U.S. patent application number 10/953153 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-14 for packaging for miter saw.
Invention is credited to Powers, David M., Smith, John C..
Application Number | 20050076618 10/953153 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34375592 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050076618 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Powers, David M. ; et
al. |
April 14, 2005 |
Packaging for miter saw
Abstract
A compact container assembly for shipping and storing a miter
saw capable of being separated into a base portion and a saw
portion and thereafter reassembled by a user and a method for
packaging such a miter saw for shipping or storage.
Inventors: |
Powers, David M.; (Troy,
OH) ; Smith, John C.; (Denver, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUITER WEST PC LLO
14301 FNB PARKWAY
SUITE 220
OMAHA
NE
68154
US
|
Family ID: |
34375592 |
Appl. No.: |
10/953153 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60511043 |
Oct 14, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/445 ; 206/349;
206/521 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25H 3/006 20130101;
B65D 2585/6875 20130101; B65D 2585/6897 20130101; B65D 85/68
20130101; B23D 45/044 20130101; B65D 81/113 20130101; B25H 3/02
20130101; B23D 47/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/445 ;
206/349; 206/521 |
International
Class: |
B65B 035/30 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for packaging a miter saw having a base portion and a
saw portion joined to the base portion, the miter saw occupying a
first minimum volume when packaged in an assembled configuration,
the method comprising: separating the saw portion from the base
portion; and packaging the saw portion and the base portion in a
disassembled configuration, wherein the saw portion is oriented
with respect to the base portion so that the saw portion and the
base portion occupy a second minimum volume when packaged together,
the second minimum volume being less than the first minimum
volume.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of separating
the saw portion from the base portion comprises detaching the saw
portion from the base portion at a beveling assembly, the beveling
assembly joining the saw portion and the base portion for beveling
the saw portion with respect to the base portion
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the beveling assembly
comprises a first bevel member coupled to the saw portion and a
second bevel member mounted to the base portion, the first bevel
member being separable from the second bevel member.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first bevel member
comprises a female conical taper structure defining a cavity having
a conically-shaped inner wall, the conically-shaped inner wall
having a configuration substantially matching the outer conical
surface shape of the cone-shaped member, the female conical taper
structure being coupled to the
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the saw portion has a
generally vertical orientation with respect to the base portion
when assembled to the base portion, and wherein the saw portion is
held adjacent to the base portion in a generally horizontal
orientation with respect to the base portion when packaged.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the packaging material
comprises foam.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the packaging material
comprises cardboard.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the packaging material
comprises formed pulp.
9. A method for packaging a miter saw having a base portion and a
saw portion pivotally joined to the base portion, the method
comprising: disassembling the miter saw so that the saw portion is
separated from the base portion; and packaging the saw portion and
the base portion into a container, wherein the saw portion is
oriented with respect to the base portion within the container so
that the container has a minimum volume, the minimum volume being
less than the volume of a container sized to hold the miter saw
when the miter saw is assembled.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the step of
disassembling the saw portion from the base portion comprises
detaching the saw portion from the base portion at a beveling
assembly, the beveling assembly joining the saw portion and the
base portion for beveling the saw portion with respect to the base
portion
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the beveling
assembly comprises a first bevel member coupled to the saw portion
and a second bevel member mounted to the base portion, the first
bevel member being separable from the second bevel member.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first bevel
member comprises a female conical taper structure defining a cavity
having a conically-shaped inner wall, the conically-shaped inner
wall having a configuration substantially matching the outer
conical surface shape of the cone-shaped member, the female conical
taper structure being coupled to the
13. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the saw portion has a
generally vertical orientation with respect to the base portion
when assembled to the base portion, and wherein the saw portion is
held adjacent to the base portion in a generally horizontal
orientation with respect to the base portion when packaged.
14. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the packaging
material comprises foam.
15. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the packaging
material comprises cardboard.
16. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the packaging
material comprises formed pulp.
17. A container assembly for holding a miter saw having a base
portion and a saw portion pivotally joined to the base portion,
comprising: a container; and packaging disposed in the container
for holding the miter saw within the container when the miter saw
is disassembled so that the saw portion is separated from the base
portion; wherein the container has a minimum volume less than the
volume required to hold the miter saw were the saw packaged in an
assembled configuration such that the saw portion is assembled to
the base portion.
18. The container assembly as claimed in claim 17, the saw portion
is separated from the base portion by detaching the saw portion
from the base portion at a beveling assembly, the beveling assembly
joining the saw portion and the base portion for beveling the saw
portion with respect to the base portion
19. The container assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the
beveling assembly comprises a first bevel member coupled to the saw
portion and a second bevel member mounted to the base portion, the
first bevel member being separable from the second bevel
member.
20. The container assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein the
first bevel member comprises a female conical taper structure
defining a cavity having a conically-shaped inner wall, the
conically-shaped inner wall having a configuration substantially
matching the outer conical surface shape of the cone-shaped member,
the female conical taper structure being coupled to the
21. The container assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the saw
portion has a generally vertical orientation with respect to the
base portion when assembled to the base portion, and wherein the
saw portion is held adjacent to the base portion in a generally
horizontal orientation with respect to the base portion when
packaged.
22. The container assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the
packaging material comprises foam.
23. The container assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the
packaging material comprises cardboard.
24. The container assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the
packaging material comprises formed pulp
25. A container assembly for holding a miter saw having a base
portion and a saw portion pivotally joined to the base portion,
comprising: a container; means for holding the miter saw within the
container when the miter saw is disassembled so that the saw
portion is separated from the base portion; wherein the container
has a minimum volume less than the volume required to hold the
miter saw were the saw packaged in an assembled configuration such
that the saw portion is assembled to the base portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/511,043
entitled: Packaging for Miter Saw filed Oct. 14, 2003, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of packaging
utilized for shipping and storing miter saws, and more
particularly, to a compact container assembly for shipping and/or
storing miter saws capable of being separated into a base portion
and a saw portion and a method for packaging such miter saws for
shipping or storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Miter saws have traditionally been packaged and shipped
fully assembled or substantially assembled, requiring the
attachment only minor components. This method of packaging allows
the miter saws to be used almost immediately, without substantial
assembly, when removed from the shipping container. Moreover, miter
saws, particularly compound miter saws, typically employ complex
pivoting/beveling assemblies coupling the saw or cutting head
portion of the miter saw to the base portion making assembly of the
saw portion to the base portion exceptionally difficult for an
untrained user. However, because miter saws are shipped assembled
or substantially assembled, the cartons or containers in which they
are shipped must have relatively large volumes so that the miter
saws, which are somewhat bulky, can be totally enclosed in the
carton or container along with sufficient packing material to
prevent damage to the miter saw from rough handling.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,889 to Brickner et al. ('889) discloses
a compound miter saw including a beveling system that comprises a
male conical taper structure having an outer surface defining a
cone-shaped member coupled to a saw portion support mounted to the
base portion of the miter saw. A female conical taper structure
defining a cavity having a conically-shaped inner wall having a
configuration substantially matching the outer surface of the
cone-shaped member is coupled to the saw portion (cuttinghead
system). A biasing mechanism allows a user to adjustably bias the
conically-shaped inner wall of the female conical taper structure
onto the outer surface of the cone-shaped member system permitting
the user to selectively loosen the bias in order to enable the
conically-shaped inner wall to rotate on the outer surface of the
cone-shaped member, and therefore, enable the user to adjust the
bevel of the saw portion (cuttinghead system). The biasing
mechanism further permits the user to selectively tighten the bias
so that the user can lock the bevel of the saw portion (cuttinghead
system) in a preferred position.
[0005] One heretofore unrecognized advantage of the beveling
assembly of the compound miter saw disclosed in the '889 patent is
that the male/female conical taper structure allows the saw portion
to be quickly and easily separated from and assembled to the base
portion of the miter saw without the use of tools. Consequently, it
would be desirable to provide compact container assembly for
shipping and storing the compound miter saw disclosed in the '889
patent, or, likewise, any miter saw which is capable of being
separated into a base portion and a saw portion and thereafter
reassembled by a user, wherein the saw portion is separated from
the base portion while the miter saw is held within the packaging
container and assembled together after removal from the container.
It would also be desirable to provide a method for packaging such
miter saws for shipping or storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a compact
container assembly for shipping and storing a miter saw, such as
the compound miter saw disclosed in the '889 patent, or the like,
that is capable of being separated into a base portion and a saw
portion and thereafter reassembled by a user and a method for
packaging such a miter saw for shipping or storage.
[0007] In one specific embodiment, a container assembly is provided
for holding a miter saw having a base portion and a saw portion
pivotally joined to the base portion. The container assembly
comprises a container and packaging disposed in the container for
holding the miter saw within the container when the miter saw is
disassembled so that the saw portion is separated from the base
portion. Preferably, the container has a minimum volume less than
the volume required to hold the miter saw were the saw packaged in
an assembled configuration such that the saw portion is assembled
to the base portion.
[0008] In another specific embodiment, a method is provided for
packaging a miter saw having a base portion and a saw portion
joined to the base portion, wherein the miter saw occupies a first
minimum volume when packaged in an assembled configuration. In this
exemplary embodiment, the method comprises the steps of separating
the saw portion from the base portion and packaging the saw portion
and the base portion in a disassembled configuration. When
packaged, the saw portion is oriented with respect to the base
portion so that the saw portion and the base portion occupy a
second minimum volume when packaged together, the second minimum
volume being less than the first minimum volume.
[0009] In yet another specific embodiment, a method is provided for
packaging a miter saw having a base portion and a saw portion
pivotally joined to the base portion. In this exemplary embodiment
the method includes the steps of disassembling the miter saw so
that the saw portion is separated from the base portion and
packaging the saw portion and the base portion into a container.
When packaged, the saw portion is oriented with respect to the base
portion within the container so that the container has a minimum
volume, the minimum volume being less than the volume of a
container sized to hold the miter saw when the miter saw is
assembled.
[0010] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the
invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are
incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification,
illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the
general description, serve to explain the principles of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The numerous advantages of the present invention may be
better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a compound miter
saw, specifically the compound miter saw disclosed in the '889
patent, which is capable of being separated into a base portion and
a saw portion and thereafter reassembled by a user in accordance
with the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the compound miter
saw shown in FIG. 1, wherein the saw portion is separated from the
base portion;
[0014] FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are isometric, elevation, and plan
views of the compound miter saw shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, further
illustrating how the saw portion may be oriented with respect to
the base portion so that the miter saw may be placed in a container
having a minimum volume less than the volume of a container sized
to hold the miter saw when the miter saw is assembled as shown in
FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 7 is an isometric view illustrating a container
assembly for holding the miter saw shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIGS. 8 and 9 are partial exploded isometric views of the
container assembly shown in FIG. 7, wherein components of the
compound miter saw are inserted into the container assembly;
[0017] FIGS. 10 and 11 are plan views illustrating packaging of the
container assembly shown in FIGS. 8 and 9;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a partial isometric view of the container
assembly including the compound miter saw and packaging material;
and
[0019] FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 are diagrammatic isometric views
comparing the loading of a pallet with container assemblies as
shown in FIGS. 7 through 12 versus the loading of a pallet with
container assemblies sized to hold assembled compound miter saws
shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0021] The present invention provides a compact container assembly
and a method for packaging a miter saw that is capable of being
separated into a base portion and a saw portion and thereafter
reassembled by a user and a method for packaging such a miter saw
for shipping or storage. Referring generally to FIGS. 1 through 6,
an exemplary compound miter saw 100, in accordance with the present
invention is described. In the embodiment illustrated, the compound
miter saw 100 comprises the compound miter saw disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,235,889 to Brickner et al., and manufactured by the
Delta International Machinery Corporation as the MS250 compound
miter saw. U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,889 is herein incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
[0022] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 though 6, the
compound miter saw 100 includes a base 10 having a lower surface 12
for supporting the base on a work surface. A turntable 14 is
rotatably supported by base 10. A fence 16 is disposed above base
10 for supporting the orientation of a workpiece located on the
base. A support 18 is coupled to turntable 14 at a rear portion of
the turntable.
