RU2822380C1 - Split blade body with expanding sleeve assembly for driven rotary knife - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: cutting.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of driven rotary knives held in a hand. Blade body assembly for a driven rotary knife includes a split blade body and an expanding sleeve assembly. Split blade body comprises an annular blade support section and a mounting section. Mounting section comprises slot and includes first and second body parts. First body part comprises a slot which passes along the axis through the first body part and is made with possibility of movement between positions of blade support and blade replacement. Expanding sleeve assembly passes through the slot and comprises a split sleeve which is configured to vary between the first and second perimeters. Expanding sleeve assembly also includes a fastening element which passes through the split sleeve and, when engaged with the split sleeve, holds the split sleeve with the first perimeter and fixes the first body part in the blade support position.

EFFECT: improved operational characteristics of the driven rotary knife held in the hand.

25 cl, 29 dwg

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a hand-held powered rotary knife and, more particularly, to a blade housing assembly for supporting the annular rotary knife blade of the hand-held powered rotary knife while rotating about its central axis. The blade body assembly includes a split blade body and an expansion sleeve assembly, the split blade body comprising a first portion and a second portion on opposite sides of a slot through a slotted body mounting section, the first portion being movable relative to the second portion between a blade holding position and a blade replacement position, and an axial groove extending through the first portion comprises enlarged end portions connected by a channel, and the expansion sleeve assembly comprises a split lock sleeve or a split sleeve extending through the groove, in a first position of the split sleeve, the split sleeve comprises one of the enlarged end portions of the axial groove to support the blade body with in one of the blade holding positions or the blade replacement position, and in the second position of the split sleeve, the split sleeve is compressed in the radial direction to pass through the channel of the axial groove as the first part moves relative to the second part between the supporting position and the blade replacement position.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

[0002] Hand-held, powered rotary knives are widely used in meat processing facilities for cutting and trimming operations. Powered rotary knives also find use in a wide variety of other industries where cutting and/or trimming operations must be performed quickly and with less effort than would be the case with traditional manual cutting or trimming tools such as long knives, scissors, wire cutters etc. As an example, powered rotary knives can be effectively used for such versatile tasks as harvesting or extracting tissue, removing dead parts from/removing skin tissue, bone tissue, tendon/ligament collection from human or animal tissue donors for medical purposes. Powered rotary knives can also be used for taxidermy and for cutting and trimming elastomeric or urethane foam for a wide range of applications, including vehicle seats. Powered rotary knives can also be used in agriculture for cutting and trimming leaves, etc.

[0003] Hand-held powered rotary knives typically include a handle assembly and a head assembly configured to be attached to the handle assembly. The head assembly includes an annular blade body and an annular rotating knife blade supported by the blade body during rotation. The annular rotary blade of traditional powered rotary knives is typically rotated by a drive assembly that includes a drive assembly with a flexible shaft passing through a hole in the handle assembly. The shaft drive assembly engages and rotates the drive gear supported by the head assembly. The flexible shaft drive assembly includes a stationary outer casing and a rotating inner drive shaft that is driven by an electric motor. Alternatively, the pinion gear may be driven by an air motor mounted in the handle assembly. The pinion gear teeth engage mating gear teeth formed on the upper surface of the rotating knife blade.

[0004] When the drive gear is rotated by the drive shaft of the flexible shaft drive assembly, the annular rotating blade rotates in the blade housing at high speeds, on the order of 900-1900 rpm, depending on the design and characteristics of the drive assembly, including the motor, drive shaft assembly , as well as the diameter and number of gear teeth made on the blade of the rotating knife. Powered rotary knives are disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,354,949 to Baris et al., 6,751,872 to Whited et al., 6,769,184 to Whited, 6,978,548 to Whited et al. 8,448,340 to Whited, 8,726,524 to Whited et al. etc., and 10,040,211 issued to Whited, all of which have been assigned to the assignee to whom the rights to the present invention belong, and all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties for any and all purposes. Powered rotary knives having a split blade body with a cam mechanism to facilitate changing the diameter of the annular blade support section of the split blade body between a blade support position and a blade replacement position are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 10,124,500, issued November 13, 2018 to Whited et al. and Patent Publication No. US 2018/0345514 AI, published December 6, 2018 to Whited et al., both of which are assigned to the assignee who owns the rights to the present invention, and both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties for everyone and any purpose.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a blade housing assembly for supporting a rotary blade annular blade of a driven rotary blade for rotation about a central axis of rotation. The blade body assembly comprises: a split blade body comprising: an annular blade support section comprising an inner wall; a mounting section extending from the blade supporting section; and a slot extending through the mounting section and the inner wall of the blade support section and defining a slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall; the mounting section includes a first body portion and a second body portion on opposite sides of the slot; the first body portion includes a groove extending axially through the first body portion, having enlarged first and second end portions connected by a channel; the first body portion is movable with respect to the second body portion between a first blade holding position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is a first value, and a second blade replacement position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is walls is the second value; the second value is greater than the first value; and an expansion sleeve assembly passing through the groove, the expansion sleeve assembly is stationary relative to the first body portion and comprises: a split sleeve having a central hole and an axial slot extending between the first and second ends of the split sleeve; the perimeter of the split sleeve may vary between a first state having a first perimeter and a second state having a second perimeter, the first perimeter of the split sleeve being larger than the second perimeter; and in the first state, the split sleeve is installed in the enlarged second end portion of the slot to secure the first body portion in the second blade replacement position.

[0006] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a blade housing assembly for supporting a rotary blade annular blade of a driven rotary blade for rotation about a central axis of rotation. The blade body assembly comprises: a split blade body comprising: an annular blade support section comprising an inner wall; a mounting section extending from the blade supporting section; and a slot extending through the mounting section and the inner wall of the blade support section and defining a slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall; the mounting section comprises a first body portion and a second body portion on opposite sides of the slot, the first body portion comprising a groove extending axially through the first body portion having enlarged first and second end portions connected by a channel; the first body portion is movable with respect to the second body portion between a first blade holding position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is a first value, and a second blade replacement position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is walls is the second value; the second value is greater than the first value; and an expansion sleeve assembly passing through the groove, the expansion sleeve assembly is stationary relative to the first body portion and comprises: a split sleeve having a central hole and an axial cut extending between the first and second ends of the split sleeve; the perimeter of the split sleeve may vary between a first state having a first perimeter and a second state having a second perimeter, the first perimeter of the split sleeve being larger than the second perimeter; and in the first state, the split sleeve is installed in the enlarged first end portion of the slot to secure the first body portion in the first blade supporting position.

[0007] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a blade housing assembly for supporting a rotary blade annular blade of a driven rotary blade for rotation about a central axis of rotation. The blade body assembly includes: a split blade body comprising: an annular blade support section centered relative to the centerline of the blade body and comprising an inner wall; a mounting section extending from the blade supporting section; and a slot extending through the mounting section and the inner wall of the blade support section and defining a slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall; the mounting section includes a first body portion and a second body portion on opposite sides of the slot; the first body portion includes a groove extending through the first body portion having enlarged first and second end portions and a channel extending therebetween; the first body portion is movable relative to the second body portion between a first blade holding position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is a first value, and a second blade replacement position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is a second value meaning; the second value is greater than the first value; and an expansion sleeve assembly passing through the first groove, stationary relative to the first body part and containing: a split sleeve having an axial cut passing between the first and second ends of the split sleeve, and containing a through hole passing through the split sleeve; the perimeter of the split sleeve may vary between the first state and the second compressed state, the perimeter of the split sleeve in the first state is larger than that in the second compressed state; and a fastening member comprising an enlarged head and a shaft extending from the enlarged head; the rod passes through the through hole of the split sleeve, the enlarged head of the fastener abuts the first end of the split sleeve to support the split sleeve in a first state in the first enlarged end portion of the slot of the first body portion and secure the first body portion in the first blade supporting position.

[0008] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a powered rotary knife that includes: a handle assembly and a frame body extending from a distal end of the handle assembly, the frame body including a mounting base having a seating surface and a first axially extending hole and a second axially extending hole a hole extending into the seating surface and a protrusion extending axially from the seating surface; and a blade body assembly supporting the annular blade of the rotary knife to rotate about the central rotation axis; the blade body assembly comprises: a split blade body comprising: an annular blade support section comprising an inner wall; a mounting section extending from the blade supporting section; and a slot extending through the mounting section and the inner wall of the blade support section and defining a slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall; the mounting section includes a first body portion and a second body portion on opposite sides of the slot; the first body portion includes a groove extending axially through the first body portion, having enlarged first and second end portions connected by a channel; the first body portion is movable relative to the second body portion between a first blade holding position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is a first value, and a second blade replacement position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is second value; the second value is greater than the first value; and an expansion sleeve assembly passing through the groove, the expansion sleeve assembly is stationary relative to the first body portion and comprises: a split sleeve having a central hole and an axial cut extending between the first and second ends of the split sleeve; a perimeter of the split sleeve, which may vary between the first state and the second state; the perimeter of the split sleeve is larger in the first position than in the second position; and in a first position, the split sleeve is mounted in one of the enlarged first end portion of the slot for securing the first housing portion in the first blade holding position and the second end portion of the slot for securing the first housing portion in the second blade replacement position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates after reading the following description of the disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals, unless otherwise described, refer to like parts in the drawings, and in which:

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic top front perspective cross-sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of a powered rotary knife according to the present disclosure, comprising a handle assembly including a handle core covered by the handle and a head assembly extending from a distal end of the handle; the head assembly includes a frame body defining a mounting base, a rotating knife annular blade and a blade body assembly removably attached to the frame housing mounting base and supporting the rotating knife annular blade for rotation, and a drive mechanism, the blade body assembly comprising an annular split blade body and an expansion sleeve assembly passing through an axially extending groove of the mounting section of the annular split blade body; the expansion sleeve assembly holds the annular split blade body in a selected one of a first blade holding position and a second blade replacement position; the handle assembly handle and the head assembly frame body comprise a one-piece molded component;

[0011] Figure 2 is a schematic bottom front perspective view of the driven rotary knife shown in Figure 1;

[0012] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the driven rotary knife shown in Figure 1;

[0013] Figure 4 is a schematic bottom plan view of the driven rotary knife shown in Figure 1;

[0014] Figure 5 is a schematic elevation side view of the driven rotary knife shown in Figure 1;

[0015] Figure 6 is a schematic elevation sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis of the powered rotary knife handle assembly shown in Figure 1;

[0016] Figure 7 is a schematic front elevation view of the driven rotary knife shown in Figure 1;

[0017] Figure 8 is a schematic rear elevation view of the driven rotary knife shown in Figure 1;

[0018] Figure 9 is a schematic top front perspective exploded view of the driven rotary knife shown in Figure 1;

[0019] Figure 10 is a schematic exploded view from the bottom front perspective of the driven rotary knife shown in Figure 1;

[0020] Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of the annular slotted annular blade body of the driven rotary knife blade body assembly shown in Figure 1;

[0021] Figure 12 is a schematic bottom plan view of the annular split ring blade body shown in Figure 11;

[0022] Figure 13 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the annular split ring blade body shown in Figure 11 as viewed from the plane indicated by line 13-13 in Figure 11;

[0023] Figure 14 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the annular split ring blade body shown in Figure 11 as viewed from the plane indicated by line 14-14 in Figure 12;

[0024] Figure 15 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the annular split ring blade body shown in Figure 11 as viewed from the plane indicated by line 15-15 in Figure 11;

[0025] Figure 16 is a schematic front elevation view of the one-piece molded handle and handle frame body of the handle assembly and frame body of the driven rotary knife shown in Figure 1;

[0026] Figure 17 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the one-piece molded handle and frame body shown in Figure 16;

[0027] Figure 18 is a schematic front perspective view of the split lock sleeve of the expansion sleeve assembly of the blade housing assembly of the powered rotary knife head assembly shown in Figure 1;

