CZ20033224A3 - Device for removing spinal cord - Google Patents

Abstract

A spinal cord removal tool for removing a spinal cord and spinal cord membrane from a carcass includes a spinning blade disk (26) having multiple removal blades (40) mounted around its perimeter, each removal blade (40) having a forward facing cutting edge that can enter the spinal cord channel and side cutting edges that cooperate with side blades (58) to chop the spinal cord membrane as it is brought into the tool. The side blades (58) are adjustably mounted to move towards and away from the removal blades (40) and compensate for changes in the width of the removal blades (40) due to wear or sharpening. The side blades (58) or a manually adjustable mount that can be set to any desired blade clearance for higher-speed and lower noise operation.

Description

Technical field

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a device for removing spinal cord with adjustable blades, particularly for slaughtered animals.

State of the art

The spinal cord removal device is used in processing the slaughtered pieces to remove the spinal cord from the spinal canal surrounding the spinal cord. Complete removal of the spinal cord is difficult due to the large number of irregularities and protrusions in the spinal canal. Therefore, such devices must provide both spinal cord cutting action and some bone grinding, often referred to as "spinal cord grinders." The problem associated therewith lies in the membrane that surrounds the spinal cord and which tends to be wound on a motor-driven device, disrupting its operation and thereby effectively removing the spinal cord.

One such device to solve this problem is described in EP 0 890 313 B1 and uses a motor-driven cutting disc rotating in a housing. The cutting blade has blades oriented perpendicular to the plane of the blade. The blades are distributed around the circumference of the blade and protrude from the housing on the work side as they rotate. Each blade is provided with a front cutting edge, a left cutting edge and a right cutting edge.

The front blades are rounded and protrude outward from the circumference of the blade carrying them. The shape of these blades allows them to penetrate the spinal canal and scrape or cut the spinal cord during rotation. The worker introduces the exposed circumference of the blade from which the blades project into the spinal canal.

The side blades of the removal blades cooperate with fixed side blades disposed on the left and right sides of the housing to cut the spinal cord as it enters the device at work. The rigid side blades are arranged at an angle to the rotating side blades of the blade remover and cut the spinal cord and chop it into small pieces. The device is provided with an exhaust opening at the side blades through which the waste material exits.

A disadvantage of this device is the rigid arrangement of the side blades relative to the side blades of the blade removers. Because the side blades are positioned at a fixed distance, manufacturing of this device is difficult. Removable blades must be

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- not ground so that their right and left blades are spaced by a precise distance, which must be equal to the distance between the non-adjustable side blades,

As the blades wear, it is difficult to sharpen them. The sharpening, however, must be done so as not to affect the distance between the right and left blades of the stripper blades or the placement of the cutting blades on the fixed side blades. As soon as the side blades insufficiently cut out the spinal membrane, it is wrapped around the tool. This must then be dismantled, cleaned and new blades installed.

Therefore, having been aware of this problem and the difficulty of a given diet, the present invention has been made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes these disadvantages of prior art devices and provides a spinal cord removal device with manually or automatically adjustable side blades to move towards or away from the side blades of the removal blades, thereby compensating for wear and ease of exchange when sharpened and last but not least the need for precise manufacturing tolerances.

The invention relates to a device for removing the spinal cord and spinal cord from dead animals, the invention comprising a motor, a housing, a cutting disc arranged in the housing and connected to a motor for rotating the cutting disc; discs, each removal blade having a front cutting blade, a left side cutting blade and a right side cutting blade, a left side blade adapted to move towards and away from the left side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades, and an adjusting mechanism on the left side to adjust the left side blade due to the left side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades, the right side blade adapted to move towards and away from the right side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades, and finally the right-hand adjusting mechanism for us melting the right side blade relative to the right side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades.

The invention may also be embodied in that the left-hand adjustment mechanism comprises a left-hand self-adjusting mechanism comprising at least one spring on the left-hand side of the device configured to press the left side blade towards the left side cutting edges of the spinal cord blades; 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

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A right-hand self-adjusting mechanism comprising at least one spring on the right side of the device arranged to press the right side blade towards the right side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades.

