Abstract:
A support arrangement for a reciprocating tool comprises a first locking surface adjacent to an adjustable foot guide. The foot guide includes a second locking surface designed to mesh with the first locking surface in a locking engagement. The support arrangement further comprises a lock actuator including a first cam profile. The lock actuator is provided adjacent to a cam plate which includes a second cam profile. The second cam profile is configured to interact with the first cam profile and force the first locking surface toward the second locking surface of the foot guide. The lock actuator is moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein a first raised surface of the first cam profile does not engage a second raised surface of the second cam profile in the unlocked position, while the first cam surface does engage the second raised surface in the locked position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/______ [attorney number 1576-0198], entitled “Reciprocating Tool Foot Locking Arrangement”, which was also filed on Jan. 31, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD  
       [0002]    This invention relates to the field of power tools and particularly to reciprocating power tools having a foot support locking arrangement. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Reciprocating power tools are well known in the art. Reciprocating tools are characterized by a back-and-forth type motion of a working piece such as a blade. The most commonly known reciprocating tool may be the reciprocating saw, where a cutting action is achieved through a reciprocating motion of a blade. The term “reciprocating saw” is often generically used to refer to any power saw which cuts with a back and forth motion, such as a saber saw, jigsaw, or scroll saws. Because of the reciprocating nature of the instrument, these power saws are high vibration instruments. 
         [0004]    Many reciprocating saws, such as the saber saw and the jigsaw, include a handle or grip area on the main housing. The handle allows the user to easily position the saw in various orientations, including positions for horizontal work and vertical work. Opposite the handle is a blade with a “foot” or “shoe” at the base of the blade. The user rests the foot against the surface being cut and applies a force against the surface to stabilize the high vibration instrument. During cutting, the stabilization provided by the foot reduces the tendency of the blade to push away from or pull towards the cut as the blade travels through its cycle, thus allowing the blade to make a cleaner cut. 
         [0005]    The foot of the saw is often adjustable relative to the blade. In these arrangements, the foot is typically configured to telescope in and out from the main body of the saw housing. A foot guide is provided which slideably attaches to the housing of the saw, allowing the foot to move toward and away from the saw housing. This adjustable action of the foot allows the user to control the depth of the cut made with the saw. The adjustable foot also makes it possible to evenly distribute wear on the blade. 
         [0006]    When the foot of a reciprocating saw is adjustable, secure retention of the foot upon the main housing during cutting is desirable. However, the ability to securely retain the foot upon the saw is problematic in part because of the need to maintain tolerances between the mating components related to the adjustment mechanism, e.g., the foot guide and a bracket on the saw housing engaging the foot guide. In addition to the clearances required for operation of the adjustment mechanism, additional clearances are created between the components with use of the tool as the components wear over time. For example, when the saw blade becomes caught in a work piece forces will be transferred to the components, and any looseness between the components accelerates wear. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a reciprocating tool having a support arrangement for an adjustable foot, where the support arrangement may be secured to the saw in such a way that clearances between components of the arrangement can be minimized, thus reducing wear on the components during operation of the saw. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In at least one embodiment, a support arrangement for a reciprocating tool comprises a first locking surface provided on a locking plate. The locking plate is provided adjacent to an adjustable foot guide. The foot guide includes a second locking surface designed to mesh with the first locking surface in a locking engagement. The support arrangement further comprises a lock actuator, such as a lever, which includes a first cam profile. The lock actuator is provided adjacent to a cam plate which includes a second cam profile. The second cam profile is configured to interact with the first cam profile and force the first locking surface toward the second locking surface of the foot guide. The lock actuator is moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein a first raised surface of the first cam profile does not engage a second raised surface of the second cam profile in the unlocked position, while the first cam surface does engage the second raised surface in the locked position. 
         [0008]    In at least one embodiment, the first locking surface of the locking plate comprises a plurality of depressions and the second locking surface of the foot guide comprises a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions are driven into deeper engage the plurality of depressions when the first locking surface is forced toward the second locking surface of the foot guide. 
