TWI897393B - Glass tube cutter - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a glass tube cutter, comprising a housing having two opposite side surfaces, a through hole, and a receiving space. The through hole penetrates the two side surfaces along a thickness direction and is connected to the receiving space. A first opening and a second opening are formed on the top surface along a height direction. The first opening is adjacent to the second opening along the thickness direction. The first opening and the second opening are connected to the receiving space. A base is fixed to the receiving space. The base has a processing space, which is connected to the receiving space. The processing space corresponds to the position of the through hole along the thickness direction, and the processing space is connected to the receiving space along the thickness direction. The height direction corresponds to the position of the first opening and the second opening; a tool is movably arranged in the accommodating space along the height direction, and can be selectively far away from or close to the processing space; a clamp is movably arranged in the accommodating space along the height direction, and can be selectively far away from or close to the processing space; a plurality of elastic members are arranged in the accommodating space, and the aforementioned plurality of elastic members can be retracted along the height direction between the tool and the base, and between the clamp and the base; thereby, after the scoring is done, the glass tube can be bent in accordance with the trend to separate the glass tube into two.

Description

Glass tube cutter

The present invention relates to a glass tube cutter, and more particularly to an invention comprising both a cutter and a clamp.

Most finished glass tubes have the same length, and users need to cut them according to their needs to obtain the appropriate length of glass tube.

Generally, a clamp-like device is used to cut glass tubes. One clamp has a placement section for the tube, while the other has a cutting section for cutting the tube. After placing the tube on the placement section, the cutting section is pressed against the tube and rotated to create a circular notch. Once completed, the tube is bent in half at the notch. This allows the length of the tube to be adjusted to the desired size.

In actual use, the following two situations often occur: When the glass tube to be removed is long enough, the user can still break the tube directly with two hands. However, when the glass tube to be removed is short and can only be grasped with two fingers, improper force can easily cause the glass tube to break during the breaking process, resulting in finger injuries.

Therefore, the inventors have proposed a glass tube cutter to eliminate the need to use fingers to grasp the short broken portion when bending a glass tube. The device comprises: a housing having two opposing side surfaces, a through-hole, and a receiving space. The through-hole extends through the two side surfaces along a thickness direction and communicates with the receiving space. The housing has a top surface disposed between the two side surfaces. A first opening and a second opening are formed in the top surface along a height direction. The first opening is disposed adjacent to the second opening along the thickness direction, and the first and second openings communicate with the receiving space. A base is fixed to the receiving space. The base has a processing space, which communicates with the receiving space. The processing space corresponds to the position of the through-hole along the thickness direction, and a second opening is formed along the thickness direction. The height direction corresponds to the position of the first opening and the second opening; a cutting tool having a first pressing end and a cutting end, the cutting tool being movably disposed in the accommodating space along the height direction, with the first pressing end correspondingly extending out of the first opening, and the cutting end being selectively positioned away from or closer to the processing space; a clamping tool having a second pressing end and a pressing end, the clamping tool being movably disposed in the accommodating space along the height direction, with the second pressing end correspondingly extending out of the second opening, and the pressing end being selectively positioned away from or closer to the processing space; a plurality of elastic members being disposed in the accommodating space, the plurality of elastic members being retractably positioned between the cutting tool and the base, and between the clamping tool and the base, respectively, along the height direction.

Furthermore, the housing has a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, with two recesses respectively formed along the height direction on the top surface and the bottom surface. The first opening and the second opening are formed exactly at the positions of the two recesses.

Furthermore, the blade end has a rotatable roller blade, and the axis of the roller blade is parallel to the thickness direction.

Furthermore, a soft pad is provided at the pressing end.

Furthermore, a first latch portion is disposed between the first pressing end and the blade end. When the first pressing end extends out of the first opening in the height direction, the first latch portion abuts against the housing. A second latch portion is disposed between the second pressing end and the pressing end. When the second pressing end extends out of the second opening in the height direction, the second latch portion abuts against the housing.

Furthermore, a plurality of circular holes are disposed oppositely on the base, the first latch portion, and the second latch portion. Opposite ends of the plurality of elastic members are respectively embedded in the first latch portion and the plurality of circular holes on the base, and in the second latch portion and the plurality of circular holes on the base.

Furthermore, the accommodating space includes two collection spaces and a placement space located between the two collection spaces. The base is fixed to the placement space. Two side openings are respectively formed on two sides of the base adjacent to the two collection spaces. The processing space is connected to the two collection spaces via the two side openings.

Furthermore, the housing comprises a lid and a main body. The housing body is recessed with the accommodating space. The lid can be detachably mounted on the main body to cover the accommodating space. The through-hole is formed through the lid and the main body, and two opposing through-holes are formed in the lid and the main body, respectively. The two through-holes each have a V-shaped connecting edge.

Based on the above technical features, the following effects can be achieved:

1. After scoring the glass tube with the cutter, use the clamp to secure the tube in the workspace. Bend the tube with your other hand, holding it with the clamp close to the cut. This will ensure the glass tube breaks at the cut, splitting it in two.

2. If the glass tube to be removed is short, you can use a gripper instead of your fingers to pick it up, preventing direct contact and possible injury. The removed glass tube can also be collected directly in the collection space, preventing it from being discarded and potentially causing injury to others.

3. The recessed areas on the upper and lower sides correspond precisely to the position of the user's fingers, making it easy for the user to press and use.

1: Shell

1A: Cover

1B: Shell

11: Storage Space

111: Collection Space

112:Place space

113: Shallow Trough

12: Hole

13: Top

131: First Opening

132: Second opening

14: Bottom

15: concave part

2: Base

21: Processing space

22: Side opening

23: First round hole

3: Cutting tools

31: First pressing end

32: Blade Tip

321: Roller Blade

33: First latch

34: Second circular hole

4: Clamps

41: Second pressing end

42: Pressing end

43: Soft pad

44: Second latch

45: Third round hole

5: Elastic parts

[Figure 1] is a three-dimensional external view of the present invention.

[Figure 2] is an exploded view of the present invention.

[Figure 3] is a cross-sectional view of the present invention.

[Figure 4] is a cross-sectional view of the present invention.

[Figure 5] shows the process of inserting a glass tube into the processing space of the present invention and marking the folds.

[Figure 6] is a schematic diagram showing the use of the clamp of the present invention to clamp a glass tube.

Figure 7 shows how the present invention is used to bend a glass tube to split it into two.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing how the present invention is used to bend a glass tube to split it into two.

[Figure 9] is a schematic diagram showing the storage of cut glass tubes in the collection space of the present invention.

Combining the above technical features, the main functions of the glass tube cutter of the present invention will be clearly demonstrated in the following embodiments.

Please refer to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4. The glass tube cutter of the present invention comprises a housing 1, a base 2, a cutter 3, a clamp 4, and four elastic members 5.

The housing 1 has two opposite side surfaces, a through hole and a receiving space 11. The through hole passes through the two side surfaces along a thickness direction and connects to the receiving space 11. The housing 1 has a top surface 13 and a bottom surface 14 disposed between the two side surfaces. A first opening 131 and a second opening 132 are formed on the top surface 13 along a height direction. The first opening 131 is adjacent to the bottom surface 14 along the thickness direction. A second opening 132 is provided. The first opening 131 and the second opening 132 communicate with the accommodating space 11. Specifically, the housing 1 comprises a lid 1A and a housing body 1B. The two side surfaces are provided on the lid 1A and the housing body 1B, respectively. The housing body 1B is recessed with the accommodating space 11. The lid 1A is detachably attached to the housing body 1B to cover the accommodating space 11. The perforations are provided through the lid 1A and the housing body 1B, forming two opposing through-holes 12 in the lid 1A and the housing body 1B, respectively. Each of the through-holes 12 has a V-shaped connecting edge. Two recesses 15 are formed along the height of the top surface 13 and the bottom surface 14, respectively. The first opening 131 and the second opening 132 are located at the positions of the two recesses 15. The accommodating space 11 includes two collection spaces 111 and a placement space 112 located between the two collection spaces 111. The housing body 1B has a shallow groove 113 disposed adjacent to the placement space 112.

The base 2 is fixed to the accommodating space 11. The base 2 has a processing space 21 that connects to the accommodating space 11. The processing space 21 corresponds to the position of the through-hole along the thickness direction and to the first opening 131 and the second opening 132 along the height direction. Specifically, the base 2 is rectangular and has the processing space 21 recessed along the height direction. The bottom surface of the base 2 is embedded in the shallow groove 113, securing the base 2 to the placement space 112. Two side openings 22 are respectively formed on the two sides of the base 2 adjacent to the two collection spaces 111. The processing space 21 connects to the two collection spaces 111 through the two side openings 22. Four first circular holes 23 are provided on the top surface of the base 2.

The tool 3 has a first pressing end 31 and a blade end 32 opposite to each other. The tool 3 is movably arranged in the accommodating space 11 along the height direction, and the first pressing end 31 extends out of the first opening 131. The blade end 32 can be selectively moved away from or close to the processing space 21. Specifically, the tool 3 is also arranged in the placement space 112. The blade end 32 has a rotatable roller blade 321. The axis of the roller blade 321 is parallel to the thickness direction. The first pressing end 3 The first opening 131 is rectangular in shape. A first latching portion 33 is provided in the middle section of the first pressing end 31 extending toward the blade end 32, extending outwardly. When the first pressing end 31 extends vertically beyond the first opening 131, the first latching portion 33 abuts against the housing 1, preventing the blade 3 from separating from the housing 1. Two second circular holes 34 are provided on the side of the first latching portion 33 facing the base 2, corresponding to the positions of the aforementioned first circular holes 23 on the base 2.

The clamp 4 has a second pressing end 41 and a pressing end 42 opposite to each other. The clamp 4 is movably arranged in the accommodating space 11 along the height direction, and the second pressing end 41 extends out of the second opening 132, and the pressing end 42 can be selectively moved away from or close to the processing space 21. Specifically, the clamp is also arranged in the placement space 112 and adjacent to the tool 3. A soft pad 43 is provided on the pressing end 42, and the second pressing end 41 corresponds to the second opening. 132 are rectangular in shape. A second latching portion 44 is provided in an outwardly circumferential manner in the middle section extending from the second pressing end 41 toward the pressing end 42. When the second pressing end 41 extends vertically out of the second opening 132, the second latching portion 44 abuts against the housing 1, preventing the clamp 4 from separating from the housing 1. Two third circular holes 45 are provided on the side of the second latching portion 44 facing the base 2, corresponding to the positions of the first circular holes 23 on the base 2.

The plurality of elastic members 5 are disposed within the accommodating space 11 and are retractably positioned between the tool 3 and the base 2, and between the clamp 4 and the base 2, along the height direction. Specifically, the opposing ends of the plurality of elastic members 5 are respectively engaged with the first latch portion 33, the second circular hole 34, and the first circular hole 23 on the base 2, and the second latch portion 44, the third circular hole 45, and the first circular hole 23 on the base 2.

Please refer to Figures 5, 6 and 7. When the present invention is used to cut a glass tube, the glass tube is first inserted into the perforation, the portion to be cut is positioned corresponding to the position of the blade end 32, the cutter 3 is pressed so that the blade end 32 contacts the surface of the glass tube, and then the glass tube is rotated so that the roller blade 321 at the blade end 32 carves a groove along the surface of the glass tube. Next, the position of the groove is adjusted so that the groove is The score moves toward the clamp 4 and out of the processing space 21. The clamp 4 is pressed, causing the soft pad 43 to rest against the surface of the glass tube to be cut. With one hand, the clamp 4 is pressed, replacing the hand to secure the glass tube. With the other hand, the clamp 4 is held by the portion of the glass tube protruding from the perforation to be retained. A bending force is applied to the glass tube, causing it to break at the score, thereby cutting the glass tube.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the present invention can also be used to cut glass tubes that are relatively short and easily crushed by pinching with fingers. Specifically, similar to the aforementioned situation where the glass tubes are relatively long, the present invention provides the advantage of using the clamp 4 instead of the hands to secure the shorter cut glass tubes, preventing them from breaking and injuring hands when bending them. Furthermore, the cut glass tubes can be moved from the processing space 21 through the two side openings 22 on the sides of the base 2 to the collection space 111, where they are temporarily stored. This prevents the cut glass tubes from being carelessly discarded and causing injury to others.

The description of the above embodiments should provide a comprehensive understanding of the operation, use, and efficacy of the present invention. However, the above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Simply equivalent variations and modifications made within the scope of the patent application and the description of the invention are also covered by the present invention.

1: Shell

1A: Cover

1B: Shell

12: Hole

13: Top

15: concave part

3: Cutting tools

4: Clamps

Claims (8)

A glass tube cutter comprises: A housing having two opposing side surfaces, a through-hole, and a receiving space, the through-hole penetrating the two side surfaces along a thickness direction and communicating with the receiving space; the housing having a top surface disposed between the two side surfaces, the top surface having a first opening and a second opening formed along a height direction, the first opening being adjacent to the second opening along the thickness direction, the first opening and the second opening communicating with the receiving space; A base fixed to the receiving space, the base having a processing space communicating with the receiving space, the processing space being located at a position corresponding to the through-hole along the thickness direction and at a position corresponding to the first opening and the second opening along the height direction; A cutting tool having a first pressing end and a cutting end, the cutting tool being movably disposed in the accommodating space along the height direction, with the first pressing end correspondingly extending out of the first opening, and the cutting end being selectively positioned away from or closer to the processing space; A clamping device having a second pressing end and a pressing end, the clamping device being movably disposed in the accommodating space along the height direction, with the second pressing end correspondingly extending out of the second opening, and the pressing end being selectively positioned away from or closer to the processing space; A plurality of elastic members are disposed in the accommodating space, the plurality of elastic members being retractably disposed in the height direction between the cutting tool and the base, and between the clamping device and the base, respectively. As described in claim 1, the glass tube cutter, wherein the shell has a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and two recesses are respectively recessed in the top surface and the bottom surface along the height direction, and the first opening and the second opening are exactly opened at the positions of the aforementioned two recesses. A glass tube cutter as described in claim 1, wherein the knife end has a rotatable roller blade, and the axis of rotation of the roller blade is parallel to the thickness direction. The glass tube cutter as described in claim 1, wherein a soft pad is provided at the pressing end. As described in claim 1, the glass tube cutter comprises a first latch portion arranged between the first pressing end and the knife end, and when the first pressing end extends out of the first opening along the height direction, the first latch portion abuts against the shell; and a second latch portion arranged between the second pressing end and the pressing end, and when the second pressing end extends out of the second opening along the height direction, the second latch portion abuts against the shell. As described in claim 5, a glass tube cutter has a plurality of circular holes respectively arranged on the base, the first latch portion and the second latch portion, and the opposite ends of the plurality of elastic members are respectively embedded in the first latch portion and the plurality of circular holes on the base, and the second latch portion and the plurality of circular holes on the base. A glass tube cutter as described in claim 1, wherein the accommodating space includes two collection spaces and a placement space located between the two collection spaces, the base is fixed to the placement space, and two side edges are respectively provided on two sides of the base adjacent to the two collection spaces, and the processing space is connected to the two collection spaces through the aforementioned two side edges. As described in claim 1, the glass tube cutter, wherein the shell has a cover and a shell body, the shell body is recessed with the accommodating space, the cover can be detachably arranged on the shell body and covers the accommodating space, the through-hole is penetrated through the cover and the shell body, and two opposite through-holes are formed on the cover and the shell body respectively, and the two through-holes respectively have a receiving edge arranged in a V-shape.