Patent Publication Number: US-2015068045-A1

Title: Planar cutting tool

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/876,247, filed Sep. 11, 2013, entitled “Planer Cutting Tool,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Residential and commercial construction requires cutting tools for use on heavy-duty drywall, cementitious wall board, and other sheet and roll materials. Current methods for cutting these materials requires the marking and scoring of the material with a standard utility knife, followed by popping the material to break along the scored line. Thicker materials are difficult to score and often require repeated strokes to score to an adequate depth to break the material along the scored line. In addition, continuous cutting operations require a high exertion of effort that may be hard on a person&#39;s hands, wrists, and elbows, which can lead to long-term health effects from the repetitious motions. Accordingly, there is a need for improved methods and apparatuses for facilitating the cutting of heavy-duty drywall, cementitious wall board, and other materials. 
     Various embodiments of the present methods and apparatuses recognize and address the foregoing considerations, and others, of prior art methods and apparatuses. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, in various embodiments, a planar cutting tool comprises a body that includes: (i) a substantially flat top surface; (ii) a substantially flat bottom surface; (iii) a front end; (iv) a back end; and (v) a longitudinal axis extending between the body front end and the body back end, parallel to the body top surface. A first handle is coupled to the body proximate the front end. A second handle is coupled to the body proximate the body back end. A cutting assembly is operatively connected to the body and comprises: (i) a cutter having a cutting edge and a cutter holder for securing the cutter to the body in a position where the cutting edge is parallel to a plane that encompasses the longitudinal axis. 
     In various embodiments, a planar cutting tool comprises a body that includes a front end, a back end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the body front end and the body back end. At least one handle coupled to the body intermediate the body front and back ends. A cutter assembly operatively connected to the body comprises a cutter housing for securing the cutter to the body in a position where the cutting edge is coplanar with the longitudinal axis, a front mount operatively connected to the body and the cutter housing, and a rear mount operatively connected to the body and the cutter housing. The cutter assembly further comprises a support bracket that is: (i) adjustably connected to the front mount; (ii) adjustably connected to the rear mount; and (iii) operatively connected to the cutter housing. 
     A planar cutting tool, according to various embodiments, comprises a substantially rectangular body that includes: (i) a front end; (ii) a back end; (iii) a substantially flat top surface that extends between the front and back ends; and (iv) a longitudinal axis extending between the body front end and the body back end. At least one handle coupled to the body intermediate the body front and back ends. A cutter having a cutting edge operatively connected to the body, wherein the cutting edge at least partially extends through the body so that the cutting edge is positioned coplanar with the body longitudinal axis and at least a portion of the cutter is perpendicular to the top surface of the substantially rectangular body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a planar cutting tool in accordance with a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a right side view of the planar cutting tool of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  is a front view of the planar cutting tool of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3B  is a top view of the planar cutting tool of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a planar cutting tool in accordance with a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 4A  is a partially exploded perspective view of the planar cutting tool of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 5  is a right side view of the planar cutting tool of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a planar cutting tool in accordance with a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a right side view of the planar cutting tool of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are perspective views of a planar cutting tool in accordance with a fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a right side view of the planar cutting tool of  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a planar cutting tool in accordance with a fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a right side view of the planar cutting tool of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  are perspective views of a planar cutting tool in accordance with a sixth embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a left side view of the planar cutting tool of  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
         FIG. 16A  is a perspective view of a planar cutting tool in accordance with a seventh embodiment. 
         FIG. 16B  is a left side view of the planar cutting tool of  FIG. 16A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS 
     Various embodiments will now be described more fully herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various relevant embodiments are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     Overview 
     In general, various embodiments of a planar cutting tool for cutting heavy drywall and cementitious wall board, composite ceiling tiles, foam insulation, or any other of a number of various sheet and roll materials used in commercial and residential building construction are described. According to particular embodiments, the planar cutting tool includes a planar body, two handles, a cutter (e.g., a thin cutting blade for cutting the heavy drywall) that is positioned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the planar body (e.g., coplanar with or parallel to a plane encompassing the longitudinal axis of the planar body), and a cutter assembly that holds the cutter in a particular position on the planar body (although, in various embodiments, the cutter position may be adjustable). It should be understood, in light of this disclosure, that the planar body, the two (or more) handles, cutter, and/or cutter assembly may be in various configurations, including one or more configurations that allow the cutter to be pushed by an operator and one or more configurations that allow the cutter to be pulled (drawn) by the operator. 
     In a particular example, an operator uses the planar cutting tool by placing a bottom surface of the planar body on the piece of heavy drywall, aligning the cutter with a particular indication (e.g., a line) of where the piece of heavy drywall is to be cut (e.g., the piece of heavy drywall is to be cut in half, a specific size of drywall is to be cut from a larger piece of drywall, etc.). Continuing with this example, the operator holds the planar cutting tool by the first handle and the second handle and pushes the planar cutting tool forward, exerting forward and downward force so that the cutter slices the heavy drywall along the particular indication. 
     Planar Cutting Tool 
     Planar Cutting Tool Structure 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3B , an embodiment of a planar cutting tool is shown. Referring particularly to  FIG. 1 , a planar cutting tool  1  generally has a planar body  3  having a bottom surface  5  ( FIG. 2 ), a front handle  20  and a rear handle  30  operatively coupled to the planar body  3 , and a cutting assembly  32  coupled to the planar body  3 . The cutting assembly  32  has a cutter  28  that extends through the planar body bottom surface  5 . 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 1 , the planar body  3  is generally rectangular in shape and has a top surface  4  ( FIG. 2 ), and the bottom surface  5  ( FIG. 2 ), a longitudinal centerline  6  ( FIG. 3B ), one or more side walls  8  that may be formed at any suitable height depending on the use of the planar cutting tool, a front end  10 , and a rear end  11 . The planar body  3  defines at least one opening  26 , which is configured to allow the cutter  28  to pass through the planar body  3 , as further discussed below. The side walls  8  may be an integral part of the planar body  3  (e.g., the planar body  3  and the side walls  8  may be integrally formed). In other embodiments, the side walls  8  may be separate parts that are attached to the planar body  3  by suitable fasteners (e.g., screws, rivets, weldments, etc.). The side walls  8  have one or more openings  9  that provide access to fasteners (e.g., fastener  50 ) that allow the user to make adjustments to the cutting tool  1 . Additionally, in various embodiments, the planar body  3  includes one or more holes or notches  7   a ,  7   b , and  7   c  (e.g., at a longitudinal centerline  6  ( FIG. 3B )) that function as a cutting guide. 
     The planar body  3  is formed from a substantially thin rectangular (e.g., two opposite sides are longer than the remaining two opposite sides) shaped plate of material having a thickness of between 1/32-1½ inches (e.g., from the bottom surface  5  to the top surface  4 ). In particular embodiments, the plate thickness is ¼ of an inch thick. The planar body  3  is about one to five inches wide by about five to 24 inches long. In a particular embodiment, the planar body  3  is about three inches wide by about 13 inches long. In one or more embodiments, the planar body  3  is about 2½ inches wide by about 12 inches long. In another embodiment, the planar body  3  is about four inches wide by about 15 inches long. In further embodiments, the planar body may be formed by other shaped plates (e.g., substantially circular, oval, triangular, or in any other polygonal shape). The planar body  3  is constructed (partially or wholly) using stainless steel. It should be understood from reference to this disclosure that the planar body  3  may be formed from any suitable material such as steel, ceramics, polymers, alloys, composites or any other suitable material. 
     The plate of the planar body  3  has the at least one opening  26  that is sized and shaped to allow the cutter  28  of the cutting assembly  32  to extend through the planar body  3 . The opening  26  is located proximate the planar tool rear end  11  (e.g., the opening  26  may be located closer to the planar tool rear end  11  than the planar tool front end  10 ). In a particular embodiment, the opening  26  may be located about 60% of the distance from the planar tool front end  10  to the planar tool rear end  11 . The location of the cutter  28  and the opening  26  allow the user to exert greater force on the rear handle  30  than is necessary on the front handle  20 , which may result in better ergonomics and leverage for the user during the cutting process. The opening  26  is formed during the formation of a rear internal bracket  60  (e.g., the rear internal bracket  60  is formed by cutting three sides of the bracket from the planar body plate and bending the bracket into place along a fourth side). In various other embodiments, the opening  26  may be formed via a punch, drill, etc. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the front handle  20  is generally spherical in shape and is formed from a polymer material. In various embodiments, the front handle  20  may be formed from any suitable material such as metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers and composites. The front handle  20  has a threaded bore formed therein to allow the front handle  20  to connect to the planar body  3 . The threaded bore is centered on a vertical central axis  20   a . It should be understood that the front handle  20  may be formed in any suitable shape such as spherical, circular, polygonal, or cylindrical so long as the shape assists the user in gripping the handle (e.g., a user can wrap their hand around and/or over the front handle  20 ). The front handle  20  is operatively connected to the planar body  3  by a front handle mounting plate  16  and a first and second internal bracket  27  and  29  using a variety of fasteners as described in more detail below. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the front handle mounting plate  16  is formed from a thin metal angled plate that spans the width of the planar body  3 . In one or more embodiments, the front handle mounting plate  16  may span less than the width of the planar body  3 . The front handle mounting plate  16  may include one or more smooth holes (not numbered) that receive one or more fasteners, such as fasteners  12  and  14 . In other embodiments, the holes in the front handle mounting plate  16  may be threaded such that fasteners  12  and  14  are threadably coupled directly with the front handle mounting plate  16  without the use of bolts. 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , the internal brackets  27  and  29  are an integral part of the planar body  3  (e.g., the internal brackets  27  and  29  are formed by cutting three sides of each of the internal brackets  27  and  29  from the planar body plate and bending each one of the brackets into place along a respective fourth side). In one or more embodiments, the internal brackets  27  and  29  are operatively connected to the planar body  3  by, for example, welding, an adhesive, one or more suitable fasteners, etc. (not shown). Each internal bracket  27  and  29  contains one or more holes (not numbered) for connecting the front handle  20  and the front handle mounting plate  16  to the planar body  3 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 B, the front handle mounting bracket  16  is connected to the planar body  3  at one end via the second internal bracket  29  using fasteners  12  and  14 , which in the embodiment shown are nuts and bolts. That is, a bolt is passed through an opening (not numbered) through the second internal bracket  29  that aligns with a corresponding opening (not numbered) in the front handle mounting bracket  16 . The nut is then threadably fastened to each bolt to couple the front handle mounting bracket  16  to the second internal bracket  29 . The opposite side of the front handle mounting bracket  16  contains at least one opening that aligns with a corresponding opening in the first internal bracket  27 . Thus, a threaded bolt  22  is passed through the aligned openings in the front handle mounting bracket  16  and first internal bracket  27 , and the front handle  20  is threadably attached to the threaded bolt  22  using the threaded bore formed in the handle. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , once the front handle  20  is mounted to the planar body  3  using the front handle mounting bracket  16 , the central vertical axis  20   a  of the front handle  20  forms an acute angle α with respect to the top surface  4  of the planar body  3 . In one or more embodiments, the front handle  20  may be located substantially laterally in the center of the planar body (e.g., the front handle  20  may be located substantially proximate the planar body front end  10  or may be positioned substantially along the longitudinal centerline  6  ( FIG. 3B )) and may be mounted at any suitable angle (e.g., the central axis  20   a  may be disposed at any angle from zero to ninety degrees with respect to the top surface  4  of the planar body plate). 
