GB2588808A

GB2588808A - A jig

Info

Publication number: GB2588808A
Application number: GB1916273.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Roberts Stephen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-11-08
Filing date: 2019-11-08
Publication date: 2021-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-08
Also published as: GB2588808B; GB201916273D0

Abstract

A jig (10; Fig 1) having a pair of lower support rails (12; Fig 3) spaced apart to form a lower guide gap, a pair of upper rails 14 spaced apart to form an upper guide gap 15, the upper rails provided opposite to and spaced apart from the lower support rails to form a feed opening between the upper and lower rails. A flexible cutting member 17 is anchored at a first end 28 of the lower guide gap and extending into the lower guide gap at least at the first end and extending to an opposite second end of the lower guide gap, a tension applicator 18 associated with a second end of the cutting member is used to apply tension to the cutting member. In use, an operator feeds a rigid insulation board through the feed opening 16, positions the board relative to the guide gaps, and then cuts the board by moving the tension applicator in order to pass the cutting member through the board. The tension applicator may be a handle. The cutting member may be formed from wire.

Description

A JIG

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to jigs and more particularly to a jig configured to cutting foam board insulation.

Background to the Invention

The term rigid insulation typically refers to the large pre-formed sheets of insulation which can be bought from your local builder's merchant or indeed online and delivered direct to your site They come in three main types i.e. polyisocyanurate (PIR), polyurethane (PUR) 10 boards, Phenolic boards and EPS boards. PLR (polyisocyanurate) and PUR (polyurethane) boards tend to be the most common type and has a metal foil backing or facing layer on each side which can minimise water vapour/moisture penetration.

Rigid insulation is offered in a variety of thicknesses, lengths, and facings so it can be customized to fit properly for the project. The thermal insulation properties of a rigid insulation board are typically measured using an R-value, with a higher R-value meaning better thermal insulation properties. The R-value of a rigid insulation board varies with the material but also with the thickness.

The nature of the rigid insulation means that it is relatively light but it can be difficult to cut to length, particularly when the board is thicker. Most installers tend to cut the boards with a saw (either hand or powered) but this can tear the board as well as forming dust out of the material of construction.

Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a jig comprising a) At least one pair of lower support rails spaced apart to form a lower guide gap; b) At least one pair of upper rails spaced apart to form an upper guide gap, the at least one pair of upper rails provided opposite to the pair of lower support rails and spaced therefrom to form a feed opening between the at least one pair of lower support rails and the at least one pair of upper rails, c) A flexible cutting member anchored at a first end thereof relative to a first end of the lower guide gap and extending into the lower guide gap at least at the first end and extending to an opposite, second end of the lower guide gap, and d) a tension applicator associated with a second end of the cutting member to apply tension to the cutting member.

Providing a jig with this configuration allows an operator to feed one or more rigid insulation boards through the feed opening and then cut the one or more rigid insulation boards using the tensioned cutting member. Typically, the cutting member will initially be located below the one or more rigid insulation boards and in use will be moved from the guide gap, upwardly to cut the rigid insulation boards, guided by the respective guide gaps. This allows an operator to also use the weight of the one or more rigid insulation boards to assist with the cutting of the boards.

The jig of the present invention is preferably configured to cut rigid insulation board. One or more rigid insulation boards may be cut using the jig.

The jig will preferably be used to cut the insulation board in a straight line. However, the jig may be configured to cut insulation board other than in a straight line.

Normally, the jig will be used to cut the insulation board substantially perpendicularly in order to form rectangular cut insulation boards. The jig may be used to cut angles into an insulation board.

Typically, the jig will be manually operated. Normally, an operator will hold the tension applicator and move the cutting member by moving the tension applicator, to cut the rigid insulation board.

The jig will normally be formed from components that are metal. The cutting member may be any suitable material The tension applicator may be any suitable material The jig may be rigid.

The jig may be flexible or adjustable. In particular, one or more of the rails of the jig may be provided in a flexible or adjustable configuration in order to form one or more guide gaps which are non-linear.

