WO2014022881A1 - Cutting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A cutting apparatus (10, 34) comprising a cutting blade (12), a drive means, a housing assembly (14) and a cutting blade actuating means (16).

Description

"Cutting Apparatus"

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting apparatus.

[0002] More particularly, the cutting apparatus of the present invention is intended to reduce the risk of injury to an operator.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0004] Conventional portable chain saws, which are known in the art for the cutting of large logs or bundles of beams, generally comprise a saw blade and a suitable motor to drive the saw, together with a wheeled base by which the saw may be moved to a point adjacent the object to be cut. The saw blade may also be provided with a narrow rear guard member that extends along a part of or the full length of the chain. Unfortunately, the narrow rear guard of said chain saws have a significant portion of the saw blade exposed to the user and any others that may be nearby. This exposed length of the blade, presents a risk of injury to the operator if they are caught within the operative parts of the chain saw or struck by elements emanating from the chain saw. A further safety hazard to the operator arises if the saw blade and/or chain breaks when used to cut an unyielding object. It is therefore advantageous to provide a cutting apparatus that reduces the risk of contact between the operator and the saw blade and/or elements of the saw blade, including the chain thereof.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a cutting apparatus that overcomes substantially the abovementioned problems of the prior art, or at least provides a useful alternative thereto. [0006] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a cutting apparatus comprising a cutting blade, a drive means, a housing assembly and a cutting blade actuating means.

[0008] Preferably, the housing assembly comprises a blade guard configured to house a full length of the cutting blade when in a non-deployed position.

[0009] In one form of the present invention the blade guard extends about the sides of the cutting blade. In a further form of the present invention the blade guard extends about a rear of, and forwardly about both the sides and a remote end of the cutting blade when in the non-deployed position.

[0010] The housing assembly preferably further comprises a housing body.

[001 1] Preferably, the housing body is configured to house at least in part the drive means and have the cutting blade extending therethrough.

[0012] In one form of the invention, the cutting apparatus further comprises a transport means.

[0013] Preferably, the transport means is controlled from a remote position using a remote control device.

[0014] Preferably, the remote control device additionally controls the operation of the cutting blade actuating means.

[0015] In one form of the present invention, the housing body further comprises an operator guard and is configured to accommodate the cutting blade actuating means. [0016] Preferably, the operator guard is configured to accommodate an operator at least in part.

[0017] Preferably, the cutting blade actuating means is disposed outwardly from a cavity formed by the operator guard to be accessible to the operator.

[0018] Still preferably, the cutting blade actuating means comprises a lever having provided thereon a switch means by which the drive means may be deactivated.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the switch means is a deadman switch.

[0020] The blade guard of the housing assembly is preferably disposed upwardly from the housing body. The operator guard is disposed laterally with respect to the housing body.

[0021] Advantageously, the housing assembly of the present invention may provide a weighted means to maximise the stability of the cutting apparatus, thereby enhancing operator safety.

[0022] It will be appreciated that the cutting blade may comprise one or more blades or other suitable cutting implements adapted to cut or remove portions from a work piece.

[0023] Preferably, the drive means comprises one or more motors, or at least a portion thereof, adapted to drive the cutting blade. The or each motor may be either directly or indirectly coupled to the cutting blade. Further, the or each motor may be provided in the form of a hydraulic motor.

[0024] It will be appreciated that the cutting apparatus may be provided in either a stationary form or a moveable form. The cutting apparatus may be adapted for use with one or more transport means, whereby the cutting apparatus may be positioned relative to a work piece.

[0025] It will be further appreciated that the work piece for cutting is preferably provided in a fixed position relative to the cutting apparatus. [0026] Preferably, the work piece is provided in a fixed position through the use of fastening means.

[0027] It will be further appreciated that the work piece for cutting is preferably provided in a raised support position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to two embodiments thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an upper perspective front view of a cutting apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention shown with a cutting blade in a non-deployed position;

Figure 2 is a further upper perspective front view of the cutting apparatus of Figure 1 , showing the cutting apparatus in the non-deployed position;

Figure 3 is a still further upper perspective front of the cutting apparatus of Figure 1 , showing the cutting apparatus in a fully-deployed position;

Figure 4 is a yet still further upper perspective front view of the cutting apparatus of Figure 1 , showing the cutting apparatus in a semi-deployed position, cutting into a work piece;

Figure 5 is an upper perspective front view of a cutting apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention shown with a cutting blade in a non-deployed position;

Figure 6 is a further upper perspective front view of the cutting apparatus of Figure 5, showing the cutting apparatus in a fully-deployed position; Figure 7 is a still further upper perspective front view of the cutting apparatus of Figure 5, showing the cutting apparatus in a semi-deployed position, cutting into a work piece; and

