Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE(S) 
     This application is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 11/450,055, filed Jun. 9, 2006, which claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/727,778, filed Oct. 18, 2005. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98 
     Lines or ropes are widely used in the marine environment, for outdoor climbing, and in construction work. Virtually all lines used today are manufactured of synthetic polymers, such as nylon or polypropylene. Such lines often are complex in structure. They may involve a 3-strand twist construction or are braided. A number of different braids are in use, such as solid braid, hollow braid, also known as single braid, plait, double braid, and diamond braid. Braided lines may be single-braided and constructed of a single polymer or double-braided in which a braided core is covered by a braided sheath. The core and sheath may be of the same or different materials. The core may be constructed of several different materials. 
     No matter the construction, cutting a line produces two raw ends which must be treated to prevent raveling or unraveling, a process termed “whipping.” A conventional whipping process involves wrapping the cut end with thread or twine. A common whipping process today involves melting the synthetic polymers at the cut ends to prevent raveling. 
     Another contemplated application involves the use of the apparatus to heat shrink shrinkable tubing and heat shrinkable tape about the ends of cables and electrical wires by cable splicers, electricians, and linesmen. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,947,857 discloses a plug-in electrically heated knife for bee keepers or bakers. The blade is heated by an insulated resistance element located in a metal housing welded to the blade. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,024,342 discloses a knife with a pivoting blade, in which an electrical circuit is completed when the knife is pressed against the work being cut. The cutting edge is heated by a heating element in close contact with two sides of the blade and which is covered by a heat-resistant housing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,376 discloses an apparatus for secuting two elongated members using a friction member between the elongated members and a heat shrinkable tube. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,622,966 discloses a scalpel blade in which the steel cutting edge is heated by electrical resistant heater means which transfers heat via a copper laminate. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,654 discloses a portable device which cuts synthetic materials including rope and singes the cut surface with a flame in order to prevent unraveling. The flame is provided by a flammable fluid burner. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,798 discloses a heated cutting and coagulating instrument in which a U-shaped support is electrically heated by a resistance element and supports a cutting edge. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,912 discloses an instrument for cutting multi-strand plastic fiber materials using heat from heating elements or an outside source to cut and simultaneously cauterize the cut ends. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,235,027 discloses a forceps in which silicon nitrade ceramic heaters are attached to the tines and are heated by current from a battery. 
     Pub. US Pat. Applic. No. 2001/0027968 discloses a folding cauterizing knife in which battery power is used to heat the blade when the blade is extended and a switch is activated. Cutting is achieved by a metallic cautery filament installed in a ceramic or metallic blade. 
     German Pub. Pat. Applic. No. DE 3838893 A1 discloses securing rope ends from untwisting using a heat-shrinkable plastic tube. 
     Hot Knife [online], [retrieved on 2005-09-22]. Retrieved from the Internet &lt;URL: www.westmarine.com&gt;, discloses a line cutter with a heated blade in which the power source is plugged into a wall socket. 
     The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. 
     The discovered examples of the related art do not provide the advantages of the present embodiments, that is, to provide a portable line cutter which efficiently and effectively cuts synthetic lines and sequentially seals or whips the raw ends against raveling. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tool and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements. 
     Embodiments include a heated line cutter and whipper comprising an upper arm mounted by a pivot to a lower arm, each arm supporting two gutter-shaped troughs, the troughs mounted approximately perpendicular to the arms, the troughs comprised of material capable of resistance heating when in an electrical circuit, the troughs on one arm capable of interacting with troughs on the other arm and enclosing a line to be cut, and the troughs separated by a slot. Some embodiments include only a single trough. Troughs have been constructed of anodized aluminum and wrapped with NICHROME wire. There also is a cutting arm having a handle and a blade, the blade comprised of material capable of resistance heating when in an electrical circuit, the cutting arm mounted by a pivot to one arm, and the blade capable of passing through the slot and cutting a line. Further elements include an electrical source and wires, and switches for placing the troughs and blade in electrical circuits. 