     The rear handle  30  is generally cylindrical in shape, and is formed from a polymer material. In one or more embodiments, the rear handle  30  may be formed from any suitable material such as metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, and/or composites, and may be in any suitable shape such as circular, polygonal, or spherical, so long as the shape assists the user in gripping the handle (e.g., a user can wrap their hand around and/or over the rear handle  30 ). The rear handle  30  has a threaded bore formed therein that is centered on a vertical central axis  30   a . The rear handle  30  is operatively connected to the planar body  3  by a rear handle mounting plate  24  and a third and fourth internal bracket  38  and  42  using a variety of fasteners as described in more detail below. It should be understood, in light of this disclosure, the rear handle  30  may be operatively connected to the planar body  3  in any other suitable way, including being integrally formed with the planar body  3 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the rear handle mounting plate  24  is formed from a thin metal angled plate that spans the width of the planar body  3 . The rear handle mounting plate  24  may include one or more smooth holes (not numbered) that receive one or more fasteners, such as fasteners  18  and  19 , which in the present embodiment are nuts and bolts. In one or more embodiments, the holes in the rear handle mounting plate  24  may be threaded such that fasteners  18  and  19  are threadably coupled directly with the rear handle mounting plate  24  without the use of bolts. 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , the internal brackets  38  and  42  are an integral part of the planar body  3  (e.g., the internal brackets  38  and  42  are formed by cutting three sides of each of the internal brackets  38  and  42  from the planar body plate and bending each one of the brackets into place along a respective fourth side). Each internal bracket  38  and  42  contains one or more holes (not numbered) for connecting the rear handle  30  and the rear handle mounting plate  24  to the planar body  3 . It should be understood that, in one or more embodiments, the internal brackets  38  and  42  may be operatively connected to the planar body  3  by, for example, welding, an adhesive, one or more suitable fasteners, etc. (not shown). 
     The rear handle mounting plate  24  is connected to the planar body  3  at one end via the third internal bracket  38  using fasteners  18  and  19 , which, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , are nuts and bolts. That is, a bolt is passed through an opening (not numbered) through the third internal bracket  38  that aligns with a corresponding opening (not numbered) in the rear handle mounting plate  24 . The nut is then threadably fastened to each bolt to couple the rear handle mounting plate  24  to the third internal bracket  38 . The opposite side of the rear handle mounting plate  24  contains at least one opening that aligns with a corresponding opening in the internal bracket  42 . Thus, a threaded bolt  35  is passed through the aligned openings in the rear handle mounting plate  24  and internal bracket  42 , and the rear handle  30  is threadably attached to the threaded bolt  35  using the threaded bore formed in the rear handle  30 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3B , once the rear handle  30  is mounted to the planar body  3  using the rear handle mounting plate  24 , the central vertical axis  30   a  of the rear handle  30  forms an acute angle β with respect to the top surface  4  of the planar body  3  ( FIG. 2 ). The rear handle  30  is located substantially laterally in the center of the planar body (e.g., the central vertical axis  30   a  of the rear handle  30  is approximate on the longitudinal centerline  6  of the planar body  3 ) and may be mounted at any suitable angle (e.g., the central axis  30   a  may be disposed at any angle from zero to 90 degrees with respect to the top surface  4  of the planar body  3 ). 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 1 , the cutter assembly  32  includes the cutter  28 , and a cutter housing having a left housing portion  33  and a right housing portion  34  that together substantially hold the cutter  28  in a position where at least a portion of the cutter  28  extends through the bottom surface  4  of the planar body  3 . This configuration also prevents lateral movement of the cutter  28  relative to the longitudinal centerline  6  of the planar body  3  (e.g., from the front end  10  to the rear end  11 ). The left and right housing portions  33  and  34  engage a notch  28   a  formed in the cutter  28  via a lip  33   a  formed in the left housing portion  33  ( FIG. 3A ), which prevents the cutter from sliding into and out of the cutter housing while another portion of the cutter  28  extends through the planar body  3 . 
     The left and right housing portions  33  and  34  are made of die cast aluminum. In other embodiments, the left and right housing portions  33  and  34  may be made of hard plastic, steel, carbon fiber, ceramic or any suitable composite material. It should be understood, in light of this disclosure, that the left housing portion  33  and the right housing portion  34  may be made of the same or different materials (e.g., the left housing portion  33  may be made of a certain type of aluminum and the right housing portion  34  may be made of a different type of aluminum or other material). 
     The cutter  28  may be any suitable instrument for cutting materials. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cutter  28  is a razor-type blade with one or more notches (e.g., notch  28   a ) formed in a non-cutting side, which may be used to at least partially hold the cutter  28  in position, as described above. In particular embodiments, the cutter  28  may be a thin utility-type blade. In various other embodiments, the cutter  28  may be a hook blade, a tile blade, or a cutting implement other than a blade (e.g., a laser, a fluid stream, or an electric discharge device) depending upon the material being cut. It should be understood, in light of this disclosure, that the cutter  28  may represent more than one cutter. In various embodiments, the planar cutting tool  1  may include two or more cutters in any suitable arrangement (e.g., side by side, offset, and/or in a line along the longitudinal centerline  6 ). 
     It should be understood that the cutter assembly  32  may be any suitable cutting assembly. For example, in a particular embodiment, the cutting assembly  32  may be a retail utility knife, such as a Stanley™ Fat Max™ utility knife, which includes the cutter  28  and left and right housing portions  33  and  34 . In various embodiments, the cutting assembly  32  may be a custom assembly (e.g., not typically sold separately in stores). In particular embodiments, the cutting assembly  32  is configured to store at least one spare cutter (e.g., within the left and right housing portions  33  and  34 ). In this embodiment (and others) the cutter  28  may be changeable (e.g., a user can change the cutter  28  when it becomes dull, if it breaks, etc.). 
