Telescoping guide for a concrete saw

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates in general to concrete saws. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved saw for the accurately cutting along a predefined line in close proximity to walls and posts to better aid in performing grooving of uncured or green, in addition to cured concrete to aid in crack control.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#The objects and features of the invention noted above are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the saw of the present invention in the operative position;

#FIG. 2 is a side view of the saw of the present invention as it approaches a wall; and

#Referring to the drawings, a saw according to the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10. With the exception of the novel improvements described hereinafter, components of the saw 10 which appear in the drawings are shown and described in the above noted U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,433 and are incorporated herein by reference.

#The saw 10 includes a base 12 which is supported for movement with respect to the concrete by a pair of front wheels 14 and a pair of rear wheels 16. The front wheels 14 may be supported for movement with respect to the base 12 by individual axles mounted on the base 12 or a single axle as is known in the art. As is known, the saw 10 is to be capable of travel upon uncured concrete and the wheels 14 and 16 need to provide sufficient surface area for the saw's weight to ensure that the wheels do not mar the concrete surface.

#The forward right hand side of the base 12 (with respect to the direction of travel) includes a blade 18 which is operably connected to a drive shaft 20 which in turn is operably connected to a motor 22. It should be understood to those skilled in the art that various drive arrangements can be employed to serve as the drive mechanism, such as a belt or direct drive system. As should be readily understood, the motor 22 will thus drive the blade 18 via the drive shaft 20. Typically, the blade 18 extends laterally outward from the main portion of the base 12 to allow the user to more easily view the cutting blade 18 for purposes of cutting near adjacent walls or other obstacles. The blade 18 may be of any type suitable for the grooving of concrete, but is preferably an abrasion blade formed of compressed metal particles and may have a plurality of notches extending inwardly from the outer periphery, as is known in the art.