     In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following descriptions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a first embodiment heated line cutter and whipper. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken at line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a ventral view of the lower arm of the first embodiment heated line cutter and whipper. 
         FIG. 4  is a ventral view of the upper arm of the first embodiment heated line cutter and whipper. 
         FIG. 5  is a ventral view of the cutter arm of the first embodiment heated line cutter and whipper. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the second embodiment heated line cutter and whipper. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section view of the second embodiment heated line cutter and whipper taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of one embodiment knife blade. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a first embodiment trough. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second embodiment trough. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a third embodiment trough. 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of the third embodiment heated line cutter and whipper. 
         FIG. 13  is a dorsal view of the third embodiment heated line cutter and whipper. 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram of the wiring of the first embodiment heated line cutter and whipper. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram of the wiring of the second embodiment heated line cutter and whipper. 
         FIG. 16A  is a schematic diagram of the wiring of the third embodiment heated line cutter and whipper showing the trough heating circuit. 
         FIG. 16B  is a schematic diagram of the wiring of the third embodiment heated line cutter and whipper showing the blade heating circuit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a first embodiment heated line cutter and whipper  20 . Visible in  FIG. 1  is the lower arm  40  comprised of a lower arm handle  42  and a lower arm trough support  44 . Also visible in  FIG. 1  and attached to the lower arm handle  42  are a rechargeable battery container  22  which holds one or more rechargeable batteries  30 , a general off/on switch  24 , an off/on indicator light  25  and a normally-off spring switch  26  which controls the heating of the troughs. Normally-off spring switch  27 , shown in dashed lines, controls the heating of the knife. The general off/on switch  24  controls the electricity to all the troughs and the knife. The lower arm trough support  44  is pierced by the lower arm knife slot  46  (not visible in  FIG. 1 ). Troughs are gutter-shaped structures the left lower trough  52  extends across the lower arm trough support  44  approximately perpendicular to the knife slot  46  (not visible in  FIG. 1 ), and interrupted by the knife slot, dividing each trough into a left trough and a right trough. The troughs are comprised of material capable of resistance heating when in an electrical circuit. Lower arm rest posts  90  project approximately 1 inch from the left and right sides of the lower arm trough support  44 . The arm rest posts are constructed of heat resistant material and allow a hot cutter and whipper to be placed on a surface without fear of burning or damaging the surface. 
     Also visible in  FIG. 1  is the upper arm  60  comprised of an upper arm handle  62  and upper arm trough support  66 . A battery container  23  which holds one or more rechargeable batteries  31 , is at the end of the upper arm handle. The upper arm trough support  66  is pierced by the upper arm knife slot  68  (not visible in  FIG. 1 ). Troughs are gutter-shaped structures extending across the upper arm trough support  66  approximately perpendicular to the knife slot  68  (not visible in  FIG. 1 ), and interrupted by the knife slot, dividing each trough into a left trough and a right trough. The troughs are comprised of material capable of resistance heating when in an electrical circuit. The upper arm and lower arm are pivotally connected by a bolt  64 . Upper arm rest posts  89  project approximately 1 inch from the left and right sides of the upper arm trough support  66 . The arm rest post are constructed of heat resistant material and allows a hot cutter and whipper to be placed on a surface without fear of burning or damaging the surface. 
