Articulating Jig Saw

Abstract

A power tool includes a motor housing having a motor configured to rotate an output shaft about a drive axis and a gear housing defining a gear compartment. A pinion gear is supported by the gear housing that is coupled to the output shaft for rotation about the drive axis. A bevel gear is supported by the gear housing for rotation about a bevel axis perpendicular to the drive axis, the bevel gear being meshingly engaged with the pinion gear. A crank pin extends from the bevel gear at a position offset from the bevel axis. An articulating housing is pivotably supported by the gear housing for pivotal movement about the bevel axis. A plunger member is supported by the articulating housing for reciprocating movement along a reciprocating axis. The plunger member includes a yoke end portion coupled to the crank pin. The reciprocating axis and the drive axis reside in the same plane throughout pivotal movement of the articulating housing with respect to the gear housing.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A power tool comprising:
 a motor housing including a motor having an output shaft, the motor being configured to rotate the output shaft about a drive axis,   
       a gear housing defining a gear compartment;
 a pinion gear supported by the gear housing, the pinion gear being coupled to the output shaft for rotation about the drive axis; 
 a bevel gear supported by the gear housing in the gear compartment for rotation about a bevel axis perpendicular to the drive axis, the bevel gear being meshingly engaged with the pinion gear; 
 a crank pin extending from the bevel gear at a position offset from the bevel axis; 
 an articulating housing pivotably supported by the gear housing for pivotal movement about the bevel axis; and 
 a plunger member supported by the articulating housing for reciprocating movement along a reciprocating axis, the plunger member including i) a yoke end portion coupled to the crank pin in the interior space and ii) a blade holder end portion located to the articulating housing; 
 wherein the reciprocating axis and the drive axis reside in the same plane throughout pivotal movement of the articulating housing with respect to the gear housing. 
 
     
     
         15 . The power tool of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a plunger bearing supported by the articulating housing, the plunger being reciprocatingly supported by the plunger bearing.   
     
     
         16 . The power tool of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the gear housing is integral with the motor housing.   
     
     
         17 . The power tool of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the articulating housing includes a shroud portion and a nose portion;
 the shroud portion is fitted over the gear housing; and 
 the nose portion supports the plunger. 
   
     
     
         18 . The power tool of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the articulating housing includes a first housing shell and a second housing shell that attach to each other in a clamshell configuration.   
     
     
         19 . The power tool of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the articulating housing is pivotable between a first position and a second position in relation to the gear housing;   in the first position, the plunger is oriented substantially perpendicular to the drive axis; and   in the second position, the plunger is oriented substantially parallel to the drive axis.   
     
     
         20 . The power tool of  claim 19 , wherein:
 in the second position, the reciprocating axis of the plunger is substantially coaxially aligned with the drive axis.   
     
     
         21 . The power tool of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a blade secured to the blade holder end portion of the plunger.   
     
     
         22 . The power tool of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a foot plate secured to the articulating housing, the foot plate defining an opening through which the blade extends.   
     
     
         23 . The power tool of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 an articulating button configured to releasably secure the articulating housing with respect to the gear housing portion at any one of plurality of positions.   
     
     
         24 . The power tool of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the yoke end portion includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion;   the first wall portion and the second wall portion are oriented perpendicular to the reciprocating axis; and   the crank pin is received between the first wall portion and the second wall portion.   
     
     
         25 . The power tool of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the yoke end portion further includes a wall connector portion that extends over the crank pin to position the first wall portion and the second wall portion with respect to each other.   
     
     
         26 . The power tool of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the articulating drive assembly includes a gear support member that supports the pinion gear and the bevel gear, the gear support member being removably supported by the gear housing of the main housing.   
     
     
         27 . The power tool of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the gear housing is removably attached to the motor housing