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Plastic Pipe Cutter

Abstract: A hand-held cutting tool is described which is used to readily cut or sever flexible pipe or tubing. The tool features one or more openings in the body of the tool sized to accommodate pipe or tubing to be cut. The tool is used to cut tubing by inserting the tubing into one of the apertures. A retractable blade is urged against the tubing and the tool then orbited about the tubing and/or the tubing rotated until the blade severs the tubing.

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Patent Information

Application #
Filing Date
01 May 2012
Publication Number
07/2014
Publication Type
INA
Invention Field
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Status
Email
patent@depenning.com
Parent Application

Applicants

EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
8000 WEST FLORISSANT AVENUE, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI-63136-8506

Inventors

1. MACSAY, STEVEN M.
8000 WEST FLORISSANT AVENUE, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63136-8506
2. CHARTIER, GLEN R.
8000 WEST FLORISSANT AVENUE, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63136-8506

Specification

[00011 TITLE OF INVENTION [0002] Plastic Pipe Cutter [0003] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0004] The present application claims priority to U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application Serial No. 12/573,928, filed October 6, 2009, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [0005] STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0006] Not applicable. [0007] REFERENCE TO APPENDIX [0008] Not applicable. [0009] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0010] Field of the Invention. The present invention relates to a hand-held cutting tool designed for severing flexible or thin wall pipes or tubing. [0011] A wide variety of hand-held cutting tools are known in the art. Many of these tools feature an opening in the body of the tool for receiving a pipe or tube to be cut. Upon receipt of the pipe within the opening, a blade is urged against the pipe for subsequent cutting. [0012] For example, US Patent 823,796 to Leyes is directed to a pipe cutter having a pipe-encircling cylindrical sleeve. A spring loaded blade is radially urged against the outer surface of a pipe to be cut The '796 patent uses a blade arrangement in which the blade is held outside of the housing and contacted with a region of pipe external to the housing. [0013] US Patent 4,734,982 to Khoja is directed to a plastic pipe cutter. The tool is used by inserting a pipe into a hole in the body of the cutter and tightening a nut to urge a blade against the outer surface of the pipe. The blade is retained within a slot in the housing of the tool. [0014] US Patent 4,146,959 to Hopper describes a device for cutting a cylindrical article. In like fashion with the previously discussed 796 patent, the blade cuts within a plane that is external to a tubular support. [0015] Although satisfactory in many respects, these tools have limited application since they can only be used for cutting a single size or relatively small range of sizes of pipes or tubes. Furthermore, these tools provide only limited support of the pipe or tube during cutting as a result of the blade pressing against, and thus detrimentally deforming, the pipe wall during cutting. In addition, for tools having support stabilization guides spaced about the pipe to prevent such deformation, such guides typically obstruct viewing of the cutting interface. Moreover, previously known cutting tools of this type are typically only equipped with knife-style cutting blades, thereby limiting their application and use. [0016] Therefore, a need remains in the art for a cutting tool having one or more, and preferably two or more, openings in the body of the tool in order to accommodate different sizes of pipes or tubing. Moreover, a need exists for such a tool with provisions that promote stabilization of the pipe during cutting yet which do not interfere with viewing and general access to the cutting interface. In addition, a need remains in the art for such a cutting tool, in which the tool features one or more blades or implements that can perform other functions in addition to just cutting. [0017] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0018] The difficulties and drawbacks associated with previously known cutting tools are overcome in the present apparatus for a hand-held cutting tool. [0019] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a cutting tool comprising a housing defining (i) an interior region sized and shaped for receiving at least one implement, (ii) a first aperture extending through the housing, the first aperture defined by a first span, and (iii) a second aperture extending through the housing, the second aperture defined by a second span which is different than the first span. The cutting tool also comprises at least one implement assembly disposed in the housing, the implement assembly including (i) a working implement, (ii) provisions for retracting the working implement into the interior region defined by the housing, and (iii) provisions for extending the working implement into at least one of the first aperture and the second aperture. [0020] In another aspect, the present invention provides a cutting tool comprising a tool housing defining an interior hollow region, the tool housing also defining at least two apertures extending through the tool housing. The cutting tool also comprises a movable implement defining a cutting edge, the implement positionable between (i) a first position in which the implement is disposed entirely within the interior hollow region defined by the tool housing, and (ii) a second position in which at least a portion of the cutting edge is exposed within at least one of the apertures. [0021] And, in yet another aspect, the present invention provides a cutting tool comprising a body defining a first side and a second side oppositely directed from the first side, the body also defining a first aperture extending through the body between the first side and the second side and a second aperture extending through the body between the first side and the second side. The first aperture is larger than the second aperture. And, the cutting tool comprises a first implement selectively positionable between an extended position in which at least a portion of the implement is exposed within the first aperture and a retracted position; and a second