GB2489835A

GB2489835A - Wire Cutter for Removing Windscreens

Info

Publication number: GB2489835A
Application number: GB1207950.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Terry Vaughan; Terence Harry Vaughan; daniel Vaughan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-19
Filing date: 2012-05-08
Publication date: 2012-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-08
Also published as: GB201207950D0; GB2489835B

Abstract

A cutting device 10 for removing an article from a support comprises a winder arrangement 14 for receiving a cutting wire 18 configured for winding the cutting wire to effect cutting around the article and guide means 20 for guiding the cutting wire to the winder arrangement. A second winder arrangement and guide may also receive the wire (Figure 8). The winder may comprise a spool 16 on a spindle 30, a one way bearing (31, Figure 2) forming a stop allowing rotation only in direction A. The spool may be mounted on a flat plate carrier 12 having a handle 38 and a suction cup 32 and pump 36 for fixing the device to the article. A plurality of guides may be arranged in succession around the winder and may comprise pulleys or rollers having a circumferential recess 28 to receive the wire. The device may be for removing windscreens or windows from vehicles and may be used with a vacuum mounted directing assembly (50, Figure 3) comprising rollers for further guiding the wire at an acute angle to the edge of the windscreen.

Description

Cutting Device This invention relates to cutting devices. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to cutting devices for removing windows from vehicles.

Cutting devices for use in the removal of windscreens from vehicles can be inconvenient to use in that they often require the device to be moved during different stages of the cutting process.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a cutting device for removing an article from a support, the cutting apparatus comprising: a winder arrangement for receiving a cutting wire, the winder arrangement being configured for winding the cutting wire to effect cutting around the article; and guide means for guiding the cutting wire to the winder arrangement.

The guide means may comprise roller guide means. The guide means may comprise at least one guide. The guide means may comprise a plurality of guides.

The, or each, guide may be associated with the winder arrangement. Where there are a plurality of guides, the guides may be arranged in succession around the winder arrangement.

The cutting device may comprise a carrier. The winder arrangement may be attached to the carrier. Desirably, the winder arrangement is rotatable relative to the carrier, and may be rotatably attached to the carrier. The, or each, guide may be attached to the carrier.

The, or each, guide may comprise a rotary member for engaging the cutting wire.

Each rotary member may be rotatably attached to the carrier. The, or each, guide may comprise a bearing about which the rotary member can rotate.

Fastening means, such as a screw or bolt, may be provided to fasten the rotary member to the carrier. The fastening means may extend through the bearing.

The bearing may comprise a bush. The, or each, guide may comprise a pulley.

The cutting device may comprise at least three guides arranged in succession around the winder arrangement. In one embodiment, the cutting device may comprise five guides arranged in succession around the winder arrangement.

The carrier may comprise a generally planar member, which may comprise a substantially flat plate.

The cutting device may further include a mounting arrangement for mounting the cutting apparatus in a desired position relative to the article to be removed. The mounting arrangement may be configured to mount the cutting device on the article to be removed.

The winder arrangement may comprise a wire receiving member around which the wire can be wound during winding thereof. The wire receiving member may comprise a spool. The wire receiving member may be rotatably mounted on the carrier.

The winder arrangement may comprise a spindle on which the wire receiving member may be disposed for rotation relative to the carrier. The winder arrangement may include a stop arrangement to allow rotation in a first direction and substantially prevent rotation in the second opposite direction. The wire receiving member may be removably mounted on the carrier.

The spindle and the stop arrangement may comprise co-operating formations to allow the spindle to be removably attached to the stop arrangement.

The stop arrangement may comprise a one way bearing assembly, such as a clutch bearing. The wire receiving may be connected to the one way bearing, and may be connected to the one way bearing via the spindle. The wire receiving member may be attached to the spindle.

The mounting arrangement may comprise a suction mount for engaging the article. Operative means may be provided to effect a remove air from between the suction mount and the article.

The cutting device may comprise a handle to allow the cutting device to be held.

The handle may be attached to the carrier. The operative means may be provided in the handle. The operative means may comprise a pump to remove air from between the suction mount and the article.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a cutting apparatus comprising a winder arrangement, for receiving a cutting wire, the winder arrangement being configured for winding the cutting wire to effect cutting around the article; and a guide for guiding the cutting wire to the winder arrangement, and the cutting apparatus further including a directing assembly to direct the cutting wire from the article to the winder arrangement.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a cutting apparatus comprising first and second winder arrangements, a first guide means associated with the first winder arrangement, and a second guide means associated with the second winder arrangement.

The first guide means may be arranged to guide the cutting wire to the first winder arrangement. The second guide means may be arranged to guide the cutting wire to the second winder arrangement.

The first guide means may comprise a first roller guide means. The first guide means may comprise at least one first guide associated with the first winder arrangement. The first guide means may comprise a plurality of first guides arranged in succession around the first winder arrangement.

The second guide means may comprise a second roller guide means. The second guide means may comprise at least one second guide associated with the second winder arrangement. The second guide means may comprise a plurality of the second guides arranged in succession around the second winder arrangement.

The first guide, or the plurality of the first guides, may be arranged to guide the cutting wire to the first winder arrangement. The second guide, or the plurality of the second guides, may be arranged to guide the cutting wire to the second winder arrangement.

The cutting apparatus may comprise a first cutting device comprising a first carrier on which the first winder arrangement and the first guide means is arranged. The cutting apparatus may comprise a second cutting device comprising a second carrier on which the second winder arrangement and the second guide means is arranged. The first and second cutting devices may be separate from one another.

The first cutting device may comprise a first mounting arrangement for mounting the first cutting device in a desired position relative to the article. The first mounting arrangement may be configured to mount the first cutting device on the article.

The first mounting arrangement may comprise a first suction mount for engaging the article. First operative means may be provided to remove air from between the first suction mount and the article.

The first cutting device may comprise a first handle to allow the first cutting device to be held. The first handle may be attached to the first carrier.

The first operative means may be provided in the first handle. The first operative means may comprise a first pump to remove air from the between the first suction mount and the article.

The second cutting device may comprise a second mounting arrangement for mounting the second cutting device in a position relative to the article, The second mounting arrangement may be configured to mount the second cutting device on the article.

The second mounting arrangement may comprise a second suction mount for engaging the article. Second operative means may be provided to remove air from between the second suction mount and the article.

The second cutting device may comprise a second handle to allow the second cutting device to be held. The second handle may be attached to the second carrier.

The second operative means may be provided in the second handle. The second operative means may comprise a second pump to remove air from the between the second suction mount and the article.

The cutting apparatus may comprise at least one directing assembly to direct the cutting wire from the article to the first and/or the second winding arrangement.

The directing assembly may comprise a further carrier and at least one further guide provided on the further carrier. The directing assembly may include a further mounting arrangement for mounting the directing assembly in a position relative to the article to be removed. The further mounting arrangement may be configured to mount the directing assembly on the article to be removed.

The further mounting arrangement may comprise a further suction mount for engaging the article. Further operative means, which may be in the form of a pump, may be provided to remove air from between the further suction mount and the article.

The further suction mount and the further guides may be provided on the same side of the further carrier.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a cutting device; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view from below of the cutting device; Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of a directing assembly; Figure 4 is a perspective view from below of the directing assembly; Figure 5 shows a cutting apparatus comprising first and second cutting devices; Figure 6 is a front view of a vehicle being prepared to have its front windscreen removed by the cutting device; and Figures 7 to 10 are views from inside the vehicle of the front windscreen showing stages in its removal.

Figure 1 shows a cutting device 10 for cutting around the edge of an article, for example a window of a vehicle, so that the article can be removed from the vehicle. The cutting device 10 is particularly suitable for removing the front or rear windscreens, but it will be appreciated that it can be used for the removal of other vehicle windows.

The cutting device 10 comprises a carrier 12 and a winder arrangement 14.

Components of the winder arrangement 14 are rotatably attached to the carrier 12.

The carrier 12 is in the form of a substantially flat plate.

The winder arrangement 14 comprises a spool 16 around which a cutting wire 18 (shown in broken lines in Figure 1) can be wound. The cutting device 10 further includes a plurality of guides 20 arranged in succession around the winder arrangement 14.

The cutting wire 18 extends from the winder arrangement 14 around each of the guides 20 and thereafter extends to the windscreen to be removed. The cutting wire 18 extends from the cutting device 10 either to the edge of the windscreen or to a directing assembly 50, described in more detail below.

Each of the guides 20 is in the form of a pulley comprising a rotary member 22 rotatably mounted on a bush 24. Fastening means in the form of a screw 26 extends through the bearing 24 and the carrier 12 to rotatably attach the rotary member 22 to the carrier 12.

Each rotary member 22 defines a circumferentially extending recess 28 which can receive the cutting wire 18. As can be seen from Figure 1, the cutting wire extends via the recess 28 in each of the rotary members 22 to the next successive rotary member 22 or to the spool 16.

The winder arrangement 14 further includes a spindle 30 upon which the spool 16 is mounted. The spindle 30 and the spool 16 are together rotatable relative to the carrier 12.

The winder arrangement 14 further includes a stop arrangement in the form of a one way bearing 31, attached to the carrier 12 by a housing member 33. The housing member 33 includes main cylindrical portion 35 and a radially outwardly extending attachment flange portion 37. The main cylindrical portion 35 defines a recess 39 in which the bearing 31 is a friction fit. Thus, the bearing 31 is held between the housing member 33 and the carrier 12.

The housing member 33 is secured to the carrier 12 by screws extending through apertures 37A in the attachment flange portion 37. The spindle 30 and the bearing 31 have co-operating formations to allow the spindle 30 to be removable attached to the bearing 31. In this connection, the spindle 30 includes an elongate shaft 30A, at the end of which, adjacent the carrier 12, the spindle 30 has a square profile projection 30B extending co-axially with the shaft 30A.

The square profile projection 30B of the spindle 30 can be received in a square profile aperture 31A defined centrally in the bearing 31. The square profile aperture 31A can be defined in a circular insert received in a circular central aperture defined by the bearing 31. This allows the spool 16, with the spindle 30 to be removed from the bearing 31, for example to secure the wire 18 to the spool 16.

The spindle 30 extends from the bearing 31, through the housing member 33 to the spool 16. The spool 16 is attached to the shaft 30A of the spindle 30 by a locking pin 16A, which is inserted through an aperture 16B in the spool 16 and through an aperture 30C in the shaft 30A, so that the spindle 30 is locked to the spool 16, thereby preventing the spindle 30 from turning relative to the spool 16.

The one way bearing 31 is selected so that the spindle 30 and the spool 16 can be rotated only in the direction indicated by the arrow A in Figure 1.

A mounting arrangement 32 is provided on the carrier 12. The mounting arrangement 32 comprises a suction mount 34 having a recess 41. The suction mount 34 is attached to the carrier 12 on the opposite side thereof to the guides 20 and the winder arrangement 14. The suction mount 34 allows the cutting device to be mounted on the windscreen to be removed.

The suction mount 34 is attached to the carrier 12 by the screws 26, which are received in bores (not shown) in the suction mount 34. In order to mount the cutting device 10 on the windscreen, the cutting device 10 is disposed so that the suction mount 34 sealingly engages the windscreen, such that a suction recess 41 is defined between the suction mount 34 and the windscreen.

The mounting arrangement 32 further includes an operative means in the form of a pump 36 provided in a handle 38. The handle 38 is attached to the same side of the carrier 12 as the guides 20 and the winder arrangement 14.

The pump 36 includes a button 40 which can be depressed in the direction indicated by the arrow B, to remove air from the suction recess 41, thereby reducing pressure in the aforesaid suction recess 41 and securing the cutting device 10 to the windscreen by suction. A suitable conduit (not shown) provides communication between the pump 36 and the space between the suction mount 34 and the windscreen to allow the air removal.

A suitable arrangement of suction mount and pump for use in manufacturing the cutting device 10 is sold by the company Wood's Powr Grip Co., Inc under product No. N5450CS.

Figures 3 and 4 show a directing assembly 50, which comprises a further carrier 52 in the form of a substantially flat plate and a plurality of further guides 54, which are the same as the guides 20 shown in Figure 1. The directing assembly 50 also includes a further mounting arrangement 56 comprising a further suction mount 58 and an operative means in the form of a further pump 60.

A suitable arrangement of suction mount and pump for use in manufacturing the directing assembly 50 is sold by the company Wood's Powr Grip Co., Inc under product No. TL6TD.

The further suction mount 58 defines a further suction recess 59. The further suction mount 58 engages the windscreen so that the further suction recess is defined between the further suction mount 58 and the windscreen.

The further operative means 60 is provided on the opposite side of the carrier 52 to the suction mount 58, and operates in the same way as the pump 36, in that the further pump 60 includes a button 62. By depressing the button 62 in the direction indicated by the arrow C, air is removed from the suction recess 59 between the further suction mount 58 and the windscreen to be removed, thereby securing the directing assembly 50 to the windscreen by suction.

The guides 54 are provided on the same side of the further carrier 52 and the suction mount 58. Figure 4 shows the underside of the further carrier 52, in which the cutting wire 18 is shown extending across the guides 54.

The directing assembly 50 shown in Figures 3 and 4 is provided to direct the cutting wire 18 from the edge of the windscreen on to the cutting device 10 at an acute angle to the edge of the windscreen, it being appreciated by the skilled person that in the event that the angle between the cutting wire and the edge of the windscreen should reach substantially 90 degrees, the tension in the cutting wire 18 could increase, thereby running the risk that the cutting wire 18 could snap.

Figure 5 shows a cutting apparatus 100 which comprises first and second cutting devices 10, labelled iDA and lOB. Each of the first and second cutting devices bA, lOB, is identical to each other.

Thus, the first and second cutting devices bA, lOB have all the same features of the cutting device 10, shown in Figure 1, and these features are given the same reference numeral as the corresponding features in Figure 1.

The cutting apparatus 100, which further includes at least one directing assembly 50, is mounted on a windscreen in a desired orientation. The positions at which the, or each, directing assembly 50 is mounted on the windscreen would become apparent to those skilled in the art through use. The precise orientation of the first and second cutting devices bA, lOB on the windscreen will depend upon the size and shape of the windscreen to be removed.

Further, the position of the, or each, directing assembly 50 will also depend upon the size and shape of the windscreen. If necessary, the cutting apparatus 100 may comprise two directing assemblies 50, each being arranged on the windscreen in a desired position selected by the user.

Referring to Figures 6 to 10, the following is a general description of one way in which the apparatus 100 can be used to remove the front windscreen 200 of a vehicle 202. For the sake of the following description, it is assumed that the cutting apparatus 100 comprises first and second cutting devices IOA and lOB and two directing assembles 50.

Initially, various components of the vehicle 202 immediately adjacent the windscreen 200 may need to be removed. A suitable length of the cutting wire 18 is cut from a reel and threaded around the outside edge of the windscreen 200 to be removed.

Using a suitable wire feeder tool, the opposite end regions 18A, 18B of the cutting wire 18 are then passed to the inside of the vehicle 202 through the adhesive holding the windscreen 200 to the vehicle 202. It is desirable if the point at the edge of the windscreen 200 through which the end regions I 8A, I 8B are passed is either the bottom left hand or bottom right hand corner of the windscreen.

Figure 6 shows the end regions 18A, 18B passed through the bottom right hand corner of the windscreen 200, as viewed from the front of the vehicle 202.

Referring to Figures 7 to 10, the first and second cutting devices 1OA and lOB are then mounted on the windscreen 200 in an approximate preliminary position at which the user is likely to want to operate the cutting apparatus 100.

When the first and second cutting devices bA, lOB are in the desired preliminary position, the first end 18A of the wire 18 is secured to the first winding arrangement 14 of the first cutting device 1OA by passing the end of the wire via the apertures in the spool 16. This is achieved by having the spool 16 and the spindle 30 removed from the bearing 31 of the first cutting device IOA prior to securing the wire 18 to the spool 16. The spool 16 and spindle 30 can then be mounted on the bearing 31 of the first cutting device IOA by inserting the square profile projection 30B of the spindle 30 into the square profile aperture 31A of the bearing 31.

The second end region I 8B of the wire 18 is then passed to the second cutting device lOB, as shown in Figure 8. This is achieved by having the spool 16 and the spindle 16 removed from the bearing 31 of the second cutting device lOB.

The spool 16 and the spindle 30 are mounted on the bearing 31 of the second cutting device lOB by inserting the square profile projection 30B of the spindle 30 into the square profile aperture 31A of the bearing 31 after the wire 18 has been attached thereto.

At this point, it is desirable to ensure that the first and second end regions 18A, I 8B of the cutting wire 18 do not cross each other.

Careful selection has therefore to be made to be made as to which of the end regions 18A, 18B of the cutting wire 18 are passed to the first and second cutting devices bA, lOB.

After making the appropriate selection, the second end region 18B of the cutting wire 18 is then secured to the spool 16 of the second cutting device lOB, thereby securing the second end region to the winding arrangement 14 of the second cutting device lOB.

If necessary, the user may decide to employ at least one directing assembly 50 in respective opposite upper corners of the windscreen to guide the cutting wire 18 when the cut region reaches the upper right and left corners of the windscreen. In the method shown in Figures 6 to 10, two of the directing assemblies 50 are used.

After the first and second end regions 1 8A, 1 8B of the cutting wire 18 are secured to the winding arrangements 14, of the first and second cutting devices I OA, I OB, the user can then reposition the first and second cutting devices 1 OA, I OB and the directing assemblies 50, if necessary.

The user then attaches a winding tool (not shown) to the spindle 30 to wind the winding arrangement 14 of the first cutting device IOA in the appropriate direction to wind the cutting wire 18 on to the spool 16 of the first cutting device I OA.

The winding tool includes a detent member, which can be received in a detent aperture 42 defined in the shaft 30A to secure the winding tool to the spindle 30 (see Figure 2). The winding tool may include a ratchet assembly to facilitate winding the spindle 30 and the spool 16.

The winding of the cutting wire 18 onto the spool 16 of the first cutting device 1 OA moves the cutting wire 18 to cut through the adhesive securing the windscreen to the vehicle 202, as indicated by the arrow 204 in Figure 9.

The winding of the cutting wire 18 is continued until the part of the cutting wire 18 cutting through the adhesive securing the windscreen 200 to the vehicle 202 reaches a point on the windscreen 200 substantially directly above the first cutting device bA.

The user then ceases winding the winding arrangement 14 of the first cutting device 1OA and moves to the second cutting device lOB. The user attaches the winding tool to the spindle 30 on the second cutting device lOB to wind the spindle and the spool 16 in the appropriate direction, and thereby wind the cutting wire 18 onto the spool 16 of the second cutting device 1 OB.

The winding of the cutting wire 18 onto the spool 16 of the second cutting device lOB moves the cutting wire 18 to cut through the adhesive securing the windscreen 200 to the vehicle 202, as shown by the arrow 206 in Figure 10.

The winding of the cutting wire 18 is continued until the part of the cutting wire 18 cutting through the adhesive securing the windscreen 200 to the vehicle 202 reaches a point at the top edge of the windscreen directly above the second cutting arrangement lOB.

When the cutting wire 18 reaches this point, the windscreen 200 is secured to the vehicle only by a short length of adhesive along its top edge. This short length of adhesive can be cut by moving, for example, the spool 16 of the second cutting device 1 OB to the spindle 30 of the first cutting device I OA.

Thereafter, the method comprises winding the first winding arrangement 14 to wind the wire 18 onto the spool 16 of the second cutting device I OB (now on the spindle 30 of the first cutting device IOA) until the remaining length of adhesive has been cut. When this occurs, all of the adhesive will then have been cut through to allow the windscreen to be removed.

There is thus described an effective cutting device 10, and cutting apparatus 100 which provides a simple, but efficient way of cutting through the adhesive securing a windscreen to a vehicle, without the need to move the cutting device 1 OA or 1 OB during the cutting operation.

Furthermore, the above described embodiment allows the cutting apparatus 100 to be mounted on the windscreen once, and provides a quick and easy method of cutting the windscreen.

It will be appreciated that the cutting device could be used to remove windows of vehicles other than the front windscreen, for example rear windscreens, or fixed side windscreens or sun roofs.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A cutting device for removing an article from a support, the cutting device comprising: a winder arrangement for receiving a cutting wire, the winder arrangement being configured for winding the cutting wire to effect cutting around the article; and guide means for guiding the cutting wire to the winder arrangement.
2. A cutting device according to Claim 1, wherein the guide means comprises roller guide means.
3. A cutting device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the guide means comprises at least one guide associated with the winder arrangement.
4. A cutting device according to Claim 3, wherein the guide means comprises a plurality of guides arranged in succession around the winder arrangement.
5. A cutting device according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the guide means comprises at least three guides arranged in succession around the winder arrangement.
6. A cutting device according to Claim 5 wherein the guide means comprises five guides arranged in succession around the winder arrangement.
7. A cutting device according to any of Claims 3 to 6, wherein the, or each, guide comprises a pulley.
8. A cutting device according to any preceding Claim, comprising a carrier, wherein the winder arrangement is rotatably attached to the carrier, and wherein the, or each, guide is attached to the carrier.
9. A cutting device according to Claim 8, wherein the guide means comprises a rotary member for engaging the cutting wire, each rotary member being rotatably attached to the carrier.
10. A cutting device according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein the carrier comprises a generally planar member.
11. A cutting device according to Claim 8, 9 or 10, comprising a mounting arrangement on the carrier for mounting the cutting apparatus in a desired position relative to the article to be removed.
12. A cutting device according to Claim 11, wherein the mounting arrangement comprises a suction mount for engaging the article, and operative means to remove air from between the suction mount and the article.
13. A cutting device according to any of Claims 8 to 12 comprising a handle to allow the cutting device to be held.
14. A cutting device according to Claim 13 when dependent upon Claim 12, wherein the operative means is provided in the handle.
15. A cutting device according to Claim 12 or 14, wherein the operative means comprises a pump to remove air from between the suction mount and the article.
16. A cutting device according to any of Claims 8 to 15, wherein the winder arrangement comprises a wire receiving member rotatably mounted on the carrier, the wire being windable around the wire receiving member during winding thereof.
17. A cutting device according to Claim 16, wherein the wire receiving member is removably mounted on the carrier.
18. A cutting device according to Claim 16 or 17, wherein the wire receiving member comprises a spool.
19. A cutting device according to Claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the winder arrangement comprises a spindle on which the wire receiving member is disposed for rotation relative to the carrier, and a stop arrangement to allow rotation in a first direction and substantially prevent rotation in the second opposite direction.
20. A cutting device according to Claim 19, wherein the spindle and the stop arrangement comprise co-operating formations to allow the spindle to be removably attached to the stop arrangement.
21. A cutting device according to Claim 19 or 20, wherein the stop arrangement comprise a one way bearing assembly, and the wire receiving is connected to the one way bearing assembly via the spindle.
22. A cutting apparatus comprising: a cutting device as claimed in any preceding claim; and a directing assembly to direct the cutting wire from the article to the cutting device.
23. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 22, wherein the directing assembly comprises a further carrier and a further guide means for guiding the wire to the cutting device.
24. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 23, wherein the further guide means comprises at least one further guide provided on the further carrier.
25. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 24, wherein the further guide means comprises a plurality of further guides arranged in succession on the further carrier.
26. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 24 or 25, wherein the further guide means comprises at least three further guides arranged in succession on the further carrier.
27. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 26 wherein the further guide means comprises five further guides arranged in succession on the further carrier.
28. A cutting apparatus according to any of Claims 24 to 27, wherein the, or each, further guide comprises a pulley.
29. A cutting apparatus according to any of Claims 22 to 28, wherein the directing assembly includes a further mounting arrangement for mounting the directing assembly in a position relative to the article to be removed.
30. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 29, wherein the further mounting arrangement comprises a further suction mount for engaging the article, and further operative means to remove air from between the further suction mount and the article.
31. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 30, wherein the further operative means comprises a further pump to remove air from between the further suction mount and the article.
32. A cutting apparatus for removing an article from a support, the cutting apparatus comprising first and second winder arrangements for receiving a cutting wire, the first and second winder arrangements being configured for winding the cutting wire to effect cutting around the article; a first guide means for guiding the cutting wire to the first winder arrangement, and a second guide means for guiding the cutting wire to the second winder arrangement.
33. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 32, wherein the first guide means comprises a first roller guide means, and the second guide means comprises a second roller guide means.
34. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 32 or 33, wherein the roller guide means comprises at least one first guide associated with the first winder arrangement, and the second guide means comprises at least one second guide on the second winder arrangement.
35. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 32, 33 or 34, wherein the first guide means comprises a plurality of first guides arranged in succession around the first winder arrangement, and the second guide means comprise a plurality of the second guides arranged in succession around the second winder arrangement.
36. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 34 or 35, wherein the first guide, or the plurality of the first guides, are arranged to guide the cutting wire to the first winder arrangement, and the second guide, or the plurality of the second guides, are arranged to guide the cutting wire to the second winder arrangement.
37. A cutting apparatus according to any of Claims 32 to 36, comprising a first cutting device comprising a first carrier on which the first winder arrangement and the first guide means are arranged, and a second cutting device comprising a second carrier on which the second winder arrangement and the second guide means are arranged.
38. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 37, wherein the first cutting device comprises a first mounting arrangement for mounting the first cutting device in a desired position relative to the article.
39. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 38, wherein the first mounting arrangement comprises a first suction mount for engaging the arUcle, and first operative means to remove air from between the first suction mount and the article.
40. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 37, 38 or 39, wherein the first cutting device comprises a first handle to allow the first cutting device to be held, the first handle being attached to the first carrier.
41. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 40 when dependent upon Claim 39, wherein the first operative means is provided in the first handle.
42. A cutting apparatus according to any of Claims 39 or 41, wherein the first operative means comprises a first pump to remove air from the between the first suction mount and the article.
43. A cutting apparatus according to any of Claims 37 to 42, wherein the first winder arrangement comprises a first wire receiving member rotatably mounted on the first carrier, the wire being windable around the first wire receiving member during winding thereof.
44. A cutting device according to any of Claims 43, wherein the first wire receiving member is removably mounted on the first carrier.
45. A cutting device according to Claim 43 or 44, wherein the first wire receiving member comprises a first spool.
46. A cutting device according to Claim 43, 44 or 45 wherein the first winder arrangement comprises a spindle on which the first wire receiving member is disposed for rotation relative to the first carrier, and a first stop arrangement to allow rotation in a first direction and substantially prevent rotation in the second opposite direction.
47. A cutting device according to Claim 46, wherein the first spindle and the first stop arrangement comprise first co-operating formations to allow the first spindle to be removably attached to the first stop arrangement.
48. A cutting device according to Claim 46 or 47, wherein the first stop arrangement comprise a first one way bearing assembly, and the first wire receiving is connected to the first one way bearing assembly via the first spindle.
49. A cutting apparatus according to any of Claims 37 to 48, wherein the second cutting device comprises a second mounting arrangement for mounting the second cutting device in a desired position relative to the article.
50. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 49, wherein the second mounting arrangement comprises a second suction mount for engaging the article, and second operative means to remove air from between the second suction mount and the article.
51. A cutting apparatus according to any of Claims 37 to 50, wherein the second cutting device comprise a second handle to allow the second cutting device to be held.
52. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 51 when dependent upon Claim 50, wherein the second operative means is provided in the second handle.
53. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 50 or 52, wherein the second operative means comprises a second pump to remove air from the between the second suction mount and the article.
54. A cutting apparatus according to any of Claims 37 to 53, wherein the second winder arrangement comprises a second wire receiving member rotatably mounted on the second carrier, the wire being windable around the second wire receiving member during winding thereof.
55. A cutting device according to any of Claims 54, wherein the second wire receiving member is removably mounted on the second carrier.
56. A cutting device according to Claim 54 or 55, wherein the second wire receiving member comprises a second spool.
57. A cutting device according to Claim 54, 55 or 56 wherein the second winder arrangement comprises a spindle on which the second wire receiving member is disposed for rotation relative to the second carrier, and a second stop arrangement to allow rotation in a first direction and substantially prevent rotation in the second opposite direction.
58. A cutting device according to Claim 57, wherein the second spindle and the second stop arrangement comprise second co-operating formations to allow the second spindle to be removably attached to the second stop arrangement.
59. A cutting device according to Claim 57 or 58, wherein the second stop arrangement comprise a second one way bearing assembly, and the second wire receiving is connected to the second one way bearing assembly via the second spindle.
60. A cutting apparatus according to any of Claims 32 to 59, wherein the cutting apparatus comprises at least one directing assembly to direct the cutting wire from the article to the first and/or the second winding arrangement.
61. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 60, wherein the directing assembly comprises a further carrier and at least one further guide provided on the further carrier.
62. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 60 or 61, wherein the directing assembly includes a further mounting arrangement for mounting the directing assembly in a position relative to the article to be removed.
63. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 62, wherein the further mounting arrangement comprises a further suction mount for engaging the article, and further operative means to remove air from between the further suction mount and the article.
64. A cutting apparatus according to Claim 63, wherein the further operative means comprises a further pump to remove air from the between the further suction mount and the article.
65. A cutting device substantially as herein described with reference to Figures I and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
66. A cutting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.
67. A cutting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.