Coping saw

• US 6,442,848 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2000
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ethan Dean
• Original Assignee: Ethan Dean
• Inventors: Dean, Ethan
• Primary Examiner(s): Watts, Douglas D.
• Application Number:
  US09/531,923
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 303/80, 838/16, 838/20, 474/178, 474/191
• US Class Current: 30/380
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 53/005 with a plurality of band saw blades or band saw blades having plural cutting zones, e.g. contiguous oppositely-moving saw blade portions for length cutting of trunks B27B15/08
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 53/04 with the wheels carrying the strap mounted shiftably or swingingly , i.e. during sawing, other than merely for adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 53/12 Hand-held or hand-operated sawing devices working with strap saw blades
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 55/06 of drives for strap saw blades; of wheel mountings
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 55/10 of devices for tensioning strap saw blades B23D55/06 takes precedence; incorporated in the strap B23D61/12
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 57/0076 Devices for converting any machine for sawing purposes

Abstract

A coping saw is provided having two spaced-apart rotary actuators supported by a frame. Two saw-blade sections extend between the two rotary actuators and are intended to singularly engage a work piece. The saw is adapted to contain a drive mechanism which is coupled to a first of the two rotary actuators for causing the saw-blade sections to move in at least one direction. Alternately, the coping saw may be configured to be an attachment for a conventional rotary tool.

Claims

1. A mechanized hand-held saw having a continuous loop blade, comprising in combination:

a housing having a first and second portions interconnected by a bridge defining at least one arc-shaped opening separating said first and second portions, said first and second portions and said bridge contained in a first plane of symmetry and containing a longitudinal axis for said housing;

a motor disposed in said first portion of said housing, said motor having a shaft extending from at least one end thereof and having an axis contained in said first plane of symmetry;

a drive pulley mounted in said first portion of said housing to said shaft extending from said at least one end of said motor and configured to receive a portion of the continuous loop blade, said drive pulley contained in a second plane of symmetry different from said first plane of symmetry;

a carriage disposed in said second portion of said housing and translatable between a first and second positions along a line approximately parallel to said first plane of symmetry; and

a driven pulley mounted on said carriage and generally aligned with said first pulley and configured to receive another portion of the continuous loop blade;

wherein the continuous loop blade on said drive pulley and said driven pulley provides two sections of the blade which span said arc-shaped opening at two spaced-apart locations and move in opposite directions.

2. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 1, further including a plurality of blade guides mounted in said first and second portions of said housing on opposing sides of said arc-shaped opening for supporting the continuous loop blade at said two spaced-apart locations.

3. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 1, further including a battery pack detachably mounted to said housing for providing power to said motor.

4. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive pulley and said driven pulley each include an o-ring.

5. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 1, wherein said carriage includes an adjustment member for translating said carriage between and including said first and second positions.

6. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 1, further including a handle pivotally attached to said second portion of said housing for manually supporting said second end of the hand-held saw while rotating the hand-held saw about a longitudinal axis.

7. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of blade guides includes pinch rollers, located on opposite sides of the continuous loop blade.

8. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of blade guides includes anti-backup bearings engaging the continuous loop blade.

9. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 3, wherein said battery pack is located within said bridge interconnecting said first and second portions of said housing.

10. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 4, wherein said o-ring on each of said drive pulley and said driven pulley are disposed in dissimilar planes.

11. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 5, further including an adjustment tool configured to engage said adjustment member to translate said carriage between said first and second positions.

46. The powered saw as defined in claim 1, further including at least one idler roller disposed intermediate said guide roller and a respective one of said two spaced-apart pulleys for absorbing tensional variations experienced by said continuous loop blade and feeding said continuous loop blade to and from said respective one of said two spaced-apart pulleys.

47. The powered saw as defined in claim 46, further including a housing enclosing said frame, said two spaced-apart pulleys, said at least one guide roller assembly, said adjustment member, and said idler roller, and exposing two sections of said continuous loop blade intermediate said two spaced-apart pulleys.

48. The powered saw as defined in claim 46, wherein said frame and said housing define a work space adjacent each of said two sections of said continuous loop blade to permit access by portions of a workpiece.

49. The powered saw as defined in claim 46, wherein said frame defines a bridge interconnecting said first end of said frame with said second end of said frame.

50. The powered saw as defined in claim 46, wherein said housing defines a bridge extending between said two spaced-apart pulleys.

12. A mechanized hand-held saw, comprising in combination:

a housing having first and second spaced-apart end portions interconnected together by a bridge defining an arc between said first and second end portions, said first and second end portions and said bridge contained in a first plane of symmetry;

a motor in said first end portion of said housing and having a shaft extending from at least one end thereof, an axis of said shaft contained in said first plane of symmetry;

a drive pulley in said first end portion of said housing and mounted to said shaft extending from said at least one end of said motor, said drive pulley contained in a second plane of symmetry different from said first plane of symmetry;

a carriage in said second end portion of said housing and movable between a first and second positions; and

a driven pulley mounted to said carriage in said second end portion of said housing;

a continuous loop blade mounted on said drive pulley and said driven pulley providing a first and second sections of blade spanning said arc-shaped opening at spaced-apart locations;

wherein said first section of said continuous loop blade moves in a direction opposite to that of said second section of said continuous loop blade to provide two cutting sections of blade.

13. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 12, further including a power source disposed within said housing and attached to said motor.

14. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 12, further including an o-ring disposed in offset circumferential relationship around each of said drive and driven pulleys for centering said continuous loop blade on said drive and driven pulleys.

15. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 12, further including blade guides mounted on opposite sides of, and proximate to, said arc-shaped opening in said first and second end portions, for supporting said continuous loop blade across said arc-shaped opening.

16. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 12, further including a carriage adjustment attached to said carriage for moving said carriage between said first and second positions.

17. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 12, further including a handle pivotally coupled to said second spaced-apart end portion for manually supporting the mechanized hand-held saw and swiveling of said handle about an axis which parallels said longitudinal axis of the mechanized hand-held saw.

18. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 12, wherein said housing includes two halves configured to join together along said first plane of symmetry.

19. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 12, further including covers attached to said first and second spaced-apart end portions for covering said drive pulley and said driven pulley without interfering with said continuous loop blade.

20. The mechanized hand-held saw as defined in claim 19, wherein each of said covers includes ports for preventing debris build-up and providing ventilation.

21. A mechanized, hand-held saw for cutting a work piece, comprising in combination:

a frame having a first and a second ends;

a handle rotatably coupled to one of said first and second ends of said frame;

a drive pulley mounted on a shaft extending from said first end;

a driven pulley proximate said second end of said frame and translatable between a first and a second position relative to said drive pulley; and

a continuous loop blade extending at least partially around said drive pulley and said driven pulley to provide two exposed sections of said continuous loop blade gap between said drive pulley and said driven pulley wherein either blade maybe used to cut the work piece.

22. The mechanized, hand-held saw as defined in claim 21, further including at least one guide roller assembly proximate each of said drive pulley and said driven pulley for providing lateral and vertical stability to each of said two exposed sections of said continuous loop blade between said drive pulley and said driven pulley.

23. The mechanized, hand-held saw as defined in claim 21, further including at least one idler wheel assembly proximate each of said drive pulley and said driven pulley for absorbing tensional variations produced in said continuous loop blade during use, and for guiding said continuous loop blade to or from said drive pulley and said driven pulley.

24. The mechanized, hand-held saw as defined in claim 21, further including:

a mounting plate attached to said second end of said frame and having said driven pulley interconnected thereto by a shaft;

an adjustment mechanism attached to said mounting plate for translating said driven pulley between said first position and said second position relative to said drive pulley.

25. The mechanized, hand-held saw as defined in claim 21, further including a fixture on said frame for detachably mounting a rotary power tool, said rotary power tool attached to a free end of said shaft for said drive pulley.

26. The mechanized, hand-held saw as defined in claim 22, further including:

a mounting plate attached to said second end of said frame and having said driven pulley interconnected thereto by a shaft;

an adjustment mechanism attached to said mounting plate for translating said driven pulley between said first position and said second position relative to said drive pulley.

27. The mechanized, hand-held saw as defined in claim 26, further including a fixture on said frame for detachably mounting a rotary power tool, said rotary power tool attached to a free end of said shaft for said drive pulley.

28. The mechanized, hand-held saw as defined in claim 21, further including at least one idler wheel assembly proximate each of said drive pulley and said driven pulley for absorbing tensional variations produced in said continuous loop blade during use, and for guiding said continuous loop blade to or from said drive pulley and said driven pulley.

29. A coping saw, comprising in combination:

a housing having an intermediate opening separating a first and second end portions;

a handle rotatably coupled to an end of one of said first and second end portions of said housing;

a drive pulley mounted in said first end portion;

a driven pulley mounted in said second end portion; and

a continuous loop blade extending at least partially around said drive pulley and said driven pulley and extending across said intermediate opening to provide two exposed sections of said continuous loop blade movable in opposing directions for cutting the work piece.

30. The coping saw as defined in claim 29, further including a guide assembly on opposite sides of said intermediate opening for supporting each of said two exposed sections of said continuous loop blade.

31. The coping saw as defined in claim 29, further including a carriage disposed in sliding relationship within said housing, and interconnected to said driven pulley by a shaft, for moving said driven pulley between a first and a second positions relative to said drive pulley.

32. The coping saw as defined in claim 29, further including at least one idler assembly spaced from each of said drive pulley and said driven pulley and engaging said continuous loop blade for absorbing tensional variations in said continuous loop blade and for directing said continuous loop blade on and off of each of said drive pulley and said driven pulley.

33. The coping saw as defined in claim 29, further including a motor interconnected to said drive pulley by a shaft for providing rotary motion to said drive pulley.

34. The coping saw as defined in claim 29, further including a fixture associated with said housing for detachably mounting a rotary power tool to said housing in a manner for rotating said drive pulley.

35. The coping saw as defined in claim 29, wherein each of said drive pulley and said driven pulley includes:

a circumscribing annular channel defined about a perimeter thereof for receiving a portion of said continuous loop blade therein; and

a traction member disposed within, and laterally to one side of, said circumscribing annular channel for centering said continuous loop blade on said driven pulley and said drive pulley.

36. The coping saw as defined in claim 29, wherein said drive pulley and said driven pulley are offset vertically with respect to each other by a predetermined distance such that they are contained in different, yet parallel planes.

37. The coping saw as defined in claim 30, further including a carriage disposed in sliding relationship within said housing, and interconnected to said driven pulley by a shaft, for moving said driven pulley between a first and a second positions relative to said drive pulley.

38. The coping saw as defined in claim 37, further including at least one idler assembly spaced from each of said drive pulley and said driven pulley and engaging said continuous loop blade for absorbing tensional variations in said continuous loop blade and for directing said continuous loop blade on and off of each of said drive pulley and said driven pulley.

39. The coping saw as defined in claim 38, further including a motor interconnected to said drive pulley by a shaft for providing rotary motion to said drive pulley.

40. The coping saw as defined in claim 38, further including a fixture associated with said housing for detachably mounting a rotary power tool to said housing in a manner for rotating said drive pulley.

41. The coping saw as defined in claim 39, further including one of an AC or DC power source connected to said motor for providing power to said motor.

42. A powered saw, comprising:

a frame having a first end and a second end;

a handle rotatably coupled to one of said first and second ends of said frame;

a shaft extending from said first end of said frame and supporting a first of two spaced-apart pulleys;

a carriage mounted in sliding relationship to said second end of said frame, said carriage having a shaft extending therefrom supporting a second of said two spaced-apart pulleys; and

a continuous loop blade mounted at least partial around said two spaced-apart pulleys.

43. The powered saw as defined in claim 42, further including at least one guide roller assembly mounted on said first and said second ends of said frame and intermediate said two spaced-apart pulleys for providing dimensional rigidity to a portion of said continuous loop blade extending between said two spaced-apart pulleys.

44. The powered saw as defined in claim 43, further including a motor operably connected to said shaft extending from said first end of said frame for rotating said first of said two spaced-apart pulleys.

45. The powered saw as defined in claim 44, further including an adjusting member mounted on said carriage for tightening and loosening said continuous loop blade.

51. A powered coping saw, comprising in combination:

two spaced-apart rotary actuators supported by a frame;

two saw-blade sections extending between said two spaced-apart rotary actuators;

a drive mechanism coupled to a first of said two spaced-apart rotary actuators for causing said two saw-blade sections to move in at least one direction; and

a swiveling and tilting handle attached to one end of said frame to be grasped by an operator to permit the operator to rotate and tilt the powered coping saw relative to said swiveling and tilting handle during operation of the powered coping saw.

52. The powered coping saw defined in claim 51, further including at least one blade guide roller for at least one of said two saw-blade sections and disposed intermediate said two spaced-apart rotary actuators for providing dimensional support to said saw-blade section.

53. The powered coping saw defined in claim 51, further including a blade tensioning assembly interconnected to one of said two spaced-apart rotary actuators for adjusting a tension on said two saw-blade sections.

54. The powered coping saw defined in claim 51, further including an idler assembly in contact with at least one of said two saw-blade sections.

55. The powered coping saw defined in claim 51, further including a swiveling handle disposed at one end of the coping saw for swiveling the coping saw about a hand hold by an operator.

56. The powered coping saw defined in claim 51, further including detachable covers enclosing said two spaced-apart rotary actuators, leaving said two saw-blade sections exposed.

57. The powered coping saw defined in claim 51, wherein each of said two spaced-apart rotary actuators each include a member for centering said two saw-blade sections with respect to said two spaced-apart rotary actuators.

58. The powered coping saw defined in claim 51, wherein said frame forms a bridge between said two spaced-apart rotary actuators.

59. The powered coping saw defined in claim 52, further including a blade tensioning assembly interconnected to one of said two spaced-apart rotary actuators for adjusting a tension on said two saw-blade sections.

60. The powered coping saw defined in claim 59, further including an idler assembly in contact with at least one of said two saw-blade sections.

61. The powered coping saw defined in claim 60, further including a swiveling handle disposed at one end of the coping saw for swiveling the coping saw about a hand hold by an operator.

62. The powered coping saw defined in claim 61, further including detachable covers enclosing said two spaced-apart rotary actuators, leaving said two saw-blade sections exposed.

63. The powered coping saw defined in claim 62, wherein each of said two spaced-apart rotary actuators includes a member for centering said two saw-blade sections with respect to said two spaced-apart rotary actuators.

64. The powered coping saw defined in claim 63, wherein said frame forms a bridge between said two spaced-apart rotary actuators.