Abstract Apparatus comprising a smooth table top adapted to slidably support a workpiece of plastic material, preferably of the styrofoam type. A cutting element comprising a strand of wire is selectively extensible through a vertical opening in the table top and through an overlying workpiece of the plastic material. Electrical conductors from a source of controlled electrical current are connected one each to the top and bottom ends of said cutting element and adapted to energize the same to various degrees of temperature to enable the element to cut or melt through the workpiece as guided by the edges of a pattern or tamplate removably secured to the workpiece. A lever is superimposed upon said table top and divided by a fulcrum into a load arm and a lever arm. The outer end of the load arm is attached to the top of the strand of cutting element whereby gravitational forces applied to the lever arm will apply lifting forces to the load arm to maintain the cutting element in vertical cutting tension at all times.
Apparatus for producing patterned objects out of plastic material, comprising in combination, a horizontal work surface having an opening therethrough, a beam superimposed upon said work surface rockably mounted relative thereto and divided into a lever arm and a load arm, a cutting element extending upwardly through said opening in said work surface and attached at its upper end to the beam end constituting the end of the load arm, electrical conductors extending from a source of controlled electrical current and connected one each to the top and bottom ends of said cutting element to selectively energize said cutting element to various degrees of temperature, and whereby gravitational forces applied to said lever arm will transmit lifting forces to said load arm to maintain said element in tension at all times.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for producing patterned objects out of plastic material, comprising in combination, a horizontal work surface having an opening therethrough, a beam superimposed upon said work surface rockably mounted relative thereto and divided into a lever arm and a load arm, a cutting element extending upwardly through said opening in said work surface and attached at its upper end to the beam end constituting the end of the load arm, electrical conductors extending from a source of controlled electrical current and connected one each to the top and bottom ends of said cutting element to selectively energize said cutting element to various degrees of temperature, and whereby gravitational forces applied to said lever arm will transmit lifting forces to said load arm to maintain said element in tension at all times.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end of the reach of said load arm terminates substantially in aligNment with said opening in the table top, wherein said cutting element comprises a strand of wire extending through said opening in the table top and removably secured at its upper end to the terminal end of the reach of said load arm, an electrical transformer in circuit at one of its ends with a source of electric current, and two sides of the opposite end of said transformer connected respectively to the top end of said cutting element above said table top and to the opposite end of said cutting element below the table top.