GB2188865A

GB2188865A - Transportable cutting apparatus particularly for stone

Info

Publication number: GB2188865A
Application number: GB08706661A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Wesson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-03-22
Filing date: 1987-03-20
Publication date: 1987-10-14
Also published as: GB8706661D0; GB8607185D0

Abstract

Cutting apparatus (7) for cutting a workpiece of stone or other material comprises a frame (8) and cutting means in the form of a blade movable relative to the frame for cutting the workpiece. The apparatus (7) is pivotally mounted to a trailer vehicle (1), so that it can be pivotted between a first position in which it is carried by the vehicle (1) and can be transported to another location, and a second position in which the frame (8) is substantially upright and the apparatus (7) can be used to cut the workpiece. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cutting apparatus This invention relates to cutting apparatus.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided cutting apparatus for cutting a workpiece, comprising a frame, and cutting means movable relative to the frame for cutting the workpiece, the frame being adapted to be pivotally mounted to a vehicle.

This enables the apparatus to be pivotted between a first position, in which it is carried by the vehicle and can be transported to another location, and a second position, in which the frame is substantially upright and the apparatus can be used to cutthe workpiece.

The workpiece may be, for example, wood, metal (such as steel), concrete and ceramic materials (such as tiles). The apparatus is especially useful for cutting stone materials.

Advantageously the apparatus can be used forfacing and carving stone.

The vehicle may comprise a trailer. The trailer can be secured to a car, van or lorry so that the apparatus can be transported to another location.

Advantageously the apparatus further comprises clamping meansforclampingtheworkpieceina su bstantia I Iy fixed position, preferably for clamping theworkpiecetotheframe.

Preferably the clamping means includes a first clamp, and the first clamp may be movable in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement ofthe cutting means. In use, the direction of movement of the cutting means and the first clamp may be substantially vertical.

Preferably also the clamping means includes a second clamp, and the second clamp may be movable in a direction substantially transverse to the first clamp. Athird clamp may be provided which is movable inthe same direction as the second clamp.

Support means is desirably provided on the frame for supporting the workpiece. The cutting means and the first clamp may be movable towards and away from the workpiece. Thus, the first clamp can clamp the workpiece to the support means. The support means may include a substantially planar surface upon which the workpiece is disposed, and the second and/orthird clamp may be movable in a direction substantially parallel to said surface.

Preferably locking means is provided for locking the apparatus in the first and/or second position.

Conveniently the cutting means comprises a cutting member including a blade, and the blade may be replaceable. This enables the apparatus to be used for cutting the workpiece into two or more pieces, for facing the workpiece, or for carving the workpiece.

First drive means may be provided for moving the cutting means towards and away from the workpiece. The first drive means may comprise one or more hydraulic rams.

The frame and blade are preferably dimensioned so that the apparatus is capable of cutting stone having a thickness of substantially 12 inches (30.5 cm).

More preferably the frame and blade are dimensioned so thatthe apparatus is capable of cutting stone having a thickness of substantially 18 inches (45.7 cm).

Although cutting apparatus of such dimensions is exceedingly heavy it can be transported simply and efficiently on the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising a body and cutting apparatus as described above, wherein the cutting apparatus is pivotally mounted to the body.

The vehicle may comprise a trailer, and may be secured to a car, van or lorry in order to transport itto another location.

Advantageouslythe vehicle is provided with second drive means for pivotting the apparatus between the first and second positions.

Preferably the drive means comprises a hydraulic ram secured between the body ofthe vehicle and the frame ofthe cutting apparatus. Control means in the form of a control lever may be provided for operating the hydraulic ram.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided cutting apparatus for cutting a workpiece, comprising a frame, cutting means movable relative to the frame for cutting the workpiece, and clamping means adapted to clampthe workpiece in a position fixed relative to theframe.

The cutting apparatus may include one or more of the features of the cutting apparatus described above. In addition the apparatus may form part of a vehicle as described above.

The workpiece may be, for example, wood, metal (such as steel), concrete, and ceramic materials (such as tiles). The apparatus is especially useful for cutting stone materials.

The clamping means is particulariy useful when the apparatus is used to carve or face stone because it is particularly important to hold the stone in a fixed position during carving or facing.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawingsinwhich: Figure lisa side elevation of a first embodiment of cutting apparatus according to the invention; Figure2 is an end perspective view of the cutting apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of cutting apparatus according to the invention; and Figure 4 is an end perspective view of the cutting apparatus shown in Figure 3.

In Figures 1 and 2 avehicle in the form of a trailer generally designated 1 comprises a chassis 2 mounted to wheels 3. A support member3 having a wheel 5 is provided at the front of the trailer 1. Atow bar6 is provided for securing the trailer 1 to another vehicle (not shown), such as a car, van or lorry.

Cutting apparatus for cutting a workpiece (not shown) is generally designated 7 and is provided at the rear ofthe trailer 1.

The cutting apparatus 7 comprises a frame 8 and cutting means in the form of a blade 9 movable up and down relative to the frame 8. The blade 9 is movable in guide means 10 which is secured to side members11 oftheframe 8. Theframe 8 also includes an upper member 12a and a lower member 126 which interconnect the side members 11 at the top and bottom.

First drive means in the form of two hydraulic rams 13 are each secured at one end to the upper member 1 2a and at the otherend to the blade 9; the hydraulic rams 13 serveto movethe blade 9.

Support means in the form of a plate 14 having a support surface 15 is provided for supporting the workpiece; the plate 14 is secured to the frame 8.

