GB2465222A

GB2465222A - Cutting device

Info

Publication number: GB2465222A
Application number: GB0820802A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Mccabe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-13
Filing date: 2008-11-13
Publication date: 2010-05-19
Also published as: GB0820802D0

Abstract

A cutting device 10, particularly adapted to cut a ligature away from a person without harming them, comprises an elongate body having a top 11, 11' and a bottom 12, 12' fixedly joined at one end (the closed end) and open at the other end, and at least one elongate cutting blade 14, 15 attached to the body. Preferably there is one blade attached to the top and one attached to the bottom. An item to be cut is placed in the open end and drawn across the blade(s) towards the closed end. The cutting portion of each blade extends from adjacent the open end of the body to a distance (e) from the open end of at least 60% of the overall length (a) of the device. The cutting portion of each blade may have a length of at least 55% of (a). The distance between the beginning of the cutting portion of each blade and the open end of the body may be between 0% and 15% of (a). The distance (f) between the top and bottom portions at the open end may be less than 40%, less than 45% or less than 50% of the maximum width (d) of the body.

Description

I

DESCRIPTION

CUTTING DEVICE

This invention relates to a cutting device.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cutting device comprising an elongate body having top and bottom portions fixedly joined at one end (hereafter "the closed end") and open at the other end (hereafter "the open end") and at least one elongate cutting blade attached to the body although ideally two, one attached to each of the top and bottom portions of the body. In use, an item is cut by placing the item in to the open end of the body and drawing the item towards the closed end of the body across the or each blade. The device's characterising geometric feature is that the or each blade extends from adjacent the open end of the body to a distance from the open end of the body of at least 60% of the overall length of the cutting device.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alternatively characterised, similar such device wherein the distance between top and bottom portions at the open end of the body is less than 40% of the maximum width of the body.

The inventor has realised that a cutting device according to the present invention provides an effective means for cutting ligature's (often used during suicide attempts) and the like. The stubby nature of the cutting device and the relatively narrow open portion enables the cutting device to be readily inserted between a person and a fine ligature without harming that person. Thereafter, a smooth, fast, pulling motion across the ligature and away from the person, thereby removing the ligature. At least for this application, the edges of The inventor also contemplates general purpose and sport's use of the knife such as for fishing.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures in which: Figures 1 a and 1 b are, respectively, a front view of a cutting device according to the present invention and an internal view (without the front removed) of the same; and Figure 2 illustrates specific dimensions of the cutting device of figures 1 a and 1 b as summarised in Table 1 below.

Referring to figures la and ib, a cutting device 10 according to the present invention is shown composed of an Aluminium alloy body have a front part composed of front top 11, front bottom 12 and front joining 13 portions; and a back part composed of back top 11', back bottom 12' and back joining 13' portions. The top 11, 12, 13 and bottom 11', 12', 13' parts when assembled sandwich and secure two inwardly pointing blades 14, 15. Apertures in the blades 14, 15 fit over internal projections 18, 17 protruding from the back part 11', 12' to set the orientation of the blades. Front and back parts are held together by screws.

The blades taper from the open end of the cutting device to the closed end of the cutting device whereby the distance between the blades reduces from -5 mm at the open end to 0.5mm at the closed end.

On the outside of the top 12 and bottom 11 parts, there are respective rubber grips 19, 20 with a criss-cross pattern. Furthermore, on both sides of both the top and bottom parts, there are 5mm deep protruding ridges 21 provided along the edges of the top and bottom parts adjacent the cutting parts of the blades to prevent accidental injury of the user.

The joining part 13 is provided with an aperture enabling the cutting device to be attached to a keying or the like, preferably with a quick release karabiner (not shown).

Figure 2 illustrates specific dimensions of the cutting device of figure 1 as summarised in Table 1 below:

Distance Description Measurement (mm)

a Overall length 62 b Distance from the open end to the widest part 51 c Distance from the open end to the near end 4 of the cutting portions of the blades d Maximum width 25 e Distance from the open end to the far end of 49 the cutting portions of the blades f Width at the open end 9 G Maximum distance between the cutting 5 _________ portions of blades at the open end Table 1: Geometry of Cuttinci Device Of course, the absolute size of the cutting device many vary, but certain geometric ratios are useful to characterise the cutting device, either individually or in combination.

Table 2 below summarised actual geometric ratios and preferred ranges therefore of a cutting device according to the present invention:

Key Description Actual (%)

Ratios (e-c)Ia Length of cutting portion of the blades to the 72.6% overall length _________________ eta Distance from the open end to the far end of 79% the cutting portions of the blades to the overall length _________________ c/a Distance from the open end to the near end 6.5% of the cutting portions of the blades to the overall length _________________ f/d Width at the open end to maximum width 36% g/d Maximum distance between the cutting 20% portions of blades at the open end to maximum width Key Preferred Preferred Preferred Ratios Range 1 (%) Range 2 (%) Range 3 (%) (e-c)/a �=70% �=60% �=55% eta �=75% �=70% �=60% c/a 5-7% 3-11% 0-15% f/d �=40% �=45% �=50% g/d 17-23% 15-28% 10-49% Table 2: Preferred Geometric Ratios The above preferred ranges are precisely that and it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that at least some needn't be adhered to whilst still resulting in a cutting device which accords with the present invention as claimed in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cutting device comprising: -an elongate body having top and bottom portions fixedly joined at one end (hereafter "the closed end") and open at the other end (hereafter "the open end"); and -at least one elongate cutting blade attached to the body, wherein, in use, an item is cut by placing the item in to the open end of the body and drawing the item towards the closed end of the body across the or each blade; and wherein the cutting portion of the or each blade extends from adjacent the open end of the body to a distance (e) from the open end of the body of at least 60% of the overall length (a) of the cutting device.
2. A cutting device according to claim 1 wherein there is two blades, one attached to each of the top and bottom portions of the body.
3. A cutting device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cutting portion of the or each blade extends from adjacent the open end of the body to a distance (e) from the open end of the body of at least 70% of the overall length (a) of the cutting device.
4. A cutting device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cutting portion of the or each blade extends from adjacent the open end of the body to a distance (e) from the open end of the body of at least 75% of the overall length (a) of the cutting device.
5. A cutting device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cutting portion of the or each blade has a length (e-c) of at least 55% of the overall length (a) of the cutting device.
6. A cutting device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cutting portion of the or each blade has a length (e-c) of at least 60% of the overall length (a) of the cutting device.
7. A cutting device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cutting portion of the or each blade has a length (e-c) of at least 70% of the overall length (a) of the cutting device.
8. A cutting device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cutting portion of the or each blade begins a distance (c) from the open end of the body of between 5% and 7% of the overall length (a) of the cutting device.
9. A cutting device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cutting portion of the or each blade begins a distance (c) from the open end of the body of between 3% and 11 % of the overall length (a) of the cutting device.
10. A cutting device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cutting portion of the or each blade begins a distance (c) from the open end of the body of between 0% and 15% of the overall length (a) of the cutting device.
11. A cutting device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the distance (f) between top and bottom portions at the open end of the body is less than 40% of the maximum width (d) of the body.
12. A cutting device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the distance (f) between top and bottom portions at the open end of the body is less than 45% of the maximum width (d) of the body.
13. A cutting device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the distance (f) between top and bottom portions at the open end of the body is less than 50% of the maximum width (d) of the body.
14. A cutting device comprising: -an elongate body having top and bottom portions fixedly joined at one end (hereafter "the closed end") and open at the other end (hereafter "the open end"); and -at least one elongate cutting blade attached to the body, wherein, in use, an item is cut by placing the item in to the open end of the body and drawing the item towards the closed end of the body across the or each blade; and wherein the distance (f) between top and bottom portions at the open end of the body is less than 40% of the maximum width (d) of the body.
15. A cutting device according to claim 14 wherein the distance (f) between top and bottom portions at the open end of the body is less than 45% of the maximum width (d) of the body.
16. A cutting device according to claim 14 wherein the distance (f) between top and bottom portions at the open end of the body is less than 50% of the maximum width (d) of the body.