Patent ID: 7258115

Claim:
A skid plate assembly for a concrete cutting saw, the saw having a rotating blade with sides and rotating about a rotational axis to cut a groove in a concrete surface during use of the saw, the saw having a saw mounting portion to which the skid plate is fastened during cutting, comprising: at least one mounting portion connected to the skid plate and located to correspond with the saw mounting portion, the skid plate configured to abut the concrete at the location of the saw mounting portion; an elongated support portion having a longitudinal slot therein sized to fit within about ⅛ inch or less of the sides of the concrete cutting blade during use of the skid plate, the elongated support being slightly bowed an amount selected to substantially counteract bowing of the skid plate that occurs when the elongated support is urged against the concrete surface during cutting of the concrete, the skid plate being cast or forged or machined; an aperture on the end of the slot nearest the leading edge, the aperture being wider than the slot; and an insert made of a wear resistant material inserted into the aperture and fastened to the skid plate, the insert having a slot with one end opening onto a trailing edge of the insert, the slot being located to communicate with at least a portion of the slot in the skid plate when the insert is in the aperture, the insert being positioned in the skid plate so that the cutting edge of the cutting blade passes through the trailing edge of the slot in the insert, the slot extending along less than the entire length of the blade, the insert having a bottom generally flush with the bottom of the skid plate adjacent the insert.