     Also visible in  FIG. 1  is a cutter arm  80 , comprised of a cutter handle  82  and a blade support  88 . A blade  86  extends along and is attached to the upper edge  87  of the blade support  88 . The blade is comprised of material capable of resistance heating when in an electrical circuit. The cutter arm  80  is pivotally connected to the lower arm trough support  44  by bolt  84 . 
     In describing the elements of the embodiments heated cutter and whipper, the term “distal” refers to elements located on the arms more distant from the battery and the term “proximal” refers to elements located closer to the battery. The term “ventral” refers to elements located on the arms on the same side as the surface of the troughs in contact with the line being cut or whipped, and the term “dorsal refers to elements located on the side of the arm more distant from the surface of the troughs in contact with the line being cut or whipped. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken at line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . Visible in  FIG. 2  is the lower arm left trough  52 , the lower arm right trough  54 , the upper arm left trough  56 , and the upper arm right trough  58 . Slot  46  extends between the left leg  43  and the right leg  47  of the lower arm trough support  44 . Slot  68  extends between the left leg  65  and the right leg  67  of the upper arm trough support  66 . The lower arm rest posts  90  (not visible in  FIG. 2 ) extend from the left leg  43  and the right leg  47  of the lower arm trough support  44 . The upper arm rest posts  89  (not visible in  FIG. 2 ) extend from the left leg  65  and the right leg  67  of the upper arm trough support  66 . 
       FIG. 3  is a ventral view of the lower arm  40  of the first embodiment heated line cutter and whipper showing the lower arm handle  42  and lower arm trough support  44  which is comprised of the left leg  43  and right leg  47  which are separated by slot  46 . Also shown is the left lower trough  52  and right lower trough  54  attached to and supported by the left leg  43  and right leg  47 , respectively. Electrically conductive contacts  51  and  55  extends along the distal edge of the left lower trough  52  and right lower trough  54 , respectively. Electrically conductive contacts  53  and  57  extend from the proximal edge of the left lower through  52  and right lower trough  54 , respectively. 
     Also visible in  FIG. 3  are a rechargeable battery container  22  containing one or more rechargeable batteries  30 , general off/on switch  24 , off/on indicator light  25 , normally-off spring switch  26 . The general off/on switch  24  controls the flow of electricity to the troughs and to the knife. The normally-off spring switch  26  controls the flow of electricity to the troughs. The normally-off spring switch  27  controls the flow of electricity to the knife. The indicator light  25 , is illuminated when the general off/on switch is in the on position. Lower arm post  90  is visible. 
       FIG. 4  is a ventral view of the upper arm  60  of the first embodiment heated line cutter and whipper with first embodiment troughs showing the upper arm handle  62 , the upper arm battery container  21  containing one or more rechargeable batteries  31 , and upper arm trough support  66  which is comprised of the right leg  67  and left leg  65  which are separated by slot  68 . Also shown is the right upper trough  58  and left upper trough  56  attached to and supported by the right leg  67  and left leg  65 , respectively. Electrically conductive contacts at  69  and  61  extends along the distal edge of the right upper trough  58  and left upper trough  56 , respectively and conductive contacts at  64  and  63  extend along the proximal edge of the right upper trough  58  and left upper trough  56 , respectively. Upper arm post  89  is visible. 
       FIG. 5  is a ventral view of the cutter arm  80  of the first embodiment heated line cutter and whipper. Visible in  FIG. 5  is the cutter arm handle  82 , blade support  88  and cutter blade  86 . The blade is comprised of material capable of resistance heating when in an electrical circuit. The cutter arm  80  is pivotally connected to the lower arm trough support  44  by a bolt  84  (visible in  FIG. 1 ). 
     In use, a line to be cut and whipped is grasped by the troughs  52 ,  54 ,  56 , and  58  by the operator who grasps the arm handles  42  and  62  and moves the handles toward each other. The operator then moves the cutter blade handle  82  away from the upper arm handle  62 . This movement activates a normally-off spring switch  27  which sends electrical current to the cutter blade, thereby heating the blade. The heated blade is moved against the line, severing the line. Movement of the cutter blade handle  82  toward the upper arm handle  62  releases the normally-off spring switch  27  and turns off the current to the cutter blade. Normally-off spring switch  26  is then depressed by the operator causing the troughs to be heated and whipping the ends of the cut line through the heating effect of the troughs on the cut ends. The handles then are moved apart, releasing the whipped ends of the line. 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of a second embodiment  220  heated line cutter and whipper. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment primarily in the provision in the second embodiment of upper and lower arm cylinders which have mounted on the circumferences a number of different sized troughs. Orientation of corresponding troughs allow the use of the second embodiment heated cutter and whipper to cut and whip a variety of different diameter lines. 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of a second embodiment heated line cutter and whipper  30 . Visible in  FIG. 6  is the lower arm  240  comprised of a lower arm handle  242 , lower arm trough support  300 , and a lower arm trough support cylinder  244 . Also visible in  FIG. 6  and attached to the lower arm handle  242  are rechargeable battery container  222 , one or more rechargeable batteries  221 , a general off/on switch  224 , an off/on indicator light  225  and a normally-off spring switch  226  which controls the heating of the troughs which are in the cutting position. The general off/on switch  224  controls the electricity to the troughs and the knife. The lower arm trough support cylinder  244  is comprised of the circular lower left disk  243  which is fixedly connected to a circular lower right disk  241  (not visible in  FIG. 6 ) by the lower cylinder axle  245 . The lower cylinder axle  245  passes through a hole in the lower arm trough support  300 . A number of troughs of varying diameter,  270 ,  272 ,  274 ,  276 , and  278  are arrayed about the circumference of the lower left disk  243 . The upper and lower disks are rotated to bring troughs of the same size into an adjacent relationship in the cutting position. Electrical contacts leading to each trough make contact with rotating contact  228  located on the lower arm trough support  295  when the troughs are in cutting position. 
     Lower arm rest posts  246  and  247  project approximately 1 inch from the left  243  and right  241  disks of the lower arm trough support cylinder  244 , respectively. The arm rest posts are constructed of heat resistant material and allow a hot cutter and whipper to be placed on a surface without fear of burning or damaging the surface. They also can be used as handles in rotating the lower arm trough support cylinder  244 . 
     Also visible in  FIG. 6  is the upper arm  260  comprised of an upper arm handle  262 , upper arm trough support  290 , and upper arm trough support cylinder  266 . A rechargeable battery container  223  containing a rechargeable battery  230  is at the end of the upper arm handle. The upper arm trough support cylinder  266  is comprised of the upper left disk  263  which is fixedly connected to an upper right disk  264  (not visible in  FIG. 6 ) by the upper cylinder axle  265 . The upper cylinder axle passes through a hole in the upper arm trough support  290 . A number of troughs of varying diameter,  295 ,  293 ,  291 ,  299 , and  297  are arrayed about the circumference of the upper left disk  263 . The upper and lower disks are rotated to bring troughs of the same size in adjacent relationship in the cutting position near the cutting blade. Electrical contacts leading to each trough make contact with rotating contact  229  in the upper arm trough support  290  when the troughs are in the cutting position. 
     Upper arm rest post  268  and  267  project approximately 1 inch from the left  263  and right  264  disks of the upper arm trough support cylinder  266 , respectively. The arm rest posts are constructed of heat resistant material and allow a hot cutter and whipper to be placed on a surface without fear of burning or damaging the surface. They also can be used as handles in rotating the upper arm trough support cylinder  266 . 
     The upper arm trough support  266  is pierced by the upper arm knife slot  262  (not visible in  FIG. 6 ). Troughs are gutter-shaped structures extending across the upper arm trough support  266  approximately perpendicular to the knife slot  268  (not visible in  FIG. 6 ), and interrupted by the knife slot, dividing each trough into a left trough and a right trough. The troughs are comprised of material capable of resistance heating when in an electrical circuit. The upper arm and lower arm are pivotally connected by a bolt  264 . Upper arm rest posts  268  project approximately 1 inch from the left and right sides of the upper arm trough support  266 . 