implement selectively positionable between an extended position in which at least a portion of the implement is exposed within the second aperture and a retracted position. [0022] As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive. [0023] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment cutting tool in accordance with the present invention. [0025] Figure 2 is another perspective view of the preferred embodiment cutting tool illustrated in Figure 1. [0026] Figure 3 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment cutting tool in accordance with the present invention. [0027] Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken across the longitudinal axis of the preferred embodiment cutting tool of Figure 3 illustrating the interior of the tool and an assembly of cutting blades in a retracted position. [0028] Figure 5 is a cross sectional view tal A2. Typically, the length of the major axis Ai is from about 101% to about 110%, preferably from about 102% to about 106%, and most preferably from about 103% to about 105% of the nominal outside diameter of the pipe or tubing to be cut. Thus for example, for a pipe having a nominal outside diameter of 1.5 inches, the major axis Ai of the aperture for receiving that pipe is 1.55 inches. And for pipe having a nominal outside diameter of 1.25 inches, the major axis Ai is most preferably 1.30 inches. Typically, the length of the minor axis A2 is from about 95% to about 99.5%, preferably from about 97% to about 99%, and most preferably about 98% of the nominal outside diameter of the pipe or tubing to be cut. Thus for example, for a pipe having a nominal outside diameter of 1.5 inches, the minor axis A2 of the aperture for receiving that pipe is 1.48 inches. And for a pipe having a nominal outside diameter of 1.25 inches, the minor axis A2 is 1.23 inches. [0089] The typical, preferred, and most preferred lengths for the major and minor axes Ai and A2, respectively, can be expressed relative to one another. Thus, typically, the length of the major axis Ai to the minor axis A2 is from about 101% to about 116%, preferably from about 103% to about 109%, and most preferably from about 104% to about 107%. [0090] Related to this feature of the use of a non-circular cutting aperture, it is also preferred that the cutting aperture is oriented such that its major axis Ai is generally parallel to the axis along which the implement travels during extension into the aperture. Referring to Figure 15 again, an implement such as blades 70, 80, 70a, 80a, 770 and/or 780, is displaceable along an axis of travel D. Thus, it is preferred that the aperture 40 and/or the implement be oriented such that the axis of travel D of the implement is parallel, or at least substantially so, to the major axis Ai. [0091] It will be appreciated that although the use of slightly non-circular or oval shaped openings is preferred, the present invention includes the use of circular openings for one or more of the apertures provided in the present invention tool. [0092] Many other benefits will no doubt become apparent from future application and development of this technology. [0093] All patents, published applications, and articles noted herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. [0094] It will be understood that any one or more feature or component of one embodiment described herein can be combined with one or more other features or components of another embodiment. Thus, the present invention includes any and all combinations of components or features of the embodiments described herein. [0095] As described hereinabove, the present invention solves many problems associated with previous type devices. However, it will be appreciated that various changes in the details, materials and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and scope of the invention, as expressed in the appended claims. WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A cutting tool comprising: a housing defining (i) an interior region sized and shaped for receiving at least one implement, (ii) a first aperture extending through the housing, the first aperture defined by a first span, and (Hi) a second aperture extending through the housing, the second aperture defined by a second span different than the first span; and an implement assembly disposed in the housing, the implement assembly including (i) a working implement, (ii) provisions for retracting the working implement into the interior region defined by the housing, and (iii) provisions for extending the working implement into at least one of the first aperture and the second aperture, wherein the implement assembly further includes a first implement and a second implement, the first implement being extendable into the first aperture and the second implement being extendable into the second aperture. 2 . The cutting tool of claim 1 further comprising: an actuator generally retained at least partially within the housing and In engagement with the implement assembly. 3. The cutting tool of claim 3 wherein the implement assembly further Includes a slidable member in contact with the actuator. 4. The cutting tool of claim 4 wherein the slidable member engages and contacts the implement assembly. 5. The cutting tool of claim 4 further comprising: a spring disposed within the housing and in contact with the slidable member and which urges the slidable member to a position such that the first and second implements extend into an associated aperture. 6. The cutting tool of claim 4 wherein the slidable member defines an angled cam follower surface and the actuator defines an angled cam surface, the cam follower surface being in contact with the cam surface. 7. The cutting tool of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first aperture and the second aperture has a non-circular shape defined by a major axis and a minor axis, the length of the major axis being from about 101% to about 116% of the length of the minor axis. 8. The cutting tool of claim 8 wherein the length of the major axis is from about 103% to about 109% of the length of the minor axis. 9. The cutting tool of claim 8 wherein the working implement is extendable into the first aperture and is displaced along a travel axis during retracting and extending, the first aperture having a non-circular shape and oriented such that the major axis of the first axis is generally parallel to the travel axis. 10. The cutting tool of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a first side and a second side and the first aperture is defined by a circumferential wall extending through the housing and between the first and second sides, the housing also defining a blade access region associated with the first aperture and extending between (i) the circumferential wall and the first side and (ii) the circumferential wall and the second side. 11. The cutting tool of claim 11 wherein the second aperture is defined by a circumferential wall extending through the housing and between the first and second sides, the housing also defining a second blade access region associated with the second aperture and extending between (i) the circumferential wall and the first side and (ii) the circumferential wall and the second side. 12. The cutting tool of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a selectively positionable first housing section hingedly coupled to a second housing section, each of the first and the second housing sections defining portions of the first aperture and the second aperture. 13. A cutting tool comprising: a tool housing defining an interior hollow region, the tool housing also defining at least two apertures extending through the tool housing; and a movable implement defining a cutting edge, the implement positionable between (i) a first position in which the implement is disposed entirely within the interior hollow region defined by the tool housing, and (ii) a second position in which at least a portion of the cutting edge is exposed within at least one of the apertures, wherein at least one of the apertures has a shape defined by a major axis and a minor axis, the length of the major axis being from about 101% to about 116% of the length of the minor axis. 14. The cutting tool of claim 14 wherein the tool housing defines a first aperture and a second aperture. 15. The cutting tool of claim 15 wherein the first aperture is larger than the second aperture. 16. The cutting tool of claim 15 wherein the first aperture is a circular opening, and the second aperture is a circular opening. 17. The cutting tool of claim 17 wherein the diameter of the first aperture is smaller than the diameter of the second aperture. 18. The cutting tool of claim 15 wherein the implement is a first movable blade defining a cutting edge and is positionable to expose at least a portion of the cutting edge within the first aperture, the tool further comprising: a second movable implement defining a cutting edge, the second implement positionable between (i) a first position in which the implement is disposed entirely within the interior hollow region defined by the tool housing, and (ii) a second position in which at least a portion of the cutting edge of the second implement is exposed within the second aperture. 19. The cutting tool of claim 14 wherein the length of the major axis is from about 103% to about 109% of the length of the minor axis. 20. The cutting tool of claim 14 wherein the implement is extendable into the at least one aperture and is displaced along a travel axis during retracting and extending, the at least one aperture having a non-circular shape and oriented such that the major axis of the first axis is generally parallel to the travel axis. 21. The cutting tool of claim 14 wherein the housing includes a selectively positionable first housing section hingedly coupled to a second housing section, each of the first and the second housing sections defining portions of the at least two apertures. 22. A cutting tool comprising: a body defining a first side and a second side oppositely directed from the first side, the body also defining a first aperture extending through the body between the first side and the second side and a second aperture extending through the body between the first side and the second side, the first aperture being larger than the second aperture; a first implement selectively positionable between an extended position in which at least a portion of the implement is exposed within the first aperture and a retracted position; and a second implement selectively positionable between an extended position in which at least a portion of the implement is exposed within the second aperture and a retracted position. 23. The cutting tool of claim 24 wherein the first aperture is non-circular and defines a major axis and a minor axis, the length of the major axis being from about 101 % to about 116% of the length of the minor axis. 24. The cutting tool of claim 25 wherein the second aperture is non-circular and defines a major axis and a minor axis, the length of the major axis of the second aperture being from about 101% to about 116% of the length of the minor axis of the second aperture. 25. The cutting tool of claim 25 wherein the first implement is selectively positionabie along a travel axis, the orientation of the first aperture and the first implement such that the major axis of the first aperture is parallel to the travel axis. 26. The cutting tool of claim 26 wherein the second implement is selectively positionabie along a travel axis, the orientation of the second aperture and the second implement such that the major axis of the second aperture is parallel to the travel axis. 27. The cutting tool of claim 24 wherein the first implement includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of (i) a blade including a cutting edge, (ii) a reamer including a chamfering edge, (ill) a limiter for limiting cut depth, and (iv) combinations thereof. 28. The cutting tool of claim 29 wherein the blade is selected from a stationary blade and a cutting wheel. 29. The cutting tool of claim 24 wherein the first aperture is defined by a circumferential wall extending through the body and between the first and second sides, the body also defining a blade access region associated with the first aperture and extending between (i) the circumferential wall and the first side and (ii) the circumferential wall and the second side. 30. The cutting tool of claim 31 wherein the second aperture is defined by a second circumferential wall extending through the body and between the first and second sides, the body also defining a second blade access region associated with the second aperture and extending between (i) the second circumferential wall and the first side and (ii) the second circumferential wall and the second side. 31. The cutting tool of claim 24 wherein the housing includes a selectively positionable first housing section hingedly coupled to a second housing section, each of the first and the second housing sections defining portions of the first aperture and the second aperture.

Documents

Application Documents

# Name Date
1 3854-CHENP-2012 PCT 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
1 3854-CHENP-2012-AbandonedLetter.pdf 2019-02-12
2 3854-CHENP-2012 FORM-5 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
2 3854-CHENP-2012-FER.pdf 2018-08-28
3 3854-CHENP-2012 FORM-3 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
3 3854-CHENP-2012 FORM-13 03-10-2013.pdf 2013-10-03
4 3854-CHENP-2012 FORM-2 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
4 3854-CHENP-2012 FORM-18 03-10-2013.pdf 2013-10-03
5 3854-CHENP-2012 FORM-1 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
5 3854-CHENP-2012 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 03-10-2013.pdf 2013-10-03
6 3854-CHENP-2012 DRAWINGS 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
6 3854-CHENP-2012 ASSIGNMENT 29-10-2012.pdf 2012-10-29
7 3854-CHENP-2012 DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE) 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
7 3854-CHENP-2012 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 29-10-2012.pdf 2012-10-29
8 3854-CHENP-2012 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
8 3854-CHENP-2012 FORM-3 29-10-2012.pdf 2012-10-29
9 3854-CHENP-2012 POWER OF ATTORNEY 29-10-2012.pdf 2012-10-29
9 3854-CHENP-2012 CLAIMS 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
10 3854-CHENP-2012 ABSTRACT 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
11 3854-CHENP-2012 POWER OF ATTORNEY 29-10-2012.pdf 2012-10-29
11 3854-CHENP-2012 CLAIMS 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
12 3854-CHENP-2012 FORM-3 29-10-2012.pdf 2012-10-29
12 3854-CHENP-2012 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
13 3854-CHENP-2012 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 29-10-2012.pdf 2012-10-29
13 3854-CHENP-2012 DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE) 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
14 3854-CHENP-2012 ASSIGNMENT 29-10-2012.pdf 2012-10-29
14 3854-CHENP-2012 DRAWINGS 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
15 3854-CHENP-2012 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 03-10-2013.pdf 2013-10-03
15 3854-CHENP-2012 FORM-1 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
16 3854-CHENP-2012 FORM-18 03-10-2013.pdf 2013-10-03
16 3854-CHENP-2012 FORM-2 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
17 3854-CHENP-2012 FORM-13 03-10-2013.pdf 2013-10-03
17 3854-CHENP-2012 FORM-3 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
18 3854-CHENP-2012 FORM-5 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01
18 3854-CHENP-2012-FER.pdf 2018-08-28
19 3854-CHENP-2012-AbandonedLetter.pdf 2019-02-12
19 3854-CHENP-2012 PCT 01-05-2012.pdf 2012-05-01

Search Strategy

1 SEARCHSTRATEGY_08-01-2018.pdf