Patent Application
20200215703
The present disclosure generally relates to a cutting device, and more particularly to a cutting device having a retractable blade.
Precision cutting devices are used in many applications and industries. Conventional precision cutting devices typically involve devices that have a constantly exposed blade or that have caps or covers that may be easily misplaced or lost. Precision cutting devices also typically include relatively sharp blades that may pose the potential for accidental cutting of objects, users, or others.
Accordingly, conventional precision cutting devices are often carried, stored, and left unattended with a relatively sharp, exposed blade that may pose the potential for accidents to users and others, as well as accidental damage to property. Further, precision blades themselves, which may be relatively susceptible to damage, may be accidentally deformed or broken based on being in a continuously exposed state. Accordingly, a need for a way for efficiently avoiding inadvertent cutting of objects and users and avoiding loss of easily misplaced caps and covers exists in the art.
The exemplary disclosed cutting device and method of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of the shortcomings set forth above and/or other deficiencies in existing technology.
In one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a cutting device. The cutting device includes a housing assembly, a cutting assembly that is movably disposed in the housing assembly, the cutting assembly being movable in a first axis, between a retracted position and an extended position, and an urging member disposed between the housing assembly and the cutting assembly. The cutting assembly also includes a cutting member. The cutting assembly further includes an end assembly, which is actuatable in the first axis, and a movable member that is movable relative to the cutting assembly. When the end assembly is actuated, the urging member biases the cutting assembly in the first axis toward the retracted position. When the end assembly is actuated, the end assembly moves the movable member in a second axis that is different from the first axis.
In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method. The method includes disposing a cutting assembly in a housing assembly, removably attaching a cutting member to the cutting assembly, moving the cutting assembly in the housing assembly in a first direction from a retracted position to an extended position, and moving the cutting assembly in the housing assembly in a second direction from the extended position to the retracted position. The method also includes biasing the cutting assembly in the second direction with an urging force, actuating the cutting assembly in the first direction with an actuating force that is greater than the urging force, and moving a movable member of the cutting assembly in a third direction that is different from the first and second directions.
As illustrated in
The exemplary cutting device may be constructed from any suitable variety of durable materials or any other suitable materials. For example, some or most of the components of the exemplary cutting device may be formed from plastic or a plastic composite material. Also for example, some or most of the components of the exemplary cutting device may be formed from metal or metal alloy. Further for example, the exemplary cutting device may include ceramic material. For example, cutting device 105 may be formed from plastic, plastic composite, metal, metal alloy, and/or ceramic materials. For example, cutting device 105 may be formed from a variety of materials disclosed herein. For example, housing assembly 110 may be formed partially or substantially entirely from plastic, plastic composite, metal, and/or metal alloy materials. For example, housing assembly 110 may include plastic or metal structural members. Weights may be included in housing assembly 110 and/or cutting assembly 115 to help balance cutting device 105 during use, with the weights being formed for example from metal material. Cutting assembly 115 may include components formed from plastic, plastic composite, metal, metal alloy materials, and/or components formed from ceramic materials. Also for example, certain components of cutting device 105 may include specific materials based upon the application or function of a given component. For example, members of cutting device 105 designed to come into contact with a cutting surface and that may be subject to constant friction may include materials resistant to friction such as glass-filled nylon and/or polyamide plastic.
Housing assembly 110 may include a housing 120, an end assembly 125, and a movable member 130. End assembly 125 and movable member 130 may be received in a cavity of housing 120. Movable member 130 may be received within a recess of a portion of end assembly 125 so that movable member 130 is movably disposed within housing 120 as described for example below.
Housing 120 may provide, for example, a gripping surface for cutting device 105 for use by a user. For example, housing 120 may be a substantially hollow housing having a cavity 135 configured to receive and retain other portions of housing assembly 110 and cutting assembly 115. For example, housing 120 may be a cylindrical housing. Also for example, housing 120 may be any other suitable shape such as, for example, a tube shape, a square prism, triangular prism, a hexagonal prism, an octagonal prism, a polygonal prism, and/or any other desired shape (e.g., elongated shape).
