US3897706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mat cutter
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-05-21
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1994-05-21
Abstract
Abstract A device for cutting mats for picture frames and the like, comprising an elongate base on which sheet stock can be placed, and an elongate clamp bar coextensive with the base and adapted to engage the stock to hold it in position for cutting. Disposed at opposite ends of the base are two pivotally mounted cams which engage cam followers carried by opposite ends of the clamp bar. Attached to the cams are arms which in turn carry an elongate handle. The bar is vertically movable between an advanced (lower) position with respect to the base wherein it tightly engages sheet stock placed the latter, and a retracted (raised) position wherein it is spaced a distance above the upper surface of the base. Movement of the bar is effected by means of the cams which are located near its opposite ends. A detent portion of each cam operates to retain the handle in a raised position off the surface of the base when the clamp bar is disposed in its retracted (raised) position, such that the base surface is free of obstruction. By such an arrangement, both hands of the operator are free for positioning the stock on the base. A pair of pre-stressed blades, carried on a carriage, slides along the clamp bar and effects the cutting of the mat or stock. The prestressing reduces bending of the blade when it engages the stock, resulting in a straighter, more uniform cut than would otherwise be possible.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:22
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26D; B26D3/00; B26D3/02; B26D1/00; B26D1/01; B26D1/04; B26D1/045; B26D7/00; B26D7/01; B26D7/02; B26D7/025; B26D2007/0012; B26D2007/0087; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/748; Y10T83/7487; Y10T83/7493; Y10T83/7507; Y10T83/7533; Y10T83/7593; Y10T83/76; Y10T83/869; Y10T83/8821; Y10T83/8822
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A mat cutter construction, comprising in combination: a. an elongate base on which sheet stock can be placed for cutting into mats, b. a flat, elongate clamp bar coextensive with said base, c. means carried by the base and engageable with stock placed thereon, for positioning the latter with portions thereof disposed under the clamp bar, d. guide means at each end of the base, engageable with the clamp bar to provide for advancing and retracting movement with respect to the base, e. cam followers carried by the ends of the clamp bar for effecting movement thereof, f. cams pivotally carried by the base and respectively engaging said cam followers, g. a pair of arms respectively attached to said cams for actuating the same, and h. an elongate handle coextensive with said base and at its ends secured to said arms to operate the same, i. said handle rigidly connecting the cams and constituting the sole connecting linkage therebetween, j. said handle further being substantially parallel to and coextensive with said clamp bar and being disposed in spaced relation with respect thereto, k. movement of said handle causing simultaneous pivoting of said cams and movement of said clamp bar.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A mat cutter construction, comprising in combination: a. an elongate base on which sheet stock can be placed for cutting into mats, b. a flat, elongate clamp bar coextensive with said base, c. means carried by the base and engageable with stock placed thereon, for positioning the latter with portions thereof disposed under the clamp bar, d. guide means at each end of the base, engageable with the clamp bar to provide for advancing and retracting movement with respect to the base, e. cam followers carried by the ends of the clamp bar for effecting movement thereof, f. cams pivotally carried by the base and respectively engaging said cam followers, g. a pair of arms respectively attached to said cams for actuating the same, and h. an elongate handle coextensive with said base and at its ends secured to said arms to operate the same, i. said handle rigidly connecting the cams and constituting the sole connecting linkage therebetween, j. said handle further being substantially parallel to and coextensive with said clamp bar and being disposed in spaced relation with respect thereto, k. movement of said handle causing simultaneous pivoting of said cams and movement of said clamp bar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said guide means comprises a pair of upstanding guide members disposed near opposite ends of and carried by the base, b. said members each having an elongate guide slot substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base, and c. slide blocks slidably carried in said guide slots respectively, said blocks having means engageable with the ends of the clamp bar to enable vertical movement thereof as the blocks slide along the slots in the guide members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2, and further including: a. spring means carried by the guide members and biasing the clamp bar into engagement with the base toward the advanced position with respect thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention as set forth in claim 3, wherein: a. at least one of said cams has a detEnt portion adapted to receive the respective cam follower when the clamp bar is disposed in the retracted position, so as to retain the latter in said position against the action of said spring means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1, and further including: a. spring means carried on said base and engaging said clamp bar for biasing the latter toward the advanced position with respect to the base, b. said clamp bar having flatted portions at its ends, c. said spring means engaging said flatted portions and preventing relative turning movement of the bar with respect to the base.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said clamp bar has a track extending substantially along its entire length, b. a carriage slidably movable along said track, c. a cutting blade disposed on said carriage, and d. means pivotally mounting the blade for tilting movement on said carriage, said blade being advanceable toward said base for engagement with stock placed thereon in response to pivoting of said mounting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said handle is movable between advanced and retracted positions with respect to the base, b. the retracted position of said handle corresponding to the retracted position of said clamp bar such that during the placement of stock to be cut on the base, both the clamp bar and handle are clear of the base so as to not cause interference with the stock.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said cams have hooked portions respectively engaging the cam followers when the clamp bar is disposed in the advanced position with respect to the base, b. said hook portions urging the clamp bar tightly into engagement with the base thereby firmly holding the stock in position during the cutting operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1, and further including: a. means disposed on the base providing a squaring edge for positioning an edge portion of stock on the base in squared relation with respect to said clamp bar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention as set forth in claim 9, wherein: a. said positioning means comprises a T-square having a body portion recessed in the base and slidable therein, and a straight edge portion adapted to overlie the upper surface of the base, b. said T-square being slidable to a position lying substantially completely within the confines of the base, to facilitate storing and shipping of the cutter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a mat cutter construction, the combination of: a. an elongate, flat clamp bar adapted to press against the upper surface of sheet-like stock to hold the same for cutting, b. said clamp bar having a track extending along its length, c. a carriage movable along said track, d. blade clamping means on the carriage for securing a cutting blade in spaced relation to the clamp bar, said blade being fixedly and immovably secured to, and being immovable on, said clamping means, e. said clamping means pre-stressing and bending the blade to minimize lateral movement thereof as it is cutting through the stock, thereby to effect a straighter cut.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a mat cutter construction, the combination of: a. an elongate, flat clamp bar adapted to press against the upper surface of sheet-like stock to hold the same for cutting, b. said clamp bar having a track extending along its length, c. a carriage movable along said track, d. blade clamping means on the carriage for securing a cutting blade in spaced relation to the clamp bar, said blade being fixedly and immovably secured to, and being immovable on, said clamping means, e. said clamping means pre-stressing and bending the blade to minimize lateral movement thereof as it is cutting through the stock, thereby to effect a straighter cut.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
91 words
The invention as set forth in claim 11, wherein: a. said blade has a substantially planar configuration, b. said clamping means comprises two plates having flat surfaces respectively engageable with the blade, c. means securing said plates together with the blade sandwiched therebetween, d. one of said plates having an edge portion extending beyond the corresponding edge portion of the other plate, e. said one edge portion having a raised ledge on its flat surface adapted to engage one side of the sandwiched blade and effect said pre-stressing and bending thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |