A Cutting Tool

Field of the Invention.

This invention is directed to a small handheld cutting tool that can be used to trim vinyl and other types of sheet members that require trimming or cutting. These sheet members will typically comprise a floor covering such as "lino", vinyl, and some types of carpets (particularly the thinner short pile carpets), but there may be circumstances where the handheld cutting tool can be used to trim other types of members.

Background Art.

A very popular type of floor covering comprises a synthetic somewhat flexible sheet member which is often known as "vinyl" and this term will be used throughout the specification. The floor covering can have a thickness of between 1-4 mm. Some types of vinyl floor covering are cushioned. The upper surface of the floor covering can be plain or can have various fancy patterns and impressions. The vinyl can also be coloured. Sometimes, the floor cover is known as "lino". Another popular type of floor covering particularly in commercial establishments comprises a short pile carpet which is sometimes known as a "commercial carpet".

These floor coverings are purchased on a roll and a rough cut to length can sometimes be made at the factory and prior to transportation. Installation requires the floor covering to be unrolled and then attached to the floor by any suitable manner which itself does not form part of the present invention.

In many commercial establishments, there is a requirement that the floor covering passes a short distance up the wall so that there is no join between the edge of the floor and the bottom of the wall. This requirement prevents grime from accumulating in this join. The floor covering is usually required to extend up the wall by a distance of between a 100-200 mm. These commercial establishments generally comprise food outlets, commercial kitchens, restaurants, but may also comprise hospitals, certain types of factories and the like.

It is therefore necessary to lay the vinyl on the floor and then have sufficient amount of vinyl left to pass a short distance up the wall so that there is no join between the floor and the wall. The height that the vinyl needs to pass up the wall is set by regulatory bodies and is typically either 100 mm or 150 mm although this can vary depending on the regulatory requirements.

The present invention is directed to a simple yet extremely useful handheld tool that can be used to cut the vinyl at the required height on the wall. The tool can also be designed such that the same tool can be used to cut the vinyl at different regulatory heights (for instance 100 mm or 150 mm depending on the regulatory requirements).

To date, it has been difficult, fiddly and time-consuming to cut the vinyl to the right height up the wall. While it is generally relatively straightforward to cut vinyl when the vinyl is laid on the floor, it is not so straightforward to cut the vinyl when the vinyl is against a vertical wall. Because the wall can be quite long (up to 10 m for instance), and so that there is not a join, a 10 m roll of vinyl is laid on the floor with sufficient leftover to allow the vinyl to extend up the wall. The vinyl then needs to be trimmed to be exactly at the regulatory height. In practice, a long steel ruler (the ruler can be up to 2-3 m in length) is placed against the vinyl when the vinyl is placed against the wall and a trimming knife is run along the steel ruler to cut the vinyl to the required height. It should be appreciated that this is usually a two-person job with one person needing to hold at least one end of the long ruler and the other person needing to hold the other end of the ruler and cut the vinyl with the knife.

It can also be quite difficult to properly cut the vinyl or other type of floor covering member close to corners.

Another difficulty experienced by most installers of these types of floor coverings is that the floor covering can be cut with the trimming knife in one direction only. If the floor covering is to be cut in the other direction, it is necessary to turn the trimming knife around to do so.

The present invention is directed to a handheld tool which can be used to make it more easy to cut the vinyl or other floor covering at the required height.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Object of the Invention.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cutting tool that may overcome at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a cutting tool for trimming floor covering such as vinyl, and especially to allow the floor covering to be cut at the correct height when the vinyl passes up the wall.

In a more particular form, the invention resides in a cutting tool generally as described immediately above, the cutting tool having a first face adapted to be pushed along the floor laid portion of the floor covering, and a second face adapted to be pushed along the wall laid portion of the floor covering, and blade mounting means on the tool such that movement of the tool along the floor covering will cause a cutting blade in the blade mounting means to cut the wall laid portion of the floor covering.

