Abstract:
A device used as an aid in scoring polygonal shapes into glass having a platen rotatable on a base and a compression arm secured to the base, the platen having grid markings and circular markings intersecting the grid markings, and holes at certain of the grid markings into which locating pins, straight edges and clamps can be inserted, the base having a circular recess, the platen being seated into the circular recess, the compression arm being secured to the base and having a glass engaging clamp, the compression arm extending over the platen to secure a piece of glass between the glass engaging clamp and the platen to facilitate a straight line to be manually scored using a hand scoring device, the platen being a held by a retaining force variably applied to hold the platen position by the glass engaging clamp during the scoring operation.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 08/701,111, filed on Aug. 21, 1996, titled “Glass Cutting Device” now abandoned. 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of provisional application Ser. No. 60/002,760, filed on Aug. 24, 1995. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a cutting device for easily and reproducibly cutting glass such as stained glass, especially when regular and/or irregular shapes need to be cut. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
     The process of hand scoring and breaking glass into geometric shapes has been known for more than hundred of years. 
     Numerous devices to aid this process have been developed. Some early devices, such as Munford, U.S. Pat. No. 325,855, is fully capable of scoring intricate geometric shapes. However, each angle scores would require an individual setup including the positioning of the glass. 
     The glass cutting machine patented by Mayer (U.S. Pat. No. 1,515,129), although having a circular platen was developed for producing rectangular glass plates in quantity and is limited to 900 angles. 
     Another group of glass scoring devices have been developed to produce rectangular glass, e.g., R. J. Louviaux et al. (U.S. Pate. No. 2,273,716), W. M. Arck (U.S. Pat. No. 2,812,579), T. W. Macaulay (U.S. Pat. No. 2,845,713), C. H. Moeller (U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,016), but these devices do not have the capability of scoring other than 90° angles. 
     Another group of glass scoring devices allows the user to score non-linear, free-form shapes by moving the glass by hand under the scoring instrument. The ability to score intricate geometric forms is left solely to the ability of the user, making accuracy, repeatability and production rate very low. An example of this type of device was patented by Mullen (U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,220). 
     Another group of devices were developed primarily for making circular glass, e.g., Molleger et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,245), and is incapable of geometric forms with flat or straight sides. 
     The Able glass scoring device (U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,477) is currently the standard device for use by the small stained glass crafts person. This device, although more versatile in some ways than the first mentioned Munford device, is much more difficult to set up and much less accurate than the Munford device. Set ups, other than 90° are complex and time consuming. Each new score line requires a new setup. 
     Thus, the prior art has not addressed the need to produce regular and irregular polygon shapes or glass quickly, accurately and repeatedly with a minimum of setups. 
     The technique of cutting glass by scoring the surface and subsequently breaking it at the score mark has, of course, been known for many years. Over the years, numerous accessories have been developed to assist the operator in effectuating the glass cutting process. Among these have been tables having a specific surface thereon to facilitate the glass cutting operation without scratching the glass surface, guide elements to guide the cutting tool to accurately cut the glass in a straight line, and devices to enable the user to cut small, odd-shaped pieces of glass. 
     Typical of this latter category of devices is the apparatus shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,220. This apparatus enables a user to cut odd-shaped pieces of glass by disposing a glass cutter in a retaining arm over a work table such that the operator may use both hands to manipulate the glass piece. Alternatively, the glass piece may be secured to the cutting surface and the entire cutting arm moved If the operator so desires. However, this typical apparatus suffers a serious drawback that is shared by virtually all of the prior art devices intended for the home/hobbyist user, that is the collection of glass chips generated by the glass cutter on the work table surface. These chips may cause scratching of the glass surface, injury to the hands of the user, and almost certain inconvenience by the requirement to constantly dean the work table. 
     The problem of glass chips scratching the surface of the glass that is being cut has long been recognized in commercial glass cutting operations and several solutions have been put forth (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,578,919, 2,595,079 and 2,273,716). These solutions have generally involved placing a plurality of longitudinal ridges on the top of the glass cutting table such that the glass pane being cut rests on the top of the ridges and the glass chips fall between the ridges. In the field of commercial glass cutting operations, which generally cuts panes of glass of relatively large size for windows, doors, picture frames, etc., this solution has been perfectly acceptable. However, for the home/hobbyist user has substantially different criteria for cutting relatively small, irregularly shaped pieces of glass for art works than does the commercial business establishment which cuts almost solely rectangular, rather large glass panes. The prior art solutions mentioned above achieve their affect through a table structure having attached thereto, or integrally formed therewith, the plurality of parallel ridges to collect the glass chips. Obviously, for a home user who must often pursue his hobby without benefit of a separate workshop area, a complete table structure having no other use than for cutting lass is not practical. Furthermore, the hobbyist user must cut various small pieces of glass into highly irregular shapes, which is not possible on glass cutting surfaces utilizing a plurality of longitudinal ridges. Even if the ridges were spaced closely enough together to support the glads while being cut, the irregular shapes encountered by the hobbyist user would invariably require a cut parallel to the support ridges. Obviously, this would cause a breakage of the glass if too much pressure on the cutting tool were exerted, and insufficient scoring of the glass if too little pressure were exerted. 
     One prior art device attaches a surface of rubber having parallel ridges on its cutting side which supports the glass pane. This is also of no benefit to the home-hobbyist user, since the rubber surface with the ridges will deform if cutting small pieces of glass, thereby rendering small pieces impossible. 
     The prior art is also replete with devices for guiding a glass cutter along a particular path. These have primarily involved guide bars or other devices permanently attached to a cutting surface along edges disposed at right angles to each other. Once again, these are primarily used in commercial glass cutting establishments to accurately and repeatedly cut rectangular, relatively large panes of glass. They are of particular import in this type of establishment since it enables the operator to rapidly cut a straight line over a large area. Some of these prior art devices are adjustable to readily enable the operator to cut rectangular glass panes of various sizes. However important these devices may be to the commercial business establishment, they are of virtually no use to the home/hobbyist user. 
     Another type of device for cutting glass is that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,477, however this device is difficult to use as it requires a protractor to measure the angles to be cut on a piece of glass which is laborious and time consuming. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention comprises a device to facilitate the making of regular or irregular polygons. 
     The device comprises a rotatable platen fitted into a base with a shaft. The glass to be scored is secured to the platen using various positioning and locating devices. A sliding, lockable “T” square (or straight edge) slides over the platen glass with clearance. Using the combination of the rotating platen to achieve the desired angle and sliding the straight edge into the desired position, a standard handheld scoring device is used to score the glass. 
     With the present invention, any angle within a 360° circumference may be set and scored within seconds. Subsequent angles may also be set and scored to produce an entire sheet of scored, ready to break, triangles or difficult, time consuming more complicated shapes, like pentagons, hexagons, octagons, etc. Larger sheets of glass and glass strips may be scored by sliding and affixing the straight edge to either the left or right hand side of the base and securing the “L” shaped adjustable stops to either the left or right hand in the desired position, then scoring the glass. 
     An overhead adjustable pressure clamp that extends from either the far left hand or far right hand corner to over the center of the rotating platen will secure the glass to the platen without the use of additional locating or holding devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The device is used to cut glass, especially stained glass and includes a generally rectangular stationary base having an upper and lower surface and a central rotatable platen located in the center of the base on the upper surface thereof. The platen may be removable, is generally circular in shape and rotates in a recessed area with respect to the base or may be rotationally secured to the base so that the upper surface of the platen is located slightly above the upper surface of the base. 
     The base and platen contain a plurality of grid markings thereon to assist in cutting glass placed thereon. In addition, about the periphery of the platen and being located thereon and/or on the base, are a plurality of markings dividing the generally circular platen into a series of angles, e.g., in 5 or 10 degree increments. If one wishes to cut a piece of glass at a desired angle, one need merely lay the glass on the platen and/or base (depending upon the size of the glass) and then rotate the platen to the desired angle, if necessary, in relation to the stationary base. One can determine the rotation of the platen by noting the initial setting of the platen relative to the base and by then rotating the platen to the desired angle. The glass may then be cut using a typical hand held glass cutting device with use of a conventional T-square which is placed over the glass and so that the T-square also abuts one side of the base. 
     The lower surface of the base may alternatively include a plurality of channels through which one may slide or secure one or more generally L-shaped adjustable stops so that the stops extend beyond the edge of the base and above the upper surface of the base. One need then merely lay a piece of glass to be cut on the platen and/or base so that the glass for example, extends beyond the base until it reaches the one or more stops. One can then cut the glass at any desired point, e.g., at the point where the glass lays over the edge of the base or at any linear marking on the base, by using a T-square and conventional hand held glass cutting tool. This feature aids the user in cutting large pieces or long strips of glass which may then be cut into a plurality of regular-shaped pieces, e.g., diamond-shaped. 
     To prevent the glass from moving during the process, the base and/or platen may be made of a slip-resistant surface. Alternatively, a thin piece of rubber or other non-slip material may be inserted between the glass and the platen. In addition, a releasable pressure clamp may be used to temporarily secure the glass adjacent the platen for cutting. The clamp may be located at the end of an arm which is extendable to a position which is approximately at the center of the platen similar to that of the arm on a record player. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects and many attendant features of this invention will become readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of the device of the present Invention showing two generally L-shaped adjustable glass stops protruding from the bottom of the base with a releasably secured longitudinally placed straight edge used for cutting glass being located on the upper surface of the base and rotatable platen. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device of the present invention showing a generally L-shaped adjustable glass stop protruding from the bottom of the base. 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary bottom view of the device of the present invention showing two generally L-shaped adjustable glass stops protruding from the bottom of the base which may be moved in a slidable fashion through individual sliding members. 
     FIG. 4 is an end view of the device of the present invention showing the tips of the two generally L-shaped adjustable glass stops protruding from the bottom of the base and being shown in a broken away portion of the drawing. 
     FIG. 5 is a side sectional view taken along the lines  5 — 5  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the releasable pressure clamp which is utilized to hold a piece of glass on the top of the device. 
     FIG. 7 is an elevational view, partly in section showing the releasable clamp of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the device of FIG. 1 in use. 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the use of a fastener in cooperation with the base of the device including clamps. 
     FIG. 10 shows a location device of the glass jig of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 shows a location device of the glass jig of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 shows a location de vice of the glass jig of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 13-18 show various shapes of glass that can be achieved using the device of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to various figures of the drawings where like reference numerals refer to like parts, there is shown at  10  in FIG. 1, a device constructed in accordance with this invention. The device  10  includes a generally rectangular base  12  having an upper surface  14  and a lower surface  16  (FIG.  2 ). Located on the upper surface  14  of the base  12  is a removable and generally circular rotatable platen  18  having upper surface  20 . 
     The upper surface  14  of base  12  and the upper surface  20 , preferably have a grid type pattern  22  thereon to aid in cutting glass (not shown) in the desired configuration as described in further detail below. The pattern  22  preferably consists of a series of generally evenly spaced apart vertical lines  24  which are perpendicular to and intersect with a series of generally evenly spaced apart horizontal lines  26 . A generally circular shape  28  indicates the point of Intersection of each of vertical lines  24  and horizontal lines  26 . 
     Also shown in FIG. 1 are other features of the device  10 , which may include a releasably securable longitudinal straight edge  30  located on the upper surface  14  of the base  12 . The straight edge  30  may be releasably secured to the base by pins  32  and may be located on any side of the base  12 , although it is shown on the upper side of the base  12  in FIG.  1 . The straight edge  30  is preferably secured so that a piece of glass to be cut (not shown) may be placed between the straight edge  30  and the upper surface  20  of the platen  18 . 
     To further aid the user in cutting glass in the desired shape is a series of inner indicia  34  and outer indicia  36  located on the upper surface  14  of the base  12  adjacent the platen  18 . These indicia  34  and  36  divide the circular platen  18  into a series of degree angles in both a clockwise and counterclockwise direction by both 10 degree and individual degree increments from 0° to 360° in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. 
       
     As shown in FIG. 1, located at the lower edge  38  of base  12  is a measuring device  40  having both metric and English system indicia which may be utilized in measuring a piece of glass to the desired dimensions. 
     The device  10  further may include one or more adjustable stops  42  comprised of a vertical member  44  and horizontal member  46 . The vertical member  44  is of a sufficient length to permit it to extend beyond the upper surface  14  of the base to engage a piece of glass adjacent its tip  48 . The horizontal member  46  may have indicia  50  printed thereon which is visible when the stop  42  extends outwardly and away from the base  12 . One can measure the distance from the tip  48  of the stop  42  by noting the distance printed by the indicia  50  on the stop  42 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, arrows  112  are shown for the purpose of orientation of the rotatable platen  18 . 
