EP0469959B1 - Blade carrying tool - Google Patents

Abstract

- The invention relates to a blade-carrying tool, of the type forming a gripping handle (2) provided at its front end with a removable blade (3), which is held in position by a clamping mechanism (4). - According to the invention, the said clamping mechanism (4) is of the pincer type and comprises two jaws (5, 6) between which the said blade is capable of being engaged and which are connected, respectively, to levers (7, 8). The latter provide control of the said clamping mechanism and are capable of occupying an open position, in which the said jaws are separated from each other, and a closed position, which is spontaneously locked through the action of disengageable locking means, in which the said jaws are applied on either side, respectively, of the said blade, holding it firmly in position. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a blade-holding tool intended, for example, for cutting floor or wall coverings, such as carpets or the like, or for scraping surfaces, although other applications could also be envisaged.

The blade-holder tools, in particular for cutting floor coverings, comprise a grip handle generally consisting of two assembled half-shells, between which is disposed a cutting blade, a part of which projects from one of their common ends. A clamping mechanism, comprising a screw, ensures the assembly of the two half-shells and, consequently, the maintenance in position of the cutting blade which is thus pressed on either side by the half-shells.

Although this type of tool is very widespread, it nevertheless has the disadvantage of having close to a screwdriver to open the handle in order to change the blade and, subsequently, to close it in order to maintain position the new blade. Consequently, this involves tedious manipulations of assembly and disassembly of the screw and adjustments between the two half-shells to proceed with the assembly of the screw.

Another type of blade-holder tool is also known for cutting floor coverings, which eliminates the need for a screwdriver and in which the distance of the two half-shells, in order to change the blade, and the approximation of these, to maintain the new blade in position, are effected by a screw clamping mechanism provided with a knurled disc, arranged in the common plane common to the two half-shells assembled by projecting therefrom. Thus, by acting directly on the knurled disc integral with the screw associating the two half-shells, the opening or closing of the grip handle is caused.

Although considerably improving the use of these tools, the tightening torque exerted on the disc to cause the closing of the handle is not always respected. Thus, if it is less than the required tightening torque, the blade risks in use to float abruptly between the half-shells and to cause, in this application, a cut of the imprecise and dangerous coating, and if it is greater at the required tightening torque, the opening of the handle can only be done by acting on the disc using an appropriate tool.

Furthermore, from document US-A-4575936, a blade holder tool is already known, of the type forming a grip handle provided at its front end with a removable blade, which is held in position by a clamping mechanism with pliers comprising two jaws between which is capable of engaging said blade, said jaws of said clamping mechanism being connected respectively to levers, which control said clamping mechanism, and which are capable of occupying a first open position, for which said jaws are spaced from each other, and a second closed closed position, under the action of disengageable locking means, for which said jaws are applied respectively on either side of said blade while maintaining it firmly in position.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and to improve the blade-holder tool of the above type, the design of the clamping mechanism making it possible to dispense with a screwdriver or the like in order to change the blade, and automatically obtain the opening or closing of said blade holder tool.

• en ce que, dans ladite seconde position, lesdites mâchoires sont spontanément verrouillées sous l'action desdits moyens débrayables de blocage ;
• en ce que l'une des mâchoires est mobile, en étant articulée au levier de commande correspondant qui est susceptible d'occuper l'une quelconque desdites positions, tandis que l'autre mâchoire est fixe en étant solidaire de son levier correspondant ;
• en ce que ladite mâchoire mobile et son levier de commande sont montés de façon pivotante respectivement autour d'un premier et d'un deuxième axes parallèles liés à la poignée, ledit levier de commande et ladite mâchoire mobile étant articulés l'un à l'autre par leurs bords correspondants ; et
• en ce que, dans la seconde position fermée dudit levier de commande, celui-ci et la mâchoire mobile sont dans le prolongement l'un de l'autre et définissent, avec la mâchoire fixe et son levier, une poignée de préhension de forme extérieure continue, tandis que dans la première position ouverte du levier de commande, celui-ci forme avec la mâchoire mobile un V faisant saillie latéralement de la partie fixe de la poignée.

To this end. according to the invention, the blade holder tool of the above type is characterized:

• in that, in said second position, said jaws are spontaneously locked under the action of said disengageable locking means;
• in that one of the jaws is movable, being articulated to the corresponding control lever which is capable of occupying any one of said positions, while the other jaw is fixed by being integral with its corresponding lever;
• in that said movable jaw and its control lever are pivotally mounted respectively around a first and a second parallel axes linked to the handle, said control lever and said movable jaw being articulated one to the other other by their corresponding edges; and
• in that, in the second closed position of said control lever, the latter and the movable jaw are in the extension of one another and define, with the fixed jaw and its lever, a grip handle of external shape continues, while in the first open position of the control lever, this forms with the movable jaw a V projecting laterally from the fixed part of the handle.

Thus, thanks to the invention, by a simple actuation on the levers, it causes either the spacing of the jaws, after disengaging the locking means, which allows the replacement of the used blade by a new blade, or the approximation of the jaws which firmly grip the new blade, the levers being spontaneously locked in the closed position by the action of said disengageable locking means.

Consequently, the opening and closing of the blade-holder tool does not require the use of a screwdriver or the like and, in addition, the clamp mechanism guarantees a constant tightening torque on each of the blades used.

In addition, the clamp mechanism has a simplified embodiment similar to a vise grip, while retaining identical efficiency, a single control lever, to which a movable jaw is articulated, ensuring the operation of the mechanism.

Furthermore, during its use, corresponding to the closed position of the control lever, the blade-holder tool has a compact and harmonious external shape, easily manipulated.

In a preferred embodiment, said disengageable means for locking in the closed position of said control lever comprise a rod, one end of which is pivotally mounted on said control lever around a third axis, parallel to the previous ones, and the other of which end is capable of pivoting around a point of articulation defined at the rear end of said handle, so that, in the closed position of said control lever, the third axis is located on one side of a connecting line said first axis to said point of articulation, by blocking said control lever, and that, in the open position of said lever, the third axis is located on the other side of said line, moving said movable jaw away from the fixed jaw.

It is therefore understood that the passage of the control lever, from one of these positions to the other, can only be carried out by overcoming the maximum force generated by the rod when the first and third axes, as well as the articulation point, are aligned. The alignment thus defined therefore constitutes a maximum threshold which must be overcome in order to pass spontaneously from one of the positions of the lever towards the other.

Advantageously, said rod is provided with a hemispherical end piece screwed onto the rod and terminated by a hemispherical end, which engages in a corresponding bowl provided at the rear end of the handle and which is capable of pivoting around the point. of articulation of said bowl.

According to another characteristic of said tool, a mechanism for assisting the opening of said clamping mechanism is associated with said grip handle to disengage said blocking means of said control lever. Thus, it easily crosses the alignment previously defined to move the control lever from the second locked closed position to its first open position.

In a particular embodiment, said opening assistance mechanism may comprise a member pivotally mounted at the rear end of said grip handle, said member being capable of acting, during its rotation and through a lug, against said control lever by causing the disengagement of said locking means and the passage of the control lever from its closed position spontaneously locked to its open position for which said movable jaw is moved away from the fixed jaw.

In addition, a reserve of blades is advantageously provided in said handle. Preferably, the reserve of blades is housed in said control lever while being held in position by at least one magnet. Thus, when the lever is in the open position, projecting from the fixed part of the handle, the reserve of blades is easily accessible.

Furthermore, the blade mounted at the front end of said handle remains associated with one of said jaws when these are spaced from one another. For example, the blade is held against said fixed jaw by means of a magnet.

The figures of the appended drawing will make it clear how the invention can be implemented. In these figures, identical references designate similar elements.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the blade holder tool according to the invention, more particularly intended for cutting floor or wall coverings, wherein said clamping mechanism is in a closed position , keeping said cutting blade in position.

FIG. 2 represents a plan view of the blade-holder tool illustrated in FIG. 1.

