HOLE SAW
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`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
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`[0001]
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`This application is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 16/672,247,filed
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`November1, 2019, whichis a continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 16/143,613, filed
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`September 27, 2018, now U.S. Patent No. 10,751,811, issued on August 25, 2020, which is a
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`continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 15/407,005, filed January 16, 2017, now U.S. Patent
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`No. 10,086,445, issued on October 2, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application
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`No. 13/945,643, filed July 18, 2013, now U.S. Patent No. 9,579,732, issued on February 28,
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`2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/673,124,filed July 18,
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`2012, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/717,389, filed October 23, 2012, and U.S.
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`Provisional Patent Application No. 61/784,172, filed March 14, 2013, all of which are hereby
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`expressly incorporated by referencein their entirety.
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`[0002]
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`This application is related to U.S. Patent Application No. 16/672,258, filed on
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`November1, 2019, which is hereby expressly incorporated by referencein its entirety.
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`BACKGROUND
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`[0003]
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`The present invention relates to power tool accessories, and morespecifically, to
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`hole saws.
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`[0004]
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`A hole saw 1s a type of circular saw with a cylindrical, cup-like body that is
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`rotated about a central axis in order to cut a cylindrical plug from a workpiece, thereby forming
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`a circular aperture in the work piece. The plug, or core, of the work piece is received within the
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`cup-like body as the hole saw progresses through the work piece. Undercertain conditions, the
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`plug can become trapped within the body, necessitating manual removal of the plug by the
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`user.
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`SUMMARY
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`[0005]
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`In one embodiment, the invention provides a hole saw including a cylindrical
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`body disposed along an axis of rotation with a side wall extending axially from a cap end toa
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`cutting end. The cutting end includes a plurality of cutting teeth. A cap includes a rim portion
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`seated on the cap end and an axially extending portion extending into the cylindrical body
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`from the cap end. The side wall defines an aperture includingafirst slot portion and a second
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`slot portion disposed closer to the cap endthanthe first slot portion. A wall of the second
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`slot portion nearest the cap end is between approximately 0.010 inches and approximately
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`0.120 inches axially offset from the axially extending portion of the cap.
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`[0006]
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`In another embodiment the invention provides a hole saw. A cylindrical body is
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`disposed along an axis of rotation and includes a side wall extending axially from a cap end to
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`a cutting end. The cutting end includes a plurality of cutting teeth. A cap includes a rim
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`portion seated on the cap end and an axially extending portion extending into the cylindrical
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`body from the cap end. The side wall defines an aperture includinga first slot portion oriented
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`substantially perpendicular to the axis and a second slot portion disposed closer to the cap end
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`than the first slot portion. A wall of the second slot portion nearest the cap end is between
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`approximately 0.010 inches and approximately 0.120 inches axially offset from the axially
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`extending portion of the cap. A connecting slot portion connectsthe first slot portion and the
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`second slot portion.
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`[0007]
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`Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the
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`detailed description and accompanying drawings.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`[0008]
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`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hole saw according to a first embodiment of
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`the invention.
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`[0009]
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`[0010]
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`[0011]
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`[0012]
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`the invention.
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`[0013]
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`[0014]
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`[0015]
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`[0016]
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`[0017]
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`FIG. 2 is a side view of the hole saw of FIG.1.
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`FIG. 3 is a planar view of a cylindrical body of the hole saw of FIG.1.
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`FIG.4 is a top view ofthe hole saw of FIG.1.
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`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hole saw according to another embodiment of
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`FIG. 6 is a side view of a first aperture of the hole saw of FIG.5.
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`FIG. 7 is a side view of a secondaperture of the hole saw of FIG.5.
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`FIG. 8 is a top view ofthe hole saw of FIG.5.
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`FIG.9 is a side view ofa third aperture of the hole saw of FIG.5.
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`FIG. 10 is a planar view of a cylindrical body of a hole saw according to another
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`embodimentof the invention.
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`[0018]
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`FIG. 11 is a planar view of a cylindrical body of a hole saw according to another
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`embodimentof the invention.
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`[0019]
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`FIG. 12 is a planar view of a cylindrical body of a hole saw according to another
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`embodimentof the invention.
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`[0020]
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`FIG. 13 is a planar view of a cylindrical body of a hole saw according to another
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`embodimentof the invention.
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`[0021]
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`FIG. 14 is a planar view of a cylindrical body of a hole saw according to another
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`embodimentof the invention.
