GB2566057A

GB2566057A - A cutting device

Info

Publication number: GB2566057A
Application number: GB1714005.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marron Frank; Mcmahon Michael
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-08-31
Filing date: 2017-08-31
Publication date: 2019-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2037-08-31
Also published as: IE87362B1; GB201714005D0; IE20180239A1; GB2566057B

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a cutting device for cutting plasterboard, gypsum, drywall, or the like, comprising an elongated box frame 2, a cutting arm 7 mounted to a continuous roller chain 4, a cutting depth gauge 20, a cutting depth adjuster 21, a power means, and operating handles 16. The device may have limit switches to reverse the travelling direction of the cutting arm. The cutting arm may comprise a detachable blade 8. Further, a pair of guide rails may be provided along the inner sides of box frame 2 onto which guide rollers, attached to cutting arm 7, roll along. Sprockets 9 may be included at both ends of box frame 2 around which chain 4 rotates. A chain tightening means may be included. The power means may comprise a gear box and an electric motor. Handles 16 may be attached midway along frame 2 and may include a thumb switch 17. The device may further comprise a floor stand 18 with wheels 19. The invention serves to provide a more efficient and less dusty way of removing plasterboard walls.

Description

“A cutting device”

Introduction

The present invention relates to a cutting device tool for cutting large amounts of plasterboard.

Conventionally the removal of old plasterboard sheets is both time consuming and extremely dusty. This is especially the case when dealing with the removal of large amounts of plasterboard from primarily but not exclusively large plaster walled buildings, for example in the re-fit or refurbishment of offices or shopping centres.

There is a real need for an improved means of removing old plasterboard efficiently and cleanly.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a cutting device comprising;

an elongated box frame;

a cutting arm connected to a continuous roller chain;

a cutting depth gauge;

a cutting depth adjuster;

a power means; and operating handles.

wherein the cutting arm is enclosed within the elongated box frame and is movable along the length of the box frame.

In one embodiment of the invention the cutting depth gauge extends longitudinally directly in front and parallel to the outer face of the box frame. Preferably the cutting depth adjuster is attached to the cutting depth gauge and the box frame and controls the distance the cutting depth gauge is away from the front face of the box frame.

In one embodiment of the invention the device comprises a limit switch to control the movement of the cutting arm.

In one embodiment of the invention the cutting arm comprises a detachable cutting blade.

In another embodiment of the invention the cutting arm is attached to guide rollers and movable longitudinally along a pair of guide rails which extend long the inner side of the box frame.

In one embodiment of the invention the continuous roller chain rotates around sprockets attached adjacent to each end of the elongated frame.

In one embodiment of the invention the cutting device comprises means for tightening the roller chain.

In another embodiment of the invention the power means comprises a gear box and electric motor.

In one embodiment of the invention the operating handles are attached to the elongated frame midway along the frame. Preferably the operating handles comprise a thumb switch.

In one embodiment of the invention the cutting device comprises a floor stand. Preferably the stand comprises wheels.

Brief Description of the Invention

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. lisa view from the rear of the cutter device of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view from the front of the cutter device of the invention showing an exploded view of (a) the movable cutting blade; and

Fig. 3 is a side view of the device showing an exploded view of (a) the cutting arm, (b) the upper end of the device, (c) the lower end of the device, and (d) side view of the cutting mechanism, according to the invention.

Detailed description

The cutting device of the present invention is for use in the demolition of slabbed walls. The demolition of slabbed walls can be a very time-consuming task as typically the slabs are removed by cutting as much of the material and then ripping it from the walls. Plasterboard, also known as dry wall or gypsum board is generally in the form of a sheet primarily of gypsum plaster covered on both sides with thick paper. Gypsum plasterboard is relatively stiff and difficult to break. Typically plasterboard is removed using a rip saw or other cutting devices which create huge amounts of dust making it a very dusty and messy environment to work in. The task of removing the plasterboard can be very laborious.

The present invention comprises a cutting device which makes the job of removing large amounts of plasterboard much cleaner and more labour efficient.

The device comprises a cutting head safely enclosed within a box frame for cutting large amounts of plasterboard or such like. The cutting head is propelled within the area of the device box frame by means of a barrel chain.

