The present invention relates to pipe cutting devices.
Pipe cutters are known in the art. One variation of these pipe cutters uses a blade to cut the pipe. In one common variation of such a pipe cutter, in order to simplify the pipe cutter to make it simple to manufacture and have a lower cost, the cutter includes a molded tool body for gripping by a user, and to ensure that the blade is rigidly mounted, the cutting blade is permanently located into the tool body. This configuration, however, has the disadvantage that once the cutting blade is worn, the entire tool must be discarded. This requires the user to then purchase an entirely new cutting tool, and both additional expense and time to the user.
It is with respect to these and other considerations that the instant disclosure is concerned.
One aspect of the invention is directed to a pipe cutter. The pipe cutter comprises a first handle and a second handle each having a jaw portion and an opposing engagement portion. The first and second handles are coupled to one another, preferably in a manner in which the jaw portions may be moved towards and away from one another (e.g., move between open and closed positions). The pipe cutter further includes a blade assembly including a first cutting blade coupled to the second handle, such as located in a first cavity of the second handle and extending outwardly therefrom towards the first handle. The first blade is configured to cut the pipe responsive to the first and second handles moving from the open position to the closed position.
The pipe cutter also preferably includes a storage area for at least one replacement cutting blade. In one embodiment, the blade assembly further includes an insert and a replacement cutting blade. The insert is coupled to the first blade, is preferably located in the first cavity, and defines a second cavity. The replacement blade is coupled to the insert and is located in the second cavity.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.
As employed herein, the term “coupled” shall mean connected together either directly or via one or more intermediate parts or components.
As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).
One embodiment of the invention is a pipe cutter 2, as shown in
The first and second handles 4 and 6 are generally mirror images of one another, but for the configuration of the second handle 6 to mount a cutting blade and provide for replacement blade storage. That is, as will be discussed below, coupled to the second handle 6 are a first blade 54 (e.g., a primary cutting blade), as well as a number (one or more) of replacement blades 56 configured for simple and reliable later use, should the primary first blade 54 become damaged or worn out. This arrangement substantially minimizes and/or eliminates the need for users to spend large amounts of time looking for replacement blades.
In one configuration, the first and second handles 4 and 6 are rotatably coupled together via coupling members (e.g., without limitation, a bolt 12 and a nut 14), such as between their jaw and engaging ends, and have their jaw ends or portions biased towards each other via a biasing member (e.g., spring 16). The first and second handles 4 and 6 may be configured to move between open and closed positions with respect to each other, and the spring 16, which is preferably coupled to the second handle 6, may be configured to bias the first and second handles 4 and 6 toward the closed position, such as via leg portions of the spring 16 engaging the two handles. As shown in
In accordance with the disclosed concept, and as will be discussed in greater detail below, the pipe cutter 2 further includes a blade assembly 50 that is associated with, such as being coupled to, the second handle 6, preferably at the jaw portion thereof. As shown most clearly in
The insert 52 may be made of suitable materials including metallic materials, monomeric materials, polymeric materials, or mixtures thereof. The blades 54 and 56 are preferably metallic and are configured to cut pipe, and preferably plastic pipe, such as cross-linked polyethylene (or PEX) pipe. Furthermore, the second handle 6 preferably has a cavity 8 (e.g., a recessed region) at the jaw portion thereof. Preferably, the cavity 8 extends into the second handle 6 at one side thereof (e.g. laterally). As illustrated, the cavity 8 is not fully enclosed, but has one open side which corresponds to the outside of the second handle 6, and an open slot which faces towards the first handle 4 (which slot allows the first cutting blade 54 to be located in the cavity 8 and extend outwardly of the second handle 6 towards the first handle 4, as described in more detail below).
The jaw portion of the second handle 6 may further have a number of thru holes or passages 9. As such, it will be appreciated that the blade assembly 50 is configured to be located in the cavity 8 in a convenient manner and coupled to the second handle 6. In one example, the insert 52 and the cover plate 58 are shaped to correspond to the shape of the jaw portion of the second handle 6, and also to match the corresponding end of the first handle 4. See
Referring to
Referring again to
Referring again to
In one space-saving configuration, the cavity 53 is configured to receive the replacement blades 56 in a horizontal orientation. For example, the replacement blades 56 are each preferably located perpendicular to an orientation of the first blade 54 as well as perpendicular to the cover plate 58, as shown in
The insert 52 may also have a distal surface 59 and the second handle 6 may have a surface 13 defining a distal portion of the first cavity 8. Furthermore, the first blade 54 is configured to engage each of the surfaces 13 and 59. In this manner, the first blade 54 is configured to be located parallel to each of the surfaces 13 and 59 and be located therebetween, in one example located therebetween via a press-fit engagement. As such, it will be appreciated that the blade assembly 50 is configured to provide the pipe cutter 2 with cutting capabilities (e.g., via the first blade 54) and also blade storage capabilities (e.g., via the replacement blades 56).
More specifically, the first blade 54 is configured to be secured in the cavity 8 of the second handle 6 in a manner perpendicular to an axis of a pipe (e.g., during opening and closing of the pipe cutter 2, a plane of the first blade 54 is beneficially located perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a pipe that is being cut). For example, the second handle 6, the first blade 54, the insert 52, and the cover plate 58 each have a number (e.g., 2) of thru holes (e.g., only one of the thru holes 9 is labeled in
In this configuration, the insert 52 is located against the first blade 54 and aids in positioning/mounting the first blade 54 in its cutting position. Preferably, the fasteners 60 each thread into the second handle 6 and thus tighten the cover 58 against the insert 52, the insert 52 against the first cutting blade 54, and the first cutting blade 54 against the surface 13 of the handle.
In this manner, the first blade 54 is configured to cut pipe responsive to opening and closing the first and second handles 4 and 6 such that in use, a user may squeeze the engaging end of the handles 4 and 6 towards one another to open the jaws of the pipe cutter 2 to place them around a pipe to be cut, and then release the handles to engage the first blade 54 with the pipe which is then positioned between the first blade 54 and the jaw of the first handle 4. The user may turn the pipe or the pipe cutter 2 to cause the first blade 54 to cut the pipe via circumferential engagement of the blade 54 with the pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the user places the pipe cutter 2 on the pipe and then turns the cutter in the direction of the arrows shown on the handles (e.g. clockwise in the case of
In accordance with the disclosed concept, if the first blade 54 is damaged during use or becomes excessively worn, rather than having to locate a replacement blade that may be stored at a distant location (e.g., at an owner's garage or at a hardware store), the pipe cutter 2 provides a convenient mechanism for replacement blades (e.g., the replacement blades 56) to be made readily available. In one example, and as shown most clearly in
Additionally, once the blades 54 and 56 (
Referring to the sectional views of
Continuing to refer to
Subsequently, one of replacement blades 56 may be placed into a cutting position (e.g., a position where the first, and damaged blade 54 formerly was), and the rest of the remaining blade assembly 50 can be assembled back into the cavity 8 via the bolts 60 and the nuts 62. Thus, a user of the pipe cutter 2 can quickly and easily change out a damaged blade (e.g., the first blade 54) with another blade (e.g., one of the replacement blades 56) without having to spend time looking for a replacement blade, going to a hardware store, or otherwise.
In the configuration described, replacement blade storage is defined by an insert for the jaw portion of the second handle. In alternative embodiments, the storage area might be defined by the second handle itself and/or the cutting blade 54 might be separately mounted to the second handle 6 (e.g. independently of the insert 52). However, an advantage to the configuration of the invention is that the insert 52 serves to both define the replacement blade storage, and also act as a stop for the cutting blade 54. In particular, in the configuration described and illustrated, the cutting blade 54 is trapped or captured between the wall of the second handle 6 and the insert 52, maintaining it tightly in a cutting position.
In the configuration described, access to the blade storage area or cavity 53 of the insert 52 is from a side that faces away from the second handle 6, so that the cover plate 58 is used to close the cavity 53 and prevent the replacement blades 56 from falling out. In another embodiment (not shown), a cavity could be defined at the opposite side (e.g. facing the wall of the second handle 6), thus eliminating the need for the cover 58.
Further, the coupling member or members which are used to selectively couple the insert 52 to the second handle 6 might comprise a number of mechanisms other than nuts and bolts. For example, one or more biased clips might be provided on the second handle 6. When the insert 52 is inserted into the cavity 8 of the second handle 6, the clips might move into a position in which they engage a face portion of the insert 52, preventing it from sliding out of the cavity 8, unless the user presses upon the clips to move them out of the way.
It will also be appreciated that while in one embodiment the pipe cutter 2 includes a blade assembly associated with the second handle 6, the first handle 4 might similarly define a cavity for housing one or more replacement blades, such as in association with an insert which can be located in the cavity or by locating the blades in the cavity and then closing the cavity with a cover.
Additionally, in one preferred configuration of the invention, the pipe cutter 2 also includes a mechanism to protect users from inadvertent contact with cutting edges of the blades 54 and 56. More specifically, and referring to
As shown in the exploded view of
As shown in
Moreover, when a user desires to cut pipe with the pipe cutter 2, the user can simply remove the guard member 20 from the second handle 6, thus exposing the first blade 54. As such, it will be appreciated that the clip member 24 of the guard member 20 may be coupled (e.g., when in a protective non-use state) to a top portion of the second handle 6 via a snap-fit mechanism. Additionally, the retention members 26 are configured such that when the first blade 54 is being covered thereby, the first blade 54 may press each of the retention members 26 slightly outwardly with respect to each other, such that the retention members 26 substantially and securely cover the first blade 54 (e.g., the first blade 54 is located between the retention members), thus protecting a user from undesirable exposure. In other example embodiments, other protective mechanisms for a guard member besides the retention members 26 are contemplated herein. For example, a suitable alternative guard member may simply have a planar portion such as portion 22, which extends over and substantially covers the first blade 54.
Additionally, the guard member 20 is uniquely structured to guard a user from the first blade 54. More specifically, when the guard member 20 is coupled to the second handle 6, the retention members 26 are preferably each located in corresponding planes that are located parallel to a plane of the first blade 54 and parallel to a plane of the cover plate 58. Similarly, when the guard member 20 is coupled to the second handle 6, the planar portion 22 is preferably located in a plane perpendicular to a plane of the first blade 54, thus providing for a relatively reliable manner of guarding the user from the first blade 54. Furthermore, as shown in
Referring again to
It will be understood that the above-described arrangements of apparatus and the method there from are merely illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/447,458, filed Feb. 22, 2023. The present application claims priority to said application and incorporates by reference said application as if set forth fully herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63447458 | Feb 2023 | US |