Hacksaw Clamp and Handle Pocket for Multi-Blade Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hacksaws lack versatility in accommodating blades with varying tang sizes, shapes, and orientations, limiting their ability to securely hold and utilize different types of blades for cutting diverse materials.

Innovation Solution

The hacksaw design incorporates a handle with a pocket system and a clamp mechanism that includes a support arm with a pivotable clamp member and actuator, allowing for secure attachment of blades with oblique tangs and varying sizes, enabling the use of both standard and reciprocating blades with different tang orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional hacksaw design with fixed blade support is used, then the structure is simple, but the versatility in accommodating blades with varying tang sizes, shapes, and orientations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade accommodation versatilityVSAvoidhandle and support structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle pocket is designed with a universal geometry that can accommodate multiple blade types including standard hacksaw blades and reciprocating blades with different tang configurations. The pocket's shaped recess and positioning features enable a single handle design to securely hold blades with varying tang sizes, shapes, and orientations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized handles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp mechanism incorporates a pivotable clamp member that can rotate between clamped and unclamped states, allowing dynamic adjustment to secure different blade types. The pivotable action enables the clamp to adapt its positioning and applying force to accommodate various blade tang configurations while maintaining secure attachment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a clamp mechanism with pivotable clamp member is added, then the ability to securely hold blades with varying tang configurations is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade attachment securityVSAvoidclamp mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a clamp member for direct blade contact, a pivot axis for rotational movement, and an actuator for driving the clamping action. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity. The clamp member's T-shaped cross-section is segmented to engage with corresponding features on different blade types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pivotable clamp member design allows the mechanism to self-adjust and self-secure blades of varying configurations through its rotational capability. The geometry of the clamp member and pocket work together to automatically position and secure the blade tang in the correct orientation when clamped, reducing the need for complex adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4321288A1hacksaw
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 TECHTRONIC CORDLESS GP
  • EP4321288A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4321288A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4321288A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A hacksaw (10) includes a handle (14) defining a pocket (74) shaped to receive a hacksaw blade (222) without a tang and a reciprocating blade (22) having a tang (46) and a hole (42). The hacksaw (10) further includes a support arm (18) extending from the handle (14) and a clamp mechanism (26) coupled to the support arm (18) and configured to hold the hacksaw blade (222) or the reciprocating blade (22) depending on which blade is coupled to the handle (14).