Flush cut saw

Abstract

This invention relates generally to power tools, and more particularly to a portable, multifunction saw and uses thereof (e.g., for household, commercial (e.g., for use in window removal and replacement) and medical (e.g. for bone cutting) applications).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A saw assembly comprising:
 an electric motor subassembly, the electric motor subassembly having a motor adapted to produce rotational movement about a first axis of rotation and a spindle rotatably powered by the electric motor for rotation about a second axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation;   a blade mounted on the spindle; and   a blade guard-guide subassembly that encloses the blade, the blade guard-guide subassembly comprising a top main guard-guide and a bottom guard-guide plate, wherein the bottom guard-guide plate can be configured to fully enclose the blade together with the top main guard-guide, or, to be fully retracted independent of the top main guard-guide. The saw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top main guard-guide is slidably mounted on the electric motor subassembly.   
     
     
         3 . The saw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electric motor comprises a momentary contact switch. 
     
     
         4 . The saw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electric motor comprise a variable speed throttling switch. 
     
     
         5 . The saw assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising a mechanical lock that prevents the momentary contact switch from being depressed. 
     
     
         6 . The saw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electric motor comprises a momentary contact switch comprising a variable speed throttling switch. 
     
     
         7 . The saw assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a mechanical lock that prevents the momentary contact switch comprising a variable speed throttling switch from being depressed. 
     
     
         8 . The saw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the blade contacts a cutting surface parallel to the bottom surface of the blade when the bottom guard-guide plate is fully retracted independent of the top main guard-guide. 
     
     
         9 . The saw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface of the top main-guard guide protrudes beyond the bottom surface of the blade when the bottom guard-guide plate is in a fully retracted position. 
     
     
         10 . The saw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the blade guard-guide subassembly further comprises port for dust and/or debris. 
     
     
         11 . The saw assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the port is attached to a vacuum. 
     
     
         12 . A method of cutting a surface comprising contacting a surface with the saw of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the surface comprises wood, plastic, metal, cement, glass, ceramic, tile or bone.