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`[0022]
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`FIG. 15 is a planar view of a cylindrical body of a hole saw according to another
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`embodimentof the invention.
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`[0023]
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`FIG. 16 is a planar view of a cylindrical body of a hole saw according to another
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`embodimentof the invention.
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`[0024]
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`FIG. 17 is a planar view of a cylindrical body of a hole saw according to another
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`embodimentof the invention.
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`[0025]
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`FIG. 18 is a planar view of a cylindrical body of a hole saw according to another
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`embodimentof the invention.
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`[0026]
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`Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be
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`understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction
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`and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the
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`following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or
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`of being carried out in various ways.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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`[0027]
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`FIGS. 1-18 illustrate a power tool accessory, such as, for example, a hole-saw, for
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`operation with a powertool(e.g., a drill, a driver-drill, a screwdriver, and the like). In some
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`embodiments, the powertool accessory is operable to cut holes of different sizes in a work piece
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`and/or to remove plugs from the work piece. Each of the embodiments of the invention described
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`below includes a cylindrical body defining at least one slot or aperture (e.g., a pair of slots or
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`apertures). Hole saws including any number(e.g., one, two, three, or more) of the disclosed slots
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`or apertures, and variations thereof, are within the scope of the invention.
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`[0028]
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`FIGS. 1-4 illustrates an embodiment of a powertool accessory, and more
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`specifically, a hole saw 10. The hole saw 10 includes a cylindrical body 14 disposed along an
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`axis of rotation 18. The cylindrical body 14 is defined by a side wall 22 that extends between a
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`cap end 26 and a cutting end 30. As shownin FIG.1, the cutting end 30 includescutting teeth
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`34. Each ofthe teeth 34 is defined by a leading edge 38 anda trailing edge 42.
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`[0029]
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`As shownin FIG.3, elongated apertures 46 are defined within the side wall 22.
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`Each elongated aperture 46 is defined byafirst slot portion 50 and a secondslot portion 54,
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`each orientated substantially perpendicular to the axis 18. Thefirst slot portion 50 is axially
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`disposed closer to the cutting end 30, and the secondslot portion 54 is disposed closerto the
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`cap end 26. Thefirst slot portion 50 is offset relative to the second slot portion 54. A
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`connecting slot portion 58 connects the first slot portion 50 and the second slot portion 54.
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`The connecting slot portion 58 is at an angle relative to the cap end 26 and the cutting end 30.
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`Thefirst slot portion 50, the second slot portion 54, and the connecting slot portion 58 all
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`have substantially the same width, though in other embodiments they may have different
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`widths. The second slot portion 54 includes an upper wall 55 that is substantially parallel to
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`the cap end 26 andis located at a maximum distance D of approximately 0.2 inches from the
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`cap end 26. Alternatively, the upper wall 55 of the second slot portion 54 maybe flush with
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`the cap end 26 such that distance D is zero, or the second slot portion 54 may extend through
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`a cap (not shown). The apertures 46 are configured to receive a tool (not shown) for removing
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`plugs from within the cylindrical body 14.
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`[0030]
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`Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the cap end 26 defines semi-circular slots 62 configured
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`to receive a plug-removing tool (not shown).
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`[0031]
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`Referring to FIG. 2, a cap 66 is coupled to the cap end 26 ofthe cylindrical
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`body 14. The cap 66 has substantially the same diameteras the cylindrical body 14 and is
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`welded to the cap end 26 with a substantially continuous weld between the semi-circular
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`slots 62. The cap 66 includes a rim portion 70 that seats on the cap end 26 and an axially
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`extending portion 74 that extends into the cap end 26 of the cylindrical body. The rim portion
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`70 is substantially perpendicular to the axially extending portion 74. As shown in FIG.4, the
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`cap 66 defines a main aperture 78 centered about the axis 18 and configured to receive a
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`mandrel or equivalent tool (not shown). A plurality of holes 82 are defined in the cap 66 and
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`surround the main aperture 78. The plurality of holes 82 are circumferentially arranged about
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`the axis 18.
