Abstract:
A tool for cutting strapping comprises a housing and a slot defined in a base of the housing. A blade is mounted upon the housing, and a handle is pivotally mounted upon the housing between a position remote from the blade and a position adjacent to the blade. A pusher is pivotally mounted upon the handle and is biased into engagement with the base by a spring so as to normally close the entrance to the slot. When strapping is to be cut, the strapping is inserted into the slot causing the pusher to be moved out of the way against the biasing force of its spring. Upon the strapping passing the pusher, the pusher returns to its original position whereby the pusher now engages the strapping. Manipulation of the handle toward the blade causes the pusher to push the strapping into engagement with the blade thereby cutting the strapping.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to manually-operable cutting tools, and more particularly to a new and improved manually-operable cutting tool for cutting plastic strapping wherein the tool is uniquely structured so as to enable an operator to easily position the tool beneath the plastic strapping, and wherein further, the tool is compact, the tool develops a proper cutting force, and the tool is easy to operate so as to be capable of being easily manipulated by means of one hand so as to readily and efficiently sever plastic strapping having different thickness dimensions. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Manually-operable cutting tools for severing plastic strapping are of course well-known, such as, for example, a conventional scissors-type cutter or the like wherein a pair of oppositely disposed blade members are manipulated by means of a pair of oppositely disposed handles. In the conventional manner, pivotal closure of the oppositely disposed handles with respect to or toward each other similarly actuates the oppositely disposed blade members to be pivotally moved with respect to or toward each other. Such conventional tools, however, have several operational disadvantages or drawbacks. Firstly, such tools are not particularly compact and are sometimes cumbersome. Secondly, in view of the fact that the blade members are in effect externally exposed or accessible, such tools present or raise safety concerns or issues. Thirdly, in view of the scissors-type manipulation mode characteristic of such tools, the tools sometimes do not develop the proper cutting forces, particularly, for example, when the material to be cut has a significant thickness dimension, and in addition, the tools are not especially ergonomically beneficial so as to readily enable an operator to perform one-handed cutting operations. 
     A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved manually-operable cutting tool for cutting or severing plastic strapping wherein the tool would be substantially compact in size, wherein the tool would readily facilitate the positioning or disposition of the tool beneath plastic strapping to be cut or severed, wherein the tool would enable the generation of proper cutting forces, wherein the tool would enable or easily facilitate a one-handed cutting or severing operation to be performed, and wherein the cutting blade or the cutting edge of the cutting blade would be effectively enclosed within an interior portion of the tool such that the cutting edge of the cutting blade does not present any safety hazards. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved manually-operated cutting tool for cutting or severing plastic strapping. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved manually-operated cutting tool for cutting or severing plastic strapping wherein the tool overcomes the various operational disadvantages or drawbacks characteristic of PRIOR ART manually-operated cutting tools. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved manually-operated cutting tool for cutting or severing plastic strapping wherein the tool is relatively compact in size, wherein the tool generates proper cutting forces so as to enable the cutting of materials having different thickness dimensions, and wherein the tool enables the cutting or severing operation to be accomplished by means of a one-handed operation. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved manually-operated cutting tool for cutting or severing plastic strapping wherein the tool is able to be readily or easily positioned beneath the plastic strapping so as to be readied for the cutting or severing operation, and wherein the cutting edge portion of the cutting blade is disposed internally within the tool so as not to present any safety hazards for operator personnel. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention through the provision of a new and improved manually-operable cutting tool wherein the tool comprises a housing comprising a base portion or foundation, and an upstanding web or rib member attached to the base portion or foundation at the rear end thereof such that an insertion slot, for permitting insertion therewithin of plastic strapping to be cut or severed, is defined between a lower edge portion of the upstanding web or rib member and an upper surface portion of the base portion or foundation. A cutting blade, having a vertically oriented cutting edge, is mounted upon a lower end portion of the upstanding web or rib member and has a lower end portion thereof supported within the base portion or foundation of the housing such that a portion of the cutting blade edge is disposed within the insertion slot so as to in effect be exposed to the plastic strapping when the same is inserted into the insertion slot so as to be cut or severed. A manually-manipulable handle is pivotally mounted upon the housing, under the influence of a biasing spring such that the handle is normally disposed at an opened inoperative position, and includes a spring-biased pusher element which is pivotally mounted at a forward end portion thereof upon the handle. The pusher element also has a rear end portion thereof which is biased into engagement with the base portion or foundation of the housing by means of its own biasing spring so as to in effect close or cover the entrance to the insertion slot. 
     When plastic strapping is to be cut or severed, the strap is in effect inserted into the insertion slot by engaging the pusher element and thereby causing the pusher element to be moved out of the way against the biasing force of its biasing spring. Upon the plastic strapping passing by the rear end portion of the pusher element, the pusher element returns to its normally biased position wherein the pusher element now engages the rear edge portion of the plastic strapping. Manipulation of the handle toward the closed position causes the pusher element to push the plastic strapping into engagement with the cutting edge of the cutting blade whereby the plastic strapping is cut or severed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational, partially schematic, view of a new and improved manually-operable cutting tool constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof in preparation for a cutting operation to be performed upon plastic strapping; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the housing component of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the housing component of the cutting tool as shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the housing component shown in FIG. 2 as taken along the line  4 — 4  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the housing component shown in FIG. 2 as taken along the line  5 — 5  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the housing component shown in FIG. 2 as taken along the line  6 — 6  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the handle component of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the handle component of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the handle component of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 7 as taken along the line  9 — 9  of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the handle component of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 7 as taken along the line  10 — 10  of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the pusher component of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the pusher component of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the nut-cutting blade component of the cutting tool shown in FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 14 is an end elevational view of the nut-cutting blade component shown in FIG.  13 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, a new and improved manually-operable cutting tool constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character  10 . The cutting tool  10  will firstly be generally described in order to provide an overall appreciation of the construction and operation thereof, and subsequently, details of the various component parts of the tool  10  will then be described such that an appreciation can be obtained with respect to the operational interrelationship defined between the component parts of the tool. More particularly, cutting tool  10  is seen to comprise a housing  12  upon an upper forward end of which a handle  14  is pivotally mounted as at  16 , and a first spring  18  is interposed between the housing  12  and the handle  14  such that the handle  14  is normally biased to an inoperative position as shown in FIG. 1 wherein the tool  10  is disposed in a non-cutting mode. A cutting blade  20  is mounted upon a lower rear portion of the housing  12 , and the handle  14  is seen to have a pusher element  22  pivotally mounted upon a lower end portion thereof as at  24 . Plastic strapping to be cut or severed by means of the tool  10  of the present invention is disclosed at  26 , and it is seen that the lower end portion of the tool housing  12  is provided with a slot  28  into which the plastic strapping  26  is to be moved, as denoted by the arrow I, so as to encounter the cutting blade  20  whereby the plastic strapping  26  can be severed. A set of second springs  30 , only one of which is shown, are mounted upon the lower end portion of the handle  14  and is engaged with the pusher element  22  so as to normally bias the pusher element  22  to a position at which the pusher element  22  effectively blocks or covers the open end of the slot  28 . 
     As can be appreciated, however, when the plastic strapping  26  is to be inserted into the slot  28 , the plastic strapping  26  is moved in the denoted direction I whereupon the plastic strapping  26  encountering the pusher element  22 , the pusher element  22  is effectively moved upwardly against the biasing force of the second springs  30  whereby the plastic strapping  26  can be inserted into the slot  28 . Upon the strapping  26  clearing or passing by the rear end portion of the pusher element  22 , the second springs  30  will bias the pusher element  22  back to its normally biased position at which the rear end portion of the pusher element  22  now engages the rear or right edge portion of the strapping  26  as viewed in FIG. 1, the pivotal movements of the pusher element being noted by the double arrowhead U-D. Accordingly, when the handle  14  is pivotally moved inwardly or toward the left as viewed in FIG. 1, the pivotal movements of the handle  14  being denoted by means of the double arrowhead I-O, the pusher element  22  will force the strapping  26  toward the left into engagement with the cutting edge  32  of the cutting blade  20  whereby strapping  26  is cut thereby completing a strapping cutting operation. 
