Trimming apparatus and method
AssigneeReflex Trim, Inc.
InventorWayne F. Riley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The excess covering material is trimmed from a workpiece using a blade assembly having side by side blade segments with cutting edges aligned with the contour to be cut. A rubber roller applies a longitudinal cutting force to the blade segments in sequential fashion by rolling across the blade segments ends opposite the cutting ends. The blade segments are returned to the noncutting position by a tension wire threaded through a notch in the shaft of each of the blade segments. Cutting pressure is adequate to cut through at least three layers of covering material without scoring the substrate. The rubber roller provides certain resiliency which helps control the cutting pressure.
Claims32
A method of trimming excess covering material from a workpiece along a contour comprising:
- positioning said workpiece adjacent a blade assembly comprising a plurality of blade segments arranged side by side and along a line defined by said contour;
- sequentially pressing a plurality of adjacent blade segments into contact with said workpiece and pressing at least one of said plurality of adjacent blade segments into cutting contact with said workpiece to sever said excess covering material from said workpiece;
- sequentially lifting said blade segments out of cutting contact with said workpiece following said sequentially pressing step;
- and
- separating said workpiece from said excess.
A trimming apparatus for trimming along a contour of a workpiece comprising:
- a blade assembly positionable at least partially along a line defined by said contour to be trimmed;
- said blade assembly comprising a plurality of blade segments arranged side by side and along said line defined by said contour;
- a means for sequentially pressing a plurality of adjacent blade segments into contact with said workpiece and for pressing at least one of said plurality of adjacent blade segments into cutting contact with said workpiece to cause said blade segments to trim said workpiece;
- and
- a means for urging said blade segments out of cutting contact with said workpiece after said trimming has been effected.
A trimming apparatus for trimming along a contour of a workpiece comprising:
- a blade assembly positionable at least partially along a line defined by said contour to be trimmed;
- said blade assembly comprising a pluraliity of blade segments arranged side by said and along said line defined by said contour, said blade segments defining a longitudinal dimension extending between a cutting end and a second end;
- a roller means disposed adjacent said second end of said blade segments;
- a means for moving said roller along said line to cause said roller to sequentially contact said second ends of said blade segments;
- means for causing said roller means to exert longitudinal pressure on said blade segments as said roller is moved along said line;
- and
- means for distributing said longitudinal pressure to a plurality of adjacent blade segments;
- whereby said roller sequentially forces said blade segments into cutting contact with said workpiece.
A cutting blade assembly for a trimming apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of elongated blade segments each segment having a longitudinally extending shaft and a cutting blade tip;
- said segments being substantially greater in length than in width and being positioned side by side to follow a contour to be trimmed and being individually moveable between a resting position and a longitudinally displaced cutting position;
- each of said segments having an aperture therein, said apertures being generally aligned with one another when said segments are aligned in said resting position;
- an elongated force distribution means disposed through said apertures;
- and
- spring means contacting said force distribution means for urging said force distribution means in a direction tending to cause said segments to return to said resting position after being displaced to said cutting position.
A trimming apparatus for trimming along a contour of a workpiece comprising:
- a blade assembly positionable at least partially along a line defined by said contour to be trimmed;
- said blade assembly comprising a plurality of blade segments arranged side by side and along said line defined by said contour;
- a means for sequentially pressing said blade to cause said blade segments to trim said workpiece;
- a means for during said blade segments out of cutting contact with said workpiece after said trimming has been effected;
- and
- further comprising blade assembly fixture for carrying said blade assembly.
A trimming apparatus for trimming along a contour of a workpiece comprising:
- a blade assembly positionable at least partially along a line defined by said contour to be trimmed;
- said blade assembly comprising a plurality of blade segments arranged side by said and along said line defined by said contour, said blade segments defining a longitudinal dimension extending between a cutting end and a second end;
- a roller means disposed adjacent said second end of said blade segments;
- a means for moving said roller along said line to cause said roller to sequentially contact said second ends of said blade segments;
- means for causing said roller means to exert longitudinal pressure on said blade segments as said roller is moved along said line;
- and
- whereby said roller sequentially forces said blade segments into cutting contact with said workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.