Circular saw and track saw assembly configured to cut in workpiece

Abstract

A circular saw and a track saw assembly configured to cut in a workpiece, the circular saw including a shoe including an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, and a saw unit. The saw unit includes a circular saw blade, a blade guard, and a transparent blade window. The saw blade guard surrounds a portion of the saw blade. The saw blade guard encloses a portion of the saw blade and has a cutout adjacent a bottom side of the saw blade guard and a slot above the cutout. A transparent saw blade window is configured to be received in the cutout to provide a visual indication of the saw blade to a user. The saw blade window includes a locking tab constrained for sliding movement within the first portion of the slot and removable from the slot to remove the saw blade window from the saw blade guard when aligned with the second portion of the slot.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 321,385, filed on March 18, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to track saws, and more particularly to track saws including blade windows. Background Art

[0004] Track saws are used to make straight or angled cuts in a workpiece. Typically, track saws are used to make relatively long straight cuts in sheet materials such as wood, plywood, aluminum, steel, and other metals. Such track saws include a track supported on the workpiece and a saw that translates along the track. Utility Model Content

[0005] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a circular saw comprising a shoe and a saw unit, the shoe comprising an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. The saw unit comprises a circular saw blade, a blade guard, and a transparent blade window. The saw unit is pivotally coupled to the shoe between a first position, in which the saw blade does not protrude beyond the lower surface of the shoe, and a second position, in which the saw blade protrudes beyond the lower surface of the shoe. The blade guard encloses a portion of the saw blade. The blade guard encloses a portion of the saw blade and has a cutout adjacent to a bottom side of the blade guard and a slot above the cutout. The transparent blade window is configured to be received in the cutout to provide a visual indication of the saw blade to a user. The blade window includes a locking tab that is constrained for sliding movement within a first portion of the slot and is removable from the slot when aligned with a second portion of the slot to remove the blade window from the blade guard.

[0006] In some embodiments, the slot includes a lip at the interface between the first portion and the second portion, the locking tab not overlapping the lip when aligned with the second portion.

[0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a circular saw comprising a shoe and a saw unit, the shoe comprising an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. The saw unit comprises a circular saw blade, a blade guard, and a transparent blade window. The saw unit is pivotally coupled to the shoe between a first position in which the saw blade does not protrude beyond the lower surface of the shoe and a second position in which the saw blade protrudes beyond the lower surface of the shoe. The blade guard encloses a portion of the saw blade and has a cutout adjacent to the bottom side of the blade guard and a slot above the cutout. The transparent blade window is configured to be received in the cutout to provide a visual indication of the saw blade to a user. The blade window includes a locking tab and a detent. The locking tab is constrained for sliding movement with a first portion of the slot and is removable from the slot when aligned with a second portion of the slot to remove the blade window from the blade guard. The pawl is configured to selectively engage the blade guard to secure the blade window to the blade guard.

[0008] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a track saw assembly configured to perform cutting in a workpiece, the track saw assembly comprising a track, a shoe, and a saw unit. The track is configured to rest on the workpiece. The shoe includes an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. The lower surface of the shoe is configured to bear against the track. The saw unit is coupled to the upper surface of the shoe. The saw unit includes a circular saw blade, a blade guard, and a transparent blade window. The saw unit is pivotally coupled to the shoe between a first position, in which the saw blade does not protrude beyond the lower surface of the shoe, and a second position, in which the saw blade protrudes beyond the lower surface of the shoe. The blade guard encloses a portion of the saw blade and has a cutout adjacent to a bottom side of the blade guard and a slot above the cutout. The blade guard includes a stop, a cutout, and a connecting slot. The transparent blade window is configured to be received in the cutout to provide a user with a visual indication of the saw blade. The saw blade window includes a locking tab constrained for sliding movement within the first portion of the slot and removable from the slot when aligned with the second portion of the slot to remove the saw blade window from the saw blade guard.

