US3237302A - Steel band cutter tool - Google Patents

Description

March 1, 1966 c. H. FENNELL 3,237,302

STEEL BAND CUTTER TOOL Filed Sept. 23, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 FIG. 4. 2 6 Q 22/ 25 2O 20 i 27 W V W ///Z/ L INVENTOR /7 3- w [7 CjjRLES H. FENNELL q r I (i M ATTORNEYS March 1, 1966 c. H. FENNELL 3,237,302

STEEL BAND CUTTER TOOL Filed Sept. 23, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 24 CHARLES H. FENNELL LKMQ a 7% M ATTORNE S United States Patent 3,237,302 STEEL BAND CUTTER TOOL Charles H. Fennell, 1775 47th Ave., San Francisco, Calif. Filed Sept. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 310,955

Claims. (Cl. 30-135) (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

My invention relates to a steel band or wire cutting tool for safely cutting the bindings or straps on banded boxes, crates, bales, packages, etc. 7 In the packaging art the steel bands or wires are frequently applied to a box or crate by mechanical means rather than by hand. In such instances the bands are under high tension, and in opening the packages serious injuries are frequently caused the operator or persons nearby by the flying up of the severed ends of the band after it is out.

It is therefore, a primary object of my invention to provide a cutter with a mechanism for gripping the strap at opposite sides of the cutting point so as to immobilize the severed ends of the band.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cutting tool for safely cutting tensioned steel straps which will hold the strap on opposite sides of the cutter before, during and after the cutting operation, and includes means to return the cutter to an inoperative position after the strap has been severed.

A further object of my invention consists in the pro vision of a cutting tool having the foregoing characteristics and yet which is composed of relatively few parts which may be assembled and placed on the market at low cost.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of my invention showing the jaws open;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational cross sectional view of my invention taken substantially on line 22 of FIG. 5, showing the jaws in a closed position;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the jaws in the holding position prior to cutting the strap;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the jaws showing the cutter in the closed position;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of my invention;

FIGURE 6 is an exploded view of a modified form of my invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the spring means employed in the modified form of my invention.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of my invention, the numeral 10 indicates a 'box or crate which is secured by a steel strap 11. The cutting tool generally designated by 12 comprises an operating handle 13 having an offset relatively flat lower jaw 14 which is tapered at its forward end 15 to enable same to slide under the strap 11 (see FIGURE 1). The jaw 14 provides opposed strap engaging and holding surfaces 16 and 17, and an elongated slot 18 which extends partly into the handle 13. Transverse openings 19 are positioned on opposite sides of the slot 18 adjacent the rear portion of the jaw 14 to accommodate a pivot pin 20.

A strap holding plate 21 includes a forward upper jaw 22, oblique mid portions 23 and a rearwardly extending flange 24. A cut out 25 extends through the 3,237,302 Patented Mar. 1, 1966 jaw 22 and into a portion of the flange 24; and provides strap engaging and holding surfaces 26 and 27. The cut out 25 registers with the elongated slot 18 in the jaws 14. A screw 28 is threaded in the rear portion of the flange 24 for a purpose to be dislcosed shortly. The oblique portions 23 have openings 29 therethrough through which the pivot pin 20 extends.

The elongated cutting lever 30 consists of a cutting head 31 carrying a blade 32 and a gripping portion 33 having a downwardly depending foot 34. A transverse opening 35 extends through the rear portion of the head 31 and receives the pivot pin 20. A vertical opening 36 extends through the lever 30 and has a seat 37 in the upper portion for the spring 38. The screw 28 extends through the spring 38, the seat 37 and opening 36 and is threaded or otherwise secured to the flange 24 of the plate 21.

The modification shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 utilizes the operating handle 13 and strap holding plate 21 as employed in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 inclusive. An elongated lever 30a includes a cutting head 31a carrying a blade 32a and a gripping portion 33a having a downwardly depending foot 34a. A transverse opening 35a extends through the rear portion of the head 31a and receives the pivot pin 20. The lever 30a has an enlarged mid portion 39 adjacent the gripping portion 33a with a slot 40 extending therethro-ugh to receive a leaf spring 41. The spring 41 is secured by any suitable means in the rear portion of the flange 24 of the plate 21, and is fastened in the enlarged mid portion 39 by means of a pin 42 having a slot 43 in one end thereof. The pin 42 extends through openings 44 in the enlarged mid portion 39 and the slot 43 to engage the spring 41 (see FIG. 7).

In assembling the device (both forms of the invention) the handle 13 is placed up through the opening 25 in the strap holding plate 21. The cutting lever 30 (or 30a) is then placed in the slot 18 of the operating handle 13. The openings 19, 29, 35 (or 35a) are aligned and secured by the screw 20. The cutting lever 30 (or 30a) is then secured to the flange 24 of the plate 21 by either the spring 38 and screw 28 shown in FIGS. 1-5, or by the spring 41 and pin 42 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The operator in order to properly utilize the cutting tool should grasp the operating handle 13 letting the cutting lever' 30 fall free thereby opening the jaws 14 and 22. The tapered edge 15 of the jaw 14 is forced under the steel strap 11 and the foot 34 rests on the box or crate 10. Pressure is applied to the handle 13 which closes the jaws 14 and 22 thereby gripping the strap 11 which is held between the surfaces 26 and 27 of the holding plate 21 and the surfaces 16 and 17 of the jaw 14. The operator then cuts the strap 11 by squeezing the handle 13 and the gripping portion 33 of the cutting lever 30.

The spring 38 and screw 28 (or spring 41) holds the cutter lever 30 (or 30a) and holder plate 21 in close relationship. After the cutting operation is completed the operators grip is partially relaxed to allow the spring to force the cutter lever downward and the cutting head upward into an inoperative position while the jaws 14 and 22 still hold the severed ends of the strap 11.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred embodiments of same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A cutting tool for safely cutting tensioned steel bindings on packages or the like comprising a lower jaw, an operating handle rigidly connected to said lower jaw, said lower jaw having a cut out portion adjacent to and extending partly into said operating handle, a holding plate, an upper jaw pivoted by the forward portion of said holding plate, said holding plate having a rearwardly extending flange portion, said upper jaw having a cut out portion adjacent to and extending partly into said flange portion and of a shape and size conforming substantially to the configuration of the cut out portion in said lower jaw, a cutter pivotally mounted in said out out portions, an operating lever connected to said cutter disposed between said operating handle and said holding plate, means pivotally securing together said upper and lower jaws and said cutter, said operating lever having a transverse opening therein, bar means extending through said opening and secured in said flange, and a spring carried by said bar means above said operating lever whereby said operating lever is returned to an inoperative position after the binding has been severed.

2. A cutting tool for safely cutting tensioned steel straps on packages or the like comprising a lower jaw, an operating handle connected to said lower jaw, a holding plate, an upper jaw provided by the forward portion of said holding plate, said holding plate having a rearwardly extending flange, said upper and lower jaws having elongated cut out positions therein, strap engaging and holding surfaces spaced laterally on either side of said cut out portion in both said upper and lower jaws, a cutter pivotally mounted in said out out portions, an operating lever connected to said cutter disposed between said operating handle and said holding plate, means pivotally securing together said upper and lower jaws with said cutter, said operating lever having a transverse opening the-rein, a screw extending through said opening and secured in said flange, and a spring carried by said screw above said operating lever whereby said operating lever is returned to an inoperative position after the strap has been severed and said strap engaging surface continues to engage and hold the severed ends of the strap.

