US3740847A

US3740847A - Power driven meat trimming and cutting knife

Info

Publication number: US3740847A
Application number: US00112609A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Kliever; C Mart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-02-04
Filing date: 1971-02-04
Publication date: 1973-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-26

Abstract

A power driven knife is provided for trimming and cutting meat, in which a knife blade is employed which oscillates through an arc as the blade is drawn through the meat. The blade is preferably in the form or shape of a section of a cone, the axis of which is the axis about which the blade oscillates.

Description

United States Patent [191 Kliever et al.

[ 1 June 26, 1973 POWER DRIVEN MEAT TRIMMING AND CUTTING KNIFE [75] Inventors: Waldo H. Kliever, Gates Mills; Clyde 211 Appl. No.: 112,609

[52] US. Cl 30/272 A, 30/286, 30/347 [51] Int. Cl B261) 7/00 [581' Field of Search 30/272 R, 272 A, 30/133, 276, 347, 286; 146/129, 130

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,337,236 12/1943 Gamble 30/272 R 2,958,355 11/1960 Young 30/272 R Gary 30/133 x 3,207,197 9/1965 Wilcox 30/272 R 3,555,678 1/1971 Algulnick 301272 A 3,613,662 10/1971 Chrysostomides...- 30/272 R 2,556,208 6/1951 Musso 30/347 X 3,346,956 10/1967 Wezel 30/347 3,461,557 8/1969 Behring 30/276 Primary Examiner-Robert C. Riordon Assistant Examiner.l. C. Peters Attorney-lsler & Omstein 57 7 ABSTRACT A power driven knife is provided for trimming and cutting meat, in which a knife blade is employed which oscillates through an are as the blade is drawn through the meat. The blade is preferably in the form or shape of a section of a cone, the axis of which is the axis about which the blade oscillates.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAINTEuJml2s ma 3.740.847

sum 1 or a INVENTORS WALDO H. KLIEVER BY. CLYDE MART ATTORNEYS mimmaunzs ms 3. 740.847

INVENTORS Fly. 5 WALDO H. KLIEVER BY CLYDE MART ATTORNEYS PAINInJuu2s ma 3.740.847

'

sum

3 or 3 INVENTORS WALDO H. KLIEVER Fly. 8 BY CLYDE MART ATTDRN EYS POWER DRIVEN MEAT TRIMMING AND CUTTING KNIFE Electric carving knifes have heretofore been employed for cutting or slicing meat, but such knives, since they operate with a straight linear motion, are not satisfactory for use in meat trimming operations, such as removal of fat, where it is required that the blade of the knife enters hollow or depressed areas in the meat.

The present invention has, as its primary object, the provision of a power-driven knife for trimming and cutting meat, which is designed to enter such hollow or depressed areas of the meat, and thereby greatly facilitate such trimming and cutting operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a knife of the character described, in which a knife blade of conical conformation is used, which is oscillated through a predetermined arc in a substantially horizontal plane, as the blade is drawn in a substantially linear direction through the meat by the meat cutter or operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a knife of the character described, which is extremely compact in nature, consisting of a minimum number of parts which can be manufactured and assembled at relatively low cost.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a knife of the character described, having an easily accessible manually adjustable gauge for controlling the depth of cut made by the knife blade.

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

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a knife embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view, partly'in elevation, and partly in cross-section, taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2; I

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 7--7 of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the blank from which the knife blade is formed or shaped.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 1 designates the housing of an electric motor 2, the housing, in this instance, having a conformation such that it can be used as a handle for the knife. The motor 2 is preferably a series-wound universal motor of more than one-eighth horse-power and a speed of about 6000 r.p.m. The motor control switch is indicated by reference numeral 3, and the motor shaft by reference numeral 4.

Secured to the forward end of the motor housing, as by tie rods 5, is a spacer plate 6 having a circular opening 7, in which a gear 8 is mounted for rotation on a shaft 9. The gear 8 is driven by a pinion 10, which is mounted on the forward end of the motor shaft 4. The speed of the gear 8 is reduced by the pinion 10 in a ratio of 6:46.

The gear 8 has mounted on its forward face, in eccentric relation to the shaft 9, a pin 11, to which is pivotally secured a slide 12. This slide is of generally rectangular shape, but has side edges 13 and 14 (see FIG. 5) of arcuate cross-section.

Secured to the plate 6, as by means of the tie rods 5, is a housing or casing 15, in which is mounted the transmission to the knife to be presently described.

