Patent ID: 6233833
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B23D,Y10T

Abstract:
A reciprocating saw comprising:a housing;a motor in the housing;a gear train located in the housing and connected to and driven by the motor;an output shaft driven by the gear train;a blade clamp attached to and driven by the output shaft;the blade clamp including:a body having opposed front and rear ends, the rear end fixed to the output shaft;a channel having an opening in the front end of the body adapted to receive a shank of a blade alternatively in a first orientation defining a first plane parallel to the axis of reciprocation of the output shaft and in a second orientation defining a second plane intersecting the first plane and parallel to the axis;a single U-shaped lever pivotally attached to the front end of the body, the single U-shaped lever having a first and a second generally parallel leg, the single U-shaped lever being movable between a first clamp engaged position, a second clamp engaged position and a clamp disengaged position; anda retainer slidably engaging both the first and second legs of the U-shaped lever, the retainer adapted for engagement with the shank of the blade in its first orientation when the single U-shaped lever is in its first clamp engaged position, the retainer adapted for engagement with the shank of the blade in its second orientation when the single U-shaped lever is in its second clamp engaged position.