3. A cutting tool for safely cutting tensioned steel straps on packages or the like comprising a lower jaw, an operating handle connected to said lower jaw, a holding plate, an upper jaw provided by the forwarded portion of said holding plate, said holding plate having a rearwardly extending flange, said upper and lower jaws having elongated cut out portions therein, strap engaging and holding surfaces spaced laterally on either side of said out out portion in both said upper and lower jaws, a cutter pivotally mounted in said cut out portions, an operating lever connected to said cutter disposed between said operating handle and said holding plate, means pivotally securing together said upper and lower jaws with said cutter, said operating lever having a transverse opening therein, a seat provided by said opening, a spring positioned in said seat, and a screw extending through said spring and said opening secured in said flange whereby said operating lever is returned to an inoperative position after the strap has been severed and said strap engaging surfaces continue to engage and hold the severed ends of the strap.

4. A cutting tool for safely cutting tensioned steel straps on packages or the like comprising a lower jaw, an operating handle connected to said lower jaw, 21 holding plate, an upper jaw provided by the forwarded portion of said holding plate, said holding plate having a rearwardly extending flange, said upper and lower jaws having elongated cut out portions therein, strap engaging and holding surfaces spaced laterally on either side of said cut out portion in both said upper and lower jaws, a cutter pivotally mounted in said cut out portions, an operating lever connected to said cutter disposed between said operating handle and said holding plate, means pivotally securing together said upper and lower jaws with said cutter, said operating lever having an elongated slot therein, a spring secured to said flange and within said slot whereby said operating lever is returned to an inoperative position after the strap has been severed and said strap engaging surfaces continue to engage and hold the severed ends of the strap.

5. A cutting tool for safely cutting tensioned steel straps on packages or the like comprising a lower jaw, an operating handle connected to said lower jaw, a holding plate, an upper jaw provided by the forward portion of said holding plate, said holding plate having a rearwardly extending flange, said upper and lower jaws having elongated cut out portions therein, strap engaging and holding surfaces spaced laterally on either side of said cut out portion in both said upper and lower jaws, a cutter pivotally mounted in said out out portion, an operating lever connected to said cutter disposed between said operating handle and said holding plate, means pivotally securing together said upper and lower jaws with said cutter, said operating lever having an enlarged mid portion, a hand gripping portion and terminating in a downwardly depending foot, said enlarged mid portion having an elongated slot therein, a spring secured to said flange and within said slot whereby said operating lever is returned to an inoperative position after the strap has been severed and said strap engaging surfaces continue to engage and hold the severed ends of the strap.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1957 Fennell 30-134 3/1965 WOOd et al 30124 X

Claims (1)

1. A CUTTING TOOL FOR SAFELY CUTTING TENSIONED STEEL BINDINGS ON PACKAGES OR THE LIKE COMPRISING A LOWER JAW, AN OPERATING HANDLE RIGIDLY CONNECTED TO SAID LOWER JAW, SAID LOWER JAW HAVING A CUT OUT PORTION ADJACENT TO AND EXTENDING PARTLY INTO SAID OPERATING HANDLE, A HOLDING PLATE, AN UPPER JAW PIVOTED BY THE FORWARD PORTION OF SAID HOLDING PLATE, SAID HOLDING PLATE HAVING A REARWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE PORTION, SAID UPPER JAW HAVING A CUT OUT PORTION ADJACENT TO AND EXTENDING PARTLY INTO SAID FLANGE PORTION AND OF A SHAPE AND SIZE CONFORMING SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE CONFIGURATION OF THE CUT OUT PORTION IN SAID LOWER JAW, A CUTTER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED IN SAID CUT OUT PORTIONS, AN OPERATING LEVER CONNECTED TO SAID CUTTER DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID OPERATING HANDLE AND SAID HOLDING PLATE, MEANS PIVOTALLY SECURING TOGETHER SAID UPPER AND LOWER JAWS AND SAID CUTTER, SAID OPERATING LEVER HAVING A TRANSVERSE OPENING THEREIN, BAR MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID OPENING AND SECURED IN SAID FLANGE, AND A SPRING CARRIED BY SAID BAR MEANS ABOVE SAID OPERATING LEVER WHEREBY SAID OPERATING LEVER IS RETURNED TO AN INOPERATIVE POSITION AFTER THE BINDING HAS BEEN SEVERED.

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