     In use, a line to be cut and whipped is grasped by the troughs, for example,  275 ,  274 ,  291 , and  292  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) by the operator who grasps the arm handles  242  and  262  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) and moves the handles toward each others. Movement of the cutter handle  282  toward handle  262  depresses the normally-off spring switch  227  (shown in dashed line in  FIG. 6 ) and causes electrical current to be switched to the cutter blade  286  which is then heated. After the line is cut, movement of the cutter blade to the non-cutting position releases the normally-off spring switch  227  and causes the electrical current to the blade to be switched off. Normally-off spring switch  226  is then engaged and causes electrical current to be switched to those troughs which are in the cutting position, in this example  275 ,  274 ,  291 , and  292 . After the line ends are whipped, the electrical current to the troughs is switched off by releasing normally-off spring switch  226 . The handles are then moved apart, releasing the whipped ends of the cut line. 
     Alternatively, the ends of a cut line may be wrapped with plastic tape or enclosed in heat shrink tubing, engulfed by the troughs, and heated by the troughs. Heating will cause plastic tape and heat shrink tubing to shrink, thereby whipping the ends. In addition, a line to be cut may be wrapped with plastic tape, and cut through the tape, then heated with the troughs. This also causes the tape to shrink, whipping the ends of the line. 
     Also visible in  FIG. 6  is a cutter arm  280 , comprised of a cutter handle  282  and a blade support  288 . A blade  286  extends along and is attached to the ventral edge  287  of the blade support  288 . The blade is comprised of material capable of resistance heating when in an electrical circuit. The cutter arm  280  is pivotally connected to the lower arm  240  by bolt  284 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-section view of the second embodiment heated line cutter and whipper taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . Visible in  FIG. 7  is the lower arm trough support cylinder  244  comprised of lower left disk  243  fixedly attached to lower right disk  241  by lower cylinder axle  245 . Also visible are left  274  and right  275  troughs which have similar diameters, left  272  and right  273  troughs which have similar diameters, and left  270  and right  271  troughs which have similar diameters. Also visible are left disk rest post  246  attached to the lower left disk  243  and the right disk rest post  247  attached to the lower right disk  241 . The lower knife slot  242  is visible between the lower left disk  243  and the lower right disk  241 . 
     Also visible in  FIG. 7  is the upper arm trough support cylinder  266  comprised of upper left disk  263  fixedly attached to upper right disk  264  by upper cylinder axle  265 . Also visible are left  295  and right  296  troughs which have similar diameters, left  293  and right  294  troughs which have similar diameters, and left  291  and right  292  troughs which have similar diameters. Also visible are left disk rest post  268  attached to the upper left disk  263  and the right disk rest post  267  attached to the upper right disk  264 . The upper knife slot  262  is visible between the upper left disk  263  and the upper right disk  264 . 
     Also visible in  FIG. 7  is the blade support  288  and the blade  286 . In this  FIG. 7  example of the second embodiment heated cutter and whipper the upper and lower arm cylinders  266  and  244  are oriented so that similar sized troughs are opposed, in this example similar diameter lower troughs  274  and  275  and similar diameter upper troughs  291  and  292 . The handle of the upper arm  242  and the handle of the lower arm  262  are grasped by the operator and moved together, thereby enclosing the line to be cut and whipped in the troughs  274 ,  275 ,  291  and  292 . The troughs and blade are electrically heated. The cutter handle  282  is grasped by the operator and moved toward the handle of the upper arm  262 . Movement of the cutter handle cause the movement of the cutter blade support  288  and heated blade  286  through the line, thereby sequentially severing the line and whipping the ends through the heating effect of the troughs on the cut ends. 
       FIG. 8  is a plan view of one embodiment knife blade. Visible in  FIG. 8  is the blade support  88 , blade  86 , distal blade attachment  91 , proximal blade attachment  93 , distal blade electrical connection  95  and proximal blade electrical connection  97 . The blade is separated from the blade support  88  by a gap  94 . 
     In one embodiment, the blade  86  is comprised of a NICHROME ribbon, preferably but not limited to 0.24×0.138 inch. NICHROME is a trademark for resistance-wire and ribbon owned by Driver-Harris Company Corporation, Harrison, N.J. Any suitable resistance wire or ribbon may be used in embodiments. The distal and proximal blade attachments  91  and  93 , respectively, rigidly attach the blade to the blade support  88  and support the blade against bending, and are comprised of stainless steel or other suitable material. One end of the attachments is embedded in the blade support and the blade is welded to the blade attachments, although one of ordinary skill would understand that other configurations are possible. The distal and proximal blade electrical connections,  95  and  97 , respectively, provide electrical current to the knife blade for heating the blade. 
