Adjustable and Removable Keel Assembly and Blade Guide for a Jigsaw

Abstract

A method of positioning a shoe member and a keel assembly relative to a housing of a jigsaw is provided. The method may include securing the keel assembly to the housing so that the keel assembly extends from the housing beyond the shoe member. The housing and the keel assembly may be pivoted relative to the shoe member in a manner such that a position of the housing relative to the keel assembly remains unchanged. A portion of the keel assembly may be uncoupled from the housing.

1 . A method of positioning a shoe member and a keel assembly relative to a housing of a jigsaw, the method comprising:
 securing the keel assembly to the housing so that the keel assembly extends from the housing beyond the shoe member;   pivoting the housing and the keel assembly relative to the shoe member in a manner such that a position of the housing relative to the keel assembly remains unchanged; and   uncoupling a portion of the keel assembly from the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein uncoupling a portion of the keel assembly from the housing includes removing the keel assembly from the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein removing the keel assembly includes moving an actuator member of a latch assembly to release a front portion of the keel assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising pivoting the keel assembly about a rear portion of the housing when the front portion of the keel assembly is released from the housing by moving the actuator member. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein moving the actuator member is performed without a tool. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising moving a lower carrier assembly relative to the keel assembly and the housing between at least two positions. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the keel assembly includes a keel blade member and the lower carrier assembly includes a lower blade guide and an adjuster member connected to a cam surface, and wherein the method further comprises moving the adjuster member between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cam surface is not obstructed by an edge of a groove formed in the keel blade member when the adjuster member is in the retracted position so that a position of the lower carrier assembly can be adjusted, and wherein the cam surface is returned to a position that is obstructed by the edge of the groove in the extended position. 
     
     
         8 . A method of positioning a keel assembly and a lower carrier assembly relative to a housing of a jigsaw, the lower carrier assembly having a lower blade guide, the method comprising:
 connecting the keel assembly to the housing so that the keel assembly extends from the housing beyond a shoe member;   pivoting the keel assembly relative to the housing; and   adjusting a position of the lower carrier assembly relative to the keel assembly.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising removing the keel assembly from the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein removing the keel assembly includes moving an actuator member of a latch assembly to release the front portion of the keel assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein moving the actuator member is performed without a tool. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the keel assembly includes a keel blade member and the lower carrier assembly includes an adjuster member connected to a cam surface, and wherein the method further comprises moving the adjuster member between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cam surface is not obstructed by an edge of a groove formed in the keel blade member when the adjuster member is in the retracted position so that a position of the lower carrier assembly can be adjusted, and wherein the cam surface is returned to a position that is obstructed by the edge of the groove in the extended position. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising positioning the blade member and the keel assembly at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the shoe member. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the jigsaw includes an upper blade guide adapted to cooperate with the lower blade guide to support a blade member, and wherein adjusting a position of the lower carrier assembly relative to the keel assembly includes adjusting a position of the lower blade guide relative to the upper blade guide. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 providing a jigsaw having a housing, a shoe member, and a keel assembly, the shoe member being coupled to the housing and being adapted to support the jigsaw on a surface of a workpiece, the keel assembly extending from the housing beyond the shoe member;   connecting a carrier assembly to the keel assembly, the carrier assembly having a lower blade guide that is adapted to support a blade member;   moving the carrier assembly relative to the keel assembly from a first position to a second position; and   securing the carrier assembly to the keel assembly in the second position.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising uncoupling the keel assembly from the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein uncoupling the keel assembly includes moving an actuator member of a latch assembly to release a front portion of the keel assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the keel assembly includes a keel blade member and the lower carrier assembly includes an adjuster member connected to a cam surface, and wherein the method further comprises moving the adjuster member between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cam surface is not obstructed by an edge of a groove formed in the keel blade member when the adjuster member is in the retracted position so that a position of the lower carrier assembly can be adjusted, and wherein the cam surface is returned to a position that is obstructed by the edge of the groove in the extended position. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising positioning the blade member and the keel assembly at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the shoe member. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the jigsaw includes an upper blade guide adapted to support the blade member, and wherein moving the carrier assembly relative to the keel assembly includes moving the lower blade guide relative to the upper blade guide.