Abstract:
A power line cutter is described. The power line cutter may be used in emergency or repair situations to cut down or broken power lines. The power line cutter is provided with a long extension handle such that the operator may use the power line cutter to cut power lines hanging or suspended above the operator. 
     The power line cutter includes a first blade having a first blade cutting surface and a first blade lever. The power line cutter further includes a second blade having a second blade cutting surface and a second blade lever. A first handle is pivotally engaged to the first blade, and the first handle includes a first pulley. A second handle is pivotally engaged to the second blade, and the second handle includes a second pulley. The first handle is pivotally engaged to the second handle. A blade support is pivotally engaged to the first blade and to the second blade to pivotally position the first blade cutting surface opposite of the second blade cutting surface. A line passes from the first handle to the second pulley. The line further passes to the first pulley. A bracket extends from the blade support and the bracket connects or attaches to an extension.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a power line cutter for cutting electrical power lines. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0002]    A power line cutter is herein described. The power line cutter may be used in emergency or repair situations to cut down or broken power lines. The power line cutter may be provided with a stick or a long extension handle such that the operator may use the power line cutter to cut power lines hanging or suspended above the operator. The stick or the extension handle may include a universal spline attachment. 
         [0003]    The power line cutter herein described provides many advantages over other existing wire and power line cutters. The power line cutter replaces the need for the operator to climb an electrical pole or to utilize a bucket-lift or cherry picker type crane in order to be raised to a height sufficient to access the down or broken power lines. By eliminating the need for a crane or lift, money, labor and expenses are saved. By eliminating the need for a climb, safety and efficiency are improved. 
         [0004]    The power line cutter herein described has its cutting surfaces facing in an upright direction, such that the power line to be cut may be easily accessed from below the power line or from an operator on the ground. Other existing wire cutters require that the cutting surface be placed over a top surface the wire, such that the cutting surface of the existing wire cutter is facing toward the ground. Such an orientation for the existing wire cutter may prove difficult for the operator to achieve. This is especially true when the power line is angled toward the ground, for example, when a broken power line is dangling or hanging. 
         [0005]    Also, many existing wire cutters and power line cutters only utilize one moving handle or lever to actuate the cutting surface or surfaces. This arrangement requires significant strength on the part of the operator actuating the device. The power line cutter herein described provides improved mechanical advantage and a more efficient design that provides sufficient shearing force to cut powerlines without the difficult actuation required of existing devices. 
         [0006]    The power line cutter comprises a first blade comprising a first blade cutting surface and a first blade lever. The power line cutter further comprises a second blade comprising a second blade cutting surface and a second blade lever. A first handle is pivotally engaged to the first blade, and the first handle comprises a first pulley. A second handle is pivotally engaged to the second blade, and the second handle comprises a second pulley. The first handle is pivotally engaged to the second handle. A blade support is pivotally engaged to the first blade and to the second blade to pivotally position the first blade cutting surface opposite of the second blade cutting surface. A line passes from the first handle to the second pulley. The line further passes to the first pulley. A bracket extends from the blade support and the bracket connects or attaches to an extension. 
         [0007]    During operation of the power line cutter, an operator guides the power line cutter to the power line and positions the power line between the first blade cutting surface and the second blade cutting surface. Then, the operator pulls on the line, which squeezes both handles together via the pulleys, and thus actuates the first blade cutting surface and the second blade cutting surface to compress and shear the power line. When the operator pulls on the line, both of the handles move toward each other. 
         [0008]    The first and second blade levers are fitted with one or more springs to force the blades to an open position when the line is not pulled, such that the power line may easily fit into the opening between the first blade cutting surface and the second blade cutting surface. Also, by use of the springs, the first and second blade cutting surfaces are automatically in the open and ready position without the operator having to move the handles to open the cutting surfaces. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a view of the operator cutting the power line with the power line cutter. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a rear, perspective view of the power line cutter. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the power line cutter. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a left view of the power line cutter. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a right view of the power line cutter. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a front, open view of the power line cutter. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a front, closed view of the power line cutter. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]    The power line cutter will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-7 . With reference to  FIG. 1 , a power line cutter  10  is shown. The power line cutter  10  is shown being used by an operator  30  to cut a power line  20 . The operator  30  holds the power line cutter  10  via an extension or stick  50  attached or connected to the power line cutter  10 . The operator  30  pulls on a line  40  to actuate the power line cutter  10  to cut the power line  20 . 
