Patent Application
20140331843
The present disclosure relates to a system of removable and replaceable blades for a shear and, more particularly, to an improved system for a shear of indexable cutting portions.
Generally, simple shears are cutting instruments that comprise a pair of opposed blades. A simple shear usually cuts when the major plane of each blade, positioned substantially parallel to one another and with a relatively minimal amount of separation, slide over one another in a substantially overlapping, “scissor-like” fashion. Any material that is caught in-between the sliding major planes is sliced and separated by the increasingly overlapping edge of each blade (a “cutting edge”), so long as the position of each blade relative to the other is substantial maintained throughout the cutting action.
The cut is generally more precise and efficient, in terms of the amount of force needed to overlap the blades, if the cutting edge is sharpened such that the force is concentrated onto a relatively minimal area of the material to be cut. Even more precision and efficiency may be obtained, in some applications, if the sharpened cutting edge is serrated, i.e., a cutting edge with a plurality of points. A serrated edge may further concentrate a cutting force onto a discrete number points on the material to be cut.
Based on these fundamentals, more complex shears are possible for accomplishing more complex cutting tasks. For example, heavy duty and powerful mechanical shears have been designed for the efficient cutting of metals and other relatively hard materials (
Regardless of the complexity of the shear, it is understood in the art that, generally, the blade must have certain material properties that are superior to those of the material it is intended to cut. If it does not, then the cutting edge will either deform or erode from its mechanical interaction with the material to be cut. However, even if a shear does have the necessary material properties, deformation and erosion and wear are ultimately inevitable. To combat wear and tear, a cutting edge may be maintained by honing, sharpening, welding up before honing or sharpening, and/or altogether replacing in whole or part.
Because more complex shears, like the generic mechanical shear described above, tend to require larger forces to cut relatively harder and more rigid materials, it is understood in the art that, generally, the cutting edges of these complex shears deform and erode more readily and quickly. Typically, these shears deform and erode because the difference between the material properties of the cutting edges of the jaw and the material to be cut are less significant, and because the magnitude of the mechanical forces involved in closing the jaws on the material to be cut are relatively large. While the above-mentioned maintenance techniques can be used to repair the cutting edges of the jaw, the shears are typically left substantially inoperable until the maintenance can be performed.
Consequently, because of these deficiencies, there is a need in the art for an improved system of indexable cutting portions for a mobile shear.
The present disclosure describes various embodiments, as well as features and aspects thereof, of a system, for a shear, of fully indexable cutting portions. More specifically, one non-limiting embodiment of a system, for a shear, of fully indexable cutting portions comprises at least one blade and a plurality of substantially identical indexable cutting portions. The at least one blade may be configured to mechanically receive a plurality of indexable cutting portions that are arranged on the at least one blade to form a composite angled cutting edge defining at least one angle. Each indexable cutting portion may comprise a coupling portion and eight edges, the coupling portion being configured to mechanically engage the indexable cutting portion to the at least one blade.
In the exemplary embodiment, the indexable cutting system for a shear may be such that each indexable cutting portion is interchangeable with each other indexable cutting portion. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, a first edge of each indexable cutting portion may function as a cutting edge that is part of the composite angled cutting edge. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, at least one edge of each indexable cutting portion, other than the first edge that is part of the composite angled cutting edge, may be substantially parallel with at least one edge of an adjacent indexable cutting portion when mechanically attached to a blade of the mobile shear. Even further, in the exemplary embodiment, each indexable cutting portion may be configured to be rotated and/or inverted such that any one of its eight edges is a cutting edge that is part of the composite angled cutting edge.
Various embodiments, configurations, features and aspects of the system, for a shear, of fully indexable cutting portions are described in more detail in the detailed description with reference to the attached drawings.
The following written description describes various exemplary embodiments of a system, for a shear, of fully indexable cutting portions. This written description refers to the appended drawings to supplement the written explanation. As such, the written words should not be construed as limitations. Numerous specific details are explained in the written description and depicted in the drawings to provide an enabling understanding of the various embodiments to one of ordinary skill in the art. Some details, however, need not be expressly explained because they would be readily apparent and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, certain described embodiments and explanations of some specific details are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the written description. Additionally, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the various embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details.
Although throughout the detailed description the various embodiments are directed towards a system, for a shear, of fully indexable cutting portions, it should be understood that the focus of such description is only to ensure clarity in the configuration and operation of the various embodiments. The description should not be used to limit the usefulness of the various embodiments in other manners or for other uses.
