GB2363090A

GB2363090A - Cutting guttering

Info

Publication number: GB2363090A
Application number: GB0011149A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Whitfield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-10
Filing date: 2000-05-10
Publication date: 2001-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 2020-05-10
Also published as: GB2363090B; GB0011149D0

Abstract

A gripping apparatus (2) comprising at least two substantially parallel grooves (10, 12, 14) spaced apart from one another, for receiving opposing longitudinal edges of a section of guttering or the like, which grooves have an inwardly tapered cross-section. A corresponding method of gripping a section of guttering is also disclosed. Slots 16 in the apparatus provide guidance for a saw blade and recess 22 allows its use with a circular section pipe.

Description

1 2363090 IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CUTTING GUTTERING

Field of the Invention

5 The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in cutting guttering, in particular, although not exclusively, UPVC guttering.

Background of the Invention

UPVC guttering systems is increasingly being used on buildings in place of traditional cast iron guttering systems. UPVC guttering has many advantages over traditional cast iron guttering. For example, UPVC is guttering is easier and cheaper to manufacture than cast iron guttering. Furthermore, UPVC guttering is easier to install and maintain than cast iron guttering.

UPVC guttering is manufactured in standard lengths and 20 cross-sectional shapes. When installing a guttering system on a building, the standard lengths and shapes of guttering are tailored to fit the particular dimensions of the building.

25 Whilst UPVC material can easily be cut to the required length using any conventional type of hand or electric saw, the flexible nature of the material means it is difficult to cut accurately at 900 to the length of the guttering. This problem is particularly apparent in 30 guttering of semi-circular cross section, wherein opposing edges of the guttering have a tendency to flex inwards and outwards during the sawing action. Thus causing the saw to stick and resulting in an irregular cut edge.

Conventional cast iron guttering could be easily gripped in a vice, or the like, during the cutting process. The inflexible nature of cast iron guttering means that the 5 vice would grip the guttering firmly and flexing of the guttering would be minimal. However, a vice would not be suitable for gripping a length of UPVC guttering during the cutting process as flexing of the length of guttering would not be prevented.

It is an object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for cutting UPVC guttering.

15 Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a gripping apparatus comprising at least two substantially parallel grooves spaced apart from one another, for receiving opposing 20 longitudinal edges of a section of guttering or the like, which grooves have an inwardly tapered cross-section.

Suitably, the centres of the grooves are spaced at least 5cm, preferably at least 7cm, more preferably at least 8cm 25 and particularly at least 9cm apart from one another.

Suitably, the centres of the grooves are spaced less than 15cm, preferably less than 14cm, more preferably less than 13cm and particularly less than 12cm apart.

The gripping apparatus may comprise a series of more than two substantially parallel grooves.

The gripping apparatus may comprise a series of grooves each equally spaced from the adjacent groove.

Alternatively, the gripping apparatus may comprise a first 5 groove spaced apart by a first distance from a second groove and one or more additional grooves spaced apart by a second distance from the second groove and each adjacent additional groove. Suitably, the first distance is greater than the second distance. The second and each 10 additional groove may be equidistantly spaced apart from one another. Alternatively, the second and additional grooves may be irregularly spaced apart from one another.

Suitably, the distance between the first groove and the 15 second groove and the first groove and any additional grooves corresponds substantially with the standard dimensions of the materials to be held in the gripping apparatus.

20 Whilst the gripping apparatus of the present invention is particularly suitable for holding lengths of UPVC guttering, the gripping apparatus can also be used for holding any similar material and finds particular advantage when used to hold flexible such materials. For 25 example, the gripping apparatus of the present invention could be used to hold conventional cast iron guttering.

Suitably, the grooves run longitudinally along the length of the gripping apparatus.

The inwardly tapered cross section of the grooves allows for materials of different thicknesses to be held by the gripping apparatus.

The maximum width of each tapered groove is suitably more than the thickness of the edge to be gripped. The minimum width of each tapered groove is suitably, less than the 5 thickness of the edge to be gripped. Therefore, when each longitudinal edge of the section of guttering is pressed into the corresponding tapered groove, the material is retained in the groove by means of the interference fit between the edge and the inwardly tapered groove.

The grooves are suitably located in a body. The body may comprise one or more segments.

The gripping apparatus may further comprise a side wall 15 connected to a longitudinal edge of the body.

Suitably, the side wall is arranged substantially perpendicular to the body. Suitably, the side wall is arranged substantially parallel to the grooves in the 20 body.

Suitably, the side wall comprises an opening extending from the edge of the side wall remote the body towards the body. Suitably, the opening extends upto the body.