[0028] Figure 19 is a schematic front perspective view of the threaded fastener of the expansion sleeve assembly of the blade housing assembly of the driving rotary knife head assembly shown in Figure 1, and the mating threaded insert of the frame body mounting base;

[0029] Figure 20 is a schematic enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of the rotary knife ring blade and the ring split housing of the driven rotary knife ring blade shown in Figure 1, illustrating the blade-blade body support structure;

[0030] Figure 21 is a schematic bottom plan view of the driven rotary knife blade housing assembly shown in Figure 1, with the rotary knife ring blade removed for clarity, illustrating the annular split ring blade body in the blade support position;

[0031] Figure 22 is a schematic, enlarged bottom plan view of a portion of the blade body assembly shown in Figure 21 located within the dotted line indicated by FIG. 22;

[0032] Figure 23 is a schematic bottom plan view of the powered rotary knife blade housing assembly shown in FIG. 1, with the rotary knife annular blade removed for clarity, illustrating the annular split body of the annular blade in a blade replacement position;

[0033] Figure 24 is a schematic, enlarged bottom plan view of a portion of the blade body assembly shown in Figure 23 located within the dotted line indicated by FIG. 24;

[0034] Figure 25 is a schematic bottom plan view of the powered rotary knife blade housing assembly shown in FIG. 1, with the rotary knife annular blade removed for clarity, illustrating the annular split body of the annular blade in a position intermediate between the blade holding position and the blade replacement position;

[0035] Figure 26 is a schematic, enlarged bottom plan view of a portion of the blade body assembly shown in Figure 25 located within the dotted line indicated by FIG. 26;

[0036] Figure 27 is a schematic top rear perspective view of the driven rotary knife shown in FIG. 1, with the annular split ring blade body in the blade holding position;

[0037] Figure 28 is a schematic top rear perspective view of the driven rotary knife shown in FIG. 1, equipped with a tool inserted into the expansion groove of the first part of the annular split body mounting section of the annular blade for moving the blade body to a blade replacement position; And

[0038] Figure 29 is a schematic, enlarged plan view of a portion of the annular split ring blade body shown in FIG. 11, located within the dotted line designated FIG. 29.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] A first exemplary embodiment of a hand-held powered rotary knife according to the present disclosure is shown generally as 100 in Figures 1-10. The powered rotary knife 100 includes a handle assembly 110 and a head assembly 200 attached to and extending from the handle assembly 110. The head assembly 200 includes a frame housing 250 extending from a distal end 112 of the handle assembly 110, and an annular rotary knife blade 300 rotatably driven about a central axis of rotation R by a drive mechanism 600 driving the rotary knife 100. The head assembly 200 also includes a blade housing assembly 700 according to the present disclosure, supporting the annular blade of the rotating knife 300 for rotation about its central axis of rotation R. The frame housing 250 includes a generally flat mounting base 272 that is configured to receive and removably support the blade housing assembly 700.

[0040] The blade body assembly 700, according to the present disclosure, includes an annular blade body with a split ring 800 and an expansion sleeve assembly 900. The split blade body 800 includes a split ring 801 including a mounting section 802 configured to be mounted on a substantially flat seating surface 273 mounting base of the frame body 272, and an annular blade support section 850 supporting the annular blade of the rotating knife 300 for rotation and extending from the mounting section 802. As best seen in Figures 11-12, 21-26 and 29, a hole or slot 801a extends through a mounting section and a blade support section 802, 850 of the split body of the blade 800. An inner wall 852 of the blade support section 850 is interrupted at a slot 801a, wherein the inner wall 852 has a slot 859 that corresponds to a radial inner end or end point of the slot 801a. The split body mounting section of the blade 802 includes a first body portion or a first portion 820 and a second body portion or a second portion 840 on opposite sides of the slot 801a, wherein the first portion 820 is movable relative to the second portion 840 between a first blade support position or a blade support state 898 of the split body blade 800 (Figs. 11-12, 21-22 and 29), in which the annular blade of the rotating knife 300 is supported for rotation by the annular blade supporting section 850 and the second blade replacement position or blade replacement state 899 of the split blade body 800 (Fig. 23- 24), in which the effective diameter of the annular blade support section 850 is increased to allow the annular blade of the rotating knife 300 to be removed for re-sharpening or replacement of the blade 300. When the split blade body 800 is in the first blade holding position 898, the first portion 820 of the blade body mounting section 802 adjacent to the second portion 840 of the mounting section of the blade body 802 and is separated only by an unexpanded slot 801a, as, for example, shown schematically in Figures 11-12 and 21-22. And when the slotted blade body 800 is in the second blade replacement position 899, the first portion 820 of the blade body mounting section 802 moves laterally from the second portion 840 of the blade body mounting section 802 such that the slot 801a becomes wider or expands laterally (as visible in top or bottom views), as schematically shown, for example, in Figures 23 and 24.

[0041] The split blade body 800 in one exemplary embodiment is made of a strong and resilient material, such as hardenable alloy steel or hardenable stainless steel, and when transitioned to an expanded diameter state (i.e., blade replacement position 899), naturally The tendency of the blade body 800 is to return or spring back to an unexpanded or resting position (ie, the support position of the blade 898). Due to the elasticity of the split blade body 800, a force is required to be applied laterally (i.e., in the direction designated "LD" in Figures 8 and 11) to the first portion 820 such that the first portion 820 moves relative to the second portion 840 from the blade holding position 898 of the split blade body 800 to the blade replacement position 899. When moving from the blade holding position 898 to the blade replacement position 899, the perimetric gap or clearance measured on the inner wall 852 of the annular blade supporting section 850 increases from the first value D1 (Fig. 29) to a larger second value D2 (FIG. 24) as the first body portion 820 moves or rotates away from the second body portion 840 of the mounting section 802. In the blade support position 898, the inner wall 852 of the annular blade support section 850 is centered relative to the center line EH of the housing blade (FIG. 11), which is substantially aligned with the central axis of rotation of the blade R. In the blade body assembly 700 of the present disclosure, an axial groove or axial groove 830 extends through the top and bottom surfaces 821, 822 of the first portion 820 of the mounting section 802. The axial slot 830 includes first and second enlarged end portions 832, 834 connected by a central channel 836. The axially extending slot 830 is defined by a substantially vertical wall 837 defining the perimeter of the slot 830. The width W (FIG. 11) of the channel 836, measured between the opposite or facing portions of the wall 837a, 837b of the wall 837 of the channel 836, is less than the corresponding diameters of the first and second enlarged end portions 832, 834, resulting in the formation of an axial groove in the shape of a "dog bone" 830 , as seen in the top view. In one exemplary embodiment, the respective diameters of the wall portions 837c, 837d of the wall 837 corresponding to the first and second enlarged end portions 832, 834 of the axial groove 830 are substantially identical.

[0042] The blade body assembly 700 also includes an expansion sleeve assembly 900 including a split lock sleeve or split sleeve 910 (FIG. 18) located within an axially extending groove 830 (FIG. 11) of the first portion 820 of the mounting section 802. The split sleeve 910 and a cooperating fastener 950 passing through the central hole or through hole 920 of the split sleeve 910 are stationary relative to the movable first portion 820 of the mounting section 802 of the split body of the blade 800. The fastener 950 is attached to the mounting base 272 of the frame body 250. As best seen in fig. 18, in one exemplary embodiment, the split sleeve 910 includes a cylindrical wall 912 that defines a central hole or through hole 920. The split sleeve 910 also includes an axially extending slot 930 extending between and through opposite ends 914, 916 of the cylindrical wall 912, and is fabricated of a material such as spring steel or alloy, or other material with similar characteristics, with a specified coefficient of elasticity or stiffness. The split sleeve 910, when uncompressed 998, has a first outer diameter that is sized to fit snugly into one of the first and second enlarged end portions 832, 834 of the axial groove 830 of the first portion 820 of the mounting section 802. Additionally and advantageously, due to the extending along the axis of the slot 930, the split sleeve 910 may be radially compressed to a compressed state 999, in which the outer diameter is reduced to a second, smaller compressed diameter compared to the first, larger diameter of the split sleeve 910 in the uncompressed state 998. That is, in the first, uncompressed state 998 of the split sleeve 910, the split sleeve 910 fits into one of the selected enlarged end portions 832, 834 of the axial groove 830 for supporting the split blade body 800 in a selected one of the blade support position 898 or the blade replacement position 899. Advantageously, the split lock sleeve or the split sleeve 910 holds the split blade body 800 in the selected one of the blade holding position 898 or the blade replacement position 899 without the need to apply any additional external force. When the first portion of the mounting section 820 is moved relative to the second portion 840 to transition the first portion 820 from the first blade support position 898 (FIGS. 21 and 22) to the second blade replacement position 898 (FIGS. 23 and 24) (or vice versa), the split lock sleeve 910 passes through a third, intermediate position 890 (FIGS. 25 and 26). The third, intermediate position 890 of the first body portion of the mounting section 820 is determined by the central channel 836 of the axial groove 830. If, in the third, intermediate position 890, the blade body 800 is between the first blade holding position and the second blade replacement position 898, 899, then the first intermediate position 820 is located between the first blade support position and the second blade replacement position 898, 899. The split lock sleeve 910 is compressed to a second, compressed state 999 and adopts a second, smaller outer diameter determined by the width W of the central channel 836 of the axial groove 830.

[0043] When the first body portion 820 of the blade body mounting section 802 reaches the blade replacement position 899, the split lock sleeve 910 extends completely through the center channel 836 of the axial groove 830, and the split lock sleeve 910 returns or expands to its first, uncompressed state 999 and tightly engages the second enlarged end portion 834 of the axial groove 830. In other words, when the first body portion 820 is moved relative to the second body portion 840 such that the first body portion 820 is in the third, intermediate position 890, the split lock sleeve 910 is necessarily forced into the second , the compressed state 999 of the split lock sleeve 910. In the third, intermediate position 890, that is, when the first part 820 of the blade body mounting section 802 moves relative to the second part 840 between the blade holding position 898 and the blade replacement position 899 of the split blade body 800, the split lock The sleeve 910 is in a compressed state 999 and has a second, smaller outer diameter that corresponds to the width W of the central channel 836 of the axial groove 830. Advantageously, as noted above, the elasticity or rigidity characteristics of the split lock sleeve 910 of the expansion sleeve assembly 900 of the present disclosure securely hold the split blade body 800 in the position of replacing the blade 899 without the need to continuously apply external pressure to the first portion 820 of the mounting section of the blade body 802, as would otherwise be necessary.

[0044] It should be appreciated that as used herein, the term "first, uncompressed state" or "first, expanded state" 998 refers to the split lock sleeve 910 (and its corresponding outer diameter) when the sleeve is installed in the first and second enlarged end portions 832. 834 of the axial groove 830 of the first part 820 of the mounting section 802. Subject to manufacturing or design tolerances and/or the desire to have a split locking sleeve 910 that fits tightly into the first and second enlarged end portions 832, 834 of the axial groove 830 of the first part 820 of the mounting section 802, split the locking sleeve 910 may be in any of: a) a truly uncompressed state when located in the first and second enlarged end portions 832, 834 of the axial groove 830 of the first portion 820 of the mounting section 802; or b) in a slightly compressed state due to the fact that the outer diameter of the split lock sleeve 910 may be slightly larger than the diameter defined by the portion of the inner wall 837 from the first enlarged end portion 832 (if the split lock sleeve 910 is located in the enlarged end portion 832) or diameter defined by the inner wall portion 837d of the second enlarged end portion 834 of the axial groove 830 (if the split lock sleeve 910 is located in the enlarged end portion 834).

[0045] It should be understood that when the split lock sleeve 910 is in the central channel 836 of the axial groove 830 (i.e., in the third, intermediate position 890), the split lock sleeve 910 is in a second, compressed state 999 and has a second, smaller an outer diameter that corresponds to the width W of the central channel 836 of the axial groove 830. In contrast, when the split lock sleeve 910 is in the first, uncompressed state 998, the split lock sleeve 910 necessarily has a first, larger outer diameter that is larger than the second, smaller outer diameter in the second, compressed state 999. The split lock sleeve 910 in the first uncompressed state 998 substantially corresponds to the diameter defined by the portion of the inner wall 837 from the first enlarged end portion 832 when the split lock sleeve 910 is located in the first enlarged end portion 832, and substantially corresponds to the diameter defined by the inner wall portion 837d of the second enlarged end portion 834 when the split lock sleeve 910 is located in the second enlarged end portion 834.

[0046] Additionally, in one exemplary embodiment, the expansion sleeve assembly 900 also includes a threaded fastener 950 that extends through a through hole or center hole 920 of the split lock sleeve 910 and screws into a threaded hole 276 of the insert 275 of the mounting base 272 of the frame housing 250. Because a threaded fastener 272 is attached to the frame body, the mounting base 272 is used to hold the split lock sleeve 910 stationary relative to the movable first part 820 of the mounting section 802 of the split body of the blade 800 while moving or rotating the movable first part 820 between the first position of supporting the blade 898 and the second advantageously, when the split blade body 800 is in the position supporting the blade 898, the split lock sleeve 910 is located in the first enlarged end portion 832 of the axial groove 830, and the threaded fastener 950 can be tightened so that the lower shoulder 970 of the enlarged head 960 of the fastener 950 engages and abuts the first, upper end 914 of the split lock sleeve 910. Advantageously, the lower shoulder 970 is inclined or angled so as to cause the cylindrical wall 912 of the split lock sleeve 910 to be pressed radially outward against the opposing cylindrical wall 837c defining the first enlarged end portion 832 of the axial groove 830. By tightening the fastener 950, the shoulder of the fastener 970 is forced against the first end 914 of the cylindrical wall 912 of the split lock sleeve 910, causing the cylindrical wall 912 of the split lock sleeve 910 to be pressed radially outward to facing of the cylindrical wall portion 837 with the first enlarged end portion 832 of the axial groove 830 of the first split blade body portion 820 of the blade body 800. Accordingly, tightening the fastener 950 of the expansion sleeve assembly 900 causes the split lock sleeve 910 to securely hold the split blade body 800 in the first blade supporting position 898a and corresponding to the first position of supporting the blade 898 of the blade body 800.

[0047] Once the sharpened annular blade of the rotating knife 300 is installed or positioned in the split blade body 800 and the first body portion 820 of the blade body mounting section 802 is moved or rotated back toward the second body portion 840, the split lock sleeve 910 is latched into its uncompressed state 998 and fits into the first enlarged end portion 832 of the axially extending groove 830, thereby holding, securing or supporting the split blade body 800 in the first blade supporting position 898 and the first body portion 820 in the corresponding first blade supporting position 898a. When the fastener 950 is tightened, the wall of the split lock sleeve 912, already located in the first enlarged end portion 832 of the axial groove 830 of the first part 820 of the split body of the blade 800, is strongly pressed against the portion of the cylindrical wall 837 facing it from the first enlarged end portion 832 of the axial groove 830.

[0048] There are at least two advantages resulting from the additional securing of the first portion 820 of the mounting section 802 of the split body of the blade 800 provided by tightening the fastener 950 when the first portion 820 is in the first support position of the blade 898a. First, the additional securing of the split blade body 800 in the first blade support position 898a provided by the tightened fastener 950 advantageously provides a set-and-forget mode of operation of the driven rotary knife 100 according to the present disclosure. In the driven rotary knife 100 of the present disclosure, adjustment of the diameter of the blade support section by the operator during operation of the driven rotary knife 100 is not required or permitted by the blade housing assembly 700. Advantageously, this allows the manufacturer to precisely set the desired operating or operating clearance between the rotary knife annular blade support area 320. 300 and the associated support area 860 of the blade support section 850 of the split blade body 800 to ensure proper operation and desired performance characteristics of the assembled combination 500 of the rotary knife annular blade 300 and the split blade body 800, while avoiding the problem of an inexperienced operator attempting to change the operating clearance by making adjustments to increase or decrease the diameter of the blade support section 850 while operating the powered rotary knife 100 based on one's "gut feeling" or "intuition."

[0049] Eliminating the need to adjust the set working or operating clearance through adjustments to the diameter of the blade support section 850 results in reduced operator downtime incurred when cutting and trimming operations are stopped to make one or more adjustments during a work shift. Additionally, adjustments by an inexperienced operator may result in suboptimal operation of the driven rotary knife 100 due to the inexperienced operator adjusting the diameter of the blade support section 850 to a point where the operating clearance is too large (the blade 300 will bounce or vibrate excessively, causing operator fatigue and resulting in excessive wear or damage to components) or too small (blade 300 is pressed too tightly so that excessive heat is generated and/or excessive wear to components occurs). A description of the working or operating clearance of a driven rotating knife is disclosed in US Patent No. 10,040,211, issued to Whited on August 7, 2018 and assigned to the assignee of this application. As stated above, US Pat. No. 10,040,211 has been incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0050] Secondly, depending on the application of the driven rotary knife 100, the annular blade of the rotary knife 300 may be subject to large cutting reaction forces. For example, if the powered rotary knife 100 is used to cut or trim pieces of meat, the operator, when handling the knife 100, may cause the cutting edge 361 of the blade section 360 of the ring rotary knife 300 to forcefully collide or contact the bone located in the portion of meat being cut or trimmed. The annular blade of the rotary knife 300 is supported for rotation about the central axis of rotation of the blade R by the blade support section 850 of the split blade body 800 and, more specifically, by the blade-blade body supporting structure 550 between the respective annular blade support areas 320, 860 of the rotary knife 300 and the split blade body 800 , supporting the blade 300 for rotation. Such large cutting reaction forces applied to the annular blade of the knife 300 when in contact with bone and the like are necessarily transmitted to the blade body 800 through the supporting structure of the blade-blade body 550. Because the cutting edge 361 of the annular blade of the rotating knife 300 may collide with bones and/or similar hard materials in various perimetric positions around the 360° portion of the blade supporting section 850 and at various cutting angles between the pieces of meat being trimmed or cut and the blade section 360, it is accordingly possible that the cutting reaction forces during operation of the knife 100 are at such locations and at such angles that the first portion 820 of the blade body 800 would tend to move or rotate away from the second portion 840, thereby causing the split blade body 800 to move to the second blade replacement position 899. Any movement of the first blade body portion 820 800 relative to the second body portion 840 during operation of the driven rotary knife 100 is undesirable because the diameter of the blade support section 850 will necessarily change, resulting in an undesirable change in the set operating gap between the respective annular blade support areas 320, 860 of the rotary knife 300 and the split blade body 800 , established by the manufacturer. Accordingly, the additional securing of the split blade body 800 in the first blade support position 898 provided by the tightened fastener 950 advantageously avoids this possibility when significant cutting reaction forces occur during operation of the driven rotary knife 100.

[0051] DRIVEN ROTATING KNIFE 100

[0052] The driven rotary blade 100 of the present disclosure extends between a distal or front end 101 and a proximal or rear end 102 of the driven rotary blade 100. In one exemplary embodiment, the driven rotary blade 100 includes an elongated handle assembly 110 including a central cylindrical core 150 coated a molded handle 120. The handle 120 extends between the distal end 130 and the proximal end 132 and includes a longitudinally extending through hole 128. The drive rotary blade 100 also includes a head assembly 200 including a frame housing 250 extending from the distal end 112 of the handle assembly 110, and a drive mechanism 600 including a drive gear 610 that engages and rotates the annular blade of the rotary knife 300 about a central axis of rotation of the blade R. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the handle 120 of the handle assembly 110 and the frame body 250 of the head assembly 200 are advantageously fabricated as a one-piece or one-piece molded component 199 that is molded over the central cylindrical core 150 of the handle assembly. The one-piece molded component 199 has a number of advantages over a multi-component approach, including lower manufacturing costs and simplified assembly, disassembly, and cleaning of the powered rotary blade 100 due to fewer parts. Additionally, a frame housing mounting base 272 comprising three inserts, namely two threaded inserts 275, 280 and a third insert 285 having a portion 286 that projects downwardly from a seating surface 273 of the mounting base 272 and includes an axially extending post or protrusion 287 may Universally usable with any size blade-blade body assembly combinations. As best seen in FIG. 10, three inserts 275, 280, 285 are pressed into corresponding cylindrical holes 275a, 280a, 285a formed as recesses in the flat seating surface 273 formed by the mounting base 272. The mounting base of the frame body 272 may advantageously be interchangeably support different diameters and types of rotary knife ring blades, provided that all respective blade body assemblies use the same three-insert mounting configuration provided by the frame body mounting base 272. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the assembly handle 120 the handles 110 and the frame body 250 of the head assembly 200 may be manufactured as separate components, and such configurations are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0053] The handle assembly 110 includes a central through hole 115 that extends along the central longitudinal axis LA of the handle assembly 110. The head assembly 200 extends from the handle assembly 110 along the central longitudinal axis LA in a forward or distal direction FW. A through hole 115 of the handle assembly 110 receives a distal portion of a flexible transmission assembly drive shaft (not shown) that operatively engages and rotates a drive gear 610 of the drive mechanism 600. A description of the flexible transmission assembly drive shaft is disclosed in US Patent No. US Patent No. 10,040,211, issued Whited on August 7, 2018 and assigned to the assignee of this application. As mentioned above, the above US Patent No. 10,040,211 has been incorporated by reference or for any and all purposes. For the purposes of this document, with respect to longitudinal directions, the forward direction FW will be the direction running generally along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly towards the distal end 101 of the driven rotary knife 100, and the rear direction RW will be the direction running generally along or parallel the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly LA toward the proximal end 102 of the driven rotary knife 100. As used herein with respect to vertical axial directions, the upward direction UP will be the direction substantially along or parallel to the central axis of rotation R of the annular blade of the rotary knife in the direction designated UP in Fig. 5, and the downward direction DW will be a direction generally along or parallel to the central rotation axis R of the annular rotary knife blade in the direction indicated by DW in FIG. 5. As used herein, lateral direction will mean the direction perpendicular to the front and rear directions FW, RW and perpendicular to the vertical or axial directions UP, DW. The lateral direction is designated as LD in Figures 8, 11 and 23.

[0054] The head assembly includes a frame housing 250, a drive mechanism 600, a rotary knife ring blade 300, and a blade body assembly 700 including a split blade body 800 supporting the rotary knife ring blade 300 for rotation about a central axis of rotation of the blade R. Rotary knife ring blade 300 includes an upper housing 310 and a lower blade section 360 extending from the housing 310. The annular blade of the rotary knife 300 is rotationally driven by the drive mechanism 600, and the front portion 251 of the frame housing 250 supports the drive mechanism 600 and positions the head of the gear 614 of the drive gear 610 of the drive mechanism. 600 to interact with the driven gear 340 of the blade housing 310 of the rotating knife 300 to thereby rotate the blade 300 about its central axis of rotation R.

[0055] The assembled blade-blade body combination comprises a blade-blade body support structure 550, which includes two axially spaced support structures, namely, a first blade-blade body support structure 560 and a second blade-blade body support structure 570. The outer wall 318 of the annular blade housing 310 of the rotary knife 300 contains a blade support area 320. The blade support area 320 defines the blade portion of the first and second blade support structures 560, 570. The inner wall 852 of the blade support section 850 of the split blade body 800 contains a support area blade body 860. The blade body support area defines a portion of the blade body of the first and second blade-to-blade body support structures 560, 570. A description of the annular rotary knife blade and the split blade body with the first and second blade-to-blade body support structures 560, 570 is disclosed in US Patent No. US Patent No. 10,040,211, issued to Whited and assigned to the assignee of this application. As stated above, US Pat. No. 10,040,211 has been incorporated by reference.

