Patent Description:
The present disclosure is directed to circular saws that include blade mounts for circular saw blades and/or to methods of attaching circular saw blades to circular saws.

Circular saws utilize a rotating circular saw blade to cut a workpiece. The circular saw generally is configured such that the circular saw blade may be selectively attached to and separated from the circular saw, such as to permit sharpening of the circular saw blade, replacement of the circular saw blade, and/or operative attachment of application-specific circular saw blades to the circular saw. Clearances for the circular saw blade, within the circular saw, may be relatively tight. As such, it sometimes may be challenging to attach and/or to remove certain circular saw blades from certain circular saws utilizing conventional attachment mechanisms. Thus, there exists a need for improved circular saws that include blade mounts and/or for improved methods of attaching circular saw blades to circular saws.

A circular saw according to the preamble of claim <NUM> and a method according to the preamble of claim <NUM> are known from <CIT>.

According to the invention, a circular saw defined by the features of claim <NUM>, and a method defined by the features of claim <NUM> are provided.

Further preferred embodiments are defined by the features of the dependent claims.

Circular saws that include blade mounts for circular saw blades and methods of attaching circular saw blades to circular saws are disclosed herein.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a circular saw is provided, which includes
a motor, an arbor, and a blade mount. The motor includes a motor shaft configured to rotate about a shaft rotational axis. The arbor is configured to receive a torque from the motor when the motor shaft rotates about the shaft rotational axis. The blade mount is operatively attached to the arbor and is configured to selectively and operatively attach a circular saw blade to the arbor. The blade mount includes an inner flange that includes an inner flange blade-contacting surface that faces away from the motor and is configured to contact the circular saw blade when the circular saw blade is selectively and operatively attached to the circular saw. The inner flange is free from any structure that projects away from the motor and also away from the inner flange blade-contacting surface.

According to the invention, the blade mount further includes an outer flange and a fastener that operatively retains the outer flange on the arbor, wherein the outer flange includes and/or defines a central outer flange opening, which receives a fastener and/or is configured to permit the fastener to pass therethrough.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided, wherein the method includes operatively aligning a central opening of a circular saw blade with an inner flange of a circular saw such that an inner planar blade surface of the circular saw blade is in face-to-face contact with an inner flange blade-contacting surface of a blade mount of the inner flange. The operatively aligning also includes operatively aligning such that the central opening of the circular saw blade is free from any structure that projects from the inner flange. The methods also include positioning an outer flange of the blade mount such that an outer flange blade-contacting surface of the outer flange is in face-to-face contact with an outer planar blade surface of the circular saw blade and also such that an outer flange projecting region of the outer flange extends through the central opening of the circular saw blade and into an inner flange recessed region of the inner flange.

The method further include operatively retaining the outer flange on the arbor with a fastener.

<FIG> provide examples of circular saws <NUM> and/or of methods <NUM>, according to the present disclosure. Elements that serve a similar, or at least substantially similar, purpose are labeled with like numbers in each of <FIG>, and these elements may not be discussed in detail herein with reference to each of <FIG>. Similarly, all elements may not be labeled in each of <FIG>, but reference numerals associated therewith may be utilized herein for consistency. Elements, components, and/or features that are discussed herein with reference to one or more of <FIG> may be included in and/or utilized with any of <FIG>.

In general, elements that are likely to be included in a particular embodiment are illustrated in solid lines, while elements that are optional are illustrated in dashed lines. However, elements that are shown in solid lines may not be essential to all embodiments and, in some embodiments, may be omitted.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of examples of circular saws <NUM> according to the present disclosure, while <FIG> are less schematic illustrations of an example of a circular saw <NUM> according to the present disclosure, in the form of a plunge saw <NUM>. More specifically, <FIG> illustrates a top profile view of circular saw <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates a right side view of circular saw <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a left side view of circular saw <NUM> illustrating the circular saw in a fully plunged orientation <NUM>, <FIG> illustrates the left side view of circular saw <NUM> illustrating the circular saw in a fully retracted orientation <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates the left side view of <FIG> with several covers removed. <FIG> is a front view of circular saw <NUM>, <FIG> is a rear view of circular saw <NUM>, <FIG> is a top view of circular saw <NUM>, and <FIG> is a bottom view of circular saw <NUM>.