[0009] Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a track saw assembly including a track saw and a track.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Side view of a track saw.

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Opposite side view of a track saw.

[0013] Figure 4 is connected to Figure 1 A perspective view of the transparent blade window of the upper blade guard of a track saw.

[0014] Figure 5 is with Figure 1 A perspective view of the transparent saw blade window separated from the upper saw blade guard of a track saw.

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of the connecting slot of the upper blade guard of a track saw.

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A rear perspective view of the connecting slot of the upper blade guard of a track saw.

[0017] Figure 8 is relative to Figure 1 A perspective view of the elevated blade window with a connecting slot on the upper blade guard of a track saw.

[0018] Figure 9 It shows from Figure 1 A side view of the process of removing the saw blade window from the connecting slot of the upper blade guard of a track saw.

[0019] Before explaining any embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. Furthermore, it should be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Figures 1 to 3A plunge-cut circular saw, such as track saw 100, is shown for use with a track 104. The combined track saw 100 and track 104 form a track saw assembly 108. The track saw assembly 108 can rest on a workpiece W. The track saw 100 rests on a track body (i.e., a body) 104a of the track 104 and translates along a longitudinal axis 112 of the track 104 to make cuts in the workpiece W. The track saw 100 includes a shoe 116, an upright bracket 120, and a saw unit 124 supported on the shoe 116 and the bracket 120. The saw unit 124 includes a saw blade 128 having a lowermost portion 132. The saw blade 128 is generally planar and defines a saw blade plane 136. The track saw 100 further includes an upper blade guard 288 that at least partially encloses the saw blade 128. The bottom surface 116 a of the shoe 116 (ie, the lower surface 116 a ) defines a shoe plane 140 . When the rail 104 rests on the workpiece W, the shoe plane 140 is parallel to the upper surface of the workpiece W. A vertical reference plane 144 extends perpendicularly upward from the shoe plane 140 .

[0021] Continue to refer Figures 1 to 3 The saw unit 124 of the track saw 100 includes a drive unit 580 that includes an electric motor (e.g., a brushless DC electric motor 580) for providing torque to the saw blade 128 to rotate it. The drive unit 580 may also include a gear train or transmission between the motor 580 and the saw blade 128 for adjusting the magnitude of the torque delivered to the saw blade 128. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive unit 580 is powered by a removable battery pack 584. However, the drive unit 580 may be powered by another power source. The track saw 100 further includes a trigger 392 that is configured to selectively activate the motor 580.

[0022] like Figures 1 to 3 The illustrated track saw 100 may further include any number of additional mechanisms configured to enhance the operation and / or maneuverability of the track saw 100. Figures 2 to 3 As shown, the shoe 116 includes a front end 148 and an opposite rear end 152. The track saw 100 includes a front bevel hinge 172 proximate the front end 148 of the shoe 116 and a similar rear bevel hinge 176 proximate the rear end 152 of the shoe 116. Each of the bevel hinges 172, 176 combines to form a bevel angle adjustment mechanism 177. The bevel angle adjustment mechanism 177 is operable to adjust the bevel angle between the saw blade plane 136 and the shoe plane 140. The bevel angle can be adjusted with reference to the vertical reference plane 144 ( Figure 1) is measured. One or both of the bevel hinges 172, 176 includes a knob 212 that can be actuated to apply a clamping force to secure the saw unit 124 at a desired bevel angle relative to the vertical reference plane 144. In some embodiments, one or both of the bevel hinges 172, 176 can further include an actuatable intermediate bevel stop 244 configured to provide a hard stop at an intermediate bevel angle (e.g., 22.5 degrees) within the adjustment range of the bevel hinges 172, 176 (e.g., between -1 and 48 degrees).

