Abstract:
A reciprocating saw blade includes an axially elongated blade body having a first end portion, a second end portion, a cutting edge extending from the first end portion to the second end portion, and an opposite back edge extending from the first end portion to the second end portion. An exposed first tang is coupled to the first end portion and is configured to removably mount the blade body in a blade holder of a powered reciprocating saw. An unexposed second tang is defined by a first score in the blade body between the first end portion and the second end portion. The first score is configured so that the second tang can be exposed by breaking off a first removable portion of the blade body at the first score. The second tang is configured to removably mount the blade body in a blade holder of a powered reciprocating saw when the second tang is exposed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/590,671, filed Oct. 22, 2015, currently pending, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/396,318, filed Mar. 2, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,926,410, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to saw blades, and more particularly, to reciprocating saw blades having tangs on each end and to related methods of use. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Typical prior art reciprocating saw blades include a blade portion having a cutting edge defined by a plurality of teeth axially spaced relative to each other along one side of the blade, and a non-working edge formed on an opposite side of the blade relative to the cutting edge. The inner ends of such reciprocating saw blades define tangs for releasably connecting the blades to chucks of reciprocating saws. The outer ends of reciprocating saw blades do not define tangs and are not connectable to chucks of reciprocating saws. Rather, the outer ends of reciprocating saw blades are free ends and the cutting edges of such saw blades extend to the distal tips of the free ends. 
         [0004]    A reciprocating saw machine is a hand-held power saw including a chuck that releasably engages only one end of the reciprocating saw blade (i.e., the tang on the inner end of the saw blade) and drives the inner end and thus the saw blade in a reciprocating motion through a work piece. Reciprocating saw machines are typically driven by electric motors (e.g., cord or cordless saws), or are pneumatically driven. The reciprocating motion can be an orbital cutting action, a straight or linear cutting action, or an angled cutting action. Reciprocating saws are sometimes referred to as recip saws, or jig saws, and reciprocating saw blades are sometimes referred to as recip blades or jig saw blades. A jig saw includes a handle and a relatively small, thin blade oriented to be used comfortably on horizontal surfaces. A recip saw usually has a larger blade and blade-mounting assembly resembling that of a jig saw, but includes a handle oriented to allow the saw to be used comfortably on vertical surfaces. Well known reciprocating saws are sold under the brand names “Sawzall™” by Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation and “Tiger Saw” by Porter-Cable Corporation. A reciprocating saw blade is a saw blade adapted for use in a reciprocating saw, such as a recip saw or a jig saw, where the inner end of the blade engages the chuck of a reciprocating saw, and the outer end is a free end of the blade that does not engage the chuck during use. 
         [0005]    Standardized or universal chucks and corresponding tangs allow reciprocating saw users to easily change reciprocating saw blades due to blade wear or to customize the saw blade to suit a particular application. For instance, blades with finer teeth may be used for cutting through metal, while abrasive blades may be used for cutting through tile. Similarly, long, general-purpose blades may be used for cutting through a variety of materials, from drywall to tree-limbs, lumber or even nails. 
         [0006]    The most common and safe way to use a reciprocating saw, such as a jig saw or recip saw, is to place the foot or shoe of the saw against the workpiece to help keep the saw steady and reduce vibration, i.e., to ensure the push and pull forces move the blade through the workpiece as opposed to moving the body of the saw or the workpiece itself. Because most workpieces are relatively small as compared to typical reciprocating saw blades, and because the length of each saw blade stroke is relatively short (typically about ¾ inch to about 1¼ inches), reciprocating saw blades typically incur most wear and/or wear out along a primary cutting surface defined by the inner end of the cutting edge adjacent to the foot or shoe. As a result, it is frequently necessary to discard a reciprocating saw blade that is worn out only along the inner portion of the blade, whereas the outer portion of the blade may not be worn out at all and/or may have significant wear life remaining. This problem can be particularly acute in connection with relatively expensive blades, and/or blades made with relatively expensive cutting edge materials, such as reciprocating saw blades with carbide and/or diamond grit cutting edges. 
