Abstract:
A method and apparatus for cutting conduit. The apparatus preferably comprises a motor operated cutting blade which is slideable relative to a fixture for holding the conduit. The fixture is preferably spring loaded and preferably sufficiently grips the conduit so that only one hand is needed to operate the saw and cut the conduit. Alternatively the conduit may be held by one hand while the saw is operated by the other hand. The saw is preferably cordless.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/061,063, entitled “Conduit Saw,” filed on Jun. 12, 2008. The specification and claims of the aforesaid application are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention (Technical Field) 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a preferably cordless device for cutting conduit, cable, pipe, or the like. The device is particularly useful for construction sites and is preferably operable using only one hand. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is an apparatus for cutting conduit, the apparatus comprising a conduit holder comprising one or more spring loaded members and a motor-operated cutting blade moveable relative to the conduit holder. At least one of the members is preferably moveable to accommodate insertion of the conduit. The moveable member is preferably hinged with respect to a housing. A spring preferably forces the at least one member against the conduit, thereby securing the conduit between the at least one member and a second member. Each of the members preferably comprises a pliers-like grip. The at least one member optionally exerts force against the conduit in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the blade. At least one member preferably comprises an opening for accommodating relative movement of the blade. At least one member preferably comprises an opening for sighting a cutting mark on the conduit. At least one member is optionally curved for receiving the conduit. The apparatus preferably further comprises a stop for limiting movement of the blade relative to the conduit holder. 
         [0004]    The present invention is also a method for cutting conduit, the method comprising the steps of inserting a conduit between two members, at least one member being spring loaded so as to exert a force against the conduit, moving a motor-operated blade relative to the conduit, and cutting the conduit. The inserting step preferably comprises moving the at least one member a distance sufficient to accommodate a diameter of the conduit. Moving the at least one member preferably comprises rotating one edge of the at least one member about a hinge. The method preferably comprises the step of securing the conduit between the two members. The force is optionally exerted in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the blade, in which case the method optionally further comprises the step of bracing at least one of the members against a surface prior to the moving step to prevent movement of the conduit in the direction of movement of the blade during the moving and/or cutting steps. The method preferably further comprises the step of viewing a cutting mark on the conduit through an opening in one of the members. The method preferably further comprises the step of stopping the movement of the blade relative to the conduit. The stopping step preferably comprises setting a position of a stop prior to the cutting step. 
         [0005]    Objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1A  is a cutaway side view of an embodiment of the present invention before the conduit is inserted; 
           [0008]      FIG. 1B  is a cutaway side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  with the conduit inserted; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows two partial cutaway views of another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a cutaway view of another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a see-through view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    As used throughout the specification and claims, the term “conduit” means conduit, wire, cable, tubing, pipe, bar, rod, or any solid or hollow elongate object or stock. As used throughout the specification and claims, the term “cut” means to completely or partially nick, score, cut, or sever an object, and the like. As used throughout the specification and claims, the term “spring” means any device for accommodating movement which exerts a force in opposition to said movement, such as a spring, elastic band, compressive material, and the like. 
         [0014]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  2 , an embodiment of the present invention preferably comprises cutting blade  10  preferably connected to housing body  110 , which is slideable relative to stationary housing  100 . Although cutting blade  10  is shown as rotary, any type of blade, such as a reciprocating blade, may alternatively be employed. A motor for driving cutting blade  10  is preferably powered by rechargeable battery  60 , which is preferably located in the handle of the saw, but may be located anywhere. 
         [0015]    In operation, conduit  120  is pushed against flap  20 , which is preferably spring loaded. Once conduit  120  is inserted fully, flap  20  preferably exerts force against conduit  120 , thereby securing conduit  120  against stationary housing  100  and conduit holder  25 . Conduit holder  25  and flap  20  are preferably curved for receiving conduit  120  and are preferably attached to stationary housing  100 . Conduit holder  25  and flap  20  may optionally be straight or angled, and may be specifically designed for use with a particular conduit type. Flap  20  preferably comprises prongs, or alternatively a groove or slot, for allowing cutting blade  10  to pass through in order to cut or score conduit  120 . Conduit holder  30  preferably comprises opening  27  (such as a slot or groove) to allow user to view a cutting mark on conduit  120  in order to align the blade position with a cutting mark on the conduit. Each side of conduit holder  25  preferably comprises wall  23 , which is approximately perpendicular to the front face of conduit holder  25 , and which, when conduit  120  is inserted in the saw, prevent conduit  120  from contacting the inside face of conduit holder  25 . This permits cutting blade  10  to cut entirely through conduit  120  without contacting conduit holder  25 . Conduit holder  25  may alternatively comprise a plate with a groove, or alternatively comprise prongs, for accommodating the travel of cutting blade  10 , and is optionally adjustable to accommodate a specific diameter of conduit  120 . 
         [0016]    Once the conduit is secured, the user preferably braces the front of conduit holder  25  against a hard surface, for example a stud or concrete floor, and the operator preferably actuates trigger  70 , which activates cutting blade  10 . The operator then pushes sliding housing body  110  relative to stationary housing  100 . This forces cutting blade  10  to contact conduit  120 , thereby preferably transversely scoring or cutting it, as desired by the operator, depending on the amount of movement imparted by the operator. The saw may optionally be designed with a stop, which is optionally adjustable, so that sliding housing body  110  can only slide a maximum distance relative to stationary housing  100 . This allows a score or cut to be made at a repeatable depth. The operator may also, or alternatively, activate brake switch  80 , preferably with a thumb, which then engages a brake, thereby limiting the travel of blade  10 . One or more springs  40  preferably force sliding housing body  110  back to its original position relative to stationary housing  100  after the conduit is cut or scored. Once the conduit is cut, it preferably will fall out of the conduit holder without having to be released by the user. 
         [0017]      FIG. 3  shows two partial cutaway views of another embodiment of the present invention. The operation of this embodiment is similar to the previously described embodiment. Motor  200  is activated by trigger  202 , is powered by battery  205 , and drives blade  210  via pulley  215  and belt  220 . The blade may alternatively be directly or otherwise driven by the motor without use of a belt. The motor and blade are preferably attached to handle  230  and is slideable relative to outer housing  240 . Outer housing  240  comprises grips  250  for holding conduit  260 . Grips  250  may optionally be smooth, grooved, patterned, textured, rubberized, or the like for holding conduit  260 . Grips  250  are preferably split, or otherwise comprise an opening, for accommodating the blade as it travels. Grips  250  are preferably hinged and spring loaded with respect to outer housing  240  to automatically accommodate different diameters of conduit and to tightly grip conduit  260 . Thus when a conduit is inserted into the grips, it preferably forces the grips apart until the conduit is sufficiently secured due to the force of the spring loaded grips against the conduit. The upper grip may comprise a window or notch or the like for sighting a cutting mark on the conduit. 
         [0018]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are cutaway and see-through views of another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , motor  300  is activated by trigger  302 , is powered by battery  305 , and drives blade  310  via pulley  315  and belt  320 . The motor and blade are preferably attached to handle  330  and housing  335 , which collectively are slideable relative to conduit housing  340 . Housing  335  and conduit housing  340  are preferably attached via one or more springs  345  which serve to return the housings to their original relative positions after blade  310  finishes cutting conduit  390 . Conduit housing  340  comprises conduit holder  350 , which optionally comprises one or more spring loaded plungers  360 . In this embodiment, an end of conduit  390  is inserted through cutouts  370  in conduit holder  350  and is supported in place by optional plungers  360 . Once conduit  390  is secured in the desired position, the operator preferably braces conduit holder  350  against a surface, activates trigger  302 , and thrusts handle  330  (and accordingly blade  310 ) forward relative to conduit holder  350 , thereby cutting conduit  390 . 
         [0019]    The present invention may comprise any type or style of handle or grip, and is preferably operable with only one hand, thereby allowing the user to hold the conduit in place while it is being cut. The present invention may optionally be used to score wire or cable, such as ⅜″ metal cable, to enable easy stripping. Because the present invention doesn&#39;t require the conduit to rotate during the cutting process, it may be used to cut conduit which is already mounted or installed. 
         [0020]    Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.