Patent Description:
The present disclosure is directed generally to plunge saws with cut indicators and/or to methods of operating plunge saws.

Plunge saws are a type of handheld circular saw in which a plunge assembly, which includes and/or is operatively attached to a circular saw blade, is rotated relative to a base plate to plunge a region of the circular saw blade past the base plate and/or into a workpiece. In some instances, plunge saws may be utilized in a manner in which the circular saw blade initiates contact with an edge of the workpiece. In some instances, plunge saws may be utilized in a manner in which the circular saw blade initiates contact with a central region, or planar surface, of the workpiece. In both examples, it may be difficult for a user of the plunge saw to visually see a leading edge of the circular saw blade and/or a trailing edge of the circular saw blade as the circular saw blade is utilized to cut the workpiece. As such, it may be difficult for the user of the plunge saw to make precision cuts, especially when the precision cuts terminate within a central region of the workpiece and/or do not extend across an entirety of the workpiece. Thus, there exists a need for improved plunge saws with cut indicators and/or for improved methods of operating plunge saws.

A plunge saw according to the preamble of claim <NUM> and a method of operating a plunge saw according to the preamble of claim <NUM> are known form <CIT>.

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

Preferred embodiments are defined by the features of the dependent claims. of a light line.

<FIG> provide examples of plunge saws <NUM> and/or components thereof, 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> without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

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 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a schematic illustration of examples of plunge saws <NUM> that include cut indicators <NUM>, according to the present disclosure. <FIG> is a schematic side view illustrating examples of plunge saws <NUM> that include cut indicators <NUM>, according to the present disclosure, and illustrates the plunge saws in a plunged orientation <NUM>, according to the present disclosure, while <FIG> is a schematic side view illustrating the plunge saws of <FIG> in a retracted orientation <NUM>. <FIG> is a schematic top view illustrating examples of a region of plunge saws <NUM> that includes cut indicators <NUM>, according to the present disclosure.

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

As perhaps best illustrated in <FIG>, plunge saws <NUM> include a motor <NUM> that includes a motor shaft <NUM> configured to rotate about a shaft rotational axis <NUM>. Plunge 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>, <FIG>, plunge saws <NUM> also may include a circular saw blade <NUM>. Circular saw blade <NUM>, when present, may be operatively attached to the plunge saw via arbor <NUM> and/or may be configured for rotational movement with the arbor. Stated another way, arbor <NUM> may be configured to operatively attach circular saw blade <NUM> to plunge saw <NUM> and/or to rotate the circular saw blade responsive to receipt of the torque from motor <NUM>. Rotation of circular saw blade <NUM> may facilitate cutting of a workpiece <NUM> with the circular saw blade, as schematically illustrated in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, plunge saws <NUM> also include a base plate <NUM>. Base plate <NUM> defines an arbor-facing side <NUM> and an arbor-opposed side <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, plunge saws <NUM> further include a base plate pivot <NUM>. Base plate pivot <NUM> operatively attaches motor <NUM> and/or arbor <NUM> to arbor-facing side <NUM> of base plate <NUM>. In some examples, motor <NUM> and arbor <NUM> may form a portion of, or may be referred to herein as forming a portion of, a plunge assembly <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. In some such examples, base plate pivot <NUM> may be referred to herein as operatively attaching plunge assembly <NUM> to base plate <NUM> and/or as permitting plunge assembly <NUM> to rotate relative to base plate <NUM>, such as about a pivot axis <NUM> of the base plate pivot.

