Adjustable tool station

Abstract

A miter saw includes a tool adjustment unit having a joint pivotable about an axis, a guide rail spaced from and coupled to the joint so as to pivot about the axis, a saw housing mounted on the guide rail and a linear motion bearing assembly, which is positioned between the guide rail and the saw housing. The guide rail and the linear motion bearing are so shaped and dimensioned that the saw housing and the guide rail rotationally engage one another in a substantially play free manner to displace a saw blade between a plurality of angled positions.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A saw comprising: 
 a table having an elongated axis;    a rotary joint fixed to the table and rotatable about the elongated axis in response to an external torque;    a longitudinally extending guide rail spaced radially from the elongated axis and fixed to the rotary joint to pivot with respect to the elongated axis during rotation of the rotary joint, the guide rail having an annular cross-section and a shape selected from the group consisting of a cross-shaped cross-section, I-beam cross-section, regular polygonal cross-section and an irregular polygonal cross-section;    a saw housing receiving a saw blade and mounted on the guide rail; and    a linear motion bearing assembly mounted between the guide rail and the saw housing and rotationally fixed to the housing to provide linear displacement of the saw housing along the guide rail, the linear motion bearing assembly and the guide rail being shaped and dimensioned to prevent rotational movement relative to one another during angular displacement of the saw housing between beveled positions of the saw blade.    
   
   
       19 . The saw as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising two guard plates mounted on the table and spaced laterally apart to define clearance therebetween which is unblocked during displacement of the saw housing and the guide rail between the beveled positions of the saw blade.  
   
   
       20 . A power hand tool comprising: 
 an elongated guide rail pivotable about an axis;    a tool housing mounted on the guide rail; and    a linear motion bearing assembly mounted between the guide rail and the tool housing to provide smooth linear displacement of the tool housing along a length of the guide rail between a plurality of axial positions of the tool housing,    the guide rail and the linear motion bearing assembly being shaped to engage one another in a fixed rotational relationship during displacement of the tool housing between a plurality of angled positions,    the linear motion bearing assembly having a plurality of individual rolling element retainer segments surrounding the guide rail,    the plurality of individual rolling element retainer segments each including a respective load bearing track portion and a respective return track portion receiving a plurality of rolling elements which circulate along the load bearing and return portions during displacement of the tool housing along a length of the guide rail, and    the guide rail having an annular cross section and a shape selected from the group consisting of a cross-shaped cross section, I-beam cross section, regular polygonal cross-section and irregular polygonal cross section.    
   
   
       21 . The tool as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the load bearing track portions are spaced apart and juxtaposed with the guide rail so that the rolling elements running along the load bearing tracks engage the guide rail to prevent relative rotation of the saw housing and the guide rail.  
   
   
       22 . The tool as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the return track portions are spaced radially outwards from the load bearing track portions.  
   
   
       23 . The tool as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising a base, a joint mounted on the base and rotatable about the axis, and a rail guide rail housing rigidly coupled to the joint and to the rails guide, so that the opposite ends of the guide rail are rotationally fixed to the tool housing and to the guide rail housing