Patent ID: 8418589

Claim:
An apparatus for cutting a substantially cylindrical pipe, said apparatus comprising: a structural frame for supporting the pipe; a tool arm pivotally mounted to said frame at a tool arm pivot location; a tool for working the pipe disposed on said tool arm wherein pivotal movement of said tool arm moves said tool between a working position wherein said tool is engageable with the pipe located on said frame and a disengaged position spaced apart from the pipe located on said frame; a tool guard assembly, said tool guard assembly including: at least two shielding members, said shielding members pivotally mounted to said tool arm and wherein said shielding members have a closed position substantially enclosing said tool and an open position permitting said tool to engage the pipe; and linkage assembly means operably coupled to said shield members and pivotally engaged to said frame at a guard assembly pivot location spaced from said tool arm pivot location for biasing said shielding members into said open position when said tool is disposed in said working position and biasing said shielding members into said closed position when said tool is disposed in said disengaged position.