Patent Publication Number: US-7591211-B2

Title: Cutting apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a cutting apparatus, and more particularly to an automatic cutting apparatus 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Conventionally, cutting apparatuses are used for cutting sheet articles such as papers. Typically, the cutting apparatuses are classified into two types, i.e. a small-size manual cutting apparatus for use in homes or offices and a large-size automatic cutting apparatus for use in factories. In other words, the cutting apparatuses applied to homes or offices are usually small and manually operated. Nowadays, since the cutting apparatuses are developed toward increasing diversity, many different types of cutting apparatuses are disclosed. For example, a small-size automatic cutting apparatus is disclosed in Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 1239280, and the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
   As known, the configurations of the small-size automatic cutting apparatuses are complicated and costly. For complying with different thickness specifications of sheet articles, many components included in the automatic cutting apparatuses should be replaced with new ones. In other words, the application of individual automatic cutting apparatus is limited. Therefore, there is a need to provide a cutting apparatus having extensible applications and simple configurations. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a cutting apparatus having simple configurations. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a cutting apparatus having extensible applications. 
   In accordance to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cutting apparatus. The cutting apparatus includes a cutting platform, a first lateral plate and a second lateral plate, a first guiding track and a second guiding track, a motor, a gear set, a cutting member and a rotational direction switching unit. The first lateral plate and the second lateral plate are arranged at opposed sides of the cutting platform. The first guiding track and the second guiding track are arranged on the first lateral plate and the second lateral plate, respectively, and face to each other. The motor is disposed on the cutting platform. The gear set includes a first gear part and a second gear part disposed on a first surface and a second surface of the second lateral plate, respectively. The first gear part is connected to the motor, the second gear part is connected to a protrusion member, and the center line of the protrusion member is shifted from the center line of the second gear part. The cutting member is arranged between the first guiding track and the second guiding track and movable along the first guiding track and the second guiding track. The rotational direction switching unit is interconnected between the protrusion member and the cutting member and includes a gliding channel for receiving the protrusion member therein. The rotational direction switching unit renders a linear cutting operation of the cutting member when the protrusion member is driven by the gear set to rotate in a circular motion. 
   In an embodiment, the first guiding track and the second guiding track are arranged in a vertical direction such that the cutting member is moved along the first guiding track and the second guiding track to implement the linear cutting operation in the vertical direction. 
   In an embodiment, the protrusion member is a cylindrical post disposed on a side surface of the second gear part. 
   In an embodiment, the protrusion member is substantially a crank including a protrusion arm, a first cylindrical post and a second cylindrical post. The first cylindrical post and the second cylindrical post are respectively formed on an upper end and a lower end of the protrusion arm. The first cylindrical post is pivotally coupled to the gear set at the center line thereof such that the center line of the second cylindrical post is shifted from the center line of the gear set. 
   In an embodiment, the cutting member has a slanted and curved knife edge. 
   In an embodiment, the rotational direction switching unit comprises a gliding block, a rotating shaft and a handling element. The gliding block includes the gliding channel for receiving the protrusion member therein. The protrusion member is linearly moved along the gliding channel back and forth when the protrusion member is rotated in the circular motion, wherein the center line of the gliding channel is shifted from the center line of the gliding block. The rotating shaft has a first end and a second end penetrating through the first lateral plate and the second lateral plate, respectively. The second end of the rotating shaft is connected to an end of the gliding block such that the rotating shaft is rotated with synchronous linear movement of the protrusion member of the gliding block. The handling element has a first end sheathed around the rotating shaft and a second end in contact with a sidewall of a hole of the cutting member. The handling element is upwardly or downwardly sustained against the sidewall of the hole such that the cutting member is linearly moved along the first guiding track and the second guiding track. 
   In an embodiment, the gliding channel is adjacent to a side of the gliding block, and defined by a first arc-shaped end part, a second arc-shaped end part, a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bottom surface, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are parallel with each other and connected between the first arc-shaped end part and the second arc-shaped end part. 
