Abstract:
An accessory for a cutting blade, more particularly, to a flexible plate that attaches to the blade and blows debris when the plate reciprocates up and down with the blade is described. The plate may be thin so that the plate bends/flaps as the blade (and attached plate) moves up and down. The plate may include a slit so that the plate removably attaches to the blade via a friction fit and the plate is transparent so that the plate does not block the operator&#39;s view.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/150,898, filed Apr. 22, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an accessory for a blade, more particularly, to a flexible plate that attaches to a jigsaw blade and blows debris when the jigsaw blade reciprocates up and down in order to clear the cutting surface. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    As known to those of ordinary skill, jigsaw blades generate sawdust when cutting wood. As a result, operators of jigsaws usually blow the sawdust off intermittently so that they can see what they are cutting. However, blowing sawdust takes time and interrupts the operator&#39;s task of cutting of wood. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,522,182 relates to a sawdust removing attachment for a handsaw. However, this patent does not relate to a plate that is friction fit and extends widthwise and lengthwise across the blade. Also, it is not a thin blade that bends when the blade moves. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,367 relates to a venting apparatus that attaches to a rotating tool bit via a frictional fit. However, the venting apparatus does not move up and down or bend. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,454 relates to a pressing system that is adjacent to a blade for cutting cloth. The pressing system does not bend, is not friction fit, and the pressing system is not designed to move air away from the blade. 
         [0009]    Thus, there is a continuing need for apparatuses that remove sawdust and other debris when a jigsaw or other motorized cutting tool cuts a piece of material such as wood. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The present disclosure provides a blade fan system. In some embodiments, the blade fan system includes: 
         [0011]    a) a blade having a blade top end, a blade bottom end, a blade length extending from the blade top end to the blade bottom end, a blade front end, a blade rear end, a blade width extending from the front end to the rear end, the blade width generally perpendicular to the blade length, a blade left side, a blade right side, a blade thickness extending from the left side to the right side, the blade thickness generally perpendicular to the blade length and the blade width; and 
         [0012]    b) a transparent plate removably attached to the blade, the transparent plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a plate thickness extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, the plate thickness generally parallel to the blade length, a front end, a rear end, a plate length extending from the front end to the rear end, the plate length generally parallel to the blade width (and generally perpendicular to the plate thickness), a left side, a right side, and a plate width extending from the left side to the right side, the plate width generally parallel to the blade thickness (and generally perpendicular to the plate thickness and plate length), 
         [0013]    wherein the transparent plate further comprises a slit extending from the plate top surface to the plate bottom surface, 
         [0014]    wherein the slit is located between the left side, right side, front end and rear end of the transparent plate, 
         [0015]    and further wherein the blade passes through the slit. 
         [0016]    Optionally, the blade comprises a notch located at the top end of the blade. Optionally, the blade front end comprises a plurality of teeth spaced about the blade length, the plurality of teeth facing the front end of the transparent plate. Optionally, the transparent plate is located between the plurality of teeth and the top end. Optionally, the slit is generally rectangular in shape. Optionally, the slit has a length generally parallel to the plate length of between about 0.5 inches and about 0.75 inches and a width generally parallel to the plate width of between about 0.1 inches and about 0.25 inches. Optionally, the blade is frictionally attached to the transparent plate. Optionally, the slit is situated approximately in the widthwise center of the transparent plate. Optionally, the slit is offset from the lengthwise center of the transparent plate. Optionally, the slit is located between about 0.5 inches and about 1 inch from the front end of the transparent plate and between about 0.1 inches and about 0.5 inches from the rear end of the transparent plate. Optionally, the blade front end comprises a plurality of teeth spaced about the blade length, the plurality of teeth facing the front end of the transparent plate. Optionally, the plate thickness is between about 0.001 and about 0.01 inches. Optionally, the blade is a jigsaw blade. Optionally, the blade top end is connected to a motor, the motor configured to move the blade and attached transparent plate upwardly and downwardly in a reciprocating fashion. Optionally, the upward and downward movement of the blade is configured to cause the transparent plate to bend along the plate length. Optionally, the blade is configured to cut wood. Optionally, the upward and downward movement of the blade in cutting a piece of wood is configured to blow sawdust generated by cutting the piece of wood. Optionally, the transparent plate is comprised of plastic. Optionally, the plastic comprises PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Optionally, the transparent plate extends beyond the front end, the rear end, the left side and the right side of the blade. 
