Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for producing an endless flexible seamed belt using templates is disclosed. A first form of the template is a mask template with a template aperture in the form of a puzzle cut pattern to be used in combination with an excimer laser. The template is placed between the excimer laser source and the belt material to be cut. As the excimer laser traverses the width of the belt, the laser forms a puzzle cut pattern on the belt. A second form of the template is a punch and die having patterned edges in the form of a puzzle cut pattern with extremely small nodes and kerfs. The cutting tolerances of the patterned edges make it necessary to fix the punch with respect to the die so that there is no misalignment of the punch and die between cutting operations. This is accomplished by resiliently fixing the punch to the die, rather than having the punch attached to the force generating assembly as in normal punch and die assemblies.

Abstract: A safety knife comprises a handle and a blade mounted on the handle so that a part of the blade projects from the handle. Two retractable safety guards are also mounted on the handle, overlying opposite sides of the projecting portion of the blade. Each guard is spring-loaded so that pressure from the material being cut causes the guards to retract into the handle as the blade cuts into the material. A manually controlled locking device normally prevents the guards being retracted but, when operated, allows the guards to retract. The guards automatically extend, under the action of springs, when the knife is removed from the material.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus having first and second handle members pivotably mounted to one another for movement from an open position to a closed position to clamp body tissue between the distal jaws. After the body tissue is clamped, a trigger mechanism is activated to advance a staple pusher to force a staple through the tissue and into contact with an anvil to deform the staple legs. An actuating lever may be interposed between the trigger mechanism and the staple pusher.

Abstract: A rotary cutter for a mower capable of limiting the reeling out of a cord, when the free end of the cord is worn out to only when the rotary cutter is rotated at low speed thereby preventing pebbles or the like from being scattered. The rotary cutter is disengaged without the component parts being separated thereby facilitating reassembly. The rotary cutter includes a cord for mowing grass on being rotated, a reel for containing the cord and reeling out the cord intermittently while being rotated, a cover covering a case containing the reel, and a plunger projected downward from the case and movable in an axial direction by being pressed for intermittently rotating the reel. A ratchet is held at a constant position by an urging element which is moved outward to open against the direction of the urging element by the centrifugal force produced by rotating the rotary cutter at a high speed and is engaged with the plunger to thereby prevent the plunger from moving in the axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a circular saw aligning device which is not only easily releaseable but also entirely removeable from functioning engagement with either a specially made or prior art portable circular saw. An abutting assembly of the device rotates from an engaging position to a non-engaging position so the saw can be used without interference. This rotation is also the first step in removing the device entirely from the saw.

Abstract: Vegetation trimmers and methods for reconfiguring a trimmer are provided. A coupling mechanism permits reconfiguration of the trimmer between a first, e.g., trimming, configuration and a second, e.g., edging, configuration. The coupling mechanism may, in one embodiment, be used to couple a handle assembly with an extension tube. By rotating the handle assembly relative to the extension tube, the trimmer is moved between the trimming and edging configurations. In one embodiment, the mechanism may apply a biasing force to the handle assembly relative to the extension tube. The biasing force tends to bias the trimmer towards and retain the trimmer in the desired configuration. To switch the trimmer between configurations, the operator may impart a twisting force between the handle assembly and the extension tube where the twisting force is sufficient to overcome the biasing force. Optionally, a longitudinal force may also be applied before or during the application of the twisting force.

Abstract: A trim press article handling apparatus includes a punch plate, a die plate, a plunger, and a receiver. The punch plate has a punch, and the die plate has a die cooperating in relative movement with the punch plate to sever articles from a thermoformable web. The plunger is carried by one of the punch plate and the die plate having a tapered advancing head. The receiver is carried by the other of the punch plate and the die plate having a tapered recess configured to receive the plunger. A tapered article locator provided within a thermoformed web also having articles therein is captured between the plunger and the receiver as the punch plate and die plate are brought together there about, thereby imparting alignment of an article in the web between the punch and the die. A method for aligning and severing articles from a web is also provided.

