Abstract:
The invention as presently conceived discloses a plumbing pipe cutter with an integral means of directing away residual water after a pipe is cut. The device comprises a conventional, low profile pipe cutter that is commonly used to cut copper water supply lines. Other cutters designed for polyvinylchloride (PVC) or other types of piping can likewise be adapted. The apparatus is further comprised of a transparent shield around the entire perimeter of the cutter and extending onto either pipe. At one end of the shield, approximately 8-10 inches from the cutter, the transparent material is flexibly gathered and routed to a short section of PVC tubing. The distal end of the tubing has a hose connector onto which a standard hose would be attached. When the apparatus is fully installed, residual water in cut pipes is collected and directed away without harming the surrounding areas.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document No. 607,436, filed Oct. 16, 2006, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to pipe cutters and, more particularly, to a pipe cutter that is able to divert water from a pipe that contains water during cutting operations. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various plumbing construction procedures require a variety of specialty tools and parts to provide for a professional appearing installation that meets all applicable building codes. One task associated with almost every plumbing task is the cutting of pipe. Many times such pipe is empty and the cutting is a quick and easy operation. However, in many cases, a connection must be made to a piping system that is filled with water. Even though upstream shutoff valves are closed, water still remains in the pipes, sometimes gallons of it. This is especially the case in basement bathrooms that are roughed in for later finishing. In most cases the water lines are just capped with no shutoffs. In this case, with the main valve closed upstream, all of the water in pipes on the upper floors will drain down into the cut area. This type of cut-in can make a mess out of finished floors and walls. 
     Several attempts have been made in the past to design an effective means for pipe cutting. U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,739 in the name of Huang discloses a pipe cutter comprised of a fastening mechanism including two pivot members on both sides of a top recess, two bifurcated pivot links, two rollers on top ends of the pivot members, an upper rotary blade, and a lower transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism is operative to pivot the fastening mechanism for forming a three-point support (i.e., the rollers and the blade) of a pipe to be cut. A number of configurations of the cutter are possible. Unfortunately, this prior art example does not provide a means for diverting fluid from a cut pipe. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,013,567 in the name of Myers discloses a pipe cutter comprised of a rotary head having an axis of rotation, and a housing gear is coaxial with the rotary head such that the housing gear and rotary head have a common axis of rotation. A pipe slot extends into the rotary head and the housing gear, and a pipe cradle is provided in the pipe slot and serves to receive a pipe. A cutting wheel is associated with the rotary head and a wheel biasing member urges the cutting wheel to extend into the pipe slot. A primary drive source is operatively connected to the housing gear by a gear system that rotates the housing gear and the rotary head about the common axis of rotation. Because the cutting wheel is biased to extend into the pipe slot and contacts a pipe placed therein, the cutting wheel revolves around the pipe and cuts into the pipe during rotation of the rotary head. The primary drive source may be manual or automated. Unfortunately, this prior art example does not provide a means for diverting fluid from a cut pipe. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,115 in the name of Walsh describes a cutting head for a portable, hand-held, power-operated pipe cutter that is constructed with at least one channel in a rotating mounting plate assembly, to permit lateral insertion of a pipe. The power-transmission arrangement employed includes at least one component that effectively spans the entrance to the channel in the mounting plate so as to ensure that driving engagement therebetween is constantly maintained. Unfortunately, this prior art example does not provide a means for diverting fluid from a cut pipe. 
     None of the prior art particularly describes a pipe cutter with fluid diverting means. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which cuts into pipes filled with water can be easily made without the disadvantages as described above. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing an apparatus that is convenient and easy to use, lightweight yet durable in design, and designed for diverting liquids when cutting liquid filled pipes. The pipe cutter cuts through any pipe material and includes a transparent shield that diverts water from the pipe and into a hose attachment. The present invention is simple to use, inexpensive, and designed for many years of repeated use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, it has been observed that there is need for a pipe cutter with fluid diverting means. 
