WO2005084887A1

WO2005084887A1 - Diamond blade for jig saw masonry and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2005084887A1
Application number: PCT/US2004/003240
Authority: WO
Inventors: Clinton D. Mahana; Deborah L. Mahana
Original assignee: Mahana Clinton D; Mahana Deborah L
Priority date: 2004-02-06
Filing date: 2004-02-06
Publication date: 2005-09-15

Abstract

A jig saw (10) that is suitable for use in masonry applications comprises a linear blade (37) having a linear cutting edge (43) and diamond material (38) on the blade adjacent to the cutting edge. The blade is reciprocated in a linear manner during use.

Description

DIAMOND BLADE FOR JIG SAW FOR MASONRY AND THE LIKE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the general art of cutlery, and to the particular field of toothed or waved blades . 2. Discussion of the Related Art A mason can use various tools in order to cut brick or shape brick. For example, a fourteen inch- diameter blade on a grinding tool can be used for toothing brick; however, there may be a risk of breaking the blade at high speed, in which case, blade pieces may fly off the broken blade. Such a situation is not desirable. In some cases some power saws have been used in cleaning out joints commonly found between concrete sections or slabs. In these cases, the blades generally comprise a flat circular plate having a central mounting hole and a diamond abrasive matrix on the outer periphery of the plate. However, these power handsaws are not suitable for completely cutting through brick. Thus, in the case of cutting brick, hammer and criisel work may be required to finish the job. This may result in breaking a brick. This may be wasteful of both time and materials. A mason can also use a. hammer and chisel entirely to tooth out brick so that remodeling work can be performed. However, this also may be wasteful of both time and materials. Using these tools can have other drawbacks. For example, using a hammer and chisel to tooth out brick can take a considerable amount of time. Also, working with a brick saw can be inconvenient and awkward when the workman is working on a scaffold. Therefore, there is a need for a saw-type of tool which can completely clean out toothing. When materials, such as brick, are cut, some saw blades may break thereby requiring the workman to stop and replace the broken blade. As discussed above, if the blade breaks at a high speed, blade pieces may be thrown off. Thus, not only are broken blades dangerous, triey may be costly in time to replace the broken blade. Therefore, there is a need for a saw-type tool that can last longer than prior art cutting blades. Still further, many presently available blades may be very choppy to use when cutting materials such as brick. This may make it difficult for the workman to make a precise cut . Therefore, there is a need for a saw-type tool that can cut more smoothly than prior art cutting blades .