The invention may also be embodied in that the apparatus further comprises an additional spring on the right side of the apparatus arranged to cooperate with at least one spring on the right side of the apparatus adapted to press the right side blade towards the right side cutting edges of the spinal cord blade. a side of the apparatus arranged to cooperate with at least one spring on the left side of the apparatus adapted to press the left side blade towards the left side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades.

The invention may also be embodied in that the apparatus further comprises at least one left-hand pin perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the cutting disc and at least one right-hand pin perpendicular to the plane of the cutting disc, the left side cutting edge being arranged to slide relative to the left side cutting edge of the spinal cord removal blade and the right side cutting edge is arranged to slide relative to the right side of the spinal blade to and away from the right side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blade.

The invention may also be embodied in that the apparatus further comprises a pair of left-hand pins arranged perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the cutting wheel, a pair of right-hand pins arranged perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the cutting wheel, an additional spring on the right side and an additional spring on the left and a left side blade comprising a pair of left support holes for receiving the pins on the left side and a right side blade including a pair of right support holes for receiving the pins on the right side as well as right-hand springs mounted on the pins on the right side for downforce. the blades towards the right cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades, and also the left-hand springs mounted on the pins on the left side for downforce of the left side blade towards the left cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades.

The invention may also be embodied in that the right and left side adjusting mechanisms further comprise respective right and left support plates, the right support plate being positioned outward from the right side blade and the left support plate being positioned outward from the left side blade.

The invention can also be carried out by providing at least one spring between the left support plate and the left side blade and at least one spring between the right support plate and the right side blade.

The invention may also be embodied in that the right and left side adjustment mechanisms further comprise respective stops to limit the movement of the side blades outwardly from the removal blades.

The invention may also be embodied in that the right and left side blades comprise substantially straight cutting edges.

The invention may also be embodied in such a way that the right side blade is substantially in constant contact with at least two removal blades.

The invention can also be carried out in such a way that the right and left side blades are provided with an arcuate cutting edge.

The invention may also be implemented in such a way that the right side blade is substantially in constant contact with at least three removal blades.

The invention may also be embodied in that the right side blade is slidably mounted on at least one respective bolt having an enlarged head, and the at least one spring is mounted on the at least one bolt between the enlarged head and the right side blade, and the left side blade is slidably mounted on the at least one respective bolt having an enlarged head and at least one spring being mounted on the at least one bolt between the enlarged head and the left side blade.

The invention may also be embodied in that the left-hand adjusting mechanism comprises a manual adjusting mechanism comprising at least one left-hand adjusting screw to move the left side blade towards and away from the left side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades and the right side adjusting mechanism comprises a manual adjusting mechanism including at least one adjusting screw on the right side for moving the right side blade towards and away from the right side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades.

The invention may also be embodied in that the manual adjusters on the right and left sides of the apparatus further comprise respective additional set screws, wherein the additional set screw on the right side is located at the opposite end of the right side blade than the second set screw on the right side and the additional set screws the left side screw is located at the opposite end of the left side blade than the second left side adjusting screw.

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The invention may also be embodied in that the manual adjusters on the right and left sides further comprise respective right and left locking mechanisms for securing the manually adjustable adjusting screws in the desired position.

The invention may also be embodied in that both the right and left locking mechanisms comprise right and left locking screws for locking the respective manually adjustable set screws in the desired position.

The invention can also be carried out in such a way that each set screw is provided with a central bore through which the locking screw passes.

The invention can also be implemented in such a way that the right and left side blades have a substantially straight side cutting edge.

The invention may also be embodied in that each set screw is provided with an external thread and the right and left side blades have corresponding internal threaded holes for the set screw.

Finally, the invention can also be implemented such that each set screw is provided with a knurled portion.

At the beginning of the working process, the operator aligns the plane of the rotating disc with the spinal canal and brings the device into contact therewith. The shape of the blades allows them to enter the spinal canal and remove both the spinal cord and the spinal membrane. The blade rotates between the right and left side blades. The side blades are mounted on the housing to move towards and away from the left and right cutting edges of the spinal blades. The mechanism on the left side adjusts the left side blades relative to the left cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades and the mechanism on the right side allows the right side blades to be adjusted relative to the right cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades.