Figure 3 is a section of said tool along line III-III of Figure 2, corresponding to the general direction of the tool.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of said tool along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross section of said tool along the line V-V of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 represents a perspective view of the tool according to the invention, in which said clamping mechanism is in the open position, authorizing the change, in this example of application, of the cutting blade.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of said tool similar to that of Figure 3 but for which the clamping mechanism is in the open position under the action of the opening assistance mechanism.

Figure 8 is a partial section of said tool, similar to Figure 3, showing an alternative embodiment of said disengageable locking means.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the illustrated blade holder tool 1, in particular intended for cutting operations on floor coverings, such as carpets or the like, is usually in the form of a handle gripping device 2, provided at its front end 2A with a removable cutting blade 3, for example trapezoidal, which is held in position in the handle by a tightening mechanism 4.

According to the invention, the clamping mechanism 4 is a clamp. For this, as shown more particularly in FIG. 3, it comprises two jaws 5 and 6, between which the cutting blade 3 is arranged and which are connected respectively to levers 7 and 8 capable of occupying a first open position (FIG. 6), for which the jaws 5 and 6 are separated from one another, and a second spontaneously locked closed position (FIG. 1), for which the jaws apply respectively on either side of the blade. section 3, keeping it firmly in position.

In the illustrated embodiment, only the lever 7 provides control of the clamp mechanism 4 by acting on the jaw 5 then movable by their corresponding edges 5A, 7A, while the jaw 6 is fixed relative to its lever 8.

Also, in this FIG. 3, it can be seen that the fixed jaw 6 and the lever 8 are integral with one another, the jaw extending the lever. They advantageously constitute the fixed part 2B of the grip handle 2 of said tool. Conversely, the movable jaw 5, which is of a shape analogous to the fixed jaw 6, and the control lever 7 define the movable part 2C of the handle 2.

In FIG. 1, when the control lever 7 occupies the second closed position for which the movable jaw 5 presses the cutting blade 3 against the fixed jaw 6, this lever 7 and its jaw 5 form a continuity of the fixed part 2B, so that the blade holder tool 1 is easily manipulated by presenting, moreover, a harmonious line.

Structurally, the control lever 7 and the movable jaw 5 are pivotally mounted, respectively around a first, 9, and a second 10, axes, mutually parallel and orthogonal to the general direction XX of the handle elongated 2, and they cooperate with each other by an articulation defined by their corresponding edges 5A and 7A. Furthermore, to spontaneously lock in the closed position the control lever 7 and thus, ensure effective clamping of the blade by the jaws 5 and 6, disengageable locking means 11 are provided in said tool. These means 11 connect the lever 7 to the rear end or 2D bottom of the grip handle 2, being housed inside the latter.

For this, with reference to FIG. 3, the disengageable blocking means 11 comprise a rod 11A, one end of which is pivotally mounted on the lever 7 around a third axis 12, parallel to the preceding ones 9 and 10, and whose l 'other end is provided with a tip 11B mounted by screwing on the rod 11A. The tip 11B ends in a hemispherical shape 11C which cooperates with a cup 2E of corresponding shape, formed in the bottom 2D of the fixed part 2B of the handle 2. There is also a notch 11D (Figures 3 and 5) in the hemispherical end 11C of the end piece, allowing, thanks to a hole 2F formed in correspondence in the 2D bottom of the handle, the mounting of the end piece in the bowl 2E and the tensioning of the rod via 'a screwdriver.

The rod 11A can therefore pivot around the articulation point P defined by the cup-tip connection. The third axis 12 is close to the first articulation axis 9 of the control lever. In this FIG. 3, the articulation axis 12 of the rod 11A on the control lever 7 is on one side of a line L connecting the articulation axis 9 of the lever 7 at the articulation point P More particularly, the axis 12 is situated with respect to this line L on the side close to the lever 8, that is to say the fixed part 2B of the grip handle 2.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 3, the blocking means 11 are active so that the control lever 7 is in the closed position, the cutting blade being pinched by the jaws 5 and 6. The operation of these blocking means will be described later.

Furthermore, a reserve 14 of cutting blades 3.1 is provided inside the gripping handle 2. These cutting blades 3.1 are superposed against each other and they are advantageously arranged against the control lever 7 by the through a magnet 15 associated with the lever, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Thus, when the control lever occupies its first open position, the spare blades are easily accessible.

