Abstract:
A cutting template for use in cutting a geometric shape or pattern, such as an oval, of any size, into or out of a selected medium. A preferred embodiment configured according to the invention includes a transparent or translucent sheet with two or more grooves therein that generally define a selected geometric pattern, and additional grooves in the sheet define one or more similar patterns that differ in size, with the several different size patterns being arranged in a nested relationship. The grooves serve as guide channels for a cutting instrument that extends directly through the channels into cutting relation with an underlying medium, thereby eliminating any need for separately tracing the desired pattern onto the medium. Different embodiments of the invention have sets of grooves which define different shapes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to cutting material into selected shapes. More specifically, the invention relates to templates for guiding a cutting instrument for cutting selected materials so as to produce selected shapes. 
     2. Discussion of Related Art 
     Many hobbies and professions involve sizing or shaping materials or apertures therein. For example, preparing photographs for display typically includes mounting a photograph on a substrate, and then overlying the photograph with a mat having a shaped aperture so that the mat frames and enhances the photograph. Conversely the mat can be mounted under the photograph and the photograph mounted on the mat, with the protruding beyond the edges of the photograph to obtain a similar look. 
     Cutting a shaped aperture in a medium is accomplished in many different ways. For example, a shape may be drawn on the medium and subsequently traced with a cutting tool. The shape also may be drawn on a separate piece of material which is then cut out and applied to the medium to be cut. An appropriately sized and shaped aperture or mat also may be located on material according to a template having appropriate apertures which may be traced and subsequently incised. Also to avoid the inconvenience of maintaining a collection of templates having different aperture shapes and sizes, some templates may provide interchangeable modules. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,176, issued Jul. 2, 1996, to A. M. Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,219, issued Jan. 19, 1999, to C. E. Wilkinson, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,811, issued Mar. 25, 1997, to G. M. Tillemans. 
     The use of a template for use as a cutting guide is not new. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,928, issued Feb. 2, 1999, to R. L. Lariviere, Jr. et al, describes custom cutting photographs and other graphic materials into interlocking puzzle shapes to construct a collage-puzzle. The template disclosed by Lariviere et al. has channels which guide a blade so as to cut a desired medium, such as a photograph into puzzle pieces of different predetermined shapes. 
     Unfortunately, the foregoing teachings do not provide for creating similar shapes, silhouettes, rings, borders or windows in or from a selected material in multiple sizes. In this connection it should be noted that a circular- or star-shaped border, for example, placed around a photograph on a page of a photograph album serves to distinguish the photograph. Prior to the invention, obtaining such borders in different sizes would require drawing a multiple of different size circle or star outlines by hand on a selected material, or tracing them on the selected material using a plurality of templates each having a different size outline of the desired shape, and then cutting along the material along the specific traced outline. Alternatively, a template with the desired size outline or pattern could be placed on top of the selected material and then the latter cut directly according to the outline without any intervening tracing step. Such procedures are time-consuming and/or lack precision. What is needed to facilitate the cutting process is a cutting template for cutting selected medium into a selected pattern that affords the choice of a plurality of like patterns that differ in size. 
     None of the aforementioned references, taken alone or in combination, are seen as teaching or suggesting the present claimed cutting template or the method of using same. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a cutting template of novel design for use in cutting a selected medium in sheet form so as to create a selected pattern or shape, such as an oval, circle, star, or rectangle, of a selected size. The invention also provides a method of using such templates so as to cut selected shapes in a selected medium. The template may be used to cut out solid pieces of selected shapes for mounting on a separate substrate. Alternatively it may be used to cut the medium so as to provide rings, e.g., oval or star-shaped rings, for use as borders. The template also may be used to cut an aperture in a medium so as to convert the medium into a framing mat for a photograph, print or other graphic arts object. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the template comprises a plurality of cutting channels or grooves that define a plurality of like patterns that differ in size and are nested in concentric relation to one another, whereby one template can be used as a cutting guide for cutting out a plurality of pieces having similar shapes but different sizes. Templates with nested (i.e., concentric) patterns offer the advantage that only a few templates are required for cutting a selected medium so as to provide a relatively large number of patterns of diverse shapes and sizes. The templates are preferably made of a transparent plastic material which allows for observing the medium during placement of the template thereon and during cutting of the medium. The invention provides optimal cutting grooves that guide a cutting blade so as to assure precision cutting. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention are described in or rendered obvious by the following detailed description and the drawings referred to therein. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is described in detail below with reference to the following drawings, throughout which similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of illustrating use of one form of template configured according to the invention, the template being shown in relation to other elements involved in practicing the invention; 
     FIGS. 2-7 are plan views of different embodiments of templates configured according to the invention; 
     FIG. 8 is graphical illustration of a solid shape generated by a template configured according to the invention; and. 
     FIG. 9 is graphical illustration of an image surrounded by a shaped frame generated by a template configured according to the invention. 
    
    
     In the drawings, like numerals designate like components or features. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides cutting templates for precisely cutting a selected medium in sheet form so as to produce similar shapes in multiple sizes, or diverse shapes. The nature of the medium that is used may vary according to the intended purpose. By way or example, the medium may take the form of a sheet of paper or cardboard or conventional graphic arts matting material or thin plastic foam or a fabric. The medium may be white or colored and may be blank or printed, comprising, for example, a graphic arts object such as a photograph, print, drawing, or printed text. In practicing the invention, it is preferred that the medium be mounted or placed on a cutting surface, such as sheet of cardboard or plastic foam, a template embodying the invention is placed flat on top of the medium. Thereafter thin cutting blade of a cutting tool is inserted in a groove of the template and then moved along the groove so as to cut the medium to form a shape conforming to the pattern defined by the groove in the template. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown one form of template  100  configured according to the invention. The template consists of a sheet or panel  101  that preferably is made of a transparent material, although it also may be made of a translucent material. The transparency or translucency of the sheet  101  allows for viewing and/or aligning a selected medium  20  prior to cutting it with a selected cutting tool  12  as hereinafter described. As noted above, the medium is in sheet form and may be white or colored and may be blank or printed, comprising, for example, a graphic arts object such as a photograph, print, drawing, or printed text. 
     The template  100  is intended to be reusable. Therefore, by way of example but not limitation, it is preferred that the template be constructed from a material that is relatively inexpensive, resists wear, and which allows cutting or formation of the channels hereinafter described. Preferably the template is made a polycarbonate or a polyacrylate material, although a polyethylene template having adequate transparency also may be used. 
     The specific template  100  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a plurality of concentric cutting channels or grooves identified collectively by the numeral  102  that have widths sized to accept the thin cutting blade  10  of cutting tool  12  so that the blade makes a close sliding fit in whatever channel it is inserted. The cutting tool preferably is constructed so that thin cutting blade  10  is rotatable on the cutting tool&#39;s axis, as explained in said U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,928 
     As seen in FIG. 2, the cutting channels  102  in template  100  constitute multiple pairs of elongate openings or grooves  102   a  and  102   b  that cooperate to define a plurality of similar but different size patterns. In the particular template illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the channels are circularly shaped so as to define a plurality of interrupted circles. More specifically, each pair of cooperating grooves  102   a  and  102   b  is separated by two webs  104   a  and  104   b  of template material. Each pair of webs  104   a  and  104   b  and the corresponding pair of grooves  102   a  and  102   b  together define a complete circle. If the cutting blade  10  is drawn along a selected pair of grooves  102   a  and  102   b,  it will make two incisions in medium  20  that are replications of the grooves  102   a  and  102   b,  and the medium will have uninterrupted portions separating those incisions that correspond to template webs  104   a  and  104   b.  Consequently, to complete formation of a circular incision in medium  20 , the user must remove the template from engagement with the medium, and then cut the uninterrupted portions of the medium between the two incisions that correspond to webs  104   a  and  104   b  so that the two incisions are joined and define a complete circle. 
     The width of the template webs  104   a  and  104   b  are set so that the webs have sufficient expanse to maintain the template&#39;s physical integrity, while at the same time minimizing the amount of medium that has to be cut after removal of the template to completely reproduce the selected circular pattern or shape in the medium. 
     The cutting grooves in the template are intended to guide the cutting blade  10  so as to ensure that the patterns defined by the cutting channels will be reproduced with precision in the selected medium  20 . In this regard the term “guide” is intended to mean that opposite sides of the cutting blade lie close to and are slidingly supported by the opposite side surfaces of the grooves that constitute the several cutting channels. To ensure proper guidance, it is preferred that the grooves be formed with flat opposite side surfaces that extend perpendicular to the flat faces of template panel  101 , and that they have a width such as to provide a clearance in the range of 0.002 and 0.007 inch between each side of the channel and the adjacent face of the inserted knife blade. It is preferred that the cutting blade have a thickness in the range of 0.011 inch to 0.013 inch. Consequently it is preferred that the cutting channels have a thickness of 0.015 inch to 0.018 inch. However, it should be appreciated that cutting blade thickness, the widths of the grooves and the magnitude of the clearances for the cutting blade are not limited to the foregoing values, but rather other values may be acceptable so long as they assure precision cutting of a selected pattern in medium  20 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, to use the template  100  for cutting shapes in a medium, it is preferred, but not necessary, that the medium  20  be mounted on a suitable cutting surface  30 . Preferably but not necessarily, the medium is attached to the cutting surface with pins or adhesive, tape or by other known means (not shown). Various materials may be used as the cutting surface, e.g., a sheet of polyethylene foam or cardboard or a sheet of particle board. Next, the template  100  is mounted over medium  20 . The template may simply rest on the medium. Alternatively it may be secured in place, e.g., by adhesive tape coupling it to the medium or to the cutting surface. The template  100  may be provided with one or more notches  106  for use in properly locating the template in relation to the medium  20  or for use in securing it in place, e.g., by means of a thumb tack. Once the template  100  is properly mounted on the medium  20 , the user introduces the cutting blade  10  into a selected one of the grooves  102   a  and  102   b,  and then draws the blade along that groove to begin cutting the medium  20  so as to provide an incision in the medium that is a reproduction of the cutting groove&#39;s pattern. Thereafter the user conducts a second cutting procedure by drawing the cutting blade along cutting groove  102   b.  Then, if the user desires only to cut out a solid circular piece from the medium, the user removes the template and proceeds to use the same (or a different) cutting tool to sever those portions of the medium corresponding to webs  104   a  and  104   b  that connect the two incisions, thereby freeing the cut circular piece from the medium. The cut piece may then be used as desired, e.g., mounted on a suitable support for decorative purposes or to form part of collage. 
     FIG. 3 shows a template  200  that is configured for cutting hexagonal patterns. This template comprises a sheet  201  with a plurality of pairs of matching grooves  202   a  and  202   b,  each groove defining one half of a hexagonal pattern. The grooves are separated by web portions  204 A and  204 B. This template is used in substantially the same manner as template  110  to make hexagonal incisions in medium  20 . More specifically, this is accomplished by mounting template  200  on a selected medium  20  which is itself mounted as described above, and then inserting the cutting blade  10  into a first groove  203 A and drawing it along that groove so as to make a through-cut in the medium which corresponds in length to that groove. Then the user repeats the cutting procedure using groove  203 B as a guide. After completing those cutting steps, the user removes template  200  from the medium  20  and the medium  20  from the cutting surface  30 . At this point the medium has two semi-hexagonal incisions therein, with the grooves separated from one another by a pair of connecting webs or spans corresponding to webs  204 A and  204 B. Thereafter the user severs the connecting webs in the medium, using the same or a different cutting blade, thereby separating from the medium a solid piece  40  having an hexagonal shape as shown in FIG.  8 . It should be noted also that the cutting operation also generates an hexagonal aperture in medium  20 . Consequently, if desired, the medium minus the removed piece  40  may be used to frame an image. 
     FIGS. 4-6 illustrate examples of other templates made according to the invention. The template  300  includes a sheet  301  having a plurality of pairs of grooves  303 A and  303 B that coact to define generally a plurality of oval patterns. Each groove  303 A is separated from each corresponding groove  303 B by two diametrically opposite webs  304 A and  304 B. By using template  300  in the same manner as described above for templates  100  and  200 , it is possible to generate similar oval shapes in different sizes. 
     The template  400 , shown in FIG. 5 includes a sheet  401  with a plurality of pairs of grooves  403 A and  403 B that enable a user to cut out pieces in the form of a star. Webs  404 A and  404 B separate adjacent grooves. The template  500 , shown in FIG. 6 includes a sheet  501  with grooves  503 A and  503 B that enable a user to cut out solid rectangular pieces from a selected medium. Webs  504 A and  504 B separate adjacent grooves 
     It is to be appreciated that although in each of the templates shown in FIGS. 2-6 each geometric pattern is defined by two grooves, with the webs separating each pair of grooves being aligned radially with corresponding webs associated with all of the other pairs of grooves, it is feasible to arrange the grooves so that the intervening webs are not all aligned with one another. This alternative is illustrated in FIG. 7 where a template  600  for cutting circular patterns comprises a sheet  601  having a plurality of pairs of grooves  603 A and  603 B, with webs  604 A and  604 B separating the grooves in each pair. In this case, however, certain of the grooves are arranged so that their webs are aligned horizontally (as viewed in FIG.  7 ), while the others are arranged so that their webs are aligned vertically. It is contemplated that the webs may also be located in other arrangements and/or be more numerous. However, the radially aligned web configuration characterizing the templates of FIGS. 2-6 is preferred since it is the easiest and least costly to produce and provides the greatest structural integrity to the templates. 
     It should be appreciated that the templates shown in FIGS. 2-7 also may be used to cut out frame-like or ring-like objects instead of solid pieces. By way of example, this procedure is explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 9. With the template  300  mounted on a selected medium  20  as described above, the user proceeds to conduct two cutting operations using two different pairs of the grooves  303 A and  303 B. More specifically, this is accomplished by first cutting the medium by drawing the cutting blade along a first set of grooves, e.g., the outermost pair of grooves  303 A and  303 B shown in FIG. 4; and then, without removing the template, cutting the medium by drawing the cutting blade along a second set of grooves, e.g., the pair of grooves  303 A and  303 B that are immediately adjacent to the outermost grooves. The cuts are made for the full length of each of the grooves in which the cutting blade is inserted. The result is that two pairs of oval shaped incisions are formed in the medium  20 , with each end of each incision separated from the adjacent end of the other corresponding incision by an interrupted (i.e., uncut) portion of the medium. Thereafter the user removes the template  300  from the medium  20 . Then, preferably with the medium still attached to cutting surface  30 , the user makes additional cuts in the medium so as to connect together each pair of incisions corresponding to the outermost cutting grooves and also so as to connect together each the incisions corresponding to the immediately adjacent cutting grooves. Once cutting has been completed, the user will have generated an oval shaped frame or border, such as the frame  50  shown in FIG.  9 . The frame  50  may be used to enhance an image  52 , as shown. 
     Also to be recognized is that the templates may be made so that each geometric pattern comprise more than two grooves. For example, the template shown in FIG. 2 may be modified so that each groove  103 A and  103 B is replaced by two grooves each extending through an arc only slightly less than 90° and separated from one another with webs like webs  104 A and  104 B, whereby each circle pattern is defined by four grooves of like radius of curvature. 
     Of course, the templates are not limited to the specific designs shown in the drawings, and other designs obvious to persons skilled in the art may be used in making templates according to this invention. For example, the template may comprise grooves separated by webs as described herein, with the grooves and webs together defining a heart-shaped pattern. It also is contemplated that each template may embody only a single cutting pattern defined by two or more complementary cutting grooves, e.g., a single oval pattern, or more than one pattern, e.g.,, one or more circular patterns surrounded by one or more rectangular patterns. Still other modifications will be obvious to persons skilled in the art. 
     A primary advantage of the invention is that it permits direct cutting of a pattern in a selected medium, eliminating the need to first trace the pattern on the medium. Another advantage is that the templates are transparent and hence permit viewing of the medium as it is being cut. Still another important advantage of the invention is that a single multi-pattern template is provided for cutting out any one of a plurality of shapes that have a similar configuration but differ from one another in size. Another advantage of the invention is that provides a template with nested cutting patterns of virtually any selected configuration. 
     The invention is not limited to the above the specific details herein described or illustrated, but encompasses all modifications obvious to persons skilled in the art from the this disclosure that are within the scope of the appended claims.