Patent Grant
11076738
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 16/155,240 filed on Oct. 9, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure generally relates to a cutting device, and more particularly to a cutting device having one or more replaceable blades.
A scraper is a basic cutting tool that may be provided in a variety of forms. A scraper may be used in many applications such as removing undesired material from a surface, smoothing or levelling a surface, or preparing a surface for a desired use or further treatment.
The most common technique for locking a scraper blade in an extended position is to manually lock the blade. This is typically achieved by including one or more locking features that hold the blade extended from the housing during use and then retract safely into the scraper housing for storage. However, it is recognized that a scraper with auto-retract functionality may be beneficial as a safety improvement as it allows the blade to be exposed and extended from the housing in use, and then auto-retracts while not in use (e.g., when still held or stored in a pocket, pouch, or other storage means) to avoid unintentional damage and injury from the blade.
The problem with conventional auto-retract configurations is that when force is applied against the edge of the blade in the direction of the main longitudinal axis of the housing, the operational digit of a user (thumb or finger) typically applies a variable load or force against a slider in order to keep the blade extended from the housing. For someone skilled in the art of scraping, whether it be removing paint, labels, glues and adhesives, it is understood that the force required to scrape effectively produces a non-constant, non-uniform force. The application of constant, non-uniform/non-constant force to a slider by a user to keep the scraper extended quickly produces fatigue or discomfort to the user's finger or thumb.
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, a cutting assembly that is movably disposed in the housing, the cutting assembly including a body member, an actuating member, and a first urging member that is configured to urge the actuating member away from the body member, from an inner position toward an outer position relative to the body member, by applying a first urging force, and a second urging member that is configured to urge the cutting assembly to retract within the housing by applying a second urging force that urges the actuating member to move from an extended position toward a retracted position relative to the housing. The housing includes at least one recess. The actuating member includes at least one protrusion that is selectively receivable in the at least one recess when the actuating member is in both the extended position relative to the housing and the inner position relative to the body member.
In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method. The method includes movably disposing a cutting assembly in a housing, the cutting assembly including an actuating member and a body member, urging the actuating member away from the body member, from an inner position toward an outer position relative to the body member, by applying a first urging force, urging the cutting assembly to retract within the housing by applying a second urging force that urges the actuating member to move from an extended position toward a retracted position relative to the housing, and applying a moving force that is greater than the second urging force to move the actuating member to the extended position relative to the housing. The method also includes, when the actuating member is in the extended position relative to the housing, applying an inward force that is greater than the first urging force to move the actuating member to the inner position relative to the body member. The method further includes, when the actuating member is in both the extended position relative to the housing and the inner position relative to the body member, removing the moving force while maintaining the inward force and using a portion of the housing to block movement of the actuating member toward the retracted position relative to the housing.
Cutting device 105 may include a housing assembly 110 and a cutting assembly 115. Cutting assembly 115 may be movably disposed in housing assembly 110. The exemplary cutting device may be constructed from any suitable variety of durable 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 be formed from plastic or metal structural members. Cutting assembly 115 may include components formed from plastic, plastic composite, metal, and/or metal alloy materials and 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. For example, cutting device 105 may include any suitable materials for use in a cutting device such as, e.g., a scraper.
As illustrated in
Housing members 120 and 125 may be, for example, corresponding halves of housing assembly 110 that may be attached together to form housing assembly 110. For example, first housing member 120 may be a top member such as, for example, a top-half body shell, and second housing member 125 may be a bottom member such as, for example, a bottom-half body shell. Housing members 120 and 125 may be configured to house or contain (e.g., separately or working together to house or contain) other components of cutting device 105.
Housing assembly 110 may provide, for example, a gripping surface for cutting device 105 for use by a user. For example, housing members 120 and 125 may be attached together to form 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 assembly 110 may be a substantially flat housing having any desired polygonal shape. For example, housing assembly 110 may have an elliptical shape with a flared or widened end portion (e.g., front end portion). Also for example, housing assembly 110 may include portions having any desired 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.
