Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6554163
-
Patent Number
6,554,163
-
Date Filed
Friday, February 1, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 29, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 007 158
- 007 160
- 030 162
- 030 286
- 030 335
- 401 195
- 222 80
- 222 191
- 222 192
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A decorating and cutting device includes a housing. A cutting blade and decorating material dispenser are disposed within the housing and are operable to simultaneously dispense decorating material and cut a target material.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of decorating and cutting, and more particularly to a device which is operable to perform decorating and/or cutting functions either independently or simultaneously.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In crafting and other tasks the operations of cutting and decorating are usually performed separately. This is why there are many different types of cutting tools and many different types of decorating tools.
Felt tip markers are able to efficiently, and for a low cost, provide their users with an ability to decorate items and material like cloth, paper, plastics, cardboard, wood and other porous and non-porous material. Felt tip markers have a felt nib that is connected to an ink or decorating material storage and transference system. The ink or decorating material is drawn from the storage system, usually by capillary or wicking action, and moistens the nib to allow the nib to transfer the ink or decorating material to a target material.
A major problem with markers involves the durability of the nib. When most markers are used their nibs begin to distort due to the pressure placed on them and the rapid reversal of forces caused by the changing direction of the drawing and writing process. As the marker is moved up and down, back and forth and to and fro the angle at which pressure is exerted, on the nib, is changed and this can weaken, warp and destroy the nib. To resolve or lessen this problem many markers are made with springs helping to absorb the pressure of using the markers and/or a tube like casing is used to support the nib.
Rubber stamps have the ability to transfer complex images quickly and in a repeatable fashion. Rubber stamps have been shaped into cylinders and when run across a material can create long repeating decorations.
Many cutting tools are available. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some use stationary blades, some use moving blades and some use blades-that swivel to allow their cutting direction to be controlled. These devices can be used to create precision cuts, however, precision cutting using these devices, by its nature, is a tedious and difficult task. The task of cutting is extremely difficult when it must be coordinated with an existing design. The user not only needs to make sure all their cuts are done in a fashion that gives a pleasing appearance they too must work to make sure they cut close enough to the existing design so as to remove all surrounding non-design material while at the same time working to avoid removing any of the design.
Present technologies do not directly address the need to cooperatively decorate and cut either in a freeform fashion or when using a template. A need has thus arisen for a device that allows a user to cut, decorate and/or to cooperatively cut and decorate either independently or simultaneously with the same device.
Another deficiency with present markers is seen in the damage caused to their nib by the pressures applied to them during use. A need has arisen for a marker with a supported nib. This extra support is in addition to any spring, casing or other support means.
Cutting blades dull as they are used and, depending on their material's composition, can rust or tarnish making them dull. A need has arisen for a cutting device which keeps the blade coated with ink or decorating material when it is stored and when it is used with the decorating tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A decorating and cutting device includes a housing. A cutting blade and decorating material dispenser are disposed within the housing and are operable to simultaneously dispense decorating material and cut a target material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following Description of the Preferred Embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which:
FIG.
1
. is an exploded side view of the stationary spring tensioned cutting edge and decorating device of the present invention;
FIG.
2
. is a side view of the cutting blade shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG.
3
. is a side view of the nib with opening to accept the cutting blade shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG.
4
. is a side view of a rotating cutter and decorating device of the present invention;
FIG.
5
. is a bottom view of device shown in
FIG. 4
;
FIG.
6
. is a top view of a cut and decorated edge;
FIG.
7
. is a front view of a dual decorating wheel device with a single shaped cutting wheel and sized spacers;
FIG.
8
. is a top view of a cut and decorated edge using the dual decorating wheels and a single round flat cutting wheel with the device of
FIG. 7 and a
perforating wheel with the device of
FIG. 7
;
FIG.
9
. is a side view of a swivel blade cutting and decorating device of the present invention;
FIG.
