Apparatus for cutting expanded foam blocks to provide a predetermined surface configuration thereon

An apparatus comprising a stationary support, a movable frame assembly suspended from said support, a taut wire-like cutter supported at opposite ends by said movable frame assembly for vertical and horizontal movement, a changeable template having a periphery formed with a predetermined contour lying in a vertical plane and extending horizontally in parallel relation to said movement of said cutter, follower carried by said frame assembly to engage said template periphery for guiding the cutter along said predetermined contour, a platform located beneath said movable frame assembly for supporting a block of expanded plastic foam to be cut by said cutter, means for locating said block on said platform with respect to said cutter and template in position for cutting a surface therein having said predetermined contour, said movable frame assembly includng a first frame pivoted at a midportion thereof to said stationary support on a first horizontal axis, said first frame being normally inclined and having an upper portion projecting above said platform, a second frame pivotally suspended from said first frame upper portion on a second horizontal axis spaced from said first axis, said second frame having an open bottom end across which said cutter extends for said opposite end support thereby, said vertical and horizontal movement of said cutter by said movable frame being accomplished by pivoting of said first frame to vertically raise and lower said second axis, second frame and cutter, and the pivoting of said second frame to swing said cutter back and forth horizontally, and electric power means for energizing said cutter to effect said cutting.