Housing of a cutting tool including blade storage, integral blade guard and motor ventilation pathway

A jigsaw that uses a cutting blade generally includes a housing containing a motor activated by a trigger assembly. A blade storage compartment is recessed in the housing. A platform is provided in the blade storage compartment having a first edge that at least partially defines a first recess that extends further into the housing beyond the platform. A member is connected to the platform that produces a magnetic field that releasably secures the cutting blade to the platform. The magnetic field is configured to permit a user to tilt the cutting blade about the first edge of the platform into the first recess to overcome the magnetic field and remove the cutting blade from the storage compartment.

FIELD

The present teachings relate to a housing of a cutting tool and more particularly relate to a blade storage compartment, a blade guard and an additional motor ventilation pathway through a cord protector in the housing of the cutting tool.

BACKGROUND

Typically, a jigsaw blade is replaceable, as the blade can wear and break. Multiple blades can be carried to provide replacements for worn or broken blades and to provide additional blades for other tasks that can require, for example, a different tooth profile and a different blade length.

Users may have to carry blades in separate containers and bring these blades along with the jigsaw. Having to carry the jigsaw blades in separate and sometimes bulky containers may not always provide the user with the jigsaw blade needed for replacement or for a different application.

SUMMARY

The present teachings generally include a jigsaw that uses a cutting blade. The jigsaw generally includes a housing containing a motor activated by a trigger assembly. A blade storage compartment is recessed in the housing. A platform is provided in the blade storage compartment having a first edge that at least partially defines a first recess that extends further into the housing beyond the platform. A member is connected to the platform that produces a magnetic field that releasably secures the cutting blade to the platform. The magnetic field is configured to permit a user to tilt the cutting blade about the first edge of the platform into the first recess to overcome the magnetic field and remove the cutting blade from the storage compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present teachings, their application or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals can indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

Moreover, certain terminology can be used for the purpose of reference only and do not limit the present teachings. For example, terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “above” and “below” can refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front,” “back,” “rear” and “side” can describe the orientation of portions of the component, function, system, etc. within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which can be made more clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component, function, system, etc. under discussion. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. Similarly, the terms “first,” “second” and other such numerical terms referring to structures, systems and/or methods do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.

With reference toFIG. 1, a jigsaw100generally includes a housing102that can be formed of two half shells104,106. The housing102can contain a motor108. When activated by a trigger assembly110, the motor108can provide a reciprocating and/or an orbital (pendulum) motion to a conventional combination of a cutting blade holder112on an end of a reciprocating shaft (not shown) to drive a cutting blade114at a cutting angle116(FIG. 6). A single control member118on a side of the housing102can control a rate of reciprocation and/or a magnitude of the orbital motion of the cutting blade114.

A shoe member120can be coupled to a bottom122of the housing102in such a way as to permit the shoe member120to pivot relative to the housing102. As the shoe member120pivots relative to the housing102, the cutting blade114can be orientated at various angles (i.e., one or more of the cutting angles116(FIG. 6)) relative to the shoe member120.

A bottom surface124of the shoe member120can abut a workpiece126, which can be wood, plastic, metal, other suitable materials and one or more combinations thereof and can be in the form of pipe, sheet material, stock material, other suitable forms and/or materials and one or more combinations thereof. The shoe member120can be pivoted relative to the housing102to adjust the cutting angle116(FIG. 6) of the jigsaw100, e.g., at a forty-five degree cutting angle. As the shoe member120is moved relative to the housing102, an angle indicator wheel128can indicate the cutting angle116of the jigsaw100.

Further, a locking mechanism130can include a bevel lever132that can be adjusted between an unlocked condition (phantom line) and a locked condition, as shown inFIG. 1. In the unlocked condition, the locking mechanism130can permit the shoe member120to pivot relative to the housing102. In the locked condition, the locking mechanism130can prevent the shoe member120from pivoting relative to the housing102. In this regard, the cutting angle116(FIG. 6) to which the shoe member120can be pivoted relative to the housing102, when the locking mechanism130is in the unlocked condition, can be indicated by the angle indicator wheel128.