[0023] refer to Figure 2 , the track saw 100 may include a plunge depth assembly 260 that allows the saw blade 128 to be moved in a non-plunging or retracted position ( Figure 2 ) and the cut-in or extended position (in Figure 2 The saw blade 128 is shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the lowermost portion 132 of the saw blade 128 does not intersect the shoe plane 140 (e.g., wherein the saw blade does not protrude beyond the lower surface 116a of the shoe 116) and the saw blade 128 is shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the saw blade 128 is shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the lowermost portion 132 of the saw blade 128 does not intersect the shoe plane 140 (e.g., wherein the saw blade does not protrude beyond the lower surface 116a of the shoe 116) to cut the workpiece W. The plunge depth assembly 260 includes a lever arm 264 ( Figure 2 ), the lever arm is pivotally coupled at its first end 268 to the shoe 116 by a pivot hinge 272. The pivot hinge 272 defines an incision axis 274 about which the lever arm 264 rotates. The incision axis 274 is also Figure 1 The cut-in axis 274 is transverse to the longitudinal axis 112 of the track 104. The lever arm 264 includes a second end 276 opposite the first end 268. The compression spring 280 ( Figure 1 ) extends between the lever arm 264 and the shoe 116 to bias the lever arm 264 toward the retracted position.

[0024] The plunge depth assembly 260 further includes a depth scale 284 ( Figure 1), which is secured to the carriage 102 adjacent the upper blade guard 288. The plunge depth assembly 260 includes a depth stop 304 that is movable along the depth scale 284 to any desired position corresponding to any desired depth of the saw blade 128. The second end 276 of the lever arm 264 is configured to abut the depth stop 304 when the saw unit 124 plunges to a desired plunge depth. The plunge depth assembly 260 can be moved along the depth scale 284 to a position corresponding to any number of the notches 372, 384. The notches 372, 384 can be used, for example, during assembly of the track saw 100 and / or during a blade changing procedure for the saw blade 128. Additional and / or differently positioned notches 372, 384 can correspond to other commonly used locations of the saw blade 128.

[0025] The track saw 100 further includes a main handle 572 and an auxiliary handle 576 ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 ). The main handle 572 extends generally between the lateral sides of the shoe 116. The auxiliary handle 576 extends generally from the front end 148 of the shoe 116 toward the rear end 152 of the shoe 116. Thus, when the auxiliary handle 576 is pressed forward, the track saw 100 translates along the track 104. Additionally, when the main handle 572 is pressed downward, the saw unit 124 cuts downward relative to the shoe 116. However, operation of either handle 572, 576 can cause the track saw 100 to translate along the track 104. Additionally, operation of either handle 572, 576 can cause the saw unit 124 to cut downward relative to the shoe 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the trigger 392 is positioned on the auxiliary handle 576.

[0026] The track saw 100 may further include a knob 440 configured to adjust the friction between the shoe 116 and the track 104. The track saw 100 may further include a riving knife 532 configured to protrude below the shoe 116 and follow the saw blade 128 within the cut of the workpiece W.

[0027] refer to Figure 3, the upper blade guard 288 includes a slot 290 configured to couple the debris guard 554 to the upper blade guard 288. The debris guard 554 includes a knob 554a that extends through the slot 290 and is tightened to secure the debris guard 554 against the upper blade guard 288. The debris guard 554 is locked in place by tightening the knob 554a against a nut (not shown) on the opposite (e.g., inner) side of the upper blade guard 288. Optionally, upon actuation of the knob 554a, a washer (not shown) can be pressed against the slot 290, and the knob 554a, nut, and washer can secure the debris guard 554 to the upper blade guard 288. The debris guard 554 can be connected or adjustably connected to the upper blade guard 288 in other ways.

[0028] refer to Figure 4 , the saw unit 124 further includes a transparent saw blade window 552 positioned within the cutout 652 of the upper saw blade guard 288. The saw blade window 552 is adjacent to the saw blade 128 so that a user can see the position of the saw blade 128 relative to the workpiece W. The saw blade window 552 can also allow a user to see the rotational state (e.g., direction, speed) of the saw blade 128. The saw blade window 552 is adjustable in the vertical direction. More specifically, the saw blade window 552 is configured to be raised or lowered relative to the upper saw blade guard 288 and the workpiece W. In the raised (e.g., connected / removed) position of the saw blade window 552, as Figure 3As shown, a vertical gap G1 can exist between the body portion 560 of the saw blade window 552 and the bottom surface 116a of the shoe 116. In a first lowered position of the saw blade window 552 (in which the saw unit 124 can be used without the track 104), the lowermost surface of the body portion 560 of the saw blade window 552 can be positioned at the same height as the bottom surface 116a of the shoe 116. This first lowered position of the saw blade window 552 can at least partially enclose the upper blade guard 288. The saw blade window 552 can be moved to a second lowered position in which the saw unit 124 can be used with the track 104, with the saw blade window 552 positioned below the bottom surface 116a of the shoe 116. In other words, in the second lowered position, the saw blade window 552 is positioned aligned with the lower surface of the track 104 resting on the workpiece W. This second lowered position of the saw blade window 552 can at least partially enclose the upper blade guard 288. In summary, the illustrated blade window 552 is movable between three different positions relative to the kerf 652. In other embodiments, the blade window 552 is movable between only one, only two, or any number of different positions relative to the kerf 652. In addition to allowing a user to see the position and rotational status (e.g., direction, speed) of the saw blade 128, the blade window 552 can be selectively raised or lowered relative to the workpiece W to enclose the upper blade guard 288 and thereby facilitate collection of sawdust or other debris ejected from the workpiece W during cutting operations.

[0029] refer to Figure 5 The saw blade window 552 includes a body portion 560 and a connecting portion 590 extending from a top side of the body portion 560. The body portion 560 includes a recess 568 configured to be grasped by a user. For example, when raising or lowering the saw blade window 552, the user can grasp the body portion 560 at the recess 568. The connecting portion 590 includes a middle section 562, a first side section 564 separated from the middle section 562 by a first channel 586, and a second side section 566 separated from the middle section 562 by a second channel 588. In the illustrated embodiment, the middle section 562 extends further from the body portion 560 than the first side section 564 and the second side section 566. Like the body portion 560, the connecting portion 590 is transparent and provides a line of sight to the saw blade 128 when the saw blade window 552 is coupled to the upper blade guard 288.

[0030] The intermediate section 562 includes a locking tab 592 that extends from a face of the intermediate section 562 in a direction opposite to the saw blade 128 (e.g., extending laterally outward from the intermediate section 562 relative to the longitudinal axis 112). The intermediate section 562 further includes a pawl 594 that extends from the intermediate section 562 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 112 when coupled to the saw unit 124. Figure 5 The locking tab 592 includes a cross-sectional shape that is generally T-shaped when viewed from the top of the saw blade 552. The locking tab 592 includes a wide portion 598 (i.e., a second portion) (e.g., a lateral portion of the T-shape) and a narrow portion 596 (i.e., a first portion) between the wide portion 598 and the intermediate section 562 (e.g., a base portion or upright portion of the T-shape). The pawl 594 is cantilevered from the remainder of the intermediate section 562. The pawl 594, and in some embodiments, the entire saw blade window 552, is made of a flexible material that allows the pawl 594 to deflect relative to the remainder of the intermediate section 562 when sufficient force is applied to the pawl 594. In the illustrated embodiment, the pawl 594 is flexible in directions toward and away from the intermediate section 562. As shown Figure 5 As shown, the pawl 594 is in a relaxed position. The pawl 594 is biased toward its relaxed position. The pawl 594 is movable inwardly toward the middle section 562. In other embodiments, a similar pawl 594 can be coupled to any of the first side section 564, the second side section 566, or the middle section 562. The pawl 594 can be positioned on any surface of any of the first side section 564, the second side section 566, or the middle section 562 and can extend in any direction relative to any of the first side section 564, the second side section 566, or the middle section 562. The illustrated saw blade window 552 includes a single pawl 594. In other embodiments, any number of pawls 594 can be disposed in any desired relative position or orientation relative to one another.

[0031] refer to Figure 6The upper blade guard 288 includes a cutout 652 and a connecting slot 660 located above the cutout 652, with the saw blade window 552 disposed within the cutout. The connecting slot 660 is T-shaped when viewed from the side of the saw unit 124. The connecting slot 660 includes a wide portion 664 and a narrow portion 662, the narrow portion having a nominally smaller width than the wide portion 664. The narrow portion 662 is positioned closer to the cutout 652 than the wide portion 664. The interface between the narrow portion 662 and the wide portion 664 provides a resting location for the locking tab 592. The connecting slot 660 is configured to receive the locking tab 592 of the saw blade window 552. The narrow portion 662 of the connecting slot 660 has a nominally larger width (measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction 112) than the narrow portion 596 of the locking tab 592, allowing the locking tab 592 to slide within the connecting slot 660. The wide portion 598 of the locking tab 592 includes a width (measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 112) that is nominally greater than the narrow portion 662 of the connecting slot 660, such that when the locking tab 592 is in the narrow portion 662 of the connecting slot 660 (e.g., when the saw blade window 552 is lowered onto the workpiece W), the saw blade window 552 cannot be removed from the connecting slot 660. The wide portion 664 of the connecting slot 660 is sized to be nominally greater than the wide portion 598 of the locking tab 592, such that if the saw blade window 552 is raised relative to the blade guard 288 such that the wide portion 598 of the first protrusion 592 is aligned with the wide portion 664 of the connecting slot 660, the saw blade window 552 can be removed from the connecting slot 660.

[0032] The connecting slot 660 and the locking tab 592 define cross-sectional shapes that are complementary in a direction transverse to one another. In other words, the cross-sectional shapes of the connecting slot 660 and the locking tab 592 allow the locking tab 592 to move along the connecting slot 660. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting slot 660 and the locking tab 592 are each T-shaped. However, one or both of the connecting slot 660 and the locking tab 592 may be shaped in other ways (e.g., L-shaped, etc.). In other embodiments, the connecting slot 660 and the locking tab 592 need not have identical geometric shapes. For example, by including two relatively equal-width flanges, the illustrated narrow portion 662 may be narrower than the wide portion 664. In other embodiments (not shown), the T-shaped locking tab 592 may even function when a single flange defines the narrow portion 662 (e.g., in the case of a modified connecting slot 660, not shown). This combination of the locking tab 592 and the modified connecting slot 660 still complements one another in a transverse direction. In other words, the locking tab 592 is still able to interact with the modified connecting slot 660 .

[0033] refer to Figure 7The inner side of the upper blade guard 288, which faces the saw blade 128, includes a first guide rib 670 and a second guide rib 680. The first guide rib 670 and the second guide rib 680 each extend from the inner side of the upper blade guard 288 in a direction toward the saw blade 128. The first guide rib 670 and the second guide rib 680 also extend in a direction perpendicular to the shoe 116. When the saw blade window 552 is attached to the upper blade guard 288, the first guide rib 670 is received within the first channel 586 of the saw blade window 552, and the second guide rib 680 is received within the second channel 588 of the saw blade window 552. The first guide rib 670 includes a plurality of stops 672. In the illustrated embodiment, the stops 672 are oriented in a direction along the longitudinal axis 112. Thus, when the saw blade window 552 is attached to the upper blade guard 288, the pawl 594 of the saw blade window 552 is received within one of the plurality of stops 672, such that the saw blade window 552 is inhibited from moving axially (e.g., upward and downward) relative to the upper blade guard 288. In the presence of a sufficient (e.g., upward or downward axial) force applied to the saw blade window 552, the pawl 594 can be deflected out of engagement with the stop 672, and the saw blade window 552 can translate along the guide ribs 670, 680 between the raised and lowered positions of the saw blade window 552. Each stop 672 is sized (e.g., as a hemispherical void in the guide rib 670) such that the pawl 594 of the saw blade window 552 can deflect (e.g., be compressed or relaxed) relative to the intermediate section 562 as the saw blade window 552 moves into or out of alignment with the stop 672. In the illustrated embodiment, the pawl 594 is configured to move to a loaded state (e.g., wherein the pawl 594 is closest to the intermediate section 562) when the pawl 564 contacts the guide ribs 670. As the saw blade window 552 further slides (e.g., translates) along the guide ribs 670, the pawl 594 can move to a relaxed state (e.g., when aligned with any one of the stops 672). Figure 5 The stops 672 are configured to retain the pawl 594 therein until sufficient upward or downward force is applied to the saw blade window 552. To move the saw blade window 552 relative to the upper blade guard 288, a user must apply sufficient force to the saw blade window 552 (e.g., at the recess 568) in an upward or downward direction relative to the workpiece W to move the pawl 594 out of one stop 672 so that the saw blade window 552 can move freely within the cutout 652 until the pawl 594 is received in the other (e.g., second) stop 672 at a different height corresponding to the other (e.g., second) stop 672.

[0034] like Figure 8As shown, when the saw blade window 552 is in its raised position, the wide portion 598 of the locking tab 592 is aligned (vertically) with the wide portion 664 of the connecting slot 660. However, as the saw blade window 552 translates downwardly toward the first and / or second lowered positions, the wide portion 598 of the locking tab 592 is aligned (vertically) with the narrow portion 662 of the connecting slot 660. When in the first or second lowered positions, the wide portion 598 is wider than the narrow portion 662 of the connecting slot 660, thereby inhibiting the locking tab 592 from being pushed inward through the connecting slot 660. When in any lowered position, including the first and second lowered positions, any laterally inward force acting on the locking tab 592 (i.e., toward the saw blade 128) is counteracted by a corresponding normal force acting in a laterally outward extending direction (i.e., away from the saw blade 128) by the upper blade guard 288.

[0035] Figure 8 and Figure 9 1 and 2. The process for removing the blade window 552 from the upper blade guard 288 is shown. To remove the blade window 552, the blade window 552 must first be moved to a raised position relative to the upper blade guard 288 so that the wide portion 598 of the locking tab 592 is aligned with the wide portion 664 of the connecting slot 660 ( Figure 8 The user must then apply a laterally inwardly extending force (i.e., toward the blade plane 136) of sufficient magnitude (e.g., greater than 50 Newtons) to the locking tab 592 to deflect the intermediate section 562 (e.g., Figure 9 and moving the locking tab 592 out of the lip 692 formed at the interface between the narrow portion 662 of the connecting slot 660 and the wide portion 664 of the connecting slot 660 ( Figure 8 ) alignment. When the locking tab 592 no longer overlaps the lip 692, as shown Figure 9 The user can then lower the blade window 552 through the cutout 652 and ultimately remove the blade window 552 from the upper blade guard 288 , as shown in the deflected state D.

[0036] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention described.

[0037] Various features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A circular saw, characterized in that: include: a shoe seat including an upper surface and an opposite lower surface; as well as A saw unit comprising a circular saw blade, the saw unit being pivotally coupled to the shoe between a first position in which the saw blade does not protrude beyond a lower surface of the shoe and a second position in which the saw blade protrudes beyond the lower surface of the shoe, a saw blade guard surrounding a portion of the saw blade and having a cutout adjacent a bottom side of the saw blade guard and a slot above the cutout, and a transparent saw blade window configured to be received in the cutout to provide a visual indication of the saw blade to a user, the saw blade window including a locking tab constrained for sliding movement within a first portion of the slot and removable from the slot when aligned with a second portion of the slot to remove the saw blade window from the saw blade guard.

2. The circular saw according to claim 1, wherein: The blade window is configured to couple to the blade guard in at least two different positions relative to the cutout.

3. The circular saw according to claim 2, wherein: The saw blade window translates between the two different positions.

4. The circular saw according to claim 1, wherein The blade guard includes a stop, and the blade window is movable into engagement with the stop.

5. The circular saw according to claim 4, wherein The saw blade window includes a pawl configured to engage the stop to hold the saw blade window in position relative to the cutout.

6. The circular saw according to claim 5, wherein: The pawl is made of a flexible material and is movable between a charged state and a relaxed state in which the pawl engages the stop.

7. The circular saw according to claim 1, wherein: The slot includes a lip at an interface between the first portion and the second portion, the locking tab not overlapping the lip when aligned with the second portion.

8. A circular saw, characterized in that: include: a shoe seat including an upper surface and an opposite lower surface; as well as A saw unit comprising a circular saw blade, the saw unit being pivotally coupled to the shoe between a first position in which the saw blade does not protrude beyond a lower surface of the shoe and a second position in which the saw blade protrudes beyond the lower surface of the shoe, a saw blade guard surrounding a portion of the saw blade and having a cutout adjacent a bottom side of the saw blade guard and a slot above the cutout, and a transparent saw blade window configured to be received in the cutout to provide a user with a visual indication of the saw blade, the saw blade window comprising a locking tab constrained for sliding movement within the first portion of the slot and removable from the slot when aligned with the second portion of the slot to remove the blade window from the blade guard; as well as A pawl is configured to selectively engage the blade guard to secure the blade window to the blade guard.

9. The circular saw according to claim 8, wherein The slot includes a lip formed at an interface between the first portion and the second portion of the slot, the second portion having a greater width than the first portion.

10. The circular saw of claim 9, wherein: The pawl is made of a flexible material such that the pawl can deflect relative to the saw blade window.

11. The circular saw according to claim 8, wherein The slot and the locking tab define complementary cross-sectional geometries in a direction transverse to each other.

12. The circular saw of claim 8, wherein: The blade guard includes a guide rib configured to be received in the channel of the blade window.

13. The circular saw of claim 12, wherein: The saw blade guard includes a stop positioned on the guide rib.

14. The circular saw of claim 12, wherein: The saw blade window includes a middle section and side sections separated from the middle section by the channel.

15. The circular saw of claim 12, wherein: Further included is a second guide rib configured to be received in the second channel of the saw blade window.

16. A track saw assembly configured to make cuts in a workpiece, characterized in that The track saw assembly includes: a track configured to rest on the workpiece; a shoe comprising an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, the lower surface of the shoe being configured to bear upon the rail; and A saw unit is coupled to the upper surface of the shoe, the saw unit comprising a circular saw blade, the saw unit being pivotally coupled to the shoe between a first position in which the saw blade does not protrude beyond a lower surface of the shoe and a second position in which the saw blade protrudes beyond the lower surface of the shoe, a saw blade guard surrounding a portion of the saw blade and having a cutout adjacent a bottom side of the saw blade guard and a slot above the cutout, and a transparent saw blade window configured to be received in the cutout to provide a visual indication of the saw blade to a user, the saw blade window including a locking tab constrained for sliding movement within a first portion of the slot and removable from the slot when aligned with a second portion of the slot to remove the saw blade window from the saw blade guard.

17. The track saw assembly of claim 16, wherein: The blade window is configured to couple to the blade guard in at least three different positions relative to the cutout.

18. The track saw assembly of claim 17, wherein: The three positions include a raised position, a first lowered position, and a second lowered position, the raised position allowing the saw blade window to be removed from the saw blade guard.

19. The track saw assembly of claim 18, wherein: The first lowered position aligns the saw blade window with the lower surface of the shoe.

20. The track saw assembly of claim 19, wherein: The second lowered position aligns the saw blade window with the lower surface of the rail resting on the workpiece.

Images