Cutting tool having single moving blade

• US 4,734,983 A
• Filed: 09/04/1986
• Issued: 04/05/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Francis M. Brick
• Original Assignee: Francis M. Brick
• Inventors: Brick, Francis M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Watts, Douglas D.
• Application Number:
  US06/903,646
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 30/180, 30/190, 30/210, 30/216, 30/228, 30/249
• US Class Current: 30/228
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 17/06 actuated by fluid or gas pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 29/005 for cutting sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 35/008 Means for changing the cutting members mounting per se B23D35/002
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 15/00 Hand-held shears with motor-driven blades

Abstract

The invention is a high-power portable cutting tool which is particularly effective in cutting through sheet metal. The tool can thus be used for extricating accident victims from wreckage. The tool is operated by hydraulic power, and has one movable blade and one stationary blade. The movable blade is curved, and is mounted so as to close onto the stationary blade. The curvature of the movable blade is such that its initial contact with the stationary blade occurs at its free end. The stationary blade is formed on an anvil, anchored within the frame of the tool. The anvil is sufficiently long that its end extends beyond the end of the movable blade. The anvil is anchored within a slot formed in the cover portion of the frame, and is locked into position with a dowel. The mounting of the anvil within the slot is such that the forces exerted on the blade are directed against the heavy cover, and not against the dowel.

Claims

1. A cutting tool having a single moving blade, comprising:

(a) a frame, the frame including a cover portion, the cover portion having a slot, the slot having generally parallel walls which extend continuously and completely through the cover portion,

(b) an anvil, the anvil including a first cutting blade, the anvil having a base portion inserted into the slot, the base portion of the anvil extending through the slot, and protruding beyond the cover portion,

(c) dowel means, disposed in a hole formed by the base portion of the anvil and by the cover portion, the dowel means comprising means for locking the anvil within the cover portion,

(d) a second cutting blade, the second blade being movable and being pivotably connected to the anvil, the second blade having a tip, wherein the end of the first blade extends beyond the tip of the second blade when the second blade is in engagement with the first blade, wherein the second blade is curved, and wherein the curvature of the second blade is such that the tip of the second blade is the initial part of the second blade to contact the first blade when the second blade is moved towards the first blade, and

(e) hydraulic means, mounted in the frame, and connected to the second blade by a link, wherein the hydraulic means causes the second blade to open and close upon the anvil, and wherein the length of the link is selected such that the first and second blades are fully meshed when the link is pushed into its fully extended position,

wherein the hydraulic means includes a cylinder and a piston, and wherein the ends of the cylinder are sealed by plug means, the plug means being distinct from the cylinder and from the piston, wherein the blades can be removed without removing the plugs, and wherein the blades can be removed without affecting the integrity of the hydraulic means.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the plug means comprise plastic plugs.

3. A cutting tool having a single moving blade, comprising:

(a) a frame, the frame including a cover portion, the cover portion having a slot, the slot having generally parallel walls which extend continuously through the cover portion,

(b) an anvil, the anvil including a first cutting blade, the anvil having a base portion inserted into the slot, the base portion of the anvil extending through the slot, and protruding beyond the cover portion,

(c) dowel means, disposed in a hole formed by the base portion of the anvil and by the cover portion, the dowel means comprising means for locking the anvil within the cover portion,

(d) a second cutting blade, the second blade being movable, the second blade being pivotally connected to the anvil, and

(e) hydraulic means, mounted in the frame, and connected to the second blade, wherein the hydraulic means causes the second blade to open and close upon the anvil,

wherein the second blade has a tip, and wherein the end of the first blade extends beyond the tip of the second blade when the second blade is in engagement with the first blade,

wherein the second blade is curved, and wherein the curvature of the second blade is such that the tip of the second blade is the initial part of the second blade to contact the first blade when the second blade is moved towards the first blade,

wherein a link connects the hydraulic means to the second blade, and wherein the length of the link is selected such that the first and second blades are fully meshed when the link is pushed into its fully extended position, and

wherein the hydraulic means includes a cylinder and a piston, and wherein the ends of the cylinder are sealed by plug means, the plug means being distinct from the cylinder and from the piston, wherein the blades can be removed without removing the plugs, and wherein the blades can be removed without affecting the integrity of the hydraulic means.

