US3924501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cutting apparatus
Assignee: MODEL BUILDERS Inc
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Filing: 1974-05-06
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1994-05-06
Abstract
Abstract A cutting apparatus for slicing and dicing produce, most particularly lettuce. Two blade frames, each including a plurality of serrated blades, are maintained in a horizontal position by a blade frame holder which is rigidly attached to a main frame. A horizontal pusher head is slidably attached to the main frame above the blade frame holder and is operable to be moved between a position distant from the blades and a position adjacent the blades. A handle mechanism is pivotally attached to the blade frame holder and, through a linkage bar, to the pusher head, so that rotation of the handle in a downward arc relative to the frame moves the pusher head in a vertical direction toward the blades. The blades in one of the two blade frames may be oriented parallel or perpendicular to the blades in the other blade frame to provide for either slicing or dicing of the lettuce.
Inventors
- 👤 Morris Cohen
- 👤 Evelyn V Cohen
- 👤 Alfred M Rubio
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:57
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26D; B26D7/00; B26D7/06; B26D7/0608; B26D3/00; B26D3/24; B26D3/26; B26D5/00; B26D5/08; B26D5/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/647; Y10T83/6476; Y10T83/6478; Y10T83/6481; Y10T83/6489; Y10T83/6584; Y10T83/6608; Y10T83/6614; Y10T83/6616; Y10T83/662; Y10T83/929; Y10T83/937
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A cuttiNg apparatus comprising: a frame; a blade assembly supported by the frame including a plurality of blades; a pusher head slidably attached to the frame having a first position remote from the blade assembly and a second position adjacent the blade assembly, each blade of the plurality of blades having a serrated edge directed toward the pusher head; a handle pivotally coupled to both the pusher head and the blade assembly and operable to move the pusher head between its first and second positions in response to angular movement of the handle relative to the frame; the blade assembly including a blade frame holder rigidly attached to the frame and a first blade frame supported within the holder and including a plurality of blades; the first blade frame including, 1. first and second originally-curved bars each including a longitudinal clearance slot and a plurality of blade thickness slots essentially perpendicular to their associated clearance slot, the bars being oriented such that the originally-concave sides are facing one another, 2. first and second retaining rods positioned within the clearance slot of the first and second bars respectively, each blade of the plurality of blades having a hole at each end which is engaged by one of the retaining rods within one of the bars, and 3. means for maintaining the first and second bars in an essentially straight configuration and for maintaining tension on the plurality of blades.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A cuttiNg apparatus comprising: a frame; a blade assembly supported by the frame including a plurality of blades; a pusher head slidably attached to the frame having a first position remote from the blade assembly and a second position adjacent the blade assembly, each blade of the plurality of blades having a serrated edge directed toward the pusher head; a handle pivotally coupled to both the pusher head and the blade assembly and operable to move the pusher head between its first and second positions in response to angular movement of the handle relative to the frame; the blade assembly including a blade frame holder rigidly attached to the frame and a first blade frame supported within the holder and including a plurality of blades; the first blade frame including, 1. first and second originally-curved bars each including a longitudinal clearance slot and a plurality of blade thickness slots essentially perpendicular to their associated clearance slot, the bars being oriented such that the originally-concave sides are facing one another, 2. first and second retaining rods positioned within the clearance slot of the first and second bars respectively, each blade of the plurality of blades having a hole at each end which is engaged by one of the retaining rods within one of the bars, and 3. means for maintaining the first and second bars in an essentially straight configuration and for maintaining tension on the plurality of blades.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
first and second retaining rods positioned within the clearance slot of the first and second bars respectively, each blade of the plurality of blades having a hole at each end which is engaged by one of the retaining rods within one of the bars, and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
first and second retaining rods positioned within the clearance slot of the first and second bars respectively, each blade of the plurality of blades having a hole at each end which is engaged by one of the retaining rods within one of the bars, and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the means for maintaining the first and second bars comprises: a rigid member attached at a first end to the first bar and including at a second end an opening; a screw having a threaded portion received in threaded engagement within the opening at the second end of the rigid member and having a head portion retained within the second bar so as to prevent linear movement of the head portion relative to the second bar whereby rotation of the screw effects variation of the distance between the first and second bars.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
