Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of cutting of materials, and particularly although not exclusively, to the cutting of angled faces on lengths of wood or metal.

Background Art A known problem facing craftsmen, DIY enthusiasts, builders and tradesman is the cutting of lengths of skirting board at accurate angles and in accurate lengths. A similar problem is found in metal work, for example where it is required to cut a length of angle-iron to an accurate length, with an accurately cut angled end.

Disclosure of the invention

The present invention aims to address the above mentioned problem.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a clamp device (1) comprising:

a first clamp member (3) and a second clamp member (34) , said first and second clamp members being movable relative to one another for clamping a work piece therebetween;

a saw blade guide means (30,31,32) being defined in a said clamp member for guiding the passage of a saw blade across the work piece; and

a third clamp member (7) , characterised in that

said first or third clamp member is capable of urging against said second clamp member to clamp a work piece between said first or second clamp member and said third clamp member.

Preferably, said first and third clamp members are fixed relative to one another, and said second clamp member is movable relative to said first and third clamp members.

Preferably, a saw blade guidance means is defined by said third clamp member.

Preferably, said first and third clamp members each have a guidance means, said guidance means being alignable with each other to provide guidance for the saw blade along a single line of cut.

Preferably, said first or third clamp member comprises a detachable insert member containing a said guidance means.

Preferably, a said detachable insert member comprises a wood or plastics material.

Preferably, said first or third clamp means comprises first and second support members for urging against said second clamp member.

Said detachable insert member may protrude significantly above a height of said first or second support members and/or second guidance means, such that in use, guidance is provided by a said guidance means for a saw blade held above a work piece clamped in said device.

Preferably, said second clamp means comprises first and second upright portions arranged opposite said first or second support members.

Preferably, said second clamp means has a clearance gap for passage of a said saw blade.

Preferably, a length of said second clamp means is arranged substantially parallel to a length of said first and/or third clamp means.

Preferably, a said guidance means comprises one or more slots or channels.

The invention includes a free-standing vice comprising: a rigid base (2) , a first rigid jaw (3) , a second rigid jaw (7), a moveable jaw (11) positioned between the first and second jaws, and means for urging the moveable jaw towards either the first jaw or second jaw.

Preferably, the first or second jaws include a detachable insert member which is replaceable by another insert member having a different height to the first insert member, such that in use, the effective height of the first or second jaws is changeable by way of replacing said insert members.

The invention includes a method of cutting a work piece, said method characterised by comprising: clamping said workpiece between first and second clamp members, said clamp members being movable relative to one another for clamping the workpiece therebetween; inserting a saw blade into a guide means provided on one or other of said first or second clamp members; and

passing said saw blade across the workpiece in a cutting movement which is guided by said guide means,

characterised in that the saw blade is guided by said guide means only on one or other of said first or second clamp members and by a further guide means located apart from said first and second clamp members.

The invention includes a method of removing and replacing a door from a door frame of jamb, characterised by comprising the steps of:

I. placing a clamp device (41) according to any one of the preceding device claims at a lower end of the door, the clamp device being positioned such that an upright edge of the door is held between the jaws of the clamp device, the clamp device being arranged to stand with its base pointing upright, and supported upon a lower end (43) thereof;

II. pivoting the clamping device and door about the lower end such that the door lies with its main length in a direction along the floor; and

IV. raising the door by pivoting about the lower end of the clamping device, such that the door lies in an upright position.

Description of drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

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Figure 1 shows a plan view of a clamp device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the clamp device;

Figure 3 shows an end view of the clamp device, and

Figures 4 and 5 show a method of using the clamp device to support a door.

Best mode for carrying out the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a clamp device, in the form of a free standing vice 1 comprises a rigid base 2; a first rigid jaw 3 comprising first and second support members 4 and 5 respectively and a detachable insert member 6 and having a flat gripping face 40; a second rigid jaw member 1 , comprising third and fourth rigid support members 8 and 9 respectively and a second detachable insert member 10, and also having a flat gripping face 41; a movable jaw 11 positioned between the first and second rigid jaws and having a central clearance passage 12 to allow a passage of a cutting blade (not shown) between the first and second rigid jaws and across a length of the movable jaw; and a screw threaded tightening bar 13 which is operable by rotation of a handle 14, for moving the movable jaw towards either the first or second rigid jaws.

The base comprises rigid sides 15 and ends 16 supported on two foot members 17, one placed at either end of a length of the base member. The foot members may be provided with rubber grips 18, to prevent sliding of the base, when the base is placed upon a flat surface e.g. a work table or a floor. The base also comprises first and

second metal track rods 19, 20 respectively, along which the movable jaw 11 is arranged to slide as a whole.

The movable jaw 11 is provided with a tapped thread which accepts the threaded bar 13, for positioning the movable jaw 11 at any position between the first and second rigid jaws. The base member is further strengthened by end cross members 21 and 22 respectively, one placed at each end of the base, and by a central cross member 23.

The first detachable insert member 6 is provided with guidance slots 30, 31, 32 for guiding a saw blade to cut a work piece, for example a skirting board or piece of angle-iron which, in use, is clamped between the movable jaw member 11 and the first rigid jaw 3 and parallel to a main length of the first rigid jaw by turning the bar 13 and handle 14 in a first direction. When a work piece is so clamped, pressure is exerted between a first upright portion 33 of the movable jaw 11 and a first support member 4 of the first rigid jaw, and between a second upright portion 34 and a second rigid support member 5. The detachable member 6 acts primarily as a guide for the cutter blade, but also lends support to the work piece.

Since the workpiece is clamped between the support members 4 and 5 of the first jaw, and the portions 33 and 34 of the movable jaw, the detachable member 6 may be made of a softer material, e.g. wood or a plastics material, than the support members 4 and 5, which are preferably made of a metal e.g aluminium or steel. This provides for easier clearance of the cutting blade in the guidance slots 30, 31 or 32 than can be provided using a metal detachable portion. The detachable portions are replaceable.

The guidance slots 30, 31 and 32 align with corresponding guidance slots 33, 34 and 35 respectively in the second rigid jaw, allowing for location of a saw blade positioned across the length of the movable jaw, at two positions, one in each rigid jaw, and thus allowing a more accurate angle and position of cut.

The detachable portions 6, 10 extend to a height above the top of the movable jaw and rigid support members 4, 5, 8, 9 as shown, such as to allow the cutting blade to be accurately held above a workpiece which is held in the clamp device, at the start of a cutting operation, and may allow a tidier cut end to the work piece.

Whilst clamping of a work piece between the movable jaw and the first rigid jaw has been herein described, by turning the bar 13 and handle 14 in an opposite sense to the above-mentioned direction of turning, a work piece may alternatively be clamped between the second rigid jaw and the movable jaw, in which case, pressure is exerted between the upright portions 33 and/or 34 of the movable jaw, and the corresponding first and/or second rigid support members 8 and/or 9 respectively of the second jaw, and may allow greater flexibility and positioning a work piece and potentially greater ease of use of the clamp device.

With the afore-described clamp device, a skirting board may be cut to a length with a precision of around lmm, with a 45° or 90° angled end. Once the angled end is cut, it may be possible to re-position the skirting board in the clamp device and shave off a length of skirting board as small as 1 or 2mm. Whilst angles of 45° and 90° to the length of the base have herein been shown, the

guidance slots may be manufactured angled at any desired angle to the length of the base.

The vice may also be used to give accurate angled cuts on other cumbersome materials, eg. angle iron or drain pipes/soil pipes.

Referring to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, a method of using the vice of figures 1 to 3 to hang or re-hang a door is shown.

Firstly, a door 40, which is already installed, but which is to be worked upon, is left ajar on its hinges. The vice 41 is placed upright, on one of its ends 43, with its base extending upwardly, and a vertical edge 42 of the door is clamped between the jaws of the vice, the lower end 43 of the vice resting in contact with the floor.

The door hinges are then detached from the door jamb (or frame) releasing the door from the jamb. The door is held in position by the vice, which is of sufficient bulk and weight to hold the door in place with minimal support from the door jamb. The door is then lowered to the floor by pivoting the door about a lower edge 44 at the lower end of the vice, to a position as shown in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings, in which the vice rests on its base as shown in Figures 2 and 3 herein above.

Referring to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings, the door is securely clamped between the jaws of the vice, which is lowered so as to be placed horizontally with the base of the vice on the floor. Where the vice is made of metal eg. aluminium, and the door is for example an internal door the door may be light in comparison to the weight of the vice, and thus the door may be held in the

position shown in Figure 5, with the door held above the floor by the vice, without the door tipping up, the weight of the vice preventing the door from falling over. Where the door is relatively heavy, the free end 50 of the door may be supported by a chock.

The door may then be worked upon. After working, the door may then be raised by pivoting the door about the lower edge 44 of the vice, to locate the door close to its previous upright position as shown in Figure 4. In this position, the screws may be inserted back into the hinges and the door may be re-hung to the jamb.

Clamping the lower end of the door whilst on its hinges and lowering the door about a pivotal axis determined by the vice, may enable easy re-location of the door to the jamb, once the door has been worked on.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , may be replaced by alternative features serving

the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.