In order to maximize the operable time of a shear between maintenance of the cutting edges, it is beneficial for the jaws to comprise removable and replaceable cutting portions such that the shear can remain useful while the deformed and/or eroded cutting portions are removed and replaced. Moreover, there is a benefit to using single removable and replaceable cutting portions that have discrete cutting edges on different sides and/or planes of the cutting portion. These cutting portions can be rotated and/or inverted and replaced on the shear to expose a virgin cutting edge (i.e., partially indexable cutting portion) before maintenance of the indexable cutting portion is needed.
However, partially indexable cutting portions are not as beneficial as fully indexable cutting portions because partially indexable cutting portions may not maximize the utility of each individual indexable cutting portion prior to maintenance. Moreover, systems that comprise partially indexable cutting portions may be more complex than systems that use fully indexable cutting portions and, thus, may require differently shaped and/or sized indexable cutting portions at different locations along the system. Moreover, systems that comprise partially indexable cutting portions may rely on an attachment mechanism between the indexable cutting portions and the shear for the system to effectively cut. This may not be the case with a system of fully indexable cutting portions. Moreover, systems that comprise partially indexable cutting portions may rely on the differently shaped and/or sized indexable cutting portions for the system to effectively cut. This may not be the case with a system of fully indexable cutting portions. Morever, systems that comprise partially indexable cutting portions may rely on other structural features of the shear to maintain the necessary rigidity, alignment and orientation of the indexable cutting portions for the system to effectively cut. This may not be the case with a system of fully indexable cutting portions. Finally, users of systems that comprise partially indexable cutting portions may have the added concern of maintaining the attachment mechanisms for the differently shaped and/or sized indexable cutting portions and/or maintaining the other structural features of the shear (these maintenance routines can be substantially disparate and limiting in nature). This may not be the case with a system of fully indexable cutting portions.
As such, the various embodiments shown and described herein are related to a system, for a shear, of fully indexable cutting portions. The various embodiments of the system may be ideally suited for, without limitation, solving one or more of the stated deficiencies of systems the comprise partially indexable cutting portions. Furthermore, the various embodiments of the system may be particularly suited for, without limitation, forming composite cutting edges comprised of fully indexable cutting portions that, in and of themselves, remain substantially aligned, oriented and rigid, when performing their cutting function. Furthermore, various embodiments of the proposed solution may be ideally suited for, without limitation, forming angled composite cutting edges that facilitate the drawing of material to be cut towards increasingly overlapping cutting edges of the blades as the shear closes.
Referring now to the drawings, which are described and included herein for the purpose of illustrating various exemplary embodiments of the proposed solution only and not for purposes of limiting the same,
The exemplary system of fully indexable cutting portions 202 engages with top jaw 203 and bottom jaw 204 and top jaw tip plate 205 such that system 202 functions as at least a portion of the blades of the mechanical shear 201. One having ordinary skill in the art recognizes that the overall engineering, configuration and/or composition of shear 201 (i.e., how many top jaw 203 and bottom jaw 204 pairs are present, whether top jaw 203 and/or bottom jaws 204 are fixed, movable or hybrid, and how top jaw 203 and bottom jaw 204 are connected and comprised) does not limit the present disclosure. The same is true with respect to the spatial orientation, location and relative proportions of system 202 as it forms shear 201 (i.e., whether system 202 engages with the top jaw 203 and/or bottom jaw 204 or, at least a portion of top jaw 203 and/or bottom jaw 204, and whether the proportion of system 202 surface area to total jaw surface area is relatively small or large).
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It is envisioned that, in at least one non-limiting embodiment, the composite angled cutting edge may form an angle 216 between about 91.0 degrees and about 179.0 degrees, preferably between about 105.0 degrees and about 165.0 degrees and ideally between about 120.0 degrees and about 150.0 degrees. It is further envisioned that, in at least one non-limiting embodiment, each individual fully indexable cutting portion 206 may detachably couple physically side-by-side (as depicted in
Advantageously, in some embodiments of the solution, the composite angled cutting edge 216 of top jaw 203 and/or bottom jaw 204 remains substantially aligned, oriented and rigid when cutting because each individual fully indexable cutting portion 206 substantially supports the alignment and orientation of the adjacent cutting portion 206. While coupling portion 207 and/or certain structural features of mechanical shear 201 may contribute in effect, it is the support provided by each cutting portion 206 to the adjacent cutting portion 206 that substantially maintains this alignment and orientation of each cutting portion 206 within the system 202. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, shear 201 may additionally comprise a recess, pocket, groove, and/or recess wall, or any other similar structural feature known to one having ordinary skill in the art. These structural features of shear 201, along with coupling portion 207, may contribute in effect to maintaining the alignment and orientation of each cutting portion 206. However, it is the support provided by each cutting portion 206 to its adjacent cutting portion 206 that substantially maintains this alignment and orientation in this non-limiting embodiment.
For example, as can be seen in
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It is envisioned that the three-dimensional shape of an individual fully indexable cutting portion 206 is not limited to a parallelepiped so long as the shape is consistent with the defining characteristics of system 202 of fully indexable cutting portions 206, as described above and below (i.e., the plurality of cutting portions 206 being operative to substantially support the alignment and orientation of their adjacent cutting portions 206 such that the composite angled cutting edge remains substantially aligned, oriented and rigid when cutting). Additionally, it is envisioned that the shape of the at least one pair of equal parallel sides of cutting portion 206 is not limited to a rhombi so long as the shape is consistent with this defining characteristics of system 202, as described above and below. Furthermore, it is envisioned that when cutting portion 206 is detachably coupled to top jaw 203 or bottom jaw 204, the pair of equal parallel sides of cutting portion 206 aligns substantially parallel along the contours of top jaw 203 or bottom jaw 204. Because of this, as mechanical shear 201 closes, top jaw 203 and bottom jaw 204 are operative to function as blades via their respective composite cutting edges 216 formed from the plurality of individual fully indexable cutting portions 206.
Consequently, one of ordinary skill in the art understands that all edges of the distal side of the at least one pair of equal parallel sides of individual fully indexable cutting portion 206 may function as at least a portion of the angled composite cutting edge 216 of top jaw 203 and bottom jaw 204. Of course, this depends on the orientation of cutting portion 206 when it is detachably coupled to top jaw 203 or bottom jaw 204. For example, as depicted in
Furthermore, it is envisioned that each individual fully indexable cutting portion 206 may be inverted (i.e., a face-to-face plate rotation) such that all edges of the previously proximate side of the at least one pair of equal parallel sides of cutting portion 206 can also function as at least a portion of the angled composite cutting edge 216 of top jaw 203 or bottom jaw 204. Of course, this depends on the orientation of cutting portion 206 when it is detachably coupled to top jaw 203 or bottom jaw 204. For example, as depicted in
Furthermore, because individual fully indexable cutting portions 206 all have substantially the same height, depth, width and volume, it is envisioned that any one cutting portion 206 may replace any other cutting portion 206 in system of fully indexable cutting portions 202. One of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that this substantial similarity and symmetry amongst the plurality of individual fully indexable cutting portions 206 also operates to create the at least one angle in the angled composite cutting edge 216 of top jaw 203 or bottom jaw 204. For example, in
Moreover, it is envisioned that individual fully indexable cutting portions 206 may have varied shapes, sizes and volumes depending on the particular cutting need and/or the physical/chemical/structural properties of the mechanical shear 201. It is envisioned that cutting portion 206 may have various textures and/or contours throughout its entire surface area, or at least at one portion of the surface area. It is envisioned that cutting portion 206 may have various material compositions, densities etc. throughout its entire volume, or at least at one portion of the volume, so long as cutting portion 206 remains consistent with the defining characteristics of a system 202 of fully indexable cutting portions 206 as described above.
While an illustrative embodiment of a system 202 of fully indexable cutting portions 206 for a shear has been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed. The appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art. Possible variations, as described throughout this disclosure, are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such possible variations, as would be obvious to one skilled in the art, are intended to be included within the scope of the preceding disclosure and the following claims.
It is understood that any variations of the features of the system and method described in the description section falls within the scope of the invention. There may be many embodiments of this invention as witnessed in some of the figures and related discussion. Not all embodiments of a system, for a shear, of fully indexable cutting portions that would fall within the scope of the claims are necessarily represented here.
In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, “comprise”, “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements, or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.
The various embodiments have been described using detailed descriptions of the embodiments, as well as features, aspects, etc. thereof. The various embodiments are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of the invention. Some embodiments of the present invention utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments of the present invention that are described, and embodiments of the present invention comprising different combinations of features as noted in the described embodiments, will occur to persons with ordinary skill in the art.
It will be appreciated by persons with ordinary skill in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described herein above. Rather the scope of the invention is defined by the claims that follow.
This U.S. non-provisional utility patent application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, the U.S. non-provisional utility patent application entitled “Blade Device and System for Mobile Shear,” filed on Mar. 13, 2014 and assigned application Ser. No. 14/207,978, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to, and incorporates by reference the entire contents of, U.S. provisional patent application entitled “Blade Device and System for a Mobile Shear,” filed on Mar. 14, 2013 and assigned application Ser. No. 61/781,418. The entire contents of each application are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61781418 | Mar 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14207978 | Mar 2014 | US |
| Child | 14445935 | US |
