Mobile base for a table saw

Abstract

A mobile base that attaches to the stand of a table saw is disclosed. The mobile base includes wheels and casters that rotate down and lift the saw when a foot pedal is depressed. The mobile base raises the saw asymmetrically to provide clearance for the legs of an extension table attached to the table of the saw. A locking mechanism locks the wheels and casters so that they do not retract while the saw is moved, and a foot-operated lever releases the wheels and casters so that they may retract and lower the saw back to the ground.

1 . A mobile base for use with a power tool, the mobile base comprising:
 a plurality of wheels on a first side;   at least one wheel on a second side; and   a mechanism configured to move one or more wheels in such a way to raise at least one of the first and second sides asymmetrically from the other of the first and second sides.   
   
   
       2 . The mobile base of  claim 1  where the power tool has an extension table and legs configured to support the extension table, and where the first side is between the second side and the legs configured to support the extension table. 
   
   
       3 . The mobile base of  claim 1  where the power tool has an extension table and legs configured to support the extension table, and where the second side is between the first side and the legs configured to support the extension table. 
   
   
       4 . The mobile base of  claim 1  where the power tool has an extension table, and where the wheels are positioned so that the center of gravity of the power tool and extension table is between the plurality of wheels on the first side and the at least one wheel on the second side. 
   
   
       5 . A mobile base for use with a power tool having a stand with legs, the mobile base comprising:
 a set of wheels on a first side; and   at least one wheel on a second side;   where either the set of wheels on the first side or the at least one wheel on the second side is positioned substantially outside the legs of the stand, and the other is positioned at least partially within the legs of the stand.   
   
   
       6 . The mobile base of  claim 5  where the set of wheels on the first side includes two wheels positioned substantially outside the legs of the stand, and where each such wheel is supported by a member extending out away from the stand. 
   
   
       7 . The mobile base of  claim 6  where the members extend outwardly at an angle relative to the stand. 
   
   
       8 . The mobile base of  claim 6  further comprising a connection between the members. 
   
   
       9 . A mobile base for use with a power tool having a stand with legs, the mobile base comprising:
 a set of wheels on a first side;   at least one wheel on a second side;   a lever arm associated with either the set of wheels on the first side or the at least one wheel on the second side; and   a link interconnecting the lever arm to the other of the set of wheels on the first side or the at least one wheel on the second side;   where either the set of wheels on the first side or the at least one wheel on the second side is positioned substantially outside the legs of the stand; and   where the lever arm is positioned substantially within the legs of the stand.   
   
   
       10 . The mobile base of  claim 9  where the link is operatively connected to a foot pedal. 
   
   
       11 . The mobile base of  claim 9  where the lever arm is associated with the set of wheels on the first side, and where the set of wheels on the first side are positioned substantially outside the legs of the stand. 
   
   
       12 . A mobile base for use with a power tool having a stand with four legs, the mobile base comprising:
 two rotatable shafts, each shaft configured to be held between two legs of the stand;   a single link extending between the two shafts, where the link is configured so that rotation of one shaft moves the link to rotate the other shaft;   a moveable foot pedal adapted so that movement of the foot pedal rotates one shaft; and   wheels attached to the shafts so that rotation of the shafts lowers the wheels;   where the shafts are held by the legs of the stand so that the forces of rotating the shafts and lowering the wheels are transmitted through the stand.   
   
   
       13 . The mobile base of  claim 12  where the shafts and link are configured so that the shafts rotate in opposite directions when rotation of the shafts lowers the wheels. 
   
   
       14 . The mobile base of  claim 12  further comprising a locking mechanism to lock the wheels in a lowered position. 
   
   
       15 . The mobile base of  claim 14  where the locking mechanism is spring-biased. 
   
   
       16 . The mobile base of  claim 14  where the locking mechanism includes a release foot pad configured to allow an operator to release the wheels from the lowered position. 
   
   
       17 . The mobile base of  claim 16  where the foot pedal and release foot pad are positioned so that the release foot pad is above and adjacent the foot pedal when the wheels are in the lowered position. 
   
   
       18 . The mobile base of  claim 12  where the two rotatable shafts are substantially parallel, and where the link extends substantially transverse to the two shafts. 
   
   
       19 . The mobile base of  claim 18  where the two rotatable shafts have ends, and where the link is positioned closer to one set of ends than the other. 
   
   
       20 . The mobile base of  claim 12 , where the legs of the stand slant outwardly and where the two rotatable shafts are held between the legs so that the shafts remain generally horizontal to the ground.