As illustrated collectively by <FIG>, circular saws <NUM> include a motor <NUM> that includes a motor shaft <NUM> configured to rotate about a shaft axis of rotation <NUM>. Circular saws <NUM> also include an arbor <NUM> configured to receive a torque from motor <NUM> when motor shaft <NUM> rotates about the shaft rotational axis. As illustrated in dashed lines in <FIG> and in solid lines in <FIG> and <FIG>, circular saws <NUM> also may include a circular saw blade <NUM>. Circular saw blade <NUM>, when present, may be operatively attached to the circular saw via arbor <NUM> and/or may be configured for rotational movement with the arbor. Rotation of circular saw blade <NUM> may facilitate cutting of a workpiece <NUM> with the circular saw blade, as schematically illustrated in <FIG>.

Circular saws <NUM> may include any suitable type or style of circular saw that is adapted, configured, designed, and/or constructed to utilize a circular saw blade <NUM> to cut the workpiece. Examples of circular saws <NUM> include a handheld circular saw <NUM>, a miter saw <NUM>, a radial arm saw <NUM>, a table saw <NUM>, a chop saw <NUM>, an upcut saw <NUM>, a panel saw <NUM>, a plunge saw <NUM>, a track saw <NUM>, and/or a bevel saw <NUM>, as schematically illustrated in <FIG>. In some examples, circular saws <NUM> may include structures and/or features from two or more of the above saws, and/or may incorporate functionality of two or more of the above saws. As an example, and as discussed in more detail herein, a given circular saw <NUM> may be and/or may incorporate functionality of handheld circular saw <NUM>, plunge saw <NUM>, track saw <NUM>, and/or bevel saw <NUM>. Circular saws <NUM> according to the present disclosure thus may include one or more of the features disclosed herein, but circular saws <NUM> are not required to include all of the features disclosed herein.

Motor <NUM> may include any suitable structure that may provide the motive force for rotation of motor shaft <NUM> and/or for actuation of circular saw blade <NUM>. Examples of motor <NUM> include an electric motor, an AC electric motor, a DC electric motor, a brushless DC motor, a variable-speed motor, and/or a single-speed motor.

As illustrated in dashed lines in <FIG> and in solid lines in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, circular saws <NUM> may include a gripping region <NUM> that is configured to be gripped and/or held by a user during operation of the circular saw. Gripping region <NUM>, when present, also may be referred to herein as and/or may be a handle, or hand grip.

As also illustrated in dashed lines in <FIG> and in solid lines in <FIG> and <FIG>, circular saws <NUM> may include at least one switch <NUM>. Switch(es) <NUM>, when present, may be configured to be selectively actuated by the user of the circular saw, such as to enable and/or permit electric current to be provided to at least one other component of the circular saw and/or to permit powered operation of the at least one other component of the circular saw. As examples, selective actuation of switch(es) <NUM> may be utilized to enable operation of a motor controller of the circular saw, to selectively apply an electric current to motor <NUM>, to enable the motor controller to selectively apply the electric current to the motor, and/or to permit, or direct, the motor to provide the motive force for rotation of the motor shaft. In some examples, the electric current may be utilized to power, or to directly power, at least one other component of the circular saw, such as motor <NUM>. In some such examples, the electric current also may be referred to herein as an electric power signal. In some examples, the electric current may be an electric data signal that is sent to at least one other component of the circular saw, such as the motor controller of the circular saw. In some such examples, the electric current also may be referred to herein as a data signal and/or as an electric data signal. Examples of switch <NUM> include an electrical switch, a normally open electrical switch, a momentary electrical switch, and/or a locking momentary electrical switch.

