초록 ▼

A method of reciprocating a spindle of a reciprocating saw, including the steps of reciprocating the front end of the spindle along a first path during the cutting stroke and along the same first path during the return stroke, and adjusting the saw such that the front end reciprocates along a second

A method of reciprocating a spindle of a reciprocating saw, including the steps of reciprocating the front end of the spindle along a first path during the cutting stroke and along the same first path during the return stroke, and adjusting the saw such that the front end reciprocates along a second path during the cutting stroke and along the same second path during the return stroke, the second path being oblique to the first path. The present invention also provides a method of reciprocating a spindle of a reciprocating saw, including the steps of moving the front end along a first cutting path during the cutting stroke, the first cutting path characterized by movement at least partially in a first cutting direction, returning the front end along a return stroke (e.g., along the first cutting path), and adjusting the saw such that the front end moves along a second cutting path during the cutting stroke, the second cutting path characterized by movement at least partially in a second cutting direction.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of reciprocating a spindle of a reciprocating saw, the reciprocating saw including a housing, the spindle having an end adapted to support a saw blade for reciprocating movement relative to the housing, said method comprising the acts of:reciprocating the end of the spindle such that the

1. A method of reciprocating a spindle of a reciprocating saw, the reciprocating saw including a housing, the spindle having an end adapted to support a saw blade for reciprocating movement relative to the housing, said method comprising the acts of:reciprocating the end of the spindle such that the saw blade moves along a first path of travel relative to the housing during a first cutting stroke and along the same first path of travel during a first return stroke; andreciprocating the end of the spindle such that the saw blade moves along a second path of travel relative to the housing during a second cutting stroke and along the same second path of travel during a second return stroke, the second path of travel being different than the first path of travel;wherein the saw blade is selectively supported by the end in a first orientation relative to the spindle to have a first cutting direction and in a second orientation relative to the spindle to have a second cutting direction opposite the first cutting direction, wherein said first path of travel is characterized by movement at least partially in the first cutting direction during the first cutting stroke, and wherein said method further comprises the acts of:adjusting the orientation of the saw blade relative to the spindle from the first orientation to the second orientation; andchanging the path of travel such that the end moves along a third cutting path relative to the housing during a third cutting stroke, the third cutting path being characterized by movement at least partially in the second cutting direction during the third cutting stroke. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second path of travel is oblique to the first path of travel. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the act of changing the path of travel from said first path of travel to said second path of travel. 4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reciprocating saw further includes a track and a track follower, one of the track and the track follower being connected to the spindle, and wherein at least one of said acts of reciprocating includes moving the track follower along the track. 5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said acts of reciprocating include moving the track follower along the track. 6. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said act of reciprocating the end of the spindle such that the saw blade moves along a first path of travel includes moving the track follower along the track. 7. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said act of reciprocating the end of the spindle such that the saw blade moves along a second path of travel includes moving the track follower along the track. 8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reciprocating saw further includes a track, a track follower, and a counterweight connected to one of the track and the track follower, and wherein at least one of said acts of reciprocating includes moving the counterweight so that the track follower moves along the track. 9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said acts of reciprocating include moving the track follower along the track. 10. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the acts of:defining the first path of travel; anddefining the second path of travel. 11. A method of reciprocating a spindle of a reciprocating saw, the reciprocating saw including a housing, the spindle having an end adapted to receive a saw blade and being movable relative to the housing, the saw blade being selectively supported by the end in a first orientation relative to the spindle to have a first cutting direction and in a second orientation relative to the spindle to have a second cutting direction opposite the first cutting direction, said method comprising the acts of:moving the end such that the saw blade moves along a first path of travel relative to the housing during a first cutting stroke, the first path of travel characterized by movement at least partially in the first cutting direction during the first cutting stroke;adjusting the orientation of the saw blade relative to the spindle from the first orientation to the second orientation; andmoving the end such that the saw blade moves along a second path of travel relative to the housing during a second cutting stroke, the second path of travel characterized by movement at least partially in the second cutting direction during the second cutting stroke. 12. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the acts of:before said act of adjusting the orientation, moving the end during a first return stroke such that the saw blade moves along substantially the same first path of travel relative to the housing during the first return stroke; andafter said act of moving the end such that the saw blade moves along a second path of travel, moving the end during a second return stroke such that the saw blade moves along substantially the same second path of travel relative to the housing during the second return stroke. 13. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the act of changing the path of travel from the first path of travel to the second path of travel. 14. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the act of moving the end such that the saw blade moves along a neutral path of travel relative to the housing during a third cutting stroke, the neutral path of travel being characterized by movement substantially perpendicular to the first cutting direction and the second cutting direction. 15. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the reciprocating saw further includes a track, and a track follower, one of the track and the track follower being connected to the spindle, and wherein at least one of said acts of moving includes moving the track follower along the track. 16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said acts of moving include moving the track follower along the track. 17. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the reciprocating saw further includes a track, a track follower, and a counterweight connected to one of the track and the track follower, and wherein said acts of moving include moving the counterweight so that the track follower moves along the track. 18. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the acts of:defining the first path of travel; anddefining the second path of travel.