         [0007]    In previous attempts to solve this problem, blade manufacturers have made shorter reciprocating saw blades so that users consume the entire cutting edge and reduce waste and cost. However, short blades have limited capabilities as they are not well suited to handle large workpieces. As a result, reciprocating saw users may be required to obtain multiple blades of differing lengths to suit particular workpiece restraints, thereby increasing costs and requiring more frequent blade changes. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to overcome one or more of the above-described drawbacks and/or disadvantages of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a reciprocating saw blade for use in a reciprocating saw having only one chuck that releasably engages one end of the reciprocating saw blade and thereby defines a free end at the other end of the saw blade that is driven by the reciprocating saw in a reciprocating motion. The reciprocating saw blade comprises a blade body defining a first end and a second end. A first tang is located at the first end of the blade body and is engageable with the chuck of the reciprocating saw. A second tang is located at the second end of the blade body and is alternatively engageable with the chuck of the reciprocating saw. A substantially uniform cutting edge extends from approximately the first end to approximately the second end of the blade body. The first tang is engageable with the chuck of the reciprocating saw for fixedly securing the first end of the blade body to the reciprocating saw with the second tang located at a free end of the saw blade and drivable in a reciprocating motion by the reciprocating saw. Alternatively, the second tang is engageable with the chuck of the reciprocating saw for fixedly securing the second end of the blade body to the reciprocating saw with the first tang located at a free end of the saw blade and drivable in a reciprocating motion by the reciprocating saw. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments of the present invention, the substantially uniform cutting edge of the saw blade is defined by a grit. In some such embodiments, the grit includes carbide and/or diamond. In some embodiments of the present invention, each tang extends outwardly in an elongated direction of the blade on the respective end of the blade. Each tang includes a tang body and a tang stem defining a reduced-width portion of the tang that extends outwardly of the tang body in the elongated direction of the blade. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the reciprocating saw blade defines scores for facilitating removal of at least a portion of the first or second tangs. Removal of at least a portion of the first or second tangs forms a free end of the blade body that defines a tip. The score extends substantially between the back edge and the cutting edge for facilitating removal of the first and second tangs and forming a tip. In some embodiments of the present invention, the first and/or second tang is defined by a score and a tip region extending outwardly from the score. The tip region is manually engageable to break away the tip region at the score and expose the respective tang for use. In some embodiments, the first tang is defined by a first score, and the second end of the blade defines a second score spaced inwardly relative to the second tang. The second tang is manually engageable to break away the second tang at the second score to form a tip at the second score. 
         [0012]    In accordance with another aspect, the present invention is directed to a reciprocating saw blade for use in reciprocating saw having only one chuck that releasably engages one end of the reciprocating saw blade and thereby defines a free end at the other end of the saw blade that is driven by the reciprocating saw in a reciprocating motion. The reciprocating saw blade comprises a blade body defining a first end and a second end. First means are located at the first end of the blade body for engaging the chuck of the reciprocating saw, drivingly mounting the first end of the blade to the reciprocating saw, and forming a free end of the blade with the second end of the blade body. Second means are located at the second end of the blade body for alternatively engaging the chuck of the reciprocating saw, drivingly mounting the second end of the blade to the reciprocating saw, and forming a free end of the blade with the first end of the blade body. The reciprocating saw blade further includes third means forming a substantially uniform cutting surface extending between the first means and the second means. The first means is engageable with the chuck of the reciprocating saw for fixedly securing the first end of the blade body to the reciprocating saw and forming with the second means the free end of the saw blade drivable in a reciprocating motion by the reciprocating saw. The second means is alternatively engageable with the chuck of the reciprocating saw for fixedly securing the second end of the blade body to the reciprocating saw and forming with the first means the free end of the saw blade drivable in a reciprocating motion by the reciprocating saw. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the reciprocating saw blade includes a means for forming a line of breakage spaced inwardly relative to at least one of the first and second means for manually engaging and breaking away from the blade at the line of breakage at the first and/or second means and, in turn, forming a tip defined by the line of breakage. In some embodiments, the reciprocating saw blade further comprises means for forming the first and/or second means at a line of breakage formed within a respective tip region of the blade for breaking away the respective tip region at the line of breakage and, in turn, exposing the respective first and/or second means for engaging the chuck of the reciprocating saw. 
         [0014]    In the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, the first means is a first tang; the second means is a second tang; and the third means is a grit cutting edge or a toothed cutting edge. In some such embodiments, the second tang is substantially the same as the first tang. 
         [0015]    In accordance with another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method comprising the following steps: 
         [0016]    (i) providing a reciprocating saw blade defining a blade body, a first end and a second end, a first tang located at the first end of the blade body, a second tang located at the second end of the blade body, and a substantially uniform cutting edge extending from approximately the first end to approximately the second end of the blade body; 
         [0017]    (ii) mounting the first tang of the reciprocating saw blade in the chuck of a reciprocating saw and forming with the second tang a first free end of the reciprocating saw blade; 
         [0018]    (iii) driving the first free end of the reciprocating saw blade in a reciprocating motion with the reciprocating saw; 
         [0019]    (iv) removing the first tang of the reciprocating saw blade from the chuck of the reciprocating saw and mounting the second tang of the reciprocating saw blade in the chuck of the reciprocating saw and forming with the first tang a second free end of the reciprocating saw blade; and 
         [0020]    (v) driving the second free end of the reciprocating saw blade in a reciprocating motion with the reciprocating saw. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments of the present invention, the method further comprises the following steps: 
         [0022]    during step (iii), engaging a first region of the cutting edge located proximate to the first tang with a workpiece and wearing the first region of the cutting edge at a faster rate than a second region of the cutting edge located proximate to the second tang; and during step (v), engaging the second region of the cutting edge with a workpiece and wearing the second region of the cutting edge. 
         [0023]    One advantage of the present invention is when the primary cutting portion of the reciprocating saw blade (i.e., the inner portion of the reciprocating saw blade adjacent to the chuck or shoe of the reciprocating saw) wears faster than the outer or free end of the reciprocating saw blade, the reciprocating saw blade may be removed from the chuck, flipped or rotated 180°, and the other tang inserted into the chuck to present a relatively fresh primary cutting portion of the same blade. As a result, the blades of the present invention can achieve significantly improved wear life in comparison to prior art reciprocating saw blades. This is particularly advantageous for reciprocating saw blades with relatively expensive elongated cutting edges, such as reciprocating saw blades with carbide and/or diamond grit cutting edges. 