[0056] HANDLE ASSEMBLY 110

[0057] As best seen in FIG. 1-6, 9-10 and 16-17, the handle assembly 110 extends longitudinally from the head assembly 200 in a rearward direction RW along the central longitudinal axis LA of the handle assembly. The handle assembly 110 includes a central through hole 115 that extends from and through the proximal end of the handle assembly 110 to the distal end 112 of the handle assembly 110. The through hole 115 is centered relative to the central longitudinal axis LA of the handle assembly 110. The handle assembly 110 includes a generally cylindrical central core 150 having a through hole 152 forming a portion of the through hole 115. The central core 152 supports a handle 120, which in one exemplary embodiment is molded around or molded over the central core 152. An outer surface 122 of the handle 120 includes a contoured handle 124 that is grasped by an operator of a powered rotary knife. 100 for knife manipulation 100 for cutting and trimming operations. The proximal end 132 of the handle 120 defines the distal portion of the housing of the drive shaft latch assembly 134 of the handle assembly 110. The drive shaft latch assembly 134 includes a spring-biased movable latch 136 that is designed to releasably secure the distal portion of the flexible drive shaft of the transmission assembly (not shown) to the handle assembly through the through hole 115 such that the drive mounting member of the flexible drive shaft of the transmission assembly engages and rotates the drive gear 610 about the rotation axis of the gear PGR when the distal portion is inserted into the through hole 115 and latched. The drive shaft latch assembly 134 also includes a proximal housing portion 138 that is mutually engaged with a distal housing portion defined by the proximal end 132 of the handle 120 to support the latch 136. The proximal housing portion 138 defines a proximal end 114 of the handle assembly 110 and a proximal end 102 of the drive rotary knife 100 .

[0058] FRAME HOUSING 250

[0059] As best seen in FIG. 1-7, 9-10, and 16-17, the frame body 250 includes a front or distal portion 251 that supports the blade body assembly 700 and a rear or proximal portion 252 extending in a rearward RW direction to the handle assembly 6110. In one exemplary embodiment the handle 120 and the frame body 250 are manufactured as a single molded component covering the central core 150 of the handle assembly 110. The frame body 250 includes a through hole 290 aligned with and extending the central through hole 115 of the handle assembly 110 and extending along the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly LA. The front portion 251 of the frame housing 250 receives and removably supports both the pinion housing 297 and the blade-blade housing combination 500, including the expansion sleeve assembly 900 that is part of the blade housing assembly 700. The pinion housing 297 helps install the components of the drive mechanism 600. including a drive gear 610 and a bushing 630 that support the gear 610 for rotation about the rotation axis of the drive gear PGR. The rotation axis PGR of the pinion gear 610 is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly LA. The frame housing 250 positions the gear head 614 of the drive gear 610 for detachable and operative connection with the driven gear 340 of the ring blade housing 310 of the rotary knife 300 of the assembled blade-blade body 500 combination such that rotation of the drive gear 610 about the axis of rotation of the drive gear PGR rotates the ring blade of the rotating blade. knife 300 relative to blade body 800 about a central axis of rotation of the blade R, wherein the central axis of rotation R intersects and is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pinion gear PGR.

[0060] The rear portion 252 of the frame body 250 extends from the distal end 130 of the handle 120 and includes an axially extending downward finger guard 253 that extends below the bottom of the contoured handle 124 of the handle 120. The front portion 251 of the frame body 250 includes a front wall or front surface 254 , an upper arcuate wall or surface 260 and a lower wall or lower surface 270. The lower surface 270 is generally flat and defines a generally flat mounting base 272 for attaching the assembled blade-blade body combination 500 to the frame body 250. The mounting base 272, as previously mentioned, configured to receive and support three inserts, namely first and second threaded inserts 275, 280 and a third insert 285 that includes an axially extending projection 287 projecting below the mounting base 272.

[0061] An axially extending protrusion 287 is located in the cylindrical slot opening 801g of the blade body 801a when the mounting section 802 of the split blade body 800 is releasably attached to the mounting base 272 by a pair of threaded fasteners 950, 990 to advantageously provide a third point fastenings for the mounting section of the blade body 802, i.e. two fasteners 950, 990 and the mutual fit of the projection 287 in the cylindrical hole 801 g between the first and second portions 820, 840 of the mounting section of the split blade body 802. Because the first and second portions 820, 840 of the mounting section of the blade body 802 are physically separated from each other by a slot blade body 801a, and if only two threaded fasteners 950, 990 were used to secure the first and second body portions 820, 840 to the mounting base of the frame body 272, then each portion 820, 840 would only be secured against sliding movement on the mounting base 272 using one attachment point (i.e. one of the fasteners). As discussed previously, if bone or other hard material is encountered during cutting or trimming operations by the powered rotary knife 100, the annular blade of the rotary knife 300 will transmit large cutting reaction forces to the blade body 800 and, more specifically, to the support area. blade body 860 of the blade support section 850. Depending on the angle and position of the cutting reaction force transmitted to the blade support section 850 of the split blade body 800, the horizontal component of the force applied to the blade support section 850 may result in the application of a lateral twisting force on the mounting section of the blade body 802, causing a torque or twisting force to be applied to one or both of the two parts 820, 840 around their respective fasteners 950, 990. By lateral twisting force is meant a force that is generally parallel to the flat portion of the mounting base 272 and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the blade R and the center line of the blade body SVN. Such lateral torque forces may cause one or both of the first and second portions 820, 840 to rotate about their respective fastener 950, 990 and cause the first and second portions 820, 840 to slide on the mounting base 272. However, when the protrusion 287 mutually fits into the cylindrical hole 801 g between the first and second portions 820, 840 of the mounting section of the split blade body 802, each of the first and second portions 820, 840 has essentially two attachment points to absorb such lateral torque forces and accordingly reduce the tendency of the first and second portions 820, 840 to rotate around their respective fasteners 950, 990 and slide along the mounting base 272.

[0062] The front wall 254 of the front portion 251 of the frame housing 250 defines a mounting surface including a pair of cylindrical holes 256 that receive respective of a pair of threaded mounting inserts 296. The pair of threaded mounting inserts 296 defines a pair of threaded holes 296a located on opposite sides of the front cylindrical cavity 290a of the through hole 290. A pair of threaded fasteners 298 extend through corresponding slotted holes 299 in the pinion housing 297 to secure the pinion housing 297 to the front wall 254 of the frame housing 250.

[0063] The flat bottom surface 270 of the front portion 251 of the frame body 250 defining the mounting base 272 is substantially parallel and offset below the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly LA. The threaded holes 276, 281 of the corresponding inserts 275, 280 and the protrusion 287 of the insert 285 are generally perpendicular towards the main portion of the bottom surface 270 of the frame body 250. The bottom surface of the frame body 270 includes a mounting base 272 and an associated flat seating surface of the blade body 273. Mounting The blade body assembly 700 to the frame body 250 also attaches the assembled blade-blade body combination 500, including the rotary knife blade 300, to the frame body 250 and properly positions the rotary knife blade 300 for rotational movement about the central axis of rotation R by the drive gear 610 of the drive mechanism 600 drive rotating knife 100.

[0064] As can best be seen in FIG. 6 and 9-10, the through hole of the frame body 290 receives and supports a drive mechanism 600 of the head assembly 200 of the driving rotary knife 100. Specifically, the drive mechanism includes a bushing 630 mounted in the front cylindrical cavity 290a of the through hole 290 in the front part 251 of the frame body. 250. In turn, the drive gear 610 of the drive mechanism 600 is rotatably supported by the bushing 630 such that the drive gear 610, when driven by the drive coupling member of the flexible shaft of the drive transmission assembly (not shown), rotates about the axis of rotation of the drive gear PGR , which is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly LA. A gear head 614 of the drive gear 610 is operatively coupled to a driven gear of the rotary knife blade 340 such that a plurality of teeth of the gear 616 of the head gear 614 of the drive gear 610 engages with and rotationally drives a mating plurality of teeth of the gear 341 of the driven gear 340 of the rotary knife blade 300 to rotate. the blade of the rotating knife 300 about its central axis of rotation R. The upper arcuate surface 260 of the front frame body portion 251 includes a threaded connector 262 that is configured to receive a grease cup assembly (not shown) for the purpose of supplying lubricant to the drive gear 610 and the supporting blade structure - blade body 550. If lubrication is not required, a threaded plug can be screwed into the threaded connection element 262.

[0065] ROTATING KNIFE RING BLADE 300

[0066] As can best be seen in FIG. 6, 9-10 and 21, the annular blade of the rotary knife 300 is designated as a flat blade design. Generally, differences in blade design (eg, straight blade, flat blade, hook blade, and variations and combinations thereof) relate to the design of the respective lower blade sections. While the exemplary rotary knife blade 300 of the present exemplary embodiment is a flat rotary knife blade, numerous other blade designs may also be used, including, but not limited to, straight and hook blades, and combinations blade designs, with a suitable blade body assembly 700 in the powered rotary blade 100 according to the present disclosure, as would be understood by one skilled in the art. It is the purpose of this disclosure to cover all such designs and sizes of rotary knife blades and corresponding blade bodies that may be used in the powered rotary knife 100. Other embodiments of annular rotary knife blades are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 10,040,211 to Whited, assigned to the assignee hereof. application as previously mentioned and incorporated herein by reference.

[0067] The annular blade of the rotary knife 300 of the driven rotary knife 100 includes an annular upper housing or body section 310 and a lower blade section 360 extending from the housing 310. The blade of the rotary knife 300 is supported to rotate about a central axis of rotation R by the split blade body 800, and the cutting an edge 361 at the lower end of the blade section 360 defines a cutting plane CP (FIGS. 6, 7 and 20) of the blade of the rotating knife 300. The cutting plane CP is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of rotation R.

[0068] The annular rotary knife blade 300 includes an upper end or first end 302 and an axially spaced lower end or second end 304 defining a cutting edge 361 of the blade 300, and an inner wall 306 and a radially spaced outer wall 308. Rotary knife blade section 360 300 includes an upper end 362 defined by a discontinuity or elbow 308a in the outer wall 308 of the blade 200, and a lower end 364 that coincides with the cutting edge of the blade 361, the cutting plane CP, and the lower end 304 of the blade of the rotating knife 300. The blade section 360 also includes an inner wall 366 and a radially spaced outer wall 368.

[0069] As best seen in FIG. 20, looking at the annular housing 310 of the annular blade of the rotating knife 300, the housing 310 includes a driven gear 340 having a plurality of gear teeth 341. As best seen in FIG. 21, housing 310 includes an upper end 312 and an axially spaced lower end 314, as well as an inner wall 316 and a radially spaced outer wall 318. The annular blade support area 320 of the rotary knife 300 includes a first support surface 322 and a second axially spaced support surface 382 . The first and second support surfaces 322, 382 are both part of the outer wall 318 of the annular blade housing of the rotating knife 310. The first support surface 322 includes an upper support flange 311 of the housing 310, and at least a portion of the first support surface 322 includes an outer surface 340b of the driven gear 340. The second support surface 382 includes a radially inwardly extending support track 380.

[0070] The assembled rotary knife blade combination 500 300 and the annular split blade body 800 comprises a blade-blade body support structure 550 that includes a first blade-blade body support structure 560 and a second blade-blade body support structure 570. knife 100, the first blade-body support structure includes a first support surface 322 of the blade body support area 320 of the rotating knife 310 that engages and rests on the first arcuate support surface 862 of the support area 860 of the blade support section 850 of the split blade body 800. In one example In an embodiment, the first arcuate support surface 862 is part of the support track 866 of the inner wall 852 of the blade support section 850 of the split blade body 800. The second supporting blade-body structure 570 of the driven rotary knife 100 includes a second support surface 382 of the support area 320 of the blade body of the rotary knife 310, engaging and supported by a second support surface 882 of the support area 860 of the blade support section 850 of the split blade body 800. In one exemplary embodiment, the second support surface 882 is part of the support flange 880 of the inner wall 852 of the blade support section 850 of the split blade body 800.

