Patent ID: 6266887
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: B23D

Abstract:
A hacksaw comprising:an elongated blade having opposing longitudinal end portions with a cutting edge between said longitudinal end portions;a handle and frame assembly comprising:(i) a rigid frame member having a forward end portion providing a first blade mounting structure, one of said longitudinal end portions of said blade being removably mounted on said first blade mounting structure;(ii) a manually engageable handle member connected rearwardly of said rigid frame member and being constructed and arranged to be manually grasped to enable performance of a cutting operation wherein the cutting edge of the blade is engaged with a workpiece and moved forwardly and rearwardly to cut the workpiece;(iii) a generally rearwardly facing load bearing surface having an arcuate, concave configuration; and(iv) tensioning device mounting structure spaced generally forwardly of said load bearing surface;a lever pivotally mounted to said mounting structure, said lever providing a second blade mounting structure and a load transmitting surface having an arcuate, convex configuration that is engageable with said generally rearwardly facing load bearing surface, the other of said longitudinal end portions of said blade being removably mounted on said second blade mounting structure;said lever being constructed and arranged to be pivotally moved between (a) a blade tensioning position wherein said first and second blade mounting structures are moved relative to one another so as to tension said blade between said first and second blade mounting structures and thereby apply a generally forwardly directed force to said lever via said second blade mounting structure and a rearwardly directed force to the forward end portion of said frame member via said first blade mounting structure and wherein said load transmitting surface engages said load bearing surface so that at least a portion of said generally forwardly directed load is transmitted to and borne by said load bearing surface, thereby preventing the entire forwardly directed force from being transmitted to and borne by said tensioning device mounting structure and (b) a blade releasing position wherein said first and second blade mounting structures are moved relative to one another so as to release the tension from said blade and thereby allow removal and replacement of said blade,said lever including an adjusting mechanism constructed and arranged to selectively move said second blade mounting structure relative to said lever so as to selectively adjust the amount of tension being applied to said blade when said lever is in the blade tensioning position thereof,said second blade mounting structure having an internally threaded bore and said adjusting mechanism including a threaded member received in threaded engagement within said threaded bore so that relative movement between said second blade mounting structure and said lever can be affected by turning said threaded member.