The casing 15 has an upper bore 16, which is counterbored, as at 17, and has a lower bore 18, in axial alignment with the bore 16, and which is counterbored, as at 19. The counterbore 17 has mounted therein a ball bearing 20, and the counterbore 19 has mounted therein a ball bearing 21.

Mounted for rotation in the

bearings

20 and 21 is a shaft 23, the exterior of which is provided with splines 24 (see FIG. 6), the shaft having a reduced upper portion 23a, which extends through the bearing 20. The shaft 23 has firmly secured thereto a flanged bushing 22, which extends through the bearing 21, and the flange of which supports the bearing.

Secured to the lower portion of the shaft 23 is a knife-supporting frame, consisting of a circular central portion 25, which is splined to the shaft 23, and a pair of forwardly and downwardly extending

arms

26 and 27.

The shaft 23 is provided adjacent its lower end with an annular groove 28, in which is mounted a washer 29 of the Tru-arc type, which serves to support the portion 25 of the knife-supporting frame against displacement from the shaft. A knob or cover 30 of plastic or like material is press-fitted on the lower end of the shaft, concealing the washer 29 and lower end of the shaft.

Mounted within the counterbore 17, about the portion 23a of the shaft 23, is a shaft-centering washer 31 which rests on the bearing 20. The washer 31 has an axial flange 31a. a lock washer 32 is mounted on the washer 31, about the flange 31a. A nut 33 secures the washer 32 to thewasher 31, and after the nut has been turned down to securing position, tongue 32a of the washer 32 is turned up to engage one of the flat sides of the nut, to thereby lock the nut in such position. The shaft 23 is thus secured against axial displacement by the conjoint action of the washer 29 and nut 33.

Splined to the shaft 23, adjacent the upper end of the spline portion of the shaft, is a lever arm, consisting of a circular portion 34 which is splined to the shaft, as best seen in FIG. 5, a horizontally-extending member 35, and a channel member 36. The channel member 36 has a vertical-recess 37 in its rear portion, in which the slide 12 is disposed for reciprocal sliding movement,

thev

sides

13 and 14 of the slide being in engagement with the side walls of the recess 37, and facilitating the sliding action between the slide and member 36.

Spacer discs

38 and 39 are splined to the shaft 23, be tween the bushing 22 and portion 25 of the knifesupporting frame.

An important feature of the invention is the knife blade. This knife blade, which is identified generally by reference numeral 40, is made from a flat steel blank, of arcuate form, which, as shown in FIG. 8, is about 15 inch wide, and is provided adjacent its ends with

holes

41 and 42, the center of this are being indicated at 43.

This blank is bent or formed into the conical shape shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7, and is connected to the ends of the

arms

26 and 27 by means of screws 43' (see FIG. 7), which pass through the

holes

41 and 42 of the knife. The span of the knife, in its conical shape or form, is approximately 135, between the centers of the

holes

41 and 42. The

arms

26 and 27 terminate in machined faces, which have the conical shape of the knife 40. The lower or cutting edge of the knife 40 is designated in FIG. 2 by reference numeral 44.

The plane of the knife 40 lies in or coincides with an inverted cone, the axis of which is the axis of the shaft 23, and the angle of the surface of this cone to such axis is 45.

The knife further includes an adjustable gauge, which limits or determines the maximum depth to which the cut is made in the meat which is being cut. This gauge comprises an upright stem 45, which is slidably mounted in the forward portion of the housing 15, and is retained in adjusted position by means of a set screw 46. The stem 45 is provided at its lower end with a gauge stop 47, of arcuate shape, with the ends of the are extending forwardly, so as not to dig into the meat, during use of the knife, which will now be described.

The knife, as previously stated, is designed primarily for trimming fat from large pieces of meat, but may be used for other meat trimming operations.

In the use of the knife, the motor is energized, and the knife is drawn or pulled by the meat cutter in a direction towards himself.

The mechanism which has been described causes the shaft 23, and accordingly the knife 40, to be oscillated about the axis of the shaft in a horizontal plane through an arc of about 16, and at a frequency of about 12 cycles or complete oscillations per second.

The blade of the knife is thus oscillated in a circular arc in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 23, this oscillating action or rotation being about the true axis of the cone, of which the blade is a part.

The conical conformation of the knife blade, combined with the oscillatory action thereof, enables the blade to enter hollow or depressed areas, effectively trimming or cutting such areas, as the blade is drawn or pulled by the meat cutter or operator in a linear direction.

The knife is controlled by the operator who holds the knife in his hand, or with both hands, and the adjustable depth gauge or stop is used to control the depth of cut, and provide uniform thickness of cut strips.

For some purpose, the blade of the knife may be cylindrical in shape, instead of conical.

Although the knife has been described with reference to its operation by an electrically-driven motor, it is to be understood that other power means may be used to drive the knife, as, for example, pneumatic or hydraulic power driven means.

It is thus seen that we have provided a power driven knife for trimming and cutting meat, which is designed to enter hollow or depressed areas of the meat and thereby greatly facilitate such trimming and cutting operations.

It is also seen that we have provided a knife blade of conical conformation, which is oscillated through a predetermined arc in a substantially horizontal plane, as the blade is drawn in a substantially linear direction through the meat 'by the meat cutter or operator.

It is further seen that we have provided a knife which is extremely compact in nature, and which consists of a minimum number of parts which can be manufactured and assembled at low cost.

It is still further seen that we have provided a knife which has an easily accessible manually adjustable gauge for controlling the depth of cut made by the knife blade.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of parts thereof, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

We claim;

1. In a knife of the character described, a knife blade having an arcuate cutting edge, power-actuated means for oscillating said blade through a predetermined arc about the axis of said cutting edge, said power-actuated means including a splined shaft, said blade conforming to the shape of an inverted cone, whose axis is the axis of said shaft, a lever arm for oscillating said shaft, means for causing oscillatory movement of said lever arm, a knife-blade supporting frame comprising a central portion splined to said shaft, and downwardly and forwardly extending arms to which the ends of said blade are secured, and handle means for drawing said knife in a substantially linear direction, as said blade is oscillated.

2. In a knife of the character described, an elongated housing having a handle portion and a forward portion, a vertical shaft journalled for rotation in said forward portion and having its axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation of said housing, a knife blade of curved conformation disposed substantially below said housing and having a cutting edge at its lower end which cutting edge lies in a plane angularly disposed toward the axis of said shaft and said direction of elongation of said housing, said blade having as its axis of curvature the axis of said shaft, means for supporting said blade, said means comprising at least two arms secured to said shaft spaced circumferentially thereof and extending radially therefrom to said blade, and means disposed within said housing for oscillating said shaft about its axis and said blade through a predetermined arc.

3. A knife, as defined in claim 2, wherein said blade conforms to the shape of an inverted cone, whose axis is the axis of said shaft.

4. A knife, as defined in claim 3, wherein said bladesupporting arms extend downwardly from said shaft to said blade.

5. A knife, as defined in claim 4, wherein the longitudinal center line of said housing and the axis of said shaft lie in a common vertical plane which bisects said knife blade.

6. In a knife of the character described, an elongated housing having a handle or manual gripping portion, a shaft carried by said housing and journalled thereto about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said housing for rotation therein, powerdriven means mounted in said housing and connected to said shaft for imparting oscillating movement thereto, a knife blade having the conformation of a segment of an inverted cone whose axis is the axis of said shaft, said knife blade being mounted in fully exposed position below said housing and connected adjacent its ends to said shaft for oscillatory movement therewith,

said knife blade having a cutting edge lying in a plane below said housing and normal to said axis of rotation, the radius of said cutting edge intersecting the axis of said shaft, and having a trailing edge in a plane above and parallel to said last-named plane and uniformly displaced from said cutting edge, whereby to provide between the cutting edge and trailing edge a glide surface inclined to the direction of the linear cutting movement of said knife to displace the cuttings made by said knife. =3 l I! 4*

Claims

4. A knife, as defined in claim 3, wherein said blade-supporting arms extend downwardly from said shaft to said blade.

6. In a knife of the character described, an elongated housing having a handle or manual gripping portion, a shaft carried by said housing and journalled thereto about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said housing for rotation therein, power-driven means mounted in said housing and connected to said shaft for imparting oscillating movement thereto, a knife blade having the conformation of a segment of an inverted cone whose axis is the axis of said shaft, said knife blade being mounted in fully exposed position below said housing and connected adjacent its ends to said shaft for oscillatory movement therewith, said knife blade having a cutting edge lying in a plane below said housing and normal to said axis of rotation, the radius of said cutting edge intersecting the axis of said shaft, and having a trailing edge in a plane above and parallel to said last-named plane and uniformly displaced from said cutting edge, whereby to provide between the cutting edge and trailing edge a glide surface inclined to the direction of the linear cutting movement of said knife to displace the cuttings made by said knife.