Chop saw

Abstract

A saw including a base, a trunnion pivotally attached to the base, a pivot arm pivotally attached to the trunnion, a saw assembly supported by the pivot arm, the saw assembly including a motor, a blade driven by the motor, an upper blade guard for covering an upper part of the blade, and at least one of a lower blade guard pivotally attached to the upper blade guard for covering a lower part of the blade and a rear blade guard attached to the upper blade guard, and a fence assembly comprising a fixed fence attached to the base, and a movable fence movably attached to the fixed fence, wherein the movable fence has a stepped portion for limiting lateral movement of the at least one of the lower blade guard and the rear blade guard.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
     
     
         9 . A saw comprising: 
 a base;    a pivot arm pivotally attached to the base;    a saw assembly supported by the pivot arm, the saw assembly including a motor, a blade driven by the motor, an upper blade guard for covering an upper part of the blade, and a lower blade guard pivotally attached to the upper blade guard for covering a lower part of the blade; and    a guard lock mechanism comprising a body pivotally connected to the upper blade guard, the body being movable between a first position contacting the lower blade guard and a second position bypassing the lower blade guard;    wherein at least one of the body and the lower blade guard has teeth for contacting the other of the body and the lower blade guard.    
     
     
         10 . The saw of  claim 9 , wherein the other of the body and lower blade guard has teeth for contacting the one of the body and the lower blade guard.  
     
     
         11 . The saw of  claim 9 , further comprising a spring for biasing the body towards the first position.  
     
     
         12 . The saw of  claim 9 , wherein the body is pivoted about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the blade.  
     
     
         13 . The saw of  claim 9 , further comprising a fixed fence attached to the base, and a movable fence movably connected to the fixed fence, the movable fence having a stepped portion.  
     
     
         14 . A saw comprising: 
 a base;    a pivot arm pivotally attached to the base;    a saw assembly supported by the pivot arm, the saw assembly including a motor, a blade having an axis of rotation and being driven by the motor, an upper blade guard for covering an upper part of the blade, and a lower blade guard pivotally attached to the upper blade guard for covering a lower part of the blade; and    a guard lock mechanism comprising a body pivotally connected to the upper blade guard, the body being movable between a first position contacting the lower blade guard and a second position bypassing the lower blade guard;    wherein the body is pivoted about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the blade.    
     
     
         15 . The saw of  claim 14 , wherein the other of the body and lower blade guard has teeth for contacting the one of the body and the lower blade guard.  
     
     
         16 . The saw of  claim 14 , further comprising a spring for biasing the body towards the first position.  
     
     
         17 . The saw of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the body and the lower blade guard has teeth for contacting the other of the body and the lower blade guard.  
     
     
         18 . The saw of  claim 14 , further comprising a fixed fence attached to the base, and a movable fence movably connected to the fixed fence, the movable fence having a stepped portion.