Patent Publication Number: US-11642807-B2

Title: Support for cutting a linear product

Description:
FIELD 
     The disclosure is generally directed at supports for enabling cutting, and more specifically to a support for enabling cutting of a linear product. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When individuals try and make a cut through an item, there is a need to secure the item prior to cutting so that the item does move during the cutting process. If the item moves, there may be damage to the item or an error in the cut where the cutting process has to be repeated, usually with a replacement item. More seriously, injury may occur to the individual doing the cutting if the item moves during the cutting process. 
     To protect the foundations of buildings, eavestroughs, also known as gutters, are installed under the edge of a roof to collect and manage the flow of rainwater off of the roof and away from the base of the building. Leaves, pine needles, and other debris dropped onto the roof can collect in the eavestroughs, this in turn can clog the eavestroughs and downspouts causing the rainwater to overflow the eavestrough and collect around the base of the building. Debris guards can be installed on eavestroughs to reduce the amount of or prevent debris from entering the eavestrough while still allowing the water to flow through. 
     As every building has a custom layout of eavestrough to match the shape of the roof line, the installation of the debris guard must be customized on site to match the size and shape of the building eavestrough layout. Proper and efficient installation of any system is of the highest importance to overall performance, cost and longevity. Eavestrough debris guards perform optimally when all of the adjoining sections of the debris guard are cut straight and to appropriate dimensions. The debris guard may be cut to size with a hand saw and minimal tools, however this can make it difficult to get an accurate and completely straight cut. 
     Therefore, there is an unmet need in the art for a novel support for cutting a linear product with improved ease, efficiency, and accuracy. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure is directed at a support for enabling cutting of a linear product. In select embodiments, the disclosure is directed at a support for enabling cutting of an eavestrough debris guard. 
     In select embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a support for enabling cutting of a linear product, the support including a contoured top having a profile complementary to a bottom portion of the linear product. The support includes a pair of sidewalls extending from the contoured top, each sidewall shaped to receive the linear product. The support includes a plurality of clips positioned within the sidewalls to engage with a top of the linear product to lock the linear product in place in a first position and to disengage with the top of the linear product to release the linear product in a second position. The support includes a set of gaps within the contoured top and the pair of sidewalls, the set of gaps shaped and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a cutting tool. 
     In select embodiments, the plurality of clips extend from or are coupled to the contoured top. In select embodiments, at least one of the plurality of clips is movable in a direction towards and away from the linear product. In select embodiments, the at least one of the plurality of clips comprises a profile that mirrors one of the pair of sidewalls. 
     In select embodiments, the linear product is an eavestrough debris guard. In select embodiments, the pair of sidewalls are positioned opposite each other. In select embodiments, the support further includes a clamp wherein the clamp is rotatable between an engaged position and an unengaged position for holding the linear product in place in the engaged position. In select embodiments, the clamp is locked in the engaged position by one of the plurality of clips. 
     In select embodiments, the set of gaps is dimensioned to receive a blade of a manual saw. In select embodiments, the contoured top comprises at least one depression complementary to at least one extension of the linear product. In select embodiments, the contoured top comprises at least one protrusion complementary to a gap between extensions of the linear product. In select embodiments, the support further includes a plurality of fastening holes passing through the contoured top. 
     In select embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of supporting a linear product. The method includes engaging a bottom portion of the linear product with a contoured top of a support, the contoured top having a profile complementary a profile of the bottom portion of the linear product. The method includes receiving two sides of the linear product with a pair of sidewalls extending from the contoured top, and engaging a top of the linear product with a plurality of clips. 
     In select embodiments, engaging a top of the linear product with a plurality of clips includes engaging the top of the linear product with at least one movable clip. In select embodiments, the method further includes engaging a top of the linear product with a clamp by rotating the clamp from a disengaged position to an engaged position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the disclosure and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. The drawings are not to scale. 
