Patent Publication Number: US-2007095177-A1

Title: Mounting apparatus for an electric saw

Description:
FIELD OF USE  
      The present invention relates to electric saws and, more particularly, to a mounting apparatus for an electric saw.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Over the years various electric saws have been mounted to tables and other structures. Typically, the electric saw is mounted in the inverted position in an opening of a saw table. The shoe of the electric saw is substantially in the plane of the saw table with the operative portion of the circular saw and the related guard projecting upwardly so that the sawing operation may be performed by moving the work piece across the top of the saw table. However, the table or other structure to which the saw is mounted typically limits the electric saw to a standard cut pursuant to the type of saw employed which then also dictates the angle(s) or range of angles at which the work piece may be mounted and cut.  
      Consequently, there exists a need for a mounting apparatus for an electric saw that permits the saw to cut workpieces at various angles.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with the present invention, a mounting apparatus for an electric saw broadly comprises a base having an aperture designed to receive a saw blade and one or more mounting brackets for positioning a workpiece; a support arm attached to the base; and a cradle capable of supporting an electric saw attached to the support arm.  
      In accordance with the present invention, a method for sawing a workpiece at multiple angles broadly comprises loading an electric saw within the mounting apparatus of claim  1 ; positioning one or more mounting brackets of the mounting apparatus; positioning a workpiece along the one or more mounting brackets; and cutting the workpiece at one or more angles relative to the electric saw.  
      The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a representation of a mounting apparatus of the present invention for an electric saw;  
       FIG. 2  is another representation of the mounting apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and  
       FIG. 3  is another representation of the mounting apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
      Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      A mounting apparatus for an electric saw and a method of cutting a workpiece using an electric saw mounted with the apparatus are disclosed herein. The mounting apparatus permits an operator to place a workpiece upon a working surface at various angles relative to a saw blade of the electric saw. By allowing an operator such flexibility, the electric saw possesses the ability to cut a workpiece as if using one of three different saws, for example, a skill saw, a table saw and a miter saw. As will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, skill saws are not designed in order to perform trim work. However, the mounting apparatus of the present invention facilitates using a skill saw to perform trim work. One or more mounting brackets disposed on a working surface of the mounting apparatus permit the operator to effectively mount a skill saw, position a workpiece using the mounting brackets and perform the trim work.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a mounting apparatus  10  may comprise a base  12  having an aperture  14  designed to receive a saw blade  15  of an electric saw  17 . A support arm  16  having a cradle  18  attached thereto may be mounted to the base  12 . The cradle  18  is capable of support the electric saw. To position a workpiece (not shown) upon a working surface  20  of the base  12  one or more mounting brackets  22 ,  24  may be mounted to the working surface  20 .  
      The mounting apparatus  10  may comprise any material suitable for holding and supporting an electric saw. Suitable materials may include, but are not limited to, wood, plastics, metals and their alloys, combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials, and the like. The mounting apparatus  10  may stand alone or may be incorporated into a static structure such as, but not limited to, a table, work bench, and the like. The mounting apparatus  10  may be manually operated or mechanically controlled by an operator using a computer. If mechanically controlled, the mounting apparatus  10  may be incorporated into a machine utilizing an open working environment, for example, a manufacturing plant floor, or a closed working environment, for example, a sealed enclosure.  
      The base  12  may also include a leveling mechanism  26  disposed on a bottom surface  28  of the base  12 . The leveling mechanism  26  is designed to ensure the mounting apparatus  10  is level with a surface (not shown) upon which the apparatus  10  is placed. The leveling mechanism may comprise any means for leveling the apparatus  10  as known to one of ordinary skill in the art such as, but not limited to, mechanically implemented devices, manually implemented devices, combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing devices, and the like.  
      Each mounting bracket  22 ,  24  may be disposed on the working surface  20  of the base  12  and comprise a first end  30 ,  32  and a second end  34 ,  36 . For example, a first mounting bracket  22  may be disposed on one side of the cradle  18  while a second mounting bracket  24  may be disposed on the opposing side of the cradle  18  and opposite the first mounting bracket  22 . Either the first ends  30 ,  32  or the second ends  34 ,  36  of each mounting bracket  22 ,  24  may be secured to the working surface  20  by a removable fastener  38 . Suitable removable fasteners  38  may include, but are not limited to, screws, bolts, punches, pins, combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing fasteners, and the like. Each mounting bracket  22 ,  24  may be capable of moving in a direction indicated by arrows  40 ,  42  along the working surface  20 . Preferably, the mounting brackets  22 ,  24  may each move one hundred eighty degrees along the working surface  20 .  