In another form, there is provided a cutting tool for cutting a floor covering which needs to extend over a floor and partially up an adjacent wall, the cutting tool having a first face adapted to be pushed along the floor portion of the floor covering, and a second face adapted to be pushed along the wall portion of the floor covering, and blade mounting means on the tool such that movement of the tool along the floor covering will cause a cutting blade in the blade mounting means to cut the wall laid portion of the floor covering.

Thus, a vinyl cutting blade can be attached to the blade mounting means such that the blade is attached to the cutting tool and, as the tool is pushed along, the blade will cut

the vinyl at the correct height above the floor (this being the vinyl which needs to extend along the wall). It is no longer necessary to have a long steel ruler and a separate cutting knife.

If the cutting blade is a double edged blade, the tool can cut the vinyl in either direction which is an advantage to the speed and efficiency in laying the vinyl or other floor covering.

The cutting blade can be chosen and positioned such that the cutting edge is substantially in-line with the forward edge of the tool which means that the tool can be pushed into a corner and will allow the vinyl to be cut very close to the corner which is something that has previously been difficult and time-consuming to do.

If the local regulations require the vinyl to be cut at different heights on the wall, it is possible to configure the tool such that when one face is against the wall, the vinyl will be cut at one regulation height and if the other face is against the wall, the vinyl will be cut at a different regulation height.

The tool may be suitable for vinyl, certain types of carpets, and other types of coverings that can be cut and which need to be cut in the manner described above.

The cutting tool can be made of any suitable material and it is considered that suitable materials may comprise relatively strong plastic materials, metals (e.g. aluminium or steel), wood, and composite materials. It is not considered that the precise type of material from which the cutting tool is manufactured should be limiting to the invention.

The cutting tool is preferably of a size to enable it to cut the floor material in an efficient manner but still be relatively easy to hold. The choice of material will determine in some way the size of the cutting tool but it is envisaged that the cutting tool will typically have a length of between 10-40 cm, a width of something similar, and a height of between 10-20 cm. This can of course vary to suit.

The cutting tool has a first face and a second face. Either face can be used for either the floor laid portion or the wall laid portion. Therefore, it is preferred that the first face and the second face have a different size such that when a blade is attached to the tool, the floor covering will be cut at one particular height above the floor when the first face is pressed against the floor covering, and the floor covering will be cut at a different height above the floor when the second face is pressed against the floor covering.

The first face and the second face will typically be substantially rectangular when viewed in plan. However, there may be circumstances where the first face and/or the second face may have a different shape such as a triangular shape, a different type of polygonal shape, an oval shaped, an irregular shape and the like.

In a typical embodiment of the invention, the first face will be substantially rectangular having a length of between 5-20 cm and a width of between 5-10 cm and the second face will also be substantially rectangular and will have a similar length but a larger width.

A blade mounting means will typically be provided adjacent one face and preferably adjacent both faces. It is also preferred that more than one blade mounting means is provided adjacent each face and it is envisaged that a pair of blade mounting means will be provided adjacent one face and preferably adjacent both faces.

The tool may comprise a wall portion extending upwardly from the face. The wall portion will typically extend substantially at right angles. The blade mounting means may be provided on the wall portion. The blade mounting means may comprise a slot in the wall portion into which a cutting blade can be positioned. Some form of fastener (e.g. a wing nut) or something similar, or something different may be provided to hold the blade in the blade mounting means.

It is preferred that the blade can be adjustably mounted to the blade mounting means. For instance, it is preferred that the degree of extension of the blade or retraction of the blade can be adjusted. This will depend, inter alia, on the thickness of the floor

covering that is to be cut.

The blade will typically comprise a double edged blade which means that the blade can cut the vinyl using one edge when the tool is pushed in one direction and the same blade can cut the vinyl using the other edge when the tool is pulled in the opposite direction. Alternatively a single edged blade can be used on each comer and pointing in opposite ways. The blade edge can be straight or curved.

It is preferred that the blade can be removed from the tool when not required or, alternatively, retracted in such a manner that the cutting edge of the blade is protected. As an example, the blade mounting means may comprise a recess and when the blade is entirely retracted in the recess, the walls of the recess can protect the blade edges.

