Cutlery – Cutting tools – Saw
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-10
2001-01-30
Watts, Douglas D. (Department: 3724)
Cutlery
Cutting tools
Saw
C279S044000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178646
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to hand-held electric saws. More particularly, the present invention relates to blade clamping systems for reciprocal saws such as jigsaws.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrically powered jigsaws, also known as saber saws, are well known in the art. A principle advantage of jigsaws over other types of hand-held saws such as circular saws or band-type saws is the ability to make curved cuts along relatively short radiuses. Consequently, jigsaws are particularly useful in performing tight scrolling cuts to cut curves into a work piece.
A conventional jigsaw typically includes an electric motor contained within a housing, and a shoe positioned beneath the housing. The shoe includes a bottom surface adapted to slide or ride along the top surface of a work piece. An open-ended slot is formed at a front end of the shoe. A straight, bayonet-type saw blade extends downward from the housing through the front slot. A leading edge of the blade includes a plurality of teeth that face in a forward direction toward the front of the shoe. In use, the blade is reciprocated in a generally up-and-down direction by the motor. As the blade is reciprocated, the jigsaw is manually advanced in a forward direction such that the teeth of the blade cut into a work piece. As the blade cuts into the work piece, the bottom surface of the shoe rides over the top of the work piece.
Some jigsaws are capable of producing an orbital blade motion. Such a motion has a rectilinear component of a generally up-and-down nature, and fore-and-aft motion advancing the cutting blade into the work piece. Typically, the blade advances on the cutting stroke, which is conventionally in the upstroke on most saws.
A variety of different blade types can be utilized with a jigsaw. For example, blades having different sizes, different teeth configurations, different teeth sizes, and different blade materials can be used. It is desirable to have a blade clamping system that allows blades to be quickly and easily interchanged.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An aspect of the present invention relates to a blade clamp that allows blades to readily be interchanged without requiring a tool.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a single toolless blade clamp that can receive either universal or tang blades.
A further aspect of the present invention relates to a jig saw blade clamp including a first clamp member defining a main slot. A second clamp member is positioned within the main slot. The first clamp member is moveable relative to the first clamp member between a first position in which the first and second clamp members are adapted to clamp a blade, and a second position in which the blade can be inserted between the first and second clamp members. A collar is pivotally moveable in first and second opposite directions relative to the first and second clamp members. The collar includes a cam portion that moves the second clamp member toward the first position when the collar is pivoted in the first direction, and also moves the second clamp member toward the second position when the collar is pivoted in the second direction.
Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a jig saw blade clamp including first and second clamp members moveable between a blade release position in which a blade can be inserted between and removed from between the first and second clamp members, and a clamping position in which the first and second clamp members are adapted to clamp the blade thereinbetween. The first clamp member includes first and second spaced-apart shoulders separated by a gap. The first and second shoulders extend from the first clamp member toward the second clamp member, and are arranged and configured to trap a tang blade by engaging oppositely disposed tangs of a tang blade when the tang blade is positioned within the gap. The second clamp member includes a projection that extends from the second clamp toward the first clamp. The projection is arranged and configured to fit within a mounting opening of a universal blade when the universal blade is positioned in the gap between the shoulders.
A variety of advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.
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Bosten Donald R.
Schnell John W.
Stolzer James T.
Wall Daniel P.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Porter-Cable Corporation
Watts Douglas D.
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