4. The tool of claim 3, wherein the plug means comprise plastic plugs.

5. A cutting tool having a single moving blade, comprising:

(a) a frame, the frame including a cover portion, the cover portion having a slot, the slot having generally parallel walls which extend continuously through the cover portion,

(b) an anvil, the anvil including a first cutting blade, the anvil having a base portion inserted into the slot, the base portion of the anvil extending through the slot, and protruding beyond the cover portion,

(c) dowel means, disposed in a hole formed by the base portion of the anvil and by the cover portion, the dowel means comprising means for locking the anvil within the cover portion,

(d) a second cutting blade, the second blade being movable, the second blade being pivotally connected to the anvil, and

(e) hydraulic means, mounted in the frame, and connected to the second blade, wherein the hydraulic means causes the second blade to open and close upon the anvil,

wherein the second blade has a tip, and wherein the end of the first blade extends beyond the tip of the second blade when the second blade is in engagement with the first blade,

wherein the second blade is curved, and wherein the curvature of the second blade is such that the tip of the second blade is the initial part of the second blade to contact the first blade when the second blade is moved towards the first blade,

wherein a link connects the hydraulic means to the second blade, and wherein the length of the link is selected such that the first and second blades are fully meshed when the link is pushed into its fully extended position,

wherein the hole has a diameter larger than that of the dowel means, and

wherein the anvil includes a foot means disposed to rest on the cover.

6. A cutting tool, comprising:

(a) a housing,

(b) a first blade mounted in the housing, the first blade being stationary, the first blade having an end extending from the housing, the housing having a slot, the slot extending completely through the housing, the first blade being inserted into the slot, and extending through the slot, and protruding beyond the housing,

(c) a second blade, pivotably connected to the first blade, wherein the second blade is disposed to pivot towards the first blade, the second blade having a curved cutting surface, the second blade having a tip, wherein the end of the first blade extends beyond the tip of the second blade when the second blade engages the first blade,

(d) hydraulic means, disposed in the housing, for exerting force in both of two directions, and

(e) means for linking the hydraulic means with the second blade, wherein the hydraulic means causes the second blade to open and close upon the first blade,

wherein the housing includes a cover portion, the cover portion having a slot, the first blade being anchored in the slot by a locking means, wherein the cover portion is disposed to receive force exerted on the first blade during a cutting operation,

wherein the locking means comprises a dowel, the dowel being inserted within a hole defined by the cover and by the anvil, the diameter of the hole being larger than that of the dowel, and

wherein the slot has walls which forms a step pattern, the walls defining an upper and lower portion of the slot, and wherein the anvil has a hooked base portion which fits within the lower portion of the slot.

7. A cutting tool, comprising:

(a) a frame, the frame including a cover, the cover having a slot, the slot being defined by walls which are formed in a step pattern, the slot having an upper and lower portion,

(b) an anvil, the anvil having a cutting blade portion and a hooked base portion, the hooked base portion being inserted into the lower portion of the slot,

(c) dowel means extending through the anvil and through the cover, the dowel means comprising means for locking the anvil within the cover,

(d) a movable cutting blade, the movable cutting blade being pivotably connected to the anvil, and

(e) hydraulic means, mounted in the frame, and connected to the movable blade, wherein the hydraulic means causes the movable blade to open and close upon the anvil.

8. The tool of claim 7, wherein the movable blade has a tip, and wherein the end of the anvil extends beyond the tip of the movable blade when the movable blade is in engagement with the anvil.

9. The tool of claim 8, wherein the movable blade is curved, and wherein the curvature of the movable blade is such that the tip of the movable blade is the initial part of the movable blade to contact the anvil when the movable blade is moved towards the anvil.

10. The tool of claim 9, wherein a link connects the hydraulic means to the movable blade, and wherein the length of the link is selected such that the movable blade and the anvil are fully meshed when the link is pushed into its fully extended position.

11. The tool of claim 10, wherein the hydraulic means includes a cylinder and a piston, and wherein the ends of the cylinder are sealed by plug means, the plug means being distinct from the cylinder and from the piston, wherein the blades can be removed without removing the plugs, and wherein the blades can thereby be removed without affecting the integrity of the hydraulic means.

12. The tool of claim 11, wherein the plug means comprise plastic plugs.

13. The tool of claim 10, wherein the hole has a diameter larger than that of the dowel means.

14. A cutting tool having a single moving blade, comprising:

(a) a frame, the frame including a cover portion, the cover portion having a slot, the slot having generally parallel walls which extend continuously through the cover portion, the walls being oblique relative to the cover portion,

(b) an anvil, the anvil including a first cutting blade, the anvil having a base portion inserted into the slot,

(c) dowel means, disposed in a hole formed by the base portion of the anvil and by the cover portion, the dowel means comprising means for locking the anvil within the cover portion,

(d) a second cutting blade, the second blade being movable and being pivotably connected to the anvil, the second blade having a tip, wherein the end of the first blade extends beyond the tip of the second blade when the second blade is in engagement with the first blade, wherein the second blade is curved, and wherein the curvature of the second blade is such that the tip of the second blade is the initial part of the second blade to contact the first blade when the second blade is moved towards the first blade, and

(e) hydraulic means, mounted in the frame, and connected to the second blade by a link, wherein the hydraulic means causes the second blade to open and close upon the anvil, and wherein the length of the link is selected such that the first and second blades are fully meshed when the link is pushed into its fully extended position,

wherein the hydraulic means includes a cylinder and a piston, and wherein the ends of the cylinder are sealed by plug means, the plug means being distinct from the cylinder and from the piston, wherein the blades can be removed without removing the plugs, and wherein the blades can be removed without affecting the integrity of the hydraulic means.

