Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6644156
-
Patent Number
6,644,156
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, January 15, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, November 11, 200320 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Shoap; Allan N.
- Alie; Ghassem
Agents
- Wood, Herron & Evans, L.L.P.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 083 520
- 083 52211
- 083 5083
- 083 4254
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A cutting table for cutting pieces of fabric. The table has a fabric supporting surface mounted on a frame. A cutter is manually movable along a linear cutting path that is substantially perpendicular to an edge guide. First and second light emitting devices emit respective first and second lights in a direction substantially parallel to the linear cutting path. A manually powered drive supports the first and second light emitting devices in a spaced apart relationship, and the drive is manually operable to move the light emitting devices through equal displacements in opposite directions substantially perpendicular to the linear cutting path. The light emitting devices are used to quickly align the fabric, so that it can be cut to a desired width.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a cutting table and, more particularly, to a cutting table for cutting fabric goods, materials or stock.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The cutting of fabric or material for the manufacture of bedding and furniture can be done by hand or by a fully automated machine. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, fully automated machines are accurate, reliable and require minimal labor; however, fully automated machines are expensive and often cannot be sold in price sensitive markets. Further, fully automated machines require substantial selvage on the fabric in order to reliably automatically cut the fabric to size. Hence, the fabric is used less efficiently than if it were manually cut in a manufacturing process. Thus manual cutting often provides some benefits and efficiency with respect to material usage; however, it is difficult and time consuming for an operator to manipulate and cut larger fabric pieces such as those used in bedding. Therefore, known methods of manually cutting of the material are also expensive.
Consequently, there is a need for cutting table that facilitates a manual fabric cutting process, so that material of a desired size can be efficiently and quickly cut.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a cutting table that permits fabric to be easily and quickly manually aligned so that the fabric can be accurately cut with parallel edges. Such a cutting table provides a significant advantage in servicing those markets where fully automated machines are price prohibitive. The cutting table of the present invention also permits the fabric to be quickly and accurately manually aligned with an existing pattern in the material. Hence the cutting table has a further advantage of having more flexibility. The cutting table of the present invention also permits fabric with minimal selvage to be trimmed and used in production. Material with minimal selvage would otherwise be scrapped; and therefore, the cutting table of the present invention has a still further advantage of a more efficient use of the fabric.
According to the principles of the present invention and in accordance with the described embodiments, the invention provides a cutting table for cutting pieces of fabric. The table has a fabric supporting table surface mounted on a frame. A cutter is manually movable along a linear cutting path that is substantially perpendicular to an edge guide. First and second light emitting devices emit respective first and second lights in a direction substantially parallel to the linear cutting path. A manually powered drive supports the first and second light emitting devices in a spaced apart relationship, and the drive is manually operable to move the light emitting devices through equal displacements in opposite directions substantially perpendicular to the linear cutting path. The light emitting devices are used to quickly align the fabric, so that it can be cut to a desired width.
In one aspect of this invention, a carriage mounted on the frame supports the manually powered drive, and the carriage is manually movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cutting path. Further, the manually powered drive has first and second racks supporting the respective first and second light emitting devices. The first rack engages one side of a pinion and the second rack engaging an opposite side of the pinion. A handwheel is connected to the pinion, and rotation of the handwheel moves the racks through equal displacements in opposite directions.
In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for cutting a piece of fabric. First, the fabric is manually placed on a table surface to locate a first edge against an edge guide and a second, adjacent edge across a linear cutting path substantially perpendicular to the edge guide. First and second light emitting devices are moved to a location where respective first and second lights are substantially equidistant from a desired center line of the fabric. A cutter is then manually moved along the linear cutting path identified by the first light to cut a second edge of the fabric substantially perpendicular to the one edge. The fabric is manually moved on the table surface to locate a third edge, opposite the first edge, against the edge guide, and the second edge of the fabric in line with the second light. The cutter is again manually moved along the linear cutting path to cut a fourth edge of the fabric that is substantially parallel to the second edge. The distance between the second and fourth edges being substantially equal to the desired dimension, for example, width, of the fabric.
These and other objects and advantages of the present in will become more readily apparent during the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a front perspective view of a fabric goods cutting table with alignment lasers in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a rear perspective view of the fabric goods cutting table of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is a partial perspective view of a laser mounting and motion assembly of the fabric goods cutting table of FIG.
1
.
FIGS. 4A-4E
are schematic top plan views illustrating one example of the operation of the fabric goods cutting table of FIG.
1
.
FIGS. 5A-5D
are schematic top plan views illustrating another example of the operation of the fabric goods cutting table of FIG.
1
.
FIGS. 6A-6D
are schematic top plan views illustrating a further example of the operation of the fabric goods cutting table of FIG.
1
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to
FIG. 1
, a fabric goods cutting table
20
has a frame
22
that includes four legs
23
with adjustable feet
25
for leveling the table
20
. The frame
22
is assembled from cut pieces of commercially available extruded aluminum. The cutting table
20
has a top
27
made from a suitable material, for example, plastic, metal, etc., and has a flat upper surface
24
for supporting flat goods or material
26
, for example, a piece of fabric that may be quilted. A trackway
28
is recessed into the top surface
24
and guides a cutter
30
. The cutter
30
is supported on the trackway
28
by linear bearings and thus, the cutter
30
is easily manually moved back and forth along the trackway
28
by an operator gripping the handle
32
. The cutter
30
has a powered cutting tool (not shown) the path of which along the trackway
28
defines a cutting path
29
of the cutter
30
.
Mounted near a rear side
34
of the cutting table
20
is a guide
36
. The guide
36
is formed by one side of right angle bar stock
37
. A perpendicular side
38
(
FIG. 2
) of the right angle bar stock
37
is attached to the table surface
24
by bonding, fasteners or other known means. A scale
40
is also attached to the table top
24
behind the guide
36
. The scale
40
has a zero value that intersects the cutting path
29
extending along the trackway
28
. The scale
40
can be adhered or bonded to the table surface
24
; however, attaching the scale
40
with fasteners permits adjustment of the scale
40
with respect to the cutting path
29
.
Referring to
FIG. 2
, a movable carriage
44
is mounted on the rear side
34
of the cutting table
20
. The movable carriage
44
is mounted on upper and lower crossrails
46
,
47
, respectively, extending across the rear side
34
of the table frame
22
. The crossrails
46
,
47
have respective grooves
48
that receive and guide the circumferential edges of rollers
50
. Handles
52
permit the carriage
44
to be moved linearly along the crossrails
46
,
47
over the width of the cutting table
20
. A particular location may be chosen by aligning an indicator line or pointer
54
on a finger
56
with a dimension marked on the scale
40
. A locking plate
58
(
FIG. 1
) is mounted to the carriage
44
immediately adjacent the upper crossrail
46
. The carriage
44
is locked at a desired location with respect to the crossrails
46
,
47
by tightening a screw (not shown) that extends through the locking plate
58
and against the upper crossrail
46
.
The carriage
44
is made from the same aluminum extrusions as the frame
22
and is generally T-shaped with a horizontal, rectangular top frame
60
that is rigidly connected to upper ends of a pair of generally vertical posts
61
. The top frame
60
has a pair of parallel upper and lower cross members
62
,
64
, respectively, that are tied together at their ends by a pair of opposed straps
66
. The top frame
60
has a length that is substantially coextensive with the rear side
34
of the cutting table
20
. Referring to
FIG. 3
, upper and lower racks
68
,
70
are mounted for sliding motion with respect to the upper and lower cross members
62
,
64
, respectively. End slider blocks
72
and intermediate slider blocks
74
are connected to the racks
68
,
70
and guide linear motion of the racks
68
,
70
relative to the respective cross members
62
,
64
. A pinion
76
is rotatably mounted in a gear box
78
(
FIG. 1
) that, in turn, is mounted to the lower cross member
64
. The pinion
76
is mechanically coupled within the gear box
78
to a manually operable hand wheel
80
. Thus, rotation of the hand wheel
80
directly rotates the pinion
76
which results in equal but opposite linear motions of the upper and lower racks
68
,
70
with respect to the respective upper and lower cross members
62
,
64
.