      The support arm  16  may comprise a front wall  44  and a rear wall  46  mounted to the base  12 . A cover  48  may be attached to the front wall  44  and rear wall  46 . The cradle  18  may be attached to the underside or bottom surface of the cover  48  and suspended over the working surface  20  at a height sufficient to permit loading an electric saw into the cradle  18 . Optionally, an additional sidewall  47  may be disposed between the front wall  44  and rear wall  46 , and attached to the base  12  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
      The cradle  18  may comprise a first sidewall  50  and second sidewall  52  disposed opposite each other and attached to the cover  48 . Both the first sidewall  50  and second sidewall  52  extend toward and are suspended over the working surface  20  at a height sufficient to permit loading an electric saw into the cradle  18 . The first sidewall  50  includes a first support ledge  54  that extends inwardly toward the second sidewall  52 . Likewise, the second sidewall  52  includes a second support ledge  56  that extends inwardly toward the first sidewall  50 . The first and second support ledges  54 ,  56  are designed to receive any conventional electric saw known to one of ordinary skill in the art. It is contemplated that the mounting apparatus  10  and its components may be sized and dimensioned accordingly to receive electric saws of various shapes and sizes as can be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. The cradle  18  may receive and suspend the electric saw above the working surface  20  at a distance sufficient to accommodate the workpiece.  
      To protect the safety of an operator a safety switch  58 , or kill switch, may be included. The safety switch  58  permits the operator to instantly shut off the power to the electric saw. The electric saw is preferably plugged into an outlet (not shown) built into the mounting apparatus  10 , which may be connected to the safety switch  58 . The safety switch  58  may also include a connection to a power source (not shown), which enables the operator to interrupt the flow of electricity to the electric saw.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 2 , another safety feature of the mounting apparatus may comprise a shield  60  or a means for shielding an operator. The shield  60  or means for shielding may comprise, but is not limited to, any suitable transparent, impact resistant material known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The shield  60  may be mounted to the base  12 , support arm  16 , cradle  18  or a combination of these components in order to prevent the operator from being struck by airborne debris generated by cutting the workpiece.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the mounting apparatus  10  may be a portable device and configured to rest upon any static structure. In the alternative, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the mounting apparatus  10  may also be part of a static structure such that the base  12  may be, for example, a table, and the like, capable of at least supporting the weight of the mounting apparatus  10 , electric saw and one or more workpieces.  
      The mounting apparatus  10  permits an operator, for example, one of ordinary skill in the art, to place a workpiece upon the working surface  20  at various angles relative to the saw blade of the electric saw. By allowing an operator such flexibility, the electric saw possesses the ability to cut the workpiece as if using one of three different saws, for example, a skill saw, a table saw and a miter saw.  
      The method for sawing a workpiece at multiple angles as if using one of the three aforementioned saws may comprise loading an electric saw within the mounting apparatus. Once loaded, one or more mounting brackets  22 ,  24  are secured to the working surface  20  such that each mounting bracket  22 ,  24  may be moved about one hundred eighty degrees in a direction of arrows  40 ,  42  along the working surface  20  of the mounting apparatus  10 . A workpiece may be positioned upon the working surface  20  and against one of the mounting brackets  22 ,  24  as determined by the operator. The workpiece may then be cut at one or more angles relative to the electric saw. As will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, conventional electric saws allow the operator to manually adjust the angle of the saw blade such that the blade is disposed at angle to the working surface  20  rather than at a ninety degree angle. As a result, the mounting apparatus  10  would not only permit an operator to cut a workpiece at various angles while mimicking one of the aforementioned electric saws but also permit the operator to make an angled cut into the workpiece itself.  
      The mounting apparatus of the present invention permits the operator to place a workpiece upon the working surface at various angles relative to the saw blade. By allowing the operator such flexibility, the electric saw possesses the ability to cut the workpiece as if using one of three different saws, for example, a skill saw, a table saw and a miter saw. As will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, skill saws are not designed in order to perform trim work. However, the mounting brackets permit the operator to effectively mount the skill saw, position the workpiece using the mounting brackets and perform the trim work.  
      It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are susceptible to modification of form, size, arrangement of parts, and details of operation. The invention rather is intended to encompass all such modifications which are within its spirit and scope as defined by the claims.