     Referring particularly to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 A, and  3 B, the cutting assembly  32  includes any number of fasteners, including a fastener  31  that operates to hold the left and right housing portions  33  and  34  together, and a fastener  36 , which operates to secure the cutter assembly to the planar body  3  via a cutter assembly adjustable support  39 . The fastener  31  is a rivet with an adjustable nut  37 , which functions to at least partially hold the cutter  28  in place. It should be understood, in light of this disclosure that fasteners  31  and  36  may be any suitable fastener and/or fasteners, including, for example, a nut and bolt, a rivet and nut, a weldment, etc. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 B, as mentioned above, the cutter assembly  32  is operatively connected to the cutter assembly adjustable support  39  by the fastener  36 . The cutter assembly adjustable support  39  is generally shaped as a substantially flat parallelogram and is coupled to the planar body  3  by a cutter front mount bracket assembly  40  that is “A-shaped” and a cutter rear mount bracket  55 . The cutter assembly adjustable support  39  is formed from a metal material, but may be any suitable material(s), including (but not limited to), steel, stainless steel, titanium, any suitable plastic (e.g., PVC), carbon fiber, and/or any composite material. 
     Referring particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 3B , the cutter front mount bracket assembly  40  has two mirror-image bent struts  41   a  and  41   b  that, together, form the “A-shape”, that couple to the planar body  3  by internal brackets  46  and  48  via respective fasteners  50  and  52 . The internal brackets  46  and  48  are integrally formed with the planar body  3  (e.g., the internal bracket  46  is partially cut from the planar body  3  and bent into a suitable position). In other embodiments, the internal brackets  46  and  48  may be separately formed and connected to the planar body  3  by suitable fasteners such as rivets, weldments, screws, or bolts. 
     Each A-shaped strut extends upward perpendicular to the top surface  4  ( FIG. 2 ) of the planar body  3  and contains a respective slot  42   a  and  42   b  formed through the strut. A first end of the cutter assembly adjustable support  39  is movably coupled to the A-shaped struts via an adjustable fastener  44  that passes through the aligned slots  42   a  and  42   b  and a hole (not numbered) formed in the first end of the cutter assembly adjustable support  39 . The mirror-image bent struts  41   a  and  41   b  are formed from a metal material, but may be any suitable material(s), including (but not limited to), steel, stainless steel, titanium, any suitable plastic (e.g., PVC), carbon fiber, and/or any composite material. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cutter assembly adjustable support  39  is operatively coupled to the cutter rear mount assembly  55  via a fastener  64  and a rear mount bracket  60 . The rear mount bracket  60  is integrally formed with the planar body  3  (e.g., three sides of the rear mount bracket  60  are cut from the planar body  3  and the rear mount bracket  60  is positioned by bending the rear mount bracket about a fourth side). The rear mount bracket  60  has a generally oblong slot  62  that receives the fastener  64 . That is, the fastener  64  passes through a hole (not shown) in the cutter assembly adjustable support  39  and the slot  62  to couple the cutter adjustable support  39  to the rear mount bracket  60 . The fastener  64  is a carriage head bolt and knurled O.D. nut type fastener, but it should be understood that the fastener  64  may be any suitable fastener, including, but not limited to a weldment, a nut and bolt wingnut, a screw, a snap, etc. 
     Planar Cutting Tool Operation 
     The planar cutting tool  1  may have many uses, including cutting heavy drywall and cementitious wall board, composite ceiling tiles, foam insulation, or any other of a number of various sheet or roll materials used in commercial and residential building construction. The planar cutting tool handles  20  and  30  are sized and located to provide ergonomic operation using two hands, with the front handle  20  generally providing guiding and down force on the plane and the rear handle  30  generally providing down force as well as force for forward motion, generally away from an operator (e.g., the operator pushes the planar cutting tool  1  away from themselves for cross-cutting the heavy drywall; or pushed parallel to operator for longitudinal cuts). In this way, the planar cutting tool  1  may offer substantial force applied to the cutting edge (e.g., of cutter  28 ) and ergonomic efficiency by enabling an operator to push the planar cutting tool  1  primarily with the operator&#39;s upper body. 
     The planar cutting tool  1  is configured so that the cutter  28  is adjustable. As discussed above, the cutter assembly adjustable support  39  is connected to the cutter front mount assembly  40  and the cutter rear mount assembly  55  such that the cutter assembly  32  is adjustable in a vertical direction (e.g., perpendicular to a top surface of the planar body  3 ), via the slots  42   a  and  42   b  in the front mount assembly  40  and the slot  62  in the rear mount assembly  55 . The angle of the cutter  28  relative to a bottom surface  5  of the planar body  3  can be adjusted by loosening the fasteners  50  and  52  of the front mount assembly and tilting the A-shaped struts  41   a  and  41   b  to an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the top surface  4  of the planar body  3  in conjunction with adjusting the fastener  44  and fastener  64  of the rear mount assembly  55 . In this way, the angle and depth of the cutter  28  (which is held by the cutter assembly  32 ) can be adjusted to any suitable angle and depth by adjusting the cutter front mount assembly  40  (e.g., by rotating the cutter front mount assembly about the fasteners  50  and  52 ) and the cutter assembly adjustable support  39  (e.g., by adjusting the cutter assembly adjustable support  39  vertically via fastener  44  at the cutter front mount assembly  40  and fastener  64  at the cutter rear mount assembly  55 ). 
     Planar Cutting Tool Alternate Embodiments 
     Several alternative embodiments of the planar cutting tool are described in  FIGS. 4-15 . The alternate embodiments may include features that are, in some respects, similar to the various components described above in  FIGS. 1-3B . For purposes of brevity and clarity, selected distinguishing features of these alternative embodiments are discussed below. For some of the alternate embodiments, for example, the cutter assembly could be reversed to orient the cutter so the planar cutting tool could be pulled generally toward the operator to cut material (e.g., as opposed to pushing the planar cutting tool). 
