Abstract:
A cutting system for accurately cutting a notch in a piece of lineal to permit sharp bending of the lineal, permitting the lineal to be placed about the perimeter of picture or similar structure is disclosed. The cutting system includes a handle for driving a cutting blade in the direction of the force of gravity, and includes a retracting mechanism to return the handle and cutting blade to an initial starting position after each cut. A laterally reversible measuring assembly consisting of a measuring guide barn and a pair of adjustable measuring stops for measuring and supporting a piece of lineal to be cut, is releasably secured to the cutting system, facilitating interchange between left and right lateral configurations.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part application, based upon U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/652,769 filed on Aug. 31, 2000 now abandoned. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
   Not Applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to cutting devices, and more particularly, to cutting devices adapted to cut plastic edging used as a border around various articles, such as foam board mounted exhibits, mounted photographs, signs, plaques, and the like. While the invention is described with particular reference to those applications, those skilled in the art will recognize the wider applicability of the inventive principles disclosed hereinafter. 
   Techniques for cutting plastic or metal edging which is then placed around the second article, such as a foam board mounted exhibit, mounted photograph, sign or plaque, are well known. The plastic edging, commonly referred to as lineals in the trade, normally has a J or U-shaped channel formed in it, which is designed to receive the edge of the item encased. One particular apparatus accomplishing that function is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,933 to Evans et al. (the &#39;933 patent). The &#39;933 patent discloses a cutting mechanism which is mounted on a base member. The base member is placed on a work surface, such as a table, and a cutting operation is performed. While the apparatus disclosed in the &#39;933 patent works for its intended purpose, review of that patent shows that the handle or actuating mechanism is difficult to operate. This difficulty results from the fact that the force applied to the handle is done in a horizontal plane parallel to the plane of the table top or other work surface, for example. The result is that when sufficient pressure is applied to activate the handle, the entire machine is likely to slide, twist, and rotate. This makes it necessary for the operator to offset the momentum by attempting to “hold the machine steady”. Because it is necessary to apply equal and opposite pressure to the base of the device, the device is awkward to use and hard to operate. Repeated use often results in operator fatigue. That fatigue may lead to carpal tunnel injury. 
   In addition, because the actuating mechanism disclosed in the &#39;933 patent is positioned laterally from the cutting mechanism, the associated measurement mechanism disclosed in the &#39;933 patent can only be attached to the device on the opposite side of the cutting mechanism, and is not interchangeable from left to right. This severely limits the application of the apparatus in operational use. For example, because the measuring system of the &#39;933 patent only can be attached along the right hand side of the cutting mechanism the device operates only as a right-handed device, limiting its usefulness of the device for left-handed operators. In addition, the construction limits the unit&#39;s logistical location in a work environment where space is at a premium, and where there may not be a work space that allows the lineals to be cut from left to right. 
   Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for a lineal cutting tool configured with an adjustable measuring system to permit the operator to configure the cutting tool to accept the lineals from either left to right, or from right to left. Equally important is the need in the industry for a cutting mechanism which is actuated in a plane perpendicular to the adjustable measuring system, and in a direction corresponding to the direction of the force of gravity, regardless of the orientation of the device to which the cutting mechanism is mounted, thereby avoiding the application of a rotating or twisting torque on the cutting mechanism during use. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Among the several objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
   One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a cutting mechanism that cuts notches into various shaped lineal material. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting device that is easy to operate. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting mechanism which has a force actuator that operates in the direction of force of gravity. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a design which compounds the leverage during operation to give an operator the greatest amount of force with the least amount of effort. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomic design for a cutter mechanism. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting mechanism in which the force actuating handle is returned automatically to a start position. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting mechanism which enables the same mechanism to be utilized across a series of model lines. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting mechanism which may be stand mounted, the stand including a storage system for lineals and other related supplies employed with the cutting device. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a stand model cutter having adjustable legs to accommodate different operator heights. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting mechanism configured with a bilateral adjustable measuring system to permit a operator to configure the cutting tool to accept lineals from left to right, or from right to left. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting mechanism configured with a quick change bilateral adjustable measuring system. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting mechanism configured with an measuring system having adjustable lineal guides. 
   Other objects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. 
   In accordance with this invention, generally stated, a mechanism for cutting a workpiece includes a base member having a receptacle for receiving the workpiece, a clamping device to hold the workpiece in place, and a cutting blade shaped to provide the desired cut in the workpiece. The mechanism includes a measuring system which may be positioned on the base in at least two opposed lateral positions. A lever is operatively connected to the cutting blade, and the system is designed so that the lever operates or is activated in the direction of the force of gravity. The mechanism further includes a system for automatically returning the lever to its operating position. 
   The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention as well as presently preferred embodiments thereof will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification: 
       FIG. 1  is a front plan view of a wall mounted embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front plan view of a desktop embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a front plan view of a stand-mounted embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a front plan view of the cutting mechanism employed with the device as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a view in side elevation, partly broken away, of a first measuring system employed with the device of  FIG. 1-3 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a view in side elevation of the mechanism shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a view of the cutting blade and actuating mechanism employed with the device of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a view in side elevation, partly broken away, of the actuating mechanism employed with  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a view in side elevation, partly broken away, of a first side J-shaped lineal positioned for cutting; 
       FIG. 10  is a view in side elevation, showing a second J-shaped lineal positioned for cutting; 
       FIG. 11  is a view in side elevation of a E-shaped lineal positioned for cutting; 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of a J-shaped lineal, illustrating the notches made by the cutting mechanism of the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  is one illustrative embodiment of a return mechanism employed with the cutting mechanism of the present invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a of an reversible measuring system employed with the device of  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
       FIG. 15A  is a side view of a first C-clamp employed with the reversible measuring system of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 15B  is a front view of the C-clamp of  FIG. 15A ; 
       FIG. 16A  is a side view of a first C-clamp employed with the reversible measuring system of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 16B  is a front view of the C-clamp of  FIG. 16A ; and 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the reversible measuring system of  FIG. 14  with the C-clamps of  FIGS. 15 and 16  installed for use. 
   

   Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , reference numeral  1  indicates one illustrative embodiment of cutting mechanism of the present invention. While the invention is shown  FIGS. 1-3  in three embodiments, the cutting mechanism assembly  1  is substantially the same in each of the embodiments. The cutting mechanism shown in  FIG. 1  is intended for wall mounting. The device shown in  FIG. 2  is a desktop model, and is attached to a desktop stand  101 . The device shown in  FIG. 3  is floor stand mounted model and is shown attached to a floor stand  100 . It is an important feature of the present invention that the same cutting mechanism is used across the product line. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a base plate  3  of the assembly  1  has two shear blocks  5   a  and  5   b  attached to it. Attachment may be made by any convenient method. Shear blocks  5   a  and  5   b  have a channel  7  formed in them, which is sized to receive a measuring system  9 . In the embodiment illustrated, the channel  7  extends through the blocks  5   a  and  5   b , and is intended to receive left or right ends of the measuring system  9 . The measuring system  9  is described in greater detail hereinafter. It is here noted, however, that the measuring system  9  may be attached to the shear blocks  5   a  and  5   b  from either the left or right side of the assembly  1 . The measuring system  9  is shown mounted on the right side of the shear block  5   b  in  FIGS. 1-4 . The measuring system  9  is positioned along the blocks  5   a  and  5   b  and the base plate  3  by a lock mechanism  11 , which fits through an opening  12  in the measuring system  9  and into a corresponding opening  13  in the base plate  3 . 
   A clamp  27  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) also is attached to the shear blocks  5   a  and  5   b  by any convenient method. Conventional threaded fasteners work well, for example. Those skilled in the art will recognize other mounting devices may be employed, if desired. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the clamp  27  includes a handle  26  which is pivotally mounted to a support  23  at a pivot point  24 . An arm  21  is attached to the handle  26  at a connection point  29  and moves with the handle  26 , about the pivot point  24 . The arm  21  has a hold down  25  associated with it, which is utilized to clamp a suitable lineal, not shown, or other form of workpiece, in position on a jig  60 . Jig  60  is mounted to the base  3  in any convenient method. Preferably, the jig  60  is removable and interchangeable, so that other forms of lineals and corresponding fixtures or jigs may be utilized with the cutting mechanism of the present invention. 