PRINCIPAL OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is a main object of the present invention to provide a saw-type of tool which can completely clean out toothing. It is another object of the present invention to provide a saw-type tool that can last longer than prior art cutting blades. It is another object of the present invention to provide a saw-type tool that can last longer than prior' art cutting blad.es. It is another object of the present invention to provide a saw-type tool that can cut smoother than prior art cutting blades. It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a j ig saw with a diamond cutting blade. It is another specific object of the present invention to provide a power jig saw for masonry use. It is another specific object of the present invention to provide a power j ig saw having a swivelable mounting for a blade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These, and other, objects are achieved by a j ig saw that is suitable for use ±n masonry applications and which comprises a linear blade having a cutting edge and diamond material on the blade adjacent to the cutting edge. The blade is reciprocated in a linear direction during use . The present invention provides an innovative alternative to conventional masonry tools in the form of a specially designed jig saw that can easily cut through brick and cinderblock. The present invention allows masons to save time and effort, eliminates the necessity of using a hammer and chisel for toothing out brick, and is produced from durable, high-quality materials. In additio , the present invention can be adapted for other applications: it can be used by plumbers for cutting through concrete and steel or by construction workers for performing various jobs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES Figure 1 is a perspective view of a masonry jig saw, according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a side eleva.tional view of the masonry jig saw. Figure 3 is a front elev^ational view of a swivelable blade mounting for retrof itting an existing j ig saw, according to the present invention . Figure 4 is a side eleva.tional view of an offset blade for use with an existing j ig saw , according to the present invention .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Other obj ects , features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings . The present invention is embodied in a masonry j ig saw 10 and is shown in F igures 1 through 4 . Other than the blade , j ig saw 10 includes various materials including metal , plastic , and electrical components . The j ig saw 10 shown in the Figures comprises a plastic or metal body measuring approximately ten to twelve inches in length, approximately four inches in width , and approximately six inches in height . Jig saw 10 comprises a gripping handle 15 which is in a generally horizontal orientation when the j ig saw 10 is in use. The handle 15 includes ridges 17 to provide comfort for a user's fingers, an ON/OFF switch 23, and a DC motor 25. The jig saw 10 further includes a battery compartment 27. Motor 25 is connected to the battery compartment 27 by a lead 28. Jig saw 10 further comprises a pivot 33, an adjustable depth plate 35 that can be adjusted upwardly or downwardly as indicated in Figure 2 by double-headed arrow UD to a height of approximately three to five inches. Jig saw 10 further includes a cutting blade 37 that can move forward, to either side, or backward as needed, as indicated by double- headed arrows FB and SS . Cutting blade 37 includes a proximal end 37P that is attached to motor 25 to be reciprocated as is known to those skilled in the saw art, a distal end 37D and a longitudinal axis 37L which extends between proximal end 37P and distal end 37D. Blade 37 is linear and has a length dimension 37LD which extends from proximal end 37P to distal end 37D. Blade 10 further includes a first edge 37F which is linear and is a leading edge when the blade 37 is in use, a second edge 37S which is also linear and is a trailing edge when the blade 37 is in use, and a width dimension 37W which extends between first edge 37F and second edge 37S. A coating of diamond material 38 is located on the blade 37 adjacent to first edge 37F and defines a diamond cutting edge 43. Diamond bladed jig saw 10 embodying the present invention is much heavier-duty than presently- available wood-cutting jig saws. Diamond blade 37 is constructed of the same material as the diamond blades of available brick saws, and diamond material 38 is formed of, for example, material which includes a homogenous mixture of diamonds held in situ by a binder material, or the like, with, the major difference being that diamond cutting edge 43 of the present invention is provided along the straight, or linear, edge of the blade 37 instead of along the circumference of a circular blade. Thus, the diamond blade 37 can be formed by methods known to those skilled in the art and the exact form of the material and the method of making the blade are not part of the invention; however as mentioned above, the fact that a diamond blade is used on a jig saw and has a straight edge is the subject matter of the present invention. Jig saw 10 further includes a drive mechanism 45. When blade 37 is mounted in drive mechanism 45, a release button 46 is used to allow blade 37 and drive mechanism 45 to be selectively placed in three locking positions: right for making close cuts along the right side of jig saw 10 as shown in phantom lines in Figure 1 and designated by tlie numeral 53, center for making straight-away cuts shown in solid lines in Figure 1 and designated by t ie numeral 55, and left for making close cuts along the left side of the jig saw 10 and which is indicated in Figure 1 in dotted lines and indicated by numeral 56. A quick release button 57 allows blade 37 to be easily and quickly replaced. For some applications, it may be desirable to use blades having a planar configuration as indicated by numeral 63, or a cylindrical configuration as indicated by numeral 65 with the peripheral surfaces thereof coated with a diamond surface so cutting can be performed in all directions . The adjustable depth plate 35 is removable for side-to-side cutting. The present invention includes a modified embodiment that can be used for cutting cinderblock and is constructed from the same materials as hereinbefore described. The depth plate of the modified embodiment is adjustable to a height of approximately eight to ten inches . The scope of the present invention also includes a separate swivelable blade mount adapter 70 for retrofitting a shaft 73 of an existing jig saw wherein a release button 75 allows a blade mounted in the adapter 70 to be shifted to either side as needed. The scope of the present invention also includes as offset blade 80 that can be mounted on shaft 83 of an existing jig saw. Reinforcement 85 is provided to strengthen corners 87 of blade 80. In an application of the present invention, the jig saw is adjusted as needed, turned on, and used during which the cutting blade moves in a linear reciprocating motion as indicated by double-headed arrow R in Figure 1. After use, the jig saw is turned off and stored. The cutting blade is linear and is reciprocated in a linear direction during use. This is opposed to the circular movements of prior art cutting units . It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.

Claims

CLAIMS What is desired to be covered by Letters Patent is as follows :

1. A j ig saw that is suitable for use in masonry applications comprising: a) a handle unit which includes a motor, a power source, an on/off switch electrically connecting the motor to the power source, and a blade mounting unit; b) a depth plate movably mounted on said handle unit; c) a blade release unit mounted on said handle unit; d) a linear cutting blade which is mounted on said handle unit via said blade release unit and which is connected to the motor of said handle unit to be reciprocated when the motor is activated and which includes (1) a first end which is a proximal end when said cutting blade is in a use orientation connected to said blade release unit,

(2) a second end which is a distal end when said cutting blade is in the use orientation,

(3) a longitudinal axis extending between the fi-rst end and the second end,

(4) a first edge which is linear and which is a leading edge when said cutting blade is in the use orientation,

(5) a second edge which is linear and which is a trailing edge when said cutting blade is in the use orientation,

(6) a width dimension extending between the first edge and the second edge,

(7) a length dimension which is measured along the longitudinal axis and which extends from the first end to the second end, and

(8) a diamond cutting material on said cutting blade adjacent to the first edge of said cutting blade; and said cutting blade being linear for essentially the entire length dimension of said cutting blade from the first end of said cutting blade to the second end of said cutting blade and being reciprocatingly moved linearly in the direction of the longitudinal axis when said blade is in use. A j ig saw that is suitable for use in masonry applications comprising a linear blade having a linear cutting edge and diamond material on said blade adjacent to the linear cutting edge, said blade being linearly reciprocated in use.