Cutlery – Cutting tools – With blade moving means
Reexamination Certificate
1996-12-27
2001-01-30
Peterson, Kenneth E. (Department: 3724)
Cutlery
Cutting tools
With blade moving means
C030S277400, C030S293000, C030S294000, C030S317000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178645
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to improvements in apparatus for removing windscreens or other similar panels from vehicle bodies or the like. The apparatus is intended to separate a bonding layer between the panel to be removed and the supporting frame work surrounding same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,825 granted to Trevor S. Lock discloses apparatus of the aforementioned kind comprising a device for reciprocating a flat elongated flexible blade sharpened to one face along longitudinal edges and a curved end joining the longitudinal edges. The blade is reciprocated along the panel to be removed to separate the bonding layer. This type of apparatus has proved to be quite successful, particularly when used by skilled workmen, however, there are some problems when the apparatus is used by inexperienced workmen. These difficulties include, in some cases a difficulty in keeping the blade flat on the panel being removed and at the same time judging the depth of cut (reciprocation) required to separate the bonding layer without contacting and causing at least minor or superficial damage to the frame work surrounding the panel to be removed. Similarly, damage can occur to the panels themselves or coatings applied thereto. Further damage may occur to trim or other components on or surrounding the panel being removed. A still further problem is that if the blade is not held generally parallel to or flat on the panel, then a very poor or inefficient cutting operation results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Objects of the present invention are therefore to provide improvements to apparatus of the type disclosed in the Lock Patent which will enable such apparatus to be used while at least minimising the aforementioned difficulties. It will of course be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to use with blades as defined in the Lock Patent but blades are clearly preferred. According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a device for severing a bonding strip interposed between and securing together overlapping portions of respective rigid elements, said device including a generally flat cutting blade portion shaped and arranged to, in use, engage the bonding strip between the overlapping portions in a cutting action to sever at least one of the overlapping portions from the bonding strip, and rest means adapted to engage the rigid element from which the bonding strip is being severed at a location spaced from the cutting blade portion to, in use, provide guidance for the movement of the cutting blade portion during said severing operation.
Conveniently, the cutting blade has a flat face on one side thereof defining a perimetal cutting edge and the opposite side is inclined upwardly from said cutting edge to provide support for the cutting edge.
In accordance with a second aspect, the present invention provides that, in use, the flat face is in contact with the rigid element from which the bonding strip is to be severed, and wherein the rest means is rigidably supported relative to the cutting blade to, in use, engage the rigid element from which the bonding strip is to be removed so that flat face of the cutting blade is in face to face contact with said rigid element.
In one preferred arrangement, the blade may be a generally flat elongated blade which is sharpened as disclosed in the Lock U.S. patent previously referred to. In another preferred arrangement, the blade may comprise any other form of blade known for this purpose including those which are oscillated during their cutting motion.
In one preferred arrangement, the panel removing blade may be a generally flat elongated blade which is sharpened as disclosed in Australian Patent No. 543405 and reciprocated in a cutting motion. In other preferred arrangements, the panel removing blade may comprise any other form of blade known for this purpose including those which are oscillated during their cutting motion.
In one preferred embodiment, the rest means may comprise a surface located in a plane generally parallel to a transverse dimension of the flat cutting blade portion. Alternatively, the rest means might be formed by two surfaces defining a plane generally parallel to a transverse dimension of the flat cutting blade portion. Conveniently, the plane of the or each said surface of the rest means is angled obliquely towards the flat cutting blade portion.
In a further preferred embodiment, the rest means may comprise an edge portion disposed generally parallel to a transverse dimension of the flat cutting blade portion. Alternatively, the rest means might be formed by at least two edge portions together defining a rest edge configuration disposed generally parallel to a transverse dimension of the flat cutting blade portion.
In a still further preferred embodiment, the rest means may comprise at least two point contacts defining a contact line extending therebetween disposed generally parallel to a transverse dimension of the flat cutting blade portion.
In a preferred arrangement, two said rest means are provided on diametrically opposed sides of the flat elongated panel removing blade.
The present invention also proposes providing, as a preferred feature, a stop element which is adapted, in use, to be located adjacent an end region of a flat elongated panel removing blade whereby the end region of the blade is positioned at a predetermined distance relative to the end zone of the stop element. Conveniently, the stop element is adjustable relative to the flat elongated panel removing blade to adjust the distance between the end of the blade and the end zone of the stop element. Preferably, the stop element is at least as transversely flexible as the blade. Normally, when a panel is being removed, the blade will extend beyond the end zone of the stop element but, for trimming purposes after a panel has been removed, the stop element may extend beyond the end zone of the blade.
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Abstracts of DE 3304981 (Jun. 1984), DE 3210212 (May 1983), DE 3324676 (Oct. 1984), DE 4222250 (Jan. 1994), EP 433539 (Jun. 1991), EP 294617 (Dec. 1988), JP 06086816 (Mar. 1994), JP 08001598 (Jan. 1996).
Peterson Kenneth E.
Roylance Abrams Berdo & Goodman L.L.P.
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