10
. is a side view of a cutting blade with decorating material duct of
FIG. 9
;
FIGS. 11
a.
and
11
b.
are side and front views of a decorating nib of
FIG. 9
;
FIGS. 12
a.
and
12
b.
are top and side views of the blade nib lock of
FIG. 9
;
FIGS. 13
a
and
13
b.
are side and bottom views of the blade nib support and decorating material valve of
FIG. 9
;
FIGS. 14
a.,
14
b.,
14
c.
and
14
d.
are top views showing the blade and decorating nib of
FIG. 9
in various positions;
FIG.
15
. is a side view of an additional embodiment of the present invention;
FIG.
16
. is a side view of the top component of the device shown in
FIG. 15
;
FIG.
17
. is a side view of a piece of see through compressible material of
FIG. 15
;
FIG.
18
. is a side view of the bottom component of the device shown in
FIG. 15
;
FIG. 19
is a top view of the device shown in
FIG. 15
;
FIG.
20
. is a perspective view showing the attachment of FIG.
15
. and a cutting decorating device;
FIG.
21
. is a side view of a pull blade and ball bearing system with ball bearings as support and to facilitate rotation and swiveling and or for applying decorating material in accordance with the present invention;
FIG.
22
. is a side view of a push blade and ball bearing system with low friction sleeve as support and to facilitate rotation and swiveling and or for applying decorating material in accordance with the present invention;
FIG.
23
. is a side view of a push blade with multiple ball bearings surrounding it to facilitate rotating, swiveling and cutting in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 24
; is a bottom view of the pull blade of
FIG. 21
;
FIG.
25
. is a bottom view of the push blade of
FIG. 22
;
FIG.
26
. is a bottom view of the multiple ball bearings surrounded blade of
FIG. 23
;
FIG.
27
. is a side view of a retractable blade nib assembly in the cut and decorate position in accordance with the present invention;
FIG.
28
. is a side view of the blade nib assembly of FIG.
27
. in the cut only position;
FIG.
29
. is a side view of the blade nib assembly of FIG.
27
. in the color only position;
FIG.
30
. is a side view of a blade assembly of
FIG. 27
;
FIG.
31
. is a side view of a decorating nib of
FIG. 27
;
FIG.
32
. is a top view of a blade assembly of
FIG. 27
;
FIG.
33
. is a top view of a decorating nib of
FIG. 27
;
FIG. 34
a.
is a top view of the assembly of FIG.
27
. showing the blade and nib handles in a cut and decorate position;
FIG. 34
b.
is a top view of the assembly of FIG.
27
. showing the blade and nib handles in a decorate only position;
FIG. 34
c.
is a top view of the assembly of FIG.
27
. showing the blade and nib handles in a cut only position;
FIG.
35
. is a bottom view of a further embodiment of the invention with four decorating surfaces and five cutting surfaces;
FIG.
36
. is a bottom view of the four cutting surfaces of the device of
FIG. 35
;
FIG.
37
. is a bottom view of a decorating nib of
FIG. 35
;
FIG.
38
. is a bottom view of a further embodiment of the invention with four decorating nibs and each containing one internal cutter;
FIG.
39
. is a side view of device of
FIG. 38
;
FIGS. 40
a.
and
40
b.
are side and bottom views, respectively, of a drawing nib shown in
FIG. 35
;
FIGS. 41
a.
and
41
b.
are side and top views, respectively, of a four-faced blade assembly shown in
FIG. 35
; and
FIGS. 42
a.
and
42
b.
are bottom and side views, respectively, of a decorating nib with internal cutter shown in FIG.
35
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
FIG. 1
shows an embodiment of the present invention that uses a stationary blade and decorating material dispenser or nib in a pen shaped device, which includes a cap and can be used as a normal marking device is used. The decorating material dispenser or nib
1
wicks ink, or other decorating material, from the decorating material storage reservoir
7
, via the decorating material feed duct
12
. The nib
1
is attached to the cutting assembly
2
and also at the cutting assembly base
5
using, for example, screws, tacks, adhesive, or pins
11
or simply a tight fit and a shape designed to discourage any pull-away forces. The decorating nib
1
and cutting assembly
2
are held in place by the cushion and retaining member
6
and the nib and cutting assembly stop blocks
4
. The cutting assembly base
5
is tensioned in place by force from the cushion and retaining member
6
. The cushion and retaining member
6
allows the cutting assembly
2
and nib
1
to be biased in a stationary position and also to give, flex and move slightly, when force is exerted during use. This will prolong blade and nib life and also protect them from shock. Member
6
also gives the device a softer feel and makes it easier to accommodate rough surfaces. The cushion and retaining member
6
also operates with a valve system. One embodiment has the valve attached to and working with the nib and cutter assembly base
5
.
The decorating material reservoir
7
can simple be an empty reservoir or it can be filled with a material that is conducive to storing the decorating materials as anyone skilled in the art will know. The closing cap
8
keeps the decorating material sealed inside the main case
15
.
Decorating material as used herein is any type of material that can be applied to a target material or surface for any useful purpose. Decorating material includes, for example, but is not limited to ink, dye, glue, lacquer, etching solution, oil, stain, colored wax, glitter and glue, colored glue, clear coat or any other material that might have some useful benefits. A target material includes, for example, paper, cloth, leather, cardboard and the like, or any other material that might receive some useful benefits.
Other features of the device of
FIG. 1
include a finger grip
9
designed to make the device comfortable to use. A template trace edge
3
designed to make it easy to use the device with a template. A color indicator
10
designed to show the color, type and surface finish, and other characteristics, of the decorating material and or blade.
A user uses the device of
FIG. 1
like a regular pen type marking device and instead of simply marking they mark and cut simultaneously.
FIG. 2
shows a side view of the cutting assembly with cutting edge
2
, base
5
, hole
16
for attachment pin
11
and decorating material duct
12
.
FIG. 3
shows the nib
1
with its hole
16
for attachment pin
11
and opening through its center to accommodate the cutting assembly.
FIG. 4
shows a side view of an additional embodiment of the invention using a rotating cutter assembly, rotating decorating assembly with decorating material supply pad. The device uses a rotating blade, with flat or shaped cutting edge, in cooperation with a rotating decorating device.
This embodiment stores the decorating material in the decorating material storage vessel
35
and feeds it to the decorating material supply pad
32
via the decorating material supply
34
that can use capillary, wicking or any other suitable transmission action.
A user uses the device by holding the handle
29
and pushing the decorating disk
20
and cutting disk
21
on a target object and then applying force in the direction they wish to cut and decorate.
The spring
28
gives the device a softer feel and more control over the pressure that is applied.
FIG. 5
shows a bottom view of the device shown in FIG.
4
. Screw head
23
acts as one end of the shaft that holds the decorating disk
20
, guide shaft
26
, spacing washer
25
, wave spring
22
and cutting disk
21
assembly. The other end is closed by a locking nut
24
that is used to close the end of the shaft and also acts as a tensioning adjustment. This embodiment shows a flat round blade that will produce a straight edge cut. It is important to note that a shaped blade edge is used, with or without spacers, to make cuts of varying shapes at varying distances from the decoration. The device is assembled with the guide shaft
26
, and other components, arranged differently to create different effects and different feels when, being used. As one example, the device is assembled with the shaft on the right side of the cutting and decorating disks to allow easier use by a left handed person. Another example is to assemble a shaped cutting disk on the left side of the guide shaft
26
with a 2 mm sized spacer
37
and the cutting disk on the right side of the guide shaft
26
with a 3 mm sized spacer
37
. This would allow creation of a shaped cut edge with the design being made 5 mm plus the size of the guide shaft away. Another configuration includes using a nut, acting as a spacer, with the blade and guide shaft held securely and a decorating disk held loosely on the other side. This configuration would make consistent cuts with inconsistent and random designs that might be very appealing when interested in creating one of a kind, natural patters or security bands that need to be difficult to duplicate.
FIG. 6
shows a cut edge with a design on the right of it, as one might see, created by a device as shown in FIG.
4
.
FIG. 7
shows an embodiment of the device that uses multiple decorating wheels
36
and a single cutter
38
. In this embodiment two different decorating material supply pads
32
are used, one to supply each decorating wheel
36
, but each using different decorating materials. This allows the device to color each side of the cut with different, or same, material. In this configuration the main cutting blade
38
is sandwiched between two legs of a guide shaft
26
. The main cutting wheel
38
shown is a perforation wheel, as shown by the diagonal lines, so instead of making a full cut wheel
38
makes a perforation that can be later hand torn to the shape with the decoration on each side. Cutting wheel
38
can be interchanged to create different effects and different types of cuts or other operations like embossing, engraving, punching or any other desirable outcome. The screw head
23
maintains the assemblies on shaft
26
. The wave washer
22
allows the nut and tension adjustment
24
to remove slack. from the assembly, which allows it to turn as freely or as tightly as the material being cut and decorated and the user needs and wants it to. The support screw
27
is sized to accept at least one cutting wheel
38
and at least one decorating wheel
36
. One or more cutting wheels
38
and one or more decorating wheels
36
and one or more sized spacers are assembled in varying configurations that perform various tasks of decorating and cutting. This allows these devices to make cut and decorated edges and also strips cut on both sides with decorations down the center. It can create one to many strips each with cut edges and or perforations and designs all at the same time. The decorating material supply
34
draws decorating material from the decorating material storage vessel
35
. If desired the decorating material supply
34
can be discarded and instead the decorating material supply pad
32
can store the decorating material. Replacing the decorating material supply pad
32
will replenish the decorating material supply. This configuration also allows for quick decorating material changes.
FIG. 8
shows a target material, like a sheet of paper or cloth, with edges created by the device of FIG.
7
. The single cut is surrounded by two decorated edges. The decoration is almost touching the cut edge because a small spacer
37
is used to separate the blade
38
from the decorating wheel
36
. The cut edges shown in
FIG. 8
are made with a straight flat cutting wheel like the one shown in FIG.
5
. The decorated perforation
39
is created from a device configured with a perforation blade and two decorating wheels.
FIG. 9
shows an embodiment of the present invention that uses a swiveling blade nib assembly to allow easy creation of curved cuts and designs. The cutting blade
41
is attached to the decorating nib
40
and the swivel mount
55
to create an assemble that can rotate about the cutting edge of the blade. The blade nib end support
43
interfaces with the decorating material valve
54
that is attached to the blade nib support spring
45
. When pressure is applied to the blade
41
and nib
40
the decorating material valve
54
opens to provide decorating material to the nib
40
. Decorating material valves are generally known to those skilled in the art. Valve
54
includes a rounded and cut through piece of material that will keep the decorating material in the decorating material storage area
44
until pressure is applied then it will leak, at the seams of the cuts thus supplying decorating material. The decorating material that is released is drawn by the decorating material feed
48
and then through the decorating material exit opening
49
to the nib. Wicking or capillary action can draw the decorating material to the tip of the nib and the nib will draw the material to its end. The rounded top of the decorating material valve acts as a bearing for the blade nib end support
43
and helps lower friction to increase ease of swivel action. The blade and nib assembly is held in place by the blade nib retaining lock
42
. The blade nib retaining lock
42
is moveable far enough away from the blade nib assemble to allow it to be removed and replaced with a new or different blade nib assemble. This will allow a user to change the blade and nib either to replace a well-worn blade and/or nib or to use one with different characteristics like thickness or shape of nib or size or type of cutter.
FIG. 10
shows the blade with its end support
43
, decorating material feed
48
, decorating material exit opening
49
, blade nib attachment means
51
and cutting edge
50
. The use of each of these is outlined in the embodiment above.
FIGS. 11
a.
and
11
b.
show the nib
40
with swivel mounts
55
and duct
52
for blade. Swivel mount
55
is used to attach the nib and blade in a manner that will allow them to be firmly pressed to the target material yet still swivel to cut and decorate curves.
FIGS. 12
a.
and
12
b.
show the blade nib retaining lock
42
details. It has a fingernail pull recess
53
, and entry slot and a cylindrical cutout in the center that supports and snaps onto the center swivel mount attached to the blade nib assembly.
FIGS. 13
a.
and
13
b.
show the blade nib support spring
45
. This is made of a springy material that also acts as a barrier holding in the decorating material in the decorating material storage area
44
. When the blade nib support spring
45
is pressed, by the force of using the blade and nib, the slits in the decorating material valve open enough to allow decorating material to pass-from storage to the decorating material feed
48
.