A dust extraction port134can be formed on a rear portion136of the housing102such that a vacuum source138can be connected with various suitable connections to the dust extraction port134. A dust extraction airflow140can be extracted from a cutting area142. From the cutting area142, the dust extraction airflow140can move into the housing102near a rear edge144of the cutting blade114, through an airflow pathway in the housing102and out through the dust extraction port134.

The dust extraction airflow140can travel through the airflow pathway in the housing102and can be routed through an inner periphery of the angle indicator wheel128. The dust extraction airflow140can also exit the cutting area142through a scoop member148that extends from the housing102. In the above examples, the shoe member120can be pivoted relative to the housing102(FIG. 6) without interrupting the dust extraction airflow140through the housing102and through the angle indicator wheel128.

With reference toFIG. 2, a jigsaw200includes a housing202that can be formed of two half shells204,206. The housing202can contain a motor208. When activated by a trigger assembly210, the motor208can provide the reciprocating and/or the orbital (pendulum) motion to the reciprocating shaft to drive a cutting blade114at one or more of the cutting angles116(FIG. 6). A single control member216on a side of the housing202can control the rate of reciprocation and/or the magnitude of the orbital motion of the cutting blade114.

A shoe member218can be coupled to a bottom220of the housing202in such a way as to permit the shoe member218to pivot relative to the housing202. As the shoe member218pivots relative to the housing202, the cutting blade114can be orientated at the various cutting angles116(FIG. 6) relative to the shoe member218. A bottom surface222of the shoe member218can abut the workpiece126(FIG. 1).

As the shoe member218is moved relative to the housing202, an angle indicator wheel224can indicate the cutting angle116(FIG. 6) of the jigsaw200. Further, a locking mechanism226can include a bevel lever228that can be adjusted between an unlocked condition and a locked condition. The cutting angle116(FIG. 6) to which the shoe member218can be pivoted relative to the housing202, when the locking mechanism226is in the unlocked condition, can be indicated by the angle indicator wheel224.

A dust extraction port230can be formed on a rear portion232of the shoe member218, in contrast to the dust extraction airflow140through the housing102(FIG. 1). A vacuum source234can be connected to the dust extraction port230. A dust extraction airflow236can be extracted from a cutting area238. From the cutting area238, the dust extraction airflow236can move through an airflow pathway in the shoe member218and out through the dust extraction port230that extends therefrom. A vacuum source adapter240can be connected to the dust extraction port230formed in the shoe member218and can be used to connect to the vacuum source234. Inlets242can be formed at one or more locations on the shoe member218adjacent the cutting area238. From the inlets242, the dust extraction airflow236can be routed through channels in the shoe member218to the dust extraction port230.

With reference toFIG. 3, a jigsaw300can be similar to the exemplary jigsaw200(FIG. 2) and can also include a keel assembly302and/or a laser module304that can be connected to a housing306having two housing half shells308,310implemented in a similar fashion to the jigsaw200. The jigsaw300can further include a dust extraction airflow312through a shoe member314. The dust extraction airflow312can exit from a dust extraction port316that can extend therefrom. The laser module304can project a laser light318and can produce a laser light pattern320. The laser light pattern320can produce, for example, a sequence of dashes and/or dots beyond a front side322of the cutting blade114and can highlight a path of the cutting blade114through the workpiece126.

The keel assembly302can provide additional straight-line accuracy when cutting a straight line in the workpiece126(e.g., can help avoid wandering of the jigsaw cutting line). The keel assembly302can be pivoted with the housing306when the shoe member314is moved at an angle (i.e., one or more cutting angles116(FIG. 6)) relative to the housing306. In this regard, the shoe member314can be pivoted relative to the housing306but the keel assembly302can remain generally in line with the housing306so as to provide, for example, a straight bevel cut through the workpiece126.

With reference toFIG. 4, a jigsaw400includes a housing402that can be formed of two half shells404,406. The housing402can contain a motor408. When activated by a trigger assembly410, the motor408can provide a reciprocating and/or pendulum motion to the reciprocating shaft to drive the cutting blade114at one of the cutting angles116(FIG. 6).

A shoe member412can be coupled to a bottom414of the housing402in such a way as to permit the shoe member412to pivot relative to the housing402. As the shoe member412pivots relative to the housing402, the cutting blade114, can be orientated at various angles (i.e., one or more of the cutting angles116(FIG. 6)) relative to the shoe member412. As is known in the art, a bottom surface416of the shoe member412can abut the workpiece126(FIG. 1).

