Patent ID: 7008277

Claim:
A cutting apparatus for cutting debris from a propeller comprising: a spool means fixed to a propeller shaft or the propeller so as to rotate with the propeller shaft and the propeller, wherein the spool means comprises a plurality of pieces that together form an annulus shaped spool, and the spool means further includes first and second longitudinal ends and is configured to receive windings of debris that accumulate on an outer surface of the spool means toward the first longitudinal end as the propeller shaft rotates in use, wherein the outer surface of the spool means is circular in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool means; and a cutter securable proximate the first longitudinal end of the spool means and oriented to cut debris that accumulates on the outer surface of the spool means, wherein the cutter is arranged to be continuously closely positioned to the spool means so that debris is not readily able to enter a space between the cutter and the outer surface of the spool means.