Abstract:
A paper trimmer that includes a base having a paper cutting device pivotally attached to the base for providing a variable, user-determined cut angle. The cutting device further includes at least one guide rail; a blade carrier slidably mounted on the guide rail; at least one cutting blade retractably mounted within the blade carrier; a translucent paper holder positioned lengthwise beneath the guide rail, wherein one edge of the translucent paper holder is adjacent to the cutting blade; an illumination strip mounted on top of the translucent paper holder for illuminating the edge of the paper holder adjacent to the cutting blade; and a handle assembly mounted on the guide rail. The handle assembly further includes a first locking mechanism for holding the cutting device at a user-determined cut angle, and a second locking mechanism for raising or lowering the cutting device relative to the upper surface of the base.

Description:
[0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/293,779, filed on Jan. 11, 2010 and entitled “Rotary Paper Trimmer”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and made part of the present U.S. utility patent application for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The described invention relates in general to systems and devices for cutting and trimming paper and similar materials, and more specifically to a paper trimmer that includes a pivoting cutting device that permits a user of the paper trimmer to select a desired cut angle. 
         [0003]    Rotary paper trimmers are fairly common items that are commercially available from different sources. However, current rotary paper trimmers are typically configured to provide a user of the trimmer with only a single cutting angle. While generally useful, such paper trimmers suffer from inherent limitations due to this single cutting angle. Accordingly, there is an ongoing need for a trimmer that provides a user with a variety of choices with regard to the angle at which a piece of paper or other material may be cut. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The following provides a summary of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. This summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical aspects or elements of the present invention or to delineate its scope. 
         [0005]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a paper trimmer is provided. This paper trimmer includes a base having a paper cutting device pivotally attached to the base for providing a variable, user-determined cut angle. 
         [0006]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a paper trimmer is provided. This paper trimmer includes a base having a paper cutting device pivotally attached to the base for providing a variable, user-determined cut angle. The cutting device further includes at least one guide rail; a blade carrier slidably mounted on the guide rail; at least one cutting blade mounted within the blade carrier; a translucent paper holder positioned lengthwise beneath the guide rail, wherein one edge of the translucent paper holder is adjacent to the cutting blade; and an illumination strip mounted on top of the translucent paper holder for illuminating the edge of the paper holder adjacent to the cutting blade. 
         [0007]    In yet another aspect of this invention, a rotary paper trimmer is provided. This rotary paper trimmer includes a base having a paper cutting device pivotally attached to the base for providing a variable, user-determined cut angle. The cutting device further includes at least one guide rail; a blade carrier slidably mounted on the guide rail; at least one cutting blade retractably mounted within the blade carrier; a translucent paper holder positioned lengthwise beneath the guide rail, wherein one edge of the translucent paper holder is adjacent to the cutting blade; an illumination strip mounted on top of the translucent paper holder for illuminating the edge of the paper holder adjacent to the cutting blade; and a handle assembly mounted on the guide rail. The handle assembly further includes a first locking mechanism for holding the cutting device at a user-determined cut angle, and a second locking mechanism for raising or lowering the cutting device relative to the upper surface of the base. 
         [0008]    Additional features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, further embodiments of the invention are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and associated descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive in nature. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, schematically illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, and wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a rotary paper cutter, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the rotary paper cutter of  FIG. 1  shown with the cutting device partially rotated and the storage drawer in the open position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the rotary paper cutter of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A  is a right side view of the rotary paper cutter of  FIG. 1  shown with the lever for the locking mechanism that holds the cutting device at a user-determined cut angle in the raised position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4B  is a right side cross-sectional view of the rotary paper cutter of  FIG. 1  shown at the center of the cutting device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an exploded front perspective view of the rotary paper cutter of  FIG. 1  showing the various components thereof; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the cutting device of the rotary paper cutter of  FIG. 1  shown with the illumination strip on and illustrating the direction of the light emitted by the LEDs mounted within the illumination strip; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a portion of the handle assembly of the rotary paper cutter of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the blade carrier of the rotary paper cutter of  FIG. 1  shown with the blade cartridge removed from the blade carrier; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a portion of the cutting device of the rotary paper cutter of  FIG. 1  showing the biasing members and switch component thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the Figures. Reference numerals are used throughout the detailed description to refer to the various elements and structures. Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention. As previously stated, the present invention relates generally to a paper trimmer that includes a pivoting cutting device that permits a user of the paper trimmer to select a desired cut angle. With reference now to the Figures, one or more specific embodiments of this invention shall be described in greater detail. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 1-9  provide various illustrative views of an exemplary embodiment of paper trimmer  10 . Although the present device is referred to as a paper trimmer, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the described device may be used to cut and trim not only paper, but also other suitable materials. As best shown by  FIGS. 1-2 , paper trimmer  10  includes base  20  and cutting device  50 . In this embodiment, cutting device  50  is attached to base  20  at a single pivot point in the upper right-hand corner of the trimmer. Attaching cutting device  50  to base  20  in this manner, allows a user of trimmer  10  to rotate cutting device  50  forward and backward along a predetermined arc path, as shown by arrows A and B in  FIG. 2 . This rotational movement permits the user of trimmer  10  to select one or more specific cut angles at which paper may be trimmed. 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , base  20  includes a frame  22 , which is typically molded plastic or polymer, that further includes four corner supports  23  that rest upon a surface upon which paper trimmer  10  has been placed. Rubberized feet caps  49  provide additional support and stability. Plastic cutting mat  24  is mounted within frame  22  and includes a series of guide lines in the form of (i) a grid; (ii) indicators of common cutting angles such as 22.5°, 30°, and 45°; and (iii) indicators of common paper sizes such as 4″×6″, 5″×7″, 8″×10″, and 8.5″×11″. Alternate indicators of size and orientation are possible with other embodiments of this invention. 
         [0023]    Base  20  further includes storage drawer  26 , which is rotatably attached to base  20  at pivot  28 , which is covered with cap  30 . Recess  31  is formed in the top surface of base  20  for providing additional storage for items such as pens or paperclips. Region  62  (see  FIGS. 1-2 ) defines the area in which cutting device  50  may freely rotate. A raised edge provides a fixed paper guide  32  along the top portion of the upper surface of base  20  and in some embodiments, logo plate  33  is provided for identification of the commercial source of paper trimmer  10 . As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , spring-loaded paper guide  34 , which includes tab  36  extending through slot  38 , serves as an extension of fixed paper guide  32 , when cutting device  50  is in shallow angle positions close to 0° (i.e., perpendicular to the paper guides). When cutting device  50  is rotated to larger angles, paper holder  120  depresses spring-loaded paper guide  34  into base  20  to avoid interference with cutting. Spring-loaded paper guide  34  is not necessary at larger cutting angles as cutting device  50  is closer positionally to fixed paper guide  32 . 
         [0024]    Again with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , base  20  further includes track  40  formed in the front edge thereof for cooperating with handle assembly  70  during cutting. Track  40  further includes open channel  42 , which receives slider post  75  (see  FIG. 9 ), and front edge  44 , which engages slider housing  81  (see  FIG. 7 ). Track base  45  is connected to frame  22  and forms slot  46  therewith for receiving and cooperating with slider plates  87  (see  FIG. 7 ). A curved metal plate  47  (not shown) is attached to the underside of front edge  44  and includes a series of detents  48  (not shown) that are engaged by spring  89  (see  FIG. 7 ) to stop rotation of cutting device  50  at predetermined cutting angles. 
         [0025]    As best shown in  FIGS. 4-9 , and with reference to  FIGS. 1-9 , cutting device  50  includes a number of components involved in the cutting process. These components include handle assembly  70 , blade carrier  100 , and the “floating” support on which these components are mounted. With reference to  FIG. 9 , one end of floating support  52  includes pivot spindle  54 , which further includes port  55 . Two guide rails  56  are inserted into apertures formed in port  55  for supporting blade carrier  100 . Channel  57  (see  FIG. 4B ) is formed in base portion  59  of pivot spindle  54  for receiving first end  121  of paper holder  120  and depressing switch  130 , as described below with regard to illumination strip  123 . Cap  58  is inserted into the top portion of pivot spindle  54  and is in contact with or formed as part of post  60 , which passes through spring  66  and is connected to wedge  68  by a connector  80 . Conduit  61  (not shown) is formed in pivot spindle  54  and provides a passage for wiring to pass through opening  64 , which is formed in base  20 . Spring  66  biases pivot spindle  54  upward and provides a portion of the “floating” aspect of support  52 . 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4 B, and  6 , Paper holder  120  is a translucent material that includes first end  121 , which is connected to pivot spindle  54  and second end  122 , which is connected to handle spindle  72 . Illumination strip  123 , which is formed from the same material as paper holder  120 , and cover  124  enclose PCB strip  125 , which includes a plurality of LEDs  126  mounted thereon. The side of illumination strip  123  that faces cutting blade  114  includes a strip of material formed in a zigzag pattern to reflect the light of the LEDs in direction  128  to indicate the position of the cut. Illumination strip  123  is activated by pushing down on cap  58  and pivot spindle  54 , thereby contacting switch  130 , the top portion of which extends through base  20 . The bottom portion of switch  130  engages controller  134  (see  FIG. 3 ), which includes the various electronics that provide power to LEDs  126 . Controller  134  also includes a delay timer that turns the LEDs off after a predetermined period of time to conserve battery power. Power supply  138  typically includes a compartment for AA or other batteries, and enclosure  136  houses the electrical wiring that extends between power supply  138  and controller  134 . 
         [0027]    As best shown in  FIGS. 4A-B ,  7  and  9 , handle assembly  70  further includes handle spindle  72 , which also includes port  73  for receiving the other ends of guide rails  56 . Channel  74  is formed in handle spindle  72  for receiving second end  122  of paper holder  120 . Post  75  is a component of handle spindle  72  and passes through spring  76  and is connected to wedge  78  by a connector  80 . Spring  76  biases handle spindle  72  upward and provides a portion of the “floating” aspect of support  52 . With reference to  FIG. 7 , handle assembly  70  further includes housing  81 , the front portion of which is enclosed with cover  86 . Housing  81  further includes apertures  82 , which are adapted to receive pins  92  formed on both sides of locking lever  90 . Aperture  83  is formed in the bottom, rear portion of housing  81  and is adapted to receive, in combination with washer  85 , post  75  on handle spindle  72 . Channel  84  is formed in the bottom edge of housing  81  and engages front edge  44  (see  FIG. 1 ) as cutting device  50  is rotated. Stabilizer plates  87  extend through slot  46  and are attached to the bottom surface of housing  81  across channel  84  by passing connectors  80  through plate apertures  88 . A spring loaded pin  89  is inserted through one of the stabilizer plates  87  for engaging detents  48 . Locking lever  90  is mounted within housing  81  and is used to secure handle assembly  70  at a user-defined angle along the arc path followed by cutting device  50 . Locking lever  90  also includes lock tabs  93 , which engage a narrow ridge formed on the top surface of front edge  44  and lock handle assembly  70  in place when locking lever  90  is completely depressed. 
         [0028]    Aperture  94  is formed in one side of housing  81  and port  95  is formed in the opposite side of housing  81 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , shaft  97  passes through aperture  94  and rests in port  95 . Handle  96  is formed at the end of shaft  97  and pin  98  is secured to shaft  97 . Pin  98  extends through a slot in the bottom of housing  81  where it engages one end of lock bar  140 , which extends across the bottom surface of base  20  (see  FIGS. 3 and 5 ). Rotation of handle  96  away from the user of paper trimmer  10  moves pin  98  forward, thereby causing lock bar  140  to move forward into a locked position. This forward movement of lock bar  140  exerts downward pressure on wedges  68  and  78 , which overcomes the upward force of springs  66  and  76  and causes the entire cutting device  50  to be lowered onto the upper surface of base  20 . Lowering cutting device  50  in this manner basically immobilizes paper or other material that has been placed under paper holder  120 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , lock bar  140  includes elongated bottom members  142 , each of which terminates in an offset arm  144  that is formed integrally with either first flat portion  146  or second flat portion  148 , both of which include a slot  150 . The slot  150  that is formed in first flat portion  146  receives post  60 , and the slot  150  that is formed in second flat portion  148  receives post  75 . Aperture  152  is formed in second flat portion  148  and receives pin  98 . Wedge  154  is attached to the bottom surface of lock bar  140  and engages wedge  68  (described above), while wedge  156  is attached to the bottom surface of lock bar  150  and engages wedge  78  (described above). These structures cooperate with one another to raise or lower paper holder  120  based on the position of handle  96 . 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIGS. 4A-B  and  8 , blade carrier  100  includes a rounded plastic cover  102 , which is attached to housing  104 . Housing  104  includes plunger  105 , which when depressed (by pressing down on cover  102 ) passes through carriage  106  and engages blade cartridge  112  for lowering spring-loaded rotary cutting blade  114  against a material to be cut. As a safety feature, blade  114  automatically retracts into blade cartridge  112  when downward force is removed from cover  102 . Blade cartridge  112  is removable from carriage  106  by rotating the cartridge counterclockwise. Similarly, a replacement blade cartridge  112  may be installed by placing the cartridge in carriage  106  and turning the cartridge clockwise until it snaps into place. The bottom portion of slider  107  includes channel  108  that engages the top edge of illumination strip  123 , and bores  109  receive guide rails  56  therein. Housing  104  is connected to slider  107 , which allows the entire assembly to move freely forward and backward along guide rails  56  and top portion of illumination strip  123 . Screw  111  connects spring  110  to housing  104  for biasing housing  104  and cover  102  upward when paper trimmer  10  is not in use. 
         [0030]    While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of exemplary embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in certain detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to any of the specific details, representative devices and methods, and/or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s general inventive concept. Various other embodiments of the present invention that include numerous different structural components and features are possible.