US3985996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal cutting apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-02-13
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Granted: 1976-10-12
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Expires: 1995-02-13
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for cutting arbitrary shapes in material, particularly in synthetic plastic foam material, comprises a bendable, shape-retaining, electrically conductive resistive wire. The wire may be successively formed into any desired form factor by selectively arranging either or both elements of a pair of independently movable electrically non-conductive wire-positioning elements which are respectively connected to end portions of the wire. The wire cuts the desired shape by the heat produced by connecting the wire to an electrical current source which heats the wire to a sufficiently high temperature. Securing portions are respectively provided on the movable wire-positioning elements so that the latter may be fixedly positioned and form an interlocked assembly, whereby the wire may be positioned into a narrow loop and thereby cut circular patterns into a series of workpieces. An electrical switch is provided in the electrical circuit path adjacent one of the end portions of the wire, on either one of the wire-positioning elements, or, on an extension member which is mechanically and electrically connected with a wire-positioning element; the switch being operative to complete the electrical circuit path.
Inventors
- 👤 Artur Fischer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:12
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26D; B26D3/00; B26D3/006; B26F; B26F3/00; B26F3/06; B26F3/08; B26F3/12; H; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B2203/00; H05B2203/03; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T225/00; Y10T225/30; Y10T225/304; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/283; Y10T83/293
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A cutting apparatus for cutting shapes in workpieces, particularly synthetic plastic foam material, comprising an electrically conductive, resistive wire having spaced end portions and being bendable to form a desired workpiece-cutting configuration but being stiff enough to retain the wire in said configuration to which it has been bent; a pair of electrically non-conductive, wire-positioning elements each connected to a respective one of said wire end portions, said elements being independently movable so that they may be successively moved and positioned to form said wire into said configuration requisite for cutting different shapes into a workpiece; means for supplying electrical current to said wire so as to form an electrical circuit path for heating said wire to a predetermined cutting temperature, said current supplying means including an electric switch provided in said path adjacent one of said spaced end portions of said wire and operative to close said circuit path; a pair of extension members; and mounting means for connecting said extension members with said elements, said current supplying means further including a pair of cooperating electrically-conductive pins and sockets on respective ones of said elements and extension members for establishing a mechanical and electrical interconnection therebetween and an electrically conductive terminal on each of said extension members electrically connected to the pin and socket interconnection between the member and its associated element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A cutting apparatus for cutting shapes in workpieces, particularly synthetic plastic foam material, comprising an electrically conductive, resistive wire having spaced end portions and being bendable to form a desired workpiece-cutting configuration but being stiff enough to retain the wire in said configuration to which it has been bent; a pair of electrically non-conductive, wire-positioning elements each connected to a respective one of said wire end portions, said elements being independently movable so that they may be successively moved and positioned to form said wire into said configuration requisite for cutting different shapes into a workpiece; means for supplying electrical current to said wire so as to form an electrical circuit path for heating said wire to a predetermined cutting temperature, said current supplying means including an electric switch provided in said path adjacent one of said spaced end portions of said wire and operative to close said circuit path; a pair of extension members; and mounting means for connecting said extension members with said elements, said current supplying means further including a pair of cooperating electrically-conductive pins and sockets on respective ones of said elements and extension members for establishing a mechanical and electrical interconnection therebetween and an electrically conductive terminal on each of said extension members electrically connected to the pin and socket interconnection between the member and its associated element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A cutting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said switch is a normally open pushbutton switch and is operative to complete said electrical circuit path when said switch is manually depressed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cutting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said switch is provided on one of said wire-positioning elements in the circuit between the terminal and the pin and socket interconnection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A cutting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises a first connecting pin provided on one of said wire-positioning elements, and a second connecting pin provided on the other of said wire-positioning elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
A cutting apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further comprising coupling means on each of said wire-positioning elements meshing and mutually engageable with one another for fixing said elements to each other and thus securing a stable interrelationship and a predetermined loop-shaped configuration of the wire so as to enable the wire to cut a series of identical cutting shapes in the workpieces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
222 words
A cutting apparatus for cutting shapes in workpieces, particularly synthetic plastic foam material, comprising an electrically conductive, resistive wire having spaced end portions and being bendable to form a desired workpiece-cutting configuration but being stiff enough to retain the wire in said configuration to which it has been bent; a pair of electrically non-conductive, wire-positioning elements each connected to a respective one of said wire end portions, said elements being independently movable so that they may be successively moved and positioned to form said wire into said configuration requisite for cutting different shapes into a workpiece; means for supplying electrical current to said wires so as to form an electrical circuit path for heating said wire to a predetermined cutting temperature, said current supplying means including first and second connecting pins provided on respective ones of said wire-positioning elements; an electric switch provided in said path adjacent one of said spaced end portions of said wire and operative to close said circuit path; and an extension member having opposite ends, an electrically conductive socket provided at one of said ends of said extension member connectable with said first connecting pin so as to cooperatively establish a mechanical and electrical connection, and an electrically conductive terminal provided at the other of said ends of said extension member and electrically connected to said socket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
222 words
A cutting apparatus for cutting shapes in workpieces, particularly synthetic plastic foam material, comprising an electrically conductive, resistive wire having spaced end portions and being bendable to form a desired workpiece-cutting configuration but being stiff enough to retain the wire in said configuration to which it has been bent; a pair of electrically non-conductive, wire-positioning elements each connected to a respective one of said wire end portions, said elements being independently movable so that they may be successively moved and positioned to form said wire into said configuration requisite for cutting different shapes into a workpiece; means for supplying electrical current to said wires so as to form an electrical circuit path for heating said wire to a predetermined cutting temperature, said current supplying means including first and second connecting pins provided on respective ones of said wire-positioning elements; an electric switch provided in said path adjacent one of said spaced end portions of said wire and operative to close said circuit path; and an extension member having opposite ends, an electrically conductive socket provided at one of said ends of said extension member connectable with said first connecting pin so as to cooperatively establish a mechanical and electrical connection, and an electrically conductive terminal provided at the other of said ends of said extension member and electrically connected to said socket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A cutting apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said switch is provided on said extension member in the circuit between said terminal and said socket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
A cutting apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said switch comprises an electrically-conductive resilient tongue having a fixed portion electrically connected with said terminal, and a movable contact portion normally overlying said socket; said switch further comprising means for moving said contact portion between respective positions in which said contact portion is alternately in and out of engagement with said socket so as to respectively establish and interrupt the flow of electrical current towards said wire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
A cutting apparatus as defined in claim 6, and further comprising an additional extension member located adjacent said first-mentioned extension member, said additional extension member having opposite ends and being provided with an electrically-conductive socket at one of its ends which cooperates with said second connecting pin so as to establish a mechanical and electrical connection therewith, and an electrically-conductive terminal at the other of said ends of said additional extension member and electrically connected to said socket.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-12 | 1980-04-12 | 1980-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-12 | 1984-04-12 | 1984-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-12 | 1988-04-12 | 1988-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |