Patent ID: 8746451

Claim:
A protector assembly, comprising: a first shield segment defining a first blade space, said first shield segment including a first channel structure defining a first channel facing said first blade space; and a second shield segment defining a second blade space, said second shield segment including a second channel structure defining a second channel facing said second blade space, wherein said first shield segment includes (i) a first end portion that includes a first coupling structure, and (ii) a second end portion that includes a second coupling structure, wherein said second shield segment includes (i) a third end portion that includes a third coupling structure, and (ii) a fourth end portion that includes a fourth coupling structure, wherein, when said first end portion of said first shield segment is positioned adjacent to said third end portion of said second shield segment, said first coupling structure cooperates with said third coupling structure to permanently connect said first end portion to said third end portion so that said first coupling structure cannot be disconnected from said third coupling structure without destroying one or more of said first coupling structure and said third coupling structure, and wherein, when said second end portion of said first shield segment is positioned adjacent to said fourth end portion of said second shield segment, said second coupling structure cooperates with said fourth coupling structure to permanently connect said second end portion to said fourth end portion so that said second coupling structure cannot be disconnected from said fourth coupling structure without destroying one or more of said second coupling structure and said fourth coupling structure, further comprising a circular saw blade having a body and a plurality of teeth positioned around said body, wherein said body is located within said first blade space and said second blade space, wherein said plurality of teeth are positioned in said first channel and said second channel, wherein said first coupling structure includes one of a first post and a first receptacle structure, wherein said third coupling structure includes the other of said first post and said first receptacle structure, wherein said second coupling structure includes one of a second post and a second receptacle structure, and wherein said fourth coupling structure includes the other of said second post and said second receptacle structure.