GB2367032A

GB2367032A - Portable brick and block cutter

Info

Publication number: GB2367032A
Application number: GB0119050A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Hayward; Norman Loughlin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-08-04
Filing date: 2001-08-06
Publication date: 2002-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-06
Also published as: GB0119050D0; GB0019009D0; GB2367032B

Abstract

A brick cutter (1 figure 1) having a base plate (2 figure 1) and a top plate (3) connected by guide members (4 figure 1). Between the guide members are located two cutting members 6, 7 arranged so that the respective blades oppose one another. The upper cutting member 7 has a flattened top face 9, which opposes the underside of the top plate (3). A means 11 of applying an expanding force is positioned between the top plate (3) and the flattened top face. As the upper cutting member 7 is forced away from the top plate (3), a brick 10 positioned between the two cutting members 6, 7 is split in two. The expanding force may be a jack mechanism 11. The blades 6, 7 always remain more than a minimum distance apart so as to prevent injury to fingers. There may be grooves (15, figure 6) in guide members 14 which stop short of blade (12, figure 6) so as to maintain the minimum gap between blades (13, 12).

Description

PORTABLE BRICK AND BLOCK CUTTER Field of Invention This invention relates to portable cutting tools, preferably but not exclusively for bricks and other such blocks.

Background of the Invention The use of bricks and other such blocks is common in construction. These materials, by their very nature, have uniform dimensions within a particular batch. Sometimes there is a need for a brick to be cut to size to satisfy the requirements of the construction process.

These brick cutting tools generally comprise a circular saw with diamond cutting members, with the brick being sawn to the desired size. The use of such power tools involves various safety hazards, which can be a disadvantage on a busy construction site where this type of brick cutting is generally carried out. The frequent use of diamond tipped cutting blades can prove expensive, as they wear out and need replacing.

Alternatively, bricks or the like can be cut to size using a lever-operated blade. With this method, the bricks are positioned on the cutting tool and then a blade is worked by a lever to apply a splitting force on the brick. This method does not involve the same hazards as the power tool method. However, because the force is generated manually by a lever mechanism, the tool used can be large and cumbersome ; this can make movement of the tool about a busy construction site a difficult task.

An improved tool for cutting bricks and the like is disclosed in French Patent No 2547527. This patent describes a dual blade system in which a brick is sandwiched between two blades and then hit with a hammer, the force of which causes the blades to move together which results in the brick being split in two. The nature of this tool makes it much more portable than a lever operated tool and much safer that most power tool methods.

However, there still remains an element of risk due to the use of a hammer to apply the force to the blades. The fact that the tool may be used by different operators can mean that the amount of force applied each time is not controlled and this can lead to inconsistencies in the bricks formed by this method.

Summary of the Invention In consideration of the prior art the invention provides a brick cutter, comprising : a support structure having a base plate connected to a top plate by two guide members; a first cutting member, arranged between the two guide members so as to rest on the base plate with a first cutting edge presented normal to the base plate; a second cutting member between the two guide members, being mounted to slide along the guide members and present a second cutting edge opposed to the first cutting edge, and a top face section opposed to the top plate; and means for applying an expanding force between the top face section and the top plate, wherein a brick positioned between the first and second cutting members is split in two as the cutting members are forced together.

It is appreciated that the cutting tool is not limited to bricks and as such could be used for cutting other materials such as paving slabs and tiles amongst others.

A preferred safety aspect of the invention may involve arranging the opposed blades so that they cannot make contact with one another, even when no brick is present. This default spacing is such that accidental trapping of fingers is prevented without limiting the effectiveness of the brick splitting action.

It may be of further advantage if the size of the default spacing can be altered to suit the type of material being used-i. e. for thicker materials a larger default spacing may be set without unduly affecting the functionality of the tool.

It is appreciated that from time to time either or both of the cutting members may require replacing. In such an event, it is appreciated that it may advantageous if either or both of the cutting members be removable from the guide members.

The cutting members may be attached to the guide members by clamping means, which can be adjusted to secure the cutting members to the guide members and also to permit their removal as desired.

The clamping means could also be used to lock the cutting members in a fixed position on the guide members, this would be advantageous during the transport of the tool where the cutting members may move around and cause injury.

It is appreciated that the expanding force exerted between the top face section of the second cutting member and the top plate of the support structure may be provided in a number of ways. Preferably, the expanding force will be provided by a jack mechanism, a hydraulic bottle jack would be suitable for this purpose. It is also appreciated that the jack mechanism may be either manually worked, i. e. by a crank, or automatic like the hydraulic jack.

For convenience, it may be advantageous for the jack mechanism to be integrated into the brick cutter tool so that the tool is a completely self-contained unit.

To ensure that this brick cutter achieves a consistent cut of bricks to a desired size it may be advantageous for the base plate to have some sort of measuring means.

A preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention would involve an adjustable clamping system, which can be adjusted according to a predetermined scale of indicia on the base plate. The use of such a clamping system would ensure that the bricks, or other such material, are positioned constantly from one brick to the next.