Referring to
FIG. 3
, a first laser mounting assembly
90
is connected to an outer end. of the lower rack
70
. A laser mounting bracket
92
and laser alignment bracket
94
are connected to the end slider block
72
. A laser
96
is mounted on the bracket
92
at an orientation such that it illuminates the table surface
24
with a line of light that is substantially perpendicular to the guide
36
and substantially parallel to the cutting path
29
of the cutter
30
. Such a laser
96
is commercially available as part no. 17405, Style #L7LL, from LaserLyte of Torrance, Calif. As shown in
FIG. 1
, a laser
98
is mounted on an end of the upper rack
68
. The laser
98
and its mounting is substantially identical to the laser
96
.
In use, referring to
FIG. 4A
, the handles
52
are used to linearly move the carriage
44
such that the indicator
54
aligns with a value on the scale
40
that is equal to the desired width of the fabric
26
, for example, 80 inches.
Since the indicator
54
is a center line indicator, the scale
40
is dimensioned in half-scale markings, that is, the 80 inch marking is 40 inches from the zero reference. The locking plate
58
is then secured to the upper crossrail
46
, thereby locking the carriage
44
at a position at which light beams
108
,
110
of respective lasers
96
,
98
are equidistant from the desired center line of the fabric.
Referring to
FIG. 4B
, the fabric
26
is placed on the top surface
24
of the cutting table
20
. The fabric
26
is normally rough cut to length such that it has substantially linear and parallel front and rear edges
100
,
102
, respectively. However, the fabric
26
has not been cut to width and to optimize the use of the fabric as well as the efficiency of subsequent sewing operations, it is desired that the selvage on the opposed first and second sides
104
,
106
, respectively, be cut off to provide side edges that are parallel and separated by a desired width.
To properly align the fabric on the surface
24
, the rear edge
102
is first aligned with the guide
36
, and the selvage edge
104
is located to the left of the cutting path
29
as viewed in FIG.
4
B. The lasers
96
,
98
are turned on, and they illuminate the upper surface of the fabric
26
with respective lines of light
108
,
110
. Next, the handwheel
80
is manually rotated, thereby causing the lasers
96
,
98
to move. The handwheel
80
is used to align the light beam
110
of the laser
98
with the zero scale value and the cutting path
29
of the cutter
30
. The fabric
26
is checked again to make sure that the selvage edge
104
is to the left of the light beam
108
.
While the laser
98
on the upper rack
68
was being moved to the left as viewed in
FIG. 4B
to the zero reference on the scale
40
by rotation of the handwheel
80
, the rack and pinion construction caused the lower rack
70
and laser
96
to be moved an equal distance to the right. Thus, when the light beam
110
is aligned with the cutting path
29
, the laser
96
is automatically positioned at a location such that the light beam
108
is separated from the light beam
110
by the desired width of the fabric
26
, that is, in the present example, the light beam
108
is 80 inches away from the light beam
110
.
At this point, a marking or indicia
112
is made on the fabric
26
near its front side
100
and in alignment with the laser light beam
110
. Thereafter, referring to
FIG. 4C
, weights
118
are placed over the fabric
26
to hold it in place. The cutter
30
is moved with its handle
32
along the trackway
28
, thereby cutting off the selvage edge
104
and providing a straight cut edge
114
that is substantially perpendicular to the fabric rear edge
102
. Thereafter, as shown in
FIG. 4D
, the weights
118
are removed; and the fabric
26
is rotated 180° until, as shown in
FIG. 4E
, the indicia
112
and cut edge
114
are aligned with the light beam
108
from the laser
96
. The weights
118
are again placed over the fabric
26
, and cutter
30
is again manually moved along the trackway
28
to cut off the selvage edge
106
. That operation provides another straight cut edge
116
that is separated from the first cut edge
114
by the desired width, that is, in this example, 80 inches. Further, the second cut edge
116
is parallel to the first cut edge
114
and perpendicular to the fabric ends
100
,
102
.
