Saw with circular blade

Abstract

The invention relates to a powered saw ( 2 ) of the chop saw or mitre saw form. A circular blade is mounted to be rotated and is pivotally movable between raised and lowered position via movement of a support arm ( 26 ) with respect to the base ( 4 ). The support arm ( 26 ) is mounted on a slide ( 12 ) which is received within a bearing assembly ( 10 ). Means ( 52, 54 ) are provided to prevent debris and other material from entering the bearing assembly ( 10 ) thereby ensuring accurate and smooth movement between the slide ( 12 ) and the bearing assembly ( 10 ).

1 . A saw, said saw having a base, a slide mounted with respect to the base, a support arm mounted on the slide, and said slide and support arm relatively movable in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of the slide, said support arm including a circular blade mounted thereon for rotation when powered by a motor mounted on the support arm and wherein the support arm and slide are located with one another via a bearing assembly, and wherein on or adjacent to said bearing assembly, at at least one end thereof, there is provided a means to prevent or minimize the ingress of dust or debris from the slide into the bearing assembly. 
     
     
         2 . A saw according to  claim 1  wherein one of said means is provided at each end of the bearing assembly. 
     
     
         3 . A saw according to  claim 1  wherein the means is a wiping component which contacts with the external surfaces of the slide, so as to remove debris or dust therefrom. 
     
     
         4 . A saw according to  claim 1  wherein the bearing assembly comprises a plurality of pairs of bearings. 
     
     
         5 . A saw according to  claim 4  wherein the bearing assembly includes two pairs mounted to a first side of the slide and a further two pairs mounted to the opposing side of the slide. 
     
     
         6 . A saw according to  claim 5  wherein a first pair of bearings on the first side are mounted substantially vertically in line with a first pair of bearings on the opposing side of the slide and the second pair of bearings on the first side, spaced from the first pair of bearings, are positioned substantially vertically in line with the second pair of bearings on the opposing side. 
     
     
         7 . A saw according to  claim 4  wherein the bearing assembly includes three pairs of bearings, a first pair on a first side of the slide and the remaining two pairs on the opposing side of the slide. 
     
     
         8 . A saw according to  claim 7  wherein the pair of bearings on the first side of the slide, are located intermediate the locations of the first and second spaced pairs of bearings on the opposing side of the slide. 
     
     
         9 . A saw according to  claim 1  wherein the bearing assembly includes at least one needle roller arrangement on the first side of the slide. 
     
     
         10 . A saw according to  claim 9  wherein first and second pairs of bearings or a further needle roller arrangement is provided on the opposing side. 
     
     
         11 . A saw according to  claim 1  wherein the slide is secured at one end to the support arm and is slidably received so as to move along the bearing assembly which is provided in a fixed relationship with respect to the base. 
     
     
         12 . A saw according to  claim 1  wherein the support arm is mounted to the slide, via a pivot mechanism which allows the pivotal movement of the support arm between raised and lowered, positions so as to allow the blade to be brought into storage and-in-use-positions respectively. 
     
     
         13 . A saw according to  claim 1  wherein the bearing assembly is mounted on a holder which itself is pivotally movable with respect to the base, and therefore allows movement of the support arm connected thereto with respect to the base, about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blade. 
     
     
         14 . A saw according to  claim 1  wherein the support arm is mounted with respect to the slide, via an elongate member, which member extends from substantially one end of the slide to the end at which the support arm is positioned, and said member extends into a receiver connected to the support arm. 
     
     
         15 . A saw according to  claim 14  wherein the elongate member is threaded at its free end so as to allow the same to be threadedly inserted into the receiver and, at the opposing end, is provided with means to allow the member to be rotated in the first and second directions to allow the location and dislocation of the support arm with and from the slide. 
     
     
         16 . A saw according to  claim 15  wherein the said end of the elongate member is located within a recess in an end member mounted on the slide.