Clip for suspending a reciprocating saw

Abstract

A reciprocating saw can be suspended from a surface by a clip while the reciprocating saw is not in use. The clip can be attached to the saw at multiple positions to adapt to the user's preference. The clip can be mounted to the motor portion of the reciprocating saw's housing. An exemplary clip is disclosed and illustrated.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A reciprocating saw comprising: 
 a rotary motor;    a housing enclosing the rotary motor, the housing having a handle portion with a trigger switch for controlling the rotary motor;    a reciprocating shaft extending out from the housing and having a device for mounting a saw blade thereto; and    a clip attached to the housing which suspends the reciprocating saw from an accommodating means when the reciprocating saw is not in use.    
     
     
         2 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 1  wherein the clip can be mounted to the reciprocating saw at a minimum of two distinct positions on the reciprocating saw.  
     
     
         3 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 2:   wherein the reciprocating saw has an axis of symmetry defined by a plane which approximately divides in half the handle portion of the housing and is parallel to the reciprocating shaft; and    one of the minimum of two distinct mounting positions is on one side of the axis of symmetry, and another of the minimum of two distinct mounting positions is on the opposite side of the axis of symmetry.    
     
     
         4 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 3  wherein at least one of the minimum of two distinct mounting positions is on a motor portion of the housing which houses the rotary motor.  
     
     
         5 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 1  wherein the clip is mounted on a motor portion of the housing which houses the rotary motor.  
     
     
         6 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 1  wherein the clip is adapted to suspend the saw from a user's belt.  
     
     
         7 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 1  wherein the clip comprises: 
 a first projection extending outwardly from the housing at a first end; and  
 a second projection extending from a second end of the first projection creating a receiving space between the second projection and the housing, the receiving space adapted to receive the accommodating means.  
 
     
     
         8 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 7  wherein the clip is injection molded from plastic and unitary in construction.  
     
     
         9 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 7  wherein the clip is mounted on a motor portion of the housing which houses the rotary motor.  
     
     
         10 . A reciprocating saw comprising: 
 a rotary motor;    a housing having a motor portion with a neck portion attached to one end of the motor portion and a handle portion attached to the other end of the motor portion, the motor portion surrounding the rotary motor, the handle portion having a trigger switch for controlling the rotary motor, and the handle portion and the neck portion adapted to be grasped by a user during use of the reciprocating saw;    a reciprocating shaft extending out from the housing at the neck portion and having a device for mounting a saw blade thereto, the reciprocating shaft moving in a generally reciprocal motion to drive the saw blade to cut a workpiece; and    a clip attached to the housing which suspends the reciprocating saw from an accommodating surface when the reciprocating saw is not in use.    
     
     
         11 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 10  wherein the clip is mounted on the motor portion of the housing.  
     
     
         12 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 11  wherein the clip comprises: 
 a first projection extending outwardly from the housing at a first end; and  
 a second projection extending from a second end of the first projection creating a receiving space between the second projection and the housing, the receiving space adapted to receive the accommodating surface between the housing and the second projection.  
 
     
     
         13 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 10  wherein the clip comprises: 
 a first projection extending outwardly from the housing at a first end; and  
 a second projection extending from a second end of the first projection creating a receiving space between the second projection and the housing, the receiving space adapted to receive the accommodating surface between the housing and the second projection.  
 
     
     
         14 . The reciprocating saw of  claim 13  wherein the second projection extends from the first projection in a direction generally towards the neck portion of the housing.