     The present invention comprises a pipe cutter with an integral means of containing and directing water from pipes filled with water. The invention provides a standard, low-profile pipe cutter that is commonly used to cut copper water supply lines. Other cutters designed for PVC, plastic, or other types of piping could also be used. A plastic shield is provide around the entire perimeter of the cutter and extends onto either side. At one end of the plastic shield, approximately 8 to 10 inches from the cutter, the plastic is gathered together and routed to a short section of plastic tubing. At the opposite end of the tubing a standard hose connection piece is provided. To use the invention, the pipe cutter is placed about the pipe where the cut is desired in the normal fashion. Next, the plastic is secured around the cutter and the cut is made. As the cut pierces the pipe wall, any water will spray out, hit the plastic and be routed through the tubing where it can fall into a bucket or be routed away using a conventional garden hose as an extension. The use of the present invention will allow quick tie-ins to water supply piping in finished areas without the disadvantages of water spray, possible ruined walls or the like, in a manner which is quick, easy and effective. 
     The present invention includes a pipe cutter that is expandable for accommodating different sized ones of the pipe during operating procedures, and a shroud removably surrounding the pipe cutter. Such a shroud is formed from elastically expandable material and includes a receiving end, a dispersing end located opposite of the receiving end, a slit formed in the receiving end of the shroud, and a hose removably attached to the dispersing end of the shroud. 
     The pipe cutter further includes a mechanism for selectively expanding and contracting a receiving end of the shroud for accommodating a plurality of existing pipes with varying diameters therein during operating conditions. Such a selectively expanding and contracting mechanism includes a hook fastener strip integrally attached to an inner-side edge of the receiving end of the shroud and a loop fastener strip integrally attached to an outer-side edge of the receiving end of the shroud. Such a hook fastener strip and such a loop fastener strip respectively are removably affixed to each other and surrounding the existing pipe is cut during operating conditions. 
     The pipe cutter further includes a hose connection piece rotatably attached to a dispersing end of the shroud. Such a hose connection piece includes an inner wall with a threaded region formed therein for receiving and cooperating with a threaded region of the hose. The hose connection piece is integrally attached to the dispersing end of the shroud. 
     The pipe cutter further includes a top half, a bottom half, and a circular cutting element housed within the bottom half. Such a cutting element creates a pipe cut within the existing pipe. The cutter further includes a pin penetrated through the bottom half and the cutting element respectively such that the cutting element is freely rotated about an axis defined by a longitudinal length of the pin. A pivot member is integrally formed in the top half, and the top and bottom halves respectively are pivotally connected by the pivot. An access is formed between the top and bottom halves respectively. Such an access allows the user to interfit an existing pipe to be cut therein during operating conditions. A plurality of rollers is rotatably connected to the top half and is in fluid communication with the access. Such rollers provide for rotation of the pipe interfitted within the access. 
     A method of utilizing a pipe cutter for directing residual water away from a pipe after the pipe is cut includes the steps of: providing a hose connection piece located at a dispersing end of a shroud; threadably engaging the shroud with the hose; placing an existing pipe through a receiving end of the shroud; placing the existing pipe within an access of the pipe cutter; overlapping an upper inner-side edge of the shroud over an outer-side edge of the shroud by adapting the upper inner-side edge through a slit formed in the shroud; engaging a hook fastener strip with a loop fastener strip and thereby encircling the receiving end of the shroud around the pipe; introducing a quantity of fluid into the shroud; gripping the pipe cutter such that a top half thereof advances inwardly towards a bottom half thereof and thereby reduces a size of the access until the pipe is gripped by a plurality of rollers and a cutting element respectively; rotating the pipe cutter in at least one of a clockwise and a counter clockwise direction respectively until the cutting element cuts through the pipe at the desired position; diverting excess fluid contained within the shroud to the dispersing end of the shroud and to the hose; and removing the pipe from the shroud. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a pipe cutter with fluid diverting means  10  with a shroud  30  closably opened, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the pipe cutter with fluid diverting means  10  with a shroud  30  openably closed surrounding a pipe  40 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up perspective view of a pipe cutter  20  residing therein a shroud  30 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the pipe cutter with fluid diverting means  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the shroud  30  and hose connection piece  60  with a slit  31  closably opened, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  pipe cutter with fluid diverting means 
               20  pipe cutter 
               22  pivot 
               23  access 
               24  roller 
               25  cutting element 
               26  pin 
               27  rotation 
               28  top half 
               29  bottom half 
               30  shroud 
               31  slit 
               32  receiving end 
               33  dispersing end 
               40  pipe 
               45  cut 
               50  fluid 
               60  hose connection piece 
               65  threaded region 
               70  hose 
               80  hook fastener strip 
               85  loop fastener strip 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an apparatus and method that discloses a pipe  40  cutting device with an integral means of containing and directing residual fluid  50  away from the location of the cut  45  therethrough the pipe  40 . The pipe cutter with fluid diverting means (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10  comprises a pipe cutter  20 , a shroud  30 , a hose connection piece  60 , and means for selectively expand or contract the receiving end  32  to accommodate the varying diameter size of copper, plastic, and/or polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipes  40 . The apparatus  10  is envisioned to be fabricated of plastic, synthetic materials, and/or other durable materials that are tear resistant, high toughness properties, and the capability of functioning in a wide temperature range. A cutting element  25  of a pipe cutter  20  and/or the hose connection piece  60  is envisioned to be fabricated of stainless steel, copper, copper alloy, or other metallic substances that is corrosion resistant. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , front views of the apparatus  10  and a perspective view of a pipe cutter  20  are disclosed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus  10  may be sized in a plurality of lengths, widths, and/or other dimensions with varyingly sized pipe cutters  20  integrated therewith. The apparatus  10  is preferably sized to operably accept a pipe  40  of various diameters and thicknesses. A pipe cutter  20  of the apparatus  10  is constituted by a cutting element  25  of varying size and thickness depending on the preferred task that rotates  27  about an axis, preferably parallel to the axis of the pipe  40  to be cut. However, it is further envisioned that the cutting element  25  may be capable of rotating  27  about an axis that is not parallel to the axis of the pipe  40  which, instead of causing a straight plane cut  45 , may cause it to cut the pipe  40  at an angle. The cutting element  25  is fixed thereon the pipe cutter  20  via a shaft, fitting, pin  26 , or other devices fixedly passed therethrough the center which allow said cutting element  25  to rotate freely about an axis. 
     The pipe cutter  20  is split on a diametric plane. Two (2) pipe cutter halves  28 ,  29  are held together by bolts, hinges, pivots  22 , or the like assembled through holes to permit pivotal rotation. The pipe cutter  20  comprises rollers  24  each rotatably connected to the top half  28  and a cutting element  25  rotatably connected to the bottom half  29  thereof. Therebetween the two (2) halves  28 ,  29  is an access  23  to provide an area where the pipe  40  can be suitably secured to be cut by rotating  27  about said pipe  40 . The size and shape of the access  23  shall be adjustably sized and formed to match the diameter and size of conventional pipes  40 . 
     The cutting element  25  extends into the access  23 , and when rotated  27 , said cutting element  25  revolves around the pipe  40  thereby quickly cutting  45  through it due to the biasing force created by the grip of the user. The rollers  24  partially extend into the access  23 , and, together with the cutting element  25 , provide a support wherein a pipe  40  can be suitably secured to be cut  45 . The cutting element  25  with the combination of the rollers  24  secure the pipe  40  within the access  23  with the longitudinal axis of said pipe  40  being substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation  27  of the pipe cutter  20 . The biasing forces urge the two (2) halves  28 ,  29  radially inwardly, thereby urging a portion of the cutting element  25  to extend into the access  23 , and substantially, the pipe  40  is secured therein said access  23 . 
     The two (2) halves  28 ,  29  may be brought together to a diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of a pipe  40  to encircle said pipe  40  so that the pipe cutter  20  is tangent thereto. The apparatus  10  may then revolve  27  around the pipe  40 , and the biasing force placed on the pipe cutter  20  causes the cutting element  25  to gradually cut  45  into and through the pipe  40 . The pipe cutter  20  is driven in rotation  27  about the axis of the pipe  40 , thereby creating a cut  45  therethrough said pipe  40  transverse thereto. 
     A user simply compresses downwardly on the pipe cutter  20  thereby biasing the cutting element  25  towards thereto the rollers  24  with a pipe  40  positioned therebetween. The pipe cutter  20  is then rotated  27  about the axis of the pipe  40 , thereby penetrating the pipe  40  with each complete rotation  27 . The rollers  24  and cutting element  25  clutches the pipe  40  so as to ensure a perfect guiding of said cutting element  25  and its orthogonality with respect to the axis of the pipe  40  especially during rotation  27 . The user may willingly tighten the grip of the pipe cutter  20  to slightly advance two (2) halves  28 ,  29  towards on another radially into the wall of the pipe  40 . The depth to which the pipe cutter  20  has cut away the wall of the pipe  40  can be gauged by the position of the cutting element  25 . It will be appreciated that other pipe cutter  20  designs may also be used without leaving the scope of the present invention  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10  is disclosed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus  10  comprises a shroud  30  that is transparent or translucent with a receiving end  32  that is elastically expandable and contractible via a slit  31  to adjustably be applied thereon the circumferential surface of a pipe  40  desired to be cut  45  and an opposing end or dispersing end  33  with a hose connection piece  60  integrally attached thereto. The shroud  30  is envisioned to be utilized for the prevention of fluid  50  spraying or leaking outwardly from the cut point  45 . The shroud  30  is envisioned to be waterproof thereby removing the risk of the user getting saturated during operation of the apparatus  10 . 
