Wood working tool

Abstract: A cutter to be mounted on a spindle of a rotary tool for use in shaping timber. The cutter comprising a rigid member to be mounted co-axially on the tool spindle to rotate therewith and having a plurality of spaced cutting teeth about the periphery of the member, each tooth having a cutting edge extending in a direction transverse to the plane of rotation of the member, and a cutting edge extending in a direction generally radial to the axis of rotation of the member. A depth control projection in advance of each tooth to control the depth of cut of both the transverse and radial cutting edges.

Description: This invention relates to a wood working tool for wasting and shaping wood. In recent years wood sculpture and free form furniture have become popular. Conventionally a chain saw is used in the initial wasting of the timber to form a general shape which is then refined with a chisel and like hand tool. In using a chain saw the nose portion is used and, because the nose portion is remote from the handles of the saw, control of the cutting is difficult. Lateral movement of the nose portion is not possible partly because of the presence of the bar supporting the cutting chain, and mainly because the cutting teeth of a chain saw do not have an appropriately positioned cutting edge with the necessary relief to cut when moved laterally. Thus, when a chain saw is used, considerable material is left to be removed by a chisel. The chisel work is relatively slow and laborious. Grinding discs may be used for finishing wasting operations, but these are also slow, and readily produce burning that discolours the timber. It is known to use a circular blade with peripheral cutting teeth for clearing brushwood. A catalogue of the Sandvik Forestry Tools Centre of Sandvik Edsbyns Industri Akteibolag, Box 303, S-828 00, Edsbyn, Sweden, reference M-6366-FRE Rev/85, illustrates two types of circular blades as "La Nouvelle Ligne Sandvik" (the New Sandvik Line). Both blades are planar discs with peripheral teeth and a central hole. One of them has "XRT" toothing with cutting teeth preceded in the direction of rotation by a depth limiter. The catalogue indicates the blades' suitability for forestry duties, specifically for brushwood clearing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power tool cutter which can perform part of the wasting and shaping of wood usually carried out by a chain saw and chisels, and is convenient and safe to use. To this end the present invention provides a rotary cutter according to appendant claim 1. The provision of depth control projections limits the depth of cut, at least of the transverse cutting edges, as excessive depth of cut may produce a "kick-back" action, similar to that experienced with a conventional chain saw. The depth control projection may be in the form of a generally radial projection from the peripheral edge of the rigid member in advance, with respect to the direction of rotation of the cutter, of each lateral cutting edge. The depth of the cut that the transverse cutting edge may make is the difference between the radial distance of the transverse cutting edge from the rotational axis and the radial distance of the tip of the depth control projection from that axis. The same depth control projection is also positioned in a spaced relation to the radial cutting edge to control the depth of cut of the radial cutting edge, as the depth of cut control projection for the transverse cutting edge extends in the radial direction from the periphery of the rigid member, and so presents a radial face. The depth of cut of the radial cutting edge is controlled by the distance between the radial cutting edge and this radial face of the projection, measured in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation. It is conventional in saws for the cutting teeth to be alternately offset in opposite directions from the saw blade upon which the teeth are mounted to provide clearance for the saw blade. This same offset arrangement may be incorporated in the cutter according to the present invention, however in some forms of the cutter, all of the teeth may be offset to one side only of the plane of the cutter. The arrangement of the cutting edges on the cutting teeth, as proposed by the present invention, enables the cutter to cut when moved into a piece of timber in the plane of rotation of the cutter and generally at right angles to the surface of the timber in the manner of a conventional circular saw. However the present cutter may also be moved in either direction normal to the plane of the cutter. Further the present cutter may be used with the plane of rotation of the cutter presented generally parallel or slightly inclined to the timber surface to be cut, and in this attitude may be moved in any direction across the timber surface, which is not possible with a conventional saw, including a chain saw. Also the present cutter may effect a combination of these movements to provide contoured surfaces which is also not possible with a chain saw or other saws. Thus the operator may, using a power tool fitted with the cutter of the present invention, rapidly gouge large quantities of timber and so shape large areas in a relatively short time, and with little effort. In particular single and compound curved surfaces can be produced simply, and with a finish requiring a reduced amount of subsequent fine finishing and sanding. Conventional disc type cutting power tools do not permit lateral movement, that is in a direction at right angles to the plane of the cutter, and thus cannot function as gouging tools. The effectiveness of the cutter of this invention in lateral gouging is partly related to speed of rotation and to the spacing of the teeth, but is primarily derived from the form of the cutting teeth. A preferred embodiment of this invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical power tool with a preferred form of the cutter attached thereto; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cutter removed from the power tool; Figure 3 is an elevated view of the cutter shown in Figure 2 viewed in the direction 'A' indicated in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an enlarged elevational view of the cutter tooth 'B' indicated in Figure 3; Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a tooth of the cutter in the direction 'C' indicated in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows section views along the lines 6A and 6B in Figure 4, superimposed to illustrate the depth of cut of the transverse and radial cutting edges; Figure 7 is an axial section view of an alternative form of the cutter. Referring now to Figures 2 to 4, the cutter disc 3 is of a dished form having a central planar portion 5 and an integral flared portion 2. The central portion 5 has a co-axial attachment hole 4, which receives the spindle of a suitable power tool, or a bolt or the like that attaches the cutter to the power tool spindle. The axial depth from the central portion 5 to the outer perimetal edge 6 of the flared portion 2, enable a nut or bolt head, that secures the disc to the spindle of the power tool, to be below the perimetal edge 6. Equally spaced around the perimetal edge 6 are the six cutting teeth 7 each having a lateral cutting edge 8, transverse to the plane of the perimetal edge 6, and a generally radial cutting edge 9. The radial cutting edge 9 is of an arcuate shape but effects a cut generally in the radial direction with respect to the plane of the rotation of the perimetal edge 6 of the cutter. The alternative teeth are offset in opposite directions from the plane of the perimetal edge 6, as is conventional in saws, so the radial cutting edges 9 are resultantly slightly inclined to that plane. The cutting teeth 7 are generally of a construction similar to the cutting teeth of a chain saw, having a peripheral land 10 extending rearwardly from the transverse cutting edge 8 and inclined inwardly so as to be within the circle described by transverse cutting edge 8 as the cutter circle rotates to provide relief or clearance. These features of the cutting teeth are more clearly seen in Figure 5. Further, as seen in Figure 5, the radial land 20 is inclined inwardly from the radial cutting edge 9 toward the plane of the cutter to also provide relief or clearance in the direction of rotation. Clearance in this form is not always provided on a conventional chain saw tooth, but is required on the teeth on the present cutter to render the radial cutting edge fully effective. The inclination of the land 20 as seen in Figure 5, extends inwardly over the full extent of the inclined portion 22 of the tooth on which the radial cutting edge 9 is formed. This enables the radial cutting edge of the cutter to effectively cut when being operated to move in the direction D as shown in Figure 6. Depth control projections 12 are provided forward of each transverse cutting edge 8 as also shown in Figure 4. The tip 11 of the projection 12 is on a radius less than that of the transverse cutting edge 8, the difference in radius determining the depth of the cut made by each transverse cutting edge as indicated at 13 in Figure 6. The portion 15 of the depth control projection 12 is displaced from the radial cutting edge 9 in the axial direction, that displacement sets the depth of cut of the radial cutting edge as indicated at 14 in Figure 6. When the cutter 3 is mounted on the spindle of a rotary tool, such as an angle grinder 24 as shown in Figure 1, it is possible to easily gouge and waste a piece of timber in directions in the plane of rotation of the cutter, when that plane is either normal or parallel to the surface to be worked, and moved in any direction across that surface. Typical directions of movement of the cutter are indicated by arrows in Figure 1. The finish achieved is superior to that of a chisel and is achieved in a much shorter time. Because the disc, carrying the cutting teeth, is centrally mounted on the power tool spindle, it is possible to provide on the tool a grip close to the cutting teeth, as indicated at 23 in Figure 1, so that a high degree of manual control can be exerted over the cutting depth and movement. When the disc is of the dished form as described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, there are some limitations in regard to the shapes which may be formed by the use of the cutter. It is therefore also proposed that the cutter may be in a form with cutting teeth carried on a peripheral flange of a generally cylindrically shaped cutter body. Such a cutter is illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings. The cylindrical portion 21 is of considerably less diameter than the dished cutter 2 shown in Figures 2 and 3, and also the overall diameter of the peripherally arranged cutting teeth 7 is considerably less than that of the cutting teeth shown in Figures 2 and 3. In this construction the end 18 of the cylinder remote from the cutting teeth 7 may be closed with a central opening to receive the spindle of a power tool, or, alternatively, as shown, the closed end 18 of the cylinder incorporates a nut 16 secured to the cylinder 21 by the swaged portion 17. The nut is internally threaded so that it may be connected in threaded engagement with a threaded section of the spindle of the power tool. If desired, a locking nut may also be provided to co-operate with the nut 16 in the conventional locking nut relationship. The provision of a threaded nut, integral with the cutter, as above described, may also be incorporated in the dished cutter, such as that previously described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, or into any other form which the cutter may take. In the construction shown in Figure 7 the cutting teeth 7 are formed on a peripheral flange 19 disposed radially to the axis of the cylinder, however, the flange and the cutting teeth thereon may be inclined to the cylinder axis. The disc 2 and cutting teeth 7 are of an integral construction as shown, and are preferably formed by stamping from a metal sheet. It is also possible to simply weld suitably formed cutting teeth to the periphery of a disc. In this specification, specific reference has been made to the use of the cutter in working timber, but it is to be understood it may also be used on many other materials, including plastics, rubbers, soft stone and soft metals such as lead and zinc. From the above it can be seen that this invention provides a unique wood working cutter, that may be used to produce intricate curved surfaces quickly and accurately. The cutter may be used to cut in any direction independent of the direction of the grain of the timber. The operator has a high degree of control over the cutter when used in conjunction with a hand held angle grinder tool, and so is safe and accurate in operation. The finish resulting from the use of the tool requires a minimum of further working prior to sanding to a final finish. The cutter produces chips rather than dust and is therefore more environmentally acceptable. The tool may also be used for producing straight cuts, grooves, notches or trenches, and is therefore useful in the construction industry.

Claims: A rotary cutter adapted to be mounted on a spindle of a rotary hand tool, said cutter comprising in combination a circular rigid member (3) adapted for mounting coaxially on the tool spindle to rotate therewith; a plurality of spaced cutting teeth (7) arranged in a single row about the periphery of the member (3), integral therewith, each said cutting tooth (7) having a transverse cutting edge (8) extending in a direction transverse to the plane of tooth rotation to perform cutting in response to movement of the rotating cutter in a direction radially of the plane of tooth rotation, and each cutting tooth (7) having a radial cutting edge (9) extending in a direction generally radial to the plane of tooth rotation to perform cutting in response to movement of the rotating cutter in the direction normal to the plane of tooth rotation, the transverse cutting edges (8) of successive cutting teeth (7) projecting alternately towards opposite sides at the periphery of said rigid member (3) and wherein each cutting tooth (7) is relieved rearward of the respective transverse and radial cutting edges (8,9) and there are provided, integral with and arranged in a single row together with said teeth (7) about the periphery of the rigid member (3), a plurality of rigid depth control projections (12), one located in advance of each cutting tooth (7) in respect to the direction of tooth rotation, the radial extent of each projection (12) being less than that of the transverse cutting edge (8) it precedes, whereby the difference therebetween in radial extent limits the depth of cut of said transverse cutting edge (8), each said projection (12) having a portion (15) thereof spaced in the direction normal to the plane of tooth rotation, from the radial cutting edge (9) it precedes, whereby the extent of said spacing controls the depth of cut of said radial cutting edge (9), characterised in that (a) the depth control projections (12) which precede the respective teeth are offset alternately with respect to one another in the direction normal to the plane of tooth rotation and (b) the rigid member (3) is of re-entrant dish shape, whereby the cutter may effectively cut simultaneously both in the direction radially of the plane of tooth rotation and in the direction normal to said plane of tooth rotation, with cutting depth being controlled in both cutting directions so that the tool is adapted for use in the wasting and shaping of wood to produce a simple or compounded curved surface. A cutter as claimed in claim 1, wherein each cutting tooth (7) has a portion (20) that extends rearwardly with respect to the direction of rotation of the cutting tooth from the radial cutting edge (9) and is inclined to the plane of rotation of the radial cutting edge (9) to provide relief rearwardly of the radial cutting edge. A cutter as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the radial cutting edge is of an arcuate shape in the plane substantially transverse to the plane of rotation. A cutter as claimed in any one of claims 1 2 or 3, wherein the rigid member (3) is of re-entrant dish shape. A cutter as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the rigid member (3) consists of a cylindrical portion (21) closed at one end (18) and having an external peripheral flange (19) at the other end, said closed end (18) being adapted for mounting on the spindle of the rotary tool, and the cutting teeth being spaced about the periphery of the external flange (19). A cutter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, and wherein the depth control projections (11) which precede the respective teeth are correspondingly offset alternately with respect to the plane of tooth rotation. A cutter according to claim 1 further characterized in that the cutter is in the form of a disc (3) having a planar central region (5) which is apertured (at 4) for attachment to the power tool spindle, the disc (3) having its cutting teeth (7) integrally formed in a single row at its periphery, and the disc (3) being of re-entrant shape whereby the cutting teeth (7) are located, in said single row, at the periphery of a portion (2) of the disc which flares outwardly from the planar central region (5) of the disc so that in operation, the cutting teeth (7) rotate in a plane which is offset laterally from the remainder of the disc (3) and are effective to cut when moved in a direction normal to the plane of tooth rotation, A cutter according to claim 7 further characterized in that the re-entrant shaping of the disc is such as to allow a degree of clearance for effective cutting in this fashion in one direction which is normal to the plane of tooth rotation which is significantly greater than the clearance allowed in the opposite direction. A cutter as defined in either of claims 7 or 8 and further characterized in that said flared portion (2) extends in a generally conical fashion from said planar central region (5) of the disc. A cutter as claimed in either of claims 7 or 8, wherein the radial and transverse cutting edges are integrally formed with the radial cutting edge being of arcuate shape and extending from one edge of the transverse cutting edge. A cutter as defined in claim 7 and further characterized in that said flared portion (2) extends in a generally cylindrical fashion from said planar central region (5) of the disc. A cutter as defined in any one of claims 7 to 10, and further characterized in that said teeth, in said single row at the periphery of the disc, are substantially identical but are alternately opposite handed, alternate teeth projecting to opposite sides of the plane of tooth rotation. A power tool having a driven rotatable spindle, and a cutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, mounted coaxially on said spindle to rotate therewith.

Inventors: INKSTER KEVIN ROSS, LEWIS DAVID JOHN, INKSTER, KEVIN ROSS, LEWIS, DAVID JOHN
Applicants: ARBORTECH IND PTY LTD, ARBORTECH INDUSTRIES PTY LTD.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B27G13
IPC codes: B27C5, B27C1, B27G13, B27M1, B23D61