As shown in the drawings the device 1 comprises an elongated box frame 2 with a central elongated opening. A continuous barrel roller chain 4 runs the length of the box frame 2 and across sprockets 9 attached adjacent to either end of the box frame 2. Attached to the barrel roller chain 4 is a cutting arm 7 with a cutting blade 8 attached. The cutting blade 8 extends out through the central elongated opening and travels along the length of the elongated opening. A limit switch (not shown) at either end of the elongated box frame 2 prevents the cutting blade 8 from continuing across the sprockets 9 when the upper and lower limit of the elongated opening is reached. The blade 8 is detachable for easy replacement of worn blades. The cutting arm 7 is attached to four guide rollers 3 which are supported by two axles 6 as shown more clearly in Fig. 3(a). The guide rollers 3 are supported by guide rails 5 which extend the length of the elongated frame. The guide rails 5 extends longitundinally along the inner side of the frame 2 guiding the guide rollers long the length of the frame 2.

At the upper end of the box frame 2 a pair of plates 12 are attached adjacent to the box frame 2. The plates 12 support an axle 11 on which a sprocket 9 is attached. The plates are attached to the box frame by means of two bushings 13. The plates 12 have a slide cut out 14 to allow the chain to be tightened when required.

At the lower end of the box frame and attached adjacent to the box frame 2 is a second sprocket 9 supporting the rotating barrel roller chain 4. A gear box and power source 10 is attached directly through the sprocket 9. The power source and gear box is attached to the sprocket 9 by any suitable means. The power source is preferably an electric motor.

A cutting depth gauge 20 extends the length of the box frame 2. The cutting depth gauge 20 comprises two strips of material running directly in front and parallel to the outer face of the box frame. The cutting depth gauge 20 is attached to the box frame 2 by depth adjusters 21. The depth adjusters 21 are used to adjust the height of the cutting depth gauge 20 thereby adjusting the length of the blade 8 extending from the cutting arm 7. The blade length may be adjusted depending on the depth of the material to be cut.

Midway along the box frame 2 and attached to the frame 2 are a pair of operating handles 16. The operating handles 16 have a thumb switch 17 to operate and control the forward and reverse movement of the cutting arm 7.

Connected at the lower end of the box frame 2 is a floor stand 18. The floor stand 18 supports the device against a wall and allows the operate to put pressure and push the device against the plasterboard to be cut. The floor stand 18 has wheels 19 for ease of movement of the device 1.

In use the device 1 is placed against the surface of a plasterboard wall with the cutting blade at the lower end of the box frame 2. The device 1 is supported on the ground by the floor stand 18. The operator holding the operating handles applies pressure and pushes the device against the wall. The forward and reverse movement of the roller chain with the cutting blade 8 attached is controlled using the thumb switch 17 on the handles 18. Starting from the bottom of the plasterboard wall the blade 8 moves up along the main frame 2 making an elongated vertical cut through the slab and leaving it ready to be taken away. Once the cut has been made the device is easily moved along the wall to make the next cut. The cuts are done on the face of the wall along each side of the battens to which the plasterboard has been fixed. The location of the battens is found by breaking a hole at the bottom of the wall with a hammer and from here the cutting can begin.

The device 1 can make a cut 2.1 meters in length long each time. The device 1 is easily moved along the base of the wall using the wheels on the stand. Depending on the height of the wall a portable scaffold may be used to mount the device for higher cuts.

The device 1 of the present invention is very easy to handle and operate. It makes very little noise as it cuts and does not create a lot of dust. It allows a plasterboard wall to be demolished in a very short period of time. The device provides a plasterboard cutter that is simple, safe and easy to use.

The device is light enough to be easily handled and operated by an individual. The device may manufactured from steel such as mild or tempered steel or any other suitable material.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims

1. A cutting device comprising an elongated box frame;

a cutting arm connected to a continuous roller chain;

a cutting depth gauge;

a cutting depth adjuster;

a power means; and operating handles.

2. A cutting device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cutting depth gauge extends longitudinally directly in front and parallel to the outer face of the box frame.

3. A cutting device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the cutting depth adjuster is attached to the cutting depth gauge and the box frame and controls the distance the cutting depth gauge is away from the front face of the box frame.

4. A cutting device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device comprises a limit switch to control the movement of the cutting arm.

5. A cutting device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cutting arm comprises a detachable cutting blade.

6. A cutting device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cutting arm is attached to guide rollers and movable longitudinally along a pair of guide rails which extend long the inner side of the box frame.

7. A cutting device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the continuous roller chain rotates around sprockets attached adjacent to each end of the elongated frame.

8. A cutting device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising means for tightening the roller chain.

9. A cutting device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the power means comprises a gear box and electric motor.

10. A cutting device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the operating handles are attached to the elongated frame midway along the frame.

11. A cutting device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the operating handles comprise a thumb switch.

12. A cutting device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a floor stand.

13. A cutting device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the stand comprises wheels.