     The shroud  30  defines an interior cavity generally conically shaped for directing fluid  50  away from a receiving end  32  to a dispersing end  33 . The receiving end  32  comprises an open face for receiving excess fluid  50  therefrom the pipe  40  and directs said fluid  50  to an interior compartment to the dispersing end  33  to direct fluid  50  away therefrom said receiving end  32  to a hose  70 . The receiving end  32  interacts with the dispersing end  33  by means of disintegrating inwardly to regulate a flow of fluid  50  thereto the dispersing end  33  of the shroud  30 . The dispersing end  33  is formed at the opposite end of the receiving end  32  defining a conduit that resides in interaction with the receiving end  32  by means of disintegrating inwardly to regulate a flow of fluid  50  therethrough a hose connection piece  60 . 
     The dispersing end  33  is in direct correspondence with the hose  70  thereby dispersing the receiving fluid  50  therein said hose  70 . The hose connection piece  60  is operably placed in fluid communication  50  with the shroud  30 . The hose connection piece  60  comprises an inner wall defining a threaded or grooved region  65  positioned therein for receiving and cooperating with a threaded or grooved region  65  of a hose  70 . The threaded region  65  therein the hose connection piece  60  engages the threaded region  65  of the hose  70  thereby disposing the fluid dispersing end  33  of the shroud  30  at the receiving end of the hose  70 . Therefore, a flow path is formed communicating with the receiving end  32  to the dispersing end  33  and finally to the hose  70 . Since the shroud  30  is hollow, fluid flow  50  is diverted from the pipe  40  thereto a hose  70  or the dispersing end  33  of said shroud  30 . Fluid  50 , with the possibility of being pressurized that may otherwise splurge outwardly therefrom the pipe  40 , is thus collected by the receiving end  32  and diverted thereto the dispersing end  33  thereby substantially alleviating possible spillage and muddle. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a rear perspective view of the shroud  30  and hose connection piece  60  with the slit  31  closably opened, is disclosed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The receiving end  32  of the shroud  30  is envisioned to expand or contract via the slit  31  to a diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of a pipe  40 , where the apparatus  10  is preferably placed for use. A hook-and-loop fastener assembly  80 ,  85  is envisioned to be utilized for providing the receiving end  32  leading towards the inside cavity of the shroud  30  to be selectably and openly closed via said hook-and-loop fastener assembly  80 ,  85 . The hook-and-loop fastener assembly  80 ,  85  comprises a hook fastener strip  80  and a loop fastener strip  85  which mates with each other. 
     The receiving end  32  comprises a hook fastener strip  80  integrally attached thereto the inner-side edge of said receiving end  32  and a loop fastener strip  85  integrally attached thereto the outer-side edge of said receiving end  32  capable of engaging with the hook fastener strip  80 . It will be appreciated that the positions of the hook fastener strip  80  and the loop fastener strip  85  may be interchanged without leaving the scope of the invention  10 . The hook-and-loop fastener assembly  80 ,  85  is adhered, integrated, or otherwise attached thereto the respective inner-side edge and outer-side edge. 
     The hook fastener strip  80  constitutes the inner-side upper edge of the shroud  30  and is wrapped around the surface of the pipe  40  to decrease the receiving end  32  in the radial direction such to overlap said pipe  40  and engaging thereto the loop fastener strip  85 . The receiving end  32  is thereby radially contracted such that the inner-side surface of said receiving end  32  slightly overlaps, that is, such that the hook fastener strip  80  extends beyond at least a portion of the loop fastener strip  85 . As a result, the receiving end  32  of the shroud  30  is contracted thus pressing the hook fastener strip  80  onto the loop fastener strip  85 . The loop fastener strip  85  selectively attaches thereto the hook fastener strip  80  positioned on the inner-side upper edge thereby enclosing the receiving end  32  about the pipe  40 . The loop fastener strip  85  engages the hook fastener strip  80  and, consequently, biasing the receiving end  32  around said pipe  40 . 
     An alternate embodiment of the present invention may disclose a knob or other tightening device to provide the biasing force thereon the two (2) halves  28 ,  29  with or without spring-loaded forces. The knob would urge the halves  28 ,  29  radially inwardly, thereby urging a portion of the cutting element  25  to extend into the access  23 , and substantially, the pipe  40  secured therein said access  23 . Another alternate embodiment of the present invention may disclose a top half  28  without rollers  24 . Yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention may disclose alternate temporary fastening means around the receiving end  32  of the shroud  30 . 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. The present invention describes a means for cutting a pipe  40  without the heretofore necessity of cleaning excess fluid  50  that may spill or leak outwardly. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be configured as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . 
     The method of utilizing the device may be achieved by performing the following steps: utilizing the hose connection piece  60  at the dispersing end  33  to threadly engage the hose  70 , if needed; placing a pipe  40  therethrough the receiving end  32  of the shroud  30 ; placing the pipe  40  therein the access  23  of the pipe cutter  20 ; utilizing the slit  31  to overlap the upper inner-side edge over the outer-side edge of the shroud  30 ; engaging the hook fastener strip  80  therewith the loop fastener strip  85  thereby encircling the receiving end  32  around the pipe  40 ; gripping the pipe cutter  20  such that the top half  28  advances inwardly towards the bottom half  29  thereby reducing the size of the access  23  until the pipe  40  is gripped by the rollers  24  and the cutting element  25 ; rotating  27  the apparatus  10  in a clockwise and/or counterclockwise fashion until the cutting element  25  cuts  45  therethrough the pipe  40  at the desired position; and, diverting the excess fluid  50  therein the pipe  40  thereto the dispersing end  33  of the shroud  30  and finally to the hose  70 . 
     First, with excess fluid  50  residing therein the interior of the existing pipe  40 , the receiving end  32  is mounted on said pipe  40  via the slit  31  being overlapped and engaging the hook-and-loop fastener assembly  80 ,  85  by a user in such a manner that the pipe cutter  20  is positioned on the desired cut location  45  of the pipe  40  within the shroud  30 . Once the pipe  40  has been inserted into the receiving end  32 , fluid  50  may then be redirected away from the pipe cut location  45 . The funnel-like shape of the shroud  30  improves direction of fluid flow  50  into the hose  70 . After mounting the receiving end  32  of the shroud  30  onto the pipe  40 , the apparatus  10  is then rotated  27  in a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion so that the cutting element  25  incrementally advances therein the pipe  40 . 
     The pipe cutter  20  contacts the pipe  40  in an access  23  therebetween the rollers  24  and cutting element  25 . A continuous grip onto the pipe cutter  20  will cause the rollers  24  to press down the pipe  40  toward the cutting element  25 . At the same time, the pipe  40  is being cut  45  by the cutting element  25 . The user can stop the grip and rotation  27  once the pipe  40  has been cut. For larger pipes  40 , the user will not have to grip to provide the widest access  23  possible, while, for pipes  40  of smaller diameters, the top half  28  and may be moved inwardly to contact the smaller pipe  40  between the cutting element  25  and the rollers  24  to maintain the longitudinal axis of the pipe  40  substantially coaxial with that of the axis of rotation of the cutting element  25 . As the pipe cutter  20  continues to be rotated  27 , the cutting element  25  creates an incision  45  in pipe  40 . The depth of the incision  45  incrementally increases during continued rotation  27  and biasing force exerted inwardly. 
     The shroud  30  is for collecting and diverting the residual fluid  50  from the cut location  45  within the pipe  40 . The user mounts the pipe  40  therein the shroud  30  via the slit  31  and the hook-and-loop fastener assembly  80 ,  85  and ensuring fixation of said hook-and-loop fastener assembly  80 ,  85  together and fixation thereof on the pipe  40  so as to stop residual fluid  50  within said pipe  40  from splurging outwardly. The shroud  30  comprises a receiving end  32  for receiving a fluid  50  from the pipe  40  to be dispensed therethrough to a dispersing end  33  in communication with the hose connection piece  60  that optionally disperses the fluid  50  therethrough a hose  70  or the like. The shroud  30  tapers so as to have a reduced diameter thereto the dispersing end  33  whereby there is formed a means to integrally attach the hose connection piece  60 . The hose connection piece  60  is to threadably attach thereto a hose  70  or the like for discharging the excess fluid  50 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.