U.S. patent application number 13/418547 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-03 for fastener cutting device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Angelica Cox. Invention is credited to Angelica Cox, Gregory J. Foster, Robert W. Sheldon.
Application Number | 20130005491 13/418547 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47391197 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130005491 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cox; Angelica ; et
al. |
January 3, 2013 |
Fastener Cutting Device
Abstract
A fastener cutting device comprises a body portion with a top
surface and an back surface. The back surface is adapted to allow
the device to be mounted to a flat mounting surface. The top
surface has a guide extending generally parallel to the top surface
above the top surface. The guide has an open end and a fixed end
opposite the open end. The guide is spaced from the top surface at
a dimension sufficient to accommodate a fastener. The cutting
device further comprises a cutter disposed between the guide and
the top surface generally adjacent to the guide fixed end. The
guide and the top surface are arranged to allow the fastener to be
movable therebetween such that the cutter may be brought against
the fastener to cut the fastener, either by drawing the fastener
against the cutter or by deflecting the guide toward the
cutter.
Inventors: |
Cox; Angelica; (Glenview,
IL) ; Foster; Gregory J.; (Chicago, IL) ;
Sheldon; Robert W.; (Winnetka, IL) |
Assignee: |
Cox; Angelica
Glenview
IL
|
Family ID: |
47391197 |
Appl. No.: |
13/418547 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61501757 |
Jun 28, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
470/183 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B26B 27/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
470/183 |
International
Class: |
B21J 13/02 20060101
B21J013/02 |
Claims
1. A fastener cutting device comprising a body portion, the body
portion comprising a top surface and an opposite back surface, the
back surface having an adhesive for securing the device to a
support surface, the back surface being dimensioned to form an area
sufficient to enable the adhesive to maintain a bond between the
device and the support surface as cutting force is applied by a
user to the device to cut a fastener during normal operation of the
device, the top surface having a guide extending generally parallel
to the top surface above the top surface, the guide having an open
end and a fixed end opposite the open end, the guide being spaced
from the top surface at a dimension sufficient to accommodate a
fastener, the cutting device further comprising a cutter disposed
between the guide and the top surface generally adjacent to the
guide fixed end, the cutter having a cutting edge facing the guide
open end, wherein the guide and the top surface are arranged to
allow the fastener to be movable therebetween such that the cutting
edge of the cutter may be brought against the fastener to cut the
fastener.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the body portion is a monolithic
construction.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the body portion is made of
plastic.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the cutter comprises a blade.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the body portion and blade are
separate components assembled to form the device.
6. The device of claim 4, wherein the cutting edge of the blade is
angled.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the cutting edge of the blade
forms an acute angle with the guide.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the body portion has a length
extending parallel to the guide and a width transverse to the
guide, and a ratio of the length to the width is at least
three.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the body portion has a height
extending between the guide and back surface, and a ratio of the
length to the height is at least four.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the guide extends along the top
surface a distance sufficient to cover the cutting edge of the
cutter.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the guide is adapted to be
deflected by a user toward the cutter to cut a fastener disposed
between the guide and the cutting edge of the cutter.
12. A fastener cutting device comprising a body portion, the body
portion having a top surface and an opposite back surface, the body
portion having a through hole adapted to receive a mechanical
fastener for mounting the device to a support surface, the top
surface having a guide extending generally parallel to and above
the top surface, the guide having an open end and a fixed end
opposite the open end, the guide being spaced from the top surface
at a dimension sufficient to accommodate a fastener, the device
further comprising a cutter disposed between the guide and the top
surface generally adjacent to the guide fixed end, the cutter
having a cutting edge facing the guide open end, wherein the guide
and the top surface are arranged to allow the fastener to be
movable therebetween such that the cutting edge of the cutter may
be brought against the fastener to cut the fastener.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the body portion is a
monolithic construction.
14. The device of claim 12, wherein the body portion is made of
plastic.
15. The device of claim 12, wherein the cutter comprises a
blade.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein the body portion and blade are
separate components assembled to form the device.
17. The device of claim 15, wherein a cutting edge of the blade is
angled.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein the cutting edge of the blade
forms an acute angle with the guide.
19. The device of claim 12, wherein the guide extends along the top
surface a distance sufficient to cover the cutting edge of the
cutter.