     In other knife blade embodiments #16 agw NICHROME wire or other resistance wire is used as a knife blade. The wire blade can be attached to the blade support as in the above embodiment. Alternatively a NICHROME ribbon is used as the knife blade. The ribbon can be attached to a blade support or can be used as a self-supporting knife blade. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of two examples of a first embodiment trough. This embodiment  52  and  56  can be thought of as a spiral of NICHROME wire or other resistance wire  55  embedded in a coating of SAUREISEN INSULTEMP CEMENT NO. 10 resin  57  or other suitable resin. SAUREISEN INSULTEMP CEMENT NO. 10 is a trademark for phosphate-bonded and alumina-filled material that cures by a chemical-set owned by Sauereisen Cements Company, Pittsburgh, Pa. Any suitable resin which is strong and heat resistant can be used. The cylinder containing embedded NICHROME wire is then cut along a diameter, providing an upper  56  and lower  52  trough. The corresponding ends of the NICHROME wires in the upper  56  and lower  52  troughs are in electrical contact, for example, at ends  51  and  61 ; and at ends  42  and  48 . Left electrical contact  63  and right electrical contact  59  provide electrical current to the troughs for heating the troughs. The current spirals through the length of the troughs, thereby heating the troughs. Alternatively the troughs can be made of anodized aluminum wrapped with NICHROME ribbon. Anodized aluminum has the properties of good heat transfer and resistance to salt water corrosion. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second embodiment trough  152 . In this embodiment hemispherical lengths of NICHROME ribbon  155  or other suitable resistance ribbon are mounted with SAUREISEN INSULTEMP CEMENT No. 10 resin or other suitable resin on a hemispheric length of that resin  157 . The lengths of ribbon  155  are in lateral electrical contact. Left electrical connector  151  and right electrical connector  153  provide electrical current to the trough for the heating of the trough. 
       FIG. 11  is perspective view of a third embodiment trough  252 . In this embodiment a single length of NICHROME or other resistant material ribbon  255  is mounted on a hemispheric length of SAUREISEN INSULTEMP CEMENT NO. 10 resin or other suitable resin  257 . Contacts  251  and  253  provide electrical current to the trough. Alternatively the troughs can be made of anodized aluminum wrapped with NICHROME ribbon. Anodized aluminum has the properties of good heat transfer and resistance to salt water corrosion. 
     First, second, and third embodiment troughs may be used with any embodiment heated line cutter and whipper. 
       FIG. 12  is a plan view of a third embodiment heated line cutter and whipper  300 . Visible in  FIG. 12  is the handle  342  comprised of a handle base  343  and a trough support  344 . Also visible in  FIG. 12  are one or more rechargeable batteries  330 , an off/on indicator light  329  and a normally-off spring switch  326  which controls the heating of the trough. Normally-off spring switch  327 , not visible in  FIG. 12 , controls the heating of the knife. The trough support  344  is split by the knife slot  348  (shown in  FIG. 13 ) forming left arm  345  and right arm  347  of the trough support  344 . The trough in the third embodiment is a U-shaped structure  352  which is bent upward forming a rest for the cord being cut. In particular, the left leg  351  of the trough is shown mounted on the end of the left arm  345  of the trough support  344 . The right leg  355  of the trough is shown mounted on the end or right arm  346  of the trough support  344 . The trough is bent upward forming a rest  354  which retains a line to be cut. The trough  352  is wrapped by resistance ribbon  353  capable of resistance heating when in an electrical circuit. In some embodiments trough  352  is manufactured of anodized aluminum. 
     Also visible in  FIG. 12  is a cutter arm  380 , comprised of a cutter handle  382  and a blade support  388 . A blade  386  extends along and is attached to the lower edge  387  of the blade support  388 . The blade is comprised of material capable of resistance heating when in an electrical circuit. In other embodiments the blade is a single self-supporting piece of resistance ribbon without a blade support. The cutter arm  380  is pivotally connected to the trough support  344  by bolt  384 , although one of ordinary skill would realize that any suitable pivotal connector can be used. A connector wire  389  provides electrical connection between the distal end of the blade and the handle  342 . 