With continued reference to <FIG>, plunge saws <NUM> include a plunge mechanism <NUM>. Plunge mechanism <NUM> may include any suitable structure that may be adapted, configured, designed, and/or constructed to be selectively actuated by the user of the plunge saw and during operative use of the plunge saw to cut workpiece <NUM>. The selective actuation may permit and/or cause the plunge saw to transition from retracted orientation <NUM>, which is illustrated, for example, in <FIG>, to plunged orientation <NUM>, which is illustrated, for example, in <FIG>. The transition may be via rotation of arbor <NUM> and base plate <NUM> relative to one another, about base plate pivot <NUM>, and/or about pivot axis <NUM> of the base plate pivot. Stated another way, and in some examples, this transition may be via rotation of plunge assembly <NUM> and base plate <NUM> relative to one another, about the base plate pivot, and/or about the pivot axis. This rotation may cause circular saw blade <NUM> to rotate, to move, to extend, and/or to plunge past arbor-opposed side <NUM> of base plate <NUM> and/or into workpiece <NUM>.

Stated another way, arbor <NUM> may be configured to pivot relative to base plate <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.

As perhaps best illustrated in <FIG>, plunge saws <NUM> also include cut indicator <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, cut indicator <NUM> is configured to project a light line <NUM>, or at least one light line <NUM>, onto workpiece <NUM>. The light line, or a location of the light line on the workpiece, visually indicates, on the workpiece, a location <NUM> of an edge of circular saw blade <NUM>, such as a leading edge and/or a trailing edge of the circular saw blade.

When plunge saws <NUM> are utilized to cut workpiece <NUM>, and as discussed in more detail herein with reference to methods <NUM> of <FIG>, a switch <NUM> may be actuated, which may permit and/or facilitate supply of electric current to at least one other structure of the plunge saw, such as motor <NUM> and/or cut indicator <NUM>. Actuation of switch <NUM> and/or receipt of the electric current may cause motor <NUM> to rotate motor shaft <NUM>, which in turn may rotate circular saw blade <NUM>, such as via rotation of arbor <NUM>. Actuation of switch <NUM> also may cause cut indicator <NUM> to initiate projection of light line <NUM> onto workpiece <NUM>, and a location of the light line on the workpiece may visually indicate, to the user of the plunge saw, location <NUM> of at least one edge of the circular saw blade. Stated another way, plunge saws <NUM> that include cut indicators <NUM> may provide the user with additional information and/or may make it easier for the user to identify location <NUM> of the edge of circular saw blade <NUM>. This may permit and/or facilitate improved, or more precise, cuts within workpiece <NUM> and/or may permit the user to make precise cuts within workpiece <NUM> without the need for the user to directly observe the edge of the circular saw blade.

In some examples, cut indicator <NUM> may include and/or be a leading edge cut indicator <NUM> that may be configured to project light line <NUM> in the form of a leading edge light line <NUM>, as perhaps best illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. Leading edge cut indicator <NUM> and/or leading edge light line <NUM> thereof may be configured to visually indicate, on workpiece <NUM>, location <NUM> in the form of a leading location <NUM> of a leading edge of circular saw blade <NUM>, such as may be proximate a leading edge region <NUM> of base plate <NUM>. In some such examples, leading edge cut indicator <NUM> may be adapted, configured, designed, and/or constructed to project light line <NUM>, in the form of leading edge light line <NUM>, onto workpiece <NUM> when plunge saw <NUM> is in both plunged orientation <NUM> and retracted orientation <NUM>. Stated another way, leading edge cut indicator <NUM> may project leading edge light line <NUM> onto workpiece <NUM> regardless of a rotational orientation between base plate <NUM> and arbor <NUM> about base plate pivot <NUM> and/or pivot axis <NUM> thereof.

In some such examples, leading edge light line <NUM> may indicate the location of the leading edge of the circular saw blade when, or only when, the plunge saw is in the fully plunged orientation. Stated another way, a location of the leading edge of the circular saw blade, within the workpiece, may vary with the relative orientation between the base plate and the arbor; however, the location of leading edge light line <NUM> on the workpiece may not vary with this relative orientation. However, this is not required of all embodiments, and it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the location of leading edge light line <NUM> on workpiece <NUM> may vary with the relative orientation between the base plate and the arbor, such as to indicate the location of the leading edge of the circular saw blade regardless of the relative orientation and/or throughout a range-of-motion between the base plate and the arbor.

Additionally or alternatively, and in some examples, cut indicator <NUM> may include and/or be a trailing edge cut indicator <NUM> that may be configured to project light line <NUM> in the form of a trailing edge light line <NUM>, as perhaps best illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. Trailing edge cut indicator <NUM> and/or trailing edge light line <NUM> thereof may be configured to visually indicate, on workpiece <NUM>, location <NUM> in the form of a trailing location <NUM> of a trailing edge of circular saw blade <NUM>, such as may be proximate a trailing edge region <NUM> of base plate <NUM>. In some such examples, trailing edge cut indicator <NUM> may be adapted, configured, designed, and/or constructed to project light line <NUM>, in the form of trailing edge light line <NUM>, onto workpiece <NUM> when plunge saw <NUM> is in plunged orientation <NUM>, only when the plunge saw is in the plunged orientation, when the plunge saw is in a fully plunged orientation, and/or only when the plunge saw is in the fully plunged orientation. Stated another way, trailing edge cut indictor <NUM> may not project trailing edge light line <NUM> onto workpiece <NUM> when the plunge saw is not in the plunged, or the fully plunged, orientation. In some such examples, a light source that projects trailing edge light line <NUM> onto the workpiece may be blocked except when the plunge saw is in the plunged, or fully plunged, orientation.

Cut indicator <NUM>, including leading edge cut indicator <NUM> and/or trailing edge cut indicator <NUM>, may utilize light line <NUM> to indicate location <NUM> in any suitable manner. As an example, and as perhaps best illustrated in <FIG>, cut indicator <NUM> may project one or more light lines <NUM> in a direction that is perpendicular, or at least substantially perpendicular, to a blade plane <NUM> within which circular saw blade <NUM> may be configured to rotate.

Cut indicator <NUM> may include any suitable structure. As an example, cut indicator <NUM> may include a light source <NUM>, which may be configured to generate, to emit, and/or to project light line <NUM>. An example of light source <NUM> includes at least a cut indicator laser and/or a cut indicator light emitting diode (LED).

Cut indicator <NUM> and/or light source <NUM> thereof may project light line <NUM> in any suitable manner. As an example, light source <NUM> may be configured to project collimated light <NUM>, as indicated by the dashed line in <FIG>, and the collimated light may define light line <NUM>. As another example, light source <NUM> may be configured to project a light arc <NUM>, as indicated by the textured area in <FIG>. In some such examples, light line <NUM> may be defined by a portion of the light arc that is incident upon workpiece <NUM>. In some such examples, light source <NUM> may be configured to project light, or the light arc, past circular saw blade <NUM>. In such examples, a first portion <NUM> of the light may be incident upon circular saw blade <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> of the light may be incident upon workpiece <NUM>. In some examples, the second portion of the light may define light line <NUM>. In some examples, location <NUM> may be indicated, on workpiece <NUM>, by a transition <NUM> from a shadow of the circular saw blade to the light line.

A discussed, plunge saws <NUM> may include switch <NUM>, which may be configured to selectively supply and/or apply an electric current to at least one other component of the plunge saw, such as motor <NUM> and/or cut indicator <NUM>. In some examples, cut indicator <NUM> may be configured to indicate the location of the edge of the circular saw blade, via projection of light line <NUM>, when, or only when, the switch selectively applies the electric current to the at least one other component of the plunge saw. Alternatively, and in some examples, the cut indicator may be configured to initiate projection of light line <NUM> when the switch selectively applies the electric current to the at least one other component of the plunge saw. In some such examples, the cut indicator also may be configured to indicate the location of the edge of the circular saw blade, via projection of light line <NUM>, for at least a threshold indication time. This may include indicating the location for at least the threshold indication time regardless of an actuation state of switch <NUM>. Such a configuration may provide the user with information regarding the location of the edge of the circular saw blade even when switch <NUM> is not, or is not continuously, actuated and/or depressed. Examples of the threshold indication time include times of at least <NUM> seconds, at least <NUM> seconds, at least <NUM> seconds, at least <NUM> seconds, at least <NUM> seconds, at least <NUM> seconds, at most <NUM> seconds, at most <NUM> seconds, at most <NUM> seconds, at most <NUM> seconds, at most <NUM> seconds, and/or at most <NUM> seconds.

In some examples, switch <NUM> may include an initial actuated position and a subsequent actuated position. When the switch is in the initial actuated position, the switch may apply the electric current to the cut indicator and/or the cut indicator may indicate the location of the edge of the circular saw blade on the workpiece. When in the subsequent actuated position, the switch may apply the electric current to both the cut indicator and the motor. Such a configuration may permit the user to determine the position of the edge of the circular saw blade prior to rotation of the circular saw blade.

Switch <NUM> may form a portion of plunge assembly <NUM>. Stated another way, switch <NUM> may be operatively attached to base plate <NUM> via base plate pivot <NUM> and/or may be configured to pivot with the plunge assembly and/or relative to the base plate about the base plate pivot. Such a configuration may permit and/or facilitate improved control of the plunge saw and/or actuation of the switch by the user.

In contrast, at least a portion of cut indicator <NUM>, such as a portion of cut indicator <NUM> that projects light line <NUM> and/or such as light source <NUM>, may be operatively attached to and/or may form a portion of base plate <NUM>. Stated another way, at least the portion of cut indicator <NUM> may be operatively attached to arbor <NUM>, to motor <NUM>, and/or to plunge assembly <NUM> via the base plate pivot. In some examples, light source <NUM> may be operatively attached to base plate <NUM>. In some such examples, cut indicator <NUM> also may include an electrical conductor <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, that may extend between plunge assembly <NUM> and light source <NUM>, such as to electrically power the light source. In some examples, light source <NUM> may be operatively attached to plunge assembly <NUM>. In some such examples, cut indicator <NUM> also may include a fiber optic cable <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, that may extend between plunge assembly <NUM> and/or light source <NUM> thereof and projects light line <NUM> onto workpiece <NUM>. Such configurations may permit and/or facilitate projection of light line <NUM> from a region of plunge saws <NUM> (e.g., base plate <NUM>) that is near and/or proximate workpiece <NUM>.

In some examples of plunge saws <NUM>, and as perhaps best illustrated in <FIG>, base plate pivot <NUM> may operatively attach a trailing edge region <NUM> of plunge assembly <NUM> to a trailing edge region <NUM> of base plate <NUM>. Stated another way, base plate pivot <NUM> may be configured to permit a leading edge region <NUM> of plunge assembly <NUM> to move toward and/or away from leading edge region <NUM> of base plate <NUM> via rotation about the base plate pivot.

In some examples of plunge saws <NUM>, and as perhaps best illustrated in <FIG>, plunge mechanism <NUM> may include a plunge release mechanism <NUM>. Plunge release mechanism <NUM>, when present, may be configured to be urged and/or actuated, by the user, to permit the plunge saw to transition from the retracted orientation to the plunged orientation. Examples of plunge release mechanism <NUM> include any suitable mechanical pivot, mechanical switch, linkage, and/or surface that may be configured to receive an actuation force from the user.

As also illustrated in <FIG>, plunge mechanism <NUM> may include a retracted orientation lock <NUM>. Retracted orientation lock <NUM>, when present, may be configured to selectively retain plunge saw <NUM> in the retracted orientation. In such a configuration, plunge release mechanism <NUM> may be configured to be selectively actuated to release the retracted orientation lock and/or to permit the plunge saw to transition from the retracted orientation to the plunged orientation. Examples of retracted orientation lock <NUM> include any suitable catch, clasp, mechanical lock, and/or one or more structures that may be configured to resist rotation about base plate pivot <NUM> when plunge release mechanism <NUM> is not actuated by the user and/or to permit rotation about the base plate pivot when the plunge release mechanism is actuated by the user.