The jig includes at least one pair of lower support rails spaced apart to form a lower guide gap. Preferably, a first pair of lower support rails spaced apart to form a lower guide gap are provided approximately centrally across the width of the jig. A second pair of lower support rails may be provided outside the first pair respectively. One of the second pair of lower support rails will preferably be provided outside each respective lower support rail of the first pair.

The lower support rails are preferably all the same length. The lower support rails are preferably provided parallel to one another. Together, the lower support rails form a lower plane of the feed opening. An upper surface of the lower support rails is typically coplanar. The upper surface will typically support one or more rigid insulation boards thereon.

Preferably, each of the lower support rails is substantially rectangular in cross sectional shape but any shape could be used. A rectangular shaped cross-sectional lower support rail will preferably provide a planar side face which when located adjacent to, but spaced from an adjacent lower support rail, preferably forms the lower guide gap. The lower guide gap will therefore preferably be defined by a side surface of a pair of lower support rails. This configuration will preferably assist with centering the cutting member.

The support rails are preferably mounted to a pair of end plates, one end plate at either end of the jig. Both end plates are preferably substantially planar. The plates are typically provided substantially perpendicularly to the support rails In this configuration, the jig will typically be rectangular.

One of the end plates is preferably a closed end plate. The closed end plate is preferably provided at the first end of the jig. The closed end plate is preferably solid end plate provided with a single opening. The single opening is typically provided to allow an externally anchored cutting member to extend into the jig.

The cutting member may be anchored externally of the jig, outside the dosed end plate (relative to the opposite surface of the end plate to the feed opening. In this configuration, a single opening is preferably provided through the end plate to allow the cutting member to extend inside the jig. Preferably, the cutting member will be located at least partially in the lower guide gap, particularly at the first end of the jig.

Alternatively, the cutting member may be anchored inside the jig. In this embodiment, the cutting member will typically be anchored relative to an inside surface of the end plate at the first end of the jig. Preferably, the cutting member will be anchored within the lower guide gap.

Regardless of the particular location of the anchor provided for the cutting member, it is preferred that the cutting member extends across the full width of the jig.

The other of the end plates of an embodiment will preferably be an open end plate. The open-end plate may be formed from a single plate or from a pair of plates which are spaced apart from one another. The opening plate will preferably include an elongate slot opening. The elongate slot opening will typically extend over the upper portion of the open-end plate. The elongate slot opening may extend over the height of the open-end plate.

The elongate slot opening is preferably aligned with the lower guide gap. The elongate slot opening is preferably aligned with the upper guide gap. The elongate slot opening is preferably aligned with the inner side surfaces of the preferred central pair of lower support rails. The elongate slot opening will preferably be approximately 2mm in width.

The respective end plates are preferably mounted at the end of the rails of the jig. The respective end plates typically define the and extremities of the jig.

The lower support rails may be mounted relative to one or more transversely extending lower members. In an embodiment, a plurality of transversely extending lower members is provided. Preferably, each of the transversely extending lower end members will be provided underneath the lower support rails. A pair of transversely extending lower end members may be provided, one adjacent to each of the respective end plates. One or more intermediate transversely extending lower members may be provided between the lower end members.

At least some of the transversely extending lower members will preferably extend laterally beyond the outermost surfaces of the lower support rails to form fixing wings. Typically, the fixing wings allow an operator to fix the position of the jig relative to another implement or surface such as a worktable or work trestle. The fixing wings may include one or more openings therethrough to receive a fastener. The fixing wings may be used to clamp the jig in position.

In an embodiment, the inner, upper corners of the central pair of lower guide 10 rails which form the lower guide gap may be arcuate or otherwise shaped to ease entry of the cutting more into the lower guide gap.

The lower guide gap is preferably defined between the central pair of lower support rails. The lower guide gap preferably extends across the full width of the jig The lower guide gap may be any depth Typically, the lower guide gap will be open between the spaced apart lower support members The lower guide gap will typically be aligned with the upper guide gap. The lower guide gap will typically be coplanar with the upper guide gap. The lower guide gap will typically be coplanar with the elongate slot opening in the open end plate. The lower guide gap will typically be coplanar with the anchor point for anchoring the cutting member.

The width of the lower guide gap will typically be sufficient to receive the cutting member therein to. Minimising any excess thickness over and above the thickness of the cutting member will assist with the precision with which the insulating boards are cut but will also increase the difficulty of replacing the cutting member within the lower guide gap prior to reuse. The lower guide gap will preferably be approximately 2mm in width. The upper guide gap will preferably be approximately 2mm in width.

The guide gap will typically be positioned at a fixed or predetermined distance from an outermost surface of each of the preferred outer lower support rails. Preferably, 30 the guide gap will be at a distance of 100 mm from an outermost surface of each of the preferred outer lower support rails. Use of a distance such as 100 mm will assist with an operator positioning the jig to ensure that the correct length of board is cut when using the jig. Any distance could be used provided that the distance is easily ascertainable by an operator to allow an operator to account for the distance in calculating the length of board to be cut Normally, the guide gap is located equidistantly from either side of the jig in order to allow both left-handed and right-handed use The jig of the present invention includes at least one pair of upper rails spaced apart to form an upper guide gap, the at least one pair of upper rails provided opposite to the pair of lower support rails and spaced therefrom to form a feed opening between the at least one pair of lower support rails and the at least one pair of upper rails.

Preferably, the number and configuration of the upper rails will mirror that of the lower support rails. In an embodiment, a central pair of upper rails is provided. Preferably, the central pair of upper rails is spaced apart to form the upper guide gap A further pair of upper rails is preferably provided, one of the further pair of upper rails provided outside each of the respective central pair of upper rails.

The upper rails are preferably all the same length. The upper rails are preferably provided parallel to one another. Together, the upper rails form an upper plane of the feed opening. A lower surface of the upper rails is typically coplanar.

Preferably, each of the upper rails is substantially rectangular in cross sectional shape but any shape could be used. A rectangular shaped cross-sectional upper rail will preferably provide a planar side face which when located adjacent to, but spaced from an adjacent upper rail, will preferably form the upper guide gap. The upper guide gap will therefore preferably be defined by a side surface of a pair of upper rails. This configuration will preferably assist with centering the cutting member during use.

The upper rails are preferably mounted to a pair of end plates, one end plate at either end of the jig. Both end plates are preferably substantially planar. The plates are typically provided substantially perpendicularly to the upper rails. In this configuration, the jig will typically be rectangular.

The upper guide gap is preferably defined between the central pair of upper support rails. The upper guide gap preferably extends across the full width of the jig. The upper guide gap may be any depth. Typically, the upper guide gap will be open between the spaced apart upper rails.

The feed opening defined between the lower support rails and the spaced apart upper rails will preferably be generally rectangular in shape. Typically, the feed opening will be defined between a lower side of the upper rails, an upper side of the lower support rails and the respective inner surfaces of the end plates. The feed opening will typically be open on both sides to allow one or more rigid insulation boards to be fed through the feed opening. The one or more rigid insulation boards may extend from both sides of the jig depending upon the length of board which is required to be cut.

The jig will preferably include a flexible cutting member anchored at a first end thereof relative to a first end of the lower guide gap and extending into the lower guide gap at least at the first end and extending to an opposite course second end of the lower guide gap The flexible cutting member may be formed from any material. Preferably, the cutting member will be unitary. In an embodiment, the cutting member is formed from wire. In a preferred embodiment, the cutting member is formed from a metal wire. The provision of a flexible cutting member preferably allows the dimensions of the jig to be minimised.

It is preferred that the flexible cutting member is inextensible, The flexible cutting member will preferably be elongate. The cutting member will typically be longer than the jig is wide with a portion extending past the preferred open end plate.

The flexible cutting member can be anchored at a first end thereof in any way.

As mentioned above, the flexible cutting member can be anchored at a first end thereof on an external side of one of the end plates of the jig or relative to an internal side of one of the end plates of the jig. Preferably, a portion of the flexible cutting member is located within the lower guide gap at a first end of the jig. Preferably, prior to the flexible cutting member be used, a portion of the flexible cutting member is located within the lower guide gap across the width of the jig, from at least one side of the one or more boards to be cut to the other side of the one or more boards to be cut.

The flexible cutting member is typically sufficiently long to extend to, and preferably past the opposite end of the jig.

The flexible cutting member is preferably anchored in line with the lower guide gap.

The jig of the present invention includes a tension applicator associated with a second end of the cutting member to apply tension to the cutting member.

In one form, the tension applicator may be provided in the form of a handle. The handle will preferably be mounted to one end of the flexible cutting member. In use, the operator will hold and move the tension applicator to create or maintain tension on the flexible cutting member to cut one or more insulating boards.

The cutting member will typically be located in the lower guide gap with the tension applicator provided at an opposite end of the cutting member to the anchor point. One or more rigid insulating boards are then typically inserted through the feed opening of the jig, above the cutting member. An operator can then measure the desired length of the board to be removed. The operator may do this by measuring from the end of the board to one side of the jig (to account for the fixed distance between the side of the jig and the guide gap). The one or more rigid insulating boards can then be aligned as required within the jig, relative to the cutting member. Once the one or more rigid insulating boards are positioned as required, the tension applicator can then be grasped by an operator and lifted upwardly to cut the one or more rigid insulating boards, guided by the guide gaps, and in particular, the upper guide gap. The tension applicator may be drawn toward the anchor point as it is raised.

Utilising a cutting member configured as a wire or similar means that the one or more rigid insulating boards can be cut without requiring heat or similar and minimising the amount of dust created as well as minimising any damage to the one or more rigid insulating boards.

In a simple embodiment, the jig is configured as a linear jig with a guide gap 30 which is linear but the guide gap can be formed in any shape. For example, the jig may be formed in an arcuate configuration in which the lower guide gap and/or the upper guide gap is arcuate in order to form an arcuate cut.

Further, as the cutting member of the jig is flexible, the jig may be provided in a shape adjustable configuration wherein one or more of the rails are adjustable or flexible in order to allow the jig to be configured into a particular desired shape for cutting and then to allow the flexible member to cut the one or more rigid insulating boards in that shape, guided by the shape of the guide gaps, and in particular, the upper guide gap

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a jig of an embodiment with a number of rigid insulation boards in place for cutting.

Figure 2 is a detailed view of one end of the jig illustrated in Figure 1 showing the handle.

Figure 3 is an end view of a jig of an embodiment from a first end.

Figure 4 is an end view of a jig of an embodiment from a second end.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a jig of an embodiment.

With reference to the accompanying Figures, a jig 10 for cutting one or more rigid insulating boards 11 is illustrated The illustrated jig 10 comprises a central pair of lower support rails 12 spaced apart to form a lower guide gap 13, and a central pair of upper rails 14 spaced apart to form an upper guide gap 15 The central pair of upper rails 14 are provided opposite to the central pair of lower support rails 12 and spaced therefrom to form a feed opening 16 so that one or more rigid insulating boards 11 can be inserted into the jig 10 as shown in Figure 1.

A flexible cutting wire 17 is anchored at a first end thereof, relative to a first end of the lower guide gap 13 and extends into the lower guide gap 13 at least at the first end. The cutting wire 17 extends to an opposite, second end of the lower guide gap 13. A tension application handle 18 is provided at the second end of the cutting wire 17 to apply tension to the cutting wire 17.

In use, an operator feeds one or more rigid insulation boards 11 through the feed opening 16, positioning the boards 11 relative to the lower guide gap 13 and then cut the rigid insulation boards II using the tensioned cutting wire 17. The cutting wire 17 is initially located below the rigid insulation boards 11 and in use is moved from the lower guide gap 13, upwardly and toward the first end of the jig 10 to cut the rigid insulation boards 11, guided by the respective lower and upper guide gaps 13, 15.

The jig 10 in the illustrated embodiment is used to cut the insulation boards 11 in a straight line. Normally, the jig will be used to cut the insulation board 11 substantially perpendicularly in order to form rectangular cut insulation boards 11 but the jig can be used to cut angles into an insulation board 11.

The jig of the illustrated embodiment is manually operated with an operator holding the tension application handle 18 and moving the cutting wire 17 by moving the tension applicator handle 18, to cut the rigid insulation boards 11.

The illustrated jig 10 is metal and rigid.

The central pair of lower support rails 12 are spaced apart to form a lower guide gap 13 are provided centrally across the width of the jig 10. A second pair of outer lower support rails 19 is provided outside each respective lower central support rail 12.

As shown, the lower support rails 12, 19 are all the same length and are provided parallel to one another. Together, the lower support rails 12, 19 form a lower plane of the feed opening 16. An upper surface of the lower support rails 12, 19 is typically coplanar and, in use, will support one or more rigid insulation boards 11 thereon.

Preferably, each of the lower support rails 12, 19 is substantially rectangular in cross sectional shape. This shape provides a planar side face, which when located adjacent to, but spaced from an adjacent lower support rail 12 forms the lower guide gap 13. The lower guide gap 13 is therefore preferably defined by a side surface of the central pair of lower support rails 12. The provision of the lower guide gap 13 assists with centering the cutting wire 17. Ii

The lower support rails 12, 19 are each mounted to a pair of end plates, one end plate at either end of the jig 10. Both end plates are preferably substantially planar. The plates are typically provided substantially perpendicularly to the support rails. In this configuration, the jig 10 is rectangular as illustrated.

A closed end plate 20 is provided at the first end of the jig as shown in Figure 3. The closed end plate 20 is a solid end plate provided with a single opening 21. In Figure 3, the opening is a slot opening and in Figure 1, the opening is a circular opening The opening 21 is provided to allow an externally anchored cutting wire 17 to extend into the jig 10 and particularly, into the first end of the lower guide gap 13.

The cutting wire 17 of the illustrated embodiment is anchored externally of the jig 10, outside the closed end plate 20 (relative to the opposite surface of the end plate to the feed opening 16. In this configuration, the opening 21 is provided through the end plate 20 to allow the cutting wire 17 to extend inside the jig 10, at least partially in the lower guide gap 13, particularly at the first end of the jig 10 As shown in Figure 5, the cutting wire 17 extends across the full width of the jig 10 The other of the end plates of the illustrated embodiment is an open end plate 22 as shown in Figure 3. The open end plate 22 of the illustrated embodiment is formed from a pair of plates which are spaced apart from one another to define an elongate slot opening 23. The elongate slot opening 23 extends over the height of the open end plate 22.

The elongate slot opening 23 is aligned with the lower guide gap 13 and with the upper guide gap 15. The edges of the elongate slot opening 23 is aligned with the inner side surfaces of the central pair of lower support rails 12 and with the inner side surfaces of the central pair of upper rails 14.

The respective end plates 20, 22 are mounted at the end of the rails of the jig and define the and extremities of the jig. In the illustrated embodiment, the rails are all welded to the end plate 20, 22.

The lower support rails 12, 19 are mounted relative to a plurality of transversely extending lower members, provided underneath the lower support rails 12,19. A pair of transversely extending lower end members 24 are provided, one adjacent to each of the respective end plates 20, 22. A pair of intermediate transversely extending lower members 25 are provided between the lower end members 24.

The intermediate transversely extending lower members 25 extend laterally beyond the outermost surfaces of the lower support rails 19 to form fixing wings 26 Typically, the fixing wings 26 allow an operator to fix the position of the jig 10 relative to another implement or surface such as a worktable or work trestle Each fixing wing 26 include an opening 27 therethrough to receive a fastener (not shown).

The lower guide gap 13 is aligned with the upper guide gap 15, with the elongate slot opening 23 in the open end plate 22 and preferably with the anchor point 28 for anchoring the cutting wire 17 The width of the lower guide gap 13 is sufficient to receive the cutting wire 17 thereinto. Minimising any excess thickness over and above the thickness of the cutting wire 17 assists with the precision with which the insulating boards 11 are cut but will also increase the difficulty of replacing the cutting wire 17 within the lower guide gap 13 prior to reuse.