As illustrated in
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When attached, wall portion 140 of housing member 120 and wall portion 155 of housing member 125 may form an aperture 215 as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Housing assembly 110 may also include any suitable attachment point to facilitate carrying and/or storage. Housing assembly 110 may also include recesses or other suitable portions for holding a weight (e.g., a metal weight or a weight formed from other relatively heavy material) to facilitate balance of cutting device 105 during use. Housing assembly 110 may further include recesses or other suitable portions for holding a magnet to facilitate storage or transport of cutting device 105. For example, cutting device 105 may include an attachment device, a weight for balancing, and/or a magnet for storage or transport.
As illustrated in
Locking assembly 130 may include a portion that may protrude from interior surface 145 of first housing member 120. Locking assembly 130 may also include a portion 250 that may protrude from interior surface 160 of second housing member 125. Portion 250 may be configured to receive portions of locking member 240. Locking member 240 may be removably disposable on second housing member 125 (e.g., or first housing member 120). For example, when housing members 120 and 125 are detached, locking member 240 may be movably attached to housing member 125 (e.g., to portion 250). For example, when a user detaches housing members 120 and 125, locking member 240 may remain for example attached to housing member 125. For example, a portion 255 of locking member 240 may be guided and/or retained by portion 250. Portion 255 may move relative to portion 250, thereby allowing locking member 240 for example to be movably disposed on second housing member 125. It is also contemplated that locking member 240 may alternatively remain attached to first housing member 120 when housing members 120 and 125 are detached. It is also contemplated that in an exemplary embodiment in which housing assembly 110 is an integral housing (e.g., when housing assembly 110 may be formed by a single integral housing member having housing members 120 and 125 that may be integral portions of housing assembly 110), locking member 240 may remain movably attachable to both housing members 120 and 125 of housing assembly 110 (or, e.g., may be omitted).
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As illustrated in
Returning to
Body member 285 may also include a plurality of portions 320 and 325. Portions 320 and 325 may be received by portions of housing assembly 110 to allow for a movement of cutting assembly 115 within cavity 135 of housing assembly 110. For example, portions 320 and 325 may be received in recesses 185 and 190 of second housing member 125. Body member 285, other portions of cutting assembly 115, and/or housing assembly 110 may include any suitable recesses, apertures, cavities, protrusions, and/or any other suitable portions that may interact with each other to provide a desired direction of movement or movement path (e.g., movement track). For example, portions 320 and 325 being received in respective recesses 185 and 190 housing assembly 110 may provide a substantially straight and/or non-rotational movement of cutting assembly 115 within cavity 135 such as a straight movement in which cutting assembly 115 does not rotate. It is also contemplated that a movement path or track of cutting member 115 within housing assembly 110 that is curved, non-linear, and/or rotational may also be provided.
As illustrated in
Actuating member 350 may include a plurality of protrusions 365 such as ridges or other suitable tactile protrusions disposed on a surface 370 of actuating member 350. A user of cutting device 105 may interact with actuating member 350 to move cutting assembly 115 within housing assembly 110. Protrusions 365 may assist a user with maintaining positive contact (e.g., non-slipping contact) with actuating member 350 as the user pushes or pulls at actuating member 350. Actuating member 350 may also include a plurality of protrusions 375 and 380 that may be selectively received by respective recesses 230 on both sides of aperture 220 based on a movement of cutting assembly 115 within cavity 135. Actuating member 350 may also include one or more protrusions 385 that may be received (e.g., slidably received) by one or more apertures 342 of body member 285. For example as described below, protrusions 385 may be movably received in apertures 342.
Urging member 360 may apply an urging force to actuating member 350 that urges actuating member 350 away from body member 285 and toward first housing member 120. Urging member 360 may thereby apply an urging force to actuating member 350 that urges protrusions 375 and 380 against surface portions forming recesses 230. Urging member 360 may be a potential-energy-storing member. Urging member 360 may be any suitable member that may be for example stretched and unstretched and/or compressed and uncompressed. Urging member 360 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 360 may be, for example, a tension member or a compression member. For example, urging member 360 may be a spring having a plurality of coils. Urging member 360 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 360 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 360 may be a metallic, plastic, or composite spring. Also for example, urging member 360 may be a rubber band or an elastomeric cable, wire, or cord.
