IES20070661A2 - Cutting tool - Google Patents

Abstract

A tool for cutting a recess in a substrate such as a piece of wood, comprising: a support member; a cutting blade on the support member; a first guiding member on the tool arranged to guide the blade for inscribing a portion of the substrate with a recess outline, a second guiding member on the tool arranged to guide the blade for cutting out the inscribed portion of the substrate within the recess outline to form the recess, the second guiding member comprising a pair of opposing arms which are pivotally mounted on the tool and are each free to rotate between a guiding position and a non-guiding position. This provides a simple yet effective construction for cutting out recesses for fittings such as hinges. <Figure 1>

Description

Field of the Invention HIT CL f S|Q 0 The present invention relates generally to a cutting tool. In particular the present invention relates to a cutting tool that is suitable for cutting out a recess from a piece of wood. In particular, the tool of the present invention should be suitable for mortising a piece of wood so that a fitting such as a hinge may be fitted to the wood within the recess.

Background to the Invention In conventional carpentry cutting out a recess from a piece of wood is typically done using a hammer and chisel. The present inventor has previously described (in his International Patent Application No. PCT/IE 2006/000115) a tool suitable for cutting out a recess for a fitting, such as a hinge.

The present inventor is also aware of other devices which have been mentioned as suitable for mortising a piece of wood for a hinge. For example US Patent No. 2,794,460 describes a hinge butt-mortising machine that is very complex in arrangement. The tool must be clamped to the frame of the door to which the recess is being applied in order to function correctly. Furthermore even though the device may be so clamped, it is still necessary to strike the device with a hammer. The complexity of the device does not make it suitable for mass production. Another very complex device is described in US patent number 272, Ιε°70$61 735. The device includes a chisel knife arrangement that forces its way into the wood to cause a recess to be formed.

A simpler arrangement is described in much earlier US patent number 393,880 that describes a gage-chisel for cutting out a hinge recess. The device has a three-sided blade arrangement on a handle for inscribing wood for creating a recess. It is not arranged to inscribe the outline of a full hinge recess in a single cut. Instead, successive cuts must be made with the device. Furthermore once the cuts are made it is still necessary to chisel out the inscribed wood utilising a conventional hammer and chisel. US Patent No. 770, 261 describes a hinge mortising machine which involves the use of two large sliding plates having recesses defined therein. One recess accommodates a separate inscribing tool. It is necessary to cut out a portion of wood inscribed by the inscribing tool using a conventional chisel that may be guided within a second recess US Patent No. 1, 135, 890 describes a recess-cutting tool. The tool is designed to be struck by a hammer to inscribe the wood and thereafter to cut out the inscribed portion. This is achieved by a complex arrangement of side-plates and gages on the side plates.

A simple punch arrangement is described in US Patent Application No. 2002/0112354. US Patent No. 2,794,461 describes a mortising tool that has blades which can be hammered into a piece of wood to inscribe the wood. A blade mounted on a screw thread arrangement can be then ,£°7β6ίί utilised to cut out the inscribed piece of wood by twisting a knob on the device.

A motorised device is described in US Patent No. 352,232 which describes a V-shaped chisel which is moved under a reciprocating movement. US Patent No. 3,521,685 describes a motorised device for punching through the tongue of a tongue and groove floorboard.

Dutch Patent Application No. 8200462 describes a tool which has a spring-loaded chisel. The spring-loaded chisel can be struck with a hammer to inscribe the wood.

Notwithstanding the various proposals, which have been made in relation to devices for cutting out a recess for a fitting such as a hinge, there is still a need to provide a simple yet highly efficient tool suitable for use in such tasks.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a tool for cutting a recess in a substrate such as a piece of wood, comprising: a support member; a cutting blade on the support member; a first guiding member on the tool arranged to guide the blade for inscribing a portion of the substrate with a recess outline, a second guiding member on the tool arranged to guide the blade for cutting out the inscribed portion of the substrate within the recess outline to form the recess, Ιε°70β6ΐ the second guiding member comprising a pair of opposing arms which are pivotally mounted on the tool and are each free to rotate between a guiding position and a non-guiding position. This is a simple yet highly effective construction of a tool of the invention. The tool can be utilised to firstly inscribe a wooden member and then remove the inscribed portion. This is done cleanly and efficiently. The tool provides a much faster way to provide a recess for a fitting such as a hinge. The tool of the present invention contrasts with prior art constructions in its simplicity. Having the arms of the device of the invention free to rotate under rotational manual pressure alone provides a simplified version of prior art devices. Certain prior art devices require a resetting of the device between the inscribing cut and the removing cut and/or use of alternative tools during the process. In particular in certain embodiments described in the patent documents referenced above, the guiding member for guiding the tool during the removing action was fixed/locked in a given position. In order to move the guide to a working position it was necessary to firstly disengage it from its fixed/locked position.

