Abstract: A band saw wherein one of the pulleys for an endless band-like blade is movable toward and away from the other pulley to relax the tension upon or to tension the blade. The one pulley is permanently biased away from the other pulley by a relatively weak spring whose bias can be overcome by hand to facilitate the removal of a blade or the application of a fresh blade. In addition, the one pulley is normally biased away from the other pulley with a pronounced force by a package of dished springs whose bias upon the one pulley can be interrupted by a single-acting cylinder and piston unit whose piston is installed between the dished springs and a reciprocable carriage for the one pulley. The dished springs react against a support for the pulleys and bear against the piston.

Abstract: An arrangement for removing skin of slaughtered animals has a housing substantially forming a handle, two cutting disks having a central plane corresponding to a central plane of the housing, a drive and transmission, a separating wall formed of one piece with the housing and separating the transmission from the cutting means as well as including a center plate extending substantially in the region of the central plane and a limiting plate extending substantially normal to the latter, a spacer ring abutting against the central plate and supporting the cutting disks, and two covers of which one cover is connected with the central plate and partially supports the eccentric shaft, and the other cover abuts against the limiting plate and is pressed against the spacer ring, wherein the central plate of the separating wall has a free end portion which is overlapped by end portions of the covers.

Abstract: A butcher's meat saw has a housing from which extends a flat guide plate having an edge along which is slidable a blade reciprocated by an eccentric-type drive mechanism within the housing. Either the edge of the guide or the edge of the blade is formed with a groove and the other edge fits in this groove. One of these edges is furthermore formed with laterally opened notches so as to facilitate cleaning of the saw.