     First Alternate Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , a planar cutting tool  200  includes a planar body assembly  201 , a rear handle  210 , a support arm  214 , a front handle  216 , and a cutter holding assembly  222 . Turning specifically to  FIG. 5 , the planar body assembly  201  has a front end  202 , a rear end  204 , a first planar body  206 , and a second planar body  207 . The first planar body  206  includes a top surface  203 , a bottom surface  205 , a first upward bend  209  proximate the rear end  204  of the planar body assembly  201  (e.g., the planar body  206  is bent along a lateral axis, so a portion of the planar body  206  is bent in an upward direction relative to the top surface  203  of the planar body  206 ), and a second upward bend  211  proximate the front end  202  of the planar body assembly  201  for operatively coupling the planar body  206  to the support arm  214 , as further discussed below. The planar body  206  includes one or more side walls  208  (e.g., a side wall on each side) ( FIG. 4 ), which may be integrally formed with the planar body  206 . The one or more side walls  208  include one or more slots (not shown) to operatively connect to the second planar body  207 . The planar body  206  defines an opening  224  which a cutter  220  passes through. It should be understood, in light of this disclosure that the first planar body  206  is substantially similar to the planar body  3  as shown in  FIG. 1 , but it should be understood that the planar body  206  may be a different length, width, and/or material than the planar body  3  in  FIG. 1 . The second planar body  207  will be discussed in further detail below. 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 5 , the rear handle  210 , located proximate the rear end  204  of the first planar body  206 , is coupled to the first planar body  206  and the support arm  214  via a fastener  212 . The planar body  206  includes a hole (not shown) proximate the rear end  204  of the planar body that aligns with a through-bore  213  formed in the rear handle  210  and a hole proximate a rear end of the support arm  214  (not shown), which receives the fastener  212 . The fastener  212  is a nut and bolt configuration, but it should be understood that the fastener  212  may represent any suitable fastener or fasteners to operatively couple the rear handle  210  to the first planar body  206  and the support arm  214 . The through-bore  213  forms a central vertical axis  212   a  of the rear handle  210 . The rear handle  210  is substantially cylindrical and when mounted on the planar body  206 , the central vertical axis  212   a  forms an acute angle μ with the top surface  203  of the planar body  206 . It should be understood, in other embodiments, that the rear handle  210  may be formed in any suitable shape, such as an elongated rectangle, a substantially conical shape, etc., and may be operatively connected to the planar body  206  and the support arm  214  in any suitable way, such as by being integrally formed with either the planar body  206 , the support arm  214 , or both. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the support arm  214  is a substantially flat, elongated metal plate with a top surface  214   a , a bottom surface  214   b , and a substantially downward bend  214   c . The support arm  214  is operatively connected to the substantially spherical front handle  216  via an at least partially threaded bolt  217 . The support arm  214  includes a hole (not shown) for receiving the at least partially threaded bolt  217 , which is threadably connected to the front handle  216  via a threaded bore  217   a  in the front handle  216  (e.g., the at least partially threaded bolt  217  is received through the hole (not shown) in the support arm  214  and the front handle  216  screws onto the at least partially threaded bolt  217 ). It should be understood that the front handle  216  may be formed in any suitable shape such as rectangular, square, substantially T-shape, etc., or the front handle  216  may be integrally formed with the support arm  214 , and the at least partially threaded bolt  217  may represent any suitable fastener including, but not limited to, a weldment, a screw, a nut and bolt configuration, a snap, an epoxy, etc. 
     The support arm  214  is operatively coupled to the planar body  206  proximate the second upward bend  211  of the planar body  206  and the downward bend  214   c  of the support arm  214  via fasteners  215   a  and  215   b  ( FIG. 4 ). The planar body second upward bend  211  and the support arm downward bend  214   c  each include holes (not shown) for receiving the fasteners  215   a  and  215   b , which are a nut and bolt configuration. It should be understood that the fasteners  215   a  and  215   b  may represent any one or more suitable fasteners, such as one or more weldments, one or more screws, one or more snaps, one or more epoxies, etc. Additionally, it should be understood that the support arm  214  and the planar body  206  may be at least partially integrally formed. 
     The support arm  214  is operatively connected to the cutter holding assembly  222  by a weldment (not shown) to the bottom surface  214   b  of the support arm  214  and a cutter support arm  226 . The cutter support arm is also operatively coupled to the planar body  206  by a fastener  234  and an internal bracket  238 , which is welded to the planar body  206  (weldment not shown). The cutter holding assembly  222  operatively positions the cutter  220  through the opening  224 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 4A , the cutter holding assembly  222  includes a fastener assembly  236 , a cutter support bracket  228 , the cutter support arm  226 , the cutter  220 , a spare cutter  245 , a first cutter support plate  244 , a second cutter support plate  246 , and a fastener  232 . The cutter support bracket  228  is formed from metal, is substantially C-shaped, and includes a lip  240 , which passes through a slot  242  in the cutter support arm  226 , for holding the cutter  220  in position via a notch  220   a  in a non-cutting side of the cutter  220  (e.g., the lip  240  engages the notch  220   a  and at least partially prevents the cutter  220  from moving into the cutter holding assembly  222  or out of the cutter holding assembly  222 ). The lip  240  also passes through a slot  244   a  in the first cutter support plate  244  and a slot  246   a  in the second cutter support plate  246 . The first cutter support plate  244  and the second cutter support plate  246  at least partially hold the cutter  220  in position by pressing and holding the cutter  220  between the first cutter support plate  244  and the cutter support arm  226  via the fastener  232  and the fastener assembly  236 . The cutter support assembly  222  also holds the spare cutter  245  between the first cutter support plate  244  and the cutter support arm  226  (e.g., an operator can change the cutter  220  with the spare cutter  245  if the cutter  220  breaks, becomes dull, etc.). It should be understood that the cutter  220  may be any suitable cutter, including, but not limited, to the cutter  28  described above in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring once again to  FIG. 4 , as mentioned above, the planar body assembly  201  includes the second planar body  207 , which, as shown in  FIG. 5 , may enable an operator to move the cutter  220  into a cutting position, which will be discussed in further detail below. The second planar body  207  includes at least one slot  252 , which operatively connects the second planar body  207  to the first planar body  206  via a fastener  254  proximate the rear end  204 . The planar body  207  includes a second slot (not shown) substantially similar to the slot  252  on an opposite side wall, which operatively connects the second planar body  207  to the first planar body  206  via a fastener  256 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the second planar body  207  includes a top surface  207   a , a bottom surface  207   b , and an opening  260  sized and shaped to allow the cutter  220  to extend through the second planar body  207  (cutter  220  extending through the second planar body  207  not shown). The opening  260  may be, in one or more embodiments, substantially similar to the opening  224 . 