         [0009]    In at least one embodiment, a fastening member such as a bolt extends through the locking plate, the foot guide, the lock actuator and the cam member. An adjustment member such as a clamping nut engages the end of the fastening member. The adjustment member is moveable upon the fastening member to tighten the locking plate, the foot guide, the lock actuator and the cam member upon the fastening member. 
         [0010]    The above described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective cutaway view of a support foot locking arrangement positioned in a reciprocating saw; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded isometric view of the support foot locking arrangement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  shows a top view of a locking plate of the support foot locking arrangement of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  shows a front view of the locking plate of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3C  shows a lower perspective view of the locking plate of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows an upper perspective view of the support foot assembly of the support foot locking arrangement of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  shows an upper perspective view of a cam plate of the support foot locking arrangement of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  shows a lower perspective view of the cam plate of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5C  shows another top perspective view of the cam plate of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6A  shows an upper perspective view of a tension lever of the support foot locking arrangement of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6B  shows a top view of the tension lever of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6C  shows an upper perspective view of a pivoting end of the tension lever of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7A  shows a top view of a thumb wheel of the support foot locking arrangement of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7B  shows a side view of the thumb wheel of  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7C  shows an upper perspective view of the thumb wheel of  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8A  shows an upper side perspective view of a support plate of the support foot locking arrangement of  FIG. 2  with the thumb wheel positioned therein; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8B  shows a bottom view of the support plate of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8C  shows a perspective cutaway view of the support plate of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  shows an upper perspective view of the support foot locking arrangement of  FIG. 2  with the lever in an open position and the support foot assembly completely removed from the locking plate; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  shows an upper perspective view of the support foot locking arrangement of  FIG. 2  with the support foot assembly engaging the locking plate and the lever in a closed position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , an end of a reciprocating saw  10  is shown having an exemplary embodiment of a support foot locking system/arrangement  30  attached thereto. The reciprocating saw includes a tool housing  12  with a motor and drive train  14  positioned therein. A chuck  16  is attached to the drive train. The chuck  16  is designed to hold a blade  18 . The drive train translates rotary motion of the motor into reciprocating motion at the chuck  16 . Accordingly, the saw blade  18  retained within the chuck  16  moves back-and-forth during operation of the reciprocating saw, allowing the user to cut with the blade  18  of the saw. 
         [0032]    The foot support locking arrangement  30  is secured to the housing  12  of the reciprocating saw  10 . The foot support locking arrangement  30  includes a support foot assembly  32  comprising a foot  36  retained by a foot guide provided in the form of a foot guide plate  34 . In the embodiment disclosed herein, the foot  36  is pivotably attached to the foot guide plate  34 . In other embodiments, the foot  36  could be integral with or stationary with respect to the foot guide plate  34 . 
         [0033]    The support foot assembly  32  is adjustably secured to the reciprocating saw  10  through the foot guide plate  34 . In particular, the foot guide plate  34  may be adjusted in an axial direction relative to the saw blade  18 , as indicated by arrow  20 . The saw blade  18  extends through a slot  38  formed in the foot  36 . The support foot  36  is designed to rest against a surface such that a user may cut the surface with the portion of the blade  18  extending past the foot  36 . It will be recognized that the foot, as well as other components of the arrangement, may take on numerous different configurations from that shown in the disclosed embodiment 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded isometric view of the support foot locking arrangement  30 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the foot guide plate  34  of the support foot locking arrangement  30  is positioned between a locking plate  50  and a cam plate  70 . A tension lever  90  is positioned next to an under side of the cam plate. A thrust washer  110 , a conical spring washer  112 , a clamping nut  114 , a thumb wheel  120 , and a support plate  130  are provided under the tension lever  90 . 
         [0035]    A locking bolt  116  extends through the locking plate  50 , the cam plate  70 , the foot guide plate  34 , and the clamping nut  114 . The locking bolt includes a lower threaded portion  117  configured to threadedly engage the clamping nut  114 . The clamping nut  114  may be rotated on the locking bolt  116 , moving the clamping nut  114  axially along the bolt  116  and either tightening or loosening the relationship between the components of the foot support locking arrangement  30 . The components of the foot support locking arrangement  30  are generally comprised of a rigid material, such as, for example, steel or some other metal or metal alloy. Of course, those in the art will recognize that numerous other or additional materials may also be used for the components of the foot support locking arrangement. 
         [0036]    With reference now to FIGS.  2  and  3 A- 3 C, the locking plate  50  includes a rectangular locking surface  52  including a plurality of recesses  54  formed in the locking surface  52 . Two sidewalls  56  extend away from the locking surface  52  in a generally perpendicular fashion. On the opposite end of each sidewall  56 , a lip  58  is formed with tabs  60  protruding from the lip  58 . The lips  58  and tabs  60  are oriented in a parallel fashion to the locking surface  52 . The tabs  60  include holes  62  configured to receive fastening members, and particularly bolts  64  (see  FIG. 2 ). These bolts  64  are used to secure the locking plate  50  directly to the housing  12  of the reciprocating saw, or to a mounting bracket secured to the housing of the reciprocating saw  10 . 
         [0037]    The recesses  54  in the locking surface  52  include a plurality of rectangular locking holes  66  that extend through the locking plate  50  along with a circular bore  68 . The locking holes  66  are formed in two parallel rows on the locking surface  52 . As explained further below, these locking holes  66  are configured to receive protrusions on the foot guide plate  34 , locking the foot guide plate  34  in place relative to the locking plate  50 . The circular bore  68  is configured to receive the locking bolt  116  which extends through the components of the support foot locking arrangement  30 . A detent  69  is also formed in the locking plate. The detent  69  does not extend through the plate  50 , but instead provides a recess in the locking surface  52 , and a protrusion on the opposite side  53  of the locking surface. 
         [0038]    With reference now to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the foot guide plate  34  of the support foot assembly  32  is configured to engage the locking surface  52  of the locking plate  50 . The foot guide plate  32  includes an upper contact surface  40  with two protrusions  42  extending from the upper contact surface  40 . A slot  44  is formed between the protrusions  42  and extends axially along the plate. The slot  44  is dimensioned such that the locking bolt  116  can pass through the foot guide plate  34  at various locations along the slot  44 . Two sidewalls  46  extend in a generally perpendicular fashion from the edges of the upper contact surface  40 . 
         [0039]    The upper contact surface  40  and sidewalls  46  of the foot guide plate  34  form a channel  48  configured receive the locking plate  50 . When the locking plate  50  is placed in the channel  48  with the locking surface  52  of the locking plate  50  facing the upper contact surface  40  of the foot guide plate  34 , the protrusions  42  of the foot guide plate  34  may be received by the locking holes  66  of the locking plate  50 . The protrusions  42  of the foot guide plate  34  mesh with the holes  66  in the locking plate  50  in an interlocking engagement, locking the two plates  34  and  50  together. The protrusions  42  are arranged to fit in each of the different holes  66  on the locking plate, thus providing an adjustable relationship between the locking plate  50  and the foot guide plate  34 , where the relationship between the two plates depends on the locking holes  66  chosen by the user to mesh with the protrusions  42 . 
         [0040]    The protrusions  42  of the foot guide plate  34  are further dimensioned to fit snugly within the holes  66  of the locking plate  50 . This provides a secure relationship between the locking plate  50  and the foot guide plate  34 . In one embodiment, the protrusions  42  and/or holes  66  may be slightly tapered such that the protrusions  42  fit more snugly in the holes  66  as the foot guide plate  34  is forced closer to the locking plate  50 . This arrangement allows the protrusions  42  to easily make initial engagement with the holes  66  of the locking plate, and the secure the foot guide plate  34  in place as it is forced into closer interlocking contact with the locking plate  50 . 
         [0041]    In the disclosed embodiment of  FIG. 4 , two rectangular protrusions  42  are shown on the foot guide plate  34  and spaced apart to fit precisely within the equally separated and complimentary sized rectangular holes  66  of the locking plate  50 . It will be recognized that in other embodiments different numbers of protrusions and/or holes may be used on the locking plate  50  and the foot guide plate  34 . In addition, it will be recognized that different protrusion/hole configurations are possible, and different types of locking relationships are possible. 
         [0042]    With reference now to FIGS.  2  and  5 A- 5 C, the cam plate  70  is provided to engage the foot guide plate  34 . The cam plate  70  is generally rectangular in shape and includes an upper surface  72 , a lower surface  74 , a front lip  76 , a rear flange  78 , and two side wings  80  that extend upward from the upper surface  72 . The upper surface  72  is generally smooth and flat with depressions formed in the surface. One of the depressions is a hole  73  that extends through the cam plate  70  and is configured to receive the locking bolt  116 . The other depressions on the upper surface  72  are footprints  75  of protrusions on the lower surface  74 . As described below, these protrusions form a cam surface  82  on the lower surface  74  of the cam plate  70 . 
         [0043]    The side wings  80  of the cam plate  70  extend upward from the upper surface  72  and are configured to wrap around the sidewalls  46  of the foot guide plate  34 . The front lip  76  bends downward at an acute angle relative to the plane of the upper surface  72 , thus providing a tapered entrance to the upper surface  72  when the foot guide plate  34  is inserted between the cam plate  70  and the locking plate  50 . When the foot guide plate  34  is inserted between the cam plate  70  and the locking plate, the three plates are nested with the cam plate  70  providing the outer member, the foot guide plate  34  providing the middle member, and the locking plate  50  comprising the inner member. As discussed previously, the inner member  50  is secured to the housing  12  of the reciprocating saw, and the middle member  34  is adjustable relative to the inner member  50  and outer member  70 . 
         [0044]    With particular reference to  FIG. 5B , the lower surface  74  of the cam plate  70  is shown. The depressions in the upper surface  72  of the cam plate are translated into protruding cam surfaces  82  on the lower surface  74  of the cam plate  70 , i.e., the cam surfaces  82  extend outward from the main portion  84  of the lower surface  74  of the cam plate. The hole  73  in the cam plate  70  is provided between the two triangular cam surfaces  82 . The cam surfaces  82  are generally triangular in shape. The edges of the cam surfaces  82  are tapered, providing a ramp effect between the main portion  84  of the lower surface  74  and the protruding cam surfaces  82 . With the cam surfaces  82  provided in a different plane than the main portion  84  of the lower surface  74 , a cam profile is created on the lower surface  74  of the cam plate  70 . 
         [0045]    With reference now to FIGS.  2  and  6 A- 6 C, the tension lever  90  is provided in the form of a curved plate having a pivoting end  92  and a handle end  94 . The pivoting end  92  of the tension lever  90  is rounded and a hole  96  is provided at the center of the rounded portion. The hole  96  is configured to pass the locking bolt  116  through the tension lever  90 . 
         [0046]    Cam surfaces  98  are formed radially outward from the hole  96 . The cam surfaces  98  are provided above a depressed surface portion  100  on the pivoting end  92  of the lever  90 . Ramp surfaces  102  extend between the cam surfaces  98  and the depressed surface portion  100 . With the cam surfaces  98  in a different plane than the depressed surface portion  100 , a cam profile is created on the pivoting end  92  of the lever  90 . The cam surfaces  98  provided on the lever  90  are designed to engage the cam surfaces  82  provided on the cam plate  70 . In particular, as discussed in further detail below, rotation of the lever  90  from an unlocked position and a locked position results in the cam surfaces  98  of the lever  90  moving from disengagement to engagement with the cam surfaces  82  of the cam plate  70 . 
         [0047]    A handle  104  is provided on the handle end  94  of the lever  90 . The handle  104  is provided as a flange which extends above the rest of the lever  90  in a generally perpendicular fashion. The handle  104  is sufficiently large that a human finger may be placed against the surface of the handle  104  to facilitate rotation of the lever  90 . The handle  104  may include an exterior surface formed of an insulating material, such as a rubber or soft plastic material. The insulating material provided on the exterior surface of the handle provides more comfort to the human hand when grasping and rotating the handle  104 . 
         [0048]    With reference now to FIGS.  2  and  7 A- 7 C, the thumb wheel  120  is a disc-shaped member with a frusto-conical surface  122 . The frusto-conical surface may be textured, such as with a plurality of radial grooves  126 . Surface texturing provides for additional friction between a human finger and the surface of the thumb wheel  120 , thus allowing the human to more easily rotate the thumb wheel. 
