Patent ID: 12186928

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any independent embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other independent embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIGS.1-10illustrate one construction of a cutter10, such as a swing cutter or a tubing cutter.FIGS.16-23,27-34and43-50illustrate alternative constructions of a cutter10A,10B and10C, and common elements have the same reference number “A”, “B” and “C”, respectively.

As shown inFIGS.1-2, the cutter10includes a cutting wheel14, one or more rollers18, and a housing assembly including a cutting wheel housing portion22supporting the cutting wheel14and a roller housing portion26supporting the roller(s)18. A shaft30movably connects the housing portions22,26. The cutter10defines (seeFIG.9) an adjustable C-shaped recess38to receive a tube, pipe, other substantially cylindrical work piece W to be cut by the cutting wheel14. Each roller18defines a groove42for receiving a flange or flare (not shown) on a work piece W to be cut.

The shaft30has (seeFIG.3) a threaded end46engaging a threaded bore50in the housing portion22and (seeFIG.7) a free end54protruding from the housing portion26. The shaft30is rotatably coupled to the housing portion26. Housing portion26includes a midpoint27. Rotation of the shaft30causes relative movement of the housing portions22,26along the shaft axis58through engagement of the threaded portions46,50.

A thumb wheel or adjustment knob62is connected to the end54of the shaft30and is engageable by a user to rotate the knob62to adjust the relative position of the housing portions22,26. The knob62is drivingly connected to the shaft30(e.g., by inter-engaging structure (the shape of the shaft30and an opening in the knob58(non-circular, non-coaxial, flat (seeFIGS.5,18,37and52)), friction, etc.). As the knob62is rotated, engagement of the treaded portions46,50causes relative axial movement of the housing portions22,26. Depending on the direction of rotation of the knob62and the shaft30, the housing portions22,26move together or apart.

In illustrated constructions (seeFIGS.5,18,29,36,45and51), the knob62has, in a plane perpendicular to the shaft axis58, a non-symmetrical shape. The illustrated shape is defined by opposite circular sector portions66and opposite lever portions70. Each lever portion70is engageable by the user to apply a force (illustrated by arrow A) to the knob62in a direction of rotation. In the illustrated construction, the user applies a force to the lever portion(s)70to move the housing portions22,26(and the supported cutting wheel14and roller(s)18, respectively) together to cut the work piece W.

Each lever portion70has a generally tangent surface74extending from the adjacent sector portion66to an end78. Ridges82are provided on the surface74to, for example, increase friction, improve gripping of the knob62, etc. The ridges82are formed by a rear surface generally perpendicular to the surface74and an angled forward surface.

On the opposite side, a concave portion86is between the end78and the other sector portion66to form an S-shape. The concave portion86has an at least approximately radial portion90that merges with the sector portion66. A user's finger F can be “cupped” in the concave portion86to apply a force (illustrated by arrow B) to rotate the knob62in the opposite direction (e.g., to move the housing portions22,26(and the supported cutting wheel14and roller(s)18, respectively) apart to open the recess38). The user can quickly open the cutter10with a single finger F revolving about the shaft axis58while being maintained in the concavity.

The shape of the illustrated knob62indicates a direction of rotation of the knob62and the shaft30and the resulting movement of the housing portions22,26. As described above, the tangent surface74of each lever portion70is engageable to rotate the knob62and the shaft30in one direction (e.g., to move the housing portions22,26(and the supported cutting wheel14and roller(s)18, respectively) together to cut the work piece W). The illustrated ridges82also point in this direction to provide an indication of the cutting direction. As also described above, the concave surface86is engageable to rotate the knob62and the shaft30in the opposite direction (e.g., to move the housing portions22,26(and the supported cutting wheel14and roller(s)18, respectively) apart to open the recess38). These shapes (tangent and concave) thus indicate a direction of rotation and resulting operation of the cutter10.

Alternative constructions of the knob62′,62″ are illustrated inFIGS.15A and1SC. In the alternative constructions, each knob62′,62″ has a lever portion70′,70″ engageable by the user to apply a force to the knob62′,62″. Also, inFIGS.15A and1SC, each illustrated knob62′,62″ is symmetrical across one or more radial lines.

InFIG.15A, the knob62′ has a generally triangular shape. The illustrated ridges82′ on surface point in one direction of rotation (e.g., the direction to move the housing portions22,26(and the supported cutting wheel14and roller(s)18, respectively) together to cut the work piece W).

InFIG.1SC, the knob62″ has lever portions70″ projecting generally radially from a circular portion. Concave portions86″ are provided at the junction between the lever portions70″ and the circular portion. A user's finger F can be “cupped” in a concavity to quickly rotate the knob62″ in given direction. The user can quickly open or close the cutter10with a single finger F revolving about the shaft axis58while being maintained in the concave portion86″.

The knob62may be connected to the shaft30in any suitable manner. In some constructions (seeFIGS.1-2,7-8,15A-15C,16and20-21), a pin94(e.g., a rolled pin, as illustrated, a threaded pin, etc.) is connected between the knob62and the shaft30. The pin94extends radially through the shaft30and the knob62.

In some constructions, a fastener is connected to the end54to retain the knob62on the shaft30. In one construction (seeFIGS.27,29,43and45), the end54defines (seeFIGS.37and52) a threaded bore98, and a threaded member102threadedly engages the threaded bore98. In another construction (seeFIG.55A), the end54is threaded, and a nut104threadedly engages the threaded end54.

In other constructions (not shown), the knob62may be press fit to the end54; however, replacing the press-fit with a threaded connection or pinned connection may reduce the frequency or likelihood of the knob62separating from the shaft30if the cutter10is dropped, impacted, strained, etc.

In some constructions (seeFIGS.20-23), a washer106(or a circlip (not shown)) is positioned on the shaft30between the knob62and the housing portion26and is engageable with the housing portion26. In other constructions (seeFIGS.7-10,32-34and48-50), the knob62has an annular surface engageable with the housing portion26. In such constructions, the knob62may have a projection110toward the housing portion26.

The cutter10may provide storage for a spare or replacement cutting wheel14′. In such constructions (see, e.g.,FIGS.27,29,43and45), the knob62defines (seeFIGS.35-37and51-52and a receptacle114receiving the spare cutting wheel14′, and a fastener (e.g., the threaded member102) retains the spare cutting wheel14′ in the receptacle114.

As shown inFIGS.3-4,6,17,19,28,30,41-42,44and46, structure of the housing portions22,26(e.g., one or more inter-engaging projections and recesses) limits relative pivoting movement of the housing portions22,26. In the illustrated construction, rail(s)118provided on one housing portion (e.g., the housing portion26) engage in track(s)122defined by the other housing portion (e.g., the housing portion22). The rail(s)118and the track(s)122extend parallel to the shaft axis58to guide relative movement of the housing portions22,26.

In the illustrated construction (seeFIGS.4,6,17,19,28,30,41-42,44and46), structure is provided to limit axial movement of the housing portions22,26beyond a defined range or relative position (e.g., a maximum opening size of the recess38). In the illustrated construction, the structure includes a pin126(a rolled pin, as illustrated, a threaded pin, etc.) mounted on one housing portion (e.g., the housing portion26) and engageable with (seeFIGS.40-42) a stop surface130provided on the other housing portion (e.g., the housing portion22).

In the illustrated construction (seeFIGS.40-42), the stop surface130is provided at the end of a slot134defined in the housing portion22. The illustrated slot134is provided in one of the tracks122and, with the track122, extends parallel to the shaft axis58. The pin126is supported on the associated rail118and extends transverse to the shaft axis58into the slot134. As shown inFIG.42, the slot134has a transverse width to allow unimpeded movement of the pin126along the slot134during relative movement of the housing portions22,26. When the housing portions22,26reach a relative position (e.g., a maximum opening size of the recess38), the pin126engages the stop surface130to prevent further movement in this direction. The pin126and the stop surface130ensure that the housing portions22,26do not inadvertently separate during opening of the cutter10.

To cut a work piece, the housing portions22,26are moved by rotation of the knob62so that the cutting wheel14and the roller(s)18engage the work piece. Further rotation of the knob62increases the force applied by the cutting wheel14to the work piece. The lever portions70facilitate application of force when cutting. Rotation of the cutter10about the work piece causes the cutting wheel14to cut the work piece. Until the work piece is cut, the knob62is rotated to increase force applied by the cutting wheel14, and the cutter10is rotated about the work piece. When cutting is completed, the concavities facilitate opening the recess38. The pin126and stop surface130prevent inadvertent separation of the housing portions22,26as the cutter10is opened.

FIG.55Aillustrates a swing radius of the cutter10when the fastener (e.g., the nut104) is used to connect the shaft30and the knob62.FIG.55Billustrates a swing radius of the cutter10when the pin94is used.

In some constructions (seeFIGS.1-4,6-7,13-14,15A-15C,16-17,19-20and25-26, the housing portion22defines a slot138to facilitate replacement, removal, installation, adjustment, etc. of the cutting wheel14. However, the slot138is sufficiently narrow to inhibit a user's finger or other structure from engaging the cutting wheel14therethrough. The cutters10B,10C are larger than the cutters10,10A, and a slot138is not provided in those cutters10B,10C.

The housing portion22has opposite side walls142,146, each covering a substantial portion of the circumference of the cutting wheel14(e.g., at least about 270°). Each side wall142,146has a curved inner surface143and a support portion150defining an opening154for receiving the axle158for the cutting wheel14. As shown inFIGS.2,7,14,20and26, the space between the support portions150closely accommodates the cutting wheel14when supported. The support portions150serve to maintain alignment of the cutting wheel14in a plane transverse to the shaft axis58.

In some constructions (seeFIGS.2,7and14), the slot138has a width greater than the space between the support portions150(e.g., at least about 50% greater and up to 100% greater). As shown inFIGS.7and14, the slot138has about the same width as the shaft30. The slot is oriented to receive the cutting wheel14in a direction transverse to the cutting wheel axis (defined by the axle158) and transverse to the shaft axis58. As shown inFIGS.13-14, a cavity162of approximately the same width as the slot138is defined in the housing portion22between the support portions150and the threaded bore50. In other constructions (seeFIGS.20and25-26), the slot138has the same width as the space between the support portions150.

To remove a cutting wheel14, the axle158is removed from at least one opening154and from the cutting wheel14. The cutting wheel14may be removed through the slot138and/or in the direction of the recess38. To install a cutting wheel (such as the replacement cutting wheel14′), the cutting wheel14,14′ is inserted through the slot138and aligned with the openings154in the support portions150. The axle158is inserted through the cutting wheel14,14′ and the opening(s)154.

FIGS.56-70illustrate constructions of a cutter210, such as a swing cutter or a tubing cutter, including (seeFIGS.56-57) a cutting wheel214, one or more rollers218, and a housing assembly including a first housing portion222supporting the roller(s)218and a second housing portion226supporting the cutting wheel214. A shaft230movably connects the housing portions222,226while structure of the housing portions222,226limits relative pivoting movement and/or axial movement outside of a defined range of the housing portions222,226. The cutter210defines (seeFIGS.69-70) an adjustable C-shaped recess232to receive a tube, pipe, other substantially cylindrical work piece W to be cut by the cutting wheel214.

The first housing portion222has (seeFIG.58) a wall234with a collar261defining a cavity238and an opening242communicating between the cavity238and the exterior of the first housing portion222. The second housing portion226defines a threaded bore246. The shaft230has a first end250extending through and rotatably supported in the opening242. The shaft230has a threaded second end254received in the threaded bore246. Rotation of the shaft230causes relative movement of the housing portions222,226along the shaft axis through engagement of the threaded portions246,254.

To inhibit (e.g., limit or prevent) movement of the shaft230from the cavity238through the opening242, the shaft230is formed to include a radial shoulder258. The shoulder258is annular and, in the illustrated construction, has a shoulder surface262engageable with a surface of the wall234to inhibit movement of the shaft230from the cavity238through the opening242.

The shoulder258replaces an e-clip258A of existing cutters210A (shown inFIGS.71-72). In such cutters210A (seeFIGS.71-72), the second end254A of the shaft230A is inserted into the first housing portion222A through the opening242A and into the cavity238A with the first end250A remaining on the exterior of the housing portion222A. The shaft230A defines a groove264A into which the e-clip258A is received, and, once installed, the surface262A of the e-clip258A engages the wall234A to inhibit movement of the shaft230A from the cavity238A through the opening242A.

The e-clip258A and/or the groove264A into which the e-clip258A is received may be subject to failure. For example, the e-clip258A may break and/or separate from the shaft230A. Also, the groove264A may be subject to stress concentrations. The shoulder258thus may improve the durability, life, etc. of the shaft230and/or the cutter210.

In the illustrated constructions, structure separate from the shaft230is engageable to inhibit movement of the first end250through the opening242into the cavity238. The structure and the shoulder258cooperate to limit axial movement of the shaft230while allowing rotation relative to the housing portion222.

In some constructions (seeFIGS.56-58,61-62,65-66and68-70), the structure includes an adjustment knob266engageable by the user to rotate the knob266to adjust the relative position of the housing portions222,226. The knob266is drivingly connected to the shaft230(e.g., by inter-engaging structure (the shape of the shaft230and an opening in the knob266(non-circular, non-coaxial, flat (seeFIGS.59,63and67)), friction, etc.). As the knob266is rotated, engagement of the treaded second end254and the threaded bore246causes relative axial movement of the housing portions222,226. Depending on the direction of rotation of the knob266and the shaft230, the housing portions222,226move together or apart.

In some constructions, a fastener270is connected to the first end250to retain the knob266on the shaft230. In one construction (seeFIGS.56and58-59), the first end250is threaded, and a nut274threadedly engages the threaded first end250. In another construction (seeFIGS.61-64), the first end250defines a threaded bore278, and a threaded member282threadedly engages the threaded bore278.

In some constructions (seeFIGS.65-67), a pin286is connected between the knob266and the shaft230. The pin286extends radially through the shaft230and the knob266. In other constructions (seeFIG.70), the knob266may be press fit to the first end250; however, replacing the press-fit with a threaded connection or pinned connection may reduce the frequency or likelihood of the knob266separating from the shaft230if the cutter210is dropped, impacted, strained, etc. In some constructions (seeFIG.63), a circlip290engages the first end250proximate the first housing portion222, and the first end250may define an annular groove (not shown) receiving the circlip290.

In some constructions (seeFIGS.56-59,62-63,65-66and69-70), a washer298(or the circlip290(seeFIG.63)) is positioned on the shaft230between the knob266and the first housing portion222and has a surface engageable with the wall234to inhibit movement of the first end250through the opening238into the cavity242. In other constructions (seeFIG.68), the knob266has a surface engageable with the wall234to inhibit movement of the first end250through the opening238into the cavity242.

In some constructions (seeFIG.62A-62B), a radial pin302is supported by the first housing portion222and is engageable (e.g., with a surface of the shoulder258facing away from the opening242) to prevent movement of the first end250through the opening238into the cavity242. The radial pin302may be a rolled pin or a threaded pin received in a complementary opening306in the housing portion222.

The cutter210may provide storage for a spare or replacement cutting wheel214′. In such constructions (see, e.g.,FIGS.61-63), the knob266defines a receptacle310receiving the spare cutting wheel214′, and a fastener (e.g., the threaded member282) retains the spare cutting wheel214′ in the receptacle286.

To cut a work piece, the housing portions222,226are moved by rotation of the knob266so that the cutting wheel214and the roller(s)218engage the work piece. Further rotation of the knob266increases the force applied by the cutting wheel214to the work piece. Rotation of the cutter210about the work piece causes the cutting wheel214to cut the work piece. Until the work piece is cut, the knob266is rotated to increase force applied by the cutting wheel214, and the cutter210is rotated about the work piece.

FIG.69illustrates a swing radius of the cutter210when the shaft230, the knob266and the nut274are used to couple the housing portion222,226.FIG.70illustrates a swing radius of the cutter210when the shaft230, the knob266and the pin286are used to couple the housing portions222,226. In each construction, the swing radius is unaffected by the connecting structure.

One or more independent features and independent advantages of the invention may be set forth in the claims.