In the first described embodiment of the invention, the side blades are pushed towards the side cutting edges of the stripper blades by means of one or more springs, and the variable adjustment of the side blade cushioning allows them to automatically compensate for changes in cutting blade position due to wear or sharpening.

In the second embodiment described, the right and left side blades are rounded and always in contact with at least three cutting edge blades. Each side blade is pushed to adjacent side cutting edges by three springs, with additional side blade rounding and additional contact with the side cutting edges of the stripper blades to provide better support for the blades and allow work at higher speeds and thus greater work performance.

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In the third embodiment described, the adjusting mechanisms on the left and right sides are provided with screws for manually adjusting the left and right blades towards the knee or from the cutting edges of the removal blades. This allows for a very precise clearance adjustment between the side blades and the removal blades, reducing blade vibration and less noise, especially when working at high working speeds.

Description of the drawings

The novel and characteristic features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims, and the drawings are not to scale, but provide an understanding of the organization and operation of the device of the invention. The attached drawings show:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a first embodiment of the inventive spinal cord removal device; FIG. 2 is a left side view of an alternative embodiment of a cutting head with rounded cutting edges according to a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the alternative embodiment of the cutting head of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a left side elevational view of a third alternative embodiment of the cutting head with manually adjustable side blades, driven again by the motor and handle mechanism of Fig. 1; 5 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the cutting head t of FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the left side blade and the cutting head cover of FIG. 4 along line 6-6 of FIG. , the opposite side blade and its cover are substantially identical.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to FIG. 1, the inventive device is provided with an engine 1 having a handle 12, a trigger 14 and a hand guard 16,18. In a preferred embodiment, the motor 10 is a pneumatic motor connected to the compressed air by means of an air inlet 20. The air exits through the air outlet 22. In other embodiments, an electric or hydraulic motor drive (not shown) is possible.

When the trigger 14 is depressed, the motor 10 begins to rotate the square section drive shaft 24, which drives the cutting disc 26 by rotational movement within the housing 28. The housing 30 forms part of the housing 28 so that the cutting disc 26 protrudes beyond the edges 32,34 of the housing 28 only edge.

The engine 10 may be provided with various cutting heads, including, for example, the cutting head shown in Fig. 1 or alternative embodiments thereof according to Figs. 2 to 3 or Figs. 4 to 6. In each embodiment shown, the cutting disc 26 is rotating within the housing. 28 and has holes for fastening the motor 10 and the handle 12. The housings are substantially identical except for the embodiments with the side blades mounted as described below.

The drive shaft 24 extends through an opening 66 in the housing 28 and the spacer 68 into engagement with the cutting disc 26. A retaining screw 70 engaging an internal thread 72 in the drive shaft 24 secures the cutting disc 26 to the drive shaft 24.

The cutting disc 26 is provided with bearing surfaces 36 oriented perpendicular to the plane of the cutting disc 26. Each bearing surface 36 is provided with a mounting hole 38 for mounting a respective stripper blade 40. In the preferred embodiment shown, the stripper blades 40 are mounted such that they are equally spaced however, for the sake of clarity only one is shown. The fastening screws 42 with the nuts 44 firmly hold the removal blades 40 at their respective locations on the drive shaft 24.

Each removal blade 40 has a front cutting edge 46, which is preferably rounded, a right side cutting edge 48 and a left side cutting edge 50. Preferably, the two side cutting edges 48,50 are parallel to each other and are perpendicular to the plane of the cutting disc 26. where they are mounted. The housing 30 of the housing 28 is provided with a left-hand slot 52 on the left side and a right-hand slot 54 on the right side.

A left-hand edge 56 of the left-hand side blade 58 is provided in the left-hand slot 52 provided in the housing 30, which is non-rotatable. A right-hand blade 62 of the right-hand side blade 60 is provided in the right-side slot 54 provided in the housing 28 and is also non-rotatable. The two blades 56.62 of the non-rotatable side blades 58.60 lie in a plane parallel to the side cutting blades of the 48.50 rotating blades 40.

