WO1995031314A1

WO1995031314A1 - Builder's cutting tool

Info

Publication number: WO1995031314A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1995/000040
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gordon Francis Howlett
Original assignee: Gordon Francis Howlett
Priority date: 1994-05-13
Filing date: 1995-05-12
Publication date: 1995-11-23
Also published as: AU2539595A; ZA953848B

Abstract

A tool has a datum member (9) connected to a carriageway (2) by a link arm (12) and cruciform link arms (10, 11). The carriageway (2) accommodates a slideable cutting or marking tool (31) which can cut or mark a material such as wall board at a required lateral distance from the datum member (9). The distance is set by movement of the ends of the arms (10, 11 and 12) along the scales (S?4, S5 and S7¿) upon release of the locking members (19b) prior to their being locked at the required position on the respective scales. When a material is to be cut or marked at a required angle, then arm (11) is first released from its connection with the carriageway (2) at the locking member (19b). The edges (2a and 9a) of the carriageway (2) and datum member (9) respectively are then brought into juxtaposition and for small angles the end (2a) of the carriageway (2) can be slid relative to the end (9a) of the datum member (9) and the angles read off along scale (S8). Alternatively, for larger angles a locking member (34) can lock the carriageway (2) at the end (45) of the scale (S8), adjacent the end (9a) of the datum member (9), and with the locking member (19a) of the arm (12) now released, this can travel along the scale (S6) in selecting a required angle.

Description

BUILDER'S CUTTING TOOL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to tools. For simplicity only, reference will be made in the title and the specification itself to a "builder's cutting tool". It is to be appreciated however that the tool of the present invention can be used in numerous occupations or in domestic situations by a home handyman for example.

There are numerous instances when a material is required to be cut or marked at a particular distance and/or angle from a set datum line. By way of example only, a builder frequently needs to be able to cut sheets of material such as wallboard to required widths. To the present time this has required the wallboard to be marked out for it to be then cut along the required line. Other typical examples will be readily apparent such as in the cutting of glass by glaziers, the cutting of carpet by carpet layers, the cutting of foam by furniture manufacturers, the cutting of metal sheets by metal workers etc.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cutting and/or marking tool which can enable the speedy and efficient cutting and/or marking of a required material and/or will provide the public with a useful choice.

Further objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

For ease of description the word "cutting" will be used throughout the specification in covering cutting or any similar operation such as marking, etching or the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a tool comprising:

i. A datum member adapted to provide a datum reference for a material to be cut, marked or the like;

ii. A carriage member adjustably moveable relative to said datum member;

iii. Linkage means connecting said datum member and said carriage member and selectively providing for a lateral or pivotal movement therebetween; iv. Indicator means provided to indicate when said carriage member is at a required distance or angle relative to said datum member;

v. Wherein said carriage member is adapted in use to moveably accommodate a cutting and/or marking tool slideable therealong in cutting and/or marking a material at the required distance and/or angle relative to said datum member.

Preferably, the tool as defined in the paragraph immediately above may include an abutment means which can abut against an edge of the material to be cut or marked at a required angle to and/or distance from said abutment means.

Preferably, the abutment means of the paragraph immediately above may comprise a downwardly depending flange provided along a bottom surface of said datum member.

Preferably, the abutment means of either of the immediately preceding paragraphs may include or may further include a stop member selectively positionable in one or more apertures provided in said carriage member. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a tool substantially as herein described with reference to either embodiment of the accompanying drawings.

Further aspects of this invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following cescription given by way of example of possible embodiments thereof and in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION 0? THE DRAWINGS

Fiσure 1: Shows very diagrammatically a tool according to one possible embodiment of the invention set so as to provide a cutting or marking of a material at a distance DI from a datum line.

Fiσure 2: Again shows very diagrammatically the tool of Figure 1 but this time set so as to provide a cutting or marking of a material at a new distance Dll from the datum line.

Fiσure 3 : Shows very diagrammatically a cross sectional view along arrows X - X of Figure 1.

Fiσure 4: Shows very diagrammatically the tool of Figures 1 and 2 being used in providing an angular cutting or marking of a material.

SUBSTITUTESHEET Figure 5 : Shows very diagrammatically a tool according to a further possible embodiment of the invention set so to provide a cutting or marking of a material at a required distance.

Figure 6 : Shows very diagrammatically a view along arrow B of figure 5 with the tool in its closed up position.

Figure 7 : Shows very diagrammatically the tool of figures 5 and 6 in a position to provide an angular cutting or marking of a material within a lower ranger of possible angles.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings the tool of one embodiment of the present invention is referenced generally by arrow 1 and is shown consisting of a carriageway 2 along which a cutting or marking tool 3 is able to travel in providing a cutting or marking of any required material. In the example shown the tool 3 may include a knife 5 with a block of material 4, (see figure 3) , which is shaped so as to be slideably accommodated within the channels 6 of the pair of extrusions or the like 7 which in the example shown are joined together by end caps 8 so as to form the composite carriageway 2. It is stressed however that any required type of marking, cutting or other tool may be provided such as a rotatable blade 5 as shown, a fixed blade such as of a STANLEY (registered trade mark) knife type, a fibrolite cutter, a glass cutting wheel or diamond stone, a FORMICA (registered trade mark) or laminate knife cutter or etcher, a carpet knife, a foam cutter, metal cutter, plastic cutter, a wood cutter, a scriber, etcher or marker. Various options for the types of tools which may be provided would be readily apparent to those skilled in the various areas of technology with which the tool 1 may be used. It is also envisaged that for cutting panelling for example the carriageway 2 may be adapted to accommodate electric or pneumatic cutting units such as circular saws, guillotines, routers, gas cutters and it is envisaged also welding or gluing or bonding equipment.

It is to be appreciated that rather than providing the carriageway 2 as a pair of extrusions 7 joined together by end caps 8, a single discrete member of any suitable material could alternatively be provided.

A datum member 9 is shown connected to the carriageway 2 by means of linkage arms 10, 11 and 12. The arms 10 and 11 are shown forming a cruciform or cross shape while the other linkage 12 comprises, in the example shown, a single linking arm.

Each of the arms 10, 11 and 12 are provided with connecting members 13, which may have locking nuts or screws 19, which connect the respective arms with the respective members 2 and 9.

In the particular example shown, and in the mode of operation of Figures 1 and 2, the tool 1 provides a required lateral separation between the carriageway 2 and the datum member 9. The connecting members 13a will be fixed while the connecting members 13b will be released so as to be movable. In this way the required distances DI, Dll, can be set. The required distance will be set by moving the arms 10, 11 and 12 after the release of the connecting members 13b, to the same markings on the respective scales 14 at the required distance.

As shown particularly in Figure 3, the datum member 9, which again can be a suitable plastic or aluminium extrusion for example, may provide the datum line D by means of a downwardly depending flange or edge or the like 17. In use therefore the flange 17 can be abutted up against the edge of a material such as a wallboard, requiring to be marked or cut. The cutting or marking distance DI, Dll, will then be the distance of the knife 5 or the like from the flange 17, positioned at the edge of the board.

There may however be instances where a thin strip of material may need to be cut or marked. In that instance the carriageway 2 is shown provided with a plurality of holes 18, each associated with relevant width indications 15, through which a pin or the like 16, which can suitably be stored in one of the end caps 8, can be inserted. The pin or the like 16 is of sufficient length that it will extend below the bottom surface of the carriageway 2, as illustrated very diagrammatically in Figure 3, to provide an alternative datum line indicated by arrow DD, enabling such short widths of material to be cut or marked out .

As shown in Figure 3 particularly, the locking means 19 of the connecting members 13 can compromise a screw member which can, when required, be screwed up against the members 2 or 9 in preventing or allowing movement of the respective members 13.

In the mode of operation indicated in Figures 1 and 2, the cutting or marking by the tool 3 will be at a required distance parallel to the datum line D or for short edge widths, DD. The present invention does however allow for a cutting or marking of a material at a required angle.

For a required angle to be selected the angular disposition of the carriageway 2 relative to the datum member 9 may be indicated by angle measurements along scale 20 as the carriageway 2 is raised or lowered as indicated by arrow A and the connecting member 13a moves along the scale as indicated by arrow S.

In this mode of operation, end 11A of arm 11 is disconnected from the carriageway 2, connector 13b on the datum member 9 is fixed at the datum angle position marked along the datum member 9 and the respective edges 9A and 2A of the respective members 9 and 2 are brought into juxtaposition, and preferably held by a suitable holding member, to pivot relative with one another.

A spirit level 22 is shown added in figure 4 for the carriageway 2 so as to indicate the horizontal disposition of the material on which the carriageway 2 is positioned. The carriageway 2 and/or the datum member 9 can have further indicia 21 so as to indicate length and so as to enable an operator to know the distance being marked or cut. The various indicia mentioned previously in respect of the carriageway 2 may also, where appropriate, be provided for the datum member 9.

It is envisaged that for lengths of a sheet material longer than the length of the carriageway 2, one of the end caps 8 could be taken off and a pair of carriageways 2 butted up together and held by dowels or other holding means to form a tool of double the length. Multiple length units formed from three or more units are also envisaged.

The rear surface of the datum member 9 and/or carriageway 2 may suitably be provided with a resilient or protective layer, such as a rubber or plastic strip so as to protect the surface of the material being marked or cut.

When not required for use it will be appreciated that the tool of the present invention can be folded up into a relatively small size. Manufactured of a relatively lightweight material or materials such as aluminium, plastics or the like, it will be readily transportable and also easily stored when not required for use.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention as shown diagrammatically in figures 5, 6 and 7, corresponding reference numerals are used where appropriate.

Referring firstly to figures 5 and 6, a tool has a datum member 9 connected with a carriageway 2 by a cruciform set of arms 10, 11 and a single arm 12. These connections are shown established by means of locking nuts or screws 19. The carriageway 2 in this embodiment accommodates a cutting or marking tool with a handle 31 which has a release mechanism 32 which may operate a spring loaded catch or the like to enable handle 31 to be moved as and when required. The carriageway 2 is also shown provided with a pair of scales S 1 and S3

along an outer edge. The first of these scales can measure up the length of the carriageway 2 itself while the second scale can be used in conjunction with an extendable measuring rod 35 slideable within the carriageway 2 in the direction of arrow B and having an

2 end marking S which as it slides along the carriageway

3 2 can indicate by reading off the scale S the total length from the tip 36 of the rod 35 to the far edge of the carriageway 2. In this embodiment the carriageway 2 is also shown provided with a pair of levels 22 so as to provide a level indication in both longitudinal and transverse directions.

Once again datum member 9 may have along its undersurface a flange or the like 17 (see figure 3) and the carriageway 2 can be provided with through apertures with appropriate indicia (15) for use with a suitable pin or the like (16) for the measurement of small lateral distances. An inner edge 44 (see figure 5) of the carriageway 2 preferably at both ends, can be provided with width markings for the fine tuning of width measurements by the small movement of the carriageway 2 laterally once the appropriate width measurement has been set .

In figure 5 the locking members 19a have been retained in their locked position while locking members

19b have been released and moved to a particular measurement on the respective scales S 4, S5 and S7

corresponding to a required lateral distance at which point on the scales the members 19b are then locked.

Referring to figure 7, when an angular cutting or marking operation is to be carried out the arm 11 is shown disconnected from the carriageway 2 and, with a locking member 34 locking carriageway 2 with the datum member 9 released and with locking members 19a and 19b of arm 12 locked to carriageway 2 and datum member 9 respectively, the carriageway 2 can slide relative to the datum member 9 as indicated by arrows C and the angle of the carriageway 2 relative to the datum member 9 can be read off along the scale S . With one g particular size of members 2 and 9 the scale S can provide an angular measurement of between for example 0' and 23°.

In this particular size of this embodiment, for the measurement of angles above 23° the carriageway 2 will be locked at the inner marking 45 of the scale S . With the locking member 19a of arm 12 released from being locked with the carriageway 2, it can now travel in a direction indicated by arrow S along the scale S in selecting angles between 23°, and in this particular embodiment, 45°.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tool comprising:

i A datum member adapted to provide a datum reference for a material to be cut, marked or the like;

ii A carriage member adjustably moveable relative to said datum member;

iii Linkage means connecting said datum member and said carriage member and selectively providing for a lateral or pivotal movement there¬ between;

iv Indicator means provided to indicate when said carriage member is at a required distance or angle relative to said datum member;

v Wherein said carriage member is adapted in use to moveably accommodate a cutting and/or marking tool slideable therealong in cutting and/or marking a material at the required distance and/or angle relative to said datum member.

2. A tool as claimed in claim 1 and including an abutment means which can abut against an edge of the material to be cut or marked at a required angle to and/or distance from said datum member.

3. A tool as claimed in claim 2 wherein said abutment means comprises a downwardly depending flange provided along a bottom surface of said datum member.

4. A tool as claimed in claim 3 wherein said abutment means further comprises a stop member selectively positionable in one or more apertures provided in said carriage member.

5. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said linkage means comprises a first linkage member, opposite free ends of which are respectively releasably slideable along said carriage member and said datum member.

6. A tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein said linkage means further comprises a pair of further linkage members pivotally connected with each other so as to form a cruciform shape and opposite free ends of which respectively engage with said carriage member and said datum member.

7. A tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein the free end of one of said further linkage members forming said cruciform shape which is connected to said carriage member and is nearer to said first linkage member is able to be disconnected from said carriage member when said tool is used for cutting or marking a material at a required angle.

8. A tool as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said indicator means comprise respective distance scales along said carriage member and said datum member and associated with respective ones of said free ends of said linkage members.

9. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a locking means is provided to hold said carriage member and said datum member pivotally connected with one another to enable said carriage member to pivot relative to said datum member in selecting a required angle therebetween.

10. A tool as claimed in claim 9 wherein an end of said carriage member includes an angle scale identifying a lower range of angles and whereby with said locking means released, movement of said end of said carriage member relative to an adjacent end of said datum member enables a low angle value to be selected.

11. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said carriage member includes a linear measuring means slideable relative thereto and wherein a linear scale is provided for said carriage member indicative of the length of the measuring means extending out from said carriage member when a linear measurement is made.

12. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said carriage member includes an elongate slot extending along its length in which said cutting and/or marking tool is slideably mounted.

13. A tool as claimed in claim 12 wherein said cutting and/or marking tool is provided with a control means whereby said cutting and/or marking tool can be held in a required position within said slot.

14. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said carriage member includes a transverse scale indicative of width to provide a fine tuning of a lateral distance measurement relative to said datum member.

15. A tool substantially herein described with reference to figures 1 to 4 and/or figures 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.