         FIG.  1    is a top perspective view of a support for cutting a linear product according to an embodiment herein; 
         FIG.  2    is a top perspective view of the support of  FIG.  1    coupled to a linear product; 
         FIG.  3 A  is a top view of the support of  FIG.  1    coupled to the linear product; 
         FIG.  3 B  is a side cross-sectional view of the support coupled to the linear product taken along line A-A of  FIG.  3 A ; 
         FIG.  4    is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a support for cutting a linear product; 
         FIG.  5    is a top perspective view of the support of  FIG.  4    coupled to a linear product; 
         FIG.  6 A  is a top view of the support of  FIG.  4    coupled to the linear product; 
         FIG.  6 B  is a side cross-sectional view of the support coupled to the linear product taken along line B-B of  FIG.  6 A ; 
         FIG.  7    is a top perspective view of a further embodiment of a support for cutting a linear product; 
         FIG.  8 A  is a top view of the support of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  8 B  is a side cross-sectional view of the support of  FIG.  7    taken along line C-C of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a top perspective view of the support of  FIG.  7    coupled to a linear product; 
         FIG.  10 A  is a top view of the support of  FIG.  7    coupled to the linear product; and 
         FIG.  10 B  is a side cross-sectional view of the support coupled to the linear product taken along line D-D of  FIG.  10 A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Specific embodiments of the present disclosure are now described with reference to the figures, wherein like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses of the disclosure. Directional terms used within the specification are with respect to the way in which the figure is presented unless otherwise described. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
       FIG.  1    is a top perspective view of a support  100  for cutting a linear product according to an embodiment herein. The support  100  includes a contoured top  102 , a plurality of sidewalls  104  and a plurality of clips  106 . The sidewalls  104  (which may be seen as sidewalls  104   a  and  104   b ) are located on opposite sides of the contoured top  102  and extend from the contoured top  102 . The sidewalls  104  may include different sections which are angled with respect to each other to receive a linear product whereby a profile of the sidewall may be somewhat complementary with a side profile of the linear product. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , clips  106  are coupled to, mounted to, or integrally moulded to the sidewalls  104 . Although not shown in  FIG.  1   , clips  106  are also coupled to, mounted to, or integrally moulded to the sidewall  104   b . In the present embodiment, the clips  106  are integrated with a portion of the sidewalls  104 , however in alternate embodiments, the clips may be coupled to the sidewalls  104 , coupled to the contoured top  102 , or otherwise coupled to part of the support  100 . 
     Contoured top  102  includes a depression  108  and a protrusion  110  that, in the present embodiment, define a portion of a profile  112  of the contoured top  102 . The profile  112  of the contoured top  102  is designed to receive a linear product that has a somewhat complementary profile, as will be discussed below. Depending on a design of the linear product, the contoured top  102  may include any number of depressions and protrusions. 
     The support  100  further includes gaps  114  for receiving and/or guiding a cutting tool, such as, but not limited to a saw blade, during a cutting process (as will be described in more detail below). The gaps  114  may be shaped and dimensioned to allow passage of at least a portion of the cutting tool, and have a depth to allow a through cut of the linear product. In other words, gaps  114  allow a cutting tool to cut entirely across the linear product. In some embodiments, the gaps  114  are shaped and dimensioned to allow passage of a blade of a manual saw, e.g. a hacksaw. In other embodiments, the gaps  114  may be dimensioned to allow passage of a blade of a handheld power tool. The support  110  may further include fastening holes  116  that may allow the support  100  to be fastened to another object, e.g. a surface, to stabilize the support  100  during cutting 
       FIG.  2    is a top perspective view of the support of  FIG.  1    coupled to, or receiving, a linear product  200 . In the present embodiment, the linear product  200  is an eavestrough debris guard, such as disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0308839 entitled Eavestrough Debris Guard filed Mar. 25, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference. In other embodiments, the linear product may be a product other than an eavestrough debris guard where the linear product has a contoured shape. As a non-exclusive example, linear products may be manufactured by extruding a material through a die having a profile matching the desired profile of the linear product. Non-exclusive examples of materials from which linear products may be manufactured include plastic and/or metal, e.g. aluminum. 