   In an embodiment, the gliding channel is a hollow gliding channel defined by a first arc-shaped end part, a second arc-shaped end part, a first sidewall and a second sidewall, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are parallel with each other and connected between the first arc-shaped end part and the second arc-shaped end part. 
   In an embodiment, the handling element includes a ring-shaped collar and a protrusion rod. The ring-shaped collar is sheathed around the rotating shaft. The protrusion rod is extended from the ring-shaped collar and sustained against the sidewall of the hole. 
   In an embodiment, the protrusion rod of the handling element has an inclined upper surface and/or an inclined lower surface sustained against the sidewall of the hole. 
   In accordance to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cutting apparatus. The cutting apparatus includes a motor, a gear set, a gliding block, a rotating shaft and a handling element. The gear set includes a first gear part and a second gear part. The first gear part is connected to the motor, the second gear part is connected to a protrusion member, and the center line of the protrusion member is shifted from the center line of the second gear part. The gliding block includes a gliding channel for receiving the protrusion member therein. The protrusion member is linearly moved along the gliding channel back and forth when the protrusion member is driven by the gear set to rotate in a circular motion. The rotating shaft has a first end and a second end penetrating through a first lateral plate and a second lateral plate, respectively. The second end of the rotating shaft is connected to an end of the gliding block such that the rotating shaft is rotated with synchronous linear movement of the protrusion member of the gliding block. The handling element has a first end sheathed around the rotating shaft and a second end operated to have the cutting member linearly moved along a first guiding track and a second guiding track, which are arranged on said first lateral plate and said second lateral plate, respectively. 
   In accordance to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cutting apparatus. The cutting apparatus includes a motor, a first lateral plate and a second lateral plate, a first guiding track and a second guiding track, a gear set, a cutting member, a rotating shaft, a gliding block and a cutting structure. The first guiding track and the second guiding track are arranged on the first lateral plate and the second lateral plate, respectively. The gear set includes a first gear part and a second gear part disposed on a first surface and a second surface of the second lateral plate, respectively. The first gear part is connected to the motor, the second gear part is connected to a protrusion member, and the center line of the protrusion member is shifted from the center line of the second gear part. The cutting member is arranged between the first guiding track and the second guiding track and movable along the first guiding track and the second guiding track. The rotating shaft has a first end and a second end penetrating through the first lateral plate and the second lateral plate, respectively, wherein the second end of the rotating shaft is adjacent to the protrusion member. The gliding block is interconnected between the protrusion member and the rotating shaft and includes a gliding channel for receiving the protrusion member therein. The second end of the rotating shaft is connected to an end of the gliding block such that the rotating shaft is rotated with synchronous linear movement of the protrusion member of the gliding block. The protrusion member is linearly moved along the gliding channel back and forth when the protrusion member is driven by the gear set to rotate in a circular motion. The cutting structure includes a cutting member pivotally coupled to the rotating shaft and movable along the first guiding track and the second guiding track in response to rotation of the rotating shaft. 
   The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1(   a ),  1 ( b ),  1 ( c ) and  1 ( d ) are schematic perspective views illustrating successive operations of a cutting apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2(   a ) is a schematic partial side view illustrating the second gear part, the protective casing and the protrusion member included in the cutting apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2(   b ) is a schematic partial side view illustrating the gliding block included in the cutting apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view of a cutting apparatus according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4(   a ) is a schematic partial side view illustrating the second gear part of the gear set and the protrusion member included in the cutting apparatus of  FIG. 3 ; and 
       FIG. 4(   b ) is a schematic partial side view illustrating the gliding block included in the cutting apparatus of  FIG. 3 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed. 
   Hereinafter, the successive operations of a cutting apparatus according to the present invention will be illustrated in more details with reference to  FIGS. 1(   a ),  1 ( b ),  1 ( c ) and  1 ( d ). In  FIG. 1(   a ), the cutting apparatus  10  is operated in a standby mode. In  FIG. 1(   b ), the cutting member  18  of the cutting apparatus  10  is lowered and a cutting operation is being implemented. In  FIG. 1(   c ), the cutting operation of the cutting member  18  has been implemented. In  FIG. 1(   d ), the cutting member  18  of the cutting apparatus  10  is uplifted.  FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b ) are partial side and front views illustrating some components included in the cutting apparatus of  FIG. 1(   a ), respectively. 