     Returning to the embodiment shown  FIG. 4 , the planar body assembly  201  proximate the front end includes two fasteners  262  and  264  that operatively connect the first planar body  206  to the second planar body  207  through holes in the first planar body  206  (not shown) and the second planar body  207  (not shown). The fasteners  262  and  264  are a nut and bolt configuration, but may be any suitable fasteners that allow the first planar body  206  and the second planar body  207  to pivot about the fasteners  262  and  264 . 
     The planar body assembly  201  includes one or more springs (not shown) that bias the first planar body  206  apart from the second planar body  207  (e.g., so when the one or more springs are extended, the cutter  220  does not substantially extend through the second planar body  207 , but when the one or more springs are compressed, the cutter  220  extends through the second planar body  207 ). In various embodiments, the one or more springs are located between the first planar body  206  and the second planar body  207 . In one or more embodiments, the one or more springs are operatively located between each of the fasteners  254  and  256  (e.g., there may be a spring between the fastener  254  and a top surface of the first planar body  206  and/or a spring between the fastener  256  and a top surface of the first planar body  206 ). It should be understood in light of this disclosure that any other mechanism known in the art may be used to bias the first planar body  206  away from the second planar body  207 . 
     First Alternate Embodiment Operation 
     A brief example of the operation of the embodiment of the planar cutting tool  200  shown in  FIGS. 4-5  may be useful. In this example, an operator holds the planar cutting tool via the front handle  216  and the rear handle  210 . The operator, in this example, places the planar cutting tool  200  on a piece of heavy drywall (or any other material the operator wishes to cut), with a bottom surface of the second planar body  207  resting substantially flat against the heavy drywall. The operator then, in this particular example, aligns the planar cutting tool  200  with the portion the operator wishes to cut in any suitable way, including but not limited to, using one or more notches, one or more holes in the planar cutting tool  200  (not shown), one or more accessories (including a slat jack, T-square, etc.), and/or one or more laser sights mounted to the planar cutting tool  200 . Once the planar cutting tool  200  is aligned, the operator exerts downward force on the rear handle  210 , which moves the first planar body  206  and the cutter holding assembly  222  downward, overcoming the bias of the one or more springs between the first planar body  206  and the second planar body  207  moving the cutter  220  through the opening  260  in the planar body  207 . In this way, in this example, the cutter  220  engages the heavy drywall. The operator then, in this example, pushes the planar cutting tool  200  forward, cutting the heavy drywall. 
     Second Alternate Embodiment 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  depict a second alternate exemplary embodiment of the planar cutting tool. In  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a planar cutting tool  300  that is similar in some aspects to the planar cutting tool  200  discussed above (as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  4 A, and  5 ) is shown. The planar cutting tool  300  is, generally speaking, the planar cutting tool  200  without the second planar body  207  ( FIG. 4 ) and with the cutter holding assembly  222  ( FIG. 4 ) oriented such that a cutter  322  in the present embodiment is in the opposite direction of the cutter  222  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 . In this way, the planar cutting tool  300  is a “draw” cutting tool (e.g., the operator pulls the cutting tool instead of pushing it) with the cutter  322  fixed in a cutting position when a bottom surface of the planar cutting tool  300  is substantially engaged with a cutting surface. Specific features of the planar cutting tool  300  will now be discussed. 
     Turning to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6 , the planar cutting tool  300  includes a planar body  301  that has a rear end  302  and a front end  304 . The planar body  301  is operatively connected to a rear handle  306  via a fastener  308  (or the rear handle  306  may be integrally formed with the planar body  301 ) and the rear handle  306  is operatively connected to the planar body  301  in the same way the rear handle  210  is operatively connected to the planar body  206  in  FIG. 4 . The rear handle  306  is operatively connected to a support arm  310 , which is operatively connected to a front handle  312 , via a suitable fastener  314  ( FIG. 7 ), or the front handle  312  may be integrally formed with the support arm  310 . The support arm  310  operatively connects to the planar body  301  proximate the front end  304  of the planar body  301  via one or more suitable fasteners  316  and  318 . The planar body  301  defines an opening  320 , which may be sized and shaped to allow the cutter  322  to pass through the planar body  301 . 
     The cutter  322  is positioned perpendicular to the planar body  301  and extends through the opening  320  (e.g., between the front end  304  of the planar cutting tool  300  and the rear end  302  of the planar cutting tool  300 ) such that a cutting portion of the cutter  320  may be facing toward the rear end  302  of the planar cutting tool  300 . The cutter  322  is positioned as such by the cutter holding assembly  330 , which may be operatively connected to the support arm  310  (e.g., by weldment and/or any other suitable fastener) and the planar body  301  via any suitable fastener  332 . The cutter holding assembly  330  is structurally substantially similar to the cutter holding assembly  222  as depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
     In various embodiments, the support arm  310  may be integrally formed with the planar body  301  (not shown). In further embodiments, the planar body  301 , the support arm  310 , and the rear handle  306  may be integrally formed (e.g., the planar body  301 , the support arm  310 , and the rear handle  306  are substantially one piece). 
