Hole saw

Abstract

A hole saw includes a cylindrical body disposed along an axis of rotation with a side wall extending axially from a cap end to a cutting end. The cutting end includes a plurality of cutting teeth. The hole saw also includes a cap coupled to the cap end of the cylindrical body. The side wall defines an elongated aperture configured to receive a tool for removing work piece plugs from within the cylindrical body. The elongated aperture has a first slot portion adjacent the cutting edge. The first slot portion is oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The elongated aperture also has a second slot portion connected to the first slot portion and extending from the first slot portion toward the cap end. The second slot portion is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the axis of rotation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A hole saw comprising:
 a cylindrical body disposed along an axis of rotation with a side wall extending axially from a cap end to a cutting end, the cutting end including a plurality of cutting teeth; and 
 a cap coupled to the cap end of the cylindrical body; 
 wherein the side wall defines an elongated aperture configured to receive a tool for removing work piece plugs from within the cylindrical body, the elongated aperture comprising:
 a first slot portion adjacent the cutting end, the first slot portion defined by a first edge of the side wall that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation and a second edge of the side wall that is spaced apart from the first edge and perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the first slot portion having a first length and a first width, the first length being perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and the first length being greater than the first width; and 
 a second slot portion connected to the first slot portion and extending from the first slot portion toward the cap end, the second slot portion oriented at an oblique angle relative to the axis of rotation, the second slot portion having a second length and a second width, the second length being oriented at the oblique angle relative to the axis of rotation, and the second length being greater than the second width. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The hole saw of  claim 1 , wherein the first slot portion and the second slot portion have the same width. 
     
     
       3. The hole saw of  claim 1 , wherein the oblique angle is between 14.5 degrees and 15.5 degrees. 
     
     
       4. The hole saw of  claim 1 , wherein the second slot portion is connected to and extends from an end of the first slot portion. 
     
     
       5. The hole saw of  claim 1 , wherein the second slot portion is longer than the first slot portion. 
     
     
       6. The hole saw of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall defines a plurality of elongated apertures including the elongated aperture in claim 1, each of the plurality of elongated aperture apertures comprising:
 a first slot portion adjacent the cutting end, the first slot portion defined by a first edge of the side wall that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation and a second edge of the side wall that is spaced apart from the first edge and perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and 
 a second slot portion connected to the first slot portion and extending from the first slot portion toward the cap end, the second slot portion oriented at an oblique angle relative to the axis of rotation. 
 
     
     
       7. The hole saw of  claim 1 , wherein the cap end defines a semi-circular slot configured to receive a plug-removing the tool. 
     
     
       8. The hole saw of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cutting teeth includes an abrasive coating. 
     
     
       9. The hole saw of  claim 1 , wherein the first slot portion does not extend through the cutting end of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
       10. The hole saw of  claim 1 , wherein the second slot portion does not extend through the cap end of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
       11. The hole saw of  claim 1 , wherein the cap includes a rim portion seated on the cap end and an axially extending portion extending into the cylindrical body from the cap end. 
     
     
       12. A hole saw comprising:
 a cylindrical body disposed along an axis of rotation with a side wall extending axially from a cap end to a cutting end, the cutting end including a plurality of cutting teeth; and 
 a cap coupled to the cap end of the cylindrical body; 
 wherein the side wall defines a pair of elongated apertures configured to receive a tool for removing work piece plugs from within the cylindrical body, each elongated aperture comprising:
 a first slot portion adjacent the cutting end, the first slot portion defined by a first edge of the side wall that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation and a second edge of the side wall that is spaced apart from the first edge and perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the first slot portion having a first length and a first width, the first length being perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and the first length being greater than the first width; and 
 a second slot portion connected to the first slot portion and extending from the first slot portion toward the cap end, the second slot portion oriented at an oblique angle relative to the axis of rotation, the second slot portion having a second length and a second width, the second length being oriented at the oblique angle relative to the axis of rotation, and the second length being greater than the second width. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The hole saw of  claim 12 , wherein the first slot portion and the second slot portion have the same width. 
     
     
       14. The hole saw of  claim 12 , wherein the oblique angle is between 14.5 degrees and 15.5 degrees. 
     
     
       15. The hole saw of  claim 12 , wherein the second slot portion is connected to and extends from an end of the first slot portion. 
     
     
       16. The hole saw of  claim 12 , wherein the second slot portion is longer than the first slot portion. 
     
     
       17. A hole saw comprising:
 a cylindrical body disposed along an axis of rotation with a side wall extending axially from a first end to a cutting end, the cutting end opposing the first end and including a plurality of cutting teeth;   wherein the side wall defines a first elongated aperture configured to receive a tool for removing work piece plugs from within the cylindrical body, the first elongated aperture comprising:
 a first slot portion adjacent the cutting end, the first slot portion defined by a first edge of the side wall that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation and a second edge of the side wall that is spaced apart from the first edge and perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the first slot portion having a first length and a first width, the first length being perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and the first length being greater than the first width; and 
 a second slot portion connected to the first slot portion and extending from the first slot portion toward the first end, the second slot portion oriented at an oblique angle relative to the axis of rotation, the second slot portion having a second length and a second width, the second length being oriented at the oblique angle relative to the axis of rotation, and the second length being greater than the second width; and 
   wherein the side wall defines a plurality of elongated apertures including the first elongated aperture, each of the plurality of elongated apertures comprising:
 a first slot portion adjacent the cutting end, the first slot portion defined by a first edge of the side wall that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation and a second edge of the side wall that is spaced apart from the first edge and perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and 
 a second slot portion connected to the first slot portion and extending from the first slot portion toward the first end, the second slot portion oriented at an oblique angle relative to the axis of rotation. 
   
     
     
       18. A hole saw comprising:
 a cylindrical body disposed along an axis of rotation with a side wall extending axially from a first end to a cutting end, the cutting end opposing the first end and including a plurality of cutting teeth;   wherein the side wall defines a pair of elongated apertures configured to receive a tool for removing work piece plugs from within the cylindrical body, each elongated aperture comprising:
 a first slot portion adjacent the cutting end, the first slot portion defined by a first edge of the side wall that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation and a second edge of the side wall that is spaced apart from the first edge and perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the first slot portion having a first length and a first width, the first length being perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and the first length being greater than the first width; and 
 a second slot portion connected to the first slot portion and extending from the first slot portion toward the first end, the second slot portion oriented at an oblique angle relative to the axis of rotation, the second slot portion having a second length and a second width, the second length being oriented at the oblique angle relative to the axis of rotation, and the second length being greater than the second width. 
   
     
     
       19. The hole saw of claim 1, wherein the side wall defines a plurality of elongated apertures including the elongated aperture in claim 1, each of the plurality of elongated apertures comprising:
 a first slot portion adjacent the cutting end, the first slot portion defined by a first edge of the side wall that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation and a second edge of the side wall that is spaced apart from the first edge and perpendicular to the axis of rotation.   
     
     
       20. The hole saw of claim 1, wherein the side wall defines a plurality of elongated apertures including the elongated aperture in claim 1, each of the plurality of elongated apertures comprising:
 a first slot portion adjacent the cutting end; and   a second slot portion extending from the first slot portion toward the cap end, the second slot portion oriented at an oblique angle relative to the axis of rotation.