FIGS. 14
a.
-
14
d.
show how the blade and nib will swivel in the direction of the desired cutting and decorating as the user uses the device.
FIG. 15
shows an attachment that allows a swivel cutting and decorating device, like the one described above in
FIG. 9
, to be more easily controlled. A swivel cutting and/or decorating device is attached to the device as shown in FIG.
20
. The user inserts the pen, cutting implement, or a cutting and decorating device into the pen and cutter opening
63
and screws it into the threaded pen attachment location
69
. This attachment can also be made by friction, a pin or other forms of attachment. Now the user can hold the edges of the device, with one to many, fingers on the finger grip
61
. The user can see the target material and the cutting and decorating tool through the magnifying lens
62
. By pushing down on the finger grip
61
the silicon like see through spring
64
, or a real spring, compresses allowing the blade and/or nib to contact the target material. Moving the device with the top element pressed down will cause the decoration and/or cutting to take place at the point the decorating and/or cutting assembly contacts the target material as seen through the lens. Rollers
66
assist the device moving across the target material and also keep the, blade and nib from contacting the target material until engaged to do so.
FIG. 16
shows the top assembly
60
of the device. Its center opening
63
firmly holds the decorating and cutting device, which can have screw threads that mesh with those inside the center opening
63
. The assembly threaded opening
71
allows the top assembly
60
to be attached to the bottom assembly
65
via a screw passed from the bottom assembly
65
through the spring
64
and finally screwing into the top assembly
60
.
FIG. 17
shows one embodiment of a spring
64
that uses a piece of compressible clear material, such as, for example, gel or silicon, with openings molded or cut into it to allow it to match the openings in the top and bottom assemblies. The spring
64
acts as a spring and also allows the target material to be more viewable.
FIG. 18
is the bottom assembly
65
. The pass through
73
allows the pen to freely move up and down as the pressure on the top assembly
60
dictates it should. It also has a stop on it to keep the pen and or cutting device from slipping out the bottom of the entire device. Roller snap-in recesses
72
are designed to allow a ball bearing type roller to be snapped in place and then to freely turn to assist in rolling the device across a target material. Assembly screw recesses
68
allow a screw to connect the top and bottom assemblies, along with their integrated components, together.
FIG. 19
is a top view showing a device and one possible layout of rollers
66
and assembly screw recesses
68
.
FIG. 20
is an orthogonal view of one embodiment of the device showing the pen and or cutting device in the center.
The shape of the entire device can be any shape. A circle was selected as an example and should not be considered limiting. Hand conforming tear drop shapes, square, rectangle, oval, shapes of company logos and any other shape that would be desirable could be used.
FIGS.
21
. and
24
. show a modified blade roller assembly that uses the roller to distribute decorating material while cutting or uses the roller simply to assist in cutting or uses the roller to distribute a material or solution that performs a task or assists in cutting without decorating or applying any material. This embodiment of the invention uses a pull cutting blade
81
with a roller
80
set ahead of it. The roller
80
scores a path in front of the blade
81
assisting the blade in cutting along a specific path. The roller
80
also allows a user to make more accurate and intricate turns and curves. In addition to other benefits the roller
80
provides a cushion protecting the cutting blade and or limits the cutter's depth protecting beneath the material by pushing the cutter above the material. Ball bearings
82
are used to support the device in a manner that allows it to swivel freely.
FIGS.
22
. and
25
. show a modified blade roller assembly that uses the roller to distribute decorating material while cutting or uses the roller simply to assist in cutting or uses the roller to distribute a material or solution that performs a task or assists in cutting without decorating or applying any material. This embodiment of the invention uses a push cutting blade
81
with a roller
80
set behind it. The roller
80
assists the blade
81
in rolling across the target material. The roller
80
also allows a user to make more accurate and intricate turns and curves. In addition to other benefits the roller
80
also provides a cushion protecting the cutting blade and limits the cutter's depth protecting beneath the material by maintaining the cutter above the material. A low resistance sleeve
83
is used to hold the shaft in place in a manner that allows it to swivel freely.
