Combination Cross and Rip Cut Handsaw

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to improvements in handsaws and more particularly to saws which have a combination of saw teeth to adapt to rip and crosscut sawing of wood.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Numerous attempts have been made to provide a combination rip and crosscut saw which provides a smooth, easy cut in wood and which also has an efficient cutting speed. Applicant is unaware of any such attempt which has proven completely satisfactory.

An example of such a combination rip and crosscut saw for sawing wood is found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,763,298. Also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,568,870; 2,579,728; 3,005,478 and 817,361 are illustrative of attempts to improve cutting efficiency by various tooth arrangements.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 29,688; 85,417; 1,850,478; 2,227,864 and 3,171,457 are illustrative of tooth modifications dealing mainly with cutting of metal, i.e., hacksaw blade constructions.

The tremendous number of prior art patents is in itself proof that the attempt to provide a combination rip and crosscut saw for sawing wood has been unsuccessful.

A handsaw for rip and crosscutting of wood has repeating groups of teeth with each tooth of each repeating group gradually diminishing in pitch and depth in the forward direction. The teeth of each repeating group is alternately set and beveled. In the illustrated embodiment, the set of the teeth is accomplished by bending equal lengths of all the teeth in each group. Various critical angular relations are also maintained to achieve the unique combination rip and crosscut wood saw of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a handsaw with the improved tooth arrangement.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view of two repeating groups of plural teeth as employed by the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section view taken substantially along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the tooth arrangement of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 1 generally illustrates a handsaw 10 with the improved blade construction 11 of the invention. FIGS. 2-4 are referred to for a description of the improved tooth arrangement of the invention.

In wood handsaws made according to the invention, the teeth 12 are arranged in successive groups or repeating groups as numbered 13, 14 in FIG. 2. Teeth 12 of each group gradually diminish in pitch and depth in the forward direction. Each group of teeth in the preferred embodiment is composed of four teeth. Each group 13, 14 varies in pitch within the range of 12 to 6 points. As illustrated, the preferred embodiment has teeth of 12 point, 10 point, 8 point and 6 point as best seen in FIG. 2.

All of the tips of the teeth for the entire length of the cutting edge of the handsaw 10 are disposed in a straight cutting line residing in a common plane normal to the plane of the blade as shown by line 15 of FIGS. 2 and 3. The depth of each tooth varies with the pitch. Each tooth receives the same set, preferably about 0.010". Each tooth is set by alternately bending each tooth outwardly about a bend line 16 extending for the length of the teeth. Bend line 16 is parallel with line 15 on the tips of the teeth and provides an equal distance X for all teeth 12 regardless of the pitch or tooth depth. Each tooth is also bevel filed preferably at an angle of about 21.degree. relative to the base plane or about 69.degree. with respect to the side surface of the saw. The gullet angle of each tooth is 60.degree. and each tooth has a negative rake angle of 15.degree., as illustrated. Sharpening of teeth 12 is facilitated since only a 60.degree. file is needed to sharpen any of the teeth. Also, cuts are started easily since there is no variation in setting angle.

In summary, the invention provides a combination cross and rip cut handsaw for cutting wood and which provides ease of starting and relatively fast, smooth and efficient cutting in either rip cut or crosscut directions.