Sawing apparatus and saw fence system

Abstract

A sawing apparatus and a saw fence. The saw apparatus may include a work surface. The saw may include a rail system disposed along the edges of the work surface, for the attachment of accessories thereto. The saw may be provided with workpiece guide adapted to be attached to the rail system for guiding workpieces during the operation of the saw. The workpiece guide may also be provided with an infeed extension that rides on the rail system and is capable of supporting workpieces during the operation of the saw. The infeed extension may be adjustable relative to the work surface of the saw. The saw may further be provided with a debris collection system for the collection of debris produced by the cutting operations of the saw.

1 . A workpiece guide for guiding and supporting workpieces during cutting operations of a cutting device comprising at least one rail and a work surface, said workpiece guide comprising: 
 an elongated body;    an infeed extension integral to said elongated body, wherein said elongated body comprises an infeed end and an outfeed end and further comprises two parallel side walls and top and bottom walls, said infeed extension integral to said infeed end of said elongated body and comprising an infeed platform adjacent to each of said two side walls, each said infeed platform including a workpiece supporting surface, said infeed extension being adjustable on the rail to position said workpiece supporting surfaces substantially coplanar with the work surface when the workpiece guide is mounted on the cutting device; and    a clamp positionable adjacent to the at least one rail, for attaching said workpiece guide to the at least one rail.    
   
   
       2 . A saw comprising: 
 a work surface comprising a substantially horizontal plane including an infeed edge and an outfeed edge;    a rail system comprising an infeed rail disposed along said infeed edge and an outfeed rail disposed along said outfeed edge;    a workpiece guide slidably disposed on said rail system comprising an elongated body and an infeed extension, wherein said elongated body comprises an infeed end and an outfeed end and further comprises two side walls oriented perpendicular to the work surface, said infeed extension integral to said infeed end of said body and comprising an infeed platform adjacent to each of said two side walls, each said infeed platform including a workpiece supporting surface, said infeed extension being adjustable on said infeed rail to position said workpiece supporting surfaces substantially coplanar with said horizontal plane of said work surface; and    a clamp positioned adjacent to said infeed rail, for fixedly clamping said workpiece guide to said infeed rail.    
   
   
       3 . A saw comprising: 
 a support structure;    a housing positioned atop said support structure and comprising a cutting member adapted to cut workpieces;    a debris collection system attached to said support structure positioned beneath said housing and comprising an inclined flow surface including a lower edge and at least one side edge;    a work surface attached atop said housing comprising a substantially horizontal plane including an infeed edge and an outfeed edge;    a guide rail system comprising an infeed rail disposed along said infeed edge and an outfeed rail disposed along said outfeed edge; and    a workpiece guide slidably disposed on said guide rail system comprising an elongated body and an infeed extension, said elongated body comprising an infeed end and an outfeed end, wherein said elongated body further comprises two side walls oriented perpendicular to the work surface, said infeed extension integral to said infeed end of said body and comprising an infeed platform adjacent to each of said two side walls, each said infeed platform including a workpiece supporting surface, said infeed extension being adjustable on said infeed rail to position said workpiece supporting surfaces substantially coplanar with said horizontal plane of said work surface, said workpiece guide further comprising a clamp positioned adjacent to said infeed rail, for clamping said workpiece guide to said infeed rail.    
   
   
       4 . A saw for cutting workpieces the saw comprising a work surface including an infeed edge and an outfeed edge, the saw comprising: 
 a guide rail system comprising an infeed rail having a U-shaped cross-section disposed adjacent to said infeed edge of said work surface, and an outfeed rail having an L-shaped cross-section and disposed adjacent to said outfeed edge of said work surface; and    a workpiece guide slidably disposed on said guide rail system comprising an elongated body and an infeed extension, said elongated body comprising an infeed end and an outfeed end, wherein said elongated body further comprises two side walls oriented perpendicular to the work surface, said infeed extension integral to said infeed end of said body and comprising infeed platforms adjacent to each of said two side walls and a clamp positioned adjacent to said infeed rail, for clamping said workpiece guide to said infeed rail, each said infeed platform including a workpiece supporting surface, said infeed extension being adjustable on said infeed rail to position said workpiece supporting surfaces substantially coplanar with said work surface.