Referring to
FIG. 5A
, the process is again illustrated using a different size fabric
26
a
. Again, the carriage
44
is moved to a location where the indicator
54
aligns with a dimensional value of the scale
40
that is equal to the desired width of the fabric
26
a
. The carriage
44
is locked in position; and the handle
80
is rotated to move the lasers
96
,
98
in a direction such that the light beam
110
aligns with the zero reference of the scale
40
and the cutting path
29
of the cutter
30
. The fabric
26
a
is spread over the surface
24
, so that the rear edge
102
a
is aligned with the guide
36
and the selvage edge
104
a
is located to the left of light beam
110
as viewed in FIG.
5
A. Referring to
FIG. 5B
, the weights are placed on the fabric
26
a
; the cutter
30
is moved along the trackway
28
to cut off a selvage edge
104
a
and produce a first cut edge
114
a
. The weights
118
are then removed; and as shown in
FIG. 4C
, the fabric
26
a
is rotated 180° to move the cut edge
114
a
into alignment with the light beam
108
from the laser
96
. The cutter
30
is again moved along the trackway
28
to cut off the selvage edge
106
a
and produce a second cut edge
116
a
that is parallel to, and separated a desired distance or width from, the first cut edge
114
a.
Referring to
FIG. 6A
, the cutting table
20
can be used with a piece of fabric
26
b
having a pattern
120
, for example, a quilted pattern, image, etc., at its center. For the pattern to accurately have its desired centered orientation, the selvage edges
104
b
,
106
b
should be cut to be the same distance from the respective pattern sides
122
,
124
. The cutting table may be used in different ways depending on whether the distance from the pattern edges
122
,
124
to the respective fabric edges
104
,
106
should be simply equal or a specified dimension. If they are simply to be equal, then the following process can be used. First, the fabric
26
b
is spread on the surface
24
with its rear edge
102
b
located against the guide
36
and its selvage edge
104
b
extending to the left of the cutting path
29
as viewed in FIG.
6
A.
If the pattern width, that is, the distance between the pattern edges, is known, as described above, the carriage
44
is moved to a location at which the indicator
54
is aligned with a dimension on the scale
40
equaling the pattern width. At this point, the light beams
108
,
110
should align over the respective pattern edges
124
,
122
. As will be appreciated, the pattern width may not be exactly the size specified; and one or both of the light beams may not align with the pattern edges
122
,
124
. In this event, the handwheel
50
and carriage
44
should be adjusted until the lasers beams
108
,
110
do align with the respective pattern edges
124
,
122
; and the carriage
44
is then locked at that location. The above procedure of manipulating both the handwheel
80
and the location of the carriage
44
can also be used if the width of the pattern
120
is not known.
Referring to
FIG. 6B
, the weights
118
are placed over the fabric
26
b
; and the cutter
30
is moved along the trackway
28
to cut off the selvage edge
104
b
and provide a first cut edge
114
b
. Referring to
FIG. 6C
, the weights
118
are removed and the fabric
26
b
is rotated 180° to move the cut edge
114
b
into alignment with the light beam
108
. The weights
118
are again placed over the fabric
26
b
; and the cutter
30
is again moved along the trackway
28
to cut off the selvage edge
106
b
. That operation produces a second cut edge
116
b
that is parallel to the first cut edge
114
b
; and further, the cut edges
114
b
,
116
b
are a uniform distance from the respective pattern edges
122
,
124
.