Cutting device 105 may also include an urging member 362 that may be of a generally similar type of urging member as urging member 360 and formed from similar materials as urging member 360. As illustrated in
Returning to
Cutting member 295 may be any suitable blade, cutter, or scraper for cutting or scraping 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. For example, cutting member 295 may be a ceramic blade or scraper. 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 a scraper 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 or scraping materials. Cutting member 295 may include rounded tips to reduce the chance of a user being cut unintentionally by cutting member 295.
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As illustrated in
In at least some exemplary embodiments, the exemplary disclosed cutting device may include a housing (e.g., including housing members 120 and 125), a cutting assembly (e.g., cutting assembly 115) that is movably disposed in the housing, the cutting assembly including a body member (e.g., body member 285), an actuating member (e.g., actuating member 350), and a first urging member (e.g., urging member 360) configured to urge the actuating member away from the body member, from an inner position toward an outer position relative to the body member, by applying a first urging force, and a second urging member (e.g., urging member 362) configured to urge the cutting assembly to retract within the housing by applying a second urging force that urges the actuating member to move from an extended position toward a retracted position relative to the housing. The housing may include at least one recess. The actuating member may include at least one protrusion that is selectively receivable in the at least one recess when the actuating member is in both the extended position relative to the housing and the inner position relative to the body member. The first urging force may be less than the second urging force. The first urging force may be less than half of the second urging force. The first urging force may be in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of the second urging force. The at least one recess may be formed by a plurality of wall portions, and at least one of the plurality of wall portions may block the at least one protrusion from moving toward the retracted position relative to the housing when the at least one protrusion is received in the at least one recess. When the at least one protrusion is received in the at least one recess, the actuating member may be movable toward the outer position relative to the body member but may not be movable toward the retracted position relative to the housing. The housing may include a first housing member and a second housing member that is removably attachable to the first housing member. The exemplary disclosed cutting device may further include a locking assembly that selectively locks the first housing member to the second housing member. The at least one protrusion may include two protrusions that are selectively receivable, respectively, in the at least one recess that includes two recesses. The exemplary disclosed cutting device may further include a cutting member that is removably attachable to the cutting assembly. The cutting member may include Zirconium Oxide.
In at least some exemplary embodiments, the exemplary disclosed cutting device may include a first housing member (e.g., housing member 120), a second housing member (e.g., housing member 125) that is removably attachable to the first housing member to form a housing, a cutting assembly (e.g., cutting assembly 115) that is movably disposed in the housing, the cutting assembly including a body member (e.g., body member 285), an actuating member (e.g., actuating member 350), and a first spring (e.g., urging member 360) configured to urge the actuating member away from the body member, from an inner position toward an outer position relative to the body member, by applying a first spring force, and a second spring (e.g., urging member 362) configured to urge the cutting assembly to retract within the housing by applying a second spring force that urges the actuating member to move from an extended position toward a retracted position relative to the housing. The housing may include at least one recess. The actuating member may include at least one protrusion that is selectively receivable in the at least one recess when the actuating member is in both the extended position relative to the housing and the inner position relative to the body member. The first spring force may be less than the second spring force and applied in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of the second spring force. The at least one recess may be formed by a plurality of wall portions, and at least one of the plurality of wall portions may block the at least one protrusion from moving toward the retracted position relative to the housing when the at least one protrusion is received in the at least one recess. When the at least one protrusion is received in the at least one recess, the actuating member may be movable toward the outer position relative to the body member but may not be movable toward the retracted position relative to the housing.
The exemplary disclosed device and method may provide an intuitively simple and safe technique for cutting materials and/or replacing blades of a cutting device such as, for example, a scraper. The exemplary disclosed device and method may be used in any application involving cutting materials such as scraping material. For example, the exemplary cutting device and method may be used in applications such as removing undesired material from a surface, smoothing or levelling a surface, preparing a surface for a desired use or further treatment, and/or any other suitable application for scraping material. The exemplary disclosed device and method may be used in any application for reducing fatigue or discomfort to a user (e.g., to a user's thumb or finger).