[0023] The compound miter saw 100 further comprises a cuttinghead
system for cutting the workpiece. The cuttinghead system comprises
an arm 20 coupled to support 18 by a pivoting system 22 which
pivots about a bolt for positioning a motor driven saw 24 between a
raised, rest position and a lowered, operational position. In the
embodiment illustrated, a motor 26 drives saw 24 through an arbor
directly coupled to motor 26. Saw 24 is energized by depressing a
switch trigger (not shown), which is electrically coupled to motor
26.
[0024] Saw 24 is protected by both a fixed-position upper blade
guard 45 and a movable lower blade guard 44. When a cut is made in
the workpiece, lower blade guard 44 automatically moves upward in
order to expose blade 24 to the workpiece. Lower blade guard 44
rotates about a pivot located on upper blade guard 45. In the
embodiment shown, lower blade guard 44 is activated by linkage bar
48 which is coupled between pivoting system 22 and a pivot point
eccentrically located on lower blade guard 44. A cuttinghead handle
54 is coupled to the cuttinghead system for guiding movement of saw
24 between the raised, rest position and the lowered, operational
position.
[0025] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 though 6, the
compound miter saw 100 may further comprise table extensions (not
shown), which may be formed of shaped rod stock and fitted into
apertures 56 defined in the ends of base 10. An adjustable
workpiece stop (not shown) and an accessory vise clamp (not shown)
may be positioned on either side of blade 24 in apertures defined
by base 10. A dust bag (not shown) may also be coupled to a sawdust
output portion of upper blade guard 45.
[0026] In accordance with the present invention, the compound miter
saw disclosed includes a beveling system for positioning the
cuttinghead system so that it can be selectively positioned for
cutting the workpiece not only perpendicular to table 14 but also
with a bevel of up to at least approximately 45 degrees from
perpendicular. In the embodiment illustrated, the beveling system
comprises a male conical taper structure 60 comprising an outer
surface 62 defining a cone-shaped member, the cone-shaped member
being coupled to support 18. A female conical taper structure 64
defines a cavity having a conically-shaped inner wall 66 with a
configuration substantially matching the outer conical surface
shape 62 of cone-shaped member 60. Female conical taper structure
64 is coupled to the cuttinghead system via a pivoting system 22,
which may comprise any suitable pivoting system familiar to those
skilled in the art.
[0027] The present beveling system includes a biasing system 68 for
permitting a user to adjustably bias the conically-shaped inner
wall 66 of female conical taper structure 64 onto outer conical
surface 62 of cone-shaped member 60. Biasing system 68 comprises a
system for loosening the bias in order to permit conically-shaped
inner wall 66 to rotate on the outer conical surface 62 of
cone-shaped member 60 and, therefore, permit the user to adjust the
bevel of the cuttinghead system. Biasing system 68 further
comprises a system for selectively tightening the bias so that the
user can lock the bevel of the cuttinghead system in a preferred
position.
[0028] The cuttinghead system and the support each preferably
comprise a stop system having a stop structure for stopping the
beveling movement of the cuttinghead system at both a first
position in which saw 24 is positioned substantially perpendicular
to table 14 and a second position in which saw 24 is positioned at
substantially 45 degrees to table 14. These stop systems preferably
comprise an adjustment system for adjusting the first and second
positions so that saw 24 can be precisely set to the respective
perpendicular or 45 degree positions. In the embodiment shown,
these stop structures protrude from pivoting system 22 of the
cuttinghead system and from support 18 and are positioned in
alignment so that they contact one another as the cuttinghead
system is pivoted. For example, in a preferred embodiment, pivoting
system 22 of the cuttinghead system comprises a single stop
structure, and support 18 comprises two stop structures. The two
stop structures of support 18 define threaded apertures through
which threaded stops are adjustably positioned.
[0029] In the embodiment shown, biasing system 68 comprises a
threaded handle 78 which forces female conical taper structure 64
toward male conical taper structure 60 in order to increase the
bias between the outer conical surface 62 of the cone-shaped member
60 and the conically-shaped inner wall 66 of the female conical
taper structure 64. Preferably, handle 78 of biasing system 68
comprises a flange (not shown) which presses against a rear surface
82 of female conical taper structure 64. Handle 78 comprises a
shaft having a threaded portion 84 matching the thread of a
threaded aperture 80 defined by cone-shaped member 60. The shaft
having the threaded portion 84 passes through an aperture (not
shown) in the rear portion of female conical taper structure 64.