As illustrated in
End assembly 125 may include an end member 160 and an actuating member 165. Actuating member 165 may be attached to end member 160 by any suitable technique such as, for example, adhesive, press-fit, snap-fit, threading, and/or any other suitable technique for attachment. For example as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Movable member 130 may include a protrusion 200 configured to be received in cavity 182 of actuating member 165. Movable member 130 may also include a wall portion 205 forming a cavity 210. A plurality of protruding portions 215 may protrude from wall portion 205. Protruding portions 215 may be spaced from each other via a plurality of apertures 220. Each protruding portion 215 may include a surface 225 and a portion 230. Surface 225 may be an angled surface that forms a V-shape with portion 230. For example, surface 225 and portion 230 may form notches or recessed portions that are raised above a surface of wall portion 205. As described for example herein, protruding portions 215 of movable member 130 may engage with and be biased by wall portions 185 of actuating member 165 to move movable member 130 based on an operation of cutting member 105 as described for example below. Also, apertures 190 of actuating member 165 and/or apertures 220 of movable member 130 may be selectively aligned with other portions of housing assembly 110 based on an operation of cutting device 105 as disclosed for example below.
As illustrated in
Body member 235 may include a shaft portion 250 that extends along a longitudinal direction of cutting device 105. For example, shaft portion 250 may extend along a longitudinal direction of cavity 135 of housing 120. Shaft portion 250 may include an end portion 255 that may abut against a rear portion of wall portion 205 and/or protruding portion 215 of movable member 130. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Cutting member 295 may be any suitable blade or cutter for cutting of a material by cutting device 105. For example, cutting member 295 may be formed from a ceramic material that is capable of withstanding extended use before becoming dull or unusable. Cutting member 295 may be any suitable blade for precision cutting. For example, cutting member 295 may be a ceramic blade. For example, cutting member 295 may include ceramic materials such as Zirconium Oxide or any other suitable ceramic materials for use in a blade. For example, cutting member 295 may be a ceramic blade that may be an angled or hooked blade formed from Zirconium Oxide. Alternatively for example, cutting member 295 may be a metal blade or a blade formed from any suitable material than can be used for cutting materials. Cutting member 295 may include rounded tips to reduce the chance of a user being cut unintentionally by cutting member 295.
Urging member 245 may be attached in a fixed manner or removably attachable at end portion 280 of body member 235. For example, urging member 245 may be attached at protruding portion 275 of body member 235 and may extend to a portion of blade retaining member 290. Urging member 245 may also be attached to interior surface 155 of housing 120. For example, a first end portion of urging member 245 may be attached to (e.g., or retained by) body member 235 and a second end portion of urging member 245 may be attached to (e.g., or retained by) housing 120 so that urging member 245 may compress and stretch based on a movement of body member 235 and cutting assembly 115 relative to housing 120 and housing assembly 110. Urging member 245 may apply an urging force that urges blade assembly 240 to move from an extended position to a retracted position within cavity 135 of housing 120 based on a movement of cutting assembly 115 as described for example below.
Urging member 245 may be a potential-energy-storing member. Urging member 245 may be any suitable member that may be for example stretched and unstretched and/or compressed and uncompressed. Urging member 245 may be urged or biased between a neutral or unbiased state (e.g., storing substantially no potential energy) and a biased state (e.g., storing potential energy). Urging member 245 may be, for example, a tension member or a compression member. For example, urging member 245 may be a spring having a plurality of coils. Urging member 245 may also be an elastic member or elastic band, a cable, a wire, and/or a member formed from materials having elastic or resilient properties and capable of being stretched and unstretched (e.g., or compressed and uncompressed). Urging member 245 may be formed from any suitable materials for forming a tension member or a compression member (e.g., that can be stretched and unstretched, or compressed and uncompressed) such as metallic material, plastic material, composite material, elastomeric material, natural rubber, and/or synthetic rubber. For example, urging member 245 may be a metallic, plastic, or composite spring. Also for example, urging member 245 may be a rubber band or an elastomeric cable, wire, or cord.