An exemplary operation of exemplary cutting device 105 will now be described. A user may store, transport, and/or carry cutting device 105 in the retracted position illustrated in
A user may move cutting device 105 from the retracted state illustrated in
Inward force 361 suitable to overcome the urging force of urging member 360 may be a relatively small force. For example, the force suitable to move actuating member 350 from the outer position illustrated in
At any desired time, a user may move cutting device 105 from the extended state illustrated in
In at least some exemplary embodiments, actuating member 350 may be in a retracted, outer position as illustrated in
The user may unlock cutting device 105 by moving locking assembly 130 from the exemplary locked position (e.g., at locked indicator 275) to the exemplary unlocked position (e.g., at unlocked indicator 280) by pushing (e.g., or pulling or toggling) protrusion 265. When cutting device 105 is unlocked, a user may detach first housing member 120 from second housing member 125 as illustrated in
When housing members 120 and 125 are detached from each other, a user may replace cutting member 295 as desired. For example, the user may detach an existing cutting member 295 from cutting assembly 115 so that protrusion 315 is removed from aperture 400 and portions 305 and 310 are removed from recesses 395. The user may then attach a new cutting member 295 to cutting assembly 115 by inserting protrusion 315 into aperture 400 and inserting portions 305 and 310 into recesses 395. Housing members 120 and 125 may then be reattached to each other and locked to each other by moving locking assembly 130 from the exemplary unlocked position (e.g., at unlocked indicator 280) to the exemplary locked position (e.g., at locked indicator 275) by pushing (e.g., or pulling or toggling) protrusion 265.
In at least some exemplary embodiments, the exemplary disclosed method may include movably disposing a cutting assembly (e.g., cutting assembly 115) in a housing (e.g., including housing members 120 and 125), the cutting assembly including an actuating member (e.g., actuating member 350) and a body member (e.g., body member 285), urging the actuating member away from the body member, from an inner position toward an outer position relative to the body member, by applying a first urging force, urging the cutting assembly to retract within the housing by applying a second urging force that urges the actuating member to move from an extended position toward a retracted position relative to the housing, and applying a moving force that is greater than the second urging force to move the actuating member to the extended position relative to the housing. When the actuating member is in the extended position relative to the housing, the exemplary disclosed method may also include applying an inward force that is greater than the first urging force to move the actuating member to the inner position relative to the body member. When the actuating member is in both the extended position relative to the housing and the inner position relative to the body member, the exemplary disclosed method may also include removing the moving force while maintaining the inward force and using a portion of the housing to block movement of the actuating member toward the retracted position relative to the housing. The exemplary disclosed method may further include, when the actuating member is in both the extended position relative to the housing and the inner position relative to the body member, removing both the moving force and the inward force so that the actuating member moves to the outer position relative to the body member and to the retracted position relative to the housing. The first urging force may be less than the second urging force. The first urging force may be less than one-half of the second urging force. The actuating member may be maintained in both the extended position relative to the housing and the inner position relative to the body member by removing the moving force and maintaining the inward force that is both greater than the first urging force and applied in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the second urging force. The actuating member may move to the retracted position relative to the housing and the outer position relative to the body member when both of the moving force and the inward force are removed.
The exemplary disclosed cutting device and method may provide an intuitively simple device and technique for using a cutting device and for safely and easily replacing blades of the cutting device for cutting or scraping a surface of a material. The exemplary disclosed device and method may provide a quick and efficient way to change between a mode in which a blade such as a scraping blade is exposed and a mode in which the blade is safely covered or retracted. The exemplary disclosed cutting device and method may allow a user to maintain a cutting device in an extended position by applying a small force such as a small inward force, which may reduce the amount of force involved with using the cutting device and provide a comfortable user experience. For example, a user's thumb or fingers may not experience fatigue or discomfort based on using the cutting device.
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.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200107691 A1 | Apr 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16155240 | Oct 2018 | US |
| Child | 16565677 | US |