     In some embodiments, the linear product  200  has a profile that does not vary (outside of manufacturing tolerances) along its linear (long) axis, however the profile is non-linear across the lateral and vertical axes of the linear product. 
     Linear product  200  includes a frame portion  201  that includes side portions  204  and a central portion  203  therebetween, the central portion  203  including a plurality of extensions  202 . In the present embodiment, depression  108  is complementary to one of the extensions  202  (seen as extension  202   a ), while protrusion  110  is complementary to a gap between a pair of extensions  202 . In one embodiment, in order to provide an improved fit between the linear product  200  and the support  100 , the profile of the contoured top  102  is somewhat complementary to a profile of the bottom portion of the linear product  200 . Somewhat complementary means that the profiles are somewhat similar without needing to be identical or perfectly match each other. In some embodiments, the profile of the contoured top  102  at least partially follows the contours of the bottom portion of the linear product  200 . 
       FIG.  3 A  is a top view of the support  100  coupled to the linear product  200 .  FIG.  3 B  is a side cross-sectional view of the support  100  coupled to the linear product  200  taken along line A-A of  FIG.  3 A . As shown in the magnified portions of  FIG.  3 B , the sidewalls  104  engage with the side portions  204  of the linear product  200  to reduce movement, such as in a lateral direction, of the linear product  200 , especially during cutting. As discussed above, the profile or shape of the sidewalls  104  is designed to be somewhat complementary to the profile of the side portion  204 . The sidewalls  104  allow the support  100  to securely hold or support the linear product  200  during cutting of the linear product  200 . Also, as shown in the magnified portions of  FIG.  3 B , the clips  106  engage with a top portion  206  of the linear product  200  to reduce or eliminate vertical movement of the linear product  200 . It is appreciated that vertical movement of the linear product  200  may be reduced even if only a portion of the clips  106  are in direct contact with the linear product  200 , for example due to variations in the dimensions of either the support  100  or the linear product  200  within manufacturing tolerances, or due to bending of either the support  100  or the linear product  200 . 
     In one embodiment, the clips  106  are made from a resilient material to allow some movement of the linear product  200 , which may reduce the magnitude of forces applied to the linear product  200  as the linear product  200  is being cut. In alternative embodiments, the clips  106  may be rigid. In the present embodiment, support  100  includes four clips  106 , however in alternative embodiments; the support may include any number of clips  106 . In order to remove the linear product  200  from the support  100 , the clip  106  may be depressed so that the linear product  200  can move past the clip  106  in a direction away from the bottom of the support  100 . 
       FIG.  4    is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a support  300  for cutting a linear product.  FIG.  5    is a top perspective view of the support  300  coupled to a linear product  200 .  FIG.  6 A  is a top view of the support  300  coupled to the linear product  200  and  FIG.  6 B  is a side cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of  FIG.  6 A . Support  300  is similar to support  100  whereby support  300  includes a contoured top  102 , a plurality of sidewalls  104 , a depression  108 , a protrusion  110 , gaps  114 , and fastening holes  116 . 
     In the current embodiment, the set of clips include movable clips  306  and clips  106 . In the current embodiment, the movable clips are located on only one of the sidewalls with clips (similar to clips  106  of  FIG.  1   ) integrated with the other of the sidewalls  104  although movable clips  306  may be located on both sidewalls  104  of the support. 