The cutting apparatus 7 is adapted to be pivotally mounted to the trailer 1. A mounting 16 is provided on the vehicleto which the apparatus 7 is mounted so that it can pivot about a pivot 17. An aperture (not shown) can be provided in the frame 8 through which a rod 18 extends to enable the pivotting move menttotake place.

The cutting apparatus 7 is pivotable between a first position (not shown) in which the frame 8 extends substantially horizontally and is carried by the trailer 1, and a second position (as shown in the drawings) in which the frame 8 extends substantially vertically and the apparatus 7 is ready for use.

Second drive means is provided for moving the apparatus 7 between the first and second positions; the second drive means comprises an engine 19, a hydraulic pump 20,a hydraulicoiltank21 and two hydraulic rams 22. The hydraulic rams 22 are connected between the chassis 2 and the frame 8 so that retraction and extension of the rams 22 causes pivotting ofthe frame 8. The engine 19 powers the pump20which pumps oil betweenthetank2l and the rams 22.

Locking means in the form of a locking pin 23 and a bracket 24 is provided for locking the apparatus 7 in the second position. The bracket 24 is fixed to the chassis 2 by means of a bolt 25. When the apparatus 7 is in the second position an aperture 26 on the bracket 24 is aligned with an aperture (not shown) on the side member 11, sothatthe locking pin 23 can extend through both apertures. The locking means can be provided on each side of the trailer 1.

Control means in the form of a control lever 27 is provided for controlling the hydraulic rams 22, and hence for controlling pivotting of the apparatus 7.

Control means in the form of a control lever 28 is provided for controlling the hydraulic rams 13, and hence for controlling movement ofthe blade 9. The hydraulic rams 13 may be connectedtothe oiltank 21 sothattheycan be powered bytheengine 19 and the pump 20.

The operation of the trailer 1 and apparatus 7 is as follows. The apparatus 7 is initially in thefirstposi- tion so that the trailer 1 can be transported to any desired location. When the trailer 1 reachesthedes- ired location the engine 19 can be activated to operate the rams 22 using the control lever 27; this causes the apparatus 7 to be moved to the second position, whereupon the locking pin 23 can be pushed through the aperture 26 and the aligned aperture in the side member 11 to lockthe apparatus 7 in the second position.

Aworkpiece can be placed on the surface 15 ofthe plate 14 and the rams 13 can be operated using the control lever 28. This causes the blade 9 to move to wards the workpiece in order to cuttheworkpiece.

Aftertheworkpiece has been cutthe blade 9 can be moved back to its initial position.

The embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 is similarto that shown in Figures 1 and 2; like parts have been designated with like reference numerals.

The embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 includes clamping means for clamping the workpiece in position. The clamping means includes a first clamp 29 movable in a substantially vertical direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement ofthe blade 9. A hydraulic ram 30 is provided for moving the clamp 29, and the ram 30 can be operated by means of a control lever31 . The first clamp 29 can clamp the workpiece between itself and the plate 24.

The clamping means also includes second and third clamps 32 and 33 (notshown in Figure 4) which are movable in a substantially horizontal direction substantially transverse to the direction of move ment of the first clamp 29. The second and third clamps 32 and 33 are movable by means of hydraulic rams 34 and 35 respectively, and a control lever35 is provided for operating the rams 34 and 35; if desired a separate control lever can be provided for operating each ram 34 and 35.

AU-section member 37 is provided to assist with making a flat surface when carving orfacingthe workpiece; the member 37 is preferably made out of steel. The member 37 is used to provide a flat bed when the apparatus is to be used for other purposes.

The embodimentshown in Figures 3 and 4 is part- icularly useful for facing and carving a workpiece because the clamps 29,32 and 33 enable theworkpiece to be held firmly in position during facing or carving.

The blade9 can be replaceable Sothat itcan be changed according to requirements. Thus, the apparatus 7 can be used to cut the workpiece into two pieces (when the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 is most suitable) orto carve orface theworkpiece (when the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 is most suitable).

The rams 30,34 and 35 can all be operated by means ofthe pump 20 and the engine 19.

A hydraulic or hand winch can be provided on the vehicle to assist with pulling heavy workpieces onto the apparatus.

If desired the level ofthe pivot 17 can be raised relative to the apparatus 7, so thatthe apparatus 7 can be pivotted between the first and second positions manually rather then by means of the rams 22.

This enables the rams 22 to be dispensed with.

Claims

1. Cutting apparatus for cutting a workpiece, comprising a frame, and cutting means movable relative to the frame for cutting the workpiece, the frame being adapted to be pivotally mounted to a vehicle.

2. Cutting apparatus according to Claim 1, further comprising clamping means for clamping the workpiece in a substantially fixed position.

3. Cutting apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the clamping means includes a firstclamp which is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement ofthe cutting means.

4. Cutting apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the clamping means includes a second clamp which is movable in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the first clamp.

5. Cutting apparatus according to any preceding claim,furthercomprising locking meansforlocking the apparatus in the first and/or second position.

6. Cutting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cutting means comprises a cutting member including a blade.

7. Cutting apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the blade is replaceable.

8. Cutting apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising first drive means for moving the cutting means towards and away from the workpiece.

9. Cutting apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising guide means provided on the frame, wherein movement of the cutting means is guided by the guide means.

10. Cutting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

11. Avehicle comprising a body and cutting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cutting apparatus is pivotally mounted to the body.

12. A vehicle according to Claim 11,furthercom- prising second drive means for pivotting the cutting apparatus.

13. A vehicle according to Claim 12,whereinthe second drive means comprises at least one hydraulic ram secured to the body and to the frame of the cutting apparatus.

14. A vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.