In at least some exemplary embodiments, an exemplary cutting device (e.g., cutting device 105) may include a housing assembly (e.g., housing assembly 110), a cutting assembly (e.g., cutting assembly 115) that is movably disposed in the housing assembly, the cutting assembly being movable in a first axis, between a retracted position and an extended position, and an urging member (e.g., urging member 245) that attaches the housing assembly to the cutting assembly. The cutting assembly may include a cutting member (e.g., cutting member 295). The cutting assembly may include an end assembly (e.g., end assembly 125), which may be actuatable in the first axis, and a movable member (e.g., movable member 130) that may be movable relative to the cutting assembly. When the end assembly is actuated, the urging member may bias the cutting assembly in the first axis toward the retracted position. When the end assembly is actuated, the end assembly may move the movable member in a second axis that is different from the first axis. The movable member may be a rotatable member. When the cutting assembly is in the retracted position, the cutting member may be disposed substantially entirely within the housing assembly. The end assembly may include a plurality of first angled surfaces (e.g., surfaces 195) that bear against a plurality of second angled surfaces (e.g., surfaces 225) of the movable member, and the first angled surfaces may slide relative to the second angled surfaces when the end assembly is actuated. The second axis may be substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The cutting assembly may include a protrusion (e.g., protrusion 265) that is received in an elongated recess (e.g., recess 270) disposed in an interior surface portion of the housing assembly. The elongated recess may be a substantially straight groove that is disposed substantially parallel to the first axis. The cutting member may be a ceramic blade. The cutting member may be removable. The urging member may be a spring.
In at least some exemplary embodiments, the exemplary cutting device (e.g., cutting device 105) may include a housing assembly (e.g., housing assembly 110), a cutting assembly (e.g., cutting assembly 115) that may be movably disposed in the housing assembly, the cutting assembly being movable in a first direction from a retracted position to an extended position, and in a second direction from the extended position to the retracted position, and a spring that may attach the housing assembly to the cutting assembly. The cutting assembly may include a ceramic blade. The cutting assembly may also include an end assembly, which may be actuatable in the first and second directions, and a rotatable member that may be rotatable relative to the cutting assembly. When the end assembly is actuated in the first direction, the spring may bias the cutting assembly in the second direction. When the end assembly is actuated in the first direction, the end assembly may rotate the rotatable member about a rotatable axis that is parallel to the first and second directions. When the cutting assembly is in the retracted position, the ceramic blade may be disposed substantially entirely within the housing assembly. The end assembly may include a plurality of first angled surfaces (e.g., surfaces 195) that bear against a plurality of second angled surfaces (e.g., surfaces 225) of the rotatable member, and the first angled surfaces may slide relative to the second angled surfaces when the end assembly is actuated in the first direction. The end assembly may include a plurality of apertures (e.g., apertures 190) that selectively align with a plurality of portions (e.g., portions 230) of the rotatable member based on a rotation of the rotatable member. When the cutting assembly is in the retracted position, the plurality of portions of the rotatable member may be received in the plurality of recesses of the end assembly. The cutting assembly may include a body member (e.g., body member 235) that is non-rotatable relative to the housing assembly, the end assembly may be non-rotatable relative to the housing assembly, and the rotatable member may be rotatable relative to the housing assembly.
The exemplary cutting device disclosed herein may be any suitable device for cutting material such as, for example, a cutting device used for precision cutting of material. For example, the exemplary cutting device may be any suitable cutting device for precisely cutting material for use in technical applications such as engineering and manufacturing, artistic or graphic design, construction, or any other suitable activity involving precise cutting of objects or materials.
An exemplary operation of cutting device 105 will now be described. As illustrated in
A user may change (e.g., switch) cutting device 105 from the retracted position to an extended position. The user may press on end member 160 to urge end assembly 125 into cavity 135 of housing 120. Cutting device 105 may thereby move from the exemplary retracted position illustrated in
As cutting device 105 moves from the retracted position to the extended position and cutting assembly 115 actuates (e.g., compresses) urging member 245, actuating member 165 bears against movable member 130. In the retracted position, portions 230 of movable member 130 may be received in apertures 190 of actuating member 165. Surfaces 225 of movable member 130 may bear against surfaces 195 of actuating member 165. As the user presses end member 160 and moves cutting device 105 from the retracted position to the extended position, surfaces 225 of movable member 130 may bear and urge against surfaces 195 of actuating member 165, causing portions 230 of movable member 130 to move out of apertures 190 of actuating member 165. Once portions 230 of movable member 130 have been completely removed from apertures 190 of actuating member 165, angled surfaces 225 of movable member 130 may slide relative to surfaces 195 of actuating member 165. For example, an urging action (e.g., cam action) may result based on surfaces 225 sliding relative to surfaces 195, causing movable member 130 to rotate relative to actuating member 165 and body member 235.
Portions 230 may slide along surfaces 195 and be received in the V-shaped recesses or notches formed between adjacent surfaces 195. At this point, cutting device 105 may be in the extended position illustrated in
When the user is finished with a cutting operation and desires to for example, transport, store, or carry cutting device 105, the user may change (e.g., switch) cutting device 105 from the extended position back to the retracted position. The user may press on end member 160 to urge end assembly 125 into cavity 135 of housing 120. The user may apply an actuating force on end member 160 that is greater than the urging force of urging member 245, thereby causing the entire cutting assembly 115 to be moved within housing 120. As the user presses end member 160, surfaces 195 of actuating member 165 push against portions 230 of movable member 130. For example, a sliding action (e.g., cam action) may result based on surfaces 195 sliding relative to portions 230, causing movable member 130 to rotate relative to actuating member 165 and body member 235. Portions 230 may slide along (e.g., up along) surfaces 195 so that portions 230 are removed from recesses or notches formed by adjacent surfaces 195. Portions 230 may thereby be pushed toward apertures 190 of actuating member 165. Once portions 230 of movable member 130 are substantially aligned with apertures 190 of actuating member 165, substantially no surfaces of movable member 130 and actuating member 165 may be bearing against each other (e.g., notwithstanding that the user may still be pushing on end member 160). The biasing or urging force of urging member 245 may then push movable member 130 toward actuating member 165 so that portions 230 are pushed into apertures 190. The entire cutting assembly 115 may thereby be moved within cavity 135 of housing 120 based on urging by urging member 245. Cutting device may thereby be moved from an exemplary extended position as illustrated in
The user may also replace worn or dull cutting members 295 with cutting members 295 as desired. For example, when cutting device 105 is in the extended position, the user may remove portions of cutting device 105 to replace cutting member 295. The user may for example remove (e.g., unsnap, unscrew, or make any other suitable detachment) cover member 300 to uncover blade retaining member 290. The user may then replace cutting member 295 and reattach cover member 300.
Alternatively for example, when cutting device 105 is in the retracted position and urging member 245 is in the unbiased or neutral position in which substantially no potential energy is stored, the user may remove additional portions of cutting device 105 to replace cutting member 295. For example, the user may remove a removably attachable portion of housing 120 to access blade assembly 240. The user may remove cover member 300 and remove blade retaining member 290 from body member 235 and/or housing 120. For example, the user may twist blade retaining member 290 to disengage and remove it from body member 235 and/or housing 120. The user may then replace cutting member 295 on detached blade retaining member 290, reattach blade retaining member 290 to body member 235 and/or housing 120, and reattach cover member 300 (e.g., and/or a removable portion of housing 120). The user may also remove and replace an existing blade retaining member 290 with a new blade retaining member 290. For example, blade retaining member 290 may be a removable and/or replaceable cartridge. It is also contemplated that blade retaining member 290 may be removably attached to a plurality of different cutting devices Any suitable mechanical configuration of housing assembly 110 and/or cutting assembly 115 may be used to facilitate blade change of cutting member 295.
The exemplary method may include providing a cutting assembly (e.g., cutting assembly 115) in a housing assembly (e.g., housing assembly 110), removably attaching a cutting member (e.g., cutting member 295) to the cutting assembly, moving the cutting assembly in the housing assembly in a first direction from a retracted position to an extended position, and moving the cutting assembly in the housing assembly in a second direction from the extended position to the retracted position. The exemplary method may also include biasing the cutting assembly in the second direction with an urging force, actuating the cutting assembly in the first direction with an actuating force that is greater than the urging force, and moving a movable member (e.g., movable member 130) of the cutting assembly in a third direction that is different from the first and second directions. When the cutting assembly is in the retracted position and the cutting member is attached to the cutting assembly, the cutting member may be disposed substantially entirely within the housing assembly. The first and second directions may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cutting assembly and a longitudinal axis of the cutting member. The third direction may be a rotational direction about the longitudinal axis of the cutting assembly and the longitudinal axis of the cutting member.
The exemplary disclosed device and method may provide an intuitively simple and safe technique for using a cutting device for the precision cutting of materials. The exemplary disclosed device and method may provide a quick and efficient way to change between a mode in which a blade is exposed and a mode in which a blade is safely covered or retracted. The exemplary disclosed device and method may also provide a technique for avoiding loss or misplacement of blade covers and avoiding accidental cutting by or damage to cutting members.
It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed cutting device and method. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed method and apparatus. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims.