Plunge saws <NUM> may include any suitable type or style of plunge saw that is adapted, configured, designed, and/or constructed to utilize a circular saw blade <NUM> to cut the workpiece. Examples of plunge saws <NUM> include a handheld plunge saw <NUM> and/or a track saw <NUM>, as schematically illustrated in <FIG>. In some examples, plunge saws <NUM> may include structure and/or features from both of the above saws, and/or may incorporate functionality of both of the above saws. As an example, and as discussed in more detail herein, a given plunge saw <NUM> may be and/or may incorporate functionality of handheld plunge saw <NUM> and/or track saw <NUM>. Plunge saws <NUM> according to the present disclosure thus may include one or more of the features disclosed herein, but plunge 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 rotation and/or 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>, plunge saws <NUM> may include a gripping region <NUM> that is configured to be gripped and/or held by a user during operation of the plunge 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>, plunge saws <NUM> may include at least one switch <NUM>. As discussed, switch(es) <NUM> may be configured to be selectively actuated by the user of the plunge saw, such as to enable and/or permit electric current to be provided to at least one other component of the plunge saw and/or to permit powered operation of the at least one other component of the plunge saw. As examples, selective actuation of switch(es) <NUM> may be utilized to enable operation of a motor controller of the plunge saw, to selectively supply and/or 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 plunge 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 plunge saw, such as the motor controller of the plunge 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.

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

As also illustrated in dashed lines in <FIG> and in solid lines in <FIG>, plunge 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, and as discussed, plunge saws <NUM> may be track saw <NUM>. In examples of plunge saws <NUM> that are 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.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating examples of methods <NUM> of operating a plunge saw, according to the present disclosure, such as plunge saw <NUM> of <FIG>. Methods <NUM> include actuating a switch at <NUM> and initiating rotation at <NUM>. Methods <NUM> also include initiating projection at <NUM> and may include maintaining projection at <NUM>. Methods <NUM> further may include ceasing actuation at <NUM> and include plunging a circular saw blade at <NUM>.

Actuating the switch at <NUM> may include actuating any suitable switch of the plunge saw. This may include actuating the switch to selectively apply, or supply, an electric current to at least one other component of the plunge saw. Examples of the at least one other component of the plunge saw are disclosed herein. Examples of the switch are disclosed herein with reference to switch <NUM>.

In some examples of methods <NUM>, the actuating at <NUM> may include actuating the switch to an initial actuated position. In some such examples, the initiating at <NUM> may be responsive to the actuating the switch to the initial actuated position. In some such examples, the actuating at <NUM> further may include actuating, or subsequently actuating, the switch to a subsequent actuated position, which differs from the initial actuated position. In some such examples, the initiating at <NUM> may be responsive to the actuating the switch to the subsequent actuated position.

Initiating rotation at <NUM> may include initiating rotation of the circular saw blade of the plunge saw. This may include applying a torque to the circular saw blade with a motor of the circular saw, via a motor shaft of the motor, and/or via an arbor of the circular saw. Examples of the motor are disclosed herein with reference to motor <NUM>. Examples of the motor shaft are disclosed herein with reference to motor shaft <NUM>. Examples of the arbor are disclosed herein with reference to arbor <NUM>. The initiating at <NUM> may be responsive to, at least partially responsive to, subsequent to, and/or a result of the actuating at <NUM>.

Initiating projection at <NUM> may include initiating projection of a light line onto a workpiece. This may include initiating projection of the light line to indicate, or to visually indicate, on the workpiece and/or to a user of the circular saw, a location of an edge of the circular saw blade, such as to permit and/or facilitate improved cut precision in the workpiece and/or with the circular saw blade. Examples of the light line are disclosed herein with reference to light line <NUM>, leading edge light line <NUM>, and/or trailing edge light line <NUM>. The initiating at <NUM> may be responsive to, at least partially responsive to, subsequent to, and/or a result of the actuating at <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the initiating at <NUM> may be performed prior to, during, and/or at least partially concurrently with the initiating at <NUM> and/or rotation of the circular saw blade.

In some examples, the initiating at <NUM> may include initiating projection of a leading edge light line onto the workpiece. In some examples, the initiating at <NUM> may include initiating projection of a trailing edge light line onto the workpiece. In some such examples, the initiating projection of the trailing edge light line onto the workpiece may be responsive to and/or a result of the plunging at <NUM>.

According to the invention, the projection of the light line includes projecting light past the circular saw blade. This includes projecting such that a first portion of the light is incident upon the circular saw blade and optionally such that a second portion of the light projects past the circular saw blade.

According to the invention, a second portion of the light is incident upon the workpiece and defines the light line. In some such examples, the location of the edge of the circular saw blade may be indicated, on the workpiece, by a transition from a shadow of the circular saw blade to the light line.

Maintaining projection at <NUM> may include maintaining projection of the light line onto the workpiece for at least a threshold indication time. This may include maintaining projection regardless of a state of actuation of the switch. Stated another way, ceasing actuation at <NUM> may include ceasing actuation of the switch during the maintaining at <NUM>. Stated yet another way, the maintaining at <NUM> may include maintaining subsequent to the ceasing at <NUM>, when performed. Examples of the threshold indication time are disclosed herein.

Plunging the circular saw blade at <NUM> may include plunging the circular saw blade into the workpiece. The plunging at <NUM> may be performed during rotation of the circular saw blade and/or during projection of the light line onto the workpiece. As such, and at least subsequent to the plunging at <NUM>, the light line visually indicates, on the workpiece, the location of the edge of the circular saw blade in and/or within the workpiece.

In some examples, the plunging at <NUM> may include rotating a plunge assembly of the plunge saw relative to a base plate of the plunge saw and/or about a base plate pivot of the plunge saw. Examples of the plunge assembly are disclosed herein with reference to plunge assembly <NUM>. In some such examples, the rotating may include rotating a leading edge of the plunge assembly toward a leading edge of the base plate.

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.

Claim 1:
A plunge 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 operatively attach a circular saw blade (<NUM>) to the plunge saw (<NUM>) and to receive a torque from the motor (<NUM>) when the motor shaft (<NUM>) rotates about the shaft rotational axis (<NUM>);
a base plate (<NUM>) that defines an arbor-facing side (<NUM>) and an arbor-opposed side (<NUM>);
a base plate pivot (<NUM>) that operatively attaches the arbor (<NUM>) to the arbor-facing side (<NUM>) of the base plate (<NUM>);
a plunge mechanism (<NUM>) configured to be selectively actuated, by a user of the plunge saw (<NUM>) and during operative use of the plunge saw (<NUM>) to cut a workpiece (<NUM>), to transition the plunge saw (<NUM>) from a retracted orientation to a plunged orientation, via rotation of the arbor (<NUM>) and the base plate (<NUM>) relative to one another and about the base plate pivot (<NUM>), and plunge the circular saw blade (<NUM>) into the workpiece (<NUM>); and
a cut indicator (<NUM>) configured to project a light line (<NUM>) onto the workpiece (<NUM>) to visually indicate, on the workpiece (<NUM>), a location of an edge of the circular saw blade (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the cut indicator (<NUM>) includes a light source (<NUM>) configured to project the light line (<NUM>);
wherein the light source (<NUM>) is configured to project light past the circular saw blade (<NUM>) such that a first portion (<NUM>) of the light is incident upon the circular saw blade (<NUM>) and a second portion of the light is incident upon the workpiece (<NUM>), wherein the second portion of the light defines the light line (<NUM>).