       FIG. 13  is a dorsal view of the third embodiment heated line cutter and whipper  300 . Visible in  FIG. 13  is the handle  342  comprised of a handle base  343  and a trough support  344 . Also visible in  FIG. 13  are one or more rechargeable batteries  330  and  331 , an off/on indicator light  329  and a normally-off spring switch  326 , also known as trough switch  326 , which controls the heating of the trough. A second normally-off spring switch  327 , also known as knife switch  327 , controls the heating of the knife and has an off/on indicator light  325 , located on the top  346  of the right arm  347 . The trough in the third embodiment is a U-shaped structure  352  which is bent upward forming a rest for the cord being cut. The left leg  351  of the trough is mounted on the end of the left arm  345  of the trough support  344 . The right leg  355  of the trough is mounted on the end of the right arm  347  of the trough support  344 . The trough is wrapped by resistance ribbon  353  capable of resistance heating when in an electrical circuit. In embodiments trough  352  is manufactured of anodized aluminum. 
     Also visible in  FIG. 13  is a cutter arm  380 , comprised of a cutter handle  382  and a blade support  388 . A blade  386  (not visible in  FIG. 13 ) extends along and is removably attached to the lower edge of the blade support  388 . The blade is comprised of material capable of resistance heating when in an electrical circuit. The blade is capable of replacement and in this embodiment is comprised of NICHROME ribbon. The cutter arm  380  is pivotally connected to the lower arm trough support  344  by bolt  384 . The cutter arm  380  extends through the knife slot  348  between the left arm  345  and right arm  347  which comprise the trough support  344  of the handle  342 . A connector wire  389  provides electrical connection between the distal end of the blade and the handle  342 . 
     In use, a line to be cut and whipped is laid on the trough  352  with the blade  386  in the upper position above the line. Knife switch  327  is moved to the on position, heating the knife. The line is cut by the heated knife by moving the cutter handle  382  toward the handle  342 . Heat-shrink tubing is then placed over the cut ends of the cord and the trough switch  326  is moved to the on position, causing the trough to heat and shrink the heat-shrink tubing. Alternatively, the heated trough can be used to whip the cut ends of the line by rotating the ends of the line against the heated trough surface, causing melting of the ends of the line. 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram of the wiring of the first embodiment heated line cutter and whipper. Visible in  FIG. 14  is the battery or batteries  21 , main off/on switch  24 , main indicator light  25 , and normally-off spring switch  26  which controls current to the troughs. Also shown is the left lower trough  52 , right lower trough  54 , left upper trough  56 , and right upper trough  58 . When first embodiment troughs are used, only the left lower trough  52  and right lower trough  58  are included in the electrical circuits of  FIG. 14 . When the second and third embodiment troughs are used, all troughs shown in  FIG. 14  are included in the circuits of  FIG. 14 . The normally-off spring switch  27  controls current to the knife blade  86 . 
       FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram of the wiring of the second embodiment heated line cutter and whipper. Visible in  FIG. 15  is the battery or batteries  221 , main off/on switch  224 , main indicator light  225 , and normally-off trough spring switch  226 . Also shown is the left upper  291 , right upper  292 , left lower  274 , and right lower  275  troughs. Rotating contact  228  which directs current to those lower troughs which are in the cutting position and rotating contact  229  which directs current to those upper troughs which are in the cutting position are shown. Also shown is the normally-off spring switch  227  which controls current to the knife blade.  86 . 
       FIG. 16A  is a diagram of the trough heating circuit of the third embodiment heated line cutter and whipper. Visible in  FIG. 16A  is the battery or batteries  330 , indicator light  329 , and normally-off trough spring switch  326 . Also shown is the trough  353 . 
       FIG. 16B  is a diagram of the blade heating circuit of the third embodiment heated line cutter and whipper. Visible in  FIG. 16B  is the battery or batteries  331 , indicator light  325 , and normally-off blade spring switch  327 . Also shown is the blade  386 . 
     In this disclosure the term “wire” is used to indicate an electrical conductor, which may be a conductive wire, cable, or a printed conductor, or a conductor on a board. 
     In the schematic diagrams of this disclosure lines indicate wires, connections between lines are indicated by a dot where the lines cross. Wires in the diagrams in the Figs. are shown and described as connected to the positive and negative poles of a battery. Other embodiments which are contemplated involve a reversal of the polarity of the wires in the embodiments. 
     In some embodiments the arms are manufactured of any suitable strong, electrically non-conductive and heat resistant material such as plastic, rubber, or wood. In one embodiment the arms are manufactured of polycarbonate plastic. In some embodiments the use of plastic resistant to temperatures of 1000° F. is contemplated. 
