Cutting – Operation controlled by detector means responsive to work – Actuation of tool controlled in response to work-sensing means
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-30
2001-05-15
Rachuba, M. (Department: 3724)
Cutting
Operation controlled by detector means responsive to work
Actuation of tool controlled in response to work-sensing means
C083S373000, C083S575000, C083S694000, C030S179000, C030S180000, C030S228000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230598
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an automatic cutting device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automatic cutting device designed for cutting woody plant material which is automatically triggered by insertion of the plant material into the cutting area.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of garden tools are known for cutting woody plant material such as branches, stems, stalks or the like. Most of these tools require an operator to grasp a pair of handles to move two blades together to cut the woody plant material between the blades. These hand operated mechanical tools (e.g., shears) may be handy for the occasional cutting by home gardeners, but for hardy materials or repetitive use, such shears prove to be inadequate, tiresome and time consuming. To address these problems, power-assisted-hand-operated cutting tools have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,718,059 entitled “Gardening Implement” describes a hand-held garden trimmer with an electrically activated moving blade and a push-button actuated switch for cutting and trimming lawns, hedges, and shrubbery. U.S. Pat. No. 4,198,748 entitled “Hydraulically Actuated Garden Tool” also describes a hand-held garden tool which is activated when the handle is actuated to move the blade into the guide to cut a branch. Other power-assisted hand-held gardening tools are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,786,625; 2,490,086; 3,834,020; and 5,002,135.
A main disadvantage for all of these types of tools is that each is required to be held by an operator and each requires an operator-assisted trigger mechanism for use. Requiring an operator to hold the cutting tool not only monopolizes use of one of the operator's hands but also leads to fatigue in carrying such a tool. Requiring operator-assisted trigger activation also prevents the operator from having his hands free, slowing down the process and further intensifying fatigue.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a cutting device which leaves the operator's hands free to handle the plant materials. There is a further need in the art for a cutting device which is not required to be hand-held or require operator-assistance trigger activation. There is a further need in the art for a fast, economical and easy-to-operate device which readily and safely cuts woody plant material, suitable for commercial, high-repetitive use.
The subject invention solves the above-described needs in the art by providing an automatic cutting device which can be utilized for cutting woody plant material, wherein the device can be automatically triggered by insertion of the plant material into the cutting area.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention pertains to an automatic cutting device which can be utilized for cutting woody plant material (e.g., stem, stalk). In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a housing having a fixed blade attached thereto. A movable blade, pivotally connected to the fixed blade, can be attached to an activating device for movement. The activating device is preferably a pushrod activated by an electrical solenoid which produces the force necessary to push the movable blade against the fixed blade in a cutting action. A spring can be used to return the movable blade to the open position between cuts. The solenoid can be activated by a switching means which can be, for example, triggered by a lever device located in close proximity to the cutting portion of the blades. In this embodiment, as the plant stem is lowered, the lever is depressed which triggers the switch to activate the solenoid. The solenoid forces the push rod to push the movable blade against the fixed blade in a single cutting action to cut the stem. The movable blade then returns to the open position via, for example, a spring means. The cutting blades may be provided with a safety guard. A main safety switch such as a foot pedal may also be provided. In addition to the cutting blades, a sharpened member may be provided near the cutting blades to allow the operator to nick, or wound, the cut end of the plant stem as the stem is being removed to provide an angular groove in the cut end of the stem allowing for a larger surface area for water absorption. The device itself is preferably mounted on a table top for ease of operation and to allow the operator to keep both hands free.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fast, economical, easy to operate device which readily and safely cuts woody plant material and is suitable for commercial, high-repetitive use. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a stand-alone device which does not require operator handling or triggering to utilize the device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1786625 (1930-12-01), Lindstrom et al.
patent: 2490086 (1949-12-01), Page
patent: 2718059 (1955-09-01), Koschak, Jr.
patent: 3834020 (1974-09-01), Caire
patent: 4198748 (1980-04-01), Lewis
patent: 5002135 (1991-03-01), Pellenc
Rachuba M.
Saliwanchik Lloyd & Saliwanchik
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