         [0049]    A hexagonal void  124  is formed at the center of the thumb wheel  120 . This hexagonal void  124  is designed and dimensioned to loosely receive the clamping nut  114 . With the clamping nut  114  situated in the center of the thumb wheel  120 , rotation of the thumb wheel  120  results in rotation of the clamping nut  114 . As the clamping nut  114  is rotated by the thumb wheel  120 , the clamping nut is allowed to move up or down within the hexagonal void  124 . 
         [0050]    With reference now to  FIGS. 2 and 8 , the support plate  130  is provided as a portion of the reciprocating saw housing  12 . In particular, the support plate  130  forms a lower portion of the housing  12  below the reciprocating chuck  16  (see  FIG. 1 ). The support plate  130  is fastened to the rest of the housing  12  using fastening means such as bolts (not shown). Alternatively, the support plate  130  may be integrally formed with other portions of the saw housing  12 . 
         [0051]    The support plate  130  generally comprises a contoured panel  132  that leads to the mouth of the reciprocating saw  10 . A thumb wheel seat  134  is formed at the lowermost portion of the panel  132 . The thumb wheel  120  is secured within the thumb wheel seat  134  of the support plate  130 , but the thumb wheel  120  is free to rotate within the seat  134 . As shown in  FIG. 8C , the thumb wheel seat  134  includes a frusto-conical depression  136  designed and dimensioned to receive the thumb wheel  120 . An opening  138  in the panel  132  at the seat  134  provides the user with access to a portion of the textured frusto-conical surface  122  of the thumb wheel  120  held within the seat  134 . As also shown in  FIG. 8C , the seat  134  includes a lower cavity  140  which extends to a floor  142 . The clamping nut  114  is free to slide vertically within the thumb wheel  120  as far as the floor  142  when the thumb wheel  120  is rotated and the clamping nut moves along the axis of the locking bolt  116 . The threaded portion  117  of the locking bolt  116  extends through the seat  134  and to floor  142  or close to the floor to facilitate this movement of the clamping nut  114 . 
         [0052]    As indicated in  FIG. 2 , the locking bolt  116  extends through each of the locking plate  50 , cam plate  70 , tension lever  90 , thrust washer  110 , conical spring washer  112 , clamping nut  114 , and thumb wheel  120 , and into the seat of the support plate  130 . Thus, the support foot locking arrangement  30  is held together within the housing  12  by the locking bolt  116  and clamping nut  114 . As explained below, the thumb wheel  120  and tension lever  90  work together to engage the support foot assembly  32  in either a locked position or an unlocked position. 
         [0053]      FIG. 9  shows the lever  90  of the support foot locking arrangement  30  in an open position with the other components of the system  30  retained upon the locking bolt in a loose-fitting relationship. In this configuration, the foot guide plate  34  is slideable with respect to the locking plate  50  and the cam plate  70 , such that the protrusions  42  on the foot guide plate  34  may be selectively inserted in any of the locking holes  66  of the locking plate. Furthermore, in this configuration, the foot guide plate  34  may be completely released from the other components of the system  30 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , where the support foot assembly  32  is removed from the locking plate  50  and cam plate  70 . 
         [0054]    When the lever  90  is in the open position shown in  FIG. 9 , the raised cam surfaces  98  on the pivoting end  92  of the lever (see  FIG. 6C ) do not engage the raised cam surfaces  82  of the cam plate (see  FIG. 5B ). Instead, the cam surfaces  98  of the lever  90  are positioned between the cam surfaces  82  of the cam plate  70 , and engage the main portion  84  of the lower surface  74 , with the lever in the open position. Likewise, the cam surfaces  82  of the cam plate  70  are positioned between the cam surfaces  98  of the lever  90 , and engage the depressed surface portion  100  of the lever. Because the cam surfaces  98  of the lever  90  do not engage the cam surfaces  82  of the cam plate with the lever in the open position, additional clearance is provided between the components of the support foot locking arrangement  30 . Provided the locking nut  114  is sufficiently low on the locking bolt  116 , the components of the support foot locking arrangement  30  will be only loosely engaged when the lever  90  is in the open position. This allows the support foot assembly  32  to be easily adjusted by the user by sliding the foot guide plate  34  between the locking plate  50  and the cam plate  70 . The user may choose to position the foot guide plate  34  in any of several positions where the protrusions  42  mesh with the locking holes  66  of the locking plate  50 . 