[0071] BLADE HOUSING ASSEMBLY 700

[0072] The blade body assembly 700 of the present disclosure is designed to secure the blade of a rotating knife 300 for rotation about a central axis of rotation R and, as previously explained, provides a number of advantages including: a) holding the split blade body 800 in the blade replacement position 899 without the need for continuous external application of pressure to the first portion 820 of the mounting section of the blade body 802; b) when tightening the fastener 950 while the split blade body 800 is in the blade supporting position 898, provides set-and-forget operation of the powered rotary knife 100, eliminating operator adjustment of the diameter of the blade body for purposes of adjusting the working or operating clearance; and c) provides a slot configuration 801a that includes a cylindrical hole 801g sized to receive a protrusion 287 of the mounting base 272 of the frame body 250 to provide a third attachment point for the mounting section of the blade body 802 to the mounting base of the frame body 272 and thereby reducing the tendency to rotate the first and second parts 820, 840 about their respective fasteners 950, 990 and slide on the mounting base 272 under conditions of high cutting reaction forces.

[0073] As best seen in FIG. 8-15, 18-19, and 21-29, the blade body assembly 700 includes a split blade body 800 and an expansion sleeve assembly 900. The split lock sleeve 910 of the expansion sleeve assembly 900 in its first, uncompressed state 998 (FIGS. 21-24) retains the split blade body 800 in a selected one of the first blade support position 898 of the first body portion 820 of the mounting section of the blade body 802 and the second blade replacement position 899 of the first body portion 820. When moving between the first blade support position 898 and the second blade replacement position 899, the first body portion 820 moves relative to the second housing portion 840, and the first housing portion 820 is in a third, intermediate position 890. This entails the need to compress the split lock sleeve 910 when the sleeve 910, which is stationary, passes through the central channel 836 of the axial groove 810 of the first housing portion 820. As may best be seen in FIG. 25 and 26, in the third, intermediate position 890 of the first body portion 820, the split lock sleeve 910 is in the second, compressed state 999 of the split lock sleeve 910.

[0074] Comparing the first blade support position 898 with the second blade replacement position 899 of the split blade body 800, the blade body 800 can be characterized by two dimensions: a) blade body slot distances D1, D2 (Figs. 29 and 24, respectively) on the inner wall 852 blade support sections 850 measured in a transverse direction (that is, in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly LA) along the slot 801a on the inner wall 852 and parallel to the cutting plane CP of the blade of the rotary knife 300; and b) blade body diameters BHD1, BHD2 (FIGS. 21 and 23, respectively) measured laterally relative to the outer diameter of the annular blade support section 850, the second blade body diameter BHD2 being larger than the first blade body diameter BHD1 to facilitate removal of the annular rotating blade knife 300 from the split blade body 800 when the blade body 800 is in the second blade replacement position 899. The slot distance D1 corresponds to the first blade supporting position 898 of the first body portion 820, while the slot distance D2, which is greater than the slot distance D1, corresponds to the second the blade replacement position 899 of the first body part 820);

[0075] The blade body slot distances D1, D2 for a particular blade body will, of course, vary depending on, among other things, the position and length of the axial groove 800 of the first portion 820 of the mounting section 802.

The blade body clearance distances D1, D2 are measured between the perimetrically spaced ends 852a, 852b of the inner wall 852 of the blade support section 850 of the blade body 800 adjacent to the slot 801a. In one exemplary embodiment, the blade body slot distance D1 corresponding to the first blade support position 898 of the blade body 800 is approximately 0.01 inch, while the blade body slot distance D2 corresponding to the second blade replacement position 899 of the blade body 800 is approximately 0.01 inches. .41 inches. In one exemplary embodiment, the outer diameter of the blade body BHD1 (FIG. 21) corresponding to the first blade support position 898 of the blade body 800 is approximately 5.31 inches, while the outer diameter of the blade body BHD2 (FIG. 23) corresponding to the second The replacement position of blade 899 of blade body 800 is approximately 5.45 inches. It will be understood, of course, that the dimensions of the split blade body 800 and the expansion sleeve assembly 900, as well as the required blade body slot distances D1, D2 and the blade body diameters BHD1, BHD2 will necessarily vary depending on a number of parameters of the driven rotary knife 100, including: a) diameter or the size of the rotating knife blade supported by the blade body; b) dimensions and configuration of the supporting structure blade - blade body; and c) the specific design, configuration, dimensions, characteristics and parameters of the rotary knife blade and/or blade body and/or other components of the powered rotary knife 100. The dimensions given herein are illustrative only or represent one exemplary embodiment of the blade-blade body combination 500 and a driven rotating knife 100.

[0076] The support interface between the blade support area 320 of the annular blade of the rotary knife 300 and the blade body support area 860 of the blade support section 850 of the split blade body 800 collectively comprises a blade-blade body 550 structure of the driven rotary knife 100. The blade-blade body 550 structure supports the blade. 300 to rotate about its central axis of rotation R. When the diameter of the blade body passes from the first, unexpanded diameter of the blade body BHD1 to the second, expanded diameter of the blade body BHD2, the diameter of the support area 860 of the blade support section 850 of the blade body 800 increases in proportion to the outer diameter of the blade body 800 when changing diameter from BHD1 to BHD2; accordingly, the diameter of the support area 860 of the blade support section 850 of the blade body 800 is increased sufficient to allow the annular blade of the rotary knife 300 to be removed from the blade support section 850 of the split blade body 800. In other words, since the diameter of the support area 860 of the blade support area 850 of the blade body 800 is directly proportional to the outer diameters BHD1, BHD2 of the blade support section 850, the outer diameters of the blade body BHD1, BHD2 can be used as a convenient substitute for the corresponding first, unexpanded diameter and second, expanded diameter of the blade body support area 860 when the blade body 800 transitions from the first blade support position 898a to the second open or extended blade replacement position 899a. Thus, for the particular parameters of the support interface or structure 550 between the respective diameters of the blade support areas and the blade body 320, 860, the second diameter of the blade body BHD2 is sized to be of a magnitude large enough to allow the annular blade of the rotating knife 300 to drop down or be easily retracted from the blade body supporting section 850 when the blade body 800 has moved to the second blade replacement position 899.

[0077] Advantageously, the axial groove 830 of the first body portion 830 is easy to manufacture and can be scaled to accommodate other sizes and designs of rotary knife ring blades. That is, if a delta or change in blade body diameter between the blade support and blade replacement positions 898, 899 (i.e., BHD2 to BHD1) is required to extract a rotary knife annular blade having a larger diameter, length, or extension of the axial groove 830 along its central axis SCA (FIG. 11) can be extended to any desired length when fabricating the split blade body 800 to accommodate the larger delta required for the desired knife blade(s) that the driven rotary knife 100 and blade body 800 are designed to receive. Fabricate the axial slot 830, passing through the thickness of the first body portion 820 of the mounting section of the blade body 802, with the desired dimensions and tolerances relatively easily.

[0078] Advantageously, when using the expansion sleeve assembly 900 according to the present disclosure, adaptation to different sizes and designs of rotary knife ring blades is not required to: a) expansion sleeve assembly 900; or b) the mounting base 272 of the frame body 250 is varied for different blade configurations and designs. The positions of the first and second fasteners 950, 990 and the split lock sleeve 910 relative to the frame housing mounting base 272 are fixed, as are the positions of the corresponding inserts 275, 280, 285 of the mounting base 272 of the frame housing 250. Accordingly, a single universal frame housing 250 and expansion sleeve assembly 900 may advantageously be used as a common platform for receiving and securing a variety of different split blade bodies having: a) different lengths of the axial groove 830; and b) different diameters and designs of blade support sections 850 as necessary to support different diameters and designs of the annular blades of the rotary knives 300 for use with the powered rotary knife 100. Moreover, the split lock sleeve 910 of the present disclosure is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and ensures dimensional reproducibility. Additionally and advantageously, the blade body assembly 700 including the expansion sleeve assembly 900 of the present disclosure has fewer components than, for example, the blade body assemblies disclosed in the previously mentioned and incorporated US Pat. No. 10,124,500 to Whited et al. and US Publication No. 2018 /0345514 A1, Whited et al., which discloses a cam mechanism for moving the split blade body between a blade holding position and a blade replacement position. Fewer components, in addition to lower manufacturing costs, results in a powered rotary blade that is easier for the user to maintain and clean regularly. Additionally, the number of "blind" holes or cleaning recesses in the one-piece molded handle and frame body 199 and blade body assembly 700 of the present disclosure is reduced, which simplifies maintenance and makes cleaning the powered rotary knife 100 easier and more efficient.

[0079] SPLIT BLADE BODY 800

[0080] As can best be seen in FIG. 9-15, the annular split blade body or split blade body 800 includes an annular split ring 801 including a slot 801a extending through an annular blade support section 850 and a mounting section 802. The split blade body 800 includes an inner wall 800a and a radially spaced outer wall 800b, as well as an upper end or surface 800c and an axially spaced lower end or surface 800d. A slot 801a extending generally radially through the outer wall of the blade body 800b and the inner wall of the blade body 800a and through the upper and lower ends 800c, 800d of the blade body 800. The slot 801a allows the perimeter of the annular blade support section 850 to be expanded for the purpose of removing the annular blade of the rotating knife 300 from the annular blade support section 850 and installing a new or re-sharpened annular blade of the rotary knife 300 into the annular blade support section 850. An upper end or surface 800 of the blade body 800 including the corresponding upper surfaces 808, 856 of the radially extending mounting section 802 and the annular section maintaining the 850 blade is generally flat. Likewise, the lower end or surface 800d of the blade body 800, including the corresponding lower surfaces 810, 858 of the mounting section 802 and the annular blade support section 850, is generally flat.

[0081] As can best be seen in FIG. 11-14, the mounting section 802 extends radially from the annular blade support section 850 and includes a flat central area 811. The mounting section 802 of the split body of the blade 800 includes an inner wall 804 that overlaps and coincides with the inner wall 852 of the blade support section 850 and contains and matches an inner wall portion 800a of the blade body 800, and a radially spaced outer wall 806 that defines a portion of the outer wall 800b of the blade body 800. The mounting section 802 also includes an upper end or surface 808 that defines a portion of the upper end or surface 800c of the blade body 800, and an axially spaced lower end 810 that defines a portion of the lower end or surface 800d of the blade body 800. The upper end 808 of the mounting section 802 is generally flat. The top surface 856 of the blade support section 850 and the top surface 808 of the mounting section 802 are substantially in the same plane and together form a generally flat top surface 800 of the blade body 800. The slot 801a bisects the flat central region 811 of the mounting section 802, defining a first portion or first a body portion 820 on one side of the slot 801a and a second portion or second body portion 840 on opposite sides of the slot 801a. The first body portion 820 includes an upper surface 821 and an axially spaced lower surface 822 and an inner surface 823 that is part of an inner wall 804 of the mounting section of the blade body 804, and a radially spaced outer surface 824 that is part of the outer wall 806 of the mounting section of the blade body 804 The second body portion 840 includes an upper surface 841 and an axially spaced lower surface 842 and an inner surface 843 that is part of an inner wall 804 of the blade body mounting section 804, and a radially spaced outer surface 844 that is part of an outer wall 806 of the blade body mounting section. 802.

[0082] The first body portion 820 of the blade body mounting section 802 includes an axially extending groove 830 that extends through the top and bottom surfaces 821, 822 of the first body portion 820. The groove 830, when viewed in plan, has a generally "dog bone" shape. "with first and second enlarged end portions 832, 834 connected by a narrower central channel 836. An axially extending groove 830 is defined by a vertical wall 837 and contains four wall portions: a) first and second opposing or facing wall portions 837a, 837b , which contain a center channel 836; and b) first and second wall portions 837c, 837d, which comprise first and second enlarged ends 832, 834, respectively. The split castle sleeve 910 of the folding sleeve 900 is installed in the axial groove 830, and the first threaded fastener of 950 node of the folding sleeve 900, in turn, passes through the through opening or central hole 920 split locking sleeve 910, which is screwed into the threaded hole 276 cylindrical insertion 275 of the mounting base of the frame housing 212 for attaching the first housing portion 820 to the mounting base 272. The second housing portion 840 includes an axially extending cylindrical hole 846 that extends through the top and bottom surfaces 841, 842 of the second housing portion 840. The cylindrical hole 846 is of this size. to receive a second threaded fastener 990 of the expansion sleeve assembly 900. The second threaded fastener 990 is screwed into the threaded hole 281 of the cylindrical mounting base insert 280 of the frame housing 272 to secure the second body portion 840 to the mounting base 272. In addition to the vertically extending centerline of the housing blade SVH defining the center of the blade support section 850 of the split blade body 800, the blade body 800 may also be characterized by a longitudinally extending vertical plane of the blade body VP (Fig. 3-4, 7-8 and 11-12), which extends along and substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly LA and with the center line of the blade body SVH, that is, the vertical plane of the blade body VP is a plane that intersects and contains simultaneously the longitudinal axis of the LA handle assembly and the center line of the SVN blade body.

[0083] As best seen in FIG. 11, 13 and 15, an arcuate recess 815 is formed on the flat top surface 808 of the mounting section 802 adjacent to the inner wall 804. The first arcuate recess 815 provides clearance for the gear head 614 of the pinion gear 610 when the gear head of the pinion gear 614 is positioned to engage the mating gear. driven gear 340 of the blade of the rotating knife 300. As can best be seen in FIG. 13-15, the first arcuate recess 815 interrupts the perimeter of the upper portion of the support track 866, which includes an arcuate first support surface 862 of the support area 860 of the blade body support section 6850. However, the first arcuate recess 815 is axially spaced above the support bead 880 containing the second support surface 882 of the support area 860 of the blade support section of the blade body 850 and, therefore, the support flange 880 is not interrupted at the location of the first arcuate recess 815. The arcuate recess 815 is bisected by a slot in the blade body 801a that extends through the inner wall 804 of the mounting section of the blade body 802 in the area of the first arcuate recess 815.

[0084] The bottom surface 810 of the mounting section 802 and the bottom surface 858 of the support section of the blade 850 are substantially in the same plane and together form a generally flat bottom surface 800d of the blade body 800. That is, the top and bottom surfaces 800c, 800d of the blade body 800 define generally parallel planes, providing the blade body with a smooth profile having substantially parallel top and bottom planar surfaces, as well as uniform axial thickness of the blade support section 850 and the mounting section 802 of the blade body 800.

[0085] The mounting section 802 overlaps and extends radially outward from the blade supporting section 850 and defines a generally flat mounting platform 803 that is attached to a flat mounting base 272 defined by the bottom surface 270 of the front portion 251 of the frame body 250 by a pair of fasteners 950 . is part of a molded one-piece handle and frame body 199, threaded inserts 275, 280 are pressed into corresponding cylindrical holes 275a, 280a (visible in FIG. 10) formed during the molding process in the downward facing seating surface 272 of the mounting base 272. Likewise, insert 285, comprising an axially extending projection 287 protruding from the seating surface 272 is pressed into a cylindrical hole 285a formed during the molding process in the downward facing seating surface 272 of the mounting base 272.

[0086] The mounting section 802 of the split body of the blade 800 is removably attached to the seating surface 272 of the mounting base 272. First, when the threaded fastener 990 is tightened inside the threaded hole 281 of the insert 280, the radially extending flange 994 of the enlarged head 992 of the fastener 990 is abutted. into the bottom surface 842 of the second body portion of the mounting section 840 for attaching the second body portion 840 to the flat mounting base 272 of the frame body 270. In the first position of supporting the blade 889 of the split blade body 800 (which is the natural state of the split blade body 800), an axially extending protrusion 287 is installed in the cylindrical hole 801 g of the slot 801a of the mounting section of the blade body 802. Second, when the threaded fastener 950 passes through the central hole 920 of the split lock sleeve 910 and is tightened inside the threaded hole 276 of the insert 275, the inclined shoulder 970 of the enlarged head 960 abuts a first end 914 of a split locking sleeve 910 for supporting the sleeve 910 in a first uncompressed state 998 of the sleeve in the first enlarged end portion 832 of the axial groove 830 of the first body portion of the mounting section 820, and the radially extending flange 980 of the enlarged head 960 of the fastener 960 abuts the bottom surface 822 of the first a housing portion of the mounting section 820 for attaching the first housing portion 840 to the flat mounting base 272 of the frame housing 270.

[0087] The blade support section 850 includes an inner wall 852 that contains and corresponds to the inner wall 800a of the blade body 800, and a radially spaced outer wall 854 that defines a portion of the outer wall 800b of the blade body 800, and an upper end or surface 856 that defines an upper end portion 800 of the blade body 800 and an axially spaced lower end 858 defining a lower end portion 800d of the blade body 800. The annular blade support section 850 supports the annular blade of the rotating knife 300 to rotate about the central axis of rotation of the blade R.

[0088] As can best be seen in FIG. 13-14 and 21, the inner wall 852 of the blade support section 850 defines a support area 860 of the blade body 800. The support area 860 of the blade support section 850 includes a support track 866 including an arcuate first support surface 862 and a support bead 880 including a second support surface 882 zone 860. As previously explained, a support area 860 of the blade body 800 engages with a support area 320 of the blade body 310 of the rotating knife 300 to support the blade 300 as it rotates about a central axis of rotation R. In one exemplary embodiment, the support flange 880 is interrupted at a perimeter around inner wall 852 of the blade support section 852, interrupted by the radial recessed regions 880a (FIG. 13) of the bead 880. The radial recessed regions 880a of the support bead 880 do not engage the corresponding support track 380 of the annular blade support area of the rotary knife 320. In one exemplary embodiment The support bead 880 has nine circumferentially extending support bead segments separated by nine radial recessed areas 880a. As best seen in FIG. 15, the support bead segment of the support bead 880 in the region of the first arcuate recess of the pinion gear 815 is bisected by the slot of the blade body 801a, resulting in two support bead segments 880b, 880c located on opposite sides of the slot of the blade body 801a. The inner wall 852 of the blade support section 850 defines the central opening of the blade body SVH (FIGS. 11 and 12) and defines and is centered relative to the centerline of the blade housing SVH. The centerline of the blade body SVH in the first blade support position 898 of the blade body 800 is substantially aligned with the central axis of rotation of the blade R. The perimeter defined by the outer wall 854 of the blade support section 850 plus the slot width or slot distance D1 gives the diameter of the blade body BHD1 in the first position. supporting the blade 898 of the blade body 800, while the perimeter defined by the outer wall 854 plus the slot width or slot distance D2 gives the diameter of the blade body BHD2 in the second blade replacement position 899 of the blade body 800. In the second replacement position of the blade 899 of the blade body 800, the inner the wall 852 of the blade support section 850 is configured to be extremely slightly oval or ovoid shaped due to the larger width of the slot D2.

[0089] The radially extending slot 801a defines the radially extending axis of the slot BHSA of the blade body mounting section 802. As best seen in FIG. 11-12, 14, 21-22 and 29, the slot of the blade body 801a extends through both the annular blade support section 850 and the mounting section 802 extending from the blade support section 850. In fact, the axis of the slot of the blade body BHSA is a plane ( as opposed to a line) that extends along and is centered between the opposing surfaces 825, 845 of the first and second body portions 820, 840 of the blade body mounting section 802. However, for simplicity, the blade body slot plane will be referred to as the blade body cut axis BHSA. In one exemplary embodiment, the slot 801a includes two intersecting, non-parallel first and second slot portions 801b, 801c that substantially form a zigzag slot when viewed in plan view. Slot 801a includes a first rearwardly extending slot portion 80lb, a second forwardly extending angled slot portion 801c, and an axially extending cylindrical hole 801g that occupies an intermediate position between or connects the first, rearward angled slot portion 801b and the second, forward angled slot portion 801b. part of the 801c slot. The first rearwardly extending portion of the slot 801b comprises a proximal end 801d and a distal end 801e and extends substantially parallel to, but offset from, the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly LA and the vertical plane of the blade body VP. The second forward angled portion of the slot 801c includes a proximal end 801h and a distal end 801i. The distal end 801i of the second angled portion of the slot 801c defines an intersection or termination position or position 801j that represents the termination of the slot 801a on the inner wall of the blade support section 852.

[0090] The first rearwardly extending slot portion 801b extends along the first linear axis of the blade slot BHSA1, which defines the slot axis portion of the blade body BHSA, and the second, forward extending angled slot portion 801c extends along the second angled linear axis of the slot BHSA2, which also defines the slot axis portion of the BHSA blade body. The direction of the second forward-extending slot 801c, which extends along the second angled axis of the slot BHSA2, is offset, i.e. does not cross from the center line of the SVN blade body. Likewise, the direction of the first rearwardly extending slot 801b, which extends along the first axis of the slot BHSA1, is also offset, i.e. does not cross from the center line of the SVN blade body. The termination location 801j of the second, front angled slot 801j on the inner wall of the blade support section 852 intersects the vertical plane of the blade body VP. The vertical plane of the blade body VP also bisects the drive gear recess 815 of the upper surface 808 of the mounting section 802, and the second, front angled portion of the slot 801c extends through the pinion recess 815 at an acute angle alpha α with respect to the vertical plane VP. The acute angle alpha α is also an acute angle formed between the first slot axis BHSA1 and the second slot axis BHSA2, since the first slot axis BHSA1 of the first, rear part of the slot 801b and the vertical plane of the blade body VP are substantially parallel. Having a second forward angled slot 801c extending through the inner wall of the blade support section 852 at an acute angle alpha α is advantageous. The annular blade of the rotary knife 300, when viewed from a top plan (Fig. 11), rotates in a counterclockwise direction CCW about a rotation axis R. The second slot axis component BHSA2 in the lateral direction LD is therefore in the same lateral direction as a counterclockwise rotation direction component CCW of the blade 300 in the lateral direction LD at the end point 801j. It is the overall lateral orientation of the second forward angled slot 801c and the counterclockwise direction of rotation of the CCW blade of the rotary knife 300 that tends to reduce the potential accumulation or collection of cutting and trimming waste, such as bits of fat, gristle, etc., generated during the time of the cutting and trimming operations of the meat at the end 801j of the slot 801a on the inner wall of the blade support section 852.

[0091] The first portion of the slot 801a is adjacent to and extends through the outer wall 806 of the mounting section 802, while the second portion of the slot 801c is adjacent to and extends through the inner wall 852 of the blade support section 850 and the inner wall 804 of the mounting section 802. Specifically, the proximal end 801d of the first portion of the slot 801b extends through the outer wall 806 of the mounting section 802, and the distal end 801i of the second portion of the slot 801c extends through the inner wall 852 of the blade support section 850. Because the inner wall 804 of the mounting section 802 overlaps and coincides with the inner wall 852 of the blade support section 850 in the area of the mounting section 802, the distal end 801i of the second portion of the slot 801b similarly extends through the inner wall 804 of the mounting section 802.

