RECIP BLADE
A recip blade has a blade body and a tang located at one end of the blade body. The blade body has a distal portion located on an opposite end of the blade body relative to the tang. The distal portion defines a tip and at least one aperture extending through the blade body. A cutting edge extends along the blade body between the tang and the tip.
1 . A recip blade, comprising:
a blade body; and
a tang located at one end of the blade body,
wherein the blade body includes a distal portion located on an opposite end of the blade body relative to the tang and defining a tip and at least one aperture extending through the blade body, and a cutting edge extending along the blade body between the tang and the tip.
2 . A recip blade as defined in claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture reduces a mass per unit area of the distal portion of the blade body in comparison to a remainder of the blade body.
3 . A recip blade as defined in claim 1 , wherein the distal portion defines a length, and the at least one aperture extends substantially along the length of the distal portion.
4 . A recip blade as defined in claim 3 , wherein the blade body defines a length, and the length of the distal portion is no more than about ⅗ the length of the blade body.
5 . A recip blade as defined in claim 4 , wherein the length of the distal portion is no more than about ½ the length of the blade body.
6 . A recip blade as defined in claim 5 , wherein the length of the distal portion is no more than about ⅖ the length of the blade body.
7 . A recip blade as defined in claim 3 , wherein the blade body defines a plurality of apertures axially spaced relative to each other and extending substantially along the length of the distal portion.
8 . A recip blade as defined in claim 1 , wherein the blade body defines a first portion extending between the tang and the distal portion, and the first portion of the blade body is substantially solid.
9 . A recip blade as defined in claim 8 , wherein the first portion defines a first minimum width, the distal portion defines a second minimum width, and the second minimum width is at least about ⅔ the first minimum width.
10 . A recip blade as defined in claim 9 , wherein the second minimum width is at least about ¾ the first minimum width.
11 . A recip blade as defined in claim 10 , wherein the second minimum width is at least about ⅞ the first minimum width.
12 . A recip blade as defined in claim 3 , wherein the distal portion defines a width, and the at least one aperture extends throughout at least about ⅖ the width of the distal portion.
13 . A recip blade as defined in claim 12 , wherein the at least one aperture extends throughout at least about ⅗ the width of the distal portion.
14 . A recip blade as defined in claim 13 , wherein the at least one aperture extends throughout at least about ⅘ the width of the distal portion.
15 . A recip blade as defined in claim 1 , wherein the cutting edge includes a cut area defined by teeth that predominantly engage a work piece, and the cut area is located substantially outside of the distal portion of the blade.
16 . A recip blade as defined in claim 1 , wherein the recip blade is a metal cutting recip blade, and the cutting edge includes a plurality of teeth configured for cutting metal work pieces.
17 . A recip blade, comprising:
a blade body; and
a tang located at one end of the blade body,
wherein the blade body includes a distal portion located on an opposite end of the blade body relative to the tang and defining a tip, a first portion extending between the tang and the distal portion, means for reducing a mass per unit area of the distal portion in comparison to the first portion, and a cutting edge extending along the blade body between the tang and the tip.
18 . A recip blade as defined in claim 17 , wherein the means for reducing the mass per unit area is at least one aperture extending through the distal portion of the blade body.
19 . A recip blade as defined in claim 17 , wherein the blade body defines a length, and the length of the distal portion is no more than about ⅗ the length of the blade body.
20 . A recip blade as defined in claim 19 , wherein the length of the distal portion is no more than about ½ the length of the blade body.
21 . A recip blade as defined in claim 17 , wherein the first portion of the blade body is substantially solid.
22 . A recip blade as defined in claim 21 , wherein the first portion defines a first minimum width, the distal portion defines a second minimum width, and the second minimum width is at least about ⅔ the first minimum width.
23 . A recip blade as defined in claim 22 , wherein the at least one aperture extends throughout at least about ⅗ the width of the distal portion.
24 . A recip blade as defined in claim 23 , wherein the at least one aperture extends throughout at least about ⅘ the width of the distal portion.
25 . A recip blade as defined in claim 17 , wherein the cutting edge includes a cut area defined by teeth that predominantly engage a work piece, and the cut area is located substantially outside of the distal portion of the blade.