         [0024]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention, and/or of the currently preferred embodiments thereof, will become more readily apparent in view of the following detailed description of currently preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1A  is a side elevational view of a recip saw blade of the present invention including a first tang on one end of the blade, a second tang on the opposite end of the blade, and a substantially uniform grit cutting edge extending along the blade body between the first and second tangs; 
           [0026]      FIG. 1B  is a side elevational view of a jig saw blade of the present invention including a first tang on one end of the blade, a second tang on the opposite end of the blade, and a substantially uniform grit cutting edge extending along the blade body between the first and second tangs; 
           [0027]      FIG. 1C  is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a jig saw blade of the present invention including a first tang on one end of the blade, a second tang on the opposite end of the blade, and a substantially uniform grit cutting edge extending along the blade body between the first and second tangs; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged, partial, cross-sectional view of the reciprocating saw blade of  FIG. 1A  illustrating in further detail the uniform cutting edge of the blade; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3A  is an enlarged, partial, side elevational view of the reciprocating saw blade of  FIG. 1A  illustrating one of the tangs in further detail; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3B  is an enlarged, partial, side elevational view of the reciprocating saw blade of  FIG. 1B  illustrating one of the tangs in further detail; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3C  is an enlarged, partial, side elevational view of the reciprocating saw blade of  FIG. 1C  illustrating one of the tangs in further detail; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4A  is an enlarged, partial, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a reciprocating saw blade of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4B  is an enlarged, partial, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a reciprocating saw blade of the present invention illustrating the uniform cutting edge of the blade; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a reciprocating saw blade of the present invention that includes scores for selectively removing the first and second tangs; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a reciprocating saw blade of the present invention including score lines defining the tang at an end of the blade for removing a tip formed contiguous to the tang to expose the tang for use, and another score line formed at the other end of the blade for removing the adjacent tang and forming a tip at the respective end of the blade. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    Referring to the drawings and, in particular,  FIG. 1 , a reciprocating saw blade with a tang at each end in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the of the present invention is shown and generally represented by the reference numeral  10 . As indicated above, a reciprocating saw is a hand-held saw that includes a chuck or like mechanism for releasably engaging a saw blade and driving the saw blade in a reciprocating motion, such as a jig saw or a recip saw. The reciprocating saw causes the saw blade  10  to move in a reciprocating motion in a series of push and pull strokes, i.e., forward strokes and return strokes. During each stroke, the saw blade  10  moves between a rearmost position and a forwardmost position to, in turn, apply a cutting action to a workpiece. When the reciprocating saw blade  10  is engaged by a reciprocating saw chuck at one end of the blade, the opposite end of the blade defines a free end that is allowed to move into engagement and through a workpiece. 
         [0037]    The reciprocating saw blade  10  includes a blade body  11  defining a first end  12 A including a first tang  12 B, and a second end  14 A including a second tang  14 B. As can be seen, the first end  12 A including the first tang  12 B is located at one end of the blade body  11  and is engageable with the chuck of a reciprocating saw (not shown). Likewise, the second end  14 A including the second tang  14 B is located at the opposite end of the blade body  11  and is alternatively engageable with the chuck of a reciprocating saw. The design of the first tang  12 B and the second tang  14 B make the reciprocating saw blade  10  compatible with recip saws, and therefore the blade  10  is a recip blade. The blade  10  further includes a cutting edge  16  extending along one side of the blade body between the first end  128  and the second end  14 B of the blade, and a back or non-working edge  18  located on the opposite side of the blade body relative to the cutting edge  16 . In the illustrated embodiment, and as described further below, the cutting edge  16  is a substantially uniform cutting edge that extends from approximately one end of the blade body to the opposite end of the blade body. The back edge  18 , on the other hand, is a non-working edge. In the illustrated embodiment, the back edge  18  is substantially parallel to the cutting edge  16 . However, as may be recognized by those or ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the orientation, shape and/or configuration of the non-working edge  18  may vary as needed to accomplish different cutting operations or otherwise as desired. 
