Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
Method comprising, in accordance with the invention, the steps of partially melting the surface region of the cutting edge of the tool by moving a beam of radiant energy relative to successive portions of the surface thereof; contacting the partially molten edge with abrasive cutting particles of at least 0.3 mm in diameter in granular form and partially embedding said particles in the molten edge; and permitting said cutting edges, with sharp corner portions of said granular particles projecting by slightly differing distances therefrom, to solidify and harden.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
Method comprising, in accordance with the invention, the steps of partially melting the surface region of the cutting edge of the tool by moving a beam of radiant energy relative to successive portions of the surface thereof; contacting the partially molten edge with abrasive cutting particles of at least 0.3 mm in diameter in granular form and partially embedding said particles in the molten edge; and permitting said cutting edges, with sharp corner portions of said granular particles projecting by slightly differing distances therefrom, to solidify and harden.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
Method according to claimm 1, wherein the step of applying a beam of radiant energy comprises applying a laser beam in a pattern of oscillation which defines a plane coincident with the edge of the cutting surface of said tool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method according to claim 2 wherein the beam is applied under a protective atmosphere.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method according to claim 3 wherein the protective atmosphere comprises a nitrogen atmosphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method according to claim 3 wherein said step of applying the laser beam and the particles is carried out in a closed chamber including a protective gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method according to claim 5 wherein the protective gas is nitrogen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein the step of applying a beam of radiant energy comprises applying an electron beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method according to claim 7 wherein said step of applying the electron beam and the cutting particles to the partially melted edge are carried out under vacuum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein the step of applying the cutting particles comprises placing the cutting edge to face upwardly: and permitting said hard cutting particles to run over the partially melting cutting edge portion, by gravity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
Method according to claim 9 including the step of collecting excess particles for reuse, by placing a collection vessel beyeath the cutting tool as its edge is being melted, and the granules are being permitted to run thereover.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein the step of applying the cutting particles comprises collecting the cutting particles in a container; and dipping the cutting tool, with the cutting edge partially melted, into the container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
Method according to claim 1 including the step of serating or knurling the surface of the cutting edge prior to carrying out the partial melting step.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein the step of applying the cutting particles comprises applying particles of tungsten carbide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method according to claim 13 wherein the tungsten carbide particles have a granular size between about 0.3 mm and 1.5 mm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
157 words
Method of partially embedding hard cutting particles on the surface of the cutting edge of cutting tool, particularly saw blades, comprising the steps of generating, in a carbon dioxide, power laser a beam of laser radiant energy; directing said beam of laser energy to the cutting edge in which the cutting particles are to be embedded; partially melting the cutting edge by said beam; applying said particles to the partially melted cutting edge, in non-uniform granular form having randomly distributed, between about 0.3 and 1.5 mm diameter; and permitting said cutting edge, with the granular particles thereon, embedded at the partially melted portion to solidify and harden, whereby the granular cutting particles will be embedded and securely held in the solidified, re-melted portion of the cutting tool; and relatively moving the beam and the cutting tool to partially melt a different portion thereof, and then repeating the steps of embedding and permitting to solidify the cutting particles.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
157 words
Method of partially embedding hard cutting particles on the surface of the cutting edge of cutting tool, particularly saw blades, comprising the steps of generating, in a carbon dioxide, power laser a beam of laser radiant energy; directing said beam of laser energy to the cutting edge in which the cutting particles are to be embedded; partially melting the cutting edge by said beam; applying said particles to the partially melted cutting edge, in non-uniform granular form having randomly distributed, between about 0.3 and 1.5 mm diameter; and permitting said cutting edge, with the granular particles thereon, embedded at the partially melted portion to solidify and harden, whereby the granular cutting particles will be embedded and securely held in the solidified, re-melted portion of the cutting tool; and relatively moving the beam and the cutting tool to partially melt a different portion thereof, and then repeating the steps of embedding and permitting to solidify the cutting particles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method according to claim 15 wherein said step of relatively redirecting the position of the beam and the cutting tool is carried out in a continuous motion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
Method according to claim 16 wherein the laser is pivotably mounted to swing about a pivot point, the beam being directed downwardly against an upwardly directed cutting edge, and scanning over the cutting edge.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
Method according to claim 17 wherein the step of melting the cutting tool, and embedding the particles is carried out in a protective gas atmosphere.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
A cutting tool wherein said cutting edge is characterized by a solidified melt zone having partially embedded in said melt zone particles of hard cutting material of at least 0.3 mm diameter with sharp corners thereof projecting by slightly differing distances therefrom.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
A cutting tool wherein said cutting edge is characterized by a solidified melt zone having partially embedded in said melt zone particles of hard cutting material of at least 0.3 mm diameter with sharp corners thereof projecting by slightly differing distances therefrom.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
Cutting tool according to claim 19 wherein said tool body comprises a saw blade; and said hard cutting particles comprises at least one of the materials of the group consisting of tungsten carbide; a metallic nitride; a metallic silicide; a metallic boride.