A locking mechanism418can be adjusted between an unlocked condition that can permit the shoe member412to pivot relative to the housing402and a locked condition that can prevent the shoe member412from pivoting relative to the housing402. In one example, the locking mechanism418can include one or more fasteners (not shown) that can secure the shoe member412to the bottom414of the housing402. The fasteners can be partially removed to permit the shoe member412to pivot relative to the housing402.

A dust extraction port420can be formed on a rear portion422of the housing402such that a vacuum source424can be connected to the dust extraction port420. A dust extraction airflow426can be extracted from a cutting area428. From the cutting area428, the dust extraction airflow426can move into the housing402near a rear side430of a cutting blade114, through an airflow pathway in the housing402and out through the dust extraction port420.

With reference toFIG. 5, a jigsaw500generally includes a housing502that can be formed of two half shells504,506. The housing502can contain a motor508. When activated by a trigger assembly510, the motor508can provide a reciprocating and/or pendulum motion to the reciprocating shaft to drive the cutting blade114at one or more of the cutting angles116(FIG. 6).

A shoe member514can be coupled to a bottom516of the housing502in such a way as to permit the shoe member514to pivot relative to the housing502in a fashion that is similar to the jigsaw400(FIG. 4). A bottom surface518of the shoe member514can abut the workpiece126(FIG. 1). In addition, a locking mechanism520can be adjusted between an unlocked condition that can permit the shoe member514to pivot relative to the housing502and a locked condition that can prevent the shoe member514from pivoting relative to the housing502. The locking mechanism520can include one or more fasteners (not shown) that can secure the shoe member514to the bottom516of the housing502. The fasteners can be partially removed (i.e., the unlocked condition) to permit the shoe member514to pivot relative to the housing502.

A storage container530can be formed on a rear portion532of the housing502such that blades, tools, etc. can be stored within the storage container530. A storage container cover534, illustrated in an open condition, can be closed (shown in phantom line) to contain whatever may be placed within the storage container530.

With reference toFIG. 6, the cutting angle116of the cutting blade114of the jigsaw300is shown relative to the shoe member314of the jigsaw300. The keel assembly302is also attached to the housing306. The cutting angle116can be positioned at the zero degree cutting angle, i.e., a perpendicular cutting angle relative to the shoe member314. The cutting angle116can also be positioned at one or more cutting angles such as a cutting angle352(phantom line) that can be positioned at about positive fifteen degrees, while a cutting angle354(phantom line) can be positioned at about negative thirty degrees. A cutting angle356(phantom line) can be positioned at about positive forty five degrees. It will be appreciated in light of the disclosure that “positive,” in this example, only refers to being on one side of the zero degree (perpendicular) cutting angle orientation and thus “negative” refers to the other side. It will also be appreciated in light of the disclosure that various cutting angles can be implemented with any of the jigsaws100,200,300,400,500(FIGS. 1-5).

With reference toFIG. 7, a housing600of a jigsaw602can provide a blade storage compartment604that can contain one or more cutting blades606to be used with the jigsaw602. The blade storage compartment604can define one or more platforms608on which each of the cutting blades606for the jigsaw602can be stored. It will be appreciated in light of the disclosure that the blade storage compartment604can be implemented within the housing of various power tools. For example, the blade storage compartment604can be implemented on the housing102,202,302,402,502of the jigsaw100,200,300,400,500, respectively. Moreover, the blade storage compartment604can be implemented in one or both of the half shells104,106,204,206,304,306,404,406,504,506of the housing100,200,300,400,500, respectively.

One or more members620that can emit a magnetic field622can be connected to the blade storage compartment604. The one or more members620that provide the magnetic field622can be secured to a side624of the blade storage compartment604. In one example, the one or more members620can be exposed to the blade storage compartment604and can be in an area accessible by the user. In other examples, the one or more members620can be contained within a wall of the blade storage compartment604and, therefore, cannot be in an area accessible by the user. The one or more members620can include one or more magnets and/or any such material or device that can provide the one or more magnetic fields622.