   Please refer to  FIG. 1(   a ) and also  FIG. 2 . The cutting apparatus  10  principally includes a cutting platform  11 , a motor  12 , a gear set  13 , a protrusion member  14 , a gliding block  15 , a rotating shaft  16 , two handling elements  171 ,  172 , and a cutting member  18 . A first lateral plate  111  and a second lateral plate  112  are respectively arranged at opposed sides of the cutting platform  11  in the length direction. A first guiding track  1111  and a second guiding track (not shown) are arranged on the first lateral plate  111  and the second lateral plate  112 , respectively, and face to each other. 
   For facilitating the first lateral plate  111  and the second lateral plate  112  to be stably stood on the cutting platform  11  during the cutting operation, the first lateral plate  111  and the second lateral plate  112  are supported by a first inclined plate  1112  and a second inclined plate  1122 , respectively. Moreover, a horizontal rod  113  is interconnected between the first lateral plate  111  and the second lateral plate  112  in order to facilitate secure attachment of the cutting apparatus  10 . 
   The cutting member  18  is movable along the first guiding track  1111  and the second guiding track in the upward or downward direction. The cutting member  18  has a knife edge  183  for cutting sheet articles such as papers. In this embodiment, the knife edge  183  is made slanted and curved. It is noted that, however, those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the knife edge  183  may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. For example, the knife edge  183  having a wavy or saw-toothed structure is feasible for implementing the cutting operation. 
   The motor  12  is mounted on the cutting platform  11  and behind the cutting member  18 . The gear set  13  includes a first gear part  131  and a second gear part  132 . The first gear part  131  is disposed at a first surface of the second lateral plate  112  and rotatably connected to the motor  12 . The second gear part  132  is disposed at a second surface of the second lateral plate  112 , and connected to the protrusion member  14 . For protecting the second gear part  132  from being touched by the user&#39;s hand or a part of the body, a protective casing  19  is provided between the second gear part  132  and the protrusion member  14  so as to enclose the second gear part  132 . 
   The detailed operations of the cutting apparatus  10  will be illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ( a ) and  2 ( b ).  FIG. 2(   a ) is a schematic partial side view illustrating the second gear part  132 , the protective casing  19  and the protrusion member  14 .  FIG. 2(   b ) is a schematic partial front view illustrating the gliding block  15 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b ), the protrusion member  14  is substantially a crank including a protrusion arm  140 , a first cylindrical post  141  and a second cylindrical post  142 . The first cylindrical post  141  and the second cylindrical post  142  are formed on an upper end and a lower end of the protrusion arm  140 . The first cylindrical post  141  penetrates through an opening (not shown) of the protective casing  19  and is pivotally coupled to the second gear part  132  at the center line C 11  of the second gear part  132 . Under this circumstance, the center line C 12  of the second cylindrical post  142  is shifted from the center line C 11  of the second gear part  132 . When the second gear part  132  is rotated, the second cylindrical post  142  is driven to permit eccentric rotation with respect to the center line C 11  of the second gear part  132 . 
     FIG. 2(   b ) is a schematic partial side view illustrating the gliding block  15 . The gliding block  15  includes a hollow gliding channel  150 . The hollow gliding channel  150  is defined by a first arc-shaped end part  1501 , a second arc-shaped end part  1502 , a first sidewall  1503  and a second sidewall  1504 . The first sidewall  1503  and the second sidewall  1504  are parallel with each other and connected between the first arc-shaped end part  1501  and the second arc-shaped end part  1502 . The second cylindrical post  142  is received within the hollow gliding channel  150  of the gliding block  15 . When the second cylindrical post  142  is rotated with respect to the center line C 11  of the second gear part  132 , the second cylindrical post  142  is linearly moved along the hollow gliding channel  150  back and forth. 
   The center line C 14  of the hollow gliding channel  150  is shifted from the center line C 13  of the gliding block  15 . An end of the gliding block  15  is coupled to the second end  162  of the rotating shaft  16  such that the rotating shaft  16  is rotated with synchronous movement of the gliding block  15 . 
   Please refer to  FIG. 1(   a ) again. The handling elements  171 ,  172  include ring-shaped collars  1711 ,  1721  beside the first end  161  and the second end  162  of the rotating shaft  16 , respectively. The ring-shaped collars  1711  and  1721  are sheathed around the rotating shaft  16 . The first end  161  and the second end  162  of the rotating shaft  16  penetrate through the first lateral plate  111  and the second lateral plate  112 , so that the rotating shaft  16  is rotatable between the first lateral plate  111  and the second lateral plate  112 . The handling elements  171 ,  172  further includes protrusion rods  1712 ,  1722  extended from the ring-shaped collars  1711 ,  1721 , respectively. The protrusion rods  1712  and  1722  penetrate through corresponding holes  181  and  182  of the cutting member  18 , respectively. 
   In some embodiments, the protrusion rods  1712  and  1722  have inclined upper surfaces sustained against the upper walls of the holes  181  and  182  of the cutting member  18 . Due to the inclined upper surfaces of the protrusion rods  1712  and  1722 , the frictional force generated between the protrusion rods  1712 ,  1722  and the holes  181 ,  182  when the cutting member  18  is uplifted or lowered is reduced. It is noted that, however, those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the protrusion rods  1712  and  1722  may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. For example, the protrusion rods  1712  and  1722  may have inclined lower surfaces. Alternatively, the protrusion rods  1712  and  1722  may have inclined upper surfaces and inclined lower surfaces. 
   For illustration, the gliding block  15 , the rotating shaft  16  and the handling elements  171 ,  172  are cooperatively referred as a rotational direction switching unit. By means of the rotational direction switching unit, the circular motion of the protrusion member  14  is switched to the linear cutting motion of the cutting member  18 . 
   Please refer to  FIGS. 1(   a ),  1 ( b ),  1 ( c ) and  1 ( d ). The successive operations of the cutting apparatus  10  will be illustrated as follows. 
   In  FIG. 1(   a ), the cutting apparatus  10  is operated in a standby mode. Meanwhile, the second cylindrical post  142  of the protrusion member  14  is embedded in the hollow gliding channel  150  at substantially the middle position thereof. In addition, the inclined upper surfaces of the protrusion rods  1712  and  1722  are sustained against the upper walls of the holes  181  and  182  of the cutting member  18 . Under this circumstance, the cutting member  18  is located at the uppermost positions of the first guiding track  1111  and the second guiding track. 
   After the motor  12  is started, the gear set  13  and the protrusion member  14  are driven to rotate along an anti-clockwise direction, and thus the gliding block  15  is synchronously rotated along the anti-clockwise direction with rotation of the protrusion member  14 . As a result, the second cylindrical post  142  is moved along the hollow gliding channel  150  toward the second arc-shaped end part  1502 , as is shown in  FIG. 1(   b ). According to the lever principle, the junction between the gliding block  15  and the second end  162  of the rotating shaft  16  is swung downwardly. Meanwhile, the lower surfaces of the protrusion rods  1712  and  1722  are downwardly sustained against the lower walls of the holes  181  and  182  of the cutting member  18 , and thus a cutting operation begins. 
   The gear set  13  and the protrusion member  14  are continuously driven by the motor  12  to rotate along the anti-clockwise direction. As the gliding block  15  is synchronously rotated along the anti-clockwise direction with rotation of the protrusion member  14 , the second cylindrical post  142  is moved along the hollow gliding channel  150  from the second arc-shaped end part  1502  to the middle position thereof, as is shown in  FIG. 1(   c ). Meanwhile, the cutting operation has been completely implemented. 
