Abstract:
An adjustable cutter apparatus for longitudinally slicing thin sheet materials such as copper foil used in stained glass processing has the coil mounted on a roll from which it is pulled through a guideway across a cutter blade. The guideway is defined between adjustable guide plates the spacing and locating of which can be adjusted relative to the cutter blade to suit different width foils and different widths of cut.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an adjustable cutting apparatus for longitudinally slicing lenghts of strip material to a desired width. For example, the tool may be used to slice strips of copper foil used in stained glass processing to a desired width. 
     In accordance with the invention there is provided an adjustable cutter for longitudinally slicing a length of strip material such as copper foil to a desired width wherein the strip of foil is pulled through a guideway across a cutting blade which longitudinally splits the foil along a required line as it is pulled through the guideway. The apparatus includes a base member with a cutting surface and a see-through blade guide plate over the surface which includes an elongate slit for receiving the cutting blade. A pair of adjustable plates are located between the see-through guide plate and the base member, the plates having respective inner edges which can be adjusted laterally with respect to the slit to define a guideway of a selected width to suit the width of the foil being cut and a selected location relative to the slit dependent on the width to which the foil is to be cut. The cutter may further include support means for a reel of foil in the form of rods having horizontal sections extending from the base member and vertical sections mounting a reel shaft therebetween. The reel shaft can be removed by swiveling the rods about the horizontal sections. Further, the reel shaft may be threaded with a reel mounted thereon between a pair of end plates with nuts outside of the end plates which can be used to adjust the position of the end plates so as to align same with the foil guideway and to adjust the end plates so as to accommodate reels of different width foil. The horizontal sections of the arms may carry a foil roller over which the foil travels to the guideway. 
     In use, the foil is accurately slit to a desired width longitudinally simply by pulling same through the guideway across the cutting blade which extends into the guideway through the blade slit in the blade guide plate. The see-through nature of the plates allows for accurate positioning of the respective guideplates which define the guideway. 
     Applicant is aware of the following U.S. patents pertaining to cutting devices and the like: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,822,046; 4,018,119; 4,175,460; 2,316,249 and 1,747,264. 
     None of the above patents, however, discloses a cutting device having the features of the present invention. 
     These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foil cutting apparatus in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on line 2--2 of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view on line 3--3 of FIG. 2. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a strip of foil slit by the apparatus. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     An adjustable foil cutting device in accordance with the invention in generally indicated by reference 10 in the drawings. The cutting device includes a base plate 12 which may be of mild steel or like relatively heavy material, the base plate having an upper cutting surface 14. Mounted atop the base plate are a pair of laterally adjustable guideplates 16, 18 having projecting outer tabs 20, 22, by means of which the position of the guide plates may be adjusted, as will be described, and a see-through blade guide plate 24 which may be of Perspex or the like is mounted above the adjustable guide plates. The blade guide plate 24 is provided with an elongate central blade slit 26 extending through the plate for receipt of a cutting blade 28. A first hold down thumb screw 30 with an integral head 32 extends through an aperture 34 in plate 24, through a laterally extending slot 36 in plate 16, and into a threaded aperture 38 in the base plate. A second hold down screw 40 extends upwardly from the base plate through a similar laterally extending slot 42 in guide plate 18 and an aperture 44 in guide plate 24. A cap nut 50 is threaded onto the projecting upper end of screw 40. The cap nut 50 has a throughbore 52 for receiving a rod 54 that carries blade 28 at one end, the blade being held releasably in place by an Allen screw 56 or the like. A thumb screw 58 extends into cap nut 50 to releasably retain rod 54 in place. The rod can be adjusted lengthwise in bore 52 so as to position the blade in alignment with slit 26 and the height of the blade is such that it may pass through slit 56 into a guideway space 60 formed between the respective inner edges of guide plates 16 and 18. 
     It will be understood from the above description that when screw 30 and cap nut 50 are loosened, plates 16 and 18 can be adjusted laterally so that the spacing between their respective inner edges can be adjusted and the location of the respective inner edges relative to slit 26 can also be adjusted. Thus, guideway 60 can be adjusted in width to suit particular widths of foil to be cut and can also be located laterally with respect to slit 26 and blade 28 so as to cut the foil to a desired width. 
     Secured by screws 62 to one edge of the base plate is a mounting plate 64 for a pair of tubular journal supports 66. The journal supports 66 carry respective support rods 68 for a foil reel assembly 70. The support rods 68 have horizontal sections 72 received in the respective journal supports 66, and vertical sections 74. Allen screws 76 are provided for the journal supports to tighten onto the respective rods. The upper ends of rods 68 have threaded on sleeves 78 which between them carry a threaded shaft 80 that mounts the reel assembly. Welded onto the corners of rods 68 are support feet 82. 
     The reel assembly 70 includes a pair of large diameter outer discs 84 and a small diameter center disc 86 that carries a reel 88 with a wound-on foil strip 90. The position of the respective discs is set on shaft 80 by means of adjustment nuts 92 whereby the location of the discs may be adjusted along the shaft so as to center the foil 90 with respect to guideway 60. Interposed washers 94 are provided between the nuts 92 and the outer discs 84. 
     It will be understood that in order to replace the foil, the rods 68 may be pivoted outwardly to the positions shown in dotted line in FIG. 2. Also, to accommodate difficult width foils the discs 84 may be moved accordingly on shaft 80 and the alignment of the foil may also be adjusted relative to slit 26. To accommodate larger or smaller width foils, wider or narrower discs 86 may be used. 
     Supported on collars 96 on the horizontal sections 72 of rods 68 is a roller 98 under which the foil passes. 
     It will be understood that the foil 90 is adjusted in position relative to slit 26 and blade 28 by lateral adjustment of guide plates 16 and 18 and reel assembly 70, so that a desired width W of foil (see FIG. 4) may be cut from the foil. The foil on reel assembly 70 is passes around the back of and under roller 98 and through an opening 100 in plate 64 and through the guideway 60. With the knife blade 28 suitably positioned in the guideway, pulling the foil therethrough in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 3 thereby effects lengthwise slicing of the foil to the desired width W. 
     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the act, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.