Free to move in the present invention relates to a tool where each arm is resistant to pivotal movement under gravitational force so that the arms are not loose. One simple but highly effective way to achieve this is to provide an arrangement wherein each arm is frictionally loaded. This will stop the arms simply hanging loose and making undesirable movements. The frictional loading may be provided by a biasing mechanism such as a spring, for example by a spring washer (including for example a split ring). *0 70 6 6 1 In one simple construction the arms are disposed on opposing sides of the support. This allows for use of the arms when required and also their positioning out of the way, for example when an inscribing cut is being made.

A stop which prevents rotation of the arms past the guiding position may be provided to ensure the arms align the tool correctly for the cutting action.

Certain constructions of a tool of the present invention provide an attachment for attaching the tool to an actuator. This for example allows the tool of the invention to be operated by a power tool.

Optionally the tool of the invention further comprises a gripping handle. This allows the tool to be gripped manually for example to be struck by an implement such as a hammer. It is desirable that the tool incorporates both an attachment and a gripping handle so that it is at the option of the user to strike the tool with an implement or to utilise an actuator such as a powered tool to drive the tool. In one simple arrangement the gripping handle incorporates an attachment for attaching the tool to an actuator. Optionally the attachment for attaching the tool to an actuator is housed within the handle. In such an arrangement it is desirable that removing at least part of the handle exposes the attachment for attaching the tool to an actuator.

Desirably the handle further comprises a striking cap. The striking cap has two functions. Firstly it is designed to be struck by an implement. Secondly it has a flared head /f° 70 6 ef which allows for protection of the hand of a user striking the tool. It is not then solely a handguard but also a striking cap. The striking cap will usually be made from a strike resistant plastics.

In a simple construction the handle may comprise a metallic shaft over which the striking cap is fitted.

The support member may comprise a solid block of material such as metallic material. This allows for strength. It also provides a tool that can absorb the impact it receives when being struck without deflecting or ricocheting etc.

The first guiding member may comprise a pair of guiding fingers. The fingers are optionally provided on the support. The fingers are generally shorter than the arms and do not extend from the support as far as the arms do.

In the cutting-out action the arms hold the fingers out of the way.

The cutting blade will generally be a 3 blade arrangement for example arranged in the shape of 3 sides of a rectangle .

The tool may optionally comprise a removing stop to ensure that the blades are not driven too far into the substrate when cutting out the recess.

The invention extends to a tool substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. a front perspective view of a tool according to invention. a rear perspective view of the tool of Figure Ιε° 70 6 6ΐ Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is the present Figure 2 is 1.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the tool of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a rear elevational view of the tool of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the tool of Figure 1 from the right hand side thereof.

Figure 6 is an underneath plan view of the tool of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the tool of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is partial side view of the tool of Figure 1 being employed to make a hinge recess in a piece of wood, the sequence of actions been shown through Figures 8(A) to (C) .

Figure 9 is partial perspective view of the a piece of wood on which a hinge recess is cut by the tool of Figure l,the sequence of actions been shown through Figures 9(A) to (D) .

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a invention wherein the handle thereof outline. tool according to the is shown in dashed Detailed Description of the Drawings As shown in Figures 1-9, the present invention provides a tool 1, for cutting a recess in a substrate such as a piece of wood, in this embodiment in particular a door frame.

The tool 1 has a support member in the form of a metallic block 2 which forms the body of the tool and to which other components of the tool are attached.

A cutting blade 3 is provided on the block 2. As best seen from figure 6, the blade 3 comprises three individual blades 3a-c which together form a part-rectangular shape, more particularly three sides of a rectangle. The blade 3 is used both to inscribe a portion of a substrate with a recess outline and also to cut out the inscribed portion as will be described in more detail below. Generally the area of the inscribed portion will be matched to that of a hinge or other fitting which it is desired to accommodate within the recess .

A first guiding member is formed on the tool in the form of a pair of guiding fingers 4. The fingers 4 are arranged to guide the blade 3 for inscribing a portion of a member with a recess outline.

A second guiding member is also provided on the tool. The second guiding member takes the form of two opposing arms 5 which are disposed on opposing sides of the block 2. The arms 5 guide the blade 3 for cutting out the inscribed portion of the member within the recess outline to form the recess (as will be described in more detail below).

The arms 5 are pivotally mounted on the tool 1, in particular being pivotably mounted on the block 2. The arms 5 are attached to the block 2 by a pivot arrangement formed by respective pivot pins 6. ΙΕθ 70 6 61 The arms 5 are free to rotate between a guiding position (as shown in Figures 1-7 and 8(C)) and a non-guiding position as shown in Figures 8(A)and 8(B). In particular the arms 5 pivot about the pivot axis 7 of the pins 6. The arms 5 are free to move under manual pressure (there are no impediments to rotation by manual rotational force alone the arms are not locked or held against rotational motion from the guiding position to a non-guiding position). In particular, as it is desirable that the arms 5 remain in any position to which they are adjusted by manual force.

The arms are thus resistant to pivotal movement under gravitational force.

In this respect each arm 5 is frictionally loaded by a biasing mechanism which in the embodiment takes the form of a split or spring washer 8. The compression of the spring washer 8 by the pins 6 is sufficient to provide frictional loading of the arms 5. Respective stops 9, which are formed as projections from the block 2, prevent rotation of the arms past the guiding position (when moving from a nonguiding position which allows the inscribing action toward the guiding position). When the arms 5 are in the position shown in Figure 1 (and other figures) the arms abut the stops 9. In this position the arms will form a guiding member to guide the blade for cutting out an inscribed portion of a member on which a recess outline has already been formed. It is desirable that the arms are disposed between the (part of the) blades 3 utilised for cutting out the inscribed portion and the stops. In use, pressure on the arms arising for the cutting-out action forces them against the stops 9. ΙΕΟ 76 9 01 The tool of the invention may be provided with a handle 11 which is arranged for manual gripping of the device. Striking of the handle 11, for example using a hammer, can effect both the inscribing cut and the removing cut as will be described in more detail below. The handle 11 is provided with a striking cap 12 which has a flared head 13 upon which is a striking surface 14. In the embodiment, the striking cap 12 is formed with a unitary hollow shaft which together with the cap houses the entire handle 11.

The striking cap thus forms a cover for the entire handle.

Also provided on the tool 1 are projections on the block in the form of stops 18 which limit the rotation of the arms 5 away from the guiding position (when moving from the guiding position to a non-guiding position).

Figure 2 shows a similar view to that of Figure 1 this time to the rear of the tool. It can be seen that recessed screws 15 hold the blade 3b to the block 2. Similar screws 15 also hold the blades 3a and 3c to the block (see for example Figure 5 and Figure 8). Arrows 16 indicate the rotational movement (about pins 6) of the aims 5, when moving from the guiding position to a non-guiding position. This rotation is free of impediment.

As can also be seen in Figure 2, a removing stop 10 is provided on the rear of the tool 1, in particular on the rear of the body 2. The removing stop 10 is arranged to act as a stop to prevent the blades from cutting too far into a substrate when being used to cut out the inscribed portion within the recess. The removing stop 10 is held on the body utilising screws 17. The removing stop is desirably adjustable, for example reversible, for different ΙΕΟ 70 6 6 1 cutting lengths. In both the inscribing action and the cut-out action the tool of the invention may be struck, for example by a hammer as indicated by the arrow 18 in Figure 5 .

The underneath surface 20 (see Figure 6) of the block 2 may act as a depth control during the inscribing action in alternative embodiments of the invention.

The use of the tool 1 of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. It is to be noted that in these figures, the tool of the invention is shown only in part, in particular only a part of the handle 11 of the tool is shown to allow the sequence to be shown on a single sheet of drawings.

As shown in Figure 8(A) the tool 1 is put in position for an inscribing action. In the side view it can be seen that the tool is placed with blades 3a-c positioned over the substrate, in the embodiment a wooden member 30. The position of the blades 3a-3c is governed by the first inscribing guide - that is fingers 4. As can be seen in the figure, and as indicated by arrow 31 (both) the fingers 4 abut one face of the wooden member 30 while the blades 3a-3c are positioned over a surface (90° apart) to be inscribed. In this position the arms 5 are not required and are rotated (as indicated by arrow 32) to a non-working position (in which position they do not interfere with the inscribing action). The tool is struck in the direction of arrow 33 and the blades 3a-c become embedded in the wooden member 30 as shown in Figure 8(A). The wooden member 30 has now been inscribed. ΙΕΟ 7 0 6 61 With the tool 1 aligned in the position of Figure 8(A) the blades 3a-c are in the position shown in Figure 9(A). A bevelled edge on the blade can be used to control the depth Z of inscribing. When the tool is removed after the inscribing action the inscribed portion is a piece of the substrate outlined by the profile of the cuts 40a,40b,40c made respectively by the blades 3a-c. The cut 40b is a distance Z from the edge of the substrate.

The tool 1 is then adjusted as shown in Figure 8(B). The arms 5 are moved from their non-guiding position of Figure 8(A) into the guiding position. This can be done my manual rotation alone. The arms 5 may be rotated (see arrow 35) by being pushed against an object (see arrow 36), in the embodiment the wooden member 30. This causes the arms 5 to move to their guiding position as shown in dashed outline in Figure 8(B). The tool 1 is in its removing configuration when the arms 5 abut their respective stops 9 as indicated by arrow 34 in Figure 8(C).

The tool is then positioned with blades 3a and 3c aligned with cuts 40a and 40c respectively. Blade 3b is positioned so as to make a lateral cut in the member 30. Arms 5 rest atop the member 30 and control the depth of cut of the blades 3a-3c during the removing action shown in Figures 8(C) and 9(C). It will be appreciated that in such a position the tool 1 is at 90° to the position it was in for the inscribing action. Furthermore, the fingers 4 are out of the way of the removing action being held aloft of the member 30 by the arms 5. The tool 1 is then driven in to remove the inscribed portion 41 of the member 30. This action is shown in the figures. In particular the tool 1 is driven in so that the blades 3a-c remove the inscribed ΙΕθ 70 6 61 portion of wood 41. The removing stop 10 ensures the blades are not driven too far into the member. In particular the stop 10 ensures the blades can only be driven in to the position of cut 40b. Stop 10 prevents the tool been driven in further by abutting a side wall of the member 30. The removing action causes the removal of the wood within the portion 4 which is illustrated in Figure 9(C) which shows chippings 43 being removed. The end result is that a recess 45 (see Figure 9(D)) for a fitting such as a hinge has been cleanly made.

Reference has been made above to striking actions utilised to make both an inscribing cut and a removing cut. Figure 10 shows how a tool of the invention can be arranged to be power driven. In particular, the embodiment of Figure 10 shows an attachment for attaching the tool to an actuator, such as tool with a reciprocating motion. This may be a power drill (for example the jackhammer action thereof) a jigsaw or any other power tool which is appropriate. The attachment takes the form of a shaft or shank 50 which is suitable for attachment to a power tool. For example shank may be adapted to be inserted into a power drill in a manner analogous to a drill bit. The shaft 50 has splines which allow for engagement of the shaft with the tool.

It will be appreciated that in such an embodiment the handle 11 is optional. Preferably however the tool of the invention is provided with both the handle 11 and the attachment 50 so that the handle 11 is optionally removable to utilise the attachment 51. This means that a user can choose to use a hammer to drive the tool home for the inscribing and removing cuts or may optionally attach the tool to a power tool and utilise the power of the power ,Ε<>7Ο661 tool to drive the tool home for both the inscribing and the removing actions.

The words comprises/comprising and the words having/including when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Claims (15)

Claims

1. A tool for cutting a recess in a substrate such as a piece of wood, comprising:

2. A tool according to Claim 1 wherein each arm is 20 frictionally loaded.

3. . A tool according to Claim 2 wherein the frictional loading is provided by a biasing mechanism. 25

4. . A tool according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the frictional loading is provided by a spring washer.

5. A tool to any one of the preceding claims wherein the arms are disposed on opposing sides of the support. 5 a support member; a cutting blade on the support member; a first guiding member on the tool arranged to guide the blade for inscribing a portion of the substrate with a recess outline,

6. A tool according to any preceding claim further comprising a stop which prevents rotation of the arms past the guiding position. *070661

7. A tool according to any preceding Claim further comprising an attachment for attaching the tool to an actuator.

8. . A tool according to any preceding claim wherein the tool further comprises a gripping handle.

9. A tool according to Claim 8 wherein the gripping handle incorporates an attachment for attaching the tool to an actuator. 10. Of 3 sides of a rectangle. 19. A tool according to any preceding Claim further comprising a removing stop.

10. A tool according to Claim 9 wherein the attachment for attaching the tool to an actuator is housed within the handle. 10 a second guiding member on the tool arranged to guide the blade for cutting out the inscribed portion of the substrate within the recess outline to form the recess, the second guiding member comprising a pair of opposing 15 arms which are pivotally mounted on the tool and are each free to rotate between a guiding position and a non-guiding position.

11. A tool according to Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein removing at least part of the handle exposes the attachment for attaching the tool to an actuator.

12. A tool according to any one of Claims 8 to 11 wherein the handle further comprises a striking cap.

13. A tool according to Claim 12 wherein the striking cap is made from strike resistant plastics.

14. A tool according to Claim 12 or 13 wherein the handle comprises a metallic shaft over which the striking cap is fitted. 15. A tool according to any preceding Claim wherein the support member comprises a solid block. ΙΕΟ 70 6 61 16. A tool according to any preceding Claim wherein the first guiding member comprises a pair of guiding fingers . 5 17. A tool according to Claim 16 wherein the fingers are provided on the support. 18. A tool according to any preceding Claim wherein the cutting blade comprises 3 blades arranged in the shape

15. 20. A tool substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings .