Method and apparatus for cutting wet concrete

An apparatus for use with a saw having a rotating cutting blade with a leading cutting edge, comprising:

• a skid plate having first and second mounting portions configured to be releasably fastened to the saw;
• a substantially flat support portion depending from between the first and second mounting portions such that during cutting the support portion rests on the surface being cut, the support portion having a slot through which the cutting blade extends during cutting;
• and
• a tension member connected to at least one of the mounting portions to bend the support portion a predetermined amount into a curved position.

A skid plate for use with a concrete saw having a rotating cutting blade with a leading cutting edge, comprising:

• a first mounting portion configured to be releasably fastened to the saw;
• a support portion having a slot through which the cutting blade extends during cutting, the support portion depending from the first mounting portion such that during cutting the support portion supports the surface being cut adjacent at least the leading cutting edge of the blade to inhibit raveling of the edges of a groove cut by the rotating blade in a concrete surface as the blade extends through the slot;
• and
• means for urging the support portion into a substantially flat position adjacent a sufficient portion of the cutting blade to inhibit raveling of the edge of the groove cut by the blade and wherein the means causes the middle of the support portion to extend toward the surface to be cut before the support portion is placed in contact with the surface to be cut.

A skid plate for use with a concrete saw having a rotating cutting blade with a leading cutting edge, comprising:

• a first mounting portion configured to be releasably fastened to the saw;
• a support portion having a slot through which the cutting blade extends during cutting, the support portion depending from the first mounting portion such that during cutting the support portion supports the surface being cut adjacent at least the leading cutting edge of the blade to inhibit raveling of the edges of a groove cut by the rotating blade in a concrete surface as the blade extends through the slot;
• and
• means for urging the support portion into a substantially flat position adjacent a sufficient portion of the cutting blade to inhibit raveling of the edge of the groove cut by the blade and wherein the means causes the middle of the support portion to extend away from the surface to be cut before the support portion is placed in contact with the surface to be cut.

A method for forming a skid plate assembly for use with a concrete saw having a rotating cutting blade with a leading cutting edge which cuts a groove in a concrete surface as the saw is moved across the surface, comprising the steps of:

• configuring a first and second mounting portions to be releasably fastened to the concrete cutting saw;
• depending a support portion from between the first and second mounting portions a distance sufficient so that during cutting the support portion is substantially flat against the concrete surface;
• forming a slot in the support portion through which the cutting blade extends during cutting so that the slot surrounds a sufficient portion of the blade during cutting, and is sufficiently close to at least the leading cutting edge of the blade during to inhibit raveling of the edges of a groove cut by the rotating blade as the blade moves across the concrete to cut the groove;
• and
• constraining the first and second mounting portions in a deformed position relative to one another so that the support portion is bowed when the skid plate is mounted on the saw but not resting against the surface to be cut, but wherein the support portion is substantially flat when placed against the concrete surface for cutting.