         [0055]    After adjusting the support foot assembly  32  to the desired position as set forth above, the user locks the support foot assembly  32  in place by first rotating the thumb wheel  120  such that the clamping nut  114  moves upward on the locking bolt  116 . By rotating the thumb wheel  120  in this fashion, the clamping nut  116  forces the components of the support foot locking arrangement  30  into a tighter engagement upon the locking bolt  116 , and the protrusions  42  on the foot guide plate  34  are driven further into the aligned locking holes  66  on the locking plate  50 . Thus, the thumb wheel  120  and clamping nut  114  arrangement provides a coarse tightening feature for the support foot locking arrangement  30  prior to activation of the lever  90 . It will be noted that the thumb wheel  120  and clamping nut  114  are not associated with any defined locked positions or unlocked positions upon the bolt  116 . Instead, the thumb wheel  120  and clamping nut  114  can each be rotated to any of an infinite number of positions upon the bolt. Accordingly, the thumb wheel  120  and clamping nut may be considered “infinitely adjustable,” such that each change in the position of the thumb wheel results in a related change to the position of the foot guide plate  34  relative to the locking plate  50 . It will be recognized that adjusting the thumb wheel to an extremely tight position (e.g., past a “hand-tight” position) will make rotation of the lever  120  difficult. Accordingly, the thumb wheel  120  is considered a coarse tightening feature for the support foot locking arrangement. 
         [0056]    After the user rotates the thumb wheel  120  to a “hand-tight” position, the user actuates the lock by rotating the lever  90 , moving the lever from the “open” or “unlocked” position of  FIG. 9  to the “closed” or “locked” position of  FIG. 10 . To accomplish this, the user presses against the handle  104 , forcing it back toward the housing  12  of the reciprocating saw  10 , thus rotating the lever  90  into the locked position shown in  FIG. 10 . When the lever  90  is rotated in this manner, the cam surfaces  98  of the lever  90  are brought into engagement with the cam surfaces  82  of the cam plate. This engagement is facilitated by the tapered edges of the cam surfaces  82  of the cam plate  70  and the ramp surfaces  102  positioned on the lever  90  between the cam surfaces  98  and the surface portion  100 . In particular, as the lever  90  is rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position, the ramp surfaces  102  of the lever travel along the cam surfaces  82  of the cam plate until the cam surfaces  98  of the lever  90  engage the cam surfaces  82  of the cam plate. When the cam surfaces  82  and  98  are engaged, the components of the support foot locking arrangement  30  are brought into tighter engagement. Therefore, rotating the lever from the unlocked position of  FIG. 9  to the locked position of  FIG. 10  drives the components of the support foot locking arrangement  30  closer together, thus reducing clearances between the components, including driving the protrusions  42  of the foot guide plate  34  into a deeper interlocking mesh with the locking holes  66  on the locking plate  50 . This deep interlock between the foot guide plate  34  and the locking plate  50  provides a secure relationship between the support foot assembly  32  and the rest of the reciprocating saw  10 . Additionally, the other components of the support foot locking arrangement  30  are compressed together when the lever is in the locked position. After using the saw  10  with the lever in the locked position, the user may adjust the support foot assembly by rotating the lever (as noted by arrow  22  in  FIG. 1 ), from the locked position to the unlocked position. 
         [0057]    Although the present invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other implementations and adaptations are possible. For example, the locking holes on the locking plate could be easily replaced with locking protrusions, and the locking protrusions on the foot guide plate could be easily replaced with locking holes. As another example, additional numbers or configurations of locking protrusions and locking holes could be provided. As yet another example, the foot guide could be provided using rods or other members other than a plate. Numerous other alternative embodiments are also possible. Moreover, there are advantages to individual advancements described herein that may be obtained without incorporating other aspects described above. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein.