GB2422572A

GB2422572A - Block cutting guide

Info

Publication number: GB2422572A
Application number: GB0501591A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Cocker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-26
Filing date: 2005-01-26
Publication date: 2006-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2025-01-26
Also published as: GB2422572B; GB0501591D0

Abstract

A cutting guide comprising a frame having two frame members 2a and 2b which are joined by cross frame members 3 and 4. The frame fits over two adjacent faces of an object that is to be cut. The cross frame members 3 and 4 carry two guide members 5a and 5b which slide on the frame via support members 6a and 6b on one cross frame member and support members 6c and 6d on the cross frame member 4 to allow the guide members to be slid along the frame to a required position.

Description

Cutting Guide The present invention relates to a cutting guide and in

particular but not exclusively to a cutting guide that can be used to position a tool against a face of a building block that is to be cut.

Devices are known that can be used for cutting blocks of material, for example US2003/0089363 describes a block cutting device which has a rigid cutting table and a cutting blade which is lowered onto a block. A masonry splitter impacts the blocks from the bottom side of each of the blocks to split them. However, this device is cumbersome and there is no means for preventing the blades from slipping from position during the splitting operation, or for accurately positioning the cutting tool against the surface of a block.

FR2705348 describes another type of block splitter where a gantry system is used to position blades at points to be cut on masonry material. However, this type of device is only useful for cutting materials that are of large dimensions and hence is cumbersome and not suitable for use by individuals, or where individual blocks are required to be cut in confined areas. Again, there is no means for accurately positioning a cutting tool against the face of a surface to be cut.

The present invention seeks to overcome problems associated with the prior art by providing a simple to use device, which is compact and portable and which allows for the accurate positioning of a cutting tool.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cutting guide comprising a frame having first and second frame members which can be positioned over adjacent first and second faces of an object to be cut, the frame members being joined to one another by at least one cross frame member which supports at least one moveable arm which can be moved along the length of the cross frame member, said moveable arm having at least one guide member which can receive a tool to be positioned against at least one of the two faces of the object to be cut.

Preferably, the moveable arm comprises at least two elongate limbs substantially at right angles to one another with a first limb being positioned over a first face of the block and a second limb being positioned at over a second face of the block, said first and second faces being at right angles to one another. It is envisaged that the elongate limbs are hinged to one another.

It is envisaged that the limbs are narrow elongate bodies of a length substantially equal to the width of the face of the block over which the limb is positioned.

However, the limbs may be shorter that the width of the face.

In a preferred arrangement, moveable arms form the guide member which comprises two substantially parallel rods between which the tool can be inserted. In an alternate arrangement, the moveable arms provide a carrier for a separate guide member which is attached to the carrier.

Preferably the rods forming the guide member are moveable to and away from one another so that tools of different dimensions can be positioned between said rods.

In a preferred arrangement, the frame members are moveable to and from one another so that the cutting guide can be expanded or contracted in accordance with the dimension of the block to be cut. The cross frame support may be made of sections that can telescope one within another to allow for this expansion and contraction. The frame members allow the cutting guide to be securely mounted on the block.

Preferably the moveable arms and frame members are demountable from the cross frame member to allow the cutting guide to be collapsed for ease of storage.

In a preferred arrangement, the moveable arms and frames are hinged to one another to assist in collapsing the cutting guide so it can be folded to form a compact structure for ease of storage.

It is envisaged that the frame includes at least one rule with which the guide member can be aligned to position the tool against the face of a block to be cut.

It is preferred that the cutting guide is for use in the cutting of building blocks. However, it is envisaged that the device can be used to cut other types of material that are in block form, for example blocks of An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a cutting guide according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 shows a plan view from above of a cutting guide as shown in Figure 1.

A cutting guide according to an embodiment of the invention is generally shown as 1 in Figure 1. The cutting guide comprises a frame having two frame members 2a and 2b which are joined by cross frame members 3 and 4. Although two cross frame members are shown which provide the device with a great deal of rigidity, one cross frame member can be present. The rectangular structure formed by the frame members and cross frame members, provides one part of the frame (the other part of the frame being shown in Figure 2). The frame will fit over two adjacent faces of a block that is to be cut.

The cross frame members 3 and 4 carry two guide members 5a and Sb. The guide members slide on the frame via support members 6a and 6b on one cross frame member and support members 6c and 6d on the cross frame member 4.

The support members allow the guide members to be slid along the frame to a required position. The or each support member may have an indicator tab 8 which can be slid across and aligned with reference points on a gauge 9 which is positioned adjacent one cross member 3.

Although one gauge is shown, a plurality of gauges may be present depending on where a block is to be cut.

The guide members 5a and 5b comprise two parallel rods 7 which are separated by a space into which a tool may be inserted, for example the edge of a chisel. The chisel can then be held against the face of a block around which the frame is positioned. Once the guide member has been located at a desired position along the gauge 9, and the tool has been positioned between the rods 7 making up the guide member, the tool may be operated, for example by being hit with a hammer in the case of a chisel, to cut or mark the block around which the frame is positioned. The positioning of the guide members, at right angles to one another allows two adjacent faces of a block to be scored or cut, which allows for improved cutting of a block because a line of weakness is formed on sides of the block which are at right angles to one another.

The frame extends not only over the larger face of a block as shown in Figure 1, but also across at least one narrower block face as shown in Figure 2. The frame members as shown in Figure 1, i.e. 2a and 2b have further frame members extending substantially at right angles to said arms 2a and 2b and these are shown as 12a and 12b in Figure 2. Cross frame member 3 joins the two frame members l2a and 12b and there is also a gauge 9 which runs parallel to cross member 3. Having gauges at two positions on the frame allows alignment of a tool such as a cutting tool on one face of the block or the other face of the block, for example if guide members are moved.

The shorter guide members 10 which again are formed of a pair of a parallel rods are supported at one end by a support member 6a. At the other end of the guide member there is a stop 11 which holds the rods at a set distance apart from one another.

The frame is constructed so that it can fit around the larger and narrower faces of a building block, which is for example 44cm by 22cm with a thickness of for example of 10, 15 or 20cm depending on the type of block.

The cutting guide can be placed easily over a block with the guide rails being slid and located into a desired position. These guide members then can be used to position a tool for example a chisel so that a groove can be cut around the block to give a weakened area to enable an accurate split of the block. As shown in this preferred embodiment, two guide members are shown, however, it is envisaged that more guide members may be carried by the frame. Further, although one of the guide members is shown as being supported at both ends by cross members and this is the guide member that travels across the larger face of a block, it is envisaged that the guide may be detached or pivoted away from the supporting cross frame member to allow a person to view where they have scored or cut the block. Also, it is possible for the frame members 2a and 2b and 12a and 12b to be hinged to one another so that the whole arrangement can be collapsed down for ease of storage. In such a situation, the shorter guide member shown as 10 in Figure 2 can either be detached from the frame or folded down so that it is parallel with frame members 2a and 2b so that the structure is collapsed to a flat structure which again allows for ease of storage.

Due to the versatility of the invention as shown, which allows for scoring or cutting of blocks with the means to guide a cutting tool to a precise location on the block to be cut, this provides for a more accurate and easy to use device for cutting blocks.

Modifications and variations of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art and it is to be intended that all such modifications will be included within the scope of the present invention. Further, the invention not only covers embodiments as described but also combinations of features and embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1. A cutting guide comprising a frame having first and second frame

members which can be positioned over adjacent first and second faces of an object to be cut, the frame members being joined to one another by at least one cross frame member which supports at least one moveable arm which can be moved along the length of the cross frame member, said moveable arm having at least one guide member which can receive a tool to be positioned against at least one of the two faces of the object to be cut.

2. A cutting guide according to claim 1, wherein the moveable arm comprises at least two elongate limbs substantially at right angles to one another with a first limb being positioned over a first face of the block and a second limb being positioned at over a second face of the block, said first and second faces being at right angles to one another.

3. A cutting guide according to claim 2, wherein the elongate limbs are hinged to one another.

4. A cutting guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the limbs are narrow elongate bodies of a length substantially equal to the width of the face of the block over which the limb is positioned.

5. A cutting guide according to any preceding claim, wherein moveable arms form the guide member which comprises two substantially parallel rods between which the tool can be inserted.

6. A cutting guide according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the moveable arms provide a carrier for a separate guide member which is attached to the carrier.

7. A cutting guide according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the rods forming the guide member are moveable to and away from one another so that tools of different dimensions can be positioned between said rods.

8. A cutting guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame members are moveable to and from one another along the cross frame member so that the cutting guide can be expanded or contracted in accordance with the dimension of the block to be cut.

9. A cutting guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the cross frame support may be made of sections that can telescope one within another to allow for this expansion and contraction. The frame members allow the cutting guide to be securely mounted on the block.

10. A cutting guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the moveable arms and frame members are demountable from the cross frame member to allow the cutting guide to be collapsed for ease of storage.

11. A cutting guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the moveable arms and frames are hinged to one another to assist in collapsing the cutting guide so it can be folded to form a compact structure for ease of storage.

12. A cutting guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame includes at least one rule with which the guide member can be aligned to position the tool against the face of a block to be cut.

13. A cutting guide according to any preceding claim adapted to be used in the cutting of building blocks.

14. A cutting guide as substantially described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A cutting gnide comprising a frame having first and second frame members which can be positioned over adjacent first and second faces of an object to be cut, the frame members being joined to one another by at least one cross frame member which supports at least one moveable arm which can be moved along the length of the cross frame member, said moveable arm having at least one guide member which can receive a tool to be positioned against at least one of the two faces of the object to be cut.
2. A cutting guide according to claim 1, wherein the 15 object to be cut is a block.
3. A cutting guide according to claim 2, wherein the moveable arm comprises at least two elongate limbs (C (((C substantially at right angles to one another with a first limb being positioned over the first face of the block and a second limb being positioned at over the second face of the block, said first and second faces being at right angles to one another.
4. A cutting guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate limbs are hinged to one another.
5. A cutting guide according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the limbs are narrow elongate bodies of a length substantially equal to the width of the face of the block over which the limb is positioned.
6. A cutting guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one moveable arm forms the guide member which comprises two substantially parallel rods between which the tool can be inserted. I0
7. A cutting guide according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one moveable arm provides a carrier for a separate guide member which is attached to the carLier.
8. A cutting guide according to claim 6, wherein the substantially parallel rods are moveable to and away from one another so that tools of different dimensions can be positioned between said rods.
9. A cutting guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame members are moveable to and from one another along the cross frame member so that the cutting guide can be expanded or contracted in accordance with the dimension of the block to be cut.
10. A cutting guide according to claim 9, wherein the cross frame member is made of sections that can telescope (((44 one within another to allow for this expansion and (4 ((f( contraction.
11. A cutting guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the moveable arms and frame members are demountable from the cross frame member.
12. A cutting guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the moveable arms and frame members are hinged to one another to assist in collapsing the cutting guide so it can be folded to form a compact structure for ease of storage.
13. A cutting guide according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame includes at least one rule with which the guide member can be aligned to position the tool against the face of a block to be cut.
14. A cutting guide according to any preceding claim adapted to be used in the cutting of building blocks.
15. A cutting guide as substantially described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures. (

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