         [0017]    The extension or stick  50  may include a short, hand-held version of approximately one or two feet or less in length or a much longer version of up to approximately five feet to approximately forty-five feet in length. The extension or stick  50  may include a telescoping or extendable design. The extension  50  is preferably made of a light-weight, non-electrically-conductive material such as fiberglass or other rigid plastic material that is strong enough to support the power line cutter  10 . The extension  50  has an elongated or linear shape in order to reach the elevated power line  20 . The line  40  should preferably be at least as long or slightly longer than the extension  50  in order for the operator  30  to conveniently pull on the line  40  to actuate the power line cutter  10 . The line  40  may be made of a polyester, cotton, synthetic blends, nylon, etc. 
         [0018]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the power line cutter  10  includes a first blade  200  and a second blade  201 . The first blade  200  includes a first blade cutting surface  240  opposite a first blade lever  230 . The second blade  201  includes a second blade cutting surface  241  opposite a second blade lever  231 . Generally, the first blade cutting surface  240  and the first blade lever  230  are integral portions of the first blade  200 , and the second blade cutting surface  241  and the second blade lever  231  are integral portions of the second blade  201 . The power line cutter  10  positions the first blade cutting surface  240  opposite the second blade cutting surface  241  such that the cutting surfaces  240  and  241  are forced to a closed position by the blade levers  230  and  231  in a cutting or shearing movement. 
         [0019]    With references to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first blade  200  and the second blade  201  are pivotally engaged to a first blade support  305  and a second blade support  306 . The first blade support  305  and the second blade support  306  are positioned on opposite sides of the first blade  200  and the second blade  201 . The first blade  200  is pivotally engaged to the first blade support  305  and the second blade support  306  at a first blade fulcrum  220 . The second blade  201  is pivotally engaged to the first blade support  305  and the second blade support  306  at second blade fulcrum  221 . The first and second blade fulcrums  220  and  221  include an axle, such as a bolt, screw, or rod held or affixed to or into the first and second blade supports  305  and  306  and the first and second blades  200  and  201  in a rotating or pivoting engagement. The first and second blade fulcrums  220  and  221  are positioned on opposite sides of the first and second blade supports  305  and  306 . The first blade  200  and the second blade  201  pivot about the first blade fulcrum  220  and the second blade fulcrum  221 , respectively, as force is applied to the first blade lever  230  and the second blade lever  231 . The first blade  200  and the second blade  201  include an opening or recess to operatively engage the blade supports  305  and  306  and the blade fulcrums  220  and  221 . 
         [0020]    With references to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first blade lever  230  is also pivotally engaged to a first handle  100  at a first blade/handle pivot  130 . The second blade lever  231  is also pivotally engaged to a second handle  101  at a second blade/handle pivot  131 . As such, the blade lever  230  pivots at the first blade/handle pivot  130  and at the first blade fulcrum  220 , while the second blade lever  231  pivots at the second blade/handle pivot  131  and at the second blade fulcrum  221 . The first handle  100  and the second handle  101  are also pivotally engaged at a handle pivot  150 . The handles  100  and  101  transfer the pulling force on the line  40  to the first blade  200  and to the second blade  201 , respectively. The blade levers  230  and  231 , under the force of the handles  100  and  101 , pivot about the blade fulcrums  220  and  221  resulting in the blade cutting surfaces  240  and  241  moving toward each other in a shearing action. The ends of the blade levers  230  and  231  at the blade/handle pivots  130  and  131  move away from each other under the force of the handle  100  and  101 . 
         [0021]    A first spring  160  and a second spring  161  provide an opening force to the first blade lever  230  and to the second blade lever  231  to maintain the first blade cutting surface  240  and the second blade cutting surface  241  in an open position. The opening force provided by the springs  160  and  161  is easily over come by the force of the handles  100  and  101  when the line  40  is pulled. With the cutting surfaces  240  and  241  in an open or “ready to cut” position, it is easier for the operator  30  to guide the power line  20  into an opening  243  between the cutting surfaces  240  and  241 . 
         [0022]    The first blade cutting surface  240  is a sharpened, generally straight portion of the blade  200 , while the second blade cutting surface  241  is a sharpened, generally straight portion of the second blade  201 . When the handles  100  and  101  move toward each other as the line  40  is pulled, the cutting surfaces  240  and  241  are urged to a closed position by the blade levers  230  and  231  of the blades  200  and  201 . As the cutting surfaces  240  and  241  are urged to a closed position, the cutting surfaces  240  and  241  shear the power line  20  in between the cutting surfaces  240  and  241 . 
         [0023]    In the closed position, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the cutting surfaces  240  and  241  contact or nearly contact each other in order to ensure complete shearing of the power line  20 . In the closed position, most or all of the length of the cutting surfaces  240  and  241  are in contact or in near contact with the opposing cutting surface  240  or  241 . 
         [0024]    In the open position, the cutting surfaces  240  and  241  form the opening  243  having a “v” shape. In the fully open position, the cutting surfaces  240  and  241  are orientated at an angle of approximately 20° to approximately 40° relative to each. In other embodiments, the angle of orientation between the cutting surfaces  240  and  241  at the fully open position may range from approximately 10° to approximately 70°. 
         [0025]    The connection of the first spring  160  and the second spring  161  will now be described. A first rod  170  is attached or integral to the first blade lever  230 , while a second rod  171  is attached or integral to the second blade lever  231 . The rods  170  and  171  are generally perpendicular to the orientation of the first blade lever  230  and the second blade lever  231 . The first spring  160  connects to a first end  174  of the first rod  170  and to a first end  175  of the second rod  171 . The second spring  161  connects a second end  176  of the first rod  170  and to a second end  177  of the second rod  171 . 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first and second blade supports  305  and  306  maintain the blades  200  and  201  in position for cutting. The blade supports  305  and  306  include back surfaces  313  and  315  that press against or engage outer surfaces  204 ,  206  and  205 ,  207  of the blades  200  and  201  in a layered configuration for support and guidance during the movement of the blades  200  and  201 . The blade supports  305  and  306  are generally linear members with a flattened shape having a sufficient width to support the blades  200  and  201 . The first and second blade fulcrums  220  and  221  are positioned on opposite sides of the first and second blade supports  305  and  306 . 
         [0027]    The second blade support  306  is attached or integral with or connected to a curved bracket  300 . With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 , the curved bracket  300  joins the second blade support  306  at a bottom underneath surface  309  of the second blade support  306 . A first end  317  of the curved bracket  300  is welded, joined or integral with the underneath surface  309 . This positioning of the curved bracket  300  allows the first blade fulcrum  220  and the second blade fulcrum  221  to be loosened or tightened as required. The curved bracket  300  includes a sufficient angle leading away from the blade supports  305  and  306  to provide clearance for the first handle  100  and the second handle  101  to squeeze toward a closed position without interfering with or contacting the extension  50 . The extension  50  and the curved bracket  300  connect to the blade support  306  and provide the connection between the operator  30  and the wire cutter  10 . 
         [0028]    From the first end  317 , the curved bracket  300  includes a transition portion  320  comprising a curve or angle leading to a second end  325  having a curved bracket universal spline surface  330  that engages to a sleeve universal spline surface  340  of a sleeve  360 . The sleeve  360  provides a collar or opening to receive, attach or form an integral connection with the extension  50 . An adjustment nut  310  may be used to tighten or adjust the engagement between the curved bracket universal spline surface  330  and the sleeve universal spline surface  340 . The universal spline surfaces  330  and  340  allow the interchange of different sticks or extensions  50 . Also, the universal spline surfaces  330  and  340  allow the operator  30  to pivot the power line cutter  10  relative to the stick or extension  50 . 
         [0029]    The first blade support  305  includes a guide  400  projecting or extending from the first blade support  305 . The guide  400  is generally oriented perpendicular to the first blade support  305 . The guide  400  is generally oriented parallel with the extension  50 . The guide  400  allows the operator  30  to catch the power line  20  to be cut anywhere on the surface of the guide  400  and walk or lead the power line  20  into the opening  243  between the first blade cutting surface  240  and the second blade cutting surface  241 . The guide  400  may be approximately one or two inches to approximately six or nine inches in length, although the length of the guide  400  may vary depending on the application of the power line cutter  10 . The guide  400  extends from a top surface  311  of the first blade support  305  in order to provide clearance for the operator  30  to adjust the first blade fulcrum  220  and the second blade fulcrum  221 . 
