Bevel saws and methods of adjusting a fence of a bevel saw

1 . A bevel saw configured to form a bevel cut in a workpiece, the bevel saw comprising:

a workpiece support that defines a workpiece support surface configured to support a first side of the workpiece;

a user-actuated assembly that includes a motor having a motor shaft configured to rotate about a shaft rotational axis and an arbor operatively attached to the motor shaft and configured to receive a bevel saw blade;

an assembly attachment structure that operatively attaches the user-actuated assembly to the workpiece support and that is configured to permit constrained motion of the user-actuated assembly relative to the workpiece support surface, the assembly attachment structure including a blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a blade bevel angle of the bevel saw blade relative to the workpiece support surface; and

a fence that defines a fence surface that extends away from the workpiece support surface and that is configured to support a second side of the workpiece, the fence including a first fence region and a second fence region that together define a blade-receiving gap configured to receive the bevel saw blade during operative use of the bevel saw to form the bevel cut in the workpiece,

wherein the fence further includes a gap adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the blade-receiving gap based on the blade bevel angle, the gap adjustment mechanism comprising a linkage assembly that includes:

a first linkage member pivotally connected to the first fence region;

a second linkage member pivotally connected to the second fence region;

a third linkage member pivotally connected to lower portions of the first linkage member and the second linkage member; and

a fourth linkage member having a slot that receives a pin of the third linkage member,

wherein the linkage assembly is operatively connected to the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism such that adjustment of the blade bevel angle actuates the linkage assembly to adjust the blade-receiving gap.

2 . The bevel saw of claim 1 , wherein the gap adjustment mechanism is configured to automatically adjust the blade-receiving gap based on the blade bevel angle, and wherein the gap adjustment mechanism further includes an electric gap adjustment actuator operatively coupled to at least one of the first fence region and the second fence region and configured to adjust the blade-receiving gap based on the blade bevel angle.

3 . The bevel saw of claim 2 , wherein the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism further includes an electric bevel actuator configured to automatically adjust the blade bevel angle responsive to a user input, and further wherein the gap adjustment mechanism is configured to automatically adjust the blade-receiving gap based on the user input.

4 . The bevel saw of claim 1 , wherein the gap adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the blade-receiving gap within a bevel angle plane that extends at least one of parallel to the fence surface and perpendicular to the workpiece support surface, and/or

wherein the gap adjustment mechanism is configured to at least one of:

(i) change a shape of the blade-receiving gap; and

(ii) change a gap bevel angle of the blade-receiving gap.

5 . The bevel saw of claim 1 , wherein the linkage assembly is operatively interconnected to the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism, and further wherein, responsive to adjustment of the blade bevel angle via the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism, the linkage assembly is configured to apply a motive force that adjusts the blade-receiving gap to a corresponding gap bevel angle.

6 . The bevel saw of claim 5 , wherein the linkage assembly is configured such that the gap adjustment mechanism automatically adjusts the blade-receiving gap responsive to adjustment of the blade bevel angle by the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism.

7 . The bevel saw of claim 2 , further comprising at least one of:

the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism including at least one first fence region translational element, and further wherein the electric gap adjustment actuator is configured to operatively translate the at least one first fence region translational element relative to the workpiece support surface, and

the gap adjustment mechanism further including at least one of:

a blade bevel angle detector configured to detect the blade bevel angle and to generate a blade bevel angle output that is indicative of the blade bevel angle, and further wherein the electric gap adjustment actuator is configured to adjust the blade-receiving gap based on the blade bevel angle output,

a blade miter angle detector configured to detect a blade miter angle and to generate a blade miter angle output that is indicative of the blade miter angle, and further wherein the electric gap adjustment actuator is configured to adjust the blade-receiving gap based on the blade miter angle output, and

a blade distance sensor configured to detect a blade-fence distance between the bevel saw blade and the fence and to generate a blade distance output that is indicative of the distance between the bevel saw blade and the fence, and further wherein the electric gap adjustment actuator is configured to adjust the blade-receiving gap based on the distance between the bevel saw blade and the fence.

8 . The bevel saw of claim 1 , wherein the fence surface includes a first fence surface, which is defined by the first fence region, and a second fence surface, which is defined by the second fence region.

9 . The bevel saw of claim 8 , wherein the first fence region includes a plurality of first fence region translational elements configured to operatively translate, relative to the workpiece support surface and responsive to actuation of the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism, to selectively adjust the blade-receiving gap.

10 . The bevel saw of claim 9 , wherein the second fence region includes a plurality of second fence region translational elements configured to operatively translate, relative to the workpiece support surface and responsive to actuation of the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism, to selectively adjust the blade-receiving gap.

11 . The bevel saw of claim 10 , wherein a second translation axis of the plurality of second fence region translational elements of the second fence region is parallel to a first translation axis of the plurality of first fence region translational elements of the first fence region.

12 . The bevel saw of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of second fence region translational elements and the plurality of first fence region translational elements are arranged in corresponding translational element pairs, and further wherein the gap adjustment mechanism is configured to at least one of:

(i) translate each corresponding pair in the same direction; and

(ii) translate each corresponding pair by the same distance.

13 . The bevel saw of claim 10 , wherein the gap adjustment mechanism is configured to concurrently translate both the plurality of second fence region translational elements and the plurality of first fence region translational elements.

14 . The bevel saw of claim 13 , wherein the gap adjustment mechanism further includes an electric gap adjustment actuator, and

wherein the plurality of first fence region translational elements and the plurality of second fence region translational elements are translated responsive to actuation of the electric gap adjustment actuator,

(i) in the same direction or in opposite directions; and/or

(ii) by the same distance or by different distances.

15 . The bevel saw of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of second fence region translational elements and the plurality of first fence region translational elements are arranged in corresponding translational element pairs, and further wherein the gap adjustment mechanism is configured to:

(i) translate each corresponding pair in the same direction; and

(ii) translate each corresponding pair by the same distance.

16 . The bevel saw of claim 8 , wherein the first fence region includes a first fence region rotary element configured to operatively rotate, relative to the workpiece support surface and responsive to actuation of the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism, to selectively adjust the blade-receiving gap.

17 . The bevel saw of claim 16 , wherein the first fence region further includes a first fence region stationary element that is distal the blade-receiving gap relative to the first fence region rotary element, and/or

wherein the first fence region rotary element is configured to rotate about a first fence region rotary axis that extends parallel to the workpiece support surface, and/or

wherein the first fence region further includes a first pivot configured to facilitate operative rotation of the first fence region rotary element relative to the workpiece support and the first fence region rotary element tapers away from the first pivot within a fence surface plane of the fence, and/or

wherein the second fence region includes a second fence region rotary element configured to operatively rotate, relative to the workpiece support surface and responsive to actuation of the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism, to selectively vary the blade-receiving gap and the gap adjustment mechanism is configured to concurrently rotate both the second fence region rotary element and the first fence region rotary element responsive to adjustment of the blade bevel angle.

18 . A method of adjusting a fence of a bevel saw, the method comprising:

providing a bevel saw that includes:

a workpiece support that defines a workpiece support surface configured to support a first side of a workpiece;

a user-actuated assembly that includes a motor having a motor shaft configured to rotate about a shaft rotational axis and an arbor operatively attached to the motor shaft and configured to receive a bevel saw blade;

an assembly attachment structure that operatively attaches the user-actuated assembly to the workpiece support and that is configured to permit constrained motion of the user-actuated assembly relative to the workpiece support surface, the assembly attachment structure including a blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a blade bevel angle of the bevel saw blade relative to the workpiece support surface; and

a fence that defines a fence surface that extends away from the workpiece support surface and that is configured to support a second side of the workpiece, the fence including a first fence region and a second fence region that together define a blade-receiving gap configured to receive the bevel saw blade during operative use of the bevel saw to form a bevel cut in the workpiece, wherein the fence further includes a gap adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the blade-receiving gap based on the blade bevel angle, the gap adjustment mechanism comprising a linkage assembly that includes:

a first linkage member pivotally connected to the first fence region;

a second linkage member pivotally connected to the second fence region;

a third linkage member pivotally connected to lower portions of the first linkage member and the second linkage member; and

a fourth linkage member having a slot that receives a pin of the third linkage member, wherein the linkage assembly is operatively connected to the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism;

adjusting the blade bevel angle of the bevel saw blade relative to the workpiece support surface via the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism; and