In addition, the cutting blade 3 remains held in position at the front end 2A of the handle when the jaws are separated from one another. In this embodiment, a magnet 16 is for example housed in the fixed jaw 6 so that, when moving away from the movable jaw 5, the metal cutting blade 3 remains in contact with the fixed jaw 6 under the magnet action 16.

The blade-holder tool 1 according to the invention is also provided with an opening assistance mechanism 17 of said clamp mechanism 4. This mechanism 17 is intended to allow the passage from the closed locked position of the control lever in its open position, simultaneously disengaging the locking means 11.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, this opening assistance mechanism 17 comprises a member 17A rotatably mounted on the rear end or 2D bottom of the fixed part 2B of the handle. This member 17A harmoniously extends the external shape of the handle 2 so that in Figures 1 to 5, the member 17A is integral with the handle.

Structurally, the member 17 is mounted on an axis 17B connected to the bottom 2D and arranged orthogonally to the axes 9, 10 and 12 and parallel to the general direction XX of the blade-holder tool 1. On its face 17C, in contact with the 2D bottom, a lug 17D is provided which projects inwards from the handle, coming substantially into contact with an internal edge 7B of the control lever 7 (FIG. 5).

Furthermore, a hole 17E is optionally provided in the member 17A authorizing the attachment of the tool.

It is more particularly noted in FIGS. 2 and 4 that the general direction XX of said tool inclines slightly towards its front end 2A, so that the cutting edge 3A of the blade is inclined by a few degrees in order to favor the operations of cutting. Referring to FIG. 2, a 2G imprint can be made on the top of the handle towards its front end, making it easier for the operator to hold the handle.

The operation of the clamping mechanism 4 of said tool is carried out as follows.

It is first assumed that the blade holder tool 1 is in the configuration shown in Figures 1 to 5, the operator wishing, for example, to change the cutting blade 3 whose edge 3A is used.

For this, it acts on the rotary member 17A of the opening assistance mechanism 17 of said clamping mechanism 4. With particular reference to Figures 6 and 7, the rotary member 17A pivots around the axis 17B linked to the fixed part 2B of the handle 2. Thanks to the lug 17D which is applied against the edge 7B of the control lever 7, the latter begins to pivot around its fixed articulation axis 9, opposite to the edge 7B . Simultaneously, the articulation axis 12 of the rod 11A, linked to the lever 7, is rotated about the fixed axis 9, so that the rod 11A pivots around the point P thanks to its hemispherical endpiece which cooperates with the bowl 2E of the fixed part 2B.

When the axis 12 approaches the line L defined above, the operator, acting on the rotary member, "feels" a resistance corresponding to the maximum force exerted by the rod 11A, when it is then confused with the line L, but which is mechanically unstable, since the axes 9, 12 and the point P are aligned.

By continuing the rotation of the member 17A, the operator overcomes the maximum force, so that the third axis of articulation 12 crosses the line L to be on the other side thereof. At this time, the opening of the clamp mechanism 4, as indicated by the arrows, is easily carried out since the locking means 11 are then disengaged, inactive. Simultaneously with the passage of the control lever 7 from its closed position to its open position, by pivoting around its fixed axis 9, the movable jaw 5 pivots around its fixed axis 10, by virtue of the action of the edge 7A of the lever 7 with the corresponding edge 5A of the movable jaw 5. It is noted that the edge 7A of the lever forms a stirrup between the arms of which the corresponding edge 5A of the movable jaw is arranged, so that, whatever the direction of opening or closing of the lever , the edge 5A of the jaw is in contact with one or the other arm of the stirrup defining the edge 7A of the lever.