The shaft having the threaded portion 84 comprises an enlarged
diameter portion (not shown) having a diameter larger than the
aperture in the rear portion of female conical taper structure 64.
The enlarged diameter shaft portion fits within female conical
structure 64 and has a surface which bears against a rear inner
wall of female conical structure 64. A stop and handle 78 are
assembled to the shaft having the threaded portion 84 after the
shaft is positioned through the aperture in the rear portion of
female conical taper structure 64. When handle 78 is turned in a
direction to loosen biasing system 68, the enlarged diameter shaft
portion pushes against the rear inner wall of female conical taper
structure 64 and forces the conically-shaped inner wall of female
conical taper structure 64 to pull slightly away from outer conical
surface 66 of cone-shaped member 60. This enables the
conically-shaped inner wall 66 of female conical taper structure 64
to smoothly rotate over the outer conical surface 62 of cone-shaped
member 60. On the other hand, when handle 78 is turned in a
direction to tighten biasing system 68, conically-shaped inner wall
66 of female conical structure 64 is biased onto outer conical
surface 62 of cone-shaped member 60, a process which securely locks
the cuttinghead system into a position selected by the user.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 2, the exemplary compound miter saw
100 is capable of being separated into a base portion and a saw
portion and thereafter reassembled by a user in accordance with the
present invention. In the embodiment described in FIGS. 1 through
6, the base portion includes the base 10, the turntable 14, the
fence 16, and the support 18. The saw portion includes the arm 20,
the pivoting system 22, the motor driven saw 24, the motor 26, and
the cuttinghead handle 54. By turning the threaded handle 78 in a
direction to loosen biasing system 68 (as described above), the
enlarged diameter shaft portion pushes against the rear inner wall
of female conical taper structure 64 and forces the pivoting system
22 to pull away from the support 18. This enables the saw portion
including the pivoting system 22 to be separated from the base
portion including the support 18.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 through 6, the saw portion of the
compound miter saw 100 may be oriented with respect to the base
portion so that the miter saw may be placed in a container having a
minimum volume less than the volume of a container sized to hold
the miter saw when the miter saw is assembled as shown in FIG. 1.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the motor 26 of the saw
portion may be placed adjacent to the fence 16 and the turntable 14
of the base portion, while the arm 20 of the saw portion may be
placed adjacent to the base 10 of the base portion. By arranging
the components of the compound miter saw 100 in this manner, a
first minimum volume occupied by the saw components in an assembled
configuration, as seen in FIG. 4, may be reduced to a second
minimum volume less than the first in a disassembled configuration,
as seen in FIG. 5. It should be noted that other components may be
disassembled from the saw portion and the base portion of the
compound miter saw 100 without departing from the scope and intent
of the present invention. For instance, accessories for the saw
such as table extensions, adjustable workpiece stops, accessory
vise clamps, dust bags, and the like may be disassembled from
either of the saw portion and the base portion and placed with the
saw portion and the base portion in a container. The removal and
repositioning of such accessories may allow for a further reduction
from the first minimum volume to the second minimum volume.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 12, an exemplary container
assembly 200 in accordance with the present invention is described.
The container assembly 200 is capable of holding a miter saw, such
as the compound miter saw 100 described in the discussion of FIGS.
1 through 6, having a base portion 102 and a saw portion 104
pivotally joined to the base portion 102. The container assembly
200 comprises a container 202 and packaging 204 disposed in the
container 202 for holding the miter saw 100 within the container
202 when the miter saw 100 is disassembled so that the saw portion
102 is separated from the base portion 104. The container 202 has a
second minimum volume less than a first minimum volume required to
hold the miter saw 100 were the saw packaged in an assembled
configuration such that the saw portion 102 was assembled to the
base portion 104.
[0033] Container 202 includes packaging 204 in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Packaging 204
includes packing pieces 206, 208, 210, 212, and 214. Packing pieces
206, 208, 210, 212, and 214 may be formed from foam material,
molded pulp, corrugated material, honeycomb material, or the like
for cushioning, protecting, and supporting compound miter saw 100
during shipping, storage, or the like. For example, exemplary
packing piece 208 is formed with cut-out section 216 in a shape of
base portion 102 and cut-out section 218 in a shape of arm portion
104. Packing piece 208 including cut-out sections 216 and 218
serves to cushion, protect, and support base portion 102 and arm
portion 104 in combination with packing pieces 206, 210, 212, and
214. For instance, base portion 102 of compound miter saw 100 is
inserted into container 202 and placed on top of packing piece 206.
Then, packing piece 208 is placed around base portion 102 by
fitting base portion 102 into cut-out section 216, as shown in FIG.
8. Next, packing piece 210 is placed on base portion 102, as shown
in FIG. 10. Then, arm portion 104 is placed into cut-out section
218 of packing piece 208, being supported on packing piece 206,
while the motor 26 of arm portion 104 is supported on packing piece
210, as shown in FIG. 9. Packing piece 212 is placed between arm 20
and motor 26, and packing piece 214 is placed between arm 20 and a
side of container 202, as shown in FIG. 11. When all of the various
packing pieces 206, 208, 210, 212, and 214 and the components 102
and 104 of compound miter saw 100 have been assembled, as shown in
FIG. 12, container 202 may be closed, sealed, and will then be
ready for shipping, storage or the like.
[0034] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many
various methods and techniques may be used for packaging the
components of miter saw 100. For example, foam pellets may be
inserted into container 202. Alternately, air-filled plastic bags
or the like may be inserted into container 202. It should also be
noted that plastic wrapping material having air-filled pockets or
the like for cushioning may be wrapped around the components of the
compound miter saw 100 prior to packaging in container 202. It is
further contemplated that container 202 may include many different
materials, including cardboard, wood, particleboard, wooden slats,
lath, and the like without departing from the scope and intent of
the present invention.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 13 through 16, packaging the disassembled
components of the compound miter saw enables the use of a container
assembly 200 having a second minimum volume. This second minimum
container volume is less than a first minimum container volume for
a container assembly 220 holding a fully assembled compound miter
saw. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this
savings in container volume may allow for the shipping and
transportation of more container assemblies 200 at one time,
resulting in substantial cost savings, increased efficiency of
storage, and the like. For instance, the number of container
assemblies 220 stackable upon a shipping pallet 222 may be eight,
as seen in FIG. 14. The number of container assemblies 200 in
accordance with the present invention stackable upon the same
shipping pallet 222 may be as many as 12, as seen in FIG. 16. In
another instance, the number of container assemblies 220 loadable
into a 48 foot long semi-tractor trailer may be 448, while the
number of container assemblies 200 in accordance with the present
invention loadable into the same 48 foot long semi-tractor trailer
may be as many as 672. Additionally, the number of container
assemblies 220 transportable in a shipping container may be 560,
while the number of container assemblies 200 in accordance with the
present invention transportable in the same shipping container may
be as many as 749. Those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that the benefits of a smaller container assembly 200
extend beyond shipping and storage, however. For example, a smaller
sized container assembly 200 in accordance with the present
invention will take up less floor space in a retail environment. It
is further contemplated that a smaller sized container assembly 200
in accordance with the present invention will be easier to carry
and load into a purchaser's vehicle, such as a compact car with
limited trunk space.
[0036] The compound miter saw 100 illustrated and described herein
is exemplary of the compound miter saws described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,235,889 to Brickner et al. Nevertheless it will be appreciated by
those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention is
not limited to any specific miter saw, but is instead contemplated
to be applicable to any miter saw wherein at least the saw portion
of the miter saw is separable from the base portion of the miter
saw, and thereafter capable of reattachment to the base portion by
a user, technician, or the like. Those skilled in the art will
further recognize that many alternate configurations of miter saws
including miter saws having an alternative base 10, turntable 14,
motor drive arrangement, guard arrangement, linkage arrangement,
different overall dimensions, or the like are possible and that the
configuration shown in the drawings and described herein is set
forth by way of example only.
[0037] It is believed that the present invention and many of its
attendant advantages will be understood by the forgoing
description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that
various changes may be made in the form, construction and
arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the
scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its
material advantages. The form herein before described being merely
an explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the
following claims to encompass and include such changes.
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