[0092] The distal end 801e of the first portion of the slot 801b and the proximal end 801h of the second angled portion of the slot 801c terminate on and intersect the axially extending cylindrical hole 801g. As described previously, when the first split body portion 820 of the blade 800 is in the position of supporting the blade 898, the axially extending cylindrical hole 801g closely receives the protruding projection 287 of the mounting base insert 285 of the frame body 272. The engagement of the projection of the mounting base 287 and the cylindrical hole 801g of the first body portion 840, together with the fasteners 950, 990 of the expansion sleeve assembly 900, which screw into the corresponding threaded inserts 275, 280 of the mounting base of the frame body 272, advantageously provides a three-point attachment of the mounting section of the blade body 802 to the mounting base 272 to reduce the tendency of the first and second parts 820, 840 to rotate around their respective fasteners 950, 990 and slide on the mounting base 272 under conditions of high cutting reaction forces. Two intersecting axes BHSA1, BHSA2 of the slot axes of the blade body BHSA intersect inside the cylindrical hole 801g. The second axis of the slot BHSA2 extends along an angled line perpendicular to the first axis of the slot BHSA1. As can be seen in FIG. 11 and 29, an acute angle alpha a is formed between the first slot axis BHSA1 of the first rearwardly extending slot portion 801b and the second slot axis BHSA2 of the second forward angled slot portion of the blade body 801c of the slot 801a. In one exemplary embodiment, when viewed in plan view, such as in FIG. 11, the alpha angle α is approximately 38°.

[0093] The termination location 801j of the slot 801a corresponds to the position of the perimeter ends 852a, 852b of the inner wall 852 of the blade support section 850. The termination location 801j of the slot 801a corresponds to the front end portions 825a, 845a of the opposing surfaces 825, 845 of the first and second housing portions 820, 840 of the mounting section blade body 802. When the blade body 800 is in the first blade support position 898, the slot distance at the end position 801j between the perimeter ends 852a, 852b of the inner wall 852 of the blade support section 850 (and likewise between the front end portions 825a, 845a of the opposing surfaces 825, 835 ) is the slot distance D1 (FIG. 29), and when the blade body 800 is in the second blade replacement position 899, the slot distance at the end position 801j between the perimeter ends 852a, 852b of the inner wall 852 of the blade support section 850 is the slot distance D2 ( Fig. 24).

[0094] In one exemplary embodiment, the thickness or depth of the blade body 800 is substantially uniform along the entire blade body 800 and is approximately 0.23 inches. In one exemplary embodiment, the radial length of the first and second body portions 820, 840, measured along the vertical plane of the blade body VP, is approximately 0.87 inches. The width of the central region 811 of the mounting section 802 in the position of supporting the blade 898 of the blade body 800 in one exemplary embodiment is approximately 2.50 inches. In one exemplary embodiment, the axial slot 830, measured along the center axis SCA of the slot 830, is approximately 0.84 inches. The diameter of the enlarged ends 832, 834 of the groove 830 is approximately 0.44 inches, while the width W between the opposing wall portions 837a, 837b of the central channel 836 is approximately 0.40 inches. In one exemplary embodiment, the axial slot 830 includes a linear center channel 836. If a longer axial slot is still required due to the size and characteristics of the annular rotary knife or for other reasons, an axial slot with an arcuate central channel can be used. As noted previously, it is understood that these dimensions will necessarily vary depending on the size and configuration, characteristics and characteristics of the rotary knife blade supported by the blade body, the blade-to-blade body support structure, and other parameters and characteristics of the driven rotary knife 100 and its components.

[0095] EXPANDER ASSEMBLY 900

[0096] The expansion sleeve assembly 900 of the present disclosure includes a split lock sleeve 910, a first threaded fastener 950 that extends through a central hole of the split lock sleeve 910, and a second threaded fastener 990 that extends through a radially flared assembly between the first, uncompressed state. 998 and a second, compressed state 999. The split lock sleeve 910 is limited within the axial groove 830 of the first body portion 820 of the blade body mounting section 802. The slot lock sleeve 910 includes a cylindrical wall 912 extending between the first upper end 914 and the second lower end 916. Cylindrical wall 912 of the split lock sleeve 910 defines a through hole or central hole 920 of the split lock sleeve 910 centered relative to the central axis of the split lock sleeve LSA. The cylindrical wall 912 contains an axial slot 930 of the split lock sleeve 910 and allows movement of the split lock sleeve 910 between a first uncompressed state 998 of the split lock sleeve 910 characterized by a first outer diameter of the split lock sleeve 910 and a second compressed state 999 of the split lock oh bushing 910, characterized by a second outer diameter, with the first diameter being larger than the second diameter. The split lock sleeve 910 occupies its first, uncompressed position 998 (corresponding to the first outer diameter) when installed into the enlarged first end portion 832 or the enlarged second end portion 834 of the axially extending groove 830 of the first body portion 820 of the mounting section of the blade body 802. 910 assumes its second, compressed position 999 (corresponding to the second, smaller outer diameter) when installed in the central channel 836 of the axially extending groove 830 of the first body portion 820 of the mounting section of the blade body 802, when the first body portion 820 has moved from the first blade support position 898 to second blade replacement position 899 and vice versa. The slot 930 is angled or helically positioned relative to the central axis of the split locking sleeve LSA, that is, the opposing or opposed surfaces or ends 932, 934 of the cylindrical wall 912 adjacent to the slot 930 are not vertically aligned, but instead overlap or are offset around the perimeter. In other words, the first and second opposing surfaces or ends 932, 934 overlap in the axial direction of the split sleeve 910, that is, the opposing surfaces 932, 934 overlap when viewed in the longitudinal direction or in the direction along the central axis of the split lock sleeve LSA. In one exemplary embodiment, the angle between the slot 930 and the flat top and bottom ends 914, 916 is approximately 45°. The angled or helical slot 930 advantageously reduces the likelihood that the opposing ends 932, 934 of the split lock sleeve 910 will become engaged or suspended on the cylindrical shaft 950 of the fastener 950 when the split lock sleeve 910 rotates within the axial slot 830. If the opposing ends 932, 934 of the split lock bushing 910 were engaged or suspended on the cylindrical shaft of the fastener 950, this could cause the bushing 910 to malfunction and/or potentially allow the fastener 950 to slip out of the through hole 920 of the split lock bushing 910.

[0097] The first threaded fastener 950 includes an enlarged head 960 extending at one end of a cylindrical shaft 952 having a threaded portion 954 opposite the enlarged head 960. In one exemplary embodiment, the enlarged head 960 of the threaded fastener 950 includes an uppermost hexagonal head 962 and an inclined a lower shoulder 970 that abuts the first upper end 914 of the cylindrical wall 912 of the split lock sleeve 910 when the fastener 950 is tightened as previously described. The enlarged threaded fastener head 960 also includes a radially extending flange 980 positioned between the uppermost hex head 962 and the inclined lower shoulder 970. The radially extending flange 980 abuts a portion of the bottom surface 822 of the first body portion 820 in the region of the axial groove 830 when the fastener 950 is tightened. , as described earlier. The second threaded fastener 990 has a similar configuration to the first fastener 950 and includes an enlarged head 992 and a radially extending flange 994. The radially extending flange 994 abuts a portion of the bottom surface 842 of the second body portion 840 in the region of the axial cylindrical hole 846 when the fastener 990 is tightened. , as described earlier.

[0098] ROTATING KNIFE RING BLADE REMOVAL 300

[0099] As best seen in the schematic representations of Figures 27 and 28, to remove the annular blade of the rotating knife 300 from the blade support section 850 of the split blade body 800, the first body portion 820 is moved relative to the second body portion 840 from the blade support position 898 to the blade replacement position. 899. To facilitate this movement of the first body portion 820, the upper surface 808 of the mounting section includes a rectangular expansion recess of the blade body 808a in the area of the first body portion 820. First, the first fastener 950 is sufficiently loosened so that the lower inclined shoulder 970 of the enlarged fastener head 960 element 950 does not fit tightly against the first upper end 914 of the split locking sleeve 910, and the radially extending flange 980 of the fastener 950 does not fit tightly against the bottom surface 822 of the first body portion 820 of the mounting section 802. The second fastener 990 remains tightly engaged with the bottom surface 842 of the second body portion 840 of the mounting section 802 and abuts against it.

[00100] Next, a screwdriver or the like 90 is inserted into the expansion recess of the blade body 808a, and the screwdriver shaft is pressed with a lever against the upper corner 264 of the upper arc-shaped wall 260 of the front part 251 of the frame body 250, and an opening lateral force OLF is applied to the first body part 820 to movement or rotation of the first body portion 820 from the second body portion 840 and thereby increases the diameter of the blade body from the diameter of the blade body BHD1 (corresponding to the blade support position 898 of the blade body 800) to the diameter of the blade body BHD2 (corresponding to the replacement position of the blade 899), and thereby allows the annular blade of the rotating knife 300 to be removed from the blade support section 850 of the split blade body 800. When the first housing portion 820 is moved or slid in the lateral direction LD away from the second housing portion 840, the split lock sleeve 910 is compressed into a second, compressed state 999 of the split lock sleeve 910 as the stationary sleeve 910 passes through the narrower central channel 836 of the axial groove 830 of the first body portion 820, when the first body portion 820 moves or rotates laterally from the second body portion 830 of the mounting section of the blade body 802. Advantageously, when the first body portion 820 is sufficiently moved so When the first body portion 820 reaches the second blade replacement position 899, characterized by the diameter of the blade body BHD2, the split lock sleeve 910 springs back to its first uncompressed state 998 as it seats itself into the second enlarged end portion 834 of the axial slot 830. As previously explained, such seating of the split locking sleeve 910 in the second, enlarged end portion 834 secures the blade body 800 in the second blade replacement position 899 without the need for continuous external force application to the first portion 820. This facilitates replacement or sharpening of the annular blade of the rotary knife 300.

[00101] To return the blade body 800 to the first blade holding position 899, a sufficient closing side force CLF in the lateral direction LD opposite the opening side force OLF is applied to the first body portion 820 to move or rotate the first body portion 820 in the lateral direction toward the second body part 840, overcoming the spring force of the split lock sleeve 910, and compress the split lock sleeve 910 to its second, compressed state 999 of the split lock sleeve 910 as the stationary sleeve 910 passes through the narrower central channel 836 of the axial groove 830 of the first part 820, when the first portion 820 moves or rotates laterally toward the second portion 830. Upon returning to the first blade support position 898 of the first blade body portion 820 of the blade body 800, the split lock sleeve 910 returns to its first uncompressed state 998 as it seats itself into the first enlarged end portion 832 axial groove 830 to advantageously hold the blade body in the first blade support position 898. Thereafter, the first fastener 950 is tightened such that the inclined lower shoulder 970 of the enlarged head 960 of the fastener 950 abuts the first upper end 914 of the split lock sleeve 910, and the radially extending a flange 980 of the fastener 950 abuts the bottom surface 822 of the first body portion 820 of the mounting section 802 to secure the first body portion 820 in the first position of supporting the blade 898.

[00102] As previously described, due to the design of the blade body assembly 700 according to the present disclosure in combination with the increased service life of the rotary knife ring blade 300 provided by the blade-to-blade body support structure 550, as described above and as more fully described in the previously incorporated by reference US Pat. No. 10,040,211, the operator must not and may not make any adjustments to the working clearance during the work shift. Therefore, the split blade body 800 and the expansion sleeve assembly 900 of the present disclosure advantageously provide a single predetermined uniform desired operating gap when the first body portion 820 is in the first blade supporting position 898 and the split lock sleeve 910 is in the first uncompressed state 998 seated in the first enlarged position. end portion 832 of the axial groove 830, and the fastener 950 is tightened so that the inclined lower shoulder 970 of the enlarged head 960 of the fastener 950 abuts the first upper end 914 of the split lock sleeve 910. Additionally, the expander sleeve assembly 900 sets the diameter of the blade body to one repeatable diameter , namely the diameter of the blade body BHD1 when the first body portion 820 is in the first blade supporting position 898 and the fastener 950 is tightened. Therefore, even if the annular blade of the rotating knife 300 must be removed during a work shift for the purposes of replacement, sharpening or cleaning , upon reassembly and movement of the first body portion 820 to the first blade support position 898, the diameter of the blade body is reset to a predetermined desired diameter BHD1, and the operating gap between the blade of the rotating knife 300 and the support areas 320, 860 of the blade body 800 is returned to the predetermined desired operating gap.