In other applications, it may be desirable that the cut edges
114
b
,
116
b
be a specified distance from the respective pattern edges
122
,
124
. Referring to
FIG. 6A
, after the fabric
26
b
is spread on the surface
24
so that the rear edge
102
b
aligns with the guide
36
, the handwheel
80
is turned until the light beams
108
,
110
align with the respective pattern edges
124
,
122
. Then the carriage
44
is unlocked and moved until the light beam
110
is aligned with a dimension on the scale
40
that is equal to the specified distance between the cut edges and the respective pattern edges. The carriage
44
is again locked. The fabric
26
b
is then relocated on the surface
24
until the pattern edges
122
,
124
align with the respective light beams
110
,
108
and the rear edge
102
b
is located against the guide
36
. The above described process with respect to
FIGS. 6B-6D
is then repeated with the result that the cut edges
114
b
,
116
b
are the specified distance from the respective pattern edges
122
,
124
.
In the above description, the fabric
26
b
has a pattern
120
with opposed edges
122
,
124
that are used to align the laser lights
108
,
110
. As will be appreciated, the edges
122
,
124
function as alignment guides or elements; and alternatively, the pattern
120
may have other indicia functioning as alignment guides. The fabric cutting process is simplified and most efficient if the alignment guides are symmetrical with respect to the pattern center line or the cut fabric center line, if different. In such applications, the pattern
120
does not have to have parallel edges but could be circular or irregular in shape.
The cutting table
20
thus permits fabric to be easily and quickly manually aligned and accurately cut with parallel edges. The cutting table
20
as an advantage of being able to service those markets where fully automated machines are price prohibitive. The,cutting table
20
also permits fabric having a center pattern to be quickly manually aligned and cut to provide a uniform border with respect to the centered pattern. Further, the size of the border can be specified. Hence the cutting table
20
has a further advantage of having more flexibility. By being manually aligned and operated, the cutting table
20
permits fabric with minimal selvage to be trimmed and used in production. Such fabric may otherwise be scrapped, and therefore, the cutting table
20
is capable of more efficiently using the fabric.
While the invention has been illustrated by the description of one embodiment and while the embodiment has been described in considerable detail, there is no intention to restrict nor in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those who are skilled in the art. For example, in the described embodiment, the scale
40
is dimensioned with half-scale markings. As will be appreciated, in an alternative embodiment, the scale
40
can be dimensioned with full-scale markings; and the indicator
54
would be aligned with a scale marking representing one-half the desired width.
Further, in the described embodiment, the indicator
54
is mounted midway between the lines of light
108
,
110
and is used to align to a center line of the fabric or pattern with the scale
40
. As will be appreciated, in another embodiment, the indicator
54
could be mounted in alignment with the light
110
from laser
98
. With such an embodiment, the scale
40
can be dimensioned with full-scale markings.
In the described embodiment. lasers
96
,
98
project respective light beams that illuminate lines of light
108
,
110
on the fabric
26
. As will be appreciated, in other embodiments, other lasers may be used, for example, lasers that project a spot or a short line of light may also be used. In such an embodiment, a laser
98
can be used to project a spot of light at any point along the cutting path
29
. Such spot is used to identify when the indicia
112
is marked on the fabric
26
. Similarly, a spot of light from the laser
96
can be used to locate the indicia
112
after the fabric
26
has been rotated 180° and realigned against the guide
36
.
In the described embodiment, the cutting table is used to cut the fabric to a desired first dimension or width. As will be appreciated, the fabric can be rotated 90°, and the cutting table used to cut the fabric to a desired dimension in another direction, for example, to a desired length. Further, in the described embodiment, lasers
96
,
98
are used to provide the light beams
108
,
110
. As will be appreciated, in alternative embodiments, the light beams may be provided by other light emitting devices, for example, IR devices, LED's, etc.
Therefore, the invention in its broadest aspects is not limited to the specific details shown and described. Consequently, departures may be made from the details described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims which follow.
Claims
- 1. A cutting table for cutting pieces of fabric comprising:a frame; a table surface mounted on the frame and adapted to support the fabric; a first edge guide adapted to receive an edge of the fabric; a cutter manually movable along a linear cutting path substantially perpendicular to the first edge guide and adapted to cut first and second opposed edges of apiece of fabric; first and second light emitting devices emitting respective first and second light beams, the second light beam being spaced further from the cutter than the first light beam in a direction substantially perpendicular to the linear cutting path, the first and second light beams emitting light in a direction substantially parallel to the linear cutting path, the second light beam providing a second edge guide substantially perpendicular to the first edge guide and adapted to align the first edge of the piece of fabric after being cut by the cutter; and a manually powered drive supporting the first and second light emitting devices in a spaced apart relationship, the drive being manually operable to simultaneously move the first and second light emitting devices through equal displacements in opposite directions substantially perpendicular to the linear cutting path.
- 2. The cutting table of claim 1 wherein the manually powered drive further comprises:a pinion; first and second racks supporting the respective first and second light emitting devices, the first rack engaging one side of the pinion and the second rack engaging an opposite side of the pinion, such that rotation of the pinion moves the racks through equal displacements in opposite directions; and a handwheel connected to the pinion.
- 3. The cutting table of claim 1 further comprising a carriage supporting the manually powered drive and mounted on the frame to be manually movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cutting path.
- 4. The cutting table of claim 3 further comprising.a scale mounted on the frame.
- 5. The cutting table of claim 3 further comprising an indicator mounted on the carriage at a location substantially midway between the first and second lights beams.
- 6. The cutting table of claim 4 wherein the scale is dimensioned in half-scale units.
- 7. The cutting table of claim 6 wherein the scale has a zero reference in substantial alignment with the linear cutting path.
- 8. The cutting table of claim 1 further comprising a track supported by the frame and guiding the cutter along the cutting path.
- 9. The cutting table of claim 8 wherein the cutter is motorized.
- 10. A cutting table for cutting pieces of fabric comprising:a frame; a table surface mounted on the frame and adapted to support the fabric; an edge guide adapted to receive an edge of the fabric; a cutter manually movable along a linear cutting path substantially perpendicular to the edge guide; a carriage mounted on the frame to be manually movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cutting path; first and second light emitting devices emitting respective first and second lights in a direction substantially parallel to the linear cutting path; a manually powered drive mounted on the carriage and supporting the first and second light emitting devices in a spaced apart relationship, the drive being manually operable to move the first and second light emitting devices through equal displacements in opposite directions substantially perpendicular to the linear cutting path; a scale mounted on the frame; and an indicator mounted on the carriage at a location substantially midway between the first and second lights.
- 11. A method of cutting a piece of fabric having four edges comprising:manually placing the fabric on a table surface to locate a first edge against an edge guide, and a second, adjacent edge across a linear cutting path substantially perpendicular to the edge guide; manually moving first and second lightemitting devices to positions where the first and second light emitting devices project respective first and second lights onto the fabric at locations providing a desired dimension of the fabric; manually moving a cutter along the linear cutting path identified by the first light to cut a second edge of the fabric substantially perpendicular to the manually moving the fabric on the table surface to locate a third edge, opposite the first edge, against the edge guide, and to substantially align the second edge of the fabric with the second light; and manually moving a cutter along the linear cutting path to cut a fourth edge of the fabric substantially parallel to the second edge, the distance between the second and fourth edges being substantially equal to the desired dimension of the fabric.
- 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:manually moving the pair of light emitting devices to position the first and second lights equidistant from a desired center line of the fabric; and manually moving the pair of light emitting devices to locate projections of the first and second lights on the fabric at the desired dimension.
- 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:manually moving a carriage supporting the pair of light emitting devices to a carriage position where the first and second lights are equidistant from a desired center line of the fabric; manually locking the carriage at the carriage position; and manually moving the pair of light emitting devices with respect to the carriage to locate the projections of the first and second lights on the fabric at the desired dimension.
- 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising manually moving the pair of light emitting devices simultaneously through equal increments an in opposite directions to locate the projections of the first and second lights on the fabric at the desired dimension.
- 15. A method of cutting a piece of fabric having four edges comprising:manually placing the fabric on a table surface to locate a first edge against an edge guide, and a second, adjacent edge across a linear cutting path substantially perpendicular to the edge guide; manually moving first and second light emitting devices to positions where first and second lights from respective first and second light emitting devices are substantially equidistant from a desired center line of the fabric; manually moving a cutter along the linear cutting path identified by the first light to cut a second edge of the fabric substantially perpendicular to the first edge; manually moving the fabric on the table surface to locate a third edge, opposite the first edge, against the edge guide, and to substantially align the second edge of the fabric with the second light; and manually moving a cutter along the linear cutting path to cut a fourth edge of the fabric substantially parallel to the second edge, the distance between the second and fourth edges being substantially equal to a desired dimension of the fabric.
- 16. A method of cutting a piece of fabric having four edges and a pattern located between the edges, the pattern having firstand second alignment guides, the method comprising:manually placing the fabric on a table surface to locate a first edge against an edge guide, and a second, adjacent edge across a linear cutting path substantially perpendicular to the edge guide; manually moving first and second light emitting devices to positions where the first and second light emitting devices project respective first and second lights onto the fabric in substantial alignment with the first and second alignment guides, respectively; manually moving a cutter along the linear cutting path identified by the first light to cut a second edge of the fabric substantially perpendicular to the first edge; manually moving the fabric on the table surface to locate a third edge, opposite the first edge, against the edge guide, and to substantially align the second and first alignment elements with the first and second lights, respectively; and manually moving a cutter along the linear cutting path to cut a fourth edge of the fabric substantially parallel to the second edge, the pattern being substantially centered between the second and fourth edges.
- 17. A method of cutting a piece of fabric having four edges and a pattern located between the edges, the pattern having first and second alignment guides, the method comprising:manually placing the fabric on a table surface to locate a first edge against an edge guide, and a second, adjacent edge across a linear cutting path substantially perpendicular to the edge guide; manually moving first and second light emitting devices to positions where first and second lights from respective first and second light emitting devices are substantially equidistant from a center line of the pattern; manually moving a cutter along the linear cutting path identified by the first light to cut a second edge of the fabric substantially perpendicular to the first edge; manually moving the fabric on the table surface to locate a third edge, opposite the first edge, against the edge guide, and to substantially align the second and first alignment elements with the first and second lights, respectively; and manually moving a cutter along the linear cutting path to cut a fourth edge of the fabric substantially parallel to the second edge, the first and second alignment guides of the pattern being located substantially equidistant from respective second and fourth edges of the fabric.
- 18. A method of cutting a piece of fabric having four edges and a pattern located between the edges, the pattern having first and second alignment guides, the method comprising:manually placing the fabric on a table surface to locate a first edge against an edge guide, and a second, adjacent edge across a linear cutting path; manually moving first and second light emitting devices to positions where first and second lights from respective first and second light emitting devices are substantially aligned with the respective first and second alignment guides and thus, have a desired separation; manually moving first and second light emitting devices together without changing the desired separation to a Location where the first light is a desired distance from the cutting path; manually moving the fabric on a table surface to locate the first edge against the edge guide, the second, adjacent edge across the linear cutting path, and the first and second lights in substantial alignment with the respective first and second alignment guides; manually moving a cutter along the linear cutting path identified by the first light to cut a second edge of the fabric substantially perpendicular to the first edge; manually moving the fabric on the table surface to locate a third edge, opposite the first edge, against the edge guide, and to substantially align the second and first alignment elements with the first and second lights, respectively; and manually moving a cutter along the linear cutting path to cut a fourth edge of the fabric substantially parallel to the second edge, the distance between the second and fourth edges having a desired spacing with respect to the respective first and second alignment guides of the pattern.
US Referenced Citations (20)