Stand for supporting a hand-held powered band saw

Abstract

A method and apparatus for converting a portable band saw to an upright stationary table band saw includes a stand having a base, at least one vertically extending side wall, and a top. A work piece support surface can include an opening through which one run of a closed loop saw blade of the portable band saw can pass when the portable band saw is mounted in a supporting relationship with respect to the stand. A switch mounted on the stand operates the portable band saw independent of the finger trigger on the handle. The on/off switch is connected to a plug engaged by the portable band saw when mounted in the stand. The plug is engagable within a socket of the band saw and is electrically connected to bypass the finger trigger of the portable band saw and to create a circuit through the on/off switch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for converting a portable band saw to an upright stationary table band saw comprising:
 a stand having a base, at least one vertically extending side wall associated with the base, a relatively flat top supported by the sidewall, a work piece support and engaging surface associated with the top, the work piece support and engaging surface having an opening therein through which one run of a closed loop saw blade of the portable band saw can pass when the portable band saw is mounted in a supporting relationship with respect to the stand; and   a switch mounted on the stand for operating the portable band saw independent of the finger trigger on the handle.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 the stand including a foot recess for holding the stand in a stationary position while performing a cutting operation on a work piece with the portable band saw mounted in supporting relationship to the stand. 
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 the stand including a contoured recess in an upper surface for substantially enclosing a lower portion of the portable band saw to be mounted in a supporting relationship with the stand, the contoured recess having a complementary shape with respect to the lower portion of the portable band saw to be engaged therein. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a releasable clamp mounted on the stand and engagable with respect to the portable band saw to be mounted in supporting relationship with respect to the stand for holding the portable band saw in a stationary position with respect to the stand. 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a housing cover shaped to fit over at least one pulley mounted on the portable band saw to afford protection for a user of the band saw. 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a plate connected to top of the stand to define the relatively flat work piece engaging surface. 
 
     
     
         7 . A portable band saw support for selected operable removable engagement with a portable band saw, the portable band saw support comprising:
 a stand adapted for partially surrounding receipt and holding the portable band saw stationary against the force of gravity, the stand having a substantially planar work piece support surface supported by an upstanding outer wall, the support surface partially defining a contoured band saw mounting recess having a circumferential inner wall extending downward from the work piece support surface toward the base, the inner circumferential wall adapted for surrounding orientation and at least partial frictional engagement with a peripheral portion of the exterior of the saw on selected installation of the saw in the stand mounting recess, the work piece support surface further having a blade opening oriented transversely through the planar support surface in communication with the mounting recess defining a saw blade cutting path transversely downward through the planar surface.   
     
     
         8 . The portable band saw support of  claim 7  further comprising:
 an on-off switch mounted on the stand in electrical communication to a plug fixedly mounted to the stand extending upwardly into the mounting recess, wherein on installation of the portable band saw into the mounting recess and into electrical and operational engagement with the plug, the saw is placed in independent electrical and operative communication with the switch. 
 
     
     
         9 . The portable band saw support of  claim 7  further comprising:
 the stand including a foot recess for holding the stand in a stationary position while performing a cutting operation on a work piece with the portable band saw mounted in supporting relationship to the stand. 
 
     
     
         10 . The portable band saw support of  claim 7  further comprising:
 the stand including a contoured recess in an upper surface for substantially enclosing a lower portion of the portable band saw to be mounted in a supporting relationship with the stand, the contoured recess having a complementary shape with respect to the lower portion of the portable band saw to be engaged therein. 
 
     
     
         11 . The portable band saw support of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a releasable clamp mounted to the stand and engagable with respect to the portable band saw to be mounted in supporting relationship with respect to the stand for holding the portable band saw in a stationary position with respect to the stand. 
 
     
     
         12 . The portable band saw support of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a guard engagable with respect to the portable band saw for enclosing a portion of the closed loop saw blade exposed with respect to the stand outside of a throat area for performing a cutting operation with respect to the work piece. 
 
     
     
         13 . The portable band saw support of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a metal plate connected to a top of the stand to define the relatively flat work piece engaging surface. 
 
     
     
         14 . A method for mounting a portable band saw in a stand comprising:
 providing a portable hand-held power operated band saw manipulable by hand so as to be movable in relation to a work piece, the band saw having a substantially continuous cutting edge on at least one edge of the saw blade, the saw blade movable in a path defined by the closed loop during the cutting operation;   providing a stand having a relatively flat work piece engaging surface, wherein the saw blade projects through an opening in a plane of the work piece engaging surface which contacts the work piece and provides support for the work piece to be movable across the work piece engaging surface while being fed through the saw blade;   inserting the portable band saw into supporting relationship with respect to the stand with the portable band saw located within a complementary shaped recess formed in the stand.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 clamping the portable band saw in a stationary position with respect to the stand after insertion within the complementary shaped recess. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 enclosing a portion of the closed loop saw blade extending above the stand with a guard shaped to fit over at least one pulley mounted on the band saw to afford protection for a user of the band saw. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 operating the band saw with an on-off switch connected to a plug engaged by the portable band saw when mounted in supporting relationship to the stand, the plug engaged within a socket of the portable band saw and electrically connected to disable a trigger of the portable band saw while creating a circuit through the on-off switch mounted to the stand. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 performing a cutting operation on the work piece with a closed loop saw blade. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 holding the stand in a stationary position with a foot of the user positioned within a foot recess formed in the stand while performing the cutting operation on a work piece.