     With reference now being made to FIGS. 2-6, the details of the housing  12  will now be described. As can best be appreciated from FIGS. 2-4, the housing  12  is seen to comprise a horizontally disposed base or foundation  34  and a rearwardly disposed, upstanding support member or rib  36  which is integrally connected at its lower end portion to the base or foundation  34 . A laterally central or axially disposed web member  38  is in turn integrally connected to the upstanding support member or rib  36 , and it is seen that the lower end portion of the web member  38  is spaced from the base or foundation  34  so as to define the aforenoted slot  28  into which the strapping  26  to be cut can be inserted. A pivot pin support or boss  40  is integrally formed at the upper forward end of the web  38  so as to pivotally support the handle  14  thereon, and a recessed socket or pocket portion  42  is defined within an upper forward edge portion of the web  38  for accommodating one end of the first spring  18  which is adapted to be interposed between the web portion  38  of the housing  12  and the handle  14  so as to normally bias the handle  14  toward its opened position which is relatively remote from the upstanding support member or rib  36  of the housing  12 . The forwardmost end portion of the base or foundation  34  is provided with a relatively sharp wedge-shaped portion  44  so as to enable the tool  10  to be inserted underneath the strapping  26  to be cut as well as to guide the strapping  26  into the slot  28 . Lastly, as best seen or appreciated from FIGS. 4 and 6, a right side portion of the web member  38 , as well as a corresponding portion of the base or foundation  34 , is provided with a recessed region  46  which has a substantially rectangular configuration so as to house or accommodate the cutting blade  20 . In addition, a substantially oval-shaped aperture  48  is defined within the web member  38  and at a substantially central portion of the recessed region  46  so as to provide for vertical adjustment of the cutting blade  20  as will be described more fully in detail hereinafter. 
     With reference now being made to FIGS. 7-10, the structure of the handle  14  will now be described in detail. As may best be appreciated from FIG. 8, the handle  14  is seen to essentially comprise a bifurcated structure which comprises a pair of laterally separated side wall members  50 ,  52  which are integrally connected together by means of an end wall member  54 . A recessed pocket or socket  56  is defined within the end wall member  54  and is adapted to receive the opposite end of the first spring  18 , and it is to be appreciated that the first spring  18  will be confined between the side wall members  50 , 52 . It is also seen that the upper ends of the side wall members  50 , 52  are each provided with an aperture  58 , 60  wherein the apertures  58 , 60  will be axially aligned with the pivot pin support or boss  40  so as to permit a pivot pin, not shown, to be axially disposed therethrough by means of which the handle  14  is pivotally mounted upon the housing  12  as at  16 . The lateral separation of the side wall portions  50 , 52  of the handle  14  defines a central or axial space  62  therebetween within which the forward edge portion  64  of the housing web  38  is able to be freely accommodated when the handle  14  is pivotally moved with respect to the housing  12  in the opposite directions noted by the double arrowhead I-O. In order to comfortably or ergonomically assist the pivotal movement of the handle  14  with respect to the housing  12 , the forward vertical portion of the handle  14  is provided with fingergrip portions  66 . This structure also corresponds to the provision of the upstanding support member or rib  36  of the housing  12  which will likewise ergonomically fit or be disposed within an operator&#39;s palm whereby the tool  10  can be easily or readily manipulated by means of one hand. It is still further noted that the web portion.  38  of the housing  12  is provided with a substantially arcuate, oval-shaped aperture  68 , and each one of the side wall portions  50 ,  52  is also provided with an aperture, only one of which is shown at  70 , through which a pin  72  can be disposed such that the pivotal movement of the handle  14  with respect to the housing  12  is limited or confined within a predetermined range of movement. 
     With reference continuing to be made to FIGS. 7-9, the lower end portion of the handle  14  further comprises a skirt portion which is defined by means of two downwardly dependent side wall portions  74 , 76  as best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, and it can be appreciated that the downwardly dependent side wall portions  74 ,  76  are laterally separated from each other so as to define therebetween a space  78  within which the pusher element  22  can be accommodated as can also be appreciated from FIG.  1 . As seen in FIG. 7, each one of the dependent side wall portions  74 , 76  is also provided with an aperture, only one of which is shown at  80 , whereby a pivot pin, not shown, can be inserted or mounted by means of which the pusher element  22  is pivotally mounted upon the handle  14  as at  24 . The lower end portion of the handle  14  is further provided with a pair of laterally spaced blind bores  82 ,  82  within which the pair of second springs  30 ,  30  for biasing the pusher element  22  are to be disposed. As was the case with the first spring  18 , the pair of second springs  30 ,  30  are effectively laterally confined between the skirt side wall portions  74 ,  76  such that the springs  30 ,  30  remain engaged with the pusher element  22 . 
     With reference now being made to FIGS. 11 and 12, the details of the pusher element  22  will be described. Initially, as can best be appreciated from FIGS. 1-3,  5  and  6 , the housing base or foundation  34  further includes an upstanding, horizontally extending rib  84  which is separated from the lower edge portion of the web member  38  and axially aligned or coplanar with the web member  38  so as to define the slot  28  therebetween. The rib  84  projects upwardly from the upper surface  86  of the base or foundation  34  upon which the pusher element  22  is adapted to ride when the handle  14  is moved inwardly with respect to the housing  12  in accordance with the arrow portion I of the double arrowhead I-O. Accordingly, the pusher element  22  is provided with unique structure which permits the pusher element  22  to achieve the aforenoted movement during a strapping cutting operation. More particularly, as was the case with the handle  14 , the pusher element  22  also comprises a bifurcated structure. As best appreciated from FIG. 12, the pusher element  22  comprises a pair of longitudinally extending, laterally separated side portions  88 , 88  which are integrally connected together by means of a laterally extending end portion  90 . The lateral separation of the side portions  88 , 88  defines a central or axial space  92  therebetween within which the upstanding rib  84  of the housing base or foundation is able to be accommodated. The end portion  90  is also provided with a laterally or transversely oriented throughbore  94  for accommodating a pivot pin, not shown, whereby the pusher element is pivotally mounted upon the handle  14  as at  24 . 
     As can best be further appreciated from FIG. 11, each one of the side portions  88 , 88  of the pusher element  22  comprises a rearwardly disposed end portion which comprises an undersurface portion  96  and an end surface portion  98 , each surface portion  96 , 98  being disposed at a predetermined angular orientation with respect to the horizontal. For example, undersurface portion  96  may be disposed at an angle of 25°, while end surface portion  98  may be disposed at an angle of 65°. Accordingly, as can best be appreciated from the assembled view of FIG. 1, when the pusher element  22  is operationally mounted upon the handle  14 , it will be seen that each undersurface portion  96 , 96  will in effect be disposed horizontally upon the upper surface  86  of the base or foundation  34  while each end surface portion  98 , 98  will now be dis-posed vertically or perpendicular to the upper surface  86  of the base or foundation  34  whereby the end surface portions  98 , 98  can properly engage the strapping  26  so as to cause or force movement of the strapping  26  into engagement with the cutting edge  32  of the cutting blade  20 . The disposition of each undersurface portion  96 , 96  upon the upper surface  86  of the base or foundation  34 , as well as the straddling in effect of each side portion  88 , 88  upon the opposite sides of the upstanding rib portion  84  of the base or foundation  34 , provides controlled stability to the pusher element  22  as the same rides or moves along the upper surface portion  86  of the base or foundation  34  such that proper cutting forces can be generated during a cutting operation being performed upon the strapping  26 . 
     With reference lastly being made to FIGS. 13 and 14, the details of the cutting blade  20  will now be described. As can be seen, the cutting blade  20  is provided with a forwardly disposed beveled portion  100  which defines the forwardly disposed cutting edge portion  32 . In addition, the cutting blade  20  has upon a side portion thereof an integrally formed nut portion  102  having a throughbore  104  within which a suitable fastener, not shown, can be inserted. The fastener is also adapted to be inserted through the oval-shaped aperture  48  defined within the web member  38 . It is also seen that the vertical height or extent of the cutting blade  20  is less than that of the recessed region  46  defined within the sidewall portion of the web member  38  and the base portion or foundation  34 . In this manner, the vertical disposition of the cutting blade  20 , and more particularly, that of the cutting edge  32  of the cutting blade  20 , is thus able to be positionally adjusted, when the fastener, not shown, is appropriately loosened and subsequently tightened, such that new regions of the cutting blade edge  32  can be positioned or aligned with respect to the slot  28 , as the cutting blade  20  experiences wear, within which the strapping  26  to be cut is disposed so as to be cut by means of the cutting blade  20 . 
     Thus, it may be seen that in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, there has been provided a manually-operable cutting tool, for cutting or severing plastic strapping, wherein the tool is compact in size and easily manipulable by means of an operator&#39;s single hand, and wherein further, the strapping is readily able to be inserted into the housing slot and forced into contact with the cutting blade by means of the pusher element when the handle is pivotally moved relative to the housing. The interior disposition of the cutting blade also renders the tool safe for operator personnel in that the cutting edge of the blade is not externally exposed. 
     Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.