In contrast to the embodiment described in the aforementioned EP 0 890 313 B1, the non-rotatable side blades 58,60 are arranged to move toward or away from the rotating cutting disc 26. This movement can be provided by adjusting mechanisms either automatically or manually and is performed relative to the lateral cutting edges 48,50

As shown in FIG. 1, both adjusting mechanisms are self-adjusting and adjust the blade position 56,62 automatically.

The springs 64a to 64d push the non-rotatable side blades 58.60 toward the rotating removal blades 40 and provide the blades 56.62 of the non-rotatable side blades 58.60 with the side cutting edges 48.50 of the rotating removal blades 40. The cut occurs when they are in contact with each other during rotation Thus, the theoretical cutting planes are disposed on both sides of the blade 40 so that both left and right rotating removal blades 40 are rotated on each side.

Both the left-hand slit 52 and the right-hand slit 54 are elongated and extend at an angle to the lateral cutting edge 48.50 which is in contact with the left or right edge 56.62 of its non-rotatable left or right side blade 58 , 60. As a result, for example, the right side blade 60 and the right side blade 60, respectively. its right edge 62 is still in contact with at least two right side cutting edges 48 of one of the removal blades 40 rotating with the cutting disc 26. This acts as a constant support of the right side blade 60, pressed by springs 64c, 64d, against its further undesirable inward movement. the rotation of the cutting disc 26 can be blocked and thus the operation of the whole device can be blocked or prevented.

As the wear blades 40 wear during operation, the right side blade 60 moves inwardly under the pressure of the springs 64c, 64d and ensures a constant contact with the right side cutting edges 48 of the removal blades 40, thereby ensuring proper and efficient cutting operation. This automatic adjustment significantly prolongs the time between the necessary blade changes 40.60 compared to similar devices known in the art. It also facilitates the sharpening of both the removal blades 40 and the right side blades 60, as well as the left side blades 58, compressed by springs 64a, 64b, as there is no need for manual adjustment for proper cutting.

The left side blade 58 works similarly in conjunction with the left side cutting edges 50 of the blade removers 40. The movable sliding arrangement of the left side blade 58 is enabled, as is the case on the right side, through the support holes 74.76 in which the pins 78, 80. These are arranged perpendicularly and between the support plate 82 and the cover 30 with fastening screws 84.86.

The springs 64a, 64b on the left are arranged around the pins 78, 80. These, together with the support holes 74,76, maintain the movement of the left side blade 58 so that its position always runs substantially parallel to the plane of the cutting disc 26. This prevents both damage to all

-9 sharp cutting edges, on the one hand, ensures that the spinal cord is still reliably cut by cutting it into small pieces.

Two setscrews 88a, 88b pass through the threaded holes in the backing plate 82 and exert pressure on the left side blade 58 via springs 78,80 and springs 64a, 64b, but due to the fact that the setscrews 88a, 88b do not rest directly on the left side blade 58, its " floating " movement is allowed and good downward pressure of its left edge 56 against the left side cutting edges 50 of the removal blades 40. Adjustment of the down pressure by appropriately screwing the setscrews 88a, 88b is ensured by locknuts 89a, 89b with their heads and backing plate 82.

The arrangement on the right side is essentially identical to that on the left side and will not be described for this reason.

A removal tube 90 is attached to a vacuum source (not shown) at its outer end 92 to thereby aspirate the comminuted waste of the spinal cord and spinal cord released by the described cutting operation. The inner end of the removal tube 90 is open towards the housing 28 and is preferably located near the incision site of the incoming spinal membrane.

