Guide for saber saw

Abstract

An elongated rectangular magnetic bar has a slot extending longitudinally in one major surface. A C clamp has a head engagable with the slot. A pair of pointer elements are used, each element being elongated with a point at one end and a flat base plate at the other end, the point extending in a direction perpendicular to the plate. A pair of flat magnets are used, each magnet being disposed on and secured to the corresponding plate.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Saber saws are often used to cut thin sheets of plywood and other materials. Since the thin saber saw blade is disposed in the middle of a relatively wide saw body, it is difficult for the user to hold the saw in proper position for an accurate line of cut during the cutting process.

This invention is directed toward a device which can be used as a guide for a saber saw whereby when the device is used, an accurate line of cut is always obtained with ease.

In accordance with the invention, a pair of pointer elements are detachably secured by magnetic action to one side of an elongated rectangular metal bar. The elements extend in parallel spaced position outward at right angles to the side of the bar. The elements are adjustable in length and are set to a length equal to the distance in the saw between the center of the blade and either side of the saw body.

The line to be cut is then drawn on the sheet or other item to be cut. The bar is placed on the work and moved until the tips of the elements are aligned with the line. A C clamp is then used to clamp the bar to the work, the head of the clamp engaging the slot in the bar. The pointer elements are then removed.

The saber saw is then placed in operation, the user holding the body of the saw against the side of the bar from which the pointers had previously been removed.

As a consequence, the line of cut is automatically maintained easily at all times.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention as assembled;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the structure of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a pointer element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a rectangular elongated bar 10 of magnetic material such as steel has a slot 12 extending longitudinally along one major surface. The slot in cross section has the shapes of a T. A conventional C clamp 14 has a head 16 slidably engageable with the slot.

Two pointer elements are used. Each element has a grooved pointed member 18 with a central longitudinal slot and a right angle bracket 20 having a body portion slidable in the groove with a slot aligned with the member slot. Locking bolts 22 or the like can be used to set the overall length of each element as previously described by locking the member and angle together at desired overall length (which is the distance L between the center of the saw blade 26 of saber saw 24 and one side 28 of the saw). The exposed right angle end of the bracket carries a flat magnet 30.

The invention can then be used as previously described.

While the invention has been described with detailed reference to the drawings, the protection sought is to be limited only by the terms of the claims which follow.

Claims

I claim:

1. A guide for use with a saber saw, said guide comprising:

An elongated rectangular magnetic bar having a longitudinally extending slot disposed in one major surface;

A C clamp having a head engagable with said slot;

a pair of pointer elements, each element being elongated with a point at one end and a flat base plate at the other end, the point extending in a direction perpendicular to the plate; and

a pair of flat magnets, each magnet being disposed on and secured to the corresponding plate.

2. The guide of claim 1 wherein each pointer element is manually adjustable in length.

3. The guide of claim 2 wherein said slot in cross section defines an inverted T.

4. The guide of claim 3 wherein each element includes two members having overlapping longitudinal slots and slidable relative to each other, the element further including manually operable locking means extending through the aligned slots.