[00103] "Above-axis" or "spaced-above-axis" as used herein means located above, when viewed relative to the axis, for example, the central axis of rotation R of the blade of the rotating knife 300, even if the two elements are not aligned along axis relative to axis. For example, the blade support area 320 of the rotary knife 300 is located upstream or spaced axially away from the cutting edge 361 of the blade of the rotary knife 300 relative to the central axis of rotation of the blade R even though the blade support area 320 is spaced radially outward from the cutting edge of the blade. 361 with respect to the central axis of rotation of the blade R. Likewise, the terms "down-axis" or "spaced out below the axis" as used herein mean located below, when viewed relative to the axis, for example, the central axis of rotation R of the blade of the rotating knife 300, even if the two elements are not axially aligned with the axis. For example, the cutting edge 361 of the blade of the rotary knife 300 is located down-axially or spaced axially away from the blade support area 320 of the rotary knife 300 relative to the central axis of rotation of the blade R even though the cutting edge of the blade 361 is spaced radially inward from the blade support area 320 relative to the central axis of rotation R. Likewise, the term "axially extending" as used herein means that one element extends from and is positioned above or below a second element relative to the axis, even if the two elements are not axially aligned with the axis. For example, blade section 360 extends axially from housing 310 relative to the axis of rotation of blade R even though portions of blade section 360 are spaced radially inward from housing 310 relative to the central axis of rotation of blade R. Likewise, the terms "radially offset from," "radially outward from", "radially inward from", as used herein, mean that one element is located offset from the second element when viewed along a radius line extending radially from an axis, for example, the central axis of rotation R of the blade of the rotating knife 300, even if two elements are not aligned radially along a radius line because one element is higher on axis or lower on axis than the other element.

[00104] As used herein, orientation and/or direction terms, such as front, back, forward, back, distal, proximal, distal, proximal, upper, lower, inner, outer, inward, outward, horizontal, horizontal, vertical , vertical, axial, radial, longitudinal, axial, radial, longitudinal, etc., are provided for purposes of convenience and generally refer to the orientations shown in the Figures and/or described in the Detailed Description. Such orientation/direction terms are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, this application and/or the invention or inventions described therein, and/or any of the claims appended thereto. Also, as used herein, the terms “include,” “includes,” and “including” are taken to define the presence of stated features, elements, blocks, steps, or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, blocks. , stages or components.

[00105] All of the above are examples of the present disclosure/invention. Of course, for purposes of describing the present disclosure/invention, it is not possible to describe every possible combination of components, assemblies, or techniques, but one skilled in the art will appreciate that many other combinations and permutations are possible within the context of the present disclosure/invention. Accordingly, the present disclosure/invention is intended to cover all such changes, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (50)

1. A blade body assembly for a powered rotary knife, the blade body assembly comprising: a split blade body comprising: an annular blade support section comprising an inner wall, a mounting section extending from the blade supporting section, and a slot extending through the mounting section and the inner wall of the blade support section and defining a slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall, the mounting section includes a first body portion and a second body portion on opposite sides of the slot, the first body portion includes a groove extending along axis through a first body portion having enlarged first and second end portions connected by a channel, the first body portion being movable relative to the second body portion between a first blade support position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is a first value and a second value a blade replacement position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is a second value, the second value is greater than the first value, and an expansion sleeve assembly passing through the groove, the expansion sleeve assembly is motionless relative to the first body part and contains: a split sleeve having a central hole and an axial cut extending between the first and second ends of the split sleeve, the perimeter of the split sleeve may vary between a first state having a first perimeter and a second state having a second perimeter, the first perimeter of the split sleeve being greater than the second perimeter, And in the first position, the split sleeve is installed in the enlarged second end portion of the groove to secure the first body portion in the second blade replacement position. 2. The blade body assembly of claim 1, wherein in the first state, the split sleeve is mounted in the enlarged first end portion of the slot to secure the first body portion in the first blade supporting position. 3. The blade body assembly of claim 1, wherein the expansion sleeve assembly further comprises a fastener having an enlarged head and a shaft extending from the enlarged head, the shaft extending through a central hole of the expansion sleeve, the fastener being movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, in the fastener engaging position, the enlarged head of the fastener engages the split sleeve to retain the split sleeve in one of the enlarged first and second slot end portions and secure the first body portion in one of the first blade holding position and the second blade replacement position. 4. The blade body assembly of claim 1, wherein in the second split sleeve state, the second perimeter is sized to fit through the groove channel of the first body portion. 5. The blade body assembly of claim 4, wherein movement of the first body portion relative to the second body portion between the first blade support position and the second blade replacement position causes radial compression of the split sleeve from the first perimeter to the second perimeter as the split sleeve passes through the groove channel. 6. The blade body assembly of claim 1, wherein the split sleeve of the expansion sleeve assembly comprises first and second opposing surfaces defining an axial slot of the expansion sleeve, the first and second opposing surfaces overlapping in the axial direction of the split sleeve. 7. The blade body assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner wall of the blade support section is aligned with the inner wall of the mounting section, and the slot extending through the mounting section includes a projection receiving hole located between and spaced from the outer wall of the mounting section and the inner wall of the installation section. 8. The blade housing assembly of claim 1, wherein the second housing portion includes an opening axially extending through the second housing portion and a fastening member extends through the opening. 9. The blade body assembly of claim 1, wherein the annular blade support section of the blade body is centered relative to the centerline of the blade body, and the cutting direction through the mounting section on the inner wall of the blade support section is offset from the centerline of the blade body. 10. Blade body assembly for powered rotating knife, the blade body assembly contains: split blade body containing: an annular blade support section including an inner wall, a mounting section extending from the blade supporting section, and a slot extending through the mounting section and the inner wall of the blade support section and defining a slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall, the mounting section includes a first body portion and a second body portion on opposite sides of the slot, the first body portion includes a groove extending along axis through a first body portion having enlarged first and second end portions connected by a channel, the first body portion being movable relative to the second body portion between a first blade support position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is a first value and a second value a blade replacement position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is a second value, the second value is greater than the first value, and an expansion sleeve assembly passing through the groove, the expansion sleeve assembly is motionless relative to the first body part and contains: a split sleeve having a central hole and an axial cut extending between the first and second ends of the split sleeve, the perimeter of the split sleeve may vary between a first state having a first perimeter and a second state having a second perimeter, the first perimeter of the split sleeve being greater than the second perimeter, and in the first state, the split sleeve is installed in the enlarged first end portion of the groove to secure the first body portion in the first blade supporting position. 11. The blade body assembly of claim 10, wherein in the first state, the split sleeve is mounted in the enlarged second end portion of the slot to secure the first body portion in the second blade replacement position. 12. The blade body assembly of claim 10, wherein the expansion sleeve assembly further comprises a fastener having an enlarged head and a shaft extending from the enlarged head, the shaft extending through a central hole of the expansion sleeve, the fastener being movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, in the fastener engaging position, the enlarged head of the fastener engages the split sleeve to retain the split sleeve in one of the enlarged first and second slot end portions and secure the first body portion in one of the first blade holding position and the second blade replacement position. 13. The blade body assembly of claim 10, wherein in the second split sleeve state, the second perimeter is sized to fit through the groove channel of the first body portion. 14. The blade body assembly of claim 13, wherein movement of the first body portion relative to the second body portion between the first blade support position and the second blade replacement position causes radial compression of the split sleeve from the first perimeter to the second perimeter as the split sleeve passes through the groove channel. 15. The blade body assembly of claim 10, wherein the split sleeve of the expander sleeve assembly comprises first and second opposing surfaces defining an axial slot of the split sleeve, the first and second opposing surfaces overlapping in the axial direction of the split sleeve. 16. The blade body assembly of claim 10, wherein the inner wall of the blade support section is aligned with the inner wall of the mounting section, and the slot extending through the mounting section includes a protrusion receiving hole located between and spaced from the outer wall of the mounting section and the inner wall of the installation section. 17. The blade housing assembly of claim 10, wherein the second housing portion includes an opening axially extending through the second housing portion and a fastening member extends through the opening. 18. The blade body assembly of claim 10, wherein the annular blade support section of the blade body is centered relative to the centerline of the blade body, and the cutting direction through the mounting section on the inner wall of the blade support section is offset from the centerline of the blade body. 19. Blade body assembly for powered rotating knife, the blade body assembly contains: a split blade body comprising: an annular blade support section centered relative to the centerline of the blade body and comprising an inner wall, a mounting section extending from the blade support section, and a slot extending through the mounting section and the inner wall of the blade support section and defining a slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall, the mounting section includes a first body portion and a second body portion on opposite sides of the slot, the first body portion includes a groove extending through the first body portion having enlarged first and second end portions and a channel extending therebetween, the first body portion is movable relative to the second body portion between a first blade holding position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is a first value, and a second blade replacement position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is the second value, the second value is greater than the first value, and an expansion sleeve assembly passing through the first groove, which is stationary relative to the first body part and contains: a split sleeve having an axial cut extending between the first and second ends of the split sleeve and comprising a through hole extending through the split sleeve, the perimeter of the split sleeve may vary between the first state and the second compressed state, the perimeter of the split sleeve in the first state is larger than in the second state compressed state, and a fastener comprising an enlarged head and a rod extending from the enlarged head, the rod extending through a through hole of the split sleeve, the enlarged head of the fastener abutting the first end of the split sleeve to maintain the split sleeve in a first state in the first enlarged end portion of the slot of the first body portion and securing the first body portion in a first blade supporting position. 20. The blade body assembly of claim 19, wherein in the first split bushing state, the split bushing has a first perimeter, and in the second compressed split bushing state, the split bushing has a second perimeter and is sized to fit through the groove channel of the first body portion. 21. The blade body assembly of claim 20, wherein, when the perimeter of the split sleeve is the first perimeter, the split sleeve is installed in a selected one of the enlarged first and second end portions of the slot of the first body portion. 22. The blade body assembly of claim 20, wherein movement of the first body portion relative to the second body portion between the first blade support position and the second blade replacement position causes radial compression of the split sleeve from the first perimeter to the second perimeter as the split sleeve passes through the groove channel. 23. The blade body assembly of claim 19, wherein the split sleeve of the expansion sleeve assembly comprises first and second opposing surfaces defining an axial slot of the expansion sleeve, the first and second opposing surfaces overlapping in the axial direction of the split sleeve. 24. The blade body assembly of claim 19, wherein the inner wall of the blade support section is aligned with the inner wall of the mounting section, and the slot extending through the mounting section includes a protrusion receiving hole located between and spaced from the outer wall of the mounting section and the inner wall of the installation section. 25. A powered rotating knife, comprising: a handle assembly and a frame body extending from a distal end of the handle assembly, the frame body including a mounting base having a seating surface and a first axially extending hole and a second axially extending hole extending into the seating surface, and a projection axially extending from the seating surface, And a blade body assembly supporting an annular blade of a rotating knife to rotate about a central axis of rotation, the blade body assembly comprising: split blade body containing: an annular blade support section including an inner wall, a mounting section extending from the blade supporting section, and a slot extending through the mounting section and the inner wall of the blade support section and defining a slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall, the mounting section includes a first body portion and a second body portion on opposite sides of the slot, the first body portion includes a groove extending along axis through a first body portion having enlarged first and second end portions connected by a channel, the first body portion being movable relative to the second body portion between a first blade support position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is a first value and a second value a blade replacement position in which the slot distance between the first and second perimetric ends of the inner wall is a second value, the second value is greater than the first value, and an expansion sleeve assembly passing through the groove, the expansion sleeve assembly is motionless relative to the first body part and contains: a split sleeve having a central hole and an axial cut extending between the first and second ends of the split sleeve, the perimeter of the split sleeve may vary between the first state and the second state, the perimeter of the split sleeve is larger in the first state than in the second state, and in the first state, the split sleeve is installed in one of the enlarged first and second end portions of the groove for securing the first body portion in the first blade support position and is installed in the other of the enlarged first and second end portions of the groove for securing the first body portion in the second blade replacement position.