The first open position of the clamping mechanism 4 with pliers is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lever 7 and the jaw 5 forming a V projecting from the fixed part 2B of the handle. Thanks to the action of the magnet 16, the used blade 3 remains in contact with the fixed jaw 6. The operator can then easily remove the blade 3 to replace it with a new spare blade 3.1 stored in the reserve 14 provided in the control lever 7. After positioning the new cutting blade 3.1 on the fixed jaw 6, the operator can then act on the lever 7 to return the clamp mechanism 4 to the closed position, as shown in the figures 1 and 3, which is spontaneously locked by the locking means 11, the articulation axis 12 of the rod being brought back to the other side of the line L. The alignment of the lever 7 and of the jaw 5 s' thus automatically performs under the action of the blocking means 11. When it returns to the closed position, the edge 7B of the lever, which is in contact with the lug 17D, also returns the member 17A, pivoting around, to its initial position of axis 17B.

The jaws 5 and 6 then pinch the new blade firmly, exerting a constant force on it.

In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the rod 11A of the disengageable blocking means 11 is longitudinally elastic, instead of being axially rigid once the length adjustment has been made between the end piece 11B and the rod 11A, it that is to say between the third axis 12 and the point P.

For this, the rod 11A consists of two rod parts, a first 11E and a second 11F, capable of sliding relative to one another, thanks to the action of elastic means 11G arranged between them.

More particularly, the first part of rod 11E consists of a threaded end 11H, pivotally mounted around the third axis 12 linked to the lever, and of a hollow cylindrical sleeve 11I, the axial passage of which opens out 11J is on a screwed side by its wall then tapped 11J₁ on the threaded end 11H. The second part of the rod 11F comprises, for its part, a cylindrical end piece 11K pivotally mounted on the rear end 2D of the handle by means of a fourth axis 18, parallel to the third axis and passing through the point P previously defined . The tip 11K is housed in the smooth internal wall 11J₂ provided on the other side of the axial passage 11J of said sleeve, and a screw 11L is mounted by its threaded rod 11L₁ at the bottom of the threads in a threaded axial bore 11M provided in said tip 11K. This screw 11L therefore emerges from the tip 11K inside said sleeve 11I and its head 11L₂ is located beyond an internal shoulder 11N provided in the axial passage of said sleeve, approximately in the middle, and separating the tapped wall 11J₁ of the smooth wall 11J₂ of said axial passage.

It is thus seen in Figure 8, that the head 11L₂ of the screw is located between the tip 11H and the shoulder 11N of the sleeve, forming the first part of rod 11E. Between the end piece 11K and said shoulder 11N are arranged, around the portion of the emerging rod 11L of the screw, the elastic means 11G which are for example constituted by a stack in opposition to elastic washers.

As shown in FIG. 8, the disengageable locking means 11 are active, so that the control lever 7 is in the closed position, causing the blade to be clamped by the jaws. Indeed, the axis 12 is located behind the line L connecting in this case the fixed axes 9 and 18, towards the fixed part 2B of the handle. Also, under the action of the elastic washers 11G which tend to distance the first and second parts 11E and 11F coaxially from the rod 11A, these are then advantageously and constantly pressed against their respective axes 12 and 18, which thus guarantees a effective maintenance in the closed position of said control lever 7.

This alternative embodiment of said disengageable locking means also facilitates the opening of the control lever 7 and therefore that of the movable jaw 5 relative to the fixed jaw, and conversely, the closure of said control lever and, therefore, that of the movable jaw. In fact, thanks to the "telescopic" structure of the rod 11A offered by the elastic washers, the length of the latter, comprised between the third movable axis 12 and the fourth fixed axis 18, varies according to the circular path described by the movable axis 12, around the first fixed axis 9, when disengaging or locking the locking means corresponding respectively to the opening or closing of said lever 7. The travel of travel between the two parts of the rod 11A, authorized by the action of the elastic washers 11G, can be adjusted by screwing or unscrewing the sleeve 11I on the end piece 11H, which distances or brings the annular shoulder 11N away from the head 11L₂ of the screw secured to the end piece 11K, said head 11L₂ of the screw defining an axial stop, limiting the maximum deflection stroke of the rod.

It is also understood that the opening angle of the lever, relative to the fixed part 2B of the tool, and simultaneously the opening angle of the movable jaw 5, are then greater than those of the previous embodiment, which makes it easier to change the cutting blade. This variant embodiment does not, moreover, require means for assisting the opening of said tool.