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`[0032]
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`FIGS. 5-9 illustrate another embodimentof a hole saw 84. The hole saw 84has
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`substantial similarities to the hole saw 10 described with respect to FIGS. 1-4, and only those
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`aspects that differ from the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4 will be described herein. Referring to
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`FIG.5, the hole saw 84 includes a cylindrical body 88 and a cap 92. The cylindrical body 88
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`includes a side wall 96 having a first aperture 100, a second aperture 104, and a third aperture
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`108. The apertures 100, 104, 108 are configured to receive a tool (not shown) for removing the
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`plugs from within the cylindrical body 88.
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`[0033]
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`As shown in FIG.6, the first aperture 100 is defined bya first slot portion 112
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`and a second slot portion 116. The first slot portion 112 and the secondslot portion 116 are
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`each orientated substantially perpendicular to the axis 18. A connecting slot portion 118
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`connects the first slot portion 112 and the secondslot portion 116. The second slot portion
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`116 includes an upper wall 117 that is substantially parallel to the cap end 92 andis located
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`at a maximum distance D of approximately 0.2 inches from the cap end 92. Alternatively, the
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`upper wall 117 of the second slot portion 116 may be flush with the cap end 92 such that
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`distance D is zero, or the second slot portion 116 may extend through the cap 92 (FIG.5).
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`[0034]
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`As shownin FIG.7, the second aperture 104 is defined by a sidewall portion
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`120 and a cap portion 124. The sidewall portion 120 extends through the side wall 96 and
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`terminates at an edge 128 that is substantially perpendicular to the axis 18. The cap portion
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`124 extends through the cap 92 and terminates at a semi-circular edge 132 as shown in FIG.
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`8.
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`[0035]
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`Referring to FIG.9, the third aperture 108 includes a first slot portion 136, a
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`secondslot portion 140, a connecting slot portion 144, and a vertical slot portion 148. The
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`first slot portion 136 and the secondslot portion 140 are each oriented substantially
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`perpendicular to the axis 18 and are connected by the connecting slot portion 144. The
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`vertical slot portion 148 extends from the second slot portion 140 through the cap 92 and
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`terminates at a semi-circular edge 152 within the cap 92 as shownin Fig 8.
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`[0036]
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`The cap 92 is welded to the body 88, with a substantially continuous welds
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`interrupted by the cap portion 124 of the second aperture 104 and the vertical slot portion
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`148 of the third aperture.
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`[0037]
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`FIG. 10 illustrates yet another embodiment of a hole saw 156. The hole saw 156
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`has substantial similarities to the hole saw 10 described with respect to FIGS. 1-4, and only those
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`aspects that differ from the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4 will be described herein.
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`[0038]
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`Referring to FIG. 10, the hole saw 156 includes a cylindrical body 160 having a
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`side wall 164 extending between a cap end 168 and a cutting end 172. The cap end 168 defines a
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`semi-circular slot 170 configured to receive a plug-removing tool (not shown).
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`[0039]
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`A pair of elongated apertures 174 are defined within the side wall 164. Each
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`aperture 174 is configured to receive a tool (not shown) for removing work piece plugs from
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`within the cylindrical body 160. Each elongated aperture 174 is defined by a first slot portion
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`178 and a second slot portion 182. Thefirst slot portion 178 is oriented substantially
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`perpendicular to the axis 18. The second slot portion 182 connects to the first slot portion 178
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`and is oriented at an angle 0 relative to the axis 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle 0
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`is between approximately 14.5 degrees and approximately 15.5 degrees, but other
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`embodiments may include other orientations. The first slot portion 178 and the secondslot
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`portion 182 have substantially the same width 184.
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`[0040]
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`FIG. 11 illustrates yet another embodiment of a hole saw 190. The hole saw 190
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`has substantial similarities to the hole saw 10 described with respect to FIGS. 1-4, and only those
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`aspects that differ from the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4 will be described herein.
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`[0041]
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`As shown in FIG. 11, the hole saw 190 includes a cylindrical body 194 having
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`a side wall 198 extending between a cap end 202 and a cutting end 206. A pair of elongated
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`apertures 210 are defined within the side wall 214. The elongated apertures 210 are
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`configured to receive a tool (not shown) for removing plugs from within the cylindrical body
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`194. Each elongated aperture 210 is defined byafirst slot portion 218, a second slot portion
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`222, and a third slot portion 226, each oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis 18.
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`The first slot portion 218 is disposed closer to the cutting end 206, and the third slot portion
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`226 is disposed closer to the cap end 202. The secondslot portion 222 is disposed between
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`the first slot portion 218 and the third slot portion 226. The third slot portion 226 includes an
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`upper wall 227 that is substantially parallel to the cap end 202. The upper wall 227 is offset a
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`distance B from the secondslot portion 222. In the illustrated embodiment, distance B is
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`between less than half of an axial height of the aperture 210. The upper wall 227 is located at
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`a maximum distance D of approximately 0.2 inches from the cap end 202. Alternatively, the
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`upper wall 227 of the third slot portion 226 may be flush with the cap end 202 suchthat
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`distance D is zero, or the third slot portion 226 may extend through a cap (not shown)
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`coupled to the cap end 202.
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`[0042]
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`A first connecting slot portion 230 connects the first slot portion 218 and the
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`second slot portion 222. The first connecting slot portion 230 is oriented an angle 0 relative
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`to the cap end 202 andthe cutting end 206. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle 0 is
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`between approximately 50.2 degrees and approximately 51.2 degrees, but other embodiments
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`mayinclude other orientations.
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`[0043]
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`A second connecting slot portion 234 connects the second slot portion 222 and
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`the third slot portion 226. The second connecting slot portion 234 is oriented at an angle a
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`relative to the cap end 202 and the cutting end 206. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle a
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`is between approximately 31.3 degrees and approximately 32.3 degrees, but other
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`embodiments may include other angle ranges.
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`[0044]
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`FIG. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment of a hole saw 238. The hole saw 238
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`has substantial similarities to the hole saw 10 described with respect to FIGS. 1-4, and only those
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`aspects that differ from the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4 will be described herein.
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`[0045]
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`As shownin FIG. 12, the hole saw 238 includes a cylindrical body 242 having
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`a side wall 246 extending between a cap end 250 and a cutting end 254. A pair of elongated
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`apertures 258 are defined within the side wall 246. Each elongated aperture 258 is defined by
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`a first slot portion 262 and a secondslot portion 266, each orientated substantially
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`perpendicular to the axis 18. Thefirst slot portion 262 is circumferentially disposed closer to
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`the cutting end 254, and the second slot portion 266 is disposed closer to the cap end 250,
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`wherebythefirst slot portion 262 is offset relative to the secondslot portion 266. A
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`connecting slot portion 270 connects the first slot portion 262 and the secondslot portion 266.
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`The connecting slot portion 270 is oriented at an angle co relative to the cap end 250 and the
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`cutting end 254. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle co is between approximately 50.3
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`degrees and approximately 51.3 degrees, but other embodiments may include other angle
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`ranges. Thefirst slot portion 262, the second slot portion 266, and the connecting slot portion
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`270 all have substantially the same width 274. The secondslot portion 266 includes an upper
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`wall 278 that is substantially parallel to the cap end 250 andis located at a maximum distance
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`D of approximately 0.2 inches from the cap end 250. Alternatively, the upper wall 278 of the
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`second slot portion 266 may be oriented flush with the cap end 250 such that distance D is
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`zero, or the secondslot portion 266 may extend through a cap (not shown) coupled to the cap
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`end 250. The apertures 258 are configured to receive a tool (not shown) for removing plugs
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`from within the cylindrical body 242.
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`[0046]
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`FIG. 13 illustrates yet another embodiment of a hole saw 278. The hole saw 278
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`has substantial similarities to the hole saw 10 described with respect to FIGS. 1-4, and only those
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`aspects that differ from the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4 will be described herein.
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`[0047]
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`As shownin FIG. 13, the hole saw 278 includes a cylindrical body 282 having
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`a side wall 286 extending between a cap end 290 and a cutting end 294. A pair of elongated
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`apertures 298 are defined within the side wall 286. Each elongated aperture 298 is defined by
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`a first slot portion 302 and a secondslot portion 306. Thefirst slot portion 302 is disposed
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`closer to the cutting end 294, and the secondslot portion 306 is disposed closer to the cap
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`end 290. The secondslot portion 306 includes an upper wall 310 orientated substantially
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`parallel to the cap end 290, and a radial wall 314 extends from the upper wall 310. The upper
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`wall 310 is located at a maximum distance D of approximately 0.2 inches from the cap end
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`290. Alternatively, the upper wall 310 of the second slot portion 306 may be oriented flush
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`with the cap end 290 such that distance D is zero, or the second slot portion 306 may extend
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`through a cap (not shown) coupled to the cap end 290.
