Pipe cutter with easily detachable handle

A ratchet-type pipe cutter for cutting pipe in close quarters with easily uncouplable handle, comprising:

• an annular split-ring cutting head for positioning about the pipe and provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced peripheral teeth;
• a circular cutter rotatably mounted on said cutting head for engaging and cutting the pipe upon rotation of said cutting head about the pipe;
• adjustment means for progressively urging said cutter into cutting engagement with said pipe;
• an elongated handle for coupling to said cutting head after it is positioned about the pipe for unidirectionally rotating said cutting head;
• means attached to the handle for coupling and uncoupling said handle to said cutting head comprising a serrated gripping element located forwardly thereon and a spring-biased ratchet member spaced rearwardly from said serrated gripping element in opposed relationship thereto to clamp said cutting head against said serrated gripping element, said ratchet member being adapted to drivingly engage said peripheral teeth upon rotation of said handle in a predetermined direction and to slip over said peripheral teeth upon rotation in the opposite direction, said coupling means further comprising an elongated member attached to the handle and provided with a semi-circular arm at its front end with the at least one gripping element and ratchet member attached to and circumferentially spaced about the semi-circular arm, and spring means for urging the ratchet member toward the gripping element for coupling the handle to the cutting head, the opening of the semi-circular arm and the distance between the gripping element and the ratchet member when moved away from the gripping element against the urging of the spring means permitting easy coupling on and easy uncoupling from said cutting head;
• means for preventing inadvertent lateral displacement of said handle from said cutting head during use.