20. The device of claim 12, wherein the guide is adapted to be
deflected by a user toward the cutter to cut a fastener disposed
between the guide and the cutting edge of the cutter.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional
application Ser. No. 61/501,757, filed Jun. 28, 2011, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
[0002] This disclosure relates to a fastener cutting device that
allows retail fasteners (also referred to as tags) to be
conveniently removed from an item or good. Goods purchased by
consumers typically have a retail fastener or label attached. Often
a scissor is used to cut the fasteners off the item. However, when
scissors are not readily available, other means are often taken to
remove the fasteners. Perhaps, the most common method used is to
pull on the fastener until it comes off. This causes several
problems. First, by using force to pull the fastener off the item,
the fabric can develop holes. Second, the consumer can injure their
fingers during the struggle to pull the fastener off. Another
common method used to remove a fastener from an item is by trying
to hold the fastener between the teeth and pulling on it until it
is removed. This method has obvious potential adverse issues,
including creating a likely hole in the item. Lastly, due to health
related issues, some consumers are not able to use a scissor, so
they resort to using one of the above methods to remove a fastener
from a purchased good. In recognition of these problems, a compact,
surface mounted fastener cutting device would be of great
value.
[0003] Other cutting devices are known, but they have several
drawbacks. Among other issues, these cutting devices are frequently
not readily available, and cannot be operated by users who have an
inability to utilize their hands. These devices include: (i)
scissors; (ii) a hand-held device for cutting non-metallic straps
that range in width from 3/8 to 5/8 inch as disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,815,930 to Kojima (1998); (iii) a hand held media cutting
device that is designed to cut paper, plastic, metal films and
cardboard box as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. US 2006/0236550 A1 to
Gullicks, Mueller, Packard, Pearson (2006); and (iv) an opener that
the user wears on his/her finger to open paper envelopes as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. US 2002/0124417 A1 to De la Cruz. None
of these prior art references discloses a device specifically
designed and constructed for use in removing fasteners from a
variety of goods that is mountable on a flat surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the fastener cutting
device.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the fastener cutting
device of FIG. 1.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a side view of the fastener cutting device of FIG.
1.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the fastener cutting device of FIG.
1.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a side view of the fastener cutting device of FIG.
1 opposite the view of FIG. 3.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a top view of the fastener cutting device of FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a front view of the fastener cutting device of
FIG. 1 opposite the view of FIG. 4.
[0011] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the fastener cutting device of
FIG. 1 opposite the view of FIG. 6.
[0012] FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of a
fastener cutting device showing a fastener mounting hole.
[0013] FIG. 10 is an alternate embodiment of the fastener cutting
device.
[0014] FIG. 11 is a side view of the cutting device of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The fastener cutting device 20 comprises a body portion 22
that has a top surface 24 and an opposite back surface 26. The body
portion back surface 26 may comprise a recess 28 (FIG. 2) that
receives an adhesive 30 so that when the fastener cutting device is
mounted to a flat mounting surface, the cutting device back surface
is nearly flush to the mounting surface. The back surface 26 is
dimensioned with a relatively large area to enable the adhesive 30
to maintain a secure bond with the mounting surface for routine
application of the force necessary to cut the fastener. For
instance, the body portion 22 may have a length L (FIG. 7)
extending in direction parallel to the direction of applied force F
(FIG. 7), and a width W (FIG. 7) transverse to the direction of
applied force F. A ratio of the length to width (L/W) may be at
least three. Additionally, any moment created by force F applied to
the device may be reduced by restricting a height H (FIG. 3) of the
device. Accordingly, a ratio of the length L to the height H (L/H)
may be at least four. Maintaining these ratios facilitates the
ability of adhesive to securely mount the cutting device to a
mounting surface for routine application of force for cutting a
fastener.
[0016] The adhesive used to secure the device to a flat surface may
be a made of a synthetic rubber resin, or a similar material. The
adhesive 30 may remain covered by a peel back paper 32 or release
material until the user is ready to mount it onto a surface.
Although the drawings show the adhesive as a patch, the adhesive
may be generally a liquid or gel applied to the back surface in
which case a recess need not be formed in the body portion.
Although the drawings (FIGS. 1-9) show the adhesive for mounting
the device to a support surface (i.e., wall), the surfaces of the
device may be formed with one or more screw hole(s) 34 (FIG. 10) to
allow the use of threaded screws inserted through the screw holes
to secure the device to a flat mounting surface. Where mounting
with mechanical fasteners is desired, the recess shown in FIG. 2
may be omitted. The ratios discussed above need not be necessarily
employed when the device is mounted with mechanical fasteners.
[0017] The device 20 has a guide 40 extending generally parallel to
the top surface 24. The guide 40 has an open end 42 and a fixed end
44 opposite the open end. The fixed end 44 extends to the top
surface 24, and may be tapered outwardly to provide structural
integrity for the guide. The guide 40 is spaced from the top
surface 24 at a dimension sufficient to accommodate a fastener to
be cut. The body portion 22 further comprises a cutter 50 disposed
between the guide 40 and the top surface 24 generally adjacent to
the guide fixed end 44. The cutter 50 has a cutting edge 52 facing
the guide open end 42. The guide 40 and the top surface 24 are
arranged to allow the fastener to be movable therebetween so that
the cutting edge 52 of the cutter 50 may cut the fastener. A
removable safety cap may be disposed between the guide and the body
portion top surface to prevent inadvertent engagement with the
cutter when the device is not in use.
[0018] The fastener cutting device may be made of any variety of
materials, including, but not limited to, plastic, polymers, metal,
wood, ceramics and other composites. The cutting device may be one
piece or may be fabricated as separate parts and thereafter
assembled together. Specifically, the body portion and guide may be
of monolithic construction. The body portion, guide, and cutter
(e.g., the blade) may be of monolithic construction. The cutter
(e.g., the blade) and body portion may also be separate components
with the body portion molded around the cutter. The device may be
discarded when the cutter (e.g., the blade) is worn, or the blade
may be replaceable through a groove (not shown) formed in the body
portion. While the drawings show the device as generally oval, the
device may be any shape.
[0019] Although a blade is shown in the drawings, the cutting
device may use a cutter comprising a blade or a wire, and each may
be made from a variety of materials, including metals, ceramics,
glass, or plastics. Suitable metals include, but are not limited
to, stainless steel, copper or brass. The cutting edge of the
cutter may be a straight edge or it may be beveled, chiseled,
serrated, corrugated, scalloped or curved. At least a portion of a
cutting edge of the blade may be formed with an acute angle with an
underside surface of the guide. At least a portion of the cutting
edge of the edge may also be arranged parallel to the guide.
[0020] FIGS. 1-9 show an embodiment whereby the user may draw the
fastener between an underside of the guide and the body portion top
surface and against the cutting edge of the blade to cut the
fastener. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9, the cutting edge of the
blade is angled to form an acute angle with the underside of the
guide. In FIGS. 10-11, the guide 400 has been enlarged to form a
push button. The fastener may be inserted at the open end 420 of
the guide 400 under the guide such the fastener is positioned
between the blade and the underside of the guide. The guide may
then be springably deflected toward the cutting edge 520 of the
blade 500 to cut the fastener. The underside of the guide may be
provided with a relief groove (not shown) to accommodate the blade
as the guide is deflected into the blade. The fixed end 440 of the
guide 440 may be arranged to provide sufficient resiliency for the
guide as it is repeatedly deflected toward the blade for multiple
cutting operations. In the embodiment of FIGS. 10-11, a majority of
the cutting edge 520 of the blade 500 is aligned generally parallel
with the guide. The embodiment of the device shown in FIGS. 10-11
may also be operated to cut a fastener by drawing the fastener
against that portion of the cutting edge of the blade which is
generally angled to the guide.
[0021] In operation, one may mount the fastener cutting device to a
flat or support surface. As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-9,
the user may the hold both ends of the fastener, insert the
fastener into the open end of the guide of the device until it
reaches the exposed blade, draw the fastener against the blade, and
exert a motion against the blade to cut the fastener. In the
embodiment of FIGS. 10-11, the user may insert the fastener into
the opening of the device under the guide such the fastener is
positioned between the blade and the underside of the guide. The
user may then press the guide thereby deflecting the guide toward
the blade to cut the fastener.
[0022] Arrow F shown in FIG. 7 shows the direction of movement of
the fastener when placed inside the fastener cutting device. The
user draws the fastener perpendicularly against the blade and
exerts minimal force downward in the direction of the arrow F to
cut the fastener. Alternatively, arrow PF shown in FIG. 11 shows
the direction of movement of the guide against the fastener, as the
fastener is held stationary between the blade and the underside of
the guide and the guide is deflected toward the blade to cut the
fastener.
[0023] In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that several
advantages are achieved and attained. The embodiments were chosen
and described in order to best explain the principles of the
invention and its practical application to thereby enable others
skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various
embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated. As various modifications could be made
in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated
without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended
that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in
the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative
rather than limiting. The breadth and scope of the present
invention should not be limited by any of the above-described
exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance
with the following claims appended hereto and their
equivalents.
* * * * *