   The gear set  13  and the protrusion member  14  are continuously driven by the motor  12  to rotate along the anti-clockwise direction. As the gliding block  15  is synchronously rotated along the anti-clockwise direction with rotation of the protrusion member  14 , the second cylindrical post  142  is moved along the hollow gliding channel  150  toward the first arc-shaped end part  1501 , as is shown in  FIG. 1(   d ). Similarly, according to the lever principle, the junction between the gliding block  15  and the second end  162  of the rotating shaft  16  is swung upwardly. Meanwhile, the inclined upper surfaces of the protrusion rods  1712  and  1722  are upwardly sustained against the upper walls of the holes  181  and  182  of the cutting member  18 , thereby uplifting the cutting member  18 . 
   As the gear set  13  and the protrusion member  14  are continuously driven by the motor  12  to rotate along the anti-clockwise direction, the second cylindrical post  142  is moved along the hollow gliding channel  150  from the first arc-shaped end part  1501  to the middle position thereof, as is shown in  FIG. 1(   a ). Meanwhile, the cutting member  18  is moved along the first guiding track  1111  and the second guiding track to the uppermost ends thereof again. 
   A further embodiment of a cutting apparatus  20  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment, the cutting platform  21 , the motor  22 , the gear set  23 , the rotating shaft  26 , the handling elements  271 ,  272  and the cutting member  28  included therein are similar to those shown in  FIG. 1(   a ), and are not redundantly described herein. 
   A first lateral plate  211  and a second lateral plate  212  are respectively arranged at opposed sides of the cutting platform  11  in the length direction. A first guiding track  2111  and a second guiding track (not shown) are arranged on the first lateral plate  211  and the second lateral plate  212 , respectively, and face to each other. 
   For facilitating the first lateral plate  211  and the second lateral plate  212  to be stably stood on the cutting platform  21  during the cutting operation, the first lateral plate  211  and the second lateral plate  212  are supported by a first inclined plate  2112  and a second inclined plate  2122 , respectively. Moreover, a horizontal rod  213  is interconnected between the first lateral plate  211  and the second lateral plate  212  in order to facilitate secure attachment of the cutting apparatus  20 . 
   In comparison with the cutting apparatus  10  shown in  FIG. 1(   a ), the protrusion member  24  and the gliding block  25  included in the cutting apparatus  20  of this embodiment is distinguished and the protective casing  19  used in  FIG. 1(   a ) is dispensed with.  FIG. 4(   a ) is a schematic partial side view illustrating the second gear part  232  of the gear set  23  and the protrusion member  24 . The protrusion member  24  is substantially a cylindrical post disposed on a side surface of the second gear part  232 . Moreover, the center line C 22  of the cylindrical post  24  is shifted from the center line C 21  of the second gear part  232 . When the second gear part  232  is rotated, the cylindrical post  24  is driven to permit eccentric rotation with respect to the center line C 21  of the second gear part  232 . 
     FIG. 4(   b ) is a schematic partial side view illustrating the gliding block  25 . The gliding block  25  includes a gliding channel  250 . The gliding channel  250  is defined by a first arc-shaped end part  2501 , a second arc-shaped end part  2502 , a first sidewall  2503 , a second sidewall  2504  and a bottom surface (not shown). The first sidewall  2503  and the second sidewall  2504  are parallel with each other and connected between the first arc-shaped end part  2501  and the second arc-shaped end part  2502 . The cylindrical post  24  is received within the gliding channel  250  of the gliding block  25 . After the cylindrical post  24  is rotated with respect to the center line C 21  of the second gear part  232  for a revolution, the cylindrical post  24  is linearly moved along the gliding channel  250  back and forth. 
   Similarly, the gliding block  25 , the rotating shaft  26  and the handling elements  271 ,  272  are cooperated to switch the circular motion of the protrusion member  24  to the linear cutting motion of the cutting member  28 . The detailed operation principles of rendering the linear cutting motion of the cutting member  28  are similar to those shown in the first preferred embodiment, and are not redundantly described herein. 
   Moreover, the cutting apparatus of the present invention is capable of cutting various sheet articles with different thickness by changing the gear ratio of the gear set. As a result, the cutting apparatus of the present invention is advantageous of having extensible applications and simple configurations. 
   While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.