Patent ID: 8006596

Claim:
A cutting tool, comprising: a housing having a generally flat upper surface defining an opening therein and an enclosed base upon which the flat upper surface is supported, the enclosed base defining a first perimeter and forming a cavity therein, the cavity having a second perimeter that is substantially the same as or smaller than the first perimeter of the enclosed base of the housing; a cutting implement extending from the opening of the housing; an internal retractable base assembly connected to the housing and positioned at least substantially within the cavity defined by the enclosed base and movable between a first position wherein the cutting tool rests on a mobile portion of the base assembly so that the cutting tool may be moved about a work surface and a second position wherein the cutting tool rests on a stationary portion so that the cutting tool is stationary with respect to the work surface, said internal retractable base assembly including: a plurality of wheels of said mobile portion on which said cutting tool rests when said internal retractable base assembly is in said first position, a plurality of vertical drive devices constructed and operable to move said internal retractable base assembly between said first and second positions, each of said vertical drive devices including a toothed gear, an endless drive linkage extending between the toothed gears of said plurality of vertical drive devices to substantially simultaneously operate the plurality of vertical drive devices to move the retractable base assembly between the first and second positions, a drive shaft connected to drive said endless drive linkage; and a spindle extending from the housing and connected to the drive shaft, the spindle being operable to move the internal retractable base assembly between the first and second positions.