         [0017]    In further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a blade fan system comprising: 
         [0018]    a) a motorized cutting tool comprising a motor; 
         [0019]    b) a blade attached to the cutting instrument, the blade having a blade top end, a blade bottom end, a blade length extending from the blade top end to the blade bottom end, a blade front end, a blade rear end, a blade width extending from the front end to the rear end, the blade width generally perpendicular to the blade length, a blade left side, a blade right side, a blade thickness extending from the left side to the right side, the blade thickness generally perpendicular to the blade length and the blade width; 
         [0020]    c) a plate removably attached to the blade, the plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a plate thickness extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, the plate thickness generally parallel to the blade length, a front end, a rear end, a plate length extending from the front end to the rear end, the plate length generally parallel to the blade width, a left side, a right side, and a plate width extending from the left side to the right side, the plate width generally parallel to the blade thickness, 
         [0021]    wherein the motor is configured to move the blade and attached plate upwardly and downwardly in a reciprocating fashion; 
         [0022]    wherein the plate further comprises a slit extending from the plate top surface to the plate bottom surface, 
         [0023]    wherein the slit is located between the left side, right side, front end and rear end of the plate, 
         [0024]    wherein the blade passes through the slit; and 
         [0000]    further wherein the upward and downward movement of the blade is configured to cause the plate to bend along the plate length. 
         [0025]    Optionally, the plate is only connected to the motorized cutting tool via the blade. In addition, the plate, slit, and blade may have the dimensions and characteristics described above. Optionally, the system is used in a method that includes: a) providing the blade fan system; b) providing a piece of wood; c)moving the plate and the blade upwardly and downwardly while cutting the piece of wood; d) generating sawdust during step c); and e) using the upwardly and downwardly movement of the plate to generate a current of air to blow the sawdust. 
         [0026]    The present disclosure also provides a transparent plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a plate thickness extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, a front end, a rear end, a plate length extending from the front end to the rear end, a left side, a right side, a plate width extending from the left side to the right side, and a slit extending from the plate top surface to the plate bottom surface 
         [0027]    wherein the slit is generally rectangular in shape and comprises a length generally parallel to the plate length of between about 0.5 inches and about 0.75 inches and a width generally parallel to the plate width of between about 0.1 inches and about 0.25 inches. 
         [0028]    Optionally, the plate thickness is between about 0.001 and about 0.01 inches. Optionally, the slit is situated approximately in the widthwise center of the transparent plate. Optionally, the slit is offset from the lengthwise center of the transparent plate. Optionally, the slit is located between about 0.5 inches and about 1 inch from the front end of the transparent plate and between about 0.1 inches and about 0.25 inches from the rear end of the transparent plate. In addition, the plate and slit may have the other dimensions and characteristics described above. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of a blade fan system of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded isometric view of the blade fan system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top, plan view of the plate of the blade fan system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side, elevation view of the plate of the blade fan system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side, elevation view of the plate of the blade fan system of  FIG. 1  attached to a motorized cutting tool; the arrows in the blade show how the blade moves up and down in a reciprocating fashion; the dotted lines show how the plate bends as the blade moves up and down. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-5  the present disclosure provides a blade fan system designated by the numeral  10 . In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each drawing for the sake of clarity. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the present disclosure provides a blade fan system  10  that includes: a) a blade  12  having a blade top end  14 , a blade bottom end  16 , a blade length  18  extending from the blade top end  14  to the blade bottom end  16 , a blade front end  20 , a blade rear end  22 , a blade width  24  extending from the front end  20  to the rear end  22 , the blade width  24  generally perpendicular to the blade length  18 , a blade left side  26 , a blade right side  28 , a blade thickness  30  extending from the left side  26  to the right side  28 , the blade thickness  30  generally perpendicular to the blade length  18  and the blade width  24 ; and b) a plate  32  removably attached to the blade  12 , the plate  32  having a top surface  34 , a bottom surface  36 , a plate thickness  38  extending from the top surface  34  to the bottom surface  36 , the plate thickness  38  generally parallel to the blade length  18 , a front end  40 , a rear end  42 , a plate length  44  extending from the front end  40  to the rear end  42 , the plate length  44  generally parallel to the blade width  24 , a left side  46 , a right side  48 , and a plate width  50  extending from the left side  46  to the right side  48 , the plate width  50  generally parallel to the blade thickness  30 , wherein the plate  32  further comprises a slit  52  extending from the plate top surface  34  to the plate bottom surface  36 , wherein the slit  52  is located between the left side  46 , right side  48 , front end  40  and rear end  42  of the plate  32  and further wherein the blade  12  passes through the slit  52 . 
         [0036]    Optionally, the plate  32  is attached (preferably removably attached) to a motorized cutting tool  66  (e.g., a jigsaw) that is configured to move the blade  12  (and attached plate  32 ) up and down in a reciprocating fashion (i.e., along an axis generally parallel to the blade length  18 ). Optionally, the plate  32  is transparent so that the plate  32  does not interfere with the line of sight of the operator of the cutting tool  66 . Optionally, the blade  12  comprises a notch  54  located at the top end  14  of the blade  12  configured to removably attach the blade  12  to the motorized cutting tool  66 . Optionally, the plate  32  is only connected to the motorized cutting tool  66  via the blade  12  so that the plate  32  is incapable of moving independently of the blade  12 . Optionally, the cutting tool  66  includes a foot  72  that curves upwardly, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Optionally, the cutting tool  66  includes an opening  74  that acts as a handle. 