It will be understood from the invention that the materials used in the construction of the brick cutting tool are of suitable strength and resilience to resist the high stresses involved in the operation of the cutting process.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention: Figure 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the brick cutter; Figure 2 is a side view of the brick cutter shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the brick cutter shown in Figures 1 and 2, with a brick positioned ready for cutting, and expanding means in the form of a schematic of a jack mechanism; Figure 4 is a side view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is an exploded view of a first alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is an exploded view of a second alternative embodiment.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments Figure 1 shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of the Brick Cutting Tool 1. The main support structure of the tool is made up of a base plate 2 and a top plate 3, which are connected via guide members 4. Base plate 2 preferably has a flat

underside so that it is stable on the ground, while in use. These elements are constructed from a resilient material such as cast iron, although the use of other suitable materials is appreciated. The elements are held together by guide members 4, which pass through holes in the top plate 3 and then pass into the base plate 2. The guide member ends 5 are shaped to secure the position of the top plate in relation thereto. The use of screw thread joins may be employed on its own to secure the structure. However it is appreciated that alternative methods of securely fixing the elements together do exist. Such methods include welding and riveting; it will also be understood that a combination of these fixing methods may be advantageous.

Between the guide members 4, which run parallel to one another between the top plate 3 and the base plate 2, are arranged the first cutting member 6 and the second cutting member 7.

The first cutting member 6, comprises a blade 6a with engaging means 6b at either end thereof. The engaging means 6b locate on the guide members 4 so that the blade 6a presents its sharp edge normal to the base plate 2.

The second cutting member 7, comprises a blade 7a with engaging means 7b at either end thereof. The engaging means 7b locate on the guide members 4 so that the sharp edge of blade 7b is opposed to blade 6b.

Engaging means 6a and 7a are arranged so that when they abut one another, a safety spacing is maintained between the opposed blades 6b and 7b.

It is appreciated that the engaging means may comprise adjustable clamps (not shown), which can be used to secure the position of the related cutting member on the guide members. A further benefit may be achieved if the clamping means allow the complete removal of the cutting members, thus allowing worn out blades to be replaced quickly and easily.

The second cutting member 7 has a flattened top face 9, which is opposed to the underside of the top plate 3.

The brick positioning gauge 8 is attached to the base plate 2 in such a way as to allow the gauge to be repositioned relative to the base plate. The gauge allows for consistent cutting of a brick, or the like, during repeat jobs. The adjustable nature of the gauge allows a brick to be positioned in a variety of positioned relative to the cutting members. It will be understood from the invention that means for fixing the

gauge in a desire position could be provided by a variety of mechanisms, including the use of a pin that can slide through predetermined holes in the gauge to hold it in a desired position.

The flattened top face 9 of the second cutting member 7 can be better appreciated from Figure 2.

Figures 3 and 4 show how a brick 10 may be positioned relative to the brick cutting tool. The figures also illustrate how an expanding means, shown in the form of a simplified jack mechanism, is positioned between the top plate 3 and the flattened top face 9 of the second cutting member 7.

The brick 10 is positioned on top of the first cutting means 6 with guidance from the brick positioning gauge 8. The second cutting member 7 is rested on top of the brick that is to be cut.

The jack mechanism 11 exerts an expanding force causing the second cutting member 7 to move towards the first cutting member 6, which results in the brick 10 being split in two.

Figure 5 shows an exploded version of an alternative embodiment of the invention. All the main components of the invention are present albeit with alternative dimensions. In this embodiment, the top plate 8 is removable from the guide members 4. This allows the brick cutter to be worked by the use of a hammer instead of the jack mechanism. The hammer blow is applied to the flattened top face of the second cutting member, which causes the splitting of a suitably positioned brick.

Figure 6 shows an alternative method of locating the cutting members 12 and 13 relative to the guide members 14. In this embodiment, each guide member 14 has a channel 15 into which the cutting members are slideably received.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A brick cutter, comprising : a support structure having a base plate connected to a top plate by two guide members; a first cutting member, arranged between the two guide members so as to rest on the base plate with a first cutting edge presented normal to the base plate; a second cutting member between the two guide members, being mounted to slide along the guide members and present a second cutting edge opposed to the first cutting edge, and a top face section opposed to the top plate; and means for applying an expanding force between the top face section and the top plate, wherein a brick positioned between the first and second cutting members is split in two as the cutting members are forced together.
2. A brick cutter according to Claim 1 wherein, the first cutting member and the second cutting member are arranged to maintain a minimum space between the opposed blades.
3. A brick cutter according to Claim 2 wherein, the size of the minimum space between the opposed blades has adjustable control means to set the minimum spacing level.
4. A brick cutter according to Claim 2 wherein, each guide members comprises a channel which runs a limited distance from the top thereof, down the length thereof, and whereby the second cutting member is arranged to slide into the channel until it abuts the end thereof.
5. A brick cutter according to any of the preceding claims wherein, one or both of the cutting members are detachable from the guide members.
6. A brick cutter according to any of the preceding claims wherein, one or both of the cutting members is attached to the guide members by adjustable clamping means.
7. A brick cutter according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the means for applying an expanding force comprises a jack mechanism.
8. A brick cutter according to Claim 6 wherein, the jack mechanism is an integral part of the tool.
9. A brick cutter according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the base plate has a brick positioning means arranged to locate the brick in a suitable position for cutting.
10. A brick cutter according to Claim 8 wherein the positioning means are adjustable to vary the location of a brick positioning relative to the cutting members.
11. A brick cutter according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the top plate is removeable.
12. A brick cutter, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.