     Third Alternate Embodiment 
       FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10  depict a third exemplary embodiment of the planar cutting tool. In  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 , a planar cutting tool  400  that is substantially similar to the planar cutting tool  300  discussed above (as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) is shown. The planar cutting tool  400  is, generally speaking, similar to the planar cutting tool  300  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , but the planar cutting tool  400  uses a different cutter holding assembly  430  (e.g., different than cutter holding assembly  330 ) that is similar, in some respects, in structure to the cutter assembly  32  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). Like the cutting tool  300  in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the planar cutting tool  400  is a “draw” cutting tool (e.g., the operator pulls the cutting tool instead of pushing the planar cutting tool  400  to cut material). Specific features of the planar cutting tool  400  will now be discussed. 
     Turning to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8 , the planar cutting tool  400  includes a planar body  401  that has a rear end  402  and a front end  404 . The planar body  401  is operatively connected to a rear handle  406  via a suitable fastener  408  (or the rear handle  406  may be integrally formed with the planar body  401 ). The rear handle  406  is operatively connected to a support arm  410 , which is operatively connected to a front handle  412 , via a suitable fastener  414  ( FIG. 10 ) or the front handle  412  is integrally formed with the support arm  410 . The support arm  410  operatively connects to the planar body  401  proximate the front end  404  of the planar body  401  via one or more suitable fasteners  416  and  418 . The planar body  401  defines an opening  420  that is sized and shaped to allow a cutter  422  ( FIG. 9 ) to pass through the planar body  401 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 9 , the planar cutting tool  400  includes a support bracket  424 . The support bracket  424  is integrally formed with the support arm  410 , but it should be understood that the support bracket  424  may be operatively connected to the support arm  410  by any suitable fastener, such as a weldment, a nut and bolt, a screw, a snap, etc. The support bracket  424  is operatively connected to the planar body  401  proximate the front end  404  of the planar cutting tool  400 . Although the support bracket  424  is shown as integrally formed with the planar body  401 , it should be understood, in light of this disclosure, that the support bracket  424  may be operatively connected with the support arm  410  and/or the planar body  401  via any suitable fastener. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the support bracket  424  operatively connects to a cutter housing  434  via a fastener  432  (e.g., the fastener  432  couples to the cutter housing  434  by a hole (not shown) in the cutter housing  434 ). The cutter housing  434  may be substantially similar to the left and right housing portions  33  and  34  as described above in  FIG. 1  (e.g., the cutter housing may be a retail utility-type knife that may, or may not, be modified to operatively connect to the support bracket  424  via the fastener  432 ), but it should be understood that the cutter housing  434  may be any suitable cutter housing, modified, or not modified. 
     Fourth Alternate Embodiment 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  depict a fourth exemplary embodiment of the planar cutting tool. In  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a planar cutting tool  500  is shown. The planar cutting tool  500  has one or more similar features as the planar cutting tool  400  discussed above (as shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10 ). The planar cutting tool  500  is, generally speaking, similar to the planar cutting tool  400 , except the planar cutting tool  500  may be adapted to include two rollers (e.g., two devices to reduce the friction between the planar cutting tool  500  and the cutting material and/or surface). Like the exemplary cutting tool  400  in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10 , the planar cutting tool  500  may be a “draw” cutting tool (e.g., the operator pulls the cutting tool (e.g., like planar cutting tool  300  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) instead of pushing the planar cutting tool to cut material). Specific features of the planar cutting tool  500  will now be discussed. 
     Turning to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 11 , the planar cutting tool  500  includes a planar body  501  that has a rear end  502  and a front end  504 . The planar body  501  operatively connects to a rear handle  506  via a suitable fastener  508  (or the rear handle  506  may be integrally formed with the planar body  501 ). The rear handle  506  operatively connects to a support arm  510  via the fastener  508 . The support arm operatively connects to a front handle  512 , via a suitable fastener  514  ( FIG. 12 ), or the front handle  512  may be integrally formed with the support arm  510 . The planar body  501  defines an opening  520 , which may be sized and shaped to allow a cutter  522  to pass through the planar body  501 . 
     Continuing with  FIG. 11 , the planar cutting tool  500  includes a support bracket  524 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the support bracket  524  is integrally formed with the support arm  510  and is operatively connected to the planar body  501  proximate the front end  504  of the planar cutting tool  500 . Although the support bracket  524  is shown as integrally formed, it should be understood, in light of this disclosure, that the support bracket  524  may be operatively connected with the support arm  510  and/or the planar body  501  via any suitable fastener. 
     The support bracket  524  operatively connects to a cutter housing  534  via a fastener  532 . The cutter housing  534  may be substantially similar to the left and right housing portions  33  and  34  as described above in  FIG. 1  (e.g., the cutter housing may be a retail utility-type knife that may be modified to operatively connect to the support bracket  524  via the fastener  532 ), but it should be understood that the cutter housing  534  may be any suitable cutter housing. 
     Continuing with  FIG. 11 , the planar cutting tool  500  includes two rollers  540  and  542 . The rollers  540  and  542  are substantially cylindrical wheels operatively connected to roller housings  544  and  546 , respectively. The rollers  540  and  542  are operatively connected to the roller housings  544  and  546  via rods  548  and  550 , respectively (e.g., each of the rods  548  and  550  pass through a hole (not shown) in the respective roller  540  and  542 ). Each rod  548  and  550  operatively connects to their respective roller housing  544  and  546  so that the rollers  540  and  542  rotate about the rods on axial bearings (not shown). The roller housings  544  and  546  are each substantially flat plates formed to a substantial downward C-shape (e.g., a C-shape that opens downward when a bottom surface  501   a  of the planar body  501  is in contact with a material to be cut by the planar cutting tool  500 ). 