138 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the blade assembly further comprises a second blade frame supported within the blade frame holder which includes a plurality of blades, the second blade frame comprising: first and second originally-curved bars each including a longitudinal clearance slot and a plurality of blade thickness slots essentially perpendicular to their associated clearance slot, the bars being oriented such that the originally-concave sides are facing one another; first and second retaining rods positioned within the clearance slot of the first and second bars respectively, each blade of the plurality of blades having a hole at each end which is engaged by one of the retaining rods within one of the bars; and means for maintaining the first and second bars in an essentially straight configuration and for maintaining tension on the plurality of blades.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
means for maintaining the first and second bars in an essentially straight configuration and for maintaining tension on the plurality of blades.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
means for maintaining the first and second bars in an essentially straight configuration and for maintaining tension on the plurality of blades.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which each blade of the plurality of blades in each blade frame has a serrated edge directed toward the pusher head.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 4 in which the blade frame holder and pusher head are each oriented in an essentially horizontal plane and the movement of the pusher head is in an essentially vertical direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 5 in which the handle is operable to move in a forward arc around the pusher head and blade frame holder, the handle being pivotally attached at a first point to the rear portion of the blade frame holder, and pivotally coupled to the pusher head.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 6 which further comprises a linkage bar pivotally attached at a first end portion to the center of the pusher head and pivotally attached at the second end portion to the handle, whereby rotation of the handle relative to the frame exerts a lever-aided force upon the center of the pusher head through the linkage bar.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which the handle has essentially similar pIvotal connections and linkage bars on opposite sides of the pusher head and blade frame holder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which the blade of the first blade frame are essentially parallel to one another and are spaced apart at one inch intervals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 9 in which the blades in the second blade frame are essentially parallel to one another, are spaced apart at one inch intervals, and are offset one-half inch from the blades in the first blade frame when the second blade frame is superimposed upon the first blade frame.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which the second blade frame may be oriented within the blade frame holder such that the blades of the second blade frame are either perpendicular or parallel to the blades of the first blade frame.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which the pusher head includes a plurality of projections extending from the face of the pusher head nearest the blade frames, the projections being sized to extend between the blades of the blade frames when the pusher head is in its second position adjacent the blade assembly.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
191 words
An apparatus for cutting lettuce and similar produce comprising: a frame having a base portion, a pair of essentially vertical guide posts, and an essentially horizontal platform above the base and between the guide posts; a blade assembly including a blade frame, received on the platform, and a plurality of blades mounted within the blade frame, the blades having serrated edges directed generally upwardly for puncturing produce forced against the blades; a pusher head, slidably mounted on the guide posts of said frame above the platform, operable to be positioned adjacent said blade assembly or remote from said blade assembly; biasing means for yieldably maintaining said pusher head remote from said blade assembly; a handle member having a handle rod extending transverse to the guide posts and first and second side arms each extending from an opposite end of the handle rod and each being pivotally attached to the platform of said frame near a different one of the guide posts; and first and second linkage bars each pivotally attached at a first end to said pusher head and at a second end to the first and second side arms respectively.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
191 words
An apparatus for cutting lettuce and similar produce comprising: a frame having a base portion, a pair of essentially vertical guide posts, and an essentially horizontal platform above the base and between the guide posts; a blade assembly including a blade frame, received on the platform, and a plurality of blades mounted within the blade frame, the blades having serrated edges directed generally upwardly for puncturing produce forced against the blades; a pusher head, slidably mounted on the guide posts of said frame above the platform, operable to be positioned adjacent said blade assembly or remote from said blade assembly; biasing means for yieldably maintaining said pusher head remote from said blade assembly; a handle member having a handle rod extending transverse to the guide posts and first and second side arms each extending from an opposite end of the handle rod and each being pivotally attached to the platform of said frame near a different one of the guide posts; and first and second linkage bars each pivotally attached at a first end to said pusher head and at a second end to the first and second side arms respectively.
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) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |