Patent ID: 8935974
Filing Date: 2015-01-20
Classification: A61B,B23D,B26D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for cutting a rod using a rod cutter apparatus which comprises a rod holding plate having a rod opening for receiving a rod to be cut; a cutting member having a central opening defined by a cutting edge, the central opening being substantially aligned with the rod opening; and a drive assembly connected between the rod holding plate and the cutting member to cause oscillation of the cutting member relative to the rod holding plate, wherein oscillation of the cutting member relative to the rod holding plate cuts a rod in the rod opening, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a rod within the rod opening; and oscillating the cutting member relative to the rod holding plate so as to score and cut the rod with the cutting member, wherein the drive assembly comprises a drive shaft having an eccentrically positioned end, and a sleeve having an eccentrically positioned bore, the drive shaft being rotatably positioned within the bore, further comprising a housing mounted to one of the plates and rotatably holding the sleeve of the drive assembly, wherein the eccentrically positioned end of the drive shaft is rotatably engaged with the other of the plates, wherein the drive assembly drives rotation of both the sleeve and the drive shaft relative to the sleeve, and wherein the drive assembly comprises a single driven shaft, a first gear assembly driven by the single driven shaft and engaged with the sleeve for driving rotation of the sleeve, and a second gear assembly driven by the single driven shaft and engaged with the drive shaft for driving rotation of the drive shaft, wherein the first gear assembly and the second gear assembly have different gear ratios so as to rotate the sleeve and the drive shaft at different rates of rotation whereby the drive shaft also rotates relative to the sleeve.