         [0037]    Optionally, the blade front end  20  comprises a plurality of teeth  56  spaced about the blade length  18 , the plurality of teeth  56  facing the front end  40  of the plate  32 . Optionally, the plate  32  is located between the plurality of teeth  56  and the top end  14  (i.e., above the plurality of teeth  56  in a generally flat section  70 ). 
         [0038]    Optionally, the slit  52  is generally rectangular in shape. Optionally, the plate width  50  is between about 0.25 inches and about 0.5 inches and the plate length  44  is between about 1.25 inches and about 2 inches. Optionally, the slit  52  has a length  58  generally parallel to the plate length  44  of between about 0.5 inches and about 0.75 inches, and a width  60  generally parallel to the plate width  50  of between about 0.1 and about 0.25 inches. However, it will be understood that the slit  52  dimensions and the plate  32  dimensions are merely exemplary and the plate  32  and the slit  52  can be made to fit different size blades  12 . 
         [0039]    Optionally, the blade  12  is frictionally attached to the plate  32  via a friction fit, meaning that the length  58  of the slit  52  is approximately equal (e.g., within about 5%) to the width  24  of the blade  12  and the width  60  of the slit  52  is approximately equal (e.g., within about 5%) to the thickness  30  of the blade  12 . In other words, no adhesive is preferably used to secure the plate  32  to the blade  12 . Preferably, the plate  32  is secured to the blade  12  prior to the blade  12  being attached to the cutting tool  66 . Preferably the slit  52  provides a tight fit to the blade  12  allowing the blade  12  its full path of motion. 
         [0040]    Optionally, the slit  52  is situated approximately in the widthwise center  64  of the plate  32 . Optionally, the slit  52  is offset from the lengthwise center  62  of the plate  32 . Optionally, the slit  52  is located between about 0.5 inches and about 1 inch from the front end  40  of the plate  32  and between about 0.1 inches and about 0.5 inches from the rear end  42  of the plate  32 , meaning that the blade  12  will be closer to the rear end  42  of the plate  32  than the front end  40  of the plate  32 . For example, the slit  52  may be between about 0.25 inches and about 0.75 inches closer to the rear end  42  of the plate  32  than the front end  40  of the plate  32 . 
         [0041]    Optionally, the blade front end  20  comprises a plurality of teeth  56  spaced about the blade length  18 , the plurality of teeth  56  facing the front end  40  of the plate  32 . Optionally, the blade  12  is a jigsaw blade with teeth  56  on the front end  40 , but not the rear end  22  of the blade  12 . 
         [0042]    Optionally, the plate thickness  38  is between about 0.001 inches and about 0.01 inches. In other words, preferably, the plate  32  is very thin. Optionally, the blade top end  14  is connected to a motorized cutting tool  66  that includes a motor  68 , the motor  68  configured to move the blade  12  upwardly and downwardly in a reciprocating fashion so that the plate  32  acts as a fan to blow debris. Optionally, the upward and downward movement of the blade  12  is configured to cause the plate  32  to bend along the plate length  44 . More particularly, without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the downstroke of the blade  12  (and attached plate  32 ) causes the plate  32  to bend or flap in such a manner to move debris from the blade&#39;s  12  path during cutting, and the upstroke of the blade  12  (and attached plate  32 ) produces an upflow of air which also forces debris from the blade&#39;s  12  path. The flexible nature of the plate  32  also allows the plate  32  to bend when it contacts the cutting tool  66  on the upstroke. Optionally, plate  32  is comprised of plastic (e.g., polyvinyl chloride, PVC). 
         [0043]    Optionally, the blade  12  is configured to cut wood. However, the blade  12  may also be used to cut plastics, metals, laminates or any other materials that produce debris that would accumulate on the cutting surface. Optionally, the upward and downward movement of the plate  32  while cutting a piece of wood is configured to blow sawdust generated by cutting the piece of wood. 
         [0044]    Optionally, the plate  32  extends beyond the front end  20 , the rear end  22 , the left side  26  and the right side  28  of the blade  12 . 
         [0045]    Optionally, the blade fan system  10  is used in a method that includes: a) providing the blade fan system  10 ; b) providing a piece of material to be cut (e.g., wood); c) moving the plate  32  and the blade  12  upwardly and downwardly while cutting the piece of material (the blade  12  cuts the material); d) generating debris (e.g., sawdust) during step c); and e) using the upwardly and downwardly movement of the plate  32  to generate a current of air to blow the debris. 
         [0046]    The blade  12  and plate  32  may be, for example, packaged together in a kit or sold separately. 
         [0047]    Having now described the invention in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will understand how to make changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments to meet their specific requirements or conditions. Changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, the steps of any method described herein may be performed in any suitable order and steps may be performed simultaneously if needed. 
         [0048]    Terms of degree such as “generally”, “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.