Abstract: A device (1) is provided for slicing loaves and similar bakery products. The device includes a stationary frame (2) including a support (4,5) for supporting the loaves or bakery products. A blade carrier (10) holds a plurality of thin elongate cutting blades (11) at spaced locations with respect to one another. Each blade includes a cutting edge (13) for cutting the loaves or bakery products. The device includes a blade carrier drive (51-56, 65-68) which provides for first and second movement of the blade carrier. A cleaning mechanism (70,71) is provided for cleaning the cutting blades.

Abstract: A blade cartridge including a platform member having a blade seat, and a guard member located forward of and parallel to the blade seat so as to form a longitudinal slot between the blade seat and the guard member. A first blade is disposed on the blade seat such that the cutting edge of the blade is located rearwardly of the guard member. A spacer is located on the upper surface of the first blade. The spacer includes an upper surface having a plurality of protruding members extending therefrom and extending through apertures on a second blade such that the second blade is disposed on the upper surface of the spacer. The first blade has apertures that allow debris to flow between the first and second blades and downward through the aperture in the first blade and out through the platform member. A third blade is disposed on an upper surface of the protruding members of the spacer, thereby forming a gap defined by the second and third blades.

Abstract: A method and tool for repairing worn seams in sheet materials, such as linoleum or vinyl floor coverings, is disclosed. The tool is a specially constructed, double bladed utility knife. The tool has dual cutting blades that are rigidly secured to the tool for precision cutting. The blades are set at a slightly divergent angle relative to one another, and the distance between the blades is adjustable. The tool may be used to repair a damaged seam in a floor covering as follows. First, the blades are set to span the widest portion of the damaged portion of the seam. Cutting pressure is applied and the tool is drawn along the seam to remove the damaged portion. The blades are then adjusted to a slightly wider-apart position, and the tool is used in a similar manner to cut a repair piece from a matching piece of material. The repair piece is then adhered to the floor and will fit snugly between the adjoining pieces of material to accomplish a perfect repair of the seam.

Abstract: A cutting attachment for use with a vegetation cutting device. The cutting attachment has a body with a generally planar coupling portion and a central axis of rotation. In one embodiment, the body further includes a conical central wall portion extending radially outwardly and in a first direction from the coupling portion and the axis and a circular outer wall portion adjoining the central wall portion and extending generally radially outwardly therefrom. The central wall portion defines a conically-shaped self-cleaning inner cavity disposed symmetrically about the axis. The outer wall portion has a generally smooth outer surface which serves as a skid plate. An outer self-cleaning cavity is formed by an outer surface of the central wall portion and an inner surface of the outer wall portion. A coupling assembly, which can include an adapter having first and second clamping elements, is carried by the coupling portion for coupling the body to the cutting device to cause rotation about the axis.

Abstract: A pencil sharpener includes a casing secured in a housing and having a groove for receiving a pencil to be sharpened and having a cutter blade for sharpening the pencil. A device has a slide slidably received in the housing and has an extension extended from a resilient arm and engaged into the groove of the casing for determining the engagement of the pencil into the groove of the casing and for controlling the sharpening operation of the pencil. The slide may be adjusted relative to the housing for adjusting the engagement of the extension into the casing.

Abstract: A device for clamping and cutting an umbilical cord including a pair of differently colored clamps, each having a pair of legs joined at a hinge. A clamp holder including a cutting device supporting the clamps side by side with one another by engagement of flanged rails on the clamps in undercut slots of the clamp holder with the cutting device between them, for guiding the clamps in a sliding movement to advance the cutting desire between the clamps to cut a cord in use while compressing the legs of the clamps to clamp said cord. The clamp support disengaging from at least one of the clamps when the clamp is slid to a predetermined release point such that the clamp can be removed from the clamp holder in two directions each orthogonal to the direction of the sliding movement.

Abstract: The cushion back carpet cutting tool is a hand tool for cutting foam back carpeting that creates a clean straight cut through the carpeting so that a smooth unnoticeable seam results where two pieces of carpet material are brought together. The tool includes a leading edge on the center plate that opens the adjacent rows of tufts in the carpeting, three blades for cutting the carpeting between adjacent rows either close to the right row of tufts, left row of tufts or midway between the tufts, three plates that retain the blades and an adjustable retainer system for the blades, and a handle. The leading edge has an angle of less than 90 degrees from the horizontal and is rounded in shape to prevent loop or woven carpeting from catching on the tool, and also to keep the tool from jumping out of the row where the cut is being made. The blades are kept in place at an angle of between 15 to 25 degrees from the bottom edge of the tool, which results in a smoother cut being made in the carpeting.

