and right leg members extend lengthwise from the bottom frame member  146  to an opposite end where the opposite end portions of the left and right legs are spaced apart by a movable angle bracket  148 . The angle bracket  148  is movable as described more fully below to allow more secure support for the saw frame, such as by engagement with a portion of the saw frame, namely the front bar  108  of the saw frame  102  when the stand is raised. Each of the left and right legs are formed from angle metal such as angle steel with horizontal portions facing at least partly upward and vertical portions facing each other toward an interior of the stand.  
      In the example shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the vertical portions include position portions including at least one and preferably a plurality of holes  150  and  152 , respectively, for engaging at least one corresponding hole in an adjacent stand frame member, described below. The position portions and the holes  150  and  152  allow adjustment of the stand height, thereby allowing the tile saw to be placed at a desired height for the operator. In the present examples, each of the left and right leg members include three identically positioned holes distributed along the position portions, wherein the holes in a given set of three are spaced apart from each other longitudinally along the leg member, with equal spacing.  
      An outer cross bar  154  separates and supports the left and right leg members. The outer across bar  154  is positioned approximately midway between the inside and outside of the vertical portion of the angle metal. An inner cross bar  156  also separates and supports the left and right leg members. The inner cross bar  156  is mounted to the lower edge surface of the vertical portion of the angle metal.  
      An upper cross bar  158  separates and supports the left and right leg members just above the holes  150  and  152 . The upper cross bar  158  is mounted on the horizontal portions of the angle steel. The upper cross bar  158  also helps to keep the stand from unfolding completely especially when the stand is set at its lower height.  
      The wheel frame member  140  includes a support or other means for supporting the saw frame, which in turn supports the pan  106 , and in the examples herein, the support includes the angle bracket  148 . The angle bracket  148  can take a number of configurations, and in the present examples ( FIGS. 11-12 ) is an outwardly-facing right angle bracket having left and right side flanges  160  and  162 , respectively, for mounting the angle bracket on respective left and right leg portions of the wheel frame. The left side flange  160  ( FIG. 9 ) is mounted to the left leg portion  140  through first and second fasteners  164  and  166  extending through and fastened within openings in the side flange and in the left leg portion. The second fastener  166  extends through an elongate opening  168  in the side flange  160 . The elongate opening  168 , along with a similar opening in the right side flange  162 , allows the angular position of the angle bracket  148  to be adjusted about the first fastener  164  and then fixed with the fasteners to more securely support the saw frame  102 . The angle bracket preferably fits snugly against the front bar  108  to more securely hold it supported with the stand.  
      The angle bracket  148  ( FIGS. 9 and 12 ) includes a horizontal plate  170  and a vertical plate  172 . The horizontal plate  170  supports a lower surface of the front bar  108 . The vertical plate  172  supports an adjacent inside vertical surface of the front bar  108 . The front bar limits outward movement of the angle bracket  148 , and thereby reduces the possibility that the stand will fold down from the weight of the saw. The vertical plate  172  also preferably includes an opening  174  approximately centered in the vertical plate  172  for receiving a locking pin  176  extending through the front bar  108 . The locking pin  176  helps to lock the stand and saw assembly in the upright, raised, unfolded or extended position. A secondary pin  178  may extend through a corresponding opening in the pin  176  to lock the pin  176  in place, thereby locking that portion of the saw frame in place. In other configurations, the saw frame supporting means on the wheel frame element has at least one form that conforms to a shape of the saw frame or other support for the pan  106 . Therefore, where the saw frame has a front bar that has a round cross section, the saw frame supporting means has a round configuration conforming to the saw frame member. Alternatively, where the saw frame member has an engagement surface, the saw frame supporting means can include a complimentary engagement mechanism.  
      The other frame member making up the tile saw stand will be called a handle frame member  180  because the example of the frame member shown in  FIG. 1-8  includes a handle. However, the structure of the handle frame member  180  need not include a handle shaped for manual gripping because the other frame member may include inherently structures that can be grabbed by hand. In the present examples, the other frame member  180  includes a handle  182  at a lower portion of the frame member. The handle  182  includes a left and right handle  184  and  186 , respectively, supported on a cross bar  188  extending between a left leg portion  190  of the frame element and a right leg portion  192 . The handle  182  supports the stand on the ground or other surface, and also serves as a hand hold for grasping the stand, for moving the stand and for folding or unfolding the stand, if desired. It also serves as a foot for the other frame member when the stand is raised to support a saw for cutting. The handles  184  and  186  and the cross bar  188  can take a number of configurations, but preferably can withstand heavy use and constant contact with the ground and other hard surfaces.  
      The left and right leg members of the handle frame are formed substantially the same as the leg members of the wheel frame. At approximately the same locations as for the wheel frame, position portions include at least one and preferably a plurality of holes  194  and  196  formed in the left and right leg portions for allowing height adjustment of the stand for engaging a corresponding hole or holes in the wheel frame member. In the present example, each of the left and right leg members include three identically positioned holes, wherein the holes in a given set of three are spaced apart from each other longitudinally along the leg member. The lowest hole in the left leg member for the wheel frame is preferably the same distance from the ground contact point as the lowest hole in the left leg member for the handle frame. The same comments apply with respect to the middle holes and the upper holes in the left leg members and also to each of the holes in the right leg members. The spacing allows the saw frame to be supported level on the stand without additional supports or adjustments.  
      The left leg members are held for pivoting movement by a pivot pin such as the bolt  198  and the right leg members are held for pivoting movement by a similar pivot pin such as the bolt  200  ( FIGS. 1 and 6 ). The holes and the pivot pins allow pivoting movement of the frame elements of the stand about a pivot axis coaxial with the pivot pins to permit unfolding or raising of the stand and folding or collapsing of the stand by the user. The combinations of holes allow the raised height of the stand to be adjusted, to at least three height positions using the hole combinations shown in  FIGS. 1-8 . Pairs of holes for the left legs and for the right legs can be aligned and engaged by the pivot pins. Selective engagement of the holes allows various heights to be achieved with the stand. For example, in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the lower most pairs of holes are engaged to allow the stand to have a first position at a relatively higher height or vertical position. In  FIGS. 7 and 10 , the upper most pairs of holes are engaged to allow the stand to have a second position at a relatively lower height or vertical position. Instead of combinations of a bolt and nut, a single pivot rod may extend between the legs.  
      The stand frame elements can take a number of configurations, and the position portions can also take a number of configurations. The stand frame elements are formed from linear one-piece segments, but they can also be formed from multiple piece segments and still provide desired height adjustments. Additionally, position portions can be placed at a number of locations on the stand frame elements or elsewhere while still permitting height adjustments in the stand. The leg portions can also have other configurations while still providing reliable support for the saw. Additionally, the stand components can be combined in a number of ways to provide a reliable support for a tile saw, including one that keeps the pan level at a number of height positions.  
      The handle frame includes a lower cross bar  202  spacing apart and supporting the left and right leg portions of the handle frame. The handle frame also includes an upper cross bar  204  also spacing apart and supporting the left and right leg portions of the handle frame. The upper cross bar  204  extends perpendicular upward from the horizontal portions of the left and right legs. When the stand is lowered or folded the upper cross bar  204  moves next to and engages the front bar  108  on the saw frame to support the saw frame. The upper cross bar  204  helps to encapsulate the saw frame. The pin  176  ( FIG. 12 ) can then be inserted into an opening  206  in the upper cross bar  204  and then into the front bar  108  to hold the stand and saw frame in the folded or lowered position. The upper cross bar  204  includes an outer plate  208  that extends on the outside of the front bar  108  when in the folded position.  
      The frame member  180  in the present examples also includes a support for a portion of the saw frame or other element or means for supporting the pan  106 . In the present examples, the frame member  180  has a support at an upper portion of the handle frame member  180  ( FIG. 8  and  13 ) in the form of a pivoting cross bar  210  extending from the left leg portion  190  to the right leg portion  192  separating the two leg portions. The pivoting cross bar  210  floats freely with respect to the handle frame member. The cross bar  210  also supports the back bar  110  of the saw frame. Each side of the pivoting cross bar  210  includes a side flange  212  for mounting the pivoting cross bar  210  to the adjacent leg portion of the handle frame. The side flange  212  is held in place for pivoting movement by a pivot pin or other means for securing the side flange  212  on the adjacent leg portion for pivoting movement. In the example shown in  FIGS. 8 and 13 , the pivot pin is a nut and bolt combination but may take other configurations. The same or similar side flange and pivot pin combination supports the pivoting cross bar  210  on the left leg portion  190 . The side flanges and the pivot pins are configured to allow a large angular range of motion of the pivoting cross bar relative to the handle frame  180  including having the sidebar  132  extending adjacent the left leg portion  190 .  
      The pivoting cross bar  210  also includes a U-channel  214  extending in a direction substantially opposite the direction in which the side flanges  212  extend. The U-channel  214  includes an inward-facing wall  216  for extending upward adjacent an inner wall of the back bar  110  and supporting the back bar  110  against movement in the direction of the wall  216 . The U channel  214  also includes an outward-facing wall  218  ( FIG. 8 ) extending upward adjacent and outer wall of the back bar  110  and supporting the back bar  110  against movement in the direction of the wall  218 . A locking pin  220  can extend through the walls  218  and  216  and the back bar  110  to lock that portion of the saw frame to the stand. The pin  220  can be locked in place through a secondary pin  224  ( FIG. 13 ). The pin  220  can be kept in place at all times while the saw is mounted on the stand, both in the raised or extended configuration and in the folded or lowered configuration, helping to hold the saw in place on the stand. The pins  224  and  220  can be removed to allow removal of the saw from the stand, but can remain in place to help hold the saw in place at all times while the saw remains supported by the stand. In other configurations, the saw frame supporting means on the handle frame element  180  has at least one form that conforms to a shape of the saw frame or other support for the pan  106 . Therefore, where the saw frame has a back bar that has a round or other cross section, the saw frame supporting means has a round configuration or other configuration conforming to the saw frame member. Alternatively, where the saw frame member has an engagement surface, the saw frame supporting means can include a complimentary engagement mechanism.  
      The handle frame element  180  also includes tabs or other supports, for example on the pivoting cross bar  210 , for contacting the wheel frame element when the stand is in the folded or lowered configuration. In the examples shown in  FIGS. 1-13 , tabs  226  ( FIGS. 6 and 13 ) extend downward and outward from the side flanges  212  for contacting the opposite facing surfaces of the wheel frame elements as the stand folds. The tabs  226  limit the extent to which the frame elements can fold together.  
      The handle frame element  180  can also include one or more extensions extending downward from the frame element for supporting the handle frame element on the ground or other surface, and possibly for other functions. In the example shown in  FIGS. 1-12 , extensions  228  extend downward from the handle frame element  180  and are formed integral with the cross bar  202  for ease of fabrication. The extensions  228  may be used to support the tile saw, for example on the ground or other support surface when the stand is in a folded or lowered configuration. The extensions allow the saw to be used when the stand is in a folded configuration. A shim or other support  230  ( FIG. 5 ) may be used to level the saw. The extensions may also provide clearance for the handles to allow the user to grasp the handles without contacting the support surface or the ground  139 . The extensions may also hold an extension cord wound about the extensions. Additionally, the extensions can be used to help in raising or unfolding the stand. For example, the user may step on the handle  182  and lift the stand by pulling the extensions  228  upward. In another example, the extensions may also provide mounting supports ( FIG. 11 ) for optional wheels  231  that can be releasably supported by the extensions  228 . The wheels  231  can assist in rolling the saw or the stand during loading and unloading the equipment from a vehicle or other storage location. A single wheel  231  may be provided or multiple wheels. The extensions  228  can also support other assists for making easier the movement of the stand during transport of the stand. Such other assists may include casters, rollers, slides, skids or the like.  
      The motor and saw blade support, in the present examples the post  118 , is preferably positioned closer to the wheels than to the handle. As seen most clearly in  FIGS. 5, 8 ,  10  and  11 , the post  118  is more closely aligned with the wheels  136  and  138  than with the handle  182 . For example, the post  118  extends on the wheel side of the pivot pins  198  opposite the handle  182 . Additionally, the post  118  is on the wheel side of the center of the pan  106 . The handle  182  is on the side of the pivot pins  198  opposite the wheels, and on a side of the motor opposite the wheels. With the weight of the saw supported over the wheels, it is easier to lift the stand by the handle  182  and have the wheels support a significant amount of the weight from the saw.  
      The stand may also include at least one resilient or biasing element coupling the two stand frame elements for assisting in either the folding or unfolding of the stand or both. In the examples shown in  FIGS. 1-12 , at least one spring and in the example left and right springs  232  and  234  extend between the wheel and handle frame portions. In the present examples, the springs are identical tension springs biasing the lower portions of the frame elements together about the pivot points. The springs are positioned below the pivot elements  198  and  200 . In the illustrated examples, the left and right springs are coupled and supported at the handle frame on the lower cross bar  202 . The springs are removable from the handle frame for disposal or replacement, but are preferably reliably held in place during normal operation. The other ends of the springs  232  and  234  are supported on one or the other of the cross bars  154  and  156 . The springs  232  and  234  are configured so as to bias the lower portions of the stand frame elements together when the stand is in a folded configuration until the stand is unfolded sufficiently to the desired height. In the folded configuration as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ,  5  and  11 , the springs are extended and produce a significant return force biasing the stand to an unfolded configuration to extend upward to the desired height. The desired height will be determined by the location of the pivot pins  198  and  200  in the respective pairs of holes in the left and right leg portions of the frame elements and by the spring configurations in terms of spring constant, spring length, spring position and the amount the springs are stretched.  
      The spring configurations can be adjusted by the user as a function of the desired height. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6  for the higher height configuration where the pivot pins  198  and  200  are in the lower pairs of holes, the springs  232  and  234  are mounted to the outer cross bar  154  on the wheel frame, and to the lower cross bar  202  on the handle frame. Mounting to the outer cross bar  154  and the lower cross bar  202  gives the desired return force in the springs for the final height of the stand when the lower frame elements of the stand do not end up as far apart as when the pivot pins are in other hole pairs. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 7  for the lower height configuration where the pivot pins  198  and  200  are in the upper pairs of holes, the springs  232  and  234  are mounted to the inner cross bar  156  on the wheel frame and to the upper pair of holes  235 A in the handle frame through the tabs  235 C ( FIG. 6 ). At the lower height, the lower frame elements are spaced further apart, thereby producing a longer spring extension at the desired height. Therefore, to produce the same return force for the different heights, the springs are mounted at different positions. For the mid-level height, where the pivot pins are in the middle holes, the springs  232  and  234  are mounted to the inner cross bar  156  on the wheel frame member and to the intermediate holes  235 B on the handle frame member, through the tabs  253 C.  
      Other configurations for the springs can be used to produce the desired effect, for example bringing the wheel and frame elements toward each other. The springs are preferably configured to be identical between each other. When the pivot pins  198  and  200  are in the center hole configurations, the pivot pins are the top of a substantially isoceles triangle, the bottom which includes the springs. The pivot pins are substantially centered above the springs so that a shortest line from the pivot pins to the springs is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the springs extend (normal to the springs). Having the springs movable between two or more different attachment points allows adjustment so that the springs develop substantially the same amount of force for the different height selections. Preferably, the different spring positions correspond to the different height positions, such as those height positions selectable through sets of openings in the legs of the stand.  
      In the exemplary configurations of the stand and saw combination, the saw assembly can be supported on the stand through one or more latch pins, such as the pins  176  and  220 . The pins are preferably releasable so the saw assembly can be removed easily from the stand and used separate from the stand, for example on the ground, a bench top or other supporting surface. The pins  176  and  220  securely support and hold the saw assembly together with the stand. In the examples described herein, the pin  220  is always in-place when the saw assembly is supported on the stand. When the stand is folded or collapsed, the pin  176  holds the front bar  108  to the upper cross bar  204  through the hole  206 . When the stand is in the raised or unfolded condition, the pin  176  holds the front bar  108  to the angle bracket  148 , such as shown in  FIGS. 8, 9  and  10 . The joinder of the front bar and the angle bracket with securement of the saw frame to the stand is depicted in  FIG. 12 . The pins  176  and  220  may take a number of configurations, and may include latch mechanisms, spring activated pins or other constructions suitable for locking and un-locking the frame from the stand. When the stand is folded or collapsed, a holder  222  ( FIG. 1 ) on the wheel frame can engage or otherwise hold a portion of the handle frame to help hold the folded frame configuration during movement and storage.  
      When the tile saw assembly is supported on the stand, folding of the saw and stand assembly is made easier, and transporting the assembly from one location to another is also made easier. At a job site, the assembly can be unfolded and the stand with the saw assembly supported thereon can be unfolded and raised to the desired height. The height is determined by the selection of the pivot pins and the corresponding pairs of holes in the legs of the wheel and handle frame elements, and the saw assembly is locked in position by the pin  176  extending through the hole  174  in the angle bracket into a corresponding opening in the front bar  108 . The water pan and the tile cart can be added after the stand is raised, though they can also be supported on the saw assembly during transportation. For example, the saw and stand assembly can be moved when the stand is raised, for example with the assistance of the wheels on the wheel frame element.  
      In operation, the stand and/or saw assembly assembled with a stand can be moved by grasping handle  180  and rolling the stand on the wheels to the desired location. While the stand and assembly can be moved when the stand is raised, the stand and assembly can be easily moved when the stand is folded or in the collapsed configuration with the pin  176  locking the saw frame to the upper cross bar  204 . The assembly can be moved in a manner similar to using a dolly ( FIGS. 2-3 ), and a substantial portion of the weight of the saw assembly is supported more on the wheels than on the handle. When at the desired location, the saw and stand assembly may be placed on the ground ( FIG. 5 ) and the pin  176  removed. The user may place a foot on the handle  180  and lift the wheel frame element so the saw frame engages the angle bracket  148 . The springs, if installed, biases the stand upward to the desired height, thereby making it easier for the user to lift the stand and saw assembly.  
      Typically the user will have positioned the pivot pins  198  and  200  in the appropriate pairs of holes so that the saw is supported at the desired height. The height will be selected and configured with the saw assembly and pan removed and the pivot pins placed as desired. The saw assembly and pan can then be assembled on the stand for use. In the configurations shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the saw is at a higher raised position, and the springs are mounted between the lower cross bar  202  and the outer cross-bar  154 . In the configurations shown in  FIGS. 7 and 10  the saw is at a lower raised position and the springs are mounted between the upper holes  235 A and the inner cross bar  156 . When at the desired height, the front bar  108  engages the angle bracket  148  and the pin  176  latches them together.  
      To remove the saw assembly, the pins  176  and  220  are removed and the saw frame and other components removed from the stand. To fold the stand and saw assembly, without removing the saw assembly from the stand, the pin  176  is removed and the user pushes down on the saw frame and/or the wheel frame element to fold the stand together. The user can hold the handle  182  at the same time. Once the front bar  108  is adjacent the bracket  204 , the pin  176  can be re-inserted, thereby holding the stand and saw assembly in the folded configuration for transportation and/or storage.  
      Having thus described several exemplary implementations, it will be apparent that various alterations and modifications can be made without departing from the concepts discussed herein. Such alterations and modifications, though not expressly described above, are nonetheless intended and implied to be within the spirit and scope of the inventions. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative only.