# US 11,077,574 B2 · End preparation tool for pre-insulated tubing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,574 B2 - Document ID: US11077574B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/703,543 - Filed: 2019-12-04 - Published: 2020-06-04 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2018-12-04 - Assignees: Dekoron Unitherm LLC - Applicants: Dekoron Unitherm LLC - Inventors: Richard Bell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077574B2 ## CPC - B26D 3/169: {Hand held tube cutters} - B26D 3/166: {Trimming tube-ends} - F16L 59/029: {layered} - B26D: CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING (for growing crops or plants A01D, A01G; for fodder or straw A01F; for bulk butter A01J; for dough A21C; slaughtering A22B; for tobacco, cigars or cigarettes A24; marking-out, perforating or making buttonholes A41H25/00; manufacturing footwear A43D; brushmaking A46D; surgery A61B; disintegrating, mincing or shredding in general B02C; cutting wire, making pins or nails B21F, B21G; of the kind used formetal B23; cutting by abrasive fluid jets B24C5/02; hand-held cutting tools B26B; perforating, cutting-out, stamping-out or punching, or severing by means other than cutting B26F; for wood B27; for stone B28D; working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29; making boxes, cartons, envelopes or bags, of paper or similarly worked materials, e.g. metal foil, B31B; article or web delivery apparatus incorporating cutting or line-perforating devices B65H35/00; for leather or upholstery B68, C14B; for glass C03B; making matches C06F; for peat C10F; for sugar C13B45/00; for textile materials D06H; civil engineering, building, mining, see Section E; for light guides G02B6/25; cutting processed photographic material G03D15/04) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract A tool is configured for preparing an end of a pre-insulated tubing bundle having a central tube having a diameter and an outer insulation covering have a diameter. The tool includes a body having first and second body sections joined to one another and movable between an open position and a closed position. The body sections, when joined to one another define a circular central opening. The circular central opening has a diameter about equal to the diameter of the outer insulation covering. A cutting blade is positioned in one of the first and second section sections extending inwardly of the circular central opening a distance equal to one-half of a difference between the diameter of the outer insulation covering and the diameter of the central tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tool for preparing an end of a pre-insulated tubing bundle, the pre-insulated tubing bundle having a central tube having a diameter and an outer insulation covering have a diameter, the tool comprising: a body having first and second body sections joined to one another and movable between an open position and a closed position, the body sections, when joined to one another define a circular central opening, the circular central opening having a diameter about equal to the diameter of the outer insulation covering; a cutting blade positioned in one of the first and second section sections extending inwardly of the circular central opening a distance equal to one-half of a difference between the diameter of the outer insulation covering and the diameter of the central tube; and a blade cylindrical guard having a slit extending about a curvature of the guard to receive the blade is configured for positioning in the circular central opening and is enclosed by the tool in the closed position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the first and second body sections are pivotally joined to one another at a hinge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The tool of claim 2, wherein the hinge is defined by aligned openings extending through the first and second body portions and a hinge pin positioned through the aligned openings. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The tool of claim 3, wherein one of the body portions includes a hinge projection and the other body portion includes a hinge recess, and wherein the aligned opening are formed in the hinge projection and in walls that define the hinge recess. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The tool of claim 4, further including a lock to secure the tool in the closed position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The tool of claim 5, wherein the lock includes locking openings in the hinge projection and hinge recess that are aligned with one another when the tool is closed, and further including a pin insertable into the locking openings to secure the tool in the closed position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, further including a lock to secure the tool in the closed position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1, wherein the blade guard is formed as a plug.