         [0038]    The first tang  12 B is engageable with the chuck of a reciprocating saw, such as a recip saw, for releasably securing the first end  12 A to the reciprocating saw and forming with the second end  14 A and second tang  14 B a free end of the saw blade  10  that is drivable in a reciprocating motion by the reciprocating saw. Similarly, the second tang  14 B is alternatively engageable with the chuck of a reciprocating saw for releasably securing the second end  14 A to the reciprocating saw and forming with the first end  12 A and first tang  12 B a free end of the saw blade  10  drivable in a reciprocating motion by the reciprocating saw. Accordingly, only one end ( 12 A or  14 A) of the reciprocating saw blade  10  is engaged with the chuck of a reciprocating saw at any one time, and the other end of the reciprocating saw blade defines a free end that is driven by the reciprocating saw in a reciprocating motion into engagement and through a workpiece. In order to effectively operate in a reciprocating saw, and in contrast to, for example, a scroll saw blade, the body  11  of the reciprocating saw blade  10  must be sufficiently rigid to allow the blade  10  to be engaged by the chuck of a reciprocating saw at only one end of the blade  10 , while the opposite free end of the blade  10  is driven in a reciprocating motion into engagement with and through a workpiece. In the Illustrated embodiment, the blade body  11  is formed of metal, such as carbon steel or spring steel. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the blade body  11  defines a length “L” within the range of about 6 inches to about 12 inches and a width “W” within the range of about ½ of an inch to about 1½ inches, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , defines a thickness “T” within the range of about 25/1000 of an inch to about 75/1000 of an inch. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , a first portion  12 C of the cutting edge  16  extending adjacent to the first tang  12 B defines a first primary cutting surface, and a second portion  14 C of the cutting edge  16  extending adjacent to the second tang  14 B defines a second primary cutting surface. One advantage of the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention is that when one of the primary cutting surfaces ( 12 C or  14 C) becomes worn out, the blade may be flipped within the reciprocating saw to present the other primary cutting surface ( 12 C or  14 C) for use. For example, when the reciprocating saw blade  10  is releasably secured in a chuck by the first tang  12 B, the first portion  12 C is the primary cutting surface of the blade (because it is located at the inner end of the blade) and thus typically will become damaged or worn to a greater degree than the second portion  14 C extending along and adjacent to the free end  14 A of the blade. This condition may arise from a variety of factors including a need to contact the workpiece with the inner end of the blade adjacent to the foot or shoe of the reciprocating saw during use, undersized workpieces as compared to conventional blade length, and/or the relatively short stroke length of typical reciprocating saws. Accordingly, once the first primary cutting surface  12 C becomes worn or damaged, the first tang  12 B may be disengaged from the chuck of the reciprocating saw, the reciprocating saw blade  10  flipped or rotated 180′, and the second tang  14 B may be inserted into and engaged with the chuck to, in turn, present the second primary cutting surface  14 C as the primary cutting surface of the blade. As a result, the wear life of the blades of the present invention can be significantly extended in comparison to prior art reciprocating saw blades having only one tang at one end of the blade. This aspect of the present invention is particularly advantageous when implemented in connection with reciprocating saw blades having relatively costly cutting edges, such as diamond grit or other carbide grit cutting edges. 
         [0040]    In the Illustrated embodiment, the cutting surface of the cutting edge  16  is defined by a cutting element  20  that forms a substantially uniform cutting surface extending from approximately the first end  12 A to approximately the second end  14 A of the blade body  11 . In the currently preferred embodiment, the cutting element  20  is a substantially uniform grit extending from one end of the blade body  11  to the other end of the blade body. In another embodiment, the cutting element  20  is a substantially uniform tooth pattern extending from one end of the blade body  11  to the other end of the blade body. During the pull and push strokes applied by a reciprocating saw to the reciprocating saw blade  10 , the cutting edge  16  applies a reciprocating cutting action to a workpiece. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , the cutting element  20  is a foreign substance or member applied to the cutting edge  16 , and in the illustrated embodiment, is a diamond or carbide grit. Also in the Illustrated embodiment, the grit  20  is applied to the cutting edge  16  without directional orientation so that the grit will impart substantially the same cutting action during both the pull and push strokes of the blade, and regardless of which end of the blade is engaged by the chuck of a reciprocating saw. In another embodiment which includes a substantially uniform tooth pattern, the teeth are shaped and dimensioned without directional orientation so that the teeth will impart substantially the same cutting action during both the pull and push strokes of the blade, and regardless of which end of the blade is engaged by the chuck of a reciprocating saw. Also in such embodiments, the cutting element  20  is substantially uniform along the entire length of the cutting edge  16  to thereby form a substantially uniform cutting edge without directional orientation from one end of the blade to the other. Because the cutting element  20  defines a substantially uniform cutting surface without directional orientation extending from one end of the blade body  11  to the other end of the blade body  11 , the cutting action imparted on a workpiece is substantially the same regardless of which end ( 12 A or  14 A) of the blade  10  is engaged by the chuck of the reciprocating saw and which end ( 12 A or  14 A) of the blade  10  defines the free end that is not engaged by the chuck of the saw. In other words, when the first tang  12 B is engaged by the chuck the cutting action applied to a workpiece is substantially the same as when the second tang  14 B is engaged by the chuck. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cutting element  20  is applied to the cutting edge  16  along the front and opposing side surfaces of the cutting edge. The blade body  11  defines opposing recessed side surfaces  22  that are recessed inwardly relative to the respective sides of the blade body  11 , that extend inwardly from the front edge of the blade body, and that extend axially along the length of the cutting edge  16 . The cutting element  20 , such as diamond or carbide grit, is applied in a substantially uniform manner within and along the recessed side surfaces  22  and the front edge of the blade body  11 , and is fixedly secured to the blade body  11  to thereby define a uniform cutting edge extending from one end of the blade body to the other. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the cutting element  20  does not fully penetrate into corners  21  defined at the junctions of the recessed side surfaces  22  and the blade body  11 , such that a gap or space  23  is formed between the cutting element  20  and a respective corners  21 . As may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the cutting edge  16  and cutting element  20  thereon are only exemplary, and may take the form of any of numerous different types of cutting edges and/or cutting edge materials that that are currently known, or that later become known, including without limitation, different types of diamond, carbide or other grit cutting edges, carbide tipped cutting edges, and bi-metal cutting edges. 
         [0043]    Turning to  FIG. 3A , each of the first and second tangs  12 B,  148  of the reciprocating blade  10  include a tang  28  defining a first front edge  30 , a first side edge  32 , and a first back edge  34 . Each first front edge  30  is laterally offset a predefined distance from the cutting edge  16  of the blade body  11  by a necking  36 . Each necking  36  defines a respective end of the cutting edge  16 , and in the Illustrated embodiment, is curvilinear. The degree of offset formed by the necking may vary depending on any of a variety of factors known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. Each first front edge  30  is oriented substantially parallel to the cutting edge  16 . Each first side edge  32  is substantially straight or linear, and is substantially perpendicular to the respective first side edge  32  and first back edge  34 . Each first back edge  34  is preferably offset a predetermined distance from the non-working edge  18  of the blade body  11  by the necking  36 . Each first back edge  34  is substantially straight or linear and also is substantially parallel to the respective first front edge  30 . The tang  28  further defines a tang aperture  38  extending through the tang, and a tang chamfer  40  extending between the respective first side edge  32  and first back edge  34 . One purpose of the tang aperture  38  is to increase the strength and otherwise enhance the safety associated with clamping or connecting the blade  10  to a particular clamping device (e.g., a chuck) by use of a connecting element (e.g., a stud or pin) through the tang aperture  38  whenever the configuration or construction of the clamping device permits. Thus, the tang aperture  38  may be sized, shaped, positioned and/or configured to operatively accommodate any of a variety of different chucks or like connecting elements. The tang chamfer  40  forms a part of the first back edge  34  of the tang  28 . The tang chamfer  40  is preferably substantially curvilinear, as shown. One purpose of the tang chamfer  40  is to facilitate the effective and efficient insertion of the tang  28  into a variety of different chucks or other clamping devices. As may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the above-described features of the tangs of the reciprocating saw blade of the present invention are only exemplary, and the tangs of the blades of the present invention may take any of numerous different tang shapes and/or configurations that are currently known or that later become known, including without limitation tangs that are angled relative to cutting surface, tangs including the same or similar features as described above, that have certain above-described features omitted, and/or features in addition to those described above. 
         [0044]    As also shown typically in  FIG. 3A , each tang  28  of the reciprocating saw blade  10  includes a tang stem  42  defining a reduced width portion of the tang  28  that extends rearwardly on the respective tang  28  for receipt within the chuck or like tang-engaging device of a reciprocating saw. Each tang stem  42  defines a second front edge  44 , a second side edge  46 , and a second back edge  48 . Each second front edge  44 , as shown, is aligned with and substantially parallel to the first front edge  30  of the respective tang  28 . Each second side edge  46  is substantially perpendicular to the respective second front edge  44  and/or cutting edge  16 . Each second side edge  46  is substantially straight or linear. Each second back edge  48 , as shown, is offset a predetermined distance from the first back edge  34  of the respective tang  28 . The degree of offset may vary depending on any of a variety of factors known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. The second back edge  48  of each tang stem  42  is oriented at a predefined angle with respect to the first and second front edges  30  and  44 , respectively, (or with respect to the first back edge  34  of the respective tang  28  and/or the non-working edge  18  of the blade portion  11 ). In one embodiment, the angle of the second back edge  48  of the tang stem  42 , with respect to the first and second front edges  30  and  44 , respectively, is zero—i.e., the second back edge  48  of the tang stem  42  is substantially parallel with respect to the first and/or second front edges  30  and  44 . As may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, these features of the tang stem are only exemplary, and the tang stems of the blades of the present invention may take any of numerous different tang stem shapes and/or configurations that are currently known or that later become known. For example, the tangs and/or tang stems may take the form of any of the tangs or tapered tang stems disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/106,907, filed Apr. 15, 2005, entitled “Reciprocating Saw Blade With Tapered Tang Stem”, which is assigned to the Assignee of the present invention, and is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety as part of the present disclosure. 
         [0045]    As described above, the tangs of the reciprocating blades are sized and shaped to allow the blades to be engaged by a chuck. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the specific design of the first tang  12 B and/or second tang  14 B may conform to a standard or conventional design to be compatible with widely used reciprocating saws and chucks, such as a one-half inch universal tang. In other alternative embodiments, the first tang  12 B and second tang  14 B are shaped and dimensioned to be compatible with (i.e., capable of being releasably engaged by) a unique or specific chuck of a reciprocating saw, such as a quick change chuck. In other alternative embodiments, the first and second tangs  12 B and  14 B, respectively, are different from each other to, for example, fit different types of chucks or different types of reciprocating saws. Such alternative embodiments are contemplated and include all tang/chuck designs currently known or not yet known in the art. 
         [0046]    One such alternative embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 1B and 3B  and is indicated generally by the reference numeral  110 . The reciprocating saw blade  110  is substantially similar to the reciprocating saw blade  10  described above, and therefore like reference numerals preceded by the numeral “1” are used to indicate like elements. The primary difference of the reciprocating saw blade  110  in comparison to the reciprocating saw blade  10  is that the design of the first and second tangs  112 B,  114 B make the reciprocating saw blade  110  compatible with jig saws, as opposed to recip saws, and therefore blade  110  is a jig saw blade as opposed to a recip saw blade. The first and second tangs  112 B,  114 B are “t-shank” type tangs commonly provided on jig saw blades for releasably connecting jig saw blades to compatible “t-shank” chucks on jig saws. 
         [0047]    As shown typically in  FIG. 3B , each of the first and second tangs  112 B,  114 B of the reciprocating blade  110  include a first portion  170  extending from the blade body  111  and defined by a first width W 1 , a second portion  172  extending form the first portion  170  and defined by a second width W 2 , and a third portion  174  extending from the second portion  172  and defined by a third width W 3 . Each of the first portion  170 , the second portion  172  and the third portion  174  is defined by substantially parallel side edges that are offset a predefined distance from the cutting edge  116  and the back edge  118 , respectively. The side edges of the first portion  170  are substantially evenly offset inwardly from the cutting edge  116  and the back edge  118  such that its width W 1  is less than the width W of the blade body  111 , and its length L 1  is substantially less than the length L of the blade body  111 . The transitions between the side edges of the first portion  170  and the cutting edge  116  and the back edge  118 , respectively, are defined by a first necking  169 . Each first necking  169  defines a respective end of the cutting edge  116 , and in the illustrated embodiment, is linear and extends at an acute angle between the ends of the side edges of the first portion  170  and the ends of the cutting edge  116  and the back edge  118 , respectively. The side edges of the second portion  172  are substantially evenly offset inwardly from the cutting edge  116  and the back edge  118  such that its width W 2  is less than the width W of the blade body  111  but greater than the width W 1  of the first portion  170 . The length  12  of the second portion  172  is less than the length L 1  of the first portion  170 . The transitions between the ends of the side edges of the second portion  172  and the ends of the side edges of the first portion  170  are defined by a second necking  171 . Each second necking  171  defines a respective end of the first portion  170 , and in the illustrated embodiment, is curvilinear. The side edges of the third portion  174  are substantially evenly offset inwardly from the cutting edge  116  and the back edge  118  such that its width W 3  is less than the width W of the blade body  111  and the width W 2  of the second portion  172 , but greater than the width W 1  of the first portion  170 . The length  13  of the third portion  174  is greater than the length L 2  of the second portion  172  and the length L 1  of the first portion  170 . The transitions between the ends of the side edges of the third portion  174  and the ends of the side edges of the second portion  172  are defined by a third necking  173 . Each third necking  173  defines a respective end of the second portion  172 , and in the illustrated embodiment, is curvilinear. 
         [0048]    The third portion  174  further defines narrowing side edges  175 . In the illustrated embodiment, each narrowing side edge  175  is linear and extends inwardly at an acute angle from the ends of the side edges of the third portion  174  to the ends of an end edge  176 , respectively. The end edge  176  extends substantially perpendicular to the cutting edge  116  and the back edge  118 , and defines the inner edge of the respective tangs  112 B,  114 B. One purpose of the narrowing side edges  175  is to facilitate the effective and efficient insertion of the tangs  112 B,  114 B into a variety of different chucks or other clamping devices. The third portion  174  also defines a tang aperture  138  extending through the third portion  174 . One purpose of the tang aperture  138  is to increase the strength and otherwise enhance the safety associated with clamping or connecting the blade  110  to a particular clamping device (e.g., a chuck) by use of a connecting element (e.g., a stud or pin) through the tang aperture  138  whenever the configuration or construction of the clamping device permits. Thus, the tang aperture  138  may be sized, shaped, positioned and/or configured to operatively accommodate any of a variety of different chucks or like connecting elements. 
         [0049]    Another alternative embodiment of the reciprocating saw blade of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1C and 3C  and is indicated generally by the reference numeral  210 . The reciprocating saw blade  210  is substantially similar to the reciprocating saw blades  10  and  110  described above, and therefore like reference numerals preceded by the numeral “2”, or preceded by the numeral “2” instead of the numeral “1”, are used to indicate like elements. The primary difference of the reciprocating saw blade  210  in comparison to the reciprocating saw blade  10  is that the design of the first and second tangs  212 B,  214 B make the reciprocating saw blade  210  compatible with jig saws, as opposed to recip saws, and therefore saw blade  210  is a jig saw blade as opposed to recip saw blade. The primary difference of the reciprocating saw blade  210  in comparison to the reciprocating saw blade  110  is that the first and second tangs  212 B,  214 B define a “universal shank” type jig saw tang as opposed to a “t-shank” type jig saw tang. “Universal shank” type jig saw tangs are commonly provided on jig saw blades for releasably connecting the jig saw blades to a wide array of chucks commonly provided on jig saws. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 3C , each of the “universal shank” type first and second tangs  212 B,  214 B of the reciprocating blade  210  include a back side edge  218 ′ that extends homogeneously from the back side edge  218  of the blade body  211 . The first and second tangs  212 B,  214 B also define a front edge  280  that is substantially parallel to and offset a predefined distance from the cutting edge  216  of the body  211  by a necking  278 . The necking  278  defines a respective end of the cutting edge  216 , and in the illustrated embodiment, is curvilinear. The degree of offset formed by the necking  278  may vary depending on any of a variety of factors known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. Each first front edge  280  is oriented substantially parallel to the cutting edge  216 . Each first side edge  280  is substantially straight or linear, and is substantially perpendicular to a respective end edge  282  formed contiguous thereto. The end edges  282  extend inwardly to an arcuate, central end edge portion  290 . The arcuate end edge  290  is oriented such that it extends into its respective tang  212 B,  214 B towards the blade body  211 . The tangs  212 B,  214 B of reciprocating blade  210  further define a tang aperture  238  extending through the tang. One purpose of the tang aperture  238  is to increase the strength and otherwise enhance the safety associated with clamping or connecting the blade  210  to a particular clamping device (e.g., a chuck) by use of a connecting element (e.g., a stud or pin) through the tang aperture  238  whenever the configuration or construction of the clamping device permits. Thus, the tang aperture  238  may be sized, shaped, positioned and/or configured to operatively accommodate any of a variety of different chucks or like connecting elements. 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 4A  another embodiment of the reciprocating saw blade of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral  310 . The reciprocating saw blade  310  is substantially similar to the reciprocating saw blade  10  described above, and therefore like reference numerals preceded by the numeral “3” are used to indicate like elements. The primary differences of the reciprocating saw blade  310  in comparison to the reciprocating saw blade  10  are that the blade body  311  defines a substantially flat front or top edge and side surfaces, and the cutting element  320  applied in a substantially uniform manner defines a substantially flat front or top edge  325  extending over the front edge of the blade body  311  and substantially planar side edges  327  extending inwardly from the substantially flat front edge  325  along the respective side surfaces of the blade body  311 . 
         [0052]    In  FIG. 4B  another embodiment of the reciprocating saw blade of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral  410 . The reciprocating saw blade  410  is substantially similar to the reciprocating saw blades  10  and  310  described above, and therefore like reference numerals preceded by the numeral “4”, or preceded by the numeral “4” Instead of the numeral “3”, are used to indicate like elements. The primary differences of the reciprocating saw blade  410  in comparison to the reciprocating saw blades  10  and  310  are that the blade body  411  defines a substantially flat front or top edge and side surfaces, and the cutting element  420  applied in a substantially uniform manner defines a substantially flat front or top edge  425  extending over the front edge of the blade body  411 , and substantially planar side edges  427  extending outwardly past the respective side surfaces of the blade body  411  and downwardly on opposite sides of the front or top edge  425  relative to each side (but not along the side walls of the blade body). As may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the above-described embodiments of the cutting element of the reciprocating saw blade of the present invention are only exemplary, and the cutting element of the blades of the present invention may take any of numerous different shapes and/or configurations that are currently known or that later become known, including a cutting element with the same or similar features as described above, a cutting element that has certain above-described features omitted, and/or features in addition to those described above. 
         [0053]    In  FIG. 5  another embodiment of the reciprocating saw blade of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral  510 . The reciprocating saw blade  510  is substantially similar to the reciprocating saw blade  10  described above, and therefore like reference numerals preceded by the numeral “5”, are used to indicate like elements. The primary difference of the reciprocating saw blade  510  in comparison to the reciprocating saw blade  10  is that the reciprocating saw blade  510  includes scores  550  formed on the blade body  511  and positioned toward the ends of blade body  511  but spaced inwardly from the respective tangs  512 B,  514 B. The scores  550  extend linearly from the cutting edge  516  to the back edge  518  at an acute angle relative to the cutting edge  516  and the back edge  518  such that an acute edge and point or tip  554  is defined by each score  550 . In the Illustrative embodiment, each score  550  is defined by an approximately V-shaped score line in cross-section that defines a predefined depth within the blade body  511  that is sufficiently deep that allows the adjacent portion  552  to be manually engaged and snapped or broken away at the respective score  550  (e.g., with a pair of pliers), but is sufficiently strong to prevent the blade from breaking at the score  550  during use. Alternatively, each score  550  may be defined by pairs of opposing score lines located on opposite sides of the blade relative to each other, and aligned with each other. As may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the scores  550  may take any of numerous different shapes and/or configurations that are currently known or later become known. 
         [0054]    Accordingly, the scores  550  define a division between the blade body  511  and the tangs  512 B,  514 B. Because the scores  550  are angled relative to the cutting edge  516  and the back edge  518  such that an acute point or tip  554  is formed between the scores  550  and the cutting edge  516 , the scores  550  also define a division between the blade body  511  and a section  552  of the blade body  511  adjacent to the tangs  512 B,  514 B that includes a portion of the back edge  518 . In use, the scores  550  allow a user to apply a predetermined amount of force across the scores  550  to break the blade at the scores  550  and in turn remove a respective tang  512 B,  514 B and a section  552  of the blade body  511  adjacent to the tang  512 B,  5148  from the reciprocating saw blade  510 , and thereby form an acute point or tip  554  at the cutting surface  516 . The scores  550  are particularly useful when, for example, a portion  512 C,  514 C of the cutting edge  516  becomes dull or damaged. In such a scenario, a user can remove the tang  512 B,  514 B associated with the worn portion  512 C,  514 C to create a reciprocating saw blade with an acute point or tip  554  at one end, and a tang  512 B,  514 B located at the other end of the blade  510  that is adjacent to a usable or pristine portion  512 C,  514 C of the cutting edge  516 . As may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the above-described features of the reciprocating saw blade of the present invention are only exemplary, and the scores of the present invention may take any of numerous different shapes and/or configurations that are currently known or that later become known. For example, the scores may define a tip at the non-working edge or at a location between the non-working edge and the cutting edge. As another example, multiple scores may achieve the same or similar result as a single score line. As yet another example, the scores may not be located, at least in part, on the blade body, but instead be formed by one or both tangs. 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 6  another embodiment of the reciprocating saw blade of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral  610 . The reciprocating saw blade  610  is substantially similar to the reciprocating saw blades  10  and  510  described above, and therefore like reference numerals preceded by the numeral “6”, or preceded by the numeral “6” instead of the numeral “5”, are used to indicate like elements. The primary difference of the reciprocating saw blade  610  in comparison to the reciprocating saw blades  10  and  510  is that the tang  614 B of the reciprocating saw blade  610  is defined by a score line  658 , and a pointed tip  656  extends distally from the score  658  forming the tang  614 B. The pointed tip  656  is sized and shaped such that it continues from the blade body  611  and the tang  614 B to surround the tang  614 B in such a manner that the back edge  616  and the cutting edge  616  extend uninterrupted from the blade body  611  through the pointed material  656  to a side edge  660 . The side edge  660  of the pointed material  656  extends from the cutting edge  616  to the back edge  618  at an acute angle relative to the cutting edge  616  and the back edge  618  such that an acute point or tip  662  is formed between the side edge  662  and the cutting edge  616 . The pointed material  656  further defines an angled, linear edge  664  that extends between the acute point or tip  662  and the cutting edge  616  forming a chamfered corner. The blade  610  also includes another score  650  located at the opposite end of the blade relative to the score  658 . The score  650  allows the blade to be manually engaged and snapped or otherwise broken at the score  650  to break away the tang  612 B and form a pointed cutting edge. 
         [0056]    In use, when the primary cutting region  612 C becomes worn, a user can manually engage the pointed tip  656 , such as with a pair of pliers, and break away the tip  656  at the tang score  658  to, in turn, expose the tang  614 B. The tang  614 B can then be mounted in the chuck of a reciprocating saw. The score  658  between the un-exposed tang  614 B and the pointed material  656  allows a user to apply a predetermined amount of force across the score  658  to remove the pointed material  656  and expose the tang  614 B. The score  658  is particularly useful when, for example, a portion  612 C of the cutting edge  616  adjacent to the pre-exposed tang  612 B becomes dull or damaged. In such a scenario, a user can remove the pointed material  656  adjacent to the un-exposed tang  614 B to create a reciprocating saw blade with exposed tangs  612 B,  614 B at both ends of the blade body  611  wherein the newly exposed tang  614 B is adjacent to a usable or pristine section  614 C of the cutting edge  616 . Further, a user can remove the pre-exposed tang  612 B associated with the worn portion  612 C to create a reciprocating saw blade with an acute point or tip  654  at one end and a newly exposed tang  614 B at the other end that is adjacent to a usable or pristine section  614 C of the cutting edge  616 . As may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, the above-described features of the reciprocating saw blade of the present invention are only exemplary, and the pointed material  656  and associated score  658  of the present invention may take any of numerous different shapes and/or configurations that are currently known or that later become known. For example, the score may define a tip at the non-working edge or at a location between the non-working edge and the cutting edge. As another example, multiple scores may be used to assist in removal of the pointed material, and may extend to multiple edges, locations and/or patterns. As yet another example, the pointed material may not be contiguous to all of the edges of the tang or the edges of the blade body may not extend through the pointed material. 
         [0057]    As may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein, numerous changes and modifications can be made to the above-described and other embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Many of the features of the saw blades described above are only exemplary, and may be changed as desired, or otherwise as required to meet the requirements of a particular application. For example, in some embodiments, the cutting edge may be defined by cutting teeth, such as carbide tipped, bi-metal, or traditional carbon steel teeth. In addition, the saw blades of the present invention may be coated with any of numerous different coatings that are currently known or that later become known, such as a titanium nitride coating (TiN), or an aluminum titanium nitride coating (AlTiN). In other embodiments, the cutting edge may be designed to favor either the push or the pull stroke of the blade, i.e., to apply greater cutting action during the pull stroke as compared to the push stroke, or vice versa. In such an embodiment, the blade may favor the push or pull stroke when engaged with a chuck at the first end  12 A by the first tang  12 B, and, conversely, may favor the opposite stroke when engaged with the chuck at the second end  14 A by the second tang  14 B. The present disclosure therefore provides a saw blade having a uniform cutting edge capable of favoring, depending which end is engaged to the saw, either the pull or push stroke. As a result, a user of such an exemplary blade of this embodiment can tailor his/her reciprocating saw to the desired cutting action (to favor the pull or push strokes) by flipping the blade on the reciprocating saw. The phrase “substantially uniform cutting edge” is used herein to mean a cutting edge that is substantially identical, consistent, or without variations in detail along the length of the cutting edge. The phrase “cutting edge without directional orientation” is used herein to mean a cutting edge that will impart substantially the same cutting action during both the pull and push strokes of the blade, and regardless of which end of the blade is engaged by the chuck of a reciprocating saw. Accordingly, this detailed description of the currently preferred embodiments is to be taken in an illustrative, as opposed to a limiting sense.