It is preferred that there is a blade mounting means on the forward area and the rear area of the tool such that the tool can cut the floor covering more easily. Although it is envisaged that only a single blade will be used to cut the floor covering, by having a blade mounting means on the forward area and the rear area of the tool, the blade can be mounted in a more versatile manner making the tool more versatile.

It is also envisaged that the cutting tool can be used to cut borders in floor covering such as carpets and vinyl and at a spacing set by the size of the tool and the positioning of the blade. Thus, although the cutting tool may have a first face and a second face, the cutting tool can be used to cut or trim floor covering on the floor only and in this use of the tool, the "wall" face is not used. This again shows the versatility of the cutting tool .

In use, the floor covering (e.g. vinyl) is placed on the floor with part of the vinyl extending a short way up the wall. The tool is then placed at the junction between the floor and the wall and pressed against the floor covering. The tool is then pushed forwardly (or pulled rearwardly) and the blade will cut the vinyl at the correct height on the wall.

If required, a low friction cover plate or cover member can be attached over the first

face or the second face to reduce the friction between the tool and the vinyl.

To provide even greater versatility to the cutting tool, the size of the first face and/or the second face may be adjustable to enable the tool to cut at heights different to the two regulatory heights provided above. For instance, the first face and/or the second face may comprise separate members which may be removed and attached to the remainder of the tool. Alternatively, the first face and/or the second face may be width adjustable by some means.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which:.

Figure 1. Illustrates a cutting tool with one blade attached and one blade assembly disassembled to clearly illustrate how the blade can be attached to the tool.

Figure 2. Illustrates the same cutting tool from a different angle.

Figure 3. Illustrates a wall portion of the tool that contains the blade mounting means and illustrates blades mounted in position (but in the retracted position). Figure 4. Illustrates one blade in the extended "cutting" position.

Figure 5. Illustrates typically how the cutting tool will be held.

Figure 6. Illustrates how the cutting tool can be used to cut a floor covering (e.g. vinyl).

Best Mode.

Referring to the illustrations and initially to figure 1 and figure 2, there is illustrated a cutting tool which can be used to cut a floor covering such as vinyl, lino, certain types of carpets and the like. The tool is particularly suited to cut vinyl etc that needs to extend a short distance up a wall as well as the floor such that there is no join between the floor and the wall. This is usually a requirement in many commercial establishments such as kitchens and food preparation areas.

The cutting tool 10 can be made of a unitary structure and may be made of plastic, aluminium, steel, wood or anything else that may be suitable.

The approximate size of cutting tool 10 can be illustrated in figure 5 and figure 6 which shows that the cutting tool is relatively small and can be easily handheld.

Cutting tool 10 has a particular shape, and in the embodiment, cutting tool 10 contains a first face 11 and a second face 12. To provide greater versatility to the cutting tool

10, first face 11 has a smaller height (the height being illustrated by double headed arrow 13, and typically being about 100 mm) and a second face 12 has a larger height

(illustrated by double headed arrow 14, and typically being about 150 mm). Each face

11, 12 is rectangular. Face 11 is orientated to be at right angles to face 12 but face 11 does not directly join face 12. Instead, an intermediate angled portion 15 is provided.

The function of angled portion 15 is to enable tool 10 to be used on coving which is where the junction between the floor and the wall is not at right angles but instead a curved portion (coving) is provided between the floor and the wall, and the floor covering (e.g. vinyl) needs to extend over the floor, over the curved portion and the required distance up the vertical wall portion. Again, this shows the clever design and the versatility of the tool 10.

Therefore, one end of face 11 is attached to intermediate angled portion 15 and one end of face 12 is also attached to portion 15, and it is envisaged that all these parts can be formed integrally.

The other end of face 11 is attached to or joins to a wall portion 16, and similarly, the other end of face 12 is attached to or joins to another wall portion 17. Wall portion 16 and wall portion 17 may be best illustrated in figure 2 and figure 6.

To complete the general design of the tool, a handle portion or a hand grippable portion 18 interconnects wall portion 16 and the wall portion 17 and figure 5 and figure 6 illustrates how the tool can be held by the hand grippable portion 18.

It is envisaged that all these parts of the tool will be formed integrally, and may be

moulded from a strong plastic material if desired.

Referring now to figure 1, figure 3 and figure 5, each wall portion 16, 17 is provided with blade attachment means 19. In the particular embodiment, the blade attachment means comprises a shallow recess 20 in each wall portion 16, 17. A suitable cutting blade 21 is designed to fit within shallow recess 20. Blade 21 is a double-edged blade which means that it has a cutting edge on each longitudinal edge of the blade. Blade 21 contains an elongate slot 22. A blade attachment plate 23 (see figure 1) sits on top of blade 22 and within recess 20 and basically clamps or sandwiches the blade between the blade attachment plate 23 and recess 20. Recess 20 contains an opening through which a wing nut 24 (see figure 1, and figure 2 at least) can pass, and the wing nut 24 passes through slot 22 in blade 21. Recess 20 will typically be threaded to threadingly engage wing nut 24. A small washer 25 may be provided.

In use, a suitable blade (which may be blade 22 or a differently designed blade having a slot 22), is placed within recess 20 and the attachment plate 23 is placed on top of the blade and wing nut 24 is then threaded into recess 20 to securely clamp the blade in place.

Loosening of the wing nut can allow blade 22 to be retracted entirely into recess 20 such that the cutting edge of the blade does not extend proud of cutting tool 10. However, blade 22 can also be extended to a cutting position (see figure 4) and can then be clamped into that position by tightening of wing nut 24.

Referring to figure 3 at least, each wall portion 16, 17 (only one wall portion 17 being illustrated in figure 3), contains a pair of blade mounting means angled such that when the blades are extended, they can cut the floor covering (e.g. vinyl 25- see figure 6) with ease. Also, when the blades are extended, they project from the forward edge of the tool such that when the tool is pushed into a corner, the vinyl is cut almost to the corner as well.

Typically, a single blade will extend from the cutting tool and because the blade is double edged, pushing or pulling of the tool will cause the vinyl to be cut in either

direction.

In use, the vinyl is placed on the floor with an overlap amount extending up the wall and over the coving (if coving is present). The tool can then be pressed on the vinyl with one face (e.g. the first face 11) being pressed against the floor laid portion of the vinyl and the other face (e.g. the second face 12) being pressed against the wall part of the vinyl. The pressure on the tool is maintained and the tool is then pushed forwardly. In this arrangement, one of the blades on the second face 12 will be in the extended cutting position and the other blades will either be retracted or not present. There may also be circumstances where both blades on the second face will be in the extended cutting position. Because of the configuration of cutting tool 10, the blades on the second face 12 will be at the required regulation height above the floor which means that as the tool is pushed forwardly the vinyl will be cut at the correct height on the wall (this typically being between 100-200 mm).

If the regulation height is different, the tool can be reversed such that the smaller first face 11 is against the wall and this will cut the vinyl at a lower regulation height.

There may be circumstances where it may be desirable to have a smooth pushing or gliding action of the tool along the floor and wall. Therefore, it is possible to have a low friction cover member (not illustrated) which can be snapped or otherwise attached over first face 11 or second face 12 to provide a low friction engagement with the vinyl. Alternatively, the first face or the second face may be made of a low friction plastic in which case a low friction cover member may not be required.

The cutting tool makes trimming the vinyl covering easier and less time consuming than previously possible. The cutting tool can feather left and right handed with standard slotted blades which are adjustable. The tool can also be used to cut borders.

There is no need to mark heights on walls as the tool will cut at the regulation required heights simply by placing the tool on the wall pushing and cutting.

Previously, it may have taken up to one hour to trim an area and the cutting tool can do the same job in moments. The tool is able to cut 100 mm and 150 mm coving with ease and can also cut borders in vinyl and carpet at 100 mm and 150 mm. By having

four blades, the tool can cut wall to wall within 60 mm and can also do pencil coving with ease. The cutting blades can be replaced with very little time and effort.

Throughout the specification and the claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention . Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.