   A handle assembly  20 , having a pair of arms  18   a  and  18   b , is pivotally mounted to guide blocks  40   a  and  40   b  at a pivot point  41 . Guide blocks  40   a  and  40   b  in turn are mounted to the base plate  3 . Again, mounting may be made in any convenient manner. As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the arms  18   a  and  18   b  are mounted for rotation about the pivot point  41 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4  the guide blocks  40   a  and  40   b  have a channel  42  formed in them, which receives a pin  43  and guides the pin during movement of a cutting blade  32  (FIG.  13 ). The blade  32  is connected to a cam  16  which is driven by a cross bar device  17  during rotation of the handle assembly  20 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , a return mechanism assembly  49  is mounted to the guide blocks  40   a  and  40   b . Return mechanism  49  includes a housing  50  having a channel  51  formed in it. In the embodiment illustrated, the channel  51  has a spring  52  positioned in it. The spring  52  has a first end  53  attached to a rod  54  and a second end  55  is attached to and operatively associated with a pin  56 . 
   Jig  60 , as seen in FIGS.  4  and  6 - 11 , is intended to receive any one of the number of lineals  61 . The lineals  61  are shown in dash lines in  FIGS. 9-11 . Lineals  61  may have varying widths between wall defining a receiver portion  120 , as shown in  FIG. 9 and 10 . Lineals  61  may have a U-shaped or J-shaped configuration as shown in FIG.  9  and  FIG. 10 , or may have an E-shaped configuration as shown in FIG.  11 . The jig  60  is designed to accommodate any of the lineals  61 , without further modification. As indicated above, however, the jig  60  may be made removable from the base plate  3  and jigs having configurations other than those shown may be employed with the cutting mechanism assembly  1  of the present invention. 
   In any event,  FIG. 12  illustrates the cuts made by blade  32  in a lineal  61 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the blade  32  is V-shaped in a cross section, and produces a V-shaped cut  75  in the lineal  61 . Each cut has a carrier portion  77  between successive cuts. The carrier portion  77  permits the lineal  61  to be folded about a picture frame or the like in a conventional manner. 
   Turning to  FIG. 5 , the first measurement assembly  9  generally includes a support arm  80  having an inverted L-shaped configuration, which extends outwardly from the shear blocks  5   a  and  5   b  of the mechanism. As indicated above, the measurement assembly  9  includes various adjustable stops indicated by the referenced numerals  129 ,  128 , and  127 . The stops are set along the arm  80  at varying distance according to the size of the item being framed. The first measurement assembly  9  is conventional, and is not described in detail. In operational use, once the indexing members  127  through  129  are set, a lineal  61  is secured in place so that the end of the piece of lineal  61  is near the cutting blade  32 , so that the first notch may be formed in the lineal  61 . The lineal  61  is advanced to the second length, corresponding to a dimension of item being framed, and the next notch is cut. Thereafter, the lineal  61  is advanced so that the last notch is moved to the next dimension of the item being framed, and the third notch is formed. The third notch then is advanced to the next dimension of the object being framed, and the final notch is cut. Thereafter, a hand tool is used to separate the carrier portion  77  from the remainder of the lineal  61 . 
   Re-positional guides (goal posts) align and hold lineals in place when cutting large sections. These guides securely hold the lineal  61  in place after they have been notched, so they won&#39;t “fall off” the measuring bar and break apart. It is desirable to keep the lineal  61  in one piece, so when it is wrapped around the outside edge of item being framed, it will go on in one piece. If it does not go on in one piece, it diminishes the protection and sturdiness of the frame and detracts from the cosmetic look of the frame. On removal from the carrier, the now proper length edging is removed from the cutting assembly  1 , and placed around the item being framed in a conventional manner. 
   One aspect of the present invention is that the first measuring assembly  9  may be positioned on either side of the blade  32 . Aside from the ease of operation this arrangement provides, it also means that lineals  61  may be placed about an object in two different orientation. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a coating for the lineals  61  may be used to enhance the appearance of the framed article, if desired. 
   The device as shown in  FIG. 3 , includes the stand  100  having a base section  110 . The base section, preferably, has a material holder  104  containing a series of cavities  103  attached to it. The holder  104  enables a user to store lineals  61  along the backside of the stand  100 . This storage facilitates the ease of operation of the device, and creates an organized workstation which has all of the supplies and materials at hand to perform the production. In the preferred embodiment, the stand  100  is adjustable to accommodate different work heights for the assembly  1 . Adjustment may be accomplished in a number of ways known to those skilled in the art. 
   Turning to  FIG. 14 , a second measuring assembly  200  is shown generally in a perspective view. The measuring assembly  200  consists of a V-shaped measuring guide bar  202  mounted, adjacent one end, to a support bracket  204 . A resected portion  206  of the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202  extends partially along the top  208  of the support bracket  204 , and terminates above an edge  210  of the support bracket  204 . At the edge  210  of the support bracket  204 , an gusset  212  provides additional support for the remaining portion  214  of the measuring guide bar  202 . 
   During use, the support bracket  204  of the second measuring assembly  200  is seated within a matching channel  7  in shear blocks  5   a  and  5   b , which defines a support bracket receiver. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that channel  7  is sized to receive the support bracket  204  from either the left side of shear blocks  5   a  and  5   b , or from the right side of shear blocks  5   a  and  5   b . When seated within the matching channel  7 , an upper edge  216  of the resected portion  206  is braced against the face of the base plate  3 , and a transition face  218 , between the resected portion  206  and the remaining portion  214  of the measuring guide bar  202  abuts a side of the base plate  3 . To secure the second measuring assembly  200  in position during use, a removable pin or lock mechanism  11  is passed through a bore  220  in the support bracket  204 , and received in a corresponding opening  13  in the base plate  3 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the second measuring assembly  200  is symmetric, and reversible for mounting on either the left or right sides of the shear blocks  5   a  and  5   b.    
   To facilitate the placement of the lineal  61  on the second measuring assembly  200 , a pair of lineal stops  300 ,  400  show in  FIGS. 15A ,  15 B,  16 A, and  16 B are adjustably secured to the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202 . The short measuring guide  300  is configured to provide a measurement stop at a dimension corresponding to that of a short side on a product intended to be encased with the lineal border. The short measuring guide  300  consists of a rectangular body  302  having an slot  304  configured to clip onto one edge of the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202 . When clipped onto an edge of the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202 , a portion  306  of the stop  300  rests within the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202 , and a second portion  308  hangs outside the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202 . A lineal measurement stop  310  is centrally disposed on the first portion  306 , while a measurement guide  312  is centrally disposed on a truncated edge  314  of the second portion  308 . The measurement guide  312  forms a raised trapezoid. A threaded bore  315  receives a set screw (not shown) to secure the lineal stop  300  in place on the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202 . 
   The long measuring guide  400 , shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16B  is substantially identical to the short measuring guide  300 . The long measuring guide  400  is configured to provide a measurement stop at a dimension corresponding to that of a long side on a product intended to be encased with the lineal border. The long measuring guide  400  consists of a rectangular body  402  having an slot  404  configured to clip onto one edge of the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202 . When clipped onto an edge of the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202 , a portion  406  of the stop  400  rests within the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202 , and a second portion  408  hangs outside the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202 . A lineal measurement stop  410  is centrally disposed on the first portion  406 , while a measurement guide  412  is centrally disposed on a truncated corner  414  of the second portion  408 . The measurement guide  412  forms a raised triangle. A threaded bore  415  receives a set screw (not shown) to secure the lineal stop  400  in place on the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202 . 
   There are two important differences between the short and long measuring guides  300 ,  400 . First, the long measuring guide  400  extends above the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202  further than the short measuring guide  300 , and second, the measurement guide  410  forms a raised triangle, also extending above the measurement guide  310  of the short measuring guide  300 . During use, as shown in  FIG. 17 , each lineal stop is positioned in place on the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202  using the product to be enclosed in the border as a guide. First, a corner of the short edge of the product is abutted against the center of the shear blocks  5 A and  5 B, parallel to the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202 . The short measuring guide  300  is slid along the V-shaped measuring guide bar  202  until the trapezoidal measurement guide  312  abuts a second corner of the short edge of the product. The short measuring guide  300  is then secured in place using the set screw (not shown). Next, the process is repeated using the corners of the long side of the product and the long measuring guide  400 . Since the long measuring guide  400  has a larger dimension than the short measuring guide  300 , the product being measured is passed above the truncated edge  314  of the short measuring guide  300  to engage the measurement guide  412 . Once the long measuring guide  400  is secured using a set screw, the cutting assembly and measurement assembly  200  is ready for use in cutting lineals  61 . Each piece of lineal is placed in the measurement assembly abutting a lineal measurement stop  310  or  410 , corresponding to whether a short side or a long side is being cut. The lineal  61  is now in proper position for actuation of the cutting blade as previously described. 
   In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.