FIGS.
23
. and
26
. show a modified blade roller assembly that uses the roller to distribute decorating material while cutting or use the roller simply to assist in cutting or use the roller to distribute a material or solution that performs a task or assists in cutting without decorating or applying any material. This embodiment of the invention uses a centrally located cutting blade
81
with, more than one, roller
80
set near it. The rollers
80
assist the blade
81
in rolling across the target material. The rollers
80
also allow a user to make more accurate and intricate turns, cuts and curves. In addition to other benefits the rollers
80
also provide a cushion protecting the cutting blade and limiting the cutter's depth protecting beneath the material by maintaining the cutter above the material. A low resistance sleeve
84
shaped and acting like a spring is used to hold the shaft in place in a manner that allows it to swivel freely. The ball end and concave low resistance mount means
85
allows the device to be attached to a receptacle that will hold it firmly in place and allow it to swivel.
In the embodiments shown in
FIGS. 21
,
22
,
23
,
24
,
25
and
26
it is important to note that the blade can be made to be higher or lower than the rollers and/or at different angles in relation to each other to provide different advantages when cutting different materials. Separate adjustments are added to allow manual adjustment to be made allowing the user to adjust the orientation and/or height of the roller, or rollers, in reference to the blade or blades. These devices may be made, for example, with one or more blades and one or more rollers in any orientation or configuration that is found to be advantageous and/or as the needs of the task require or would be assisted by.
FIGS. 27
,
28
and
29
show a blade and nib configuration that allows the user to set the tool so it will exhibit different characteristics. By moving the blade and or nib a user can change the way the tool works and acts. For example if the user moves the nib all the way out, toward the target material, and then moves the blade toward the inside of the device, further away from the target material, the user could set the blade so it only scores, instead of cuts through, the target material while it is decorating the target material. If the user moves the blade all the way into the device the device will still decorate the target material but will not score, mark or cut it. By moving the nib slightly into the device and the blade all the way out the user could cut the target material and only lightly mark it or move it further in and not mark it at all. Different combinations of relationships between the blade and nib and their performance on different target material can produce different useful results. This makes this tool quite useful and able to adapt to different target material and to perform many useful functions.
The following descriptions show some of the many ways the relationship between the protrusion of the blade and nib from or into the device and the relationship between the blade and nib can be used to create some of the many combinations of features this device can perform. These drawings are not meant to be limiting but simply meant to show examples of several of the almost infinite possible combinations of the blade, nib and device relationship.
FIG. 27
shows the blade
100
and nib
101
in a position that allows the user to cut and decorate simultaneously. The handles
102
allow the user to engage or disengage the blade and/or nib. A spring
103
helps to tension the blade and nib and the incremental movement position fins
106
work with ridges inside the case to cause the blade and nib to click as they are moved and also biases them to stay in the position they are set in. By placing more ridges inside the case the user has more ability to determine the incremental distance in the relationship between the blade and the nib and the blade and nib's protrusion or insertion into the device. The fin
106
works similar to a locking blade in a cable tie and the ridges are similar to the ridges in the cable tie's main strip. In, a cable tie the locking blade and ridges allow for movement in only one direction but in this device the movement is allowed in both directions.
FIG. 28
shows the blade
100
and nib
101
in a position that allows the user to cut without decorating. The handles
102
allow the user to engage or disengage the blade and/or nib. Its other features are similar to the description of
FIG. 27
above.
FIG. 29
shows the blade
100
and nib
101
in a position that allows the user to decorate without cutting. The handles
102
allow the user to engage or disengage the blade and/or nib. Its other features are similar to the description of
FIG. 27
above.
The user, because of the almost infinite free movement between the blade
100
and nib
101
, can select any position for the blade
100
and nib
101
. This allows the user to take advantage of the different possibilities created by changing the orientation of the blade to the nib, the blade to the device, the nib to the blade, the nib to the device and the combination of the blade and nib's orientation to the device. Moving the blade and nib all the way into the device closes the device for storage, transportation, and protects the blade and nib and items they come in contact with.
FIG. 30
shows a side view of the blade
100
assembly.
FIG. 31
shows a side view of the nib
101
assembly.
FIG. 32
shows a top view of the blade
100
assembly with a protruding alignment pin to hold the blade and nib in alignment.
FIG. 33
shows the top view of the nib
101
assembly.
FIGS. 34
a.,
34
b.
and
34
c.
show three top views of the device with its blade and nib in three of their many possible combinations.
FIG. 34
a.
shows how the handles
102
would look, in this embodiment, when they are set for cut and decorate.
FIG. 34
b.
shows how the handles would look, in this embodiment, when they are set for decorate only.
FIG. 34
c.
shows how the handles would look, in this embodiment, when they are set for cut only.
The blade and nib can be moved in any combination and to orient themselves to each other and the device itself in any manner. Indicator indicia and or pronounced internal ridges and or internal or external stops can be added to the device to allow easy reference for setting the tool. If, for example, we find an optimal setting for a target material, like ⅛ inch thick leather, to be with the blade as far out as possible and the nib to be {fraction (1/16)} inch further away, toward the device, causing the blade to protrude {fraction (1/16)} inch beyond the nib. It could be noted on the device, in a visual, auditory, tactile or combination of any or all three methods of indication of this optimal position for the blade and the nib. This allows the user to set the device quickly for the task or material at hand.
FIG. 35
shows a bottom view of an embodiment of a multi-edged decorating and cutting device with three non-cutting colored nibs
121
,
122
,
123
, one colored nib
124
with internal cutter
129
, a four faced blade assembly
133
with four cutting edges
125
,
126
,
127
,
128
and a case
120
holding everything. A user can use one cutter with two nibs simultaneously. For example if one orients the first cutting edge
125
directly toward the target material they will also be orienting the first color nib
121
and the second color nib
122
so that when the device is being used the end result will be a cutter with the decorating material from nib
121
on the one side of the cut and decorating material from nib
122
on the other side of the cut with the cut, made by cutting edge
125
toward the center. The user could also orient one of the non-internal cutting nibs
121
,
122
,
123
toward the target material. This will allow them to apply decorating material without cutting. When the nib
124
with the internal cutter
129
is used it will apply decorating material from itself around the internal cutting blade
129
. The nib is used with cutting blades
127
and
128
and associated nibs
123
and
121
respectively to produce results similar to the other nib and without using the internal cutter. This nib is also used with its internal cutter
129
by itself.
FIG. 36
shows a bottom view of the four faced blade assembly
133
.
FIG. 37
shows a bottom view of the second color nib
122
.
FIG. 38
shows a bottom view of an embodiment with four nibs that contain internal cutters
129
. A spacer
130
is used to separate each nib, and thus each cutter, a specific distance. This keeps the nib far enough away to avoid contamination from one nib to another. This device can be used to create cuts on which both of its edges have applied the same decorating material or material to perform a specific task. The internal cutter will cut while the nib applies the decorating material around the cut. This device contains four different decorating materials or other types of materials. And the user selects which cutter and material they are applying by rotating the case, in reference to whatever is holding it be it their hand or some other holding device, to orient the correct nib and cutter for the task toward the target material.
FIG. 39
shows a side view of the device shown in FIG.
38
. This view shows how the internal blades
129
are attached to the nibs
124
via a blade to nib attachment means
137
. Also this device uses a sized spacer/separator
130
in place of a four faced blade assembly
133
, storage vessels
132
and an end cap
136
. This embodiment uses the spacer/separator
130
or a four faced blade assembly
133
. The springy connector supporting blade and'spacer/separator
135
attaches the nibs
124
and internal cutters
129
assembly to the device in a manner that allows the blades and nibs to transfer pressure, applied during use, to compress the springy connector supporting blade and spacer/separator
135
to make the device feel responsive during use and to protect the blades and nibs. The decorating material storage separator
131
keeps the materials that feed each individual nib separate to avoid contamination from one decorating material storage vessel
132
to the other.
FIGS. 40
a.
and
40
b.
show a side and bottom view of a nib without an internal cutter.
FIGS. 41
a.
and
41
b.
show a side and top view of a four faced blade assembly. A sized spacer/separator would look similar to this with its fins protruding less than the ones shown for the blades because the fins would not need to contact the target material.