Suitably, the opening extends through the full depth of the side wall.

Suitably, the opening comprises an elongate slit in the 30 side wall. Suitably, the slit is at least lmm, preferably at least 2mm and more preferably at least 3mm wide. The slit is suitably less than 1cm, preferably less than 8mm and more preferably less than Smm wide.

Advantageously, the opening in the side wall provides guide means for a cutting device.

5 Suitably, the gripping apparatus comprises a pair of side walls attached to opposing longitudinal edges of the body. If the griping apparatus comprises a pair of side walls, each wall suitably comprises an opening, as described above. Suitably, the openings in each wall are aligned 10 with one another, such that a line extending between the centre of each opening bisects the grooves in the body substantially perpendicular thereto.

The gripping apparatus may further comprise a channel in 15 the body, extending between the openings in the side walls.

The body may further comprise an indentation in the surface thereof, which indentation is separate from the 20 grooves. Suitably, the indentation extends along the full length of the body. Suitably, the indentation is substantially parallel to the grooves. Suitably, the indentation has a substantially curved cross- sectional shape. The indentation may be used to provide support for 25 a tube. In particular, the indentation finds particular advantage in providing support for a drainpipe or the like.

The present invention furtler provides a method of 30 gripping a section of guttering, or the like, wherein opposing, substantially parallel edges of the section of guttering are pressed into inwardly tapered grooves in a body.

The longitudinal cross-section of the guttering may be substantially half of a full tube. However, the longitudinal section may by less than or more than half of 5 a tube.

The longitudinal section of the guttering may have any cross-sectional shape.

10 Gripping each edge of the longitudinal section advantageously restricts the movement of these edges during a cutting process and thereby reduces flexing of the section of guttering during the cutting process.

15 Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:- Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a gripping apparatus, and Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the 25 apparatus of figure 1 along line X-X, in use.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment

Figures 1 and 2 show a gripping apparatus 2 comprising a 30 body 4, f irst and second side walls 6, 8, and inwardly tapered grooves 10, 12 and 14, in the body 4. The first and second side walls 6, 8 each comprise an elongate opening 16, 18 respectively. The elongate openings 16, 18 are substantially opposite one another.

As can be seen from Fig 1, the openings 16, 18 extend from 5 the edge of the side walls 6, 8 remote the body 4 to just below the body 4. A channel 20 that extends between the centre of the openings 16, 18 bisects the grooves 10, 12 and 14 substantially perpendicular thereto.

10 The gripping surface 4, further comprises an indentation 22 having a curved cross-section, which indentation 22 extends along the full length of the surface 4, and is substantially parallel to the grooves 10, 12 and 14.

15 Figure 2 illustrates the gripping apparatus of figure 1 in use. Longitudinal edges 24, 26 of a section of guttering 28 have been pushed into inwardly tapered grooves 10, 12 respectively of the gripping apparatus 2.

20 The guttering section 28 is now firmly held in position in the apparatus 2, by means of an interference fit between the edges 24, 26 and the inwardly tapered grooves 10, 12.

In order to cut the guttering section 28 to the required 25 length, the guttering 28 is positioned in thegripping apparatus 2, such that the cutting position is aligned with the channel 20 that bisects the centre of the openings 16, 18 of the side walls 6, 8 respectively. The guttering 28 can then be cut using a saw (not shown), 30 which can pass through the openings 16, 18 during the cutting process. Flexing of the guttering 28 during the cutting process is reduced because the edges 24, 26 of the guttering 28 are firmly retained in the grooves 10, 12 respectively.

As shown on the gripping apparatus illustrated in the 5 drawings, the body 4 may comprise more than 2 parallel grooves. This allows for gripping of guttering sections of various dimensions.

The guttering 28 illustrated in Fig 2 has a generally 10 inverted U-shaped cross-section. However, guttering of any cross- sectional shape may be gripped in the gripping apparatus 2 for cutting by the method outlined above.

Tubes, such as drainpipes, may be supported in the is indentation 22 in the gripping surface during the cutting process.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to 20 this specification in connection with this application and which are. open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

25 All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features

30 and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed 10 in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A gripping apparatus comprising at least two substantially parallel grooves spaced apart from one another, for receiving opposing longitudinal edges of a section of guttering or the like, which grooves have an inwardly tapered cross-section.

2. A gripping apparatus according to claim 1, in which 10 the centres of the grooves are spaced at least 5cm apart f rom one another.

3. A gripping apparatus according to claim 2, in which the centres of the grooves are spaced at least 7cm 15 apart from one another.

4. A gripping apparatus according to claim 3, in which the centres of the grooves are spaced at least 8cm apart from one another.

