IES20010139A2 - A device for cutting masonry - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cutting device for particular use with masonry, the device including a pair of cutters which are melted to a base such as to enable relative movement between the pair of cutters and the base, the cutting device being adapted to be mobile such as to enable the on-site cutting of the masonry or the like. <Figure 1>

Description

The present invention relates to the cutting of masonry, for example stone blocks or walls, and in particular relates to the on-site cutting of such stone work.

In the art of stone cutting, it is often necessary or desirable to carry out the cutting of resident stonework, for example in the repair or modification of any existing stone structure. This would commonly involve the removal of a portion of an exterior wall such as to widen a gateway, or alternatively the widening of an internal or external doorway. Other such modifications include the squaring of the end of a wall or the like for fitting a pillar thereto, or simply the cosmetic alteration of any existing stonework structure.

Conventionally when carrying out such on-site work there are a variety of tools and equipment that would be used to effect same. Heavy duty stone cutting machinery, such as power saws, laser/water jet cutters or block cutting guillotines will not generally be a practical choice for such work, being large and heavy pieces of equipment that cannot readily be articulated for such work.

Therefore, this type of stone cutting is generally performed with a variety of portable hand tools. The most common tools used are hand held grinders, diamond polishing wheels, and a selection of chisels and OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 28 AND RULE 23 JNL No, /^1 OF ISHpooa hammers. It will be appreciated that working with such tools is labour intensive, time consuming, and can be physically demanding. In addition, when cutting stone with tools such as angle grinders or polishing wheels, a substantial amount of noise and dust are generated in the process. This therefore adds a further undesirable element to such work, and may, depending on the location, prevent such work from being undertaken.

The present invention therefore seeks to overcome these problems of the prior art by providing a device for effecting the on-site cutting of stonework.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for cutting masonry, the device comprising a first cutter; a second cutter movable relative to the first cutter; and a frame to which the first cutter and the second cutter are mounted.

Preferably, the frame is mounted on a base.

Preferably, the frame is mounted to the base such as to allow the position of the frame relative to the base to be adjusted.

Preferably, the frame is slidably mounted to a guideway which is fixedly mounted to the base.

Preferably, the frame is mounted on a plurality of wheels such as to provide mobility thereto.

Preferably, the frame is mounted to the guideway such as to allow the frame to be articulated relative to the guideway.

Preferably, the second cutter is capable of reciprocating linear movement towards or away from the first cutter.

Preferably, the second cutter is articulated, in use, by means of hydraulics.

Preferably, the device is provided with a coupling for connection to a hydraulic pump.

Preferably, the hydraulic pump may be powered by a PTO from a tractor or the like.

Preferably, the device includes a motor to effect movement of the frame along the guideway.

Preferably, the motor can be coupled to a power output of a tractor or any such suitable power supply.

Preferably, the first cutter and the second cutter each comprise a metal cutting blade.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a device for cutting masonry according to the invention, wherein a frame and associated cutters are raised to full height; Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the device of Figure 1, wherein the frame and associated cutters are proximal the fully lowered position; Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view, from above, of the device of the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view, from beneath of the frame and associated cutters, detailing the location of a ram used to articulate one cutter relative to the other; Figure 5 illustrates the frame and cutters engaged against the end of a wall, in preparation for removal of a piece of stone therefrom; and Figure 6 illustrates the frame and cutters of Figure 5 wherein the piece of stone has just been removed from the wall.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a device, generally indicated as 10, for cutting masonry, such as stone, brick, concrete blocks and the like. The device 10 consists of a base 12, preferably formed from a rigid material such as steel or aluminium. The base 12 is mounted to a plurality of wheels 14 such as to provide mobility thereto. Mounted to and extending from the base 12 is a box section guideway 16, again, preferably formed from steel or the like. Mounted about the guideway 16 is a carriage 18, the carriage 18 being movable along the guideway 16. Secured to and extending from the carriage 18 is a C5 shaped frame 20, as clearly illustrated in Figure 4. Mounted to the frame 20 is a first cutter 22 and a second cutter 24. It will therefore be appreciated that movement of the carriage 18 along the guideway 16 will result in a corresponding movement of both the frame 20 and the first and second cutters 22, 24.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, both the first cutter 22 and the second cutter 24 are in the form of hardened steel blades. The first blade 22 as illustrated in Figure 4, is welded into position within the frame 20, oppositely disposed to the second cutter 24. The second cutter 24 is mounted to the exposed end of a hydraulic ram 26 which extends from a hydraulic cylinder (not shown) located within the carriage 18. It will be seen, however, that because of wear and tear on these parts, it may be beneficial to removably mount the parts so making them more easily replaceable. In any case, the hydraulic cylinder is therefore capable of effecting reciprocating motion of the second cutter 24 towards and away from the first cutter 22. The hydraulic cylinder is coupled to a first hydraulic hose 32 and a second hydraulic hose 34, which are both in turn connected to a hydraulic coupling 36. The coupling 36 is connected, in use, to any suitable source of hydraulic fluid, for example a hydraulic pump (not shown), in order to effect operation of the hydraulic ram 26.

