Patent ID: 7478480

Claim:
A workpiece-cutting apparatus for being compressively drawn by a clamping tool around a workpiece, the apparatus comprising: a flexible, non-extensible metal chain having a plurality or cutting wheels aligned longitudinally along the metal chain and rotationally engaged therewith; opposing ends of the metal chain each terminating with an adapter; each said adapter providing a pair of legs supporting therebetween at least one of the cutting wheels; each said adapter further having a clamping groove longitudinally extensive and directed along the adapter without extending through the adapter; the apparatus circularly configurable for encircling a workpiece with each said pair of legs directed toward the workpiece and with each said clamping groove directed away from the workpiece; wherein one of the adapters further provides a guide groove and another of the adapters provides a guide tongue; the guide groove and the guide tongue engagable when the apparatus is circularly configured, whereby, when the adapters are drawn together, contact forces of the cutting wheels sever the workpiece.