         [0030]    The first handle  100  includes a first pulley  110  positioned on the first handle  100  opposite of the blade/handle pivot  130 . The first pulley  110  is attached or integral with the first handle  100  via an axle  118 . The second handle  101  also includes a second pulley  111  attached or integral with the second handle  101  via an axle  119 . The first pulley  110  and the second pulley  111  should be spaced a sufficient distance from the handle pivot  150  in order to achieve enough “lever” action to shear the power line  20 . A distance of approximately 6 inches to approximately 36 inches is suitable for most power line applications. 
         [0031]    The handle  100  includes an opening  105  adjacent to the first pulley  110  to allow the line  40  to be pulled by the operator  30  and for the line  40  to clear the end of the handle  100 . The opening  105  provides clearance for the line  40  as the handles  100  and  200  are squeezed together. The line  40  is fastened to the first handle  100  adjacent the first pulley  110 . 
         [0032]    The line  40  then passes to the second handle  101  and around the second pulley  111 . The line passes from the second pulley  111  to the first pulley  110 . The line  40  is generally orientated parallel to the extension  50  in order to compress the first blade  200  and the second blade  201 . 
         [0033]    As described, the power line cutter  10  includes two pivotally engaged handles  100  and  101  that each include pulleys  110  and  111  that squeeze together when the line  40  is pulled. Both handles  100  and  101  move toward each other during actuation of the power line cutter  10 . The use of the first handle  100  and the second handle  101  in the pivotal engagement provides for an improved mechanical advantage as compared to many existing devices. The improved mechanical advantage provides a greater shearing force on the cutting surfaces  240  and  241 . 
         [0034]    The extension  50  connects to the second blade support  306  in a fixed engagement with the second blade support  306 . Of course, the extension  50  could alternatively connect to the first blade support  305 . The second blade support  306  and the first blade support  305  are not normally moving or pivoting during the use of the power line cutter  10  in the compression of the first blade cutting surface  240  and second blade cutting surface  241 . The first blade  200  and the second blade  201 , as well as the first spring  160  and the second spring  161 , are moving and pivoting during the use of the power line cutter  10 . The first blade support  305  or the second blade support  306  provide a fixed point for the attachment of the extension  50  to the power line cutter  10 . The extension  50  and the blade supports  205  and  206  remain in a constant or fixed position while the handles  100  and  101 , the blades  200  and  201 , etc. are moving during a shearing action of the power line cutter  10 . 
         [0035]    Moreover, the first blade support  305  and the second blade support  306  are immediately adjacent to the first blade cutting surface  240  and the second blade cutting surface  241  and the opening  243 , which provides for direct movement of the cutting surfaces  240  and  241  to the contact point on the power line  20 . As the extension  50  and the bracket  300  connect to the power line cutter  10  immediately adjacent to the cutting surfaces  240  and  241  and its opening  243 , the movement of the extension  50  to the cutting point on the power line  20  puts the opening  243  at the cutting point. Other existing devices attach a long handle far or spaced from the actual cutting surfaces, thus making it awkward for the operator to get the cutting surfaces to the exact cutting point desired. 
         [0036]    The first and second blades  200  and  201  are made from a hardened metal or metal alloy, such as steel, suitable for sharpening and repeatedly shearing electrical and power lines. The first and second handles  100  and  101  may be made from a rigid material suitable for transferring the pulling force from the pulleys  110  and  111 . Metals, metal alloys, tubular metal, solid metal, and composite materials, such as fiberglass, may be suitable for forming the handles  100  and  101 . 
         [0037]    In other embodiments the bracket  300  and the second blade support  306  may be formed as an integral piece, i.e., a one-piece unit. Such an embodiment includes a curved bracket portion and a flattened planar portion to pivotally engage the blades  200  and  201 . 
         [0038]    It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is not intended that the invention be limited by the specification; instead, the scope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.