The guide gaps 13, 15 of the illustrated embodiment are positioned at a fixed or predetermined distance from an outermost surface of each of the outer lower support rails 19. In this embodiment, the guide gaps 13, 15 are at a distance of 100 mm from an outermost surface of each of the outer lower support rails 19. Use of a distance such as mm assists with an operator positioning boards to be cut relative to the jig 10 to ensure that the correct length of board 11 is cut when using the jig 10. Any distance could be used provided that the distance is easily ascertainable by an operator to allow an operator to account for the distance in calculating the length of board to be cut.

Normally, the guide gap 13, 15 is located equally distantly from either side of the jig 10 in order to allow both left-handed and right-handed use.

As in the illustrated embodiment, the number and configuration of the upper rails, mirrors that of the lower support rails. In the illustrated embodiment, a central pair of upper rails 14 is provided. A further pair of outer upper rails 29 is also provided, one of the outer upper rails 29 provided outside each of the respective central pair of upper rails 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper rails 14, 29 are all the same length and are provided parallel to one another. Together, the upper rails 14, 29 form an upper plane of the feed opening 16. A lower surface of the upper rails is typically coplanar.

Preferably, each of the upper rails is substantially rectangular in cross sectional shape but any shape could be used. As with the central lower support rails 12, a rectangular shaped cross-sectional upper rail 14 provides a planar side face which when located adjacent to, but spaced from an adjacent upper rail 14 forms the upper guide gap 15. The upper guide gap 15 will therefore preferably be defined by a side surface of a pair of upper rails 14. This configuration will preferably assist with centering the cutting wire 17 during use.

The upper rails 14, 29 are mounted to the end plates The upper guide gap 15 is defined between the central pair of upper support rails 14 extending across the full width of the jig 10. The upper guide gap may be any depth. Typically, the upper guide gap 15 will be open between the spaced apart upper rails 14.

The feed opening 16 defined between the lower support rails 12, 19 and the spaced apart upper rails 14, 29 is generally rectangular in shape in the illustrated embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the feed opening 16 is defined between a lower side of the upper rails 14, 29, an upper side of the lower support rails 12, 19 and the respective inner surfaces of the end plates 20, 22. The feed opening 16 will typically be open on both sides to allow one or more rigid insulation boards 11 to be fed through jig 10. The one or more rigid insulation boards 11 may extend from both sides of the jig 10 depending upon the length of board which is required to be cut.

The flexible cutting wire 17 may be formed from any material, but is preferably unitary. In a preferred embodiment, the cutting wire 17 is formed from a metal wire. The provision of a flexible cutting wire 17 allows the dimensions of the jig 10 to be minimised.

It is preferred that the flexible cutting wire 17 is inextensible. The flexible cutting wire 17 will preferably be elongate, extending past the end plates at both ends The cutting wire 17 of the illustrated embodiment is longer than the jig 10 is wide with a portion extending past the open end plate 22.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible cutting wire 17 is anchored at a first end thereof using an eyelet at the anchor point 28, on an external side of the closed end plate 20 of the jig 10. Prior to the flexible cutting wire 17 being used, a portion of the flexible cutting wire 17 is located within the lower guide gap 13 across the width of the jig 10, from at least one side of the one or more boards 11 to be cut to the other side of the one or more boards 11 to be cut.

The flexible cutting wire 17 is sufficiently long to extend to, and preferably past the opposite end of the jig 10 as shown in Figure 2.

The flexible cutting wire 17 is preferably anchored in line with the lower guide gap 13 as shown in Figures 1 and 5 In the illustrated form, the tension applicator is provided in the form of a handle 18 mounted to one end of the flexible cutting wire 17 In use, the operator will hold and move the tension applicator handle 18 to create or maintain tension on the flexible cutting wire 17 to cut one or more insulating boards 11.

The cutting wire 17 is located in the lower guide gap 13 with the tension applicator handle 18 provided at an opposite end of the cutting wire to the anchor point 28. One or more rigid insulating boards 11 are then typically inserted through the feed opening 16 of the jig 10, above the cutting wire 17. An operator can then measure the desired length of the board 11 to be removed. The operator may do this by measuring from the end of the board 11 to one side of the jig 10 (to account for the fixed distance between the side of the jig 10 and the guide gap 13). The one or more rigid insulating boards 11 can then be aligned as required within the jig 10, relative to the cutting wire 17. Once the one or more rigid insulating boards 11 are positioned as required, the tension applicator handle can then be grasped by an operator and lifted upwardly to cut the one or more rigid insulating boards 11, guided by the guide gaps 13, 15, 23, and in

IS

particular, the upper guide gap 15. The tension applicator handle 18 may be drawn toward the anchor point 28 as it is raised.

In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the jig 10 is configured as a linear jig with guide gaps 13, 15, 23 which are linear but the guide gaps can be formed in any shape. For example, the jig may be formed in an arcuate configuration in which the lower guide gap and/or the upper guide gap is arcuate in order to form an arcuate cut.

Further, as the cutting wire 17 of the jig is flexible, the jig 10 may be provided in a shape adjustable configuration wherein one or more of the rails are adjustable or flexible in order to allow the jig 10 to be configured into a particular desired shape for cutting and then to allow the flexible member to cut the one or more rigid insulating boards in that shape, guided by the shape of the guide gaps, and in particular, the upper guide gap.

The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without t departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims

Claims

CLAIMSA jig comprising: a. at least one pair of lower support rails spaced apart to form a lower guide gap; b. at least one pair of upper rails spaced apart to form an upper guide gap, the at least one pair of upper rails provided opposite to the pair of lower support rails and spaced therefrom to form a feed opening between the at least one pair of lower support rails and the at least one pair of upper rails, c, a flexible cutting member anchored at a first end thereof relative to a first end of the lower guide gap and extending into the lower guide gap at least at the first end and extending to an opposite, second end of the lower guide gap, and d. a tension applicator associated with a second end of the cutting member to apply tension to the cutting member.A jig as claimed in claim I wherein the jig is rigid A jig as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the at least one pair of lower support rails includes a first pair of lower support rails provided approximately centrally across a width of the jig 4. A jig as claimed in claim 3 further including a second pair of lower support rails provided outside the first pair, one of the second pair of lower support rails provided outside each of the lower support rails of the first pair.A jig as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein all of the lower support rails are the same length 6. A jig as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein all of the lower support rails are parallel to one another.A jig as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein an upper surface of all of the lower support rails are coplanar.A jig as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7 wherein the lower support rails are rectangular in cross-sectional shape providing a planar side face which when located adjacent to, but spaced from an adjacent lower support rail forms the lower guide gap.9. A jig as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8 wherein a central pair of upper rails is provided spaced apart to form the upper guide gap.10. A jig as claimed in claim 9 further including a second pair of upper rails provided outside the central pair, one of the second pair of upper rails provided outside each of the upper rails of the central pair.11. A jig as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein all of the upper rails are the same length.12. A jig as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein all of the upper rails are parallel to one another.13. A jig as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein a lower surface of all of IS the upper rails are coplanar.14. A jig as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13 wherein the upper rails are rectangular in cross-sectional shape providing a planar side face which when located adjacent to, but spaced from an adjacent upper rail forms the upper guide gap 15. A jig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including a closed end plate provided at the first end of the jig.16. A jig as claimed in claim 15 wherein the closed end plate is provided with a single opening to allow an externally anchored cutting member to extend into the jig 17. A jig as claimed in claim 16 wherein the externally anchored cutting member extends into the jig at least partially in the lower guide gap.18. A jig as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the cutting member is anchored inside the jig within the lower guide gap.19. A jig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cutting member extends across the full width of the jig.A jig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including an open end plate including an elongate slot opening extending over an upper portion of the open-end plate.21. A jig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate slot opening is aligned with the lower guide gap and the upper guide gap.22. A jig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the lower guide gap and the upper guide gap extend across the full width of the jig.23. A jig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cutting member is formed from wire 24. A jig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the flexible cutting member is anchored in line with the lower guide gap.25. A jig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the tension applicator is a handle mounted to one end of the flexible cutting member.