In order to effect adjustment of the height of the frame 20 relative to the base 12, the guideway 16 is provided with a tooth and rack 44 extending along the length thereof, as illustrated in Figure 3. The carriage 18 is provided with a corresponding tooth and gear wheel (not shown) which engages the rack 44. The gear wheel is connected to and driven by a motor 28 mounted to the carriage 18. The gear wheel therefore drives the carriage 18 up and down the guideway 16.

The motor 28 may be coupled to any suitable source of power, and in Figure 3 there is illustrated a socket 46 which is electrically connected to the motor 28. There is also shown a plug 48 located within the socket 46, the plug 48 extending from, for example an electrical generator (not shown). Nonetheless, it will be seen that, for example, a hydraulic motor could be used instead of an electric motor, so powering the entire device from only a hydraulic source. The carriage 18 is further provided with a pair of guide wheels 30 which, in use, engage against a lateral face of the guideway 16 such as to maintain the carriage 18 in register therewith.

As the device 10, in use, will generally have to be manoeuvred into position about a wall 50 or the like, the base 12 is mounted on a plurality of wheels 14. A rectangular recess 38 is provided within the base 12 in order to allow the device 10 to be positioned about the end of the wall 50, as illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawing. The base 12 is further provided with a guard 40 adjacent the recess 38, in addition to a rail 42, both of which are intended to prevent contact with any of the moving components of the device 10. The rail 42 also serves as a handle by which the device 10 may be manoeuvred.

In use, the device 10 is located such that the end of the wall 50 is situated within the recess 38 and base 12. The carriage 18 is then positioned on the guideway 16 such that the first and second cutters 22, 24 are disposed at the desired height, as illustrated in Figure 5. Hydraulic fluid is then pumped into the hydraulic cylinder in order to cause the ram 26 to extend therefrom. It will then be appreciated that the second cutter 24 will engage against the wall 50, and proceed to shear off the exposed portion 52, as illustrated in Figure 6. When the entire height of the wall 50 is to be cut, the carriage 18 is initially raised to the top of the wall 50. The uppermost portion of the wall 50 is then cut as hereinbefore described, and the carriage 18 lowered in order to cut the portion of wall 50 therebeneath. This process is then repeated until the entire height of the wall 50 has been cut.

It will be appreciated that, in order to accommodate stonework of varying shape and orientation, the guideway 16 may be altered in height such as to extend the reach of the first and second cutters 22, 24. In addition, the frame 18 may be rotatably mounted to the carriage 18, so that the frame 18 may be rotated about an axis parallel to the line of action of the ram 26.

It will therefore be appreciated that, in swivelling the frame 20 downwardly such that the first and second cutters 22, 24 are disposed at the upper surface thereof, the device 10 may be used to cut, for example, the header of a doorway or alternatively below a window (not shown) or the like. ΙΕ ο 10 1S 9 It will also be seen that rather than using a square section guideway 16 as in the preferred embodiment, the guideway could in fact have a circular cross-section, so allowing the frame to rotate about the guideway.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, which may be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention..

Claims (5)

Claims

1. A cutting device for use with masonry, the device comprising a first cutter; a second cutter moveable relative to the first cutter; and a mobile frame to which the first and the second cutter are mounted.

2. A cutting device according to Claim 1, wherein the frame is mounted to a base which provides the device with mobility, the frame being mounted to the base such as to allow the position of the frame to be adjusted relative to the base.

3. A cutting device according to Claim 2 wherein the frame is slideably mounted to a guideway which extends from the base, such as to permit linear and/or rotational translations of the frame relative to the base.

4. A cutting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the second cutter may be articulated, in use, by means of hydraulics, the power for which may be obtained from a PTO of a tractor or the like.

5. A cutting device according to any of Claims 24, wherein the cutting device includes a motor to effect movement of the frame relative to the base, and which motor may be powered from the PTO.