     In some embodiments the arms are manufactured of any suitable strong, electrically conductive material such as metals. In one embodiment the arms are manufactured of anodized aluminum. In embodiments in which the arms are manufactured of conductive materials, the trough and the blade are mounted with electrically insulating material between the troughs and the blade and the arms. Insulated wires are used to make the electrical circuits between troughs and blade and battery. 
     Any suitable strong electrical resistant metal, metal alloy, or other material subject to resistance heating when incorporated in an electrical circuit may be used for the troughs and blade. In some embodiments the troughs and blades are comprised of NICHROME resistance material. 
     The troughs are approximately hemispherical in cross-section. When the cutter is in the closed position a line is enclosed by troughs on all sides. The radius of the troughs approximates the radius of the line being cut and is chosen to include the radii of the lines most commonly being cut. Suitable radii include 4/32 inch, 14/32 inch, and 20/32 inch, although other suitable radii are anticipated. 
     In this disclosure the term “wire” means insulated electrical wire or cable, as well as printed electrical conductors or bosses or other means for conducting electricity. 
     In operation of some embodiments a set of troughs which approximately correspond to the size of the line to be cut is selected and the appropriate trough switch is placed in the on position. The off/on switch is placed in the on position, and the line is grasped by the troughs. Movement of the cutter arm activates a normally-off spring switch and the knife is heated by the passage of electrical current from the battery through the knife. The cutter handle is then pressed causing the heated blade to sever the line. Release of the cutter handle causes the normally-off spring switch to return to the off position. A normally-off spring switch then is depressed by the operator causing heating of the troughs. The heated troughs melt the synthetic polymer fibers about the severed ends, thereby permanently preventing raveling of the cut ends. The line is then released and the normally-off spring switch is released to assume the off position, allowing the troughs to cool. 
     In some embodiments the operator directly controls the switch which activates the heating of the troughs and which activates the heating of the cutter blade. 
     Although this disclosure shows one or more batteries as power source, a variety of different power sources are contemplated. For example, any suitable battery of 6, 12, 14, and other volts direct current can be used. Either rechargeable or nonrechargable batteries can be used. A suitable cutter and whipper uses a rechargeable 12 volt battery. Use of a battery as power source has the desirable property of allowing safe and convenient use in the marine environment, and convenient use while outdoors and distant from a power line. Also contemplated is the use of a transformer in place of the battery to provide direct current of suitable voltage from the lines. Finally, embodiments are contemplated which use 110 volt alternating current from the lines. 
     The temperature of the knife and troughs can be regulated by controlling the voltage or the current in the electrical system or the length of the resistance material in the knife and in the troughs. 
     Table 1 shows the melting points of several materials commonly used in lines. The appropriate temperature for cutting the line of interest is used with the line cutter and whipper. Most commonly used lines are cut and whipped using a temperature for the knife and troughs of approximately 500° F. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Material 
                 Melting Point ° F. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Nylon 
                 460 
               
               
                   
                 Polyester 
                 480 
               
               
                   
                 Para-aramid 
                 800 
               
               
                   
                 Polypropylene 
                 330 
               
               
                   
                 Polyethylene 
                 280 
               
               
                   
                 High Molulus Polyethylene (HMPE) 
                 280 
               
               
                   
                 Liquid Crystal Polymer. 
                 620 
               
               
                   
                 Phenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO) 
                 1200 
               
               
                   
                 Manila 
                 275 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and subcombinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

Technology Category: b