5. A gripping apparatus according to claim 5, in which the centres of the grooves are spaced at least 9cm apart from one another.

25

6. A gripping apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the centres of the grooves are spaced less than 15cm apart.

7. A gripping apparatus according to claim 6, in which 30 the centres of the grooves are spaced less than 14cm apart.

8. A gripping apparatus according to claim 7, in which the centres of the grooves are spaced less than 13cm apart.

5

9. A gripping apparatus according to claim 8, in which the centres of the grooves are spaced less than 12cm apart.

10. A gripping apparatus according to any preceding claim, 10 which comprises a series of more than two substantially parallel grooves.

11. A gripping apparatus according to claim 10, which comprises a series of grooves each equally spaced from is the adjacent groove.

12. A gripping apparatus according to claim 10, in which the gripping apparatus may comprise a first groove spaced apart by a first distance from a second groove 20 and one or more additional grooves spaced apart by a second distance from the second groove and each adjacent additional groove.

13. A gripping apparatus according to claim 12, in which 25 the first distance is greater than the second distance.

14. A gripping apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13, in which the second and each additional groove are 30 equidistantly spaced apart from one another.

15. A gripping apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13, in which the second and additional grooves are irregularly spaced apart from one another.

16. A gripping apparatus according to claim 12, in which the distance between the first groove and the second groove and the first groove and any additional grooves corresponds substantially with the standard dimensions of the materials to be held in the gripping apparatus.

17. A gripping apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the grooves run longitudinally along the length of the gripping apparatus.

15

18. A gripping apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the maximum width of each tapered groove is more than the thickness of the edge to be gripped.

19. A gripping apparatus according to any preceding claim, 20 in which the minimum width of each tapered groove is less than the thickness of the edge to be gripped.

20. A gripping apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the grooves are located in a body.

21. A gripping apparatus according to claim 20, in which the body comprises one or more segments.

22. A gripping apparatus according to claim 20 or claim 30 21, in which the gripping apparatus further comprise a side wall connected to a longitudinal edge of the body.

23. A gripping apparatus according to claim 22, in which the side wall is arranged substantially perpendicular to the body.

24. A gripping apparatus according to claim 22 or claim 23, in which the side wall is arranged substantially parallel to the grooves in the body.

25. A gripping apparatus according to any one of claims 20 10 to 24, in which the side wall comprises an opening extending from the edge of the side wall remote the body towards the body.

26. A gripping apparatus according to claim 25, in which 15 the opening extends up to the body.

27. A gripping apparatus according to claim 25 or claim 26, in which the opening extends through the full depth of the side wall.

28. A gripping apparatus according to claim 25, in which the opening comprises an elongate slit in the side wall.

29. A gripping apparatus according to claim 28, in which the slit is at least 1mm wide.

30. A gripping apparatus according to claim 29, in which the slit is at least 2mm wide.

31. A gripping apparatus according to claim 30, in which the slit is at least 3mm wide.

32. A gripping apparatus according to claim 28, in which the slit is less than 1cm wide.

33. A gripping apparatus according to claim 32, in which the slit is less than 8mm wide.

34. A gripping apparatus according to claim 33, in which the slit is less than Smm wide.

10

35. A gripping apparatus according to claim 25, in which the opening in the side wall provides guide means for a cutting device.

36. A gripping apparatus according to any one of claim 22 is to 35, in which the gripping apparatus comprises: a pair of side walls attached to opposing longitudinal edges of the body.

37. A gripping apparatus according to claim 36, in which 20 the openings in each wall are aligned with one another, such that a line extending between the centre of each opening bisects the grooves in the body substantially perpendicular thereto.

38. A gripping apparatus according to claim 36 or claim 37, in which the gripping apparatus further comprises a channel in the body, extending between the openings in the side walls.

39. A gripping apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 39, in which the body may further comprise an indentation in the surface thereof, which indentation is separate from the grooves.

is

40. A gripping apparatus according to claim 39, in which the indentation extends along the full length of the body.

41. A gripping apparatus according to claim 39 or claim 40, in which the indentation is substantially parallel to the grooves.

10

42. A gripping apparatus according to claim. 39 or claim 40, in which the indentation -has asubstantially curved cross-sectional shape.

43. A method of gripping a section of guttering, or the 15 like, wherein opposing, substantially parallel. edges of the section of guttering are pressed into inwardly tapered grooves in a body.

44. A method of gripping according to claim 43, in which 20 the longitudinal cross-section of the guttering is substantially half of a full tube.

45. A gripping apparatus substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in the 25 accompanying drawings.

46. A method of gripping a section of guttering substantially as described herein.