     See also first glide strip  114  and second glide strip  126  at opposing ends of the rectangular base  12 . These glide strips serve as guides for the straight edge  30 . Also see glide  116  and glide hole  118 . Reference is further made to bearing ways  120 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, each of the horizontal members  46  of each of the stops  42  are slidingly engaged in a respective retaining member  52  which may be either fixedly or removably secured to the lower surface  16  of the base  12  by pins  54  stops are slidably moveable and then held at a desired place by tightening of screws. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the lower surface  16  of base  12  includes a plurality of evenly spaced apart channels  56  comprised of a trough  58  and a ridge  60 . The horizontal member  46  slides through the trough  58  of the channel so that the horizontal member  46  engages the retaining member  52 . Preferably the stops  42  have somewhat of a frictional engagement with the base  12  while still permitting the desired movement of the stops  42  to the desired length of protrusion beyond the base  12 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in order the assist in releasably securing a piece of glass (not shown) on the upper surface  14  of the base  12  and the platen upper surface  20  for cutting into the desired shape, the device  10  may also include a compression arm  62 . The arm  62  may be releasably (or fixedly) secured at any comer of the upper surface  14  of the base  12  by a fastening member  64  comprised of a handle  66  having a threaded post  68  extending therefrom. The threaded post  68  is releasably secured through the arm  62  and then into a threaded hole (not shown) in the base upper surface  14 , preferably at one of the comers thereof. The arm  62  extends toward the center of the platen upper surface  20  just as the arm of a record player may extend over a record placed on the rotating base. At the distal end  70  of the arm  62  Is located a conventional screw-type pressure clamp  72  which aids in holding a piece of glass onto the base upper surface  14  and/or the platen upper surface  20 . The clamp  72  is comprised of a handle  74  to which is attached a vertical post  76 . About the post  76  is a conventional compressed spring  78  which is held between a recess  80  in arm  62  and a spring retaining member  82 . Secured at the end of the post  76  is a glass-engaging clamp member  84 . The member  84  engages a piece of glass which is placed on the base upper surface  14  and/or platen upper surface  20  for measuring and cutting. By turning the handle, one may increase or decrease the tension on spring  78  and the resultant retaining force applied by the clamp member  84  to the glass. 
     The compression arm  62  may also be utilized as a platen “stop” to apply pressure to the platen upper surface  20  and thereby restrict the platen from rotating to aid in scoring or measuring a piece of glass while it is on the platen. One need merely adjust the tension on the pressure clamp  72  and compressed spring  78  to the desired pressure to be applied by the clamp member  84  to the platen surface  20 . 
     FIG. 10 shows a location device of the glass jig of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 shows a location device of the glass jig of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 shows a location device of the glass jig of the present invention. 
     When one wishes to cut a piece of glass having multiple cuts, the piece of glass (for example a square piece of glass) is placed onto the base upper surface  14  and/or platen upper surface  20  depending upon the size of the glass. One can then make the appropriate measurements utilizing the straight edge  30 , alone or in combination with the indicia  34  and  36  and/or measuring device  40 . Once the glass is oriented in the proper direction to achieve the cut desired, the straight edge can then be used to score the glass using a conventional hand held glass scoring device (not shown). Once the glass is scored, one may rotate the platen  18  either counterclockwise or clockwise, to orient the piece of glass for the next score to be made. This process is then continued until all the scores are made to achieve the desired result, e.g., an octagonal or other shaped piece of glass. 
     If one wishes to cut large panes of glass or if one wishes to cut long strips of glass which may then be subsequently cut into a series of repeated shapes (e.g., multiple diamond pieces of glass), one may utilize the adjustable stops  42 . If for example one wishes to cut a piece of glass into a strip, the adjustable stops are pulled away from the base  12 . The glass piece is then placed onto the platen  18  so that the glass edge extends to the tips  48  of the stops  42 . One can then score the glass at the desired length by utilizing the previously described conventional scoring device along the straight edge  30 . Once the glass is then cut into the desired strip, the strip can then be cut into one or more shapes, e.g., multiple square or diamond shaped pieces. 
     FIG. 8 shows the device of FIG. 1 in use, and in particular producing a hexagonal piece of glass  85  utilizing the present invention. FIG. 8 shows the glass  85  being held to the upper surface  20  by various conventional clamps  86  and  87 . The clamps  86  and  87  are held in place by stops  89 , preferably of rubber. The stops  89  are releasably secured into holes  90  made in the platen upper surface at regular intervals. The clamps  86  and  87  aid in securing the glass  85  to be cut, onto the platen  18  as desired. 
     As shown in FIG. 10, clamps  87  are a pair of interfitting clamps with openings  91  to permit the passage of stops  89 . Clamp  88  has a bar shape (FIG. 11) with similar openings  91 . 
     FIG. 12 shows a location device  92  of the glass jig. The phantom positions of FIG. 12 show various locations  93  for one end of device  92 . 
     FIGS. 13-18 show various shapes of glass that can be achieved using the device of the present invention. 
     To prevent the glass from moving during the process, the base and/or platen may be made of a slip-resistant surface. Alternatively, a thin piece of rubber or other non-slip material (not shown) may be inserted between the glass and the platen. In addition, a releasable pressure clamp may be used to temporarily secure the glass adjacent the platen for cutting. The clamp may be located at the end of an arm which is extendable to a position which is approximately at the center of the platen similar to that of the arm on a record player. 
     Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.