     It should be understood, in light of this disclosure that the rollers  540  and  542  may be any suitable mechanisms for reducing the friction between the planar cutting tool  500  and a material (e.g., a material that is making contact with a bottom surface of the planar body  501 ) when the planar cutting tool is pulled (e.g., drawn) to cut the material such as, for example: (1) one or more bearings; (2) one or more wheels; (3) one or more lubricants (e.g., lubricants applied to any portion of the planar cutting tool  500 ). 
     Fifth Alternate Embodiment 
       FIGS. 13 ,  14 , and  15  depict a fifth exemplary embodiment of the planar cutting tool. In  FIGS. 13 ,  14 , and  15 , a planar cutting tool  600  is shown. The planar cutting tool  600  includes a body  602  that generally integrates a rear handle  604  and holds a cutter assembly  616  in position. The body  602  includes a left body portion  608 , a right body portion  610 , a bottom surface  612 , a slot  614  ( FIG. 14 ) for receiving the cutter  634 , a front end  618 , and a rear end  620 . The left body portion  608  and the right body portion  610  are formed from a hard metal (i.e. die-cast aluminum) and are operatively coupled together by a fastener  632 , which is a carriage head screw and nut configuration. It should be understood, in light of this disclosure, that the left body portion  608  and the right body portion  610  may be operatively coupled in any suitable way, including using internal snaps (not shown), weldment, epoxy, screws, bolts, etc., and may be formed from any suitable material including hard plastic, carbon fiber, etc. 
     The body  602  contains a T-shaped front handle  622  integral to the right body portion  610  proximate the front end  618  of the body  602 . It should be understood, in light of this disclosure, that the T-shaped front handle  612  may be operatively coupled to the body  602  in any suitable way depending on what material forms the body  602  (e.g., if the body  602  is a hard plastic, an epoxy may be used to couple the T-shaped front handle  622  to the body  602 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the body  602  receives the cutter  634  through the slot  614 . The cutter assembly  616  is integral to the body  602 . The slot  614  is sized and shaped to hold the cutter  634  in a position so that the cutter  634  is positioned to cut a material when the planar cutting tool  600  is pulled by an operator (e.g., when the bottom surface  612  of the body  602  is in contact with at least a portion of the material). The cutting tool  600  may also be used when the bottom surface  612  is parallel to, or at an angle to, the cutting surface of the material. The cutter assembly  616  is substantially similar to the cutter assembly  32  as shown in  FIG. 1 , except the cutter assembly  616  has been shortened (e.g., the distance between the cutter  634  and the opposite end of the cutter assembly  616  is shorter than the distance between the cutter  28  and the opposite end of the cutter assembly  32  as shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     Sixth Alternate Embodiment 
       FIGS. 16A and 16B  show a sixth alternate exemplary embodiment of a planar cutting tool  700 , which includes a cutting assembly that is substantially similar to that shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 13-15 . This embodiment, as shown, has an alternate rear handle  702 , a planar base  704 , a cutter assembly  706 , and a T-shaped front handle  708 . The rear handle  702  holds the cutter assembly  706  in position and is operatively coupled to the planar base  704  via a suitable fastener  710  ( FIG. 16B ) (e.g., a pin and hole configuration where the tension of the planar base  704  holds the rear handle  702  substantially in position in conjunction with a fastener  712 ). The T-shaped front handle  708  is coupled (e.g., connected or integrally formed) to the rear handle  702  and operatively coupled to the planar base by the nut and bolt arrangement fastener  712  (or any other suitable fastener discussed herein). It should be noted, that in this particular embodiment, an operator can either push or pull the planar cutting tool  700  with one hand or both hands. For example, if the operator grips the rear handle  702  with one hand while the planar base  704  is in contact with a cutting surface, the operator can push (as opposed to pulling using the front handle  708  in conjunction with the rear handle  702 ) the planar cutting tool  700  using only the rear handle. 
     Additional Planar Cutting Tool Notes 
     The planar cutting tool, as described herein, may incorporate any of the above features into any of the designs described. In various embodiments, for example, the planar cutting tool of embodiment 1 (e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) may incorporate a custom cutter assembly substantially similar to the custom cutter assembly in the planar cutting tool of embodiment 300 (e.g.,  FIG. 4A ). Any of the embodiments discussed above may be operational in either a draw (e.g., an operator pulls the planar cutting tool to cut material) or a push direction (e.g., the operator pushes the planar cutting tool to cut material). 
     Any of the planar cutting tool embodiments described herein may include additional features. In various embodiments, the planar cutting tool includes an adjustable handle (e.g., the front handle and/or the rear handle are adjustable). In one or more embodiments, the planar cutting tool includes a laser guide (e.g., a retail laser guide such as a Bosch Self-Leveling Cross-Line Laser, Model No. GLL2-40, or any other suitable model) mounted to the planar cutting tool in any suitable location. In further embodiments, the planar cutting tool includes one or more motors to assist with moving the planar cutting tool (e.g., a motor that drives rollers such as the planar cutting tool  500  shown in  FIG. 11 ) and/or moving the cutter (e.g., in a sawing and/or lateral motion). 
     CONCLUSION 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For example, as will be understood by one skilled in the relevant field in light of this disclosure, the invention may take form in a variety of different mechanical and operational configurations. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that the modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended exemplary concepts. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purposes of limitation. The description of the above exemplary embodiments should teach one of skill in the art that many more alternatives exist.