Abstract: An inexpensive jig for holding a piece of crown molding, and guiding a hand-held jigsaw at a particular angle to aid in coping the molding. The jig has a horizontal base plate 1 and two vertical side fences 2A, 2B. A guide plate 3 is attached between the front ends of the fences, and is spaced from the base plate by a gap 5. The guide plate is oriented as if rotated through two particular angles about two respective axes from a position normal to the fences and base plate. The resulting front surface of the guide plate guides a jigsaw in the coping process. An opening 4 in the guide plate is aligned with the upper surface of the base plate, and allows molding to be placed on the base plate with an end in the opening to interfere with the jigsaw blade at a desired coping angle. First, the molding is placed inverted against a miter saw fence, and an end of the molding is cut at a 45-degree angle. Next the molding is placed in the jig, with the cut end in the opening of the guide plate.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a processing center for automatic food treatment without human intervention throughout the process. Various food products like vegetables or fruits are placed within the storage compartments of the apparatus and, depending on apriori preprogrammed parameters, are automatically cut in 3 dimensions. The desired 3D cut is obtained by the following cutting steps: 1. Slicing of the product. 2. Horizontal cutting of sliced product. 3. Vertical cutting of sliced product. Various possibilities are established by the above process so as to allow preparation of ready made salads with predetermined size of cut components like onion, cucumber, tomato, radish, banana, apple, orange, melon, etc. The apparatus is equipped with motion converting mechanisms, multimode control and with approppiate computerized control means.

Abstract: A pair of pruning shears has two bodies pivotally mounted together with a pivot, a spring connected between the bodies, and a lock device arranged near the pivot. The lock device comprises a step hole defined in one of the bodies near the pivot, a locking hole defined in the other body, a latch post moveably mounted in the step hole, a biasing member to support the latch post, and a knob. The knob is rotatably mounted on the body with the step hole. The knob has a bottom abutting the latch post and a cavity defined in the bottom. When the bodies are pushed toward to each other, the step hole will align with the locking hole. The latch post can be pushed to engage with the locking hole by the bottom of the knob. This can provide a secure positioning effect to the latch post. The latch post will not escape from the locking hole when the pruning shears bump with another object.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a wafer sandwich into a plurality of rectangular pieces has a support surface defining a transport path extending longitudinally through a longitudinal-cutting station and a transverse-cutting station. A plurality of stationary and transversely spaced longitudinal blades extend across the path in the longitudinal-cutting station. The surface is formed in the transverse-cutting station with a plurality of transversely extending and longitudinally spaced slots. An abutment is displaceable immediately downstream of the transverse-cutting station between a blocking position in the path and a retracted position clear of the path. A plurality of transverse blades are displaceable transversely in the slots of the transverse-cutting station across the path.

Abstract: Improved steel rule for use in a cutting die for cutting fixed patterns in a single or plurality of stacked material layers according to the shape of the steel rule. The improvement in the rule assists in the removal of small pieces of scrap material through the bottom of the die. The rule is undercut so that the gap between adjacent cavities is tapered. The tapered gap between adjacent cavities creates a vertical passageway that becomes wider toward the bottom of the passageway. This greatly facilitates removal of scrap material through the bottom of the die. By allowing scrap material to escape through the die, the operators are not required to stop periodically to clean the die, and the likelihood of scrap material becoming trapped in the die is minimized. Thus, the speed of the cutting operation is increased and life of the die may be prolonged.

Abstract: A paperboard carton for storing and dispensing a roll of web material, such as plastic film, foil, wax paper, etc. has a plastic (e.g. polystyrene) cutting blade that is adhered to an inside front lip of the paperboard carton lid. The polystyrene cutting blade preferably has a thickness of about {fraction (20/1000)} of an inch, and preferably contains aggressive teeth at the ends of its serrated edge to help initiate tearing of the web material. The aggressive teeth are larger in size than the remaining teeth of the serrated edge. Use of the polystyrene cutting blade allows for increased production rates without compromising performance.