15. The tool of claim 14, wherein the plug means comprise plastic plugs.

16. A cutting tool having a single moving blade, comprising:

(a) a frame, the frame including a cover portion, the cover portion having a slot, the slot having generally parallel walls which extend continuously through the cover portion, the walls being oblique relative to the cover portion,

(b) an anvil, the anvil including a first cutting blade, the anvil having a base portion inserted into the slot,

(c) dowel means, disposed in a hole formed by the base portion of the anvil and by the cover portion, the dowel means comprising means for locking the anvil within the cover portion,

(d) a second cutting blade, the second blade being movable, the second blade being pivotably connected to the anvil, and

(e) hydraulic means, mounted in the frame, and connected to the second blade, wherein the hydraulic means causes the second blade to open and close upon the anvil,

wherein the second blade has a tip, wherein the end of the first blade extends beyond the tip of the second blade when the second blade is in engagement with the first blade, wherein the second blade is curved, wherein the curvature of the second blade is such that the tip of the second blade is the initial part of the second blade to contact the first blade when the second blade is moved towards the first blade, wherein a link connects the hydraulic means to the second blade, wherein the length of the link is selected such that the first and second blades are fully meshed when the link is pushed into its fully extended position, wherein the hydraulic means includes a cylinder and a piston, and wherein the ends of the cylinder are sealed by plug means, the plug means being distinct from the cylinder and from the piston, wherein the blades can be removed without removing the plugs, and wherein the blades can be removed without affecting the integrity of the hydraulic means.

17. The tool of claim 16, wherein the plug means comprise plastic plugs.

18. A cutting tool having a single moving blade, comprising:

(a) a frame, the frame including a cover portion, the cover portion having a slot, the slot having generally parallel walls which extend continuously through the cover portion, the walls being oblique relative to the cover portion,

(b) an anvil, the anvil including a first cutting blade, the anvil having a base portion inserted into the slot,

(c) dowel means, disposed in a hole formed by the base portion of the anvil and by the cover portion, the dowel means comprising means for locking the anvil within the cover portion,

(d) a second cutting blade, the second blade being movable, the second blade being pivotably connected to the anvil, and

(e) hydraulic means, mounted in the frame, and connected to the second blade, wherein the hydraulic means causes the second blade to open and close upon the anvil,

wherein the second blade has a tip, wherein the end of the first blade extends beyond the tip of the second blade when the second blade is in engagement with the first blade, wherein the second blade is curved, wherein the curvature of the second blade is such that the tip of the second blade is the initial part of the second blade to contact the first blade when the second blade is moved towards the first blade, wherein a link connects the hydraulic means to the second blade, wherein the length of the link is selected such that the first and second blades are fully meshed when the link is pushed into its fully extended position, wherein the hole has a diameter larger than that of the dowel means, and wherein the anvil includes a foot means disposed to rest on the cover.

19. A cutting tool, comprising:

(a) a housing,

(b) a first blade mounted in the housing, the first blade being stationary, the first blade having an end extending from the housing,

(c) a second blade, pivotably connected to the first blade, wherein the second blade is disposed to pivot towards the first blade, the second blade having a curved cutting surface, the second blade having a tip, wherein the end of the first blade extends beyond the tip of the second blade when the second blade engages the first blade,

(d) hydraulic means, disposed in the housing, for exerting force in both of two directions, and

(e) means for linking the hydraulic means with the second blade, wherein the hydraulic means causes the second blade to open and close upon the first blade,

wherein the housing includes a cover portion, the cover portion having a slot, the first blade being anchored in the slot by a locking means, wherein the cover portion is disposed to receive force exerted on the first blade during a cutting operation, wherein the locking means comprises a dowel, the dowel being inserted within a hole defined by the cover and by the anvil, the diameter of the hole being larger than that of the dowel, wherein the slot has walls which form a step pattern, the walls defining an upper and lower portion of the slot, and wherein the anvil has a hooked base portion which fits within the lower portion of the slot.