TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention concerns a brick cutter and is more particularly directed to efficiently cutting a brick from more than one direction.

BACKGROUND

Bricks are made to a standard format, but during building an object, such as a house, three quarter, half, and quarter length bricks are needed. As bricks are usually not manufactured to these lengths, they would be cut to the needed lengths at a building site. Using a hammer and a chisel, many bricks will break/divide in an unwanted manner, making the cut brick unusable, creating waste. There have been improvements in brick cutting to create cleaner cuts and less wastage. US 2,772, 671 and seemingly reinvented almost 60 years later as described in DK 2014 00033 U3, they propose using one movable cutter and on the opposite side a fixed cutter. CN 209408973 U discloses a brick cutter with a vertically movable lower plate and a vertically moveable upper plate, where both plates are equipped with cutters. There is still room for improvements.

SUMMARY

An object of the invention is to define an efficient brick cutter. A brick cutter that can cleanly cut bricks at a desired place with a minimum of wastage.

The aforementioned object is achieved according to the invention by a brick cutter assembly according to the invention that is able to efficiently cut bricks to desired sizes by means of at least three moving cutters driven by a single actuator through a linkage system. The aforementioned object is further achieved according to the invention by a preferred embodiment of a brick cutter assembly according to the invention that comprises four moving cutters driven by two linear actuators. Each linear actuator comprises a linkage system to individually drive one cutter each and to jointly with the other linear actuator and its linkage system drive the two other cutters. The cutters are suitably arranged in 90 degree intervals, opposing each other two and two. The preferred embodiment further comprises features keeping edges of the cutters in substantially a same plane and features keeping each cutter edge substantially perpendicular to its direction of travel during operation.

The aforementioned object is still further achieved according to the invention by a brick cutter assembly comprising a first side cutter with a cutting edge, and a second side cutter with a cutting edge. A brick to be cut is placed between the cutting edges of the first side cutter and the second side cutter. According to the invention the assembly further comprises a top cutter with a cutting edge, a first actuator and a top linkage system. The top linkage system is coupled to the first actuator, to the first side cutter, to the second side cutter, and to the top cutter. The top linkage system is arranged such that when the first actuator is activated in a first direction the cutting edges of the first side cutter, of the second side cutter, and of the top cutter approach each other to thereby cut a brick present between the cutting edges of the first side cutter, of the second side cutter, and of the top cutter. The top linkage system is further arranged such that when the first actuator is activated in a second direction the cutting edges of the first side cutter, of the second side cutter, and of the top cutter, distance themselves from each other to enable a brick to be placed between the cutting edges of the first side cutter, of the second side cutter, and of the top cutter.

Preferably the cutting edges of the first side cutter and the second side cutter are substantially oriented in a cutting plane and are substantially configured for moving in the cutting plane and are substantially parallel. That is that the cutting edges of the first and second side cutter are kept perpendicular to the direction of travel of the first and second cutter in operation.

Suitably the first actuator is a linear actuator. In other embodiments the first actuator is a rotating actuator.

In some versions the cutting edge of the top cutter is substantially oriented and also substantially configured for moving in the cutting plane. The direction of movement of the top cutter is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cutting edges of the first side cutter and the second side cutter. The cutting edge of the top cutter is suitably then substantially perpendicular to the cutting edges of the first side cutter and the second side cutter.

In some embodiments the assembly further comprises a second actuator and a bottom linkage system. The bottom linkage system is coupled to the second actuator and coupled jointly with the top linkage system to the first side cutter and to the second side cutter. The bottom linkage system is arranged such that when the second actuator is activated in a first direction the cutting edges of the first side cutter, and of the second side cutter approach each other to thereby cut a brick present between the cutting edges of the first side cutter, and the second side cutter. The bottom linkage system is further arranged such that when the second actuator is activated in a second direction the cutting edges of the first side cutter, and of the second side cutter distance themselves from each other to enable a brick to be placed between the cutting edges of the first side cutter, of the second side cutter.

Suitably the second actuator is a linear actuator. In other embodiments the second actuator is a rotating actuator.

In certain embodiments the assembly further comprises a fixed bottom cutter with a cutting edge. In these certain embodiments, the cutting edge of the fixed bottom cutter is preferably substantially oriented in the cutting plane. The cutting edge of the fixed bottom cutter is then suitably substantially parallel to the cutting edge of the top cutter and substantially perpendicular to the cutting edges of the first side cutter and the second side cutter.