2 and 3 show a second embodiment of the device according to the invention. In this arrangement, the left and right arched side blades 100, 102 are used and are therefore always in contact with at least three side cutting edges 48.50 on the blade removers 40. This additional contact ensures greater blade stability during high-speed cutting and reduces the chance of blade shocks. The right and left side adjusting mechanisms for the arc side blades 100, 102 are similar to the adjusting mechanisms described in connection with the straight blades shown in Fig. 1 except that three adjusting screws 106 are used instead of two each and the function of the backing plate 82 is replaced by an enlarged head 104 of set screws 106,

The left-hand adjustment mechanism comprises three left-hand adjustment screws 106 with respective springs 108 on the left. The set screws 106 are threaded into the housing 110 which is provided with an arc slot (not shown) for positioning the cutting edge (also not shown) of the left side blade 100. The cutting edge of the left side blade 100 is arcuate and extends perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the cutting disc 26. as in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

The enlarged head 104 on the left set screws 106 has the purpose of supporting the springs 108 positioned therebetween and the left arched side blade 100. Such three springs press the left arched side blade 100 onto the left side cutting edges 50 of the removal blades 40.

The housing 112 houses the right arc side blade 102 as well as the left arc side blade 100 in the housing 110. The housing 112 is provided with an arcuate slot for receiving the arcuate cutting edge of the right arc side blade 102. Three right set screws are also used. 114. whose heads support three springs 116 supported by their other end on the right arched side blade 102.

Similar to the left-hand side, the adjusting mechanism is arranged and functioning on the right-hand side, and the entire "floating" arrangement of both mechanisms is similar to the one of FIG. If support plates are used, they are arcuate instead of straight.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate another third embodiment of the invention in which straight side blades 200, 202 similar to the embodiment of Figure 1 are used, but the adjusting mechanisms hold them firmly instead of allowing them to "float" movement. The side blades in this embodiment are manually adjustable towards and away from the left and right side cutting edges of the 48.50 removable blades 40 on the cutting disc 26. This allows for the highest possible orbital working speed of the machine without vibration and minimizes noise when operating the machine speed.

In this embodiment, the side blades 200, 202 are provided with internal threaded holes 204 to receive the setscrews 206. These are naturally provided with a corresponding external thread engaging the internal thread of the holes 204. The setscrews 206 are further provided with a shaped enlarged portion 208 in the upper end region, preferably eg knurled, so that they can be turned by hand.

Their lower ends rest on the cover 210 on the left side and the housing 212 on the right side. When rotated clockwise, the set screws 206 cause the side blade 200.202 to move away from the side cutting edges 48, 50 of the removal blades 40, thereby increasing clearance between these components. Conversely, rotating them in the opposite direction causes the components to come closer together and reduce clearance between them.

Each set screw 206 has a central bore with a corresponding locking screw 214 therein engaging the thread provided in the threaded bore of the housing 210

on the left side and in the threaded bore of the housing 212 on the right side. To adjust the side blades 200,202, set screws 206 are used to achieve the correct relative position relative to the side cutting edges 48.50 of the removal blades 40.

The set screws 206 at opposite ends of the side blades 200,202 rotate clockwise until the bottom of the side blades touches the housing 210 on the left side or the housing 212 on the right side. Then, by slightly turning in the opposite direction, the desired clearance is achieved, and the locking screws 214 provide the desired position and the required clearance, respectively. minimum working gaps between the side blades 200,202 and the removal blades 40.

While the present invention has been described in connection with the embodiments, it is clear that other alternatives, modifications, and variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure. It is therefore the intention of the appended claims to encompass such alternatives, modifications and variations to be within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

The invention is particularly useful in the manufacture and use of spinal cord removal devices in slaughtered animals.

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Claims (17)