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`[0048]
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`Referring to FIG. 13, the first slot portion 302 includes an upper wall 318 and
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`a lower wall 322, each oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis 18. A connecting slot
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`portion 326 connects the first slot portion 302 and the secondslot portion 306 and includes a
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`first wall 330 and a second wall 334. Theradial wall 314 connects to the first wall 330,
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`which connects to the lower wall 322. The second wall 334 extends between the upper wall
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`310 and the upper wall 318. The first wall 330 is oriented at an angle 1 relative to the cap
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`end 290 andthe cutting end 294. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle 1 is between
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`approximately 69.5 degrees and approximately 70.5 degrees, but other embodiments may
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`include other angle ranges. The second wall 334 is oriented at an angle up relative to the cap
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`end 290 andthe cutting end 294. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle u is between
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`approximately 50.1 degrees and approximately 51.1 degrees, but other embodiments may
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`include other angle ranges.
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`[0049]
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`FIG. 14 illustrates yet another embodimentof a hole saw 338. The hole saw
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`338 has substantial similarities to the hole saws 10 and 156 described with respect to FIGS. 1-
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`4 and 10, and only those aspects that differ from the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4 and 10 will be
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`described herein.
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`[0050]
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`As shownin FIG. 14, the hole saw 338 includes a cylindrical body 342 having
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`a side wall 346 extending between a cap end 350 and a cutting end 354. Theside wall 346
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`includes a first pair of elongated apertures 358 and a secondpair of elongated apertures 362.
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`Thefirst pair of elongated apertures 358 are disposed closer to the cap end 350, and the
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`second pair of elongated apertures 362 are disposed closer to the cutting end 354. Each of the
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`first pair of apertures 358 includes a first slot portion 366 and second slot portion 370.
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`[0051]
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`Thefirst slot portion 366 is oriented substantially perpendicularto the axis 18.
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`The second slot portion 370 extends from thefirst slot portion 366 and is oriented at an angle co
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`relative to the cap end 350 andthe cutting end 354. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle co is
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`between approximately 69.5 degrees and approximately 70.5 degrees, but other embodiments
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`may include other angle ranges. The second slot portion 370 includes an upper wall 374 that is
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`substantially parallel to the cap end 350. The upper wall 374 is offset a distance B from the
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`lower slot portion 366. In the illustrated embodiment, distance B is less than half of an axial
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`height of the aperture 358. The upper wall 374 is located at a maximum distance D of
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`approximately 0.2 inches from the cap end 350. Alternatively, the upper wall 374 of the
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`second slot portion 370 may be flush with the cap end 350 such that distance D is zero, or the
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`second slot portion 370 may extend through a cap (not shown) coupled to the cap end 350.
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`Thefirst slot portion 366 and the secondslot portion 370 have substantially the same width
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`378.
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`[0052]
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`Each of the secondpair of apertures 362 is defined by a first slot portion 382
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`oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis 18. Thefirst pair of apertures 358 and the second
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`pair of apertures 362 are generally aligned in the sameposition and orientation relative to the
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`axis 18, though in other embodiments they may be staggered or in other orientations.
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`[0053]
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`FIG. 15 illustrates yet another embodiment of a hole saw 386. The hole saw 386
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`has substantial similarities to the hole saw 10 described with respect to FIGS. 1-4, and only those
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`aspects that differ from the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4 will be described herein.
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`[0054]
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`As shownin FIG. 15, the hole saw 386 includes a cylindrical body 390 having
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`a side wall 394 extending between a cap end 398 and a cutting end 402. A pair of elongated
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`apertures 410 are defined within the side wall 394. Each elongated aperture 410 is defined by
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`a first slot portion 414 and a secondslot portion 418, each orientated substantially
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`perpendicular to the axis 18. Thefirst slot portion 414 is disposed closer to the cutting end
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`402, and the secondslot portion 418 is disposed closer to the cap end 398. A connecting slot
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`portion 422 connects the first slot portion 414 and the second slot portion 418 and is oriented
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`at an angle a relative to the cap end 398 andthe cutting end 402. In the illustrated
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`embodiment, the angle a is between approximately 60 degrees and approximately 80 degrees,
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`more specifically approximately 70 degrees, but other embodiments may include other
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`angles. The connecting slot portion 422 includesa first wall 423 and second wall 424. The
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`elongated aperture 410 has a circumferential width A, measured in a direction parallel to the
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`cap end 398 and cutting end 402. In the illustrated embodiment, the circumferential width A
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`is between approximately 1.250 inches and approximately 2.150 inches, more specifically
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`between approximately 1.475 inches and approximately 1.925 inches, and even more
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`specifically, approximately 1.700 inches. A circumferential width A within these ranges
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`provides for greater access to a user when removing a work piece plug from the hole saw 386.
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`[0055]
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`The secondslot portion 418 includes an upper wall 426 orientated
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`substantially perpendicular to the axis 18, a lower wall 427 oriented substantially
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`perpendicular to the axis 18, a side wall 428, and a radial wall 430 that extends from the
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`upper wall 426. The radial wall 430 connects to the first wall 423, which connects to the
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`lower wall 438. The second wall 424 connects to the lower wall 427, which connects to the
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`side wall 428. The upper wall 426 and lower wall 427 are axially separated by a slot height
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`B. In the illustrated embodiment, the slot height B is between approximately 0.018 inches
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`and approximately 0.038 inches, more specifically approximately 0.028 inches. Having slot
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`height B within this range of values provides for optimal removal of deep work piece plugs
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`within the hole saw 386.
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`[0056]
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`A slot width C of the second slot portion 418, measuredin a direction parallel
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`to the cap end 398, is between approximately 0.305 inches and approximately 0.805 inches,
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`more specifically, between approximately 0.430 inches and approximately 0.680 inches, and
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`even morespecifically, approximately 0.555 inches. A slot width C within these ranges of
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`values allowsfor a greater range oftools to be inserted into the slot in order to remove a
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`work piece plug. The upper wall 426 is located at a maximum distance D of approximately
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`0.2 inches from the cap end 398. The upper wall 426 is located an axial offset E from a depth
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`432 of an axially extending portion of a cap (e.g., the axially extending portion 74 of the cap
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`66 described with respect to Fig. 2). In the illustrated embodiment, the axial offset E is
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`between approximately 0.051 inches and approximately 0.126 inches, more specifically
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`between approximately 0.072 inches and approximately 0.108 inches, and even more
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`specifically, approximately 0.090 inches. Having an axial offset E within this range of values
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`provides for easier removal of deep work piece plugs from within hole saw 386.
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`Alternatively, the upper wall 426 of the second slot portion 418 may be oriented flush with
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`the cap end 398 such that distance D is zero, or the secondslot portion 418 may extend
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`through a cap (not shown) coupled to the cap end 398.
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`[0057]
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`Thefirst slot portion 414 includes an upper wall 434 and a lower wall 438, each
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`oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis 18. The upper wall 434 is disposed a distance F
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`from the cutting end 402. In the illustrated embodiment, distance F is between approximately
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`0.541 inches and approximately 0.895 inches, more specifically between approximately 0.627
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`inches and approximately 0.809 inches, and even more specifically, approximately 0.718 inches.
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`Having distance F within this range of values allows a user to apply more axially-aligned force
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`when removing a plug from the hole saw 386. Each aperture 410 is configured to receivea tool
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`(not shown) for removing work piece plugs from within the cylindrical body 390.
`
`[0058]
`
`FIG. 16 illustrates yet another embodiment of a hole saw 442. The hole saw 442
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`has substantial similarities to the hole saw 10, 156, and 338 described with respect to FIGS. 1-4,
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`10, and 14, and only those aspects that differ from the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4, 10, and 14
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`will be described herein.
`
`[0059]
`
`As shown in FIG. 16, the hole saw 442 includes a cylindrical body 446 having a
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`side wall 450 extending between a cap end 454 and a cutting end 458. The cutting end 458
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`includesa plurality of cutting teeth 462. The plurality of cutting teeth 462 may be coated with an
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`abrasive coating, e.g., diamond grit.
`
`[0060]
`
`Elongated apertures 466 are defined within the side wall 450. Each elongated
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`aperture 466 1s defined byafirst slot portion 470 and a second slot portion 474. Thefirst slot
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`portion 470 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis 18. The second slot portion 474
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`connects to the first slot portion 470 andis oriented at an angle R relative to the cap end 454
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`and the cutting end 458. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle (Lis between approximately
`
`73.5 degrees and approximately 74.5 degrees, but other embodiments mayinclude other
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`ranges. Thefirst slot portion 470 and the second slot portion 474 have substantially the same
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`width 478. The secondslot portion 474 includes an upper wall 482 that is substantially
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`parallel to the cap end 454 andis located at a maximum distance D of approximately 0.2
`
`inches from the cap end 454. Alternatively, the upper wall 482 of the second slot portion 474
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`may be oriented flush with the cap end 454 such that distance D is zero, or the secondslot
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`portion 474 may extend through a cap (not shown) coupled to the cap end 454. Each aperture
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`466 is configured to receive a tool (not shown) for removing workpiece plugs from within
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`the cylindrical body 446.
`
`[0061]
`
`FIG. 17 illustrates yet another embodiment of a hole saw 486. The hole saw 486
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`has substantial similarities to the hole saws 10 and 386 described with respect to FIGS. 1-4 and
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`15, and only those aspects that differ from the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4 and 15 will be
`
`described herein.
`
`[0062]
`
`As shown in FIG. 17, the hole saw 486 includes a cylindrical body 490 having a
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`side wall 494 extending between a cap end 498 and a cutting end 502. The cutting end 502
`
`includesa plurality of cutting teeth 506. The plurality of cutting teeth 506 may be coated with an
`
`abrasive coating, e.g., diamondgrit.
`
`[0063]
`
`The side wall 494 defines a plurality of elongated apertures 510. Each
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`elongated aperture 510 is defined by a first slot portion 514 and a secondslot portion 518,
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`each orientated substantially perpendicular to the axis 18. Thefirst slot portion 514 is
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`disposed closer to the cutting end 502, and the second slot portion 518 is disposed closer to
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`the cap end 498. A connecting slot portion 522 connects the first slot portion 514 and the
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`second slot portion 518 and is oriented at an acute angle relative to the cap end 498 and the
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`cutting end 502. The connecting slot portion includesa first wall 523 and second wall 524.
`
`[0064]
`
`The secondslot portion 518 includes an upper wall 526 orientated
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`substantially perpendicular to the axis 18, a lower wall 527 oriented substantially
`
`perpendicular to the axis 18, a side wall 528, and a radial wall 530 that extends from the
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`upper wall 526. A distance B defined between the upper wall 526 and the lower wall 527 is
`
`less than half of an axial height of the aperture 510. The upper wall 526 is located at a
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`maximum distance D of approximately 0.2 inches from the cap end 498. Alternatively, the
`
`upper wall 526 of the second slot portion 518 may be oriented flush with the cap end 498
`
`such that distance D is zero, or the secondslot portion 518 may extend through a cap (not
`
`shown) coupled to the cap end 498. Thefirst slot portion 514 includes an upper wall 534 and
`
`a lower wall 538, each oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis 18. The radial wall
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`530 connects to the first wall 523, which connects to the lower wall 538. The second wall
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`524 connects to the lower wall 527, which connects to the side wall 528. Each aperture 510
`
`is configured to receive a tool (not shown) for removing work piece plugs from within the
`
`cylindrical body 490.
`
`[0065]
`
`FIG. 18 illustrates yet another embodiment of a hole saw 542. The hole saw 542
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`has substantial similarities to the hole saw 10, 156, 338, and 442 described with respect to FIGS.
`
`1-4, 10, 14 and 16, and only those aspects that differ from the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4, 10, 14
`
`and 16 will be described herein.
`
`[0066]
`
`As shown in FIG. 18, the hole saw 542 includes a cylindrical body 546 having a
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`side wall 550 extending between a cap end 554 and a cutting end 558. The cutting end 558
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`includesa plurality of cutting teeth 562. The plurality of cutting teeth 562 may be coated with an
`
`abrasive coating, e.g., diamondgrit.
`
`[0067]
`
`Elongated apertures 566 are defined within the side wall 550. Each aperture
`
`566 is configured to receive a tool (not shown) for removing work piece plugs from within
`
`the cylindrical body 446. Each elongated aperture 566 is defined bya first slot portion 570
`
`and a secondslot portion 574. The elongated apertures 566 each have a circumferential width
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`A, measured in a direction parallel to the cap end 554 and cutting end 558. In the illustrated
`
`embodiment, the circumferential width A is between approximately 0.595 inches and
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`approximately 0.895 inches, more specifically between approximately 0.670 inches and
`
`approximately 0.820 inches, and even more specifically, approximately 0.745 inches. A
`
`circumferential width A within these ranges provides for greater access to a user when
`
`removing a work piece plug from the hole saw 542.
`
`[0068]
`
`The first slot