Claims (10)

1. Blade-holder tool, of the type forming a grip handle (2), provided at its front end with a removable blade (3), which is held in position by a squeeze clamping mechanism (4) comprising two jaws (5, 6), between which the said blade can engage, the said jaws (5, 6) of the said clamping mechanism (4) being connected respectively to levers (7, 8) which provide the control of the said clamping mechanism, and which can occupy a first open position, in which the said jaws are separated from each other, and a second position which is closed under the action of disengageable blocking means (11), in which the said jaws are applied respectively on either side of the said blade while holding it firmly in position,
   characterised:

   - in that, in the said second position, the said jaws are spontaneously locked under the action of the said disengageable blocking means (11);

   - in that one of the jaws (5) is mobile, whilst articulating to the corresponding control lever (7) which can occupy either of the said positions, whereas the other jaw (6) is fixed, whilst being solidly attached to its corresponding lever (8);

   - in that the said mobile jaw (5) and its control lever (7) are mounted pivotally, respectively around a first (9) and a second (10) parallel spindle joined to the handle, the said control lever and the said mobile jaw articulating to each other by their corresponding edges (5A, 7A); and

   - in that, in the second closed position of the said control lever (7), the latter and the mobile jaw (5) are each in the extension of the other and define, with the fixed jaw (6) and its lever (8), a grip handle (2) of continuous external shape, whereas in the first open position of the control lever, the latter forms with the mobile jaw a V which projects laterally from the fixed part of the handle.
2. Tool according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that the said disengageable means (11) for blocking in the closed position comprise a rod (11A), one of whose ends is mounted pivotally on the said control lever (7) associated with the said mobile jaw (5) around a third spindle (12), parallel to the preceding ones, and the other end of which can pivot around an articulation point P defined at the rear end (2D) of the said handle, so that, in the closed position of the said control lever, the third spindle (12) is situated on one side of a line L joining the said first spindle (9) to the said articulation point P, whilst blocking the said control lever and that, in the open position of the said lever, the third spindle (12) is situated on the other side of the said line L whilst separating the said mobile jaw from the fixed jaw.
3. Tool according to Claim 2,
   characterised in that the said rod (11A) is provided with an end-piece (11B) which is mounted by screwing on the rod and terminates in a hemispherical end (11C), which engages in a corresponding cup (2E) provided at the rear end (2D) of the handle and which can pivot around the articulation point of the said cup.
4. Tool according to any one of the preceding Claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that a mechanism (17) for aiding the opening of the said clamping mechanism (4) is associated with the said grip handle (2) for disengaging the said blocking means (11) from the said control lever (7).
5. Tool according to Claim 4,
   characterised in that the said mechanism (17) for aiding the opening comprises a member (17A) mounted pivotally at the rear end of the said grip handle, the said member being capable of acting, when it is rotated and by means of a stud (17D), against the said control lever (7) associated with the said mobile jaw (5), whilst causing disengagement of the said blocking means (11) and the passage of the lever from its closed position to its open position, in which the said mobile jaw (5) is separated from the fixed jaw (6).
6. Tool according to any one of the preceding Claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that a reserve (14) of blades (3, 1) [sic] is provided in the said handle (2).
7. Tool according to Claim 6,
   characterised in that the said reserve of blades is housed in the said control lever (7), whilst being held in position by at least one magnet (15).
8. Tool according to any one of the preceding Claims 1 to 7,
   characterised in that the said blade (3) mounted at the front end (2A) of the said handle remains associated with one of the said jaws (5, 6) when they are separated from each other.
9. Tool according to Claim 8,
   characterised in that the said blade (3) is held against the said fixed jaw (6) by means of a magnet (16).
10. Tool according to Claim 2,
    characterised in that the said rod (11A) is longitudinally elastic and it is composed of a first (11E) and a second (11F) coaxial part, mounted so as to slide with respect to each other and between which are arranged elastic means (11G) tending to distance them, the said first part (11E) being mounted pivotally on the said control lever (7) around the third spindle (12), whilst the said second part (11F) of the rod is mounted pivotally on the end of the said handle around a fourth spindle (18), parallel to the third spindle and passing through the said point P.

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