Cutting device for elastomeric sheet material

Claim 2

A cutting apparatus for making linear cuts of sheet material comprising a frame; a base plate within the frame having mounting means for securing the sheet material in a cutting position without causing stress of uneven pressures upon the sheet material so that a linear cut can be made in the sheet secured thereto; at least two spaced apart guide rail members, attached to the frame and extending parallel in the linear direction of the cut to be made in sheet material mounted upon the base plate; a cutting assembly having at least two guide members and cutting means, the cutting assembly being slidably mounted upon at least one support shaft, said support shaft being suitably secured to the frame and extending parallel with the linear cut to be made in sheet material mounted upon the base plate and located in a position to support and guide the cutting means in a cutting position along the linear cut to be made in sheet material upon the base plate, the guide members of the cutting assembly engaging the spaced apart guide rail members; and means for moving the cutting assembly on the support shaft.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base plate is movable and further comprises means therefor for controlling the movement.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting means for securing the sheet material to the base plate comprises a surface adhesive to the sheet material.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the two guide members of the cutting assembly are wheels suitably spaced to engage the respective guide rails.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guide members of the cutting assembly are adjustable and thereby provide means of adjusting the height of the cutting member from the surface on the base plate.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cutting assembly comprises a cutting head carriage slidably mounted upon said at least one support shaft and a cutting head having mounting means for securing a cutting member, and further comprising mounting means for securing and disengaging the cutting head and cutting head carriage.

Claim 8

The apparatus Of claim 1 wherein the cutting means is mounted in the cutting assembly to provide at least one linear cut beveled on sheet material mounted upon the base plate.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cutting means is mounted in the cutting assembly to provide at least one linear cut right angle edge on sheet material mounted upon the base plate.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the portion of the cutting head assembly in contact with the support shaft comprises a metal different from the metal of the support shaft thereby creating a bimetallic bearing.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a single cylindrical support shaft engaging a cylindrical orifice in the cutting assembly thereby providing a pivotal engagement between the cutting assembly and the support shaft.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the cylindrical support shaft is secured to the frame by a pivoted support arm attached at a pivot point to the frame at each end of the support rod thereby providing means for engaging and disengaging the cutting member and the sheet material.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising at least one support foot pivotally mounted at each end of the support shaft and having a base which extends outwardly from the pivotal mounting, the base extending from the support shaft to the frame and engaging the frame when the cutting assembly mounted on the support shaft is in a cutting position, the base of the support foot having adjustment means for controlling the distance between the support shaft and the base plate having mounting means for securing the sheet material.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cutting assembly comprises a cutting head adapted to secure at least one cutting member at a desired angle for cutting sheet material; a cutting head carriage; and means to secure the cutting head to the cutting head carriage.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising means to move the support shaft at the pivot point of the pivoted support arms to engage and disengage the cutting member and the sheet material.

Claim 16

A cutting apparatus for making precision linear cuts of elastomeric sheet material comprising a frame; a movable base within the frame and having mounting means for securing sheet material on the surface thereof in a cutting position so that a linear cut can be made in sheet material secured thereto; means for moving the movable base plate; at least two spaced apart guide rail members attached to the frame and extending parallel in the linear direction of the cut to be made in sheet material mounted upon the movable base plate; a cutting assembly comprising a cutting head having at least one cutting assembly comprising a cutting head having at least one cutting member therein, a cutting head carriage pivotally and slidably mounted upon a cylindrical support extending parallel with the linear cut to be made in sheet material mounted upon the base plate and located in a position to support and guide the cutting member along the linear cut to be made in sheet material mounted upon the movable base plate when the cutting assembly is in a cutting position, said carriage adapted to receive and secure the cutting head, the cylindrical support shaft being secured to the frame by a pivoted support arm attached at a pivot point to the frame at each end of the support rod, the cutting head carriage in contact with the support shaft comprising a metal different from the metal of the support shaft, the cylindrical support shaft having at least one support foot pivotally mounted at each end of the support shaft and adapted to engage the frame when the cutting assembly is in a cutting position, the support foot having adjustment means for raising and lowering the cylindrical support shaft relative to the movable base plate, and at least two guide wheels adjustably secured to the cutting head carriage and adapted to engage the spaced apart guide rail members when the cutting assembly is in a cutting position; and means for moving the cuTting head carriage on the support shaft.

Claim 17

A cutting apparatus for making precision linear cuts of elastomeric sheet material comprising a frame; a movable base within the frame and having mounting means for securing sheet material on the surface thereof in a cutting position so that a linear cut can be made in sheet material secured thereto; means for moving the movable base plate; at least two spaced apart guide rail members attached to the frame and extending parallel in the linear direction of the cut to be made in sheet material mounted upon the movable base plate; a cutting assembly comprising a cutting head having at least one cutting assembly comprising a cutting head having at least one cutting member therein, a cutting head carriage pivotally and slidably mounted upon a cylindrical support extending parallel with the linear cut to be made in sheet material mounted upon the base plate and located in a position to support and guide the cutting member along the linear cut to be made in sheet material mounted upon the movable base plate when the cutting assembly is in a cutting position, said carriage adapted to receive and secure the cutting head, the cylindrical support shaft being secured to the frame by a pivoted support arm attached at a pivot point to the frame at each end of the support rod, the cutting head carriage in contact with the support shaft comprising a metal different from the metal of the support shaft, the cylindrical support shaft having at least one support foot pivotally mounted at each end of the support shaft and adapted to engage the frame when the cutting assembly is in a cutting position, the support foot having adjustment means for raising and lowering the cylindrical support shaft relative to the movable base plate, and at least two guide wheels adjustably secured to the cutting head carriage and adapted to engage the spaced apart guide rail members when the cutting assembly is in a cutting position; and means for moving the cuTting head carriage on the support shaft.