Figure 8 is an upper perspective front view of the cutting apparatus of Figure 5, showing the housing body removed and a portion of a drive means used to drive the cutting blade

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0029] In Figures 1 to 4 there is shown a cutting apparatus 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The cutting apparatus 10 comprises a cutting blade, for example provided in the form of a chain saw 12, a housing assembly 14 and a cutting blade actuating means 16. The housing assembly 14 in turn comprises a blade guard 18, a housing body 20, and an operator guard 22. The blade guard 18 is disposed upwardly from the housing body 20 and the operator guard 22 extends laterally from the housing body 20. The blade guard 18 extends about a rear of, and forwardly about both sides of the cutting blade 12 when same is in the non- deployed position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. A narrow rear guard member 24 extends adjacent to the non-cutting edge of the cutting blade 12. The full length of the cutting blade 12 is accommodated by the blade guard 18. In one form of the present invention, the blade guard 18 extends over or about a remote end of the cutting blade 12.

[0031] The housing body 20 is configured to house a drive means (not shown) and have the cutting blade 12 extending therethrough. The housing body 20 is further configured to have the cutting blade actuating means 16 extending therethrough, as shown in Figure 2. The operator guard 22 defines a cavity bordered by it and the housing body 20, the cavity being configured to accommodate an operator 26 at least in part, as shown in Figure 4. The drive means may comprise one or more motors or at least a portion thereof, adapted to drive the cutting blade 12 [0032] The cutting blade actuating means 16 is disposed outwardly from the cavity formed by the operator guard 22 to be accessible to the operator 26. The cutting blade actuating means 16 of cutting apparatus 10 comprises a lever 28 having a switch means provided thereon, for example the switch means is provided in the form of a deadman switch 30.

[0033] In use, as an operator 26 lifts the lever 28, the cutting blade 12 moves from a non-deployed position, best seen in Figures 1 and 2 to a deployed position, seen in Figure 4. In the deployed position, the cutting blade 12 engages with a work piece 32 through which a cut is to be made. The narrow rear guard member 24 falls with the cutting blade 12 as the cutting blade 12 cuts through the work piece 32, until a point at which the narrow guard member 24 rests on the work piece 32. At the completion of the cut, when in the fully deployed position, the cutting blade 12 will attain the position depicted in Figure 3. The operator 26 keeps the deadman switch 30 depressed during operation. Should the operator 26 release the deadman switch 30 the motor will stop.

[0034] The cutting apparatus 10 of the present invention substantially reduces the risk of contact between the operator 26 and the cutting blade 12, as the full length of the cutting blade 12 is accommodated by the blade guard 18, while the operator 26 is positioned behind the operator guard 22 when the cutting apparatus 10 is in operation.

[0035] In Figures 5 to 8 there is shown a cutting apparatus 34 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the cutting apparatus 34 being in many respects similar to the cutting apparatus 10, like numerals denoting like parts.

[0036] The cutting apparatus 34 comprises a transport means 36 adapted to be controlled from a remote position using a remote control device 38. The remote control device 38 additionally comprises the cutting blade actuating means 16 which in turn operates the cutting blade 12, both in terms of its activation and orientation. The transport means 36 is provided in the form of a mobile vehicle adapted to locate the drive means 40, the housing assembly 14 and housing body 20. The housing body 20 has the cutting blade 12 extending therethrough, as shown in Figures 5 to 7. The drive means 40 of the cutting apparatus 34 is provided in the form of one or more hydraulic motors, as shown in Figure 8, located in part within the housing body 20.

[0037] In use, the operator 26 uses the remote control device 38 to position the cutting apparatus 34 relative to a work piece 32, wherein the work piece 32 has been located in a fixed position. The work piece 32 can be secured in the fixed position using fastening means, in the form of ratchet straps 42 located at opposing sides of the section to be cut, as shown in Figure 7. Furthermore, the work piece 32 may be provided on a raised support position, for example using the blades/tines of a skid-steer loader (not shown), thereby ensuring that the cutting blade 12 does not come into contact with the ground surface.

[0038] The operator 26, using the remote control device 38 is able to move the cutting blade 12 from a non-deployed position, as shown in Figures 5, to a deployed position, as shown in Figure 6. In the deployed position, the cutting blade 12 engages with the work piece 32 through which a cut is to be made, as shown in Figure 7. The narrow rear guard member 24 falls with the cutting blade 12 as the cutting blade 12 cuts through the work piece 32, until a point in which the narrow guard member 24 rests on the work piece 32. At the completion of the cut the cutting blade 12 will attain the position depicted in Figure 6.

[0039] The cutting apparatus 34 of the present invention can be operated from a remote position to substantially minimise the risk of contact between the operator 26 and the cutting blade 12, thereby reducing the risk of injury.

[0040] It is envisaged that cutting apparatus 34 of the present invention may to be positioned relative to a work piece 32 that rests in a fixed position through using any means known in the art, including a hydraulic clamp arrangement.

[0041] It is envisaged that the cutting apparatus 10 of the present invention may further comprise a transport means (not shown) whereby it may receive the blades/tines of a skid-steer loader, or similar, by which the cutting apparatus 10 may be moved and, if necessary, positively located same during operation.

[0042] It is further envisaged that the cutting apparatus 10 of the present invention may also be arranged to be operable from a remote position, such as the cabin of a skid-steer loader, or similar. In such an arrangement the or each motor of the cutting apparatus may be operated from the remote position, as may the actuation of the cutting blade, thereby obviating the need for the operator to be present in the operator guard or near the cutting apparatus when it is in operation. As such, the operator guard need not be provided in this arrangement/form of the invention.

[0043] It is envisaged that the cutting blade 12 may comprise one or more blades or other suitable cutting implements adapted to cut or remove portions from a work piece 32.

[0044] It is further envisaged that the cutting blade 12 may be provided in other forms without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the cutting blade 12 may be provided in the form of a cutting disc.

[0045] It is envisaged that the drive means of the cutting apparatus 10 or 34 of the present invention may comprise one or more motors adapted to drive the cutting blade, wherein the one or more motors may be either directly or indirectly coupled to the cutting blade 12.

[0046] It is still further envisaged that the cutting apparatus 10 or 34 of the present invention may further comprises a locating frame (not shown) provided on or about the housing assembly 14, whereby the frame acts to locate the cutting apparatus 10 or 34 with respect to the work piece 32 and to ensure, as much as possible that the cutting apparatus 10 or 34 is square with respect thereto. In this manner the cutting blade 12 is expected to be arranged substantially perpendicular to the work piece 32. [0047] As can be seen from the above description the cutting apparatus 10 or 34 of the present invention provides a simple and efficient solution or alternative to one or more of the problems associated with the prior art.

[0048] Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A cutting apparatus comprising a cutting blade, a drive means, a housing assembly and a cutting blade actuating means.

2. A cutting apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the housing assembly comprises a blade guard configured to house a full length of the cutting blade when in a non-deployed position.

3. A cutting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blade guard

extends about the sides of the cutting blade.

4. A cutting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the blade guard extends about a rear of, and forwardly about both the sides and a remote end of the cutting blade when in the non-deployed position.

5. A cutting apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing assembly further comprises a housing body.

6. A cutting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the housing body is

configured to house the drive means and have the cutting blade extending therethrough.

7. A cutting apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the housing body further comprises a transport means.

8. A cutting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the transport means is controlled from a remote position using a remote control device.

9. A cutting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the remote control device additionally controls the operation of the cutting blade actuating means.

10. A cutting apparatus according to any one of claim 5 to 9, wherein the housing body further comprises an operator guard and is configured to accommodate the cutting blade actuating means.

1 1 . A cutting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the operator guard is configured to accommodate an operator at least in part.

12. A cutting apparatus according to claim 10 or 1 1 , wherein the cutting blade actuating means is disposed outwardly from a cavity formed by the operator guard to be accessible to the operator.

13. A cutting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting blade actuating means comprises a lever having provided thereon a switch means by which the drive means may be deactivated.

14. A cutting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the switch means is a deadman switch.

15. A cutting apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 14, wherein the blade guard of the housing assembly is preferably disposed upwardly from the housing body.

16. A cutting apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 15, wherein the operator guard is disposed laterally with respect to the housing body.

17. A cutting apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing assembly of the present invention further comprises a weighted means to maximise the stability of the cutting apparatus, thereby enhancing operator safety.

18. A cutting apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting blade may comprise one or more blades or other suitable cutting implements.

19. A cutting apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the drive means comprises one or more motors, or at least a portion thereof, adapted to drive the cutting blade.

20. A cutting apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the or each motors is either directly or indirectly coupled to the cutting blade.

21 . A cutting apparatus according to claims 19 or 20, wherein the or each motor is provided in the form of a hydraulic motor.

22. A cutting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting apparatus is adapted for use with one or more transport means, whereby the cutting apparatus may be positioned relative to a work piece.

23. A cutting apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the work piece for cutting is provided in a fixed position relative to the cutting apparatus.

24. A cutting apparatus according to claims 22 or 23, wherein the work piece for cutting is preferably provided in a raised support position.