FIGS. 42
a.
and
42
b.
show a bottom and side view of a nib
124
with internal cutter
129
held together by a blade to nib attachment means
137
and the friction made by the assembly itself.
While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A decorating and cutting device for use with a target material comprising:a housing; cutting blade having first and second ends, said first end being attached to said housing and said second end including a cutting edge for creating a cut in the target material, the cut having an edge; a decorating material dispenser having first and second ends, said first end being attached to said housing and said second end adapted to dispense decorating material onto the target material adjacent the cut in an area extending along the cut and from about the edge of the cut to a selected width; and said cutting blade cutting edge being disposed adjacent said dispenser, such that cutting of the target material by said cutting edge and dispensing of decorating material onto the target material in the area occur at about the same time.
- 2. The device of claim 1 and further including:a decorating material storage area disposed within said housing and in communication with said first end of said decorating material dispenser.
- 3. The device, of claim 1 and further including means for biasing said cutting edge and said second end of said dispenser, such that said cutting edge and said second end of said dispenser extend beyond said housing.
- 4. The device of claim 1 and further including means for moving said cutting edge between a first position within said housing and a second position extended beyond said housing.
- 5. The device of claim 1 and further including means for moving said second end of said dispenser between a first position within said housing and a second position extended beyond said housing.
- 6. The device of claim 1 wherein said housing including a shoulder adapted to engage a template.
- 7. The device of claim 1 and further including means for rotating said blade within said housing.
- 8. The device of claim 1 and further including means for rotating said dispenser within said housing.
- 9. The device of claim 1 wherein said housing includes roller bearings adjacent said cutting edge.
- 10. The device of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a spring for biasing said cutting edge and said second end of said dispenser within said housing.
- 11. A decorating and cutting device for use with a target material comprising:a housing: a cutting blade having a cutting edge and attached to said housing, said cutting edge for creating a cut in the target material, the cut having an edge; a decorating material dispenser for dispersing decorating material onto the target material adjacent the cut in an area extending along the cut and from about the edge of the cut to a selected width, said cutting blade cutting edge being disposed adjacent said dispenser, such that said cutting edge and dispenser engage the target material for cutting the target material and dispersing decorating material onto the target material in the area at about the same time.
- 12. The device of claim 11 wherein said cutting blade includes a disc rotatably supported within said housing.
- 13. The device of claim 11 wherein said dispenser includes a wheel rotatably supported within said housing.
- 14. The device of claim 11 and further including:a decorating material storage area disposed within said housing and in communication with said decorating material dispenser.
- 15. The device of claim 11 and further including means for biasing said cutting edge and said dispenser, such that said cutting edge and said dispenser extend beyond said housing.
- 16. The device of claim 11 wherein said housing including a shoulder adapted to engage a template.
- 17. The device of claim 11 wherein said housing includes roller bearings adjacent said cutting edge.
- 18. The device of claim 11 wherein said housing includes a spring for biasing said cutting edge and said dispenser within said housing.
- 19. A decorating and cutting device for use with a target material comprising:a housing; a plurality of spaced apart cutting blades attached to said housing each of said blades for creating a cut in the target material, the cut having an edge; and a plurality of spaced apart decorating material dispensers attached to said housing and being disposed adjacent said plurality of cutting blades cutting edges for dispensing decorating material onto the target material adjacent the cut in an area extending along the cut and from about the edge of the cut to a selected width, such that ones of said plurality of cutting blades and ones of said plurality of dispensers extend from said housing for cutting the target material and decorating the target material in the area at about the same time.
- 20. The device of claim 19 and further including:a decorating material storage area disposed within said housing and in communication with said plurality of decorating material dispensers.
- 21. The device of claim 19 and further including means for biasing said cutting blades and said dispensers, such that said cutting blades and said dispensers extend beyond said housing.
- 22. The device of claim 19 wherein said housing includes roller bearings adjacent said cutting edge.
- 23. The device of claim 19 wherein said housing includes a spring for biasing said cutting blades and said dispensers within said housing.
US Referenced Citations (11)