Portable concrete saw

Abstract

The portable concrete saw of the present invention includes a frame with first and second side members and cross members that connect the first and second side members together. It also includes a cantilever member pivotally mounted to the frame and an actuator for moving the cantilever member to a selected position and holding it at that position. The cantilever member supports an internal combustion engine, electric motor or other power source and a cutting blade driven by the power source. The method of forming this saw includes forming openings in the side members, inserting end portions of the cross members into the openings to form the frame, and pivotally mounting a cantilever member to the frame.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable cutting apparatus comprising: a frame that includes first and second side members disposed in spaced relation and a plurality of cross members disposed between the side members and secured to the side members; a cantilever member pivotally mounted to the frame; an engine secured to the cantilever member; a cutting blade operatively associated with the engine; an actuator for adjusting the position of the cantilever member; wheel means rotatably mounted to the frame for supporting the frame and allowing the apparatus to roll over a supporting surface.  
     
     
         2 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the side members are one-piece and integrally formed.  
     
     
         3 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cross members are tubular.  
     
     
         4 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cantilever member is a plate-like platform structure that defines a supporting surface for the engine.  
     
     
         5 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes a first segment and a second segment disposed in generally telescoping relation with each other, the first segment being pivotally mounted to the cantilever member, the second segment being mounted to the frame.  
     
     
         6 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first segment is pivotally mounted to the one end of the cantilever member which is pivotally mounted to the frame and wherein the second segment is rotatably mounted to the frame.  
     
     
         7 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the second segment threads into the first segment.  
     
     
         8 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second segment includes a handle portion.  
     
     
         9 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wheel means includes a pair of wheels and a pair of rollers having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the wheels.  
     
     
         10 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a handle for grasping the apparatus and moving it.  
     
     
         11 . A portable cutting apparatus comprising: a frame that includes first and second side members disposed in spaced relation and a plurality of cross members disposed between the side members and secured to the side members; a cantilever member pivotally mounted to the frame; an engine secured to the cantilever member; a cutting blade operatively associated with the engine; an actuator for adjusting the position of the cantilever member; wheel means rotatably mounted to the frame for supporting the frame and allowing the apparatus to roll over a supporting surface; the first and second side members being disposed in a generally parallel relation and having a generally L-shaped configuration; the first and second side members defining openings having a predetermined depth for receiving end portions of the cross members.  
     
     
         12 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein end portions of the cross members are inserted in a press fit into corresponding openings in the side members.  
     
     
         13 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the cross members lie in a generally parallel and spaced apart relation.  
     
     
         14 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the wheel means includes a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to the frame at a mid portion of the frame and a pair of rollers rotatably mounted to an end portion of the frame.  
     
     
         15 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein an axle rotatably mounts the wheels and the cantilever member to the frame.  
     
     
         16 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the cross members are tubular.  
     
     
         17 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the cantilever member is a plate-like platform structure that defines a supporting surface for the motor.  
     
     
         18 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator includes a first segment and a second segment disposed in generally telescoping relation with each other, the first segment being pivotally mounted to the cantilever member, the second segment being mounted to the frame.  
     
     
         19 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the first segment is pivotally mounted to the one end of the cantilever member which is pivotally mounted to the frame and wherein the second segment is rotatably mounted to the frame.  
     
     
         20 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the second segment threads into the first segment.  
     
     
         21 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the second segment includes a handle portion.  
     
     
         22 . The portable cutting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the frame includes a handle for grasping the apparatus and moving it.  
     
     
         23 . A method of forming a portable cutting apparatus, the apparatus including first and second side members, a plurality of cross members, and a cantilever member, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a. forming the first and second side members;    b. forming a plurality of cross members;    c. forming openings having a predetermined depth in the side members, each side member having an opening for each cross-member;    d. inserting opposite end portions of each cross-member in a press fit into corresponding openings in the side members to connect the side members and the cross-members together to form a frame; and    e. pivotally mounting the cantilever member to the frame.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of mounting an actuator to the frame and connecting the actuator to the cantilever member.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the openings in the side members are counterbored into the side members.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the cross-member are tubular and the method further comprises providing tube connectors to further secure the end portion of the cross-members to the side members.