As also illustrated in dashed lines in <FIG> and in solid lines in <FIG>, circular saws <NUM> may include a workpiece support <NUM>. Workpiece support <NUM>, when present, may be configured to support workpiece <NUM> and/or to position the circular saw relative to the workpiece when the workpiece is cut or otherwise acted upon by the implement. For example, many circular saws <NUM> in the form of saws include workpiece support <NUM> in the form of a base plate, table, shoe, rack, or pad.

Circular saws <NUM> may include any suitable power source, and corresponding power structures, for powering motor <NUM>. Examples of the power structures include a power supply structure <NUM>, a power cord <NUM>, and/or a battery <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

As also illustrated in dashed lines in <FIG> and in solid lines in <FIG>, circular saws <NUM> may include a blade guard <NUM>. Blade guard <NUM>, when present, may be configured to cover, to house, and/or to contain at least a region of circular saw blade <NUM>, such as to prevent, or to decrease a potential for, contact between the user and the circular saw blade. In some examples of circular saws <NUM>, blade guard <NUM> may include a retractable region <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The retractable region may be configured to fold, rotate, and/or otherwise retract when the circular saw is utilized to cut the workpiece. Retractable region <NUM> additionally or alternatively may be referred to as a retracting region <NUM> and/or a collapsing region <NUM>.

In some examples, and as discussed, circular saws <NUM> may include and/or be plunge saw <NUM>. In examples of circular saws <NUM> that are or include a plunge saw <NUM>, arbor <NUM> may be configured to move relative to workpiece support <NUM>, such as to selectively vary a region of circular saw blade <NUM> that projects from the workpiece support and/or to selectively vary a depth-of-cut of the circular saw. For example, arbor <NUM> may be configured to pivot relative to workpiece support <NUM>, as illustrated by the transition between a fully plunged orientation <NUM>, such as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, and a fully retracted orientation <NUM>, such as illustrated in <FIG>.

As a specific example, workpiece support <NUM> may include and/or be a base plate <NUM> that defines an arbor-facing side <NUM> and an arbor-opposed side <NUM>. Arbor <NUM> may be operatively attached to arbor-facing side <NUM> of base plate <NUM> with, via, and/or utilizing a base plate pivot <NUM>. In such examples, arbor <NUM> and base plate <NUM> may be configured to rotate, relative to one another, about base plate pivot <NUM>, such as to selectively vary a region <NUM> of circular saw blade <NUM> that extends on arbor-opposed side <NUM> of the base plate, as perhaps best illustrated by the transition from the configuration that is illustrated in <FIG>, which illustrates fully plunged orientation <NUM>, to the configuration that is illustrated in <FIG>, which illustrates fully retracted orientation <NUM>.

Stated another way, arbor <NUM> may be configured to pivot relative to workpiece support <NUM> throughout a range of relative orientations, or relative angles, that may be bounded by the fully plunged orientation and the fully retracted orientation. For each relative orientation in this range of relative orientations, circular saw blade <NUM> may extend on arbor-opposed side <NUM> by a corresponding amount, thereby providing a corresponding maximum depth-of-cut for the circular saw.

In some examples, and as discussed, circular saws <NUM> may include and/or be track saw <NUM>. In examples of circular saws <NUM> that are or include a track saw <NUM>, base plate <NUM> may include a rib-receiving channel <NUM>, which may be configured to receive a raised elongate rib <NUM> of a track <NUM>, as perhaps best illustrated in <FIG>. Track <NUM> also may be referred to herein as an elongate track <NUM> and may be formed from one or more elongate track segments, or track sections, <NUM>, which may be operatively attached to one another to define any suitable track length. During operation of track saws <NUM>, track <NUM> may be operatively attached, or clamped, to workpiece <NUM> such that an edge of the track corresponds to a desired cut line for the track saw. Subsequently, the track saw may be positioned, relative to the track, such that raised elongate rib <NUM> is positioned within rib-receiving channel <NUM>; and the track saw then may be translated along at least a fraction of the length of the elongate track, thereby producing a straight cut along the desired cut line.

Circular saws <NUM>, according to the present disclosure, also include a blade mount <NUM>, which is operatively attached to arbor <NUM>, and <FIG> are illustrations of examples of components of a circular saw <NUM> that emphasize examples of arbor <NUM> operatively attached to blade mounts <NUM> and/or utilized to retain circular saw blades <NUM>, according to the present disclosure. More specifically, <FIG> is a schematic illustration of examples of an arbor <NUM>, a blade mount <NUM>, and a circular saw blade <NUM> that may be utilized with circular saws <NUM>, according to the present disclosure. <FIG> is a partially exploded profile view of an example of circular saws <NUM> and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of circular saws <NUM> of <FIG> taken along line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded view illustrating arbor <NUM>, blade mount <NUM>, and circular saw blade <NUM> of circular saw <NUM>, <FIG> is an assembled view of the arbor, the blade mount, and the circular saw blade of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the arbor, the blade mount, and the circular saw blade of <FIG> taken along line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>.

Circular saws <NUM> of <FIG> may include and/or be more detailed and/or different illustrations, views, and/or examples of circular saws <NUM> of <FIG>. As such, any of the structures, functions, and/or features disclosed herein with reference to circular saws <NUM> of <FIG> may be included in and/or utilized with circular saws <NUM> of <FIG> without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, any of the structures, functions, and/or features disclosed herein with reference to circular saws <NUM> of <FIG> may be included in and/or utilized with circular saws <NUM> of <FIG> without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As collectively illustrated by <FIG> and <FIG>, arbor <NUM> and/or blade mount <NUM> may be configured to facilitate selective and repeated separation of circular saw blade <NUM> from a remainder of the circular saw and/or to facilitate selective and repeated attachment, or operative attachment, of the circular saw blade to the remainder of the circular saw. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner. As an example, arbor <NUM> may include and/or be a threaded arbor <NUM>, and blade mounts <NUM> may include a fastener <NUM> that may thread into threaded arbor <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Arbor <NUM> may be configured to rotate, or to rotate circular saw blade <NUM>, about an arbor rotational axis <NUM>. Arbor rotational axis <NUM> may be parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to shaft axis of rotation <NUM> of motor shaft <NUM> of motor <NUM>, as perhaps best illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> and as discussed in more detail herein.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, circular saws <NUM> include blade mount <NUM>. Blade mount <NUM> may be operatively attached to arbor <NUM>, may be at least partially defined by arbor <NUM>, and/or may be configured to operatively attach circular saw blade <NUM> to arbor <NUM>. Blade mount <NUM> includes an inner flange <NUM> and may include an outer flange <NUM> and a fastener <NUM>. Fastener <NUM> may be configured to threadingly engage with and/or within threaded arbor <NUM> and/or to selectively and/or operatively retain inner flange <NUM>, outer flange <NUM>, and/or circular saw blade <NUM> on arbor <NUM>.

In some examples, and as illustrated, inner flange <NUM> may be operatively attached to arbor <NUM>, such as by fastener <NUM>. In some examples, inner flange <NUM> may be defined by and/or may form a portion of arbor <NUM>.

As perhaps best illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG>, inner flange <NUM> may extend radially from, or away from, arbor <NUM> and/or arbor rotational axis <NUM>. As perhaps best illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, inner flange <NUM> may include and/or define a central inner flange opening <NUM>, which may be configured to receive fastener <NUM> and/or to permit the fastener to pass therethrough. As also illustrated, inner flange <NUM> may be positioned proximate motor <NUM> relative to outer flange <NUM> when the blade mount is utilized to selectively and operatively attach the circular saw blade to the arbor.

As also perhaps best illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG>, inner flange <NUM> may include and/or define an inner flange blade-contacting surface <NUM>, which may be configured to contact circular saw blade <NUM> when the circular saw blade is selectively and operatively attached to the circular saw via blade mount <NUM>. Inner flange blade-contacting surface <NUM> may face away from motor <NUM>, may face away from arbor <NUM>, and/or may face away from a remainder of arbor <NUM>. Inner flange blade-contacting surface <NUM> may be configured for at least partial, or even complete, face-to-face contact with a planar blade surface, such as an inner planar blade surface <NUM>, of circular saw blade <NUM>, as perhaps best illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

Inner flange <NUM> also may include and/or define an inner flange recessed region <NUM>. The inner flange recessed region also may be referred to herein as a recessed central region <NUM> of the inner flange.

As discussed in more detail herein, inner flange recessed region <NUM> may be sized and/or shaped to accept and/or to interlock with an outer flange projecting region <NUM> of outer flange <NUM>. Inner flange recessed region <NUM> may have and/or define a maximum inner flange recessed region dimension <NUM>, which may be measured in and/or within an inner flange plane <NUM> that may be defined by, may be parallel to, and/or may be coextensive with inner flange blade-contacting surface <NUM>, as perhaps best illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. Maximum inner flange recessed region dimension <NUM> may correspond to a maximum central opening dimension <NUM> of a central opening <NUM> of circular saw blade <NUM>. As an example, maximum inner flange recessed region dimension <NUM> may be equal to maximum central opening dimension <NUM> and/or may be within a threshold dimension tolerance of maximum central opening dimension <NUM>. The threshold dimension tolerance may be selected to provide a sliding fit between inner flange recessed region <NUM> and outer flange projecting region <NUM> and/or between central opening <NUM> and the outer flange projecting region <NUM>. Such a configuration may permit outer flange projecting region <NUM> to extend through central opening <NUM> of circular saw blade <NUM> and into inner flange recessed region <NUM> of inner flange <NUM>.

Inner flange <NUM> may be free from any structure that projects away from a remainder of the inner flange, or away from motor <NUM>, and that also projects away from inner flange blade-contacting surface <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, an entirety of inner flange <NUM> may be external central opening <NUM> of circular saw blade <NUM> and/or may not extend into the central opening when blade mount <NUM> selectively and operatively attaches the circular saw blade to the arbor. Stated another way, an entirety of inner flange <NUM> may be proximate arbor <NUM> relative to inner flange plane <NUM> and/or may be proximate motor <NUM> relative to the inner flange plane.

As perhaps best illustrated in <FIG>, such a configuration may decrease a clearance, or a space, within blade guard <NUM>, that is needed to permit and/or facilitate separation of circular saw blade <NUM> from a remainder of the circular saw and/or attachment of the circular saw blade to the remainder of the circular saw. Stated another way, blade mount <NUM> may be configured to permit and/or facilitate removal of the circular saw blade from the circular saw and/or attachment of the circular saw blade to the circular saw without a need to move the circular saw blade in a direction that is parallel to arbor rotational axis <NUM> and/or while only requiring motion of the circular saw blade in a direction that is perpendicular, or at least substantially perpendicular, to the arbor rotational axis. Blade mount <NUM> thus may be configured to permit removal and replacement of circular saw blade <NUM> via only radial movement of the circular saw blade relative to the inner flange, as opposed to conventional blade mounts that require both radial and translational movement of the circular saw blade.

As perhaps best illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, outer flange <NUM> may extend radially from, or away from, arbor <NUM> and/or arbor rotational axis <NUM>. As perhaps best illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, outer flange <NUM> includes and/or define a central outer flange opening <NUM>, which is configured to receive fastener <NUM> and/or to permit the fastener to pass therethrough. As also illustrated, outer flange <NUM> may be positioned distal motor <NUM> relative to inner flange <NUM> when the blade mount is utilized to selectively and operatively attach the circular saw blade to the arbor.

Outer flange <NUM> may include and/or define an outer flange recessed region <NUM>, which may be shaped, sized, and/or configured to receive a fastener head <NUM> of fastener <NUM>. As perhaps best illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, outer flange recessed region <NUM> may include an outer flange shoulder <NUM>, which may be sized to permit fastener <NUM> to extend at least partially through central outer flange opening <NUM> but to restrict fastener head <NUM> from extending through the central outer flange opening. Such a configuration may permit fastener head <NUM> to compress circular saw blade <NUM> between inner flange <NUM> and outer flange <NUM> when fastener <NUM> is threaded onto arbor <NUM>.

Outer flange <NUM> may have and/or define an outer flange blade-contacting surface <NUM>, as perhaps best illustrated in <FIG>. Outer flange blade-contacting surface <NUM> may be configured to contact circular saw blade <NUM>, may be configured for at least partial face-to-face contact with the circular saw blade, and/or may be configured for complete face-to-face contact with the circular saw blade and/or with an outer planar blade surface <NUM> of the circular saw blade when the circular saw blade is selectively and operatively attached to the circular saw. Outer flange blade-contacting surface <NUM> and outer flange recessed region <NUM> may be on opposed, or opposite, sides of outer flange <NUM>. Outer flange blade-contacting surface <NUM> may face toward inner flange blade-contacting surface <NUM>, may face toward arbor <NUM>, and/or may face toward motor <NUM> when blade mount <NUM> selectively and operatively attaches the circular saw blade to the arbor.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, outer flange <NUM> includes outer flange projecting region <NUM>. Outer flange projecting region <NUM> projects from outer flange blade-contacting surface <NUM> and/or away from outer flange recessed region <NUM>. As discussed, outer flange projecting region <NUM> may be sized to be received within central opening <NUM> of circular saw blade <NUM> and/or within inner flange recessed region <NUM> of inner flange <NUM>. With this in mind, a maximum outer flange projecting region dimension <NUM> of outer flange projecting region <NUM> may correspond to maximum central opening dimension <NUM> of circular saw blade <NUM> and/or to maximum inner flange recessed region dimension <NUM> of inner flange <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. As an example, outer flange projecting region <NUM> may be clearanced to fit with, may be sized for a sliding fit with, and/or may be within a sliding fit tolerance of maximum central opening dimension <NUM> and/or maximum inner flange recessed region dimension <NUM>. Maximum outer flange projecting region dimension <NUM> may be measured within an outer flange plane <NUM> that may be defined by, may be parallel to, and/or may be coextensive with outer flange blade-contacting surface <NUM>.

In some examples, and as illustrated in dashed lines in <FIG> and in solid lines in <FIG>, inner flange <NUM> may include an inner flange interlock structure <NUM>, and outer flange <NUM> may include an outer flange interlock structure <NUM>. Inner flange interlock structure <NUM> and outer flange interlock structure <NUM> may be configured to operatively interlock with one another, such as to resist and/or to prevent rotation of outer flange <NUM> relative to inner flange <NUM> about arbor rotational axis <NUM>. Stated another way, rotation of arbor <NUM> about arbor rotational axis <NUM>, such as may be responsive to rotation of motor shaft <NUM> of motor <NUM>, while circular saw blade <NUM> is utilized to cut a workpiece may cause a torque, which may urge outer flange <NUM> to turn and/or rotate relative to inner flange <NUM>. Operative engagement between inner flange interlock structure <NUM> and outer flange interlock structure <NUM> may resist, or block, such relative motion. Examples of inner flange interlock structure <NUM> and/or of outer flange interlock structure <NUM> include any suitable non-circular region, non-cylindrical region, keyed region, key recess, and/or key.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating examples of methods <NUM> of selectively and operatively attaching a circular saw blade to an arbor of a circular saw, according to the present disclosure. As discussed in more detail herein with reference to <FIG>, the circular saws include a blade mount that is operatively attached to the arbor. The blade mount includes an inner flange that defines an inner flange blade-contacting surface. Examples of circular saws that may be utilized with methods <NUM> are disclosed herein with reference to circular saws <NUM>. Examples of the arbor are disclosed herein with reference to arbor <NUM>. Examples of the blade mount are disclosed herein with reference to blade mounts <NUM>. Examples of inner flange blade-contacting surfaces are disclosed herein with reference to inner flange blade-contacting surface <NUM>. Methods <NUM> include operatively aligning at <NUM>, positioning at <NUM>, and operatively retaining at <NUM>.

Operatively aligning at <NUM> may include operatively aligning a central opening of the circular saw blade with the inner flange. This may include operatively aligning such that an inner planar blade surface of the circular saw blade is in face-to-face contact with the inner flange blade-contacting surface. Additionally or alternatively, the operatively aligning at <NUM> may include operatively aligning such that the central opening of the circular saw blade is free from any structure that projects from the inner flange, such that the central opening is free from any structure that projects from the inner flange subsequent to the operatively aligning at <NUM>, such that no portion of the inner flange extends into the central opening, and/or such that, subsequent to the operatively aligning at <NUM>, the inner flange blade-contacting surface extends radially from the central opening. Examples of the central opening are disclosed herein with reference to central opening <NUM>. Examples of the inner planar blade surface are disclosed herein with reference to inner planar blade surface <NUM>.

In some examples, the operatively aligning at <NUM> may include operatively translating one of the circular saw blade and the inner flange relative to the other of the circular saw blade and the inner flange. This may include operatively translating within, or in some examples at least substantially only within, an inner flange plane of the inner flange blade-contacting surface. Additionally or alternatively, the operatively translating at <NUM> may include operatively translating in a radial direction, or only in a radial direction, relative to an arbor rotational axis of the arbor. Examples of the inner flange plane are disclosed herein with reference to inner flange plane <NUM>. Examples of the arbor rotational axis are disclosed herein with reference to arbor rotational axis <NUM>.

In some such examples, the inner planar blade surface is in face-to-face contact with the inner flange blade-contacting surface during at least a contact timeframe of the operatively translating. In some such examples, an entirety of the inner planar blade surface is in face-to-face contact with the inner flange blade-contacting surface during the contact timeframe and/or during at least a subset of the contact timeframe.

The contact timeframe may include and/or be any suitable timeframe, or duration of time, during the operatively aligning at <NUM>. In some examples, the contact timeframe may be prior to, or at least partially prior to, operatively aligning between the central opening and the inner flange. Stated another way, the absence of any structure that projects from the inner flange and into the central opening may permit and/or facilitate contact, face-to-face contact, and/or complete contact of the inner flange blade-contacting surface with the inner planar blade surface during relative motion between the circular saw blade and the central opening that is utilized to accomplish the operatively aligning at <NUM>.

Positioning at <NUM> may include positioning an outer flange of the blade mount such that an outer flange blade-contacting surface of the outer flange is in face-to-face contact with an outer planar blade surface of the circular saw blade. Additionally or alternatively, the positioning at <NUM> may include positioning such that an outer flange projecting region of the outer flange extends through the central opening of the circular saw blade and/or into an inner flange recessed region of the inner flange. Examples of the outer flange are disclosed herein with reference to outer flange <NUM>. Examples of the outer flange blade-contacting surface are disclosed herein with reference to outer flange blade-contacting surface <NUM>. Examples of the outer flange projecting region are disclosed herein with reference to outer flange projecting region <NUM>. Examples of the inner flange recessed region are disclosed herein with reference to inner flange recessed region <NUM>.

In some examples, and subsequent to the positioning at <NUM>, the outer flange blade-contacting surface may extend radially from the central opening of the circular saw blade. In some examples, and subsequent to the positioning at <NUM>, the outer flange may be positioned distal the motor relative to the inner flange and/or distal the arbor relative to the inner flange.

Operatively retaining at <NUM> may include operatively retaining the outer flange on the arbor with a fastener. Examples of the fastener are disclosed herein with reference to fastener <NUM>.

In some examples, the operatively retaining at <NUM> may include compressing the circular saw blade between the inner flange and the outer flange. In some examples, the operatively retaining at <NUM> may include threading the fastener into the inner flange and/or into the arbor. In some examples, the operatively retaining at <NUM> further may include operatively retaining the inner flange on the arbor with the fastener.

In some examples, the operatively retaining at <NUM> may include extending the fastener through a central inner flange opening of the inner flange and also through a central outer flange opening of the outer flange. Examples of the central inner flange opening are disclosed herein with reference to central inner flange opening <NUM>. Examples of the central outer flange opening are disclosed herein with reference to central outer flange opening <NUM>.

In the present disclosure, several of the illustrative, non-exclusive examples have been discussed and/or presented in the context of flow diagrams, or flow charts, in which the methods are shown and described as a series of blocks, or steps. Unless specifically set forth in the accompanying description, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the order of the blocks may vary from the illustrated order in the flow diagram, including with two or more of the blocks (or steps) occurring in a different order and/or concurrently.

As used herein, the term "and/or" placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (<NUM>) the first entity, (<NUM>) the second entity, and (<NUM>) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listed with "and/or" should be construed in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B," when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" may refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like.

As used herein, the phrase "at least one," in reference to a list of one or more entities should be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more of the entities in the list of entities, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every entity specifically listed within the list of entities and not excluding any combinations of entities in the list of entities. This definition also allows that entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified within the list of entities to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A and/or B") may refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other entities). In other words, the phrases "at least one," "one or more," and "and/or" are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B, and C," "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, or C," and "A, B, and/or C" may mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B, and C together, and optionally any of the above in combination with at least one other entity.

As used herein the terms "adapted" and "configured" mean that the element, component, or other subject matter is designed and/or intended to perform a given function.

As used herein, the phrase, "for example," the phrase, "as an example," and/or simply the term "example," when used with reference to one or more components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods according to the present disclosure, are intended to convey that the described component, feature, detail, structure, embodiment, and/or method is an illustrative, non-exclusive example of components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods according to the present disclosure. Thus, the described component, feature, detail, structure, embodiment, and/or method is not intended to be limiting, required, or exclusive/exhaustive; and other components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods, including structurally and/or functionally similar and/or equivalent components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods, are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

As used herein, "at least substantially," when modifying a degree or relationship, may include not only the recited "substantial" degree or relationship, but also the full extent of the recited degree or relationship. A substantial amount of a recited degree or relationship may include at least <NUM>% of the recited degree or relationship. For example, an object that is at least substantially formed from a material includes objects for which at least <NUM>% of the objects are formed from the material and also includes objects that are completely formed from the material. As another example, a first length that is at least substantially as long as a second length includes first lengths that are within <NUM>% of the second length and also includes first lengths that are as long as the second length.

Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of circular saws and methods according to the present disclosure are presented in the following enumerated paragraphs. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that an individual step of a method recited herein, including in the following enumerated paragraphs, may additionally or alternatively be referred to as a "step for" performing the recited action.

Claim 1:
A circular saw (<NUM>), comprising:
a motor (<NUM>) including a motor shaft (<NUM>) configured to rotate about a shaft rotational axis (<NUM>) ;
an arbor (<NUM>) configured to receive a torque from the motor (<NUM>) when the motor shaft (<NUM>) rotates about the shaft rotational axis (<NUM>);
a blade mount (<NUM>) that is operatively attached to the arbor (<NUM>), wherein the blade mount (<NUM>) is configured to selectively and operatively attach a circular saw blade (<NUM>) to the arbor (<NUM>), wherein the blade mount (<NUM>) includes an inner flange (<NUM>), wherein the inner flange (<NUM>) includes an inner flange blade-contacting surface (<NUM>) that faces away from the motor (<NUM>) and is configured to contact the circular saw blade (<NUM>) when the circular saw blade (<NUM>) is selectively and operatively attached to the circular saw (<NUM>), and further wherein the inner flange(<NUM>) is free from any structure that projects away from the motor (<NUM>) and also away from the inner flange blade-contacting surface (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the blade mount (<NUM>) further includes an outer flange (<NUM>) and a fastener (<NUM>) that operatively retains the outer flange (<NUM>) on the arbor (<NUM>),
and in that the outer flange (<NUM>) includes and/or defines a central outer flange opening (<NUM>), which receives a fastener (<NUM>) and/or is configured to permit the fastener (<NUM>) to pass therethrough.