Reciprocating saw

Abstract

A reciprocating saw includes a carrier operable to cooperate with a motor to translate rotational movement of the motor into reciprocal linear actuation of a saw blade. A carrier is slidably disposed within the housing and includes a first portion adapted to receive a saw blade and a second portion having a slot therethrough. A rotatable element is fixed for rotation about an output shaft of the motor. A follower operably interconnects the carrier and the rotatable element wherein rotation of the rotatable element provides reciprocal linear motion of the carrier whereby the follower follows a reciprocal linear path within the slot.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A reciprocating saw comprising:
 a handle for holding the saw;   a blade for cutting through a work piece, the blade oriented along a linear axis of reciprocation;   a motor including a motor axis, the motor axis being disposed at an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees relative to the saw blade;   a carrier for holding the blade;   a drive assembly for converting rotational motion of the motor to reciprocal in and out linear motion of the carrier and the blade;   an outwardly facing contact member including a planar surface through which the blade extends and relatively reciprocates with respect to and against which a work piece is engaged to provide guidance and stability during a cutting operation.   
     
     
         18 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 17 , wherein the handle is disposed at an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees relative to the saw blade. 
     
     
         19 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 17 , wherein a portion of said handle projects at a non-zero angle with respect to said motor axis. 
     
     
         20 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 17 , wherein the drive assembly further includes a drive gear which is positioned for rotation with an output gear and the output gear includes an offset output shaft which is disposed in a slot of the carrier. 
     
     
         21 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 19 , further including a member that rotates 180 degrees out of phase with the offset output shaft. 
     
     
         22 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 17 , wherein the carrier includes a spring biased blade clamp for removeably securing the blade to the carrier. 
     
     
         23 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 17 , wherein the angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees relative to the saw blade is an angle greater than 105 degrees and less than 125 degrees relative to the saw blade. 
     
     
         24 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 18 , wherein the angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees relative to the saw blade is an angle greater than 105 degrees and less than 125 degrees relative to the saw blade. 
     
     
         25 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 17 , wherein contact member is separable from the housing. 
     
     
         26 . A reciprocating saw comprising:
 a handle for holding the saw;   a blade for cutting through a work piece, the blade oriented along an linear axis of reciprocation;   a motor including a motor axis, the motor axis being disposed at an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees relative to the saw blade;   a carrier for holding the blade;   a drive assembly for converting rotational motion of the motor to reciprocal in and out linear motion of the carrier and the blade; and   an outwardly facing contact surface through which the blade extends and against which a work piece is engaged to provide guidance and stability during a cutting operation;   wherein the handle is disposed at an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees relative to the saw blade, and   wherein the drive assembly further includes a drive gear which is positioned for rotation with an output gear and the output gear includes an offset output shaft which is disposed in a slot of the carrier, and   wherein the carrier includes a spring biased blade clamp for removeably securing the blade to the carrier.   
     
     
         27 . A method of operating the reciprocating saw of  claim 17  comprising the steps of:
 holding the handle; stably engaging a work piece with the planar surface of the outwardly facing contact member; and engaging the work piece with the reciprocating blade.