Patent ID: 7617755

Claim:
A chop saw comprising: a base assembly; and a saw assembly pivotably attached to the base assembly, the saw assembly comprising an upper blade guard, a plate rotatably attached to the upper blade guard, a lower blade guard rotatably attached to the plate, and a screw engaging the upper blade guard for fixing the plate; wherein at least one of the upper blade guard and plate have a first tab disposed near the screw and extending outwardly and substantially perpendicularly to the at least one of the upper blade guard and plate, the first tab extending from the at least one of the upper blade guard and plate a first distance, the screw being required to be moved a second distance longer than the first distance in order to pivot the plate so that the lower blade guard contacts the screw upon rotation of the lower blade guard, wherein the lower blade guard contacts the screw upon rotation of the lower blade guard after the screw has been moved the second distance.