A cover630of the blade storage compartment604can be hinged at one end632. In this arrangement, the cover630can open or close about an axis of rotation634that is generally parallel to a cutting direction636(FIG. 1) of the jigsaw602. As such, the cover630can swing downward and, in this arrangement, the cover630can be configured to catch anything that might fall from the blade storage compartment604. In other arrangements, the cover630can swing upward. In further configurations, the cover630can be hinged to open in other directions such as a sideways open and closed configuration.

With reference toFIGS. 8 and 9, the cover630of the blade storage compartment604can include a locking member640that can be deflected by hand so the user can open the blade storage compartment604without the need for tools. The locking member640can keep the cover630of the blade storage compartment604closed during use of the jigsaw602by holding onto a portion of the blade storage compartment604. The user can insert, for example, a finger to flex the locking member640so as to lift a flange642out of engagement (or at least out of an interfering path) with a surface644(FIG. 8) of the blade storage compartment604or the housing602. By doing so, the locking member640can no longer prevent the opening of the cover630.

In some examples, the cover630of the blade storage compartment604can be translucent or transparent to provide the user with the ability to determine what is contained within the blade storage compartment without opening the cover630. The cover630of the blade storage compartment604can be configured so as to continue the general contours of the housing600of the jigsaw602. In this regard, when the cover630of the blade storage compartment604is closed, the contours of the housing600and the cover630appear to be generally uniform in the area of the blade storage compartment604.

With reference toFIG. 7, the blade storage compartment604can be formed with one or more recesses at one or both edges of the platform608that can hold the cutting blades606. With reference toFIG. 10, a first recess650can be formed at a first edge652of the platform608. With reference toFIG. 7and at a second edge654of the platform608, a second recess656can be formed in the blade storage compartment604. The first recess650and the second recess656can be configured so that the respective ends of the cutting blades606can be pressed into the recess650,656. By pressing the one or more blades606into the first recess650, one or more of the cutting blades606can be tilted about an edge652,654of the platform608so as to tilt the other end of the blade608out of and away from the blade storage compartments604.

When the second end of the cutting blade606is tilted outward from the blade storage compartment604, the user can grasp that end of the cutting blade606and remove it from the blade storage compartment604. Moreover, the one or more members620can provide the magnetic field622that can retain the one or more cutting blades606in the blade storage compartment604using a magnetic force established by the magnetic field622. As the user presses a first end660of the cutting blade606into the first recess650(or into the second recess656), the one or more cutting blades606can tilt on the first edge652(or on the second edge654) of the blade storage compartment604to overcome a force of the magnetic field622. In doing so, the user can tilt a second end662of the cutting blade606(about the first edge652) out of the blade storage compartment604.

While the second end662is tilted out from the blade storage compartment604, the magnetic field622can still exert sufficient force to retain the one or more cutting blades606in position. In this regard, the cutting blades606do not completely overcome the magnetic field622when tilted but are still sufficiently held in place until ultimate removal from the blade storage compartment604. It will be appreciated in light of the disclosure that the blade storage compartment604can be configured with one platform between two recess or multiple platforms each between two recesses.

With reference toFIG. 11, an exemplary method of obtaining one of the cutting blades606from the blade storage compartment604generally includes opening the cover630of the blade storage compartment604with a one-handed operation at670. At672, the user can select a blade. At674, the user can urge an end of one or more of the cutting blades606into the first recess650(or the second recess656) provided adjacent to the platform608in which one or more of the cutting blades606reside in the blade storage compartment604.

At676, the user can tilt the one or more cutting blades606into the recess650,656so as to tilt the opposite side (i.e., the second side662) of the cutting blade606, as applicable, out from the platform608. At678, the cutting blade606can be tilted outward from the platform608to overcome the magnetic field622that can keep the cutting blade606in contact with the platform608. At680, the user can remove the one or more cutting blades606from the platform608. From680, the exemplary method can end. It will be appreciated in light of the disclosure that the cutting blade606can be removed from the blade storage compartment604and can necessarily overcome the magnetic field622of the member620without tilting the one or more cutting blades606about the edge of either the first recess or the second recess.

With reference toFIG. 12, a jigsaw700can have a housing702that can be formed of a right half shell704and a left half shell706. The half shells704,706can establish together, when assembled, a blade guard member710that can be, in some examples, an integral extension of the housing702of the jigsaw700. With reference toFIG. 13, a jigsaw740can have a housing742formed of right half shell744and a left half shell746. A shoe member748can pivotally connect to the housing742. A blade guard member750can be an integral extension of a fascia member752that can be formed of a right fascia half shell754and a left fascia half shell756. The blade guard member710,750can provide, in some instances, protection from the cutting blade by preventing contact with it. By establishing the blade guard member710as the integral extension of the housing702or by establishing the blade guard member750as the integral extension of the fascia member752, a separate multi-piece component separately fastened to the housing702can be avoided.

With reference toFIG. 12, the blade guard member710can include a right arm portion712that can extend from the right half shell704. A left arm portion714can extend from the left half shell706. With reference toFIG. 13, the blade guard member750can include a right arm portion760that can extend from the right fascia half shell754. A left arm portion762can extend from the left fascia half shell756.

With reference toFIGS. 12 and 13, the right arm portion712,760and the left arm portion714,762can each define a portion of a bottom portion720of the blade guard member710,750, i.e., a right bottom portion722and a left bottom portion724. The right and left bottom portions722,724of the blade guard member710,750can unite in an abutting relationship to form the entirety of the bottom portion720. The bottom portion720of the blade guard member710,750can be fastened together and, in doing so, can be shown to improve the rigidity of the blade guard member710,750and the housing702near the blade guard member710,750. In addition, the blade guard member710,750can be configured with a plurality of apertures730so that a view through the blade guard member710,750(e.g., toward the cutting area) can be improved for the user.

With reference toFIG. 14, one or more cooling passageways800can be formed through a flexible member802that can also include a cord protector804. The flexible member802can be contained between the housing806and specifically can be secured between an inner periphery808formed by the assembly of the housing half shells810,812.

The flexible member802can be a separately formed component that can be of a molded plastic which can be more flexible than the material used to form the half shells810,812of the housing806. The flexible member802can be held within the inner periphery808of the housing806with fasteners, bonding, etc. and/or with a portion of the housing806holding an outer periphery of the flexible member802. Because the cord protector804can be flexible, the cord protector804can provide strain relief on the connection between the power source (i.e., a plug in a receptacle) of a cutting tool820and a motor822within the cutting tool820.

In addition to vents830formed on the housing806, the one or more cooling passageways800formed in the flexible member802can increase the overall capacity of air capable of being drawn from the outside (i.e., outside the cutting tool820) through portions of the housing806to cool the motor822. With reference toFIG. 15, a cooling pathway840can start from the outside of the flexible member802and enter the one or more cooling passageways800formed therethrough. The cooling passageways800can continue through the housing806toward the motor822. A fan842that rotates with the motor822can establish an airflow along the cooling pathway840such that cooling air is additionally drawn through the flexible member802to help cool the motor822.

In one example, the flexible member802can be formed as a monolithic component that can include a passageway for the power cord, (i.e., strain relief). The monolithic component can also define the one or more cooling passageways800through which the cooling air can pass into the housing and cool the motor. In one example, there are four cooling passageways800formed in the flexible member802. By way of the above example, the four cooling passageways800can generally be equally spaced around the cord protector804.

One or more of the cooling passageways800can have an L-shape850. A corner852established by the L-shape850can be closer to a passageway854(i.e., the cord protector804) through which a power cord864can be disposed. The ends856,858of the L-shape850distal from the corner852of the L-shape850can be closer to the power cord864. Moreover, each of the cooling passageways can define a longitudinal axis860that can be generally parallel to a longitudinal axis862of a portion of the power cord864that is disposed in said cord protector804.

While specific aspects have been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted for elements and components thereof without departing from the scope of the present teachings, as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements, components and/or functions between various aspects of the present teachings are expressly contemplated herein so that one skilled in the art will appreciate from the present teachings that features, elements, components and/or functions of one aspect of the present teachings can be incorporated into another aspect, as appropriate, unless described otherwise above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, configuration or material to the present teachings without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present teachings not be limited to the particular aspects illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present teachings, but that the scope of the present teachings include many aspects and examples following within the foregoing description and the appended claims.