actuating the linkage assembly responsive to adjustment of the blade bevel angle via the operative connection between the linkage assembly and the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism to adjust the blade-receiving gap.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising automatically adjusting the blade-receiving gap based on the blade bevel angle with an electric gap adjustment actuator operatively coupled to at least one of the first fence region and the second fence region.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising at least one of:

operatively translating at least one first fence region translational element relative to the workpiece support surface with the electric gap adjustment actuator; and

further including at least one of:

detecting the blade bevel angle and generating a blade bevel angle output that is indicative of the blade bevel angle, and adjusting the blade-receiving gap with the electric gap adjustment actuator based on the blade bevel angle output;

detecting a blade miter angle and generating a blade miter angle output that is indicative of the blade miter angle, and adjusting the blade-receiving gap with the electric gap adjustment actuator based on the blade miter angle output; and

detecting, with a blade distance sensor, a blade-fence distance between the bevel saw blade and the fence and generating a blade distance output that is indicative of the distance between the bevel saw blade and the fence, and adjusting the blade-receiving gap with the electric gap adjustment actuator based on the distance between the bevel saw blade and the fence.

21 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising automatically adjusting the blade bevel angle responsive to a user input with an electric bevel actuator, and automatically adjusting the blade-receiving gap based on the user input.

22 . The method of claim 18 , wherein adjusting the blade-receiving gap includes adjusting the blade-receiving gap within a bevel angle plane that extends at least one of parallel to the fence surface and perpendicular to the workpiece support surface, and/or at least one of:

(i) changing a shape of the blade-receiving gap; and

(ii) changing a gap bevel angle of the blade-receiving gap.

23 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising operatively interconnecting the linkage assembly to the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism, and, responsive to adjustment of the blade bevel angle via the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism, applying, with the linkage assembly, a motive force that adjusts the blade-receiving gap to a corresponding gap bevel angle.

24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the gap adjustment mechanism automatically adjusts the blade-receiving gap responsive to adjustment of the blade bevel angle by the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism.

25 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the fence surface includes a first fence surface defined by the first fence region and a second fence surface defined by the second fence region.

26 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising operatively translating a plurality of first fence region translational elements relative to the workpiece support surface and responsive to actuation of the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism to selectively adjust the blade-receiving gap.

27 . The method of claim 26 , further comprising operatively translating a plurality of second fence region translational elements relative to the workpiece support surface and responsive to actuation of the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism to selectively adjust the blade-receiving gap.

28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein a second translation axis of the plurality of second fence region translational elements of the second fence region is parallel to a first translation axis of the plurality of first fence region translational elements of the first fence region.

29 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the plurality of second fence region translational elements and the plurality of first fence region translational elements are arranged in corresponding translational element pairs, and further comprising at least one of:

(i) translating each corresponding pair in the same direction; and

(ii) translating each corresponding pair by the same distance.

30 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising concurrently translating both the plurality of second fence region translational elements and the plurality of first fence region translational elements.

31 . The method of claim 30 , further comprising actuating an electric gap adjustment actuator to translate the plurality of first fence region translational elements and the plurality of second fence region translational elements:

(i) in the same direction or in opposite directions; and/or

(ii) by the same distance or by different distances.

32 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the plurality of second fence region translational elements and the plurality of first fence region translational elements are arranged in corresponding translational element pairs, and further comprising:

(i) translating each corresponding pair in the same direction; and

(ii) translating each corresponding pair by the same distance.

33 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising operatively rotating a first fence region rotary element relative to the workpiece support surface and responsive to actuation of the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism to selectively adjust the blade-receiving gap.

34 . The method of claim 33 , further comprising at least one of:

providing a first fence region stationary element that is distal the blade-receiving gap relative to the first fence region rotary element;

rotating the first fence region rotary element about a first fence region rotary axis that extends parallel to the workpiece support surface;

providing a first pivot that facilitates operative rotation of the first fence region rotary element relative to the workpiece support, wherein the first fence region rotary element tapers away from the first pivot within a fence surface plane of the fence; and

operatively rotating a second fence region rotary element relative to the workpiece support surface and responsive to actuation of the blade bevel angle adjustment mechanism to selectively vary the blade-receiving gap, and concurrently rotating both the second fence region rotary element and the first fence region rotary element responsive to adjustment of the blade bevel angle.