Black Decker Inc.

Benjamin J Grabowski

Jason R Melvin

Gregory A Rice

A hand-held power saw (,) having a housing (,) which includes a blade storage chamber (,) and a retaining member (,) for holding at least one spare saw blade (,) within the storage chamber. In one embodiment the retaining member comprises a rubber component having a pair of arms (,). Each arm has a groove (,) formed therein which holds a ball bearing (,). The ball bearings are biased into contact with one another once the retaining member is assembled into a housing portion of the tool within the storage chamber. When a spare saw blade is inserted into the storage chamber a portion thereof is urged between the ball bearings. The resiliency of the rubber arms causes the ball bearings to grasp the spare saw blade and retain it within the storage chamber. The opposite end of the blade engages a foam-like member (,) held within a recess (,c) at the opposite end of the storage chamber which prevents the blade from rattling within the chamber. In alternative embodiments a pivotably mounted retaining member (,) is disclosed which operates in cooperation with an independent clip (,) to retain a spare saw blade in the storage compartment. The various embodiments enable a spare saw blade to be accessed without any external tools and without any separate cover members needing to be removed from the power tool housing.

Power saw having blade storage chamber

A reciprocating saw (11) comprises a support (27) attached to the body of the saw and a shoe (25) pivotally attached to the support (27). The pivoted shoe (25) enables the shoe (25) and thus the blade to engage a workpiece at varying angles during cutting. The shoe (25) is attached to the support (27) by a hinge. The hinge (12) comprises a spaced pair of tabs (29,31) extending from the support (27) and located between a spaced pair of tabs (45,47) extending from the shoe (25). Each of the support tabs is paired respectively with one of the shoe tabs. Pins (55,57) extends through apertures (33,35,49,51) in the tabs (29,31,45,47) and forms the hinge pivot. The hinge pivot is maintained in place by spacers (59,61) located, respectively, between each pair of shoe and support tabs and press fitted to the pin. The press fitted hinge (12) is low in cost and is durable.

Reciprocating saw with pivoted shoe and method for attaching shoe

A reciprocating saw 10 includes a motor 17, a gear train 19, a drive shaft 15 and a blade clamp 13 for clamping a blade 11 in the saw. Clamp 13 includes sleeve 23 with first and second axially spaced and generally opposed projections 37, 39 for clamping an assembly 21 of blade 11 and drive shaft 15. A bias member 55 for clamping and unclamping blade 11 in sleeve 23 is adjustably attached to a top sidewall 33 of sleeve 23 and engages one side of assembly 21 at a location inwardly of first and second projections 37, 39. Bias member 55 forms a moment arm with a portion of sleeve 23 extending between the location of bias member 55 and first projection 37. Projection 37 serves as the fulcrum for the moment arm. The formation of a moment arm increases the effectiveness of the clamping action and more securely retains the blade 11 in the clamp 13.

Growing community of inventors

Joppa, MD, United States of America

Benjamin J Grabowski