PATENT CLAIMS A device for removing spinal cord and spinal cord from dead animals, comprising: engine; housing; a cutting disc arranged in the housing and connected to a motor for rotationally driving the cutting disc; a spinal cord removal blade provided on the cutting disc, each removal blade having a front cutting edge, a left side cutting edge, and a right side cutting edge; a left side blade adapted to move towards and away from the left side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades; an adjusting mechanism on the left to adjust the left side blade relative to the left side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades; a right side blade adapted to move towards and away from the right side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades; and a right side adjusting mechanism for adjusting the right side blade relative to the right side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the left-hand adjustment mechanism comprises a left-hand self-adjusting mechanism comprising at least one spring on the left-hand side of the device configured to press the left side blade toward the left side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades; a side which comprises a right-hand self-adjusting mechanism comprising at least one spring on the right side of the device arranged to press the right side blade towards the right side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an additional right side spring mounted to cooperate with the at least one right side spring adapted to press the right side blade toward the right side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades and the additional a spring on the left side of the device arranged to cooperate with at least one spring on the left side of the device adapted for 44 4444 4 44 44 4444 • 4 · 4444 ·· · • 44 4 4444 • 4 4 · 4 4 4 4 · 4 • 444 4 4 444 · 44 44 444 4444 - 13 thrust of the left side blade towards the left side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising at least one left-hand pin perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the cutting wheel and at least one right-hand pin perpendicular to the plane of the cutting wheel, wherein the left side cutting edge is arranged for sliding movement relative to the pivot on the left side towards and away from the left side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades and the right side cutting edge is arranged to slide relative to the pivot on the right side towards and away from the right side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a pair of left-hand pins arranged perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the cutting disc; a pair of right-hand pins arranged perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the cutting blade; additional spring on the right side; and an additional spring on the left side; a left side blade comprising a pair of left support holes for receiving the pins on the left side; a right side blade comprising a pair of right support holes for receiving the right side pins; right-hand springs mounted on right-hand journals to press the right side blade toward the right cutting edges of the spinal cord remover blades; and left-hand springs mounted on the left-hand pins to thrust the left side blade toward the left cutting edges of the spinal cord blade. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the right and left side adjusting mechanisms further comprise respective right and left backing plates, wherein the right backing plate is located outward from the right side blade and the left backing plate is located outward from the left side blades. 00 0000 • 0 · 00 * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 · 0000 00 0 0 0000 0 0000 0 0 0000 00 00 000 0000 00 00 147. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least one spring is disposed between the left support plate and the left side blade, and at least one spring is disposed between the right support plate and the right side blade. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the right and left hand adjusting mechanisms further comprise respective stops to limit the movement of the side blades outwardly from the removal blades. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the right and left side blades each comprise substantially straight cutting edges. 10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the right side blade is substantially in constant contact with at least two removal blades. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the right and left side blades are provided with an arcuate cutting edge. 12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the right side blade is substantially in constant contact with at least three removal blades. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the right side blade is slidably mounted on at least one respective bolt having an enlarged head, and the at least one spring is mounted on the at least one bolt between the enlarged head and the right side blade, and the left side blade is slidingly mounted on at least one respective bolt having an enlarged head, and at least one spring being mounted on the at least one bolt between the enlarged head and the left side blade. 14. The cradle of claim 1, wherein the left-hand adjusting mechanism comprises a manual adjusting mechanism comprising at least one left-hand adjusting screw for moving the left side blade towards and away from the left side cutting edges of the strippers. the spinal cord blade and the right side adjustment mechanism comprises a manual adjustment mechanism including at least one right side adjustment screw for moving the right side 00 · ♦ «· * 0 t 0 0 · 9 ·· • 0 9 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 0 ··· 00 00 · 9 · 0 0 0 0 9 · 0 99 - 15 side blades towards and from the right side cutting edges of the spinal cord removal blades. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the manual adjusters on the right and left sides of the device further comprise respective additional set screws, wherein the additional set screw on the right is located at the opposite end of the right side blade than the second setscrew on the right side and the additional setscrew on the left side is located at the opposite end of the left side blade than the second setscrew on the left side. Lock according to claim 14, characterized in that the manual adjusters on the right and left sides further comprise respective right and left locking mechanisms for securing the manually adjustable adjusting screws in the desired position. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the right and left locking mechanisms comprise both right and left locking screws to lock respective manually adjustable set screws in the desired position. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each set screw is provided with a central bore through which the locking screw extends. 19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the right and left side blades have a substantially straight side cutting edge. 20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each set screw has an external thread and the right and left side blades have corresponding internal threaded holes for the set screw. 21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each set screw is provided with a knurled portion.