Retractable utility saw

Claim 1

A hand utility saw comprising: a saw blade having a proximal and a distal end and including a plurality of saw teeth disposed along at least one edge thereof; an elongated handle comprising first and second handle portions, said first handle portion including a lengthwise saw blade receiving recess formed along an interior surface thereof and including a slot extending from the interior to the exterior of said first handle portion and coextensive over a portion of the length of said recess, said second handle portion including a lengthwise cavity formed therein for receiving at least one spare saw blade and wherein said recess and said cavity mount in opposed facing relation to one another; a screw member mounted through a hole formed in the proximal end of said saw blade and extending through said slot in sliding relation thereto; a lock nut threadably secured to said screw member and extending beyond the width of said slot so as to compressively secure said saw blade to said first handle portion, upon tightening said lock nut; a loop member mounted to an exterior surface of said handle and defining a passageway between an interior surface of said loop member and an exterior surface of said handle for receiving a belt therethrough; and first and second L-shaped hand guard members pivotally mounted to said handle along said saw blade receiving recess and cooperatively interacting with the proximal end of said saw blade upon retracting said saw blade into said handle to retract in folded relation said handle and otherwise selectively pivoting outwardly from said handle, upon exposing said saw blade therefrom.