     Movable clips  306  are each coupled to, or extend from, the contoured top  102  and are movable in a direction approximately perpendicular to contoured top  102  or a central portion of the linear product. Each movable clip  306  includes a portion having a profile that at least partially mirrors the profile of the sidewall  104  and may act as a part of the sidewall to support the linear product when it is installed or received. A surface of the movable clips  306  is shaped to reversibly engage with a top portion  206  of the linear product  200 . In use, urging or moving the movable clip  306  in a first direction enables the movable clip  306  to engage with the top portion  206 , while urging the movable clip  306  in the opposite direction may disengage the movable clip  306  from the top portion  206  thereby allowing the linear product to be removed from the support  100 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  6 B , the top expanded view shows the engagement between the movable clips  306  and the top portion  206 , while the bottom exploded vide of  FIG.  6 B  shows how clip  106  engages the top portion  206 . With respect to the movable clip, movement of the movable clip  306  away from the top portion causes the clip  306  to disengage from the top portion  206  of linear product  200  allowing the linear product to be removed from the support  300 . In the present embodiment, two movable clips  306  are located on one side of the support  300  while two clips  106  are located on the opposite side, however in alternative embodiments, any number or relationship of movable and non-movable clips are contemplated. 
       FIG.  7    is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a support  400  for use in cutting a linear product  200 .  FIG.  8 A  is a top view of the support  400  and  FIG.  8 B  is a side cross-sectional view of the support  400  along line C-C of  FIG.  7   .  FIG.  9    is a top perspective view of the support  400  coupled to a linear product  200 .  FIG.  10 A  is a top view of the support  400  coupled to the linear product  200 .  FIG.  10 B  is a side cross-sectional view of the support  400  coupled to the linear product  200  along line D-D of  FIG.  10 A . Support  400  is similar to support  100  and/or support  300 . In particular, support  400  includes a contoured top  102 , a plurality of sidewalls  104 , a depression  108 , a protrusion  110 , gaps  114  and fastening holes  116 . 
     In the current embodiment, the support  400  includes a pair of movable clips  306  on one sidewall  104  and an integrated clip  106  on the other sidewall  104 . The support  400  further includes a clamp  406  that engages with one of the movable clips  306 . The movable clip  306  that engages with the clamp  406  includes a locking body  418  that is coupled to, or extends from, the contoured top  102 . In one embodiment, the locking body  418  is flexible and resilient, and includes a portion having a profile that at least partially mirrors at least a portion of the sidewalls  104  and may act as a sidewall to support the linear product  200 . 
     In the current embodiment, the clamp  406  includes a contoured bottom surface  420  (that is somewhat complementary to a top surface of the linear product) and is rotatably coupled to the sidewall  104   b . The clamp  406  may be rotated between a first position, such as an engaged or locked position, and a second position, such as an unengaged or unlocked position. In the first position, the clamp  406  engages both the locking body  418  of the clip  306  and the top portion  206  of the linear product  200  whereby the clip may lock both the clamp  406  and the linear product  200  in place. This is shown in more detail in the expanded view of  FIG.  10   b   . Engagement between the clamp  406  and the linear product occurs between the contoured bottom of the clamp  406  and the central portion of the linear product. In the second position, there is no contact between the clamp  406  and the linear product  200  such that the clamp does not block the linear product from being removed from the support  400 . Disengaging the clamp  406  from the locking body  418  allows the clamp  406  to be rotated from the first position to the second position to disengage the clamp from the linear product allowing the linear product to be removed from the support  400 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the top portion  206  of the linear product  200  may include a mesh on its top surface. The mesh may be a metal material. The clamp  406  may engage with the mesh when the clamp  406  is in the engaged and locked position, which may reduce movement of the mesh, in particular when the mesh is being cut. Cutting of the mesh without reduced movement may cause damage to the mesh. 
     A skilled person, having the benefit of the present disclosure, will appreciate that a variety of linear products may benefit from the form fitting support and clamping mechanism provided by select embodiments herein to permit stability during a cutting operation. 
     While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented only as illustrations and examples of the present disclosure, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein, and of each reference cited herein, can be used in combination with the features of any other embodiment.