In other embodiments the assembly further comprises a bottom cutter with a cutting edge and where the bottom linkage system is further coupled to the bottom cutter. The bottom linkage system is then further being arranged such that when the second actuator is activated in a first direction the cutting edges of the bottom cutter, of the first side cutter, and of the second side cutter approach each other to thereby cut a brick present between the cutting edges of the first side cutter, of the second side cutter, and of the bottom cutter. The bottom linkage system is then suitably further arranged such that when the second actuator is activated in a second direction the cutting edges of the bottom cutter, the first side cutter, and of the second side cutter distance themselves from each other to enable a brick to be placed between the cutting edges of the first side cutter, of the second side cutter, and of the bottom cutter.

In these other embodiments it is suitable that the cutting edge of the bottom cutter is substantially oriented in the cutting plane, and that the cutting edge of the bottom cutter is substantially parallel to the cutting edge of the top cutter and substantially perpendicular to the cutting edges of the first side cutter and the second side cutter.

In some embodiments the assembly further comprises a base brick support and a side brick support. When in use the base brick support is in a plane that is not horizontal and the side brick support is in a plane that is not vertical, which two planes are substantially mutually perpendicular to each other. Further when in use the base brick support is inclined with an angle that is greater than 0 degrees and smaller than 90 degrees to ensure that both the base brick support and the side brick support will comprise a gravitational force vector component perpendicular to and into each respective brick support. In some versions suitably at least the first actuator comprises a first spring, the spring being configured to store potential energy when the actuator is contracting and being configured to release the stored potential energy to the at least first actuator when the at least first actuator is expanding and cutting a brick.

In some embodiments suitably at least a part of the top cutter extends over and overlaps at least a part of one or both of the first side cutter and the second side cutter horizontally, in such a way that a vertical line through one or both of the side cutters will hit the top cutter. Preferably at least one of the side cutters comprises pins or bars or plates or forks that extend in such a way that they surround at least one side of the top cutter, the surrounding part being deep enough so that the top cutter is kept within the surrounding part during the cutters complete movement to thereby keep the cutters so that the cutting edges are substantially in a same cutting plane.

The different additional enhancements and features, as mentioned above, of the brick cutter assembly according to the invention can be combined in any desired manner as long as no conflicting features are combined.

A primary purpose of the invention is to provide a means to be able to cleanly cut a brick at a desired place with a minimum of wastage. This is obtained according to the invention by an actuator coordinately driving two cutters through a linkage system. Further improvements of this basic embodiment is to add a third moving cutter, also driven through the linkage system by the actuator, possibly also a second actuator that will also drive the initial two cutters through the linkage system and optionally also have a fourth moving cutter driven by it. This enables a brick to be cleanly cut with a minimum of wastage. Further advantages of this invention will become apparent from the detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail for explanatory, and in no sense limiting, purposes, with reference to the following figures, in which Fig. 1 illustrates a brick cutter assembly according to the invention,

Fig. 2A-2E illustrate basic principles of different embodiments of a brick cutter according to the invention, Fig. 3A-3B illustrate an enhancement/feature of a brick cutter according to the invention that enables a stable placement of a brick to be cut,

Fig. 4A-4B illustrate a further enhancement/feature of a brick cutter according to the invention that enables an increase in cutting power of a used linear actuator,

Fig. 5A-5B illustrate still a further enhancement/feature of a brick cutter according to the invention that enable the cutting edges of its cutters to stay substantially in a same plane during operation,

Fig. 6A-6B illustrate another enhancement/feature of a brick cutter according to the invention that enable cutting edges of its cutters to stay substantially perpendicular to their direction of movement during operation,

Fig. 7 illustrates still another enhancement of a brick cutter according to the invention to better accommodate bricks of varying cross sectional dimensions, Fig. 8A-8B illustrate different views of a brick cutter according to the invention comprising all enhancements/features as illustrated in the figures 3A to 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to clarify the method and device according to the invention, some examples of its use will now be described in connection with Figures 1 to 8B.

Figure 1 illustrates a brick cutter assembly 100 comprising a brick cutter 102 according to the invention and a stand/undercarriage 104. The brick cutter 102 in turn comprises a base brick support 106 and a side brick support 108, where a brick to be cut is placed. The brick cutter 102 according to the invention suitably comprises two, three, or four during operation moving cutters. The moving cutters are driven by one or two actuators, linear or rotating, through a linkage system. The linkage system depends on how many moving cutters are implemented, and on how many and what type of actuators are being used. Figures 2A-2E illustrate basic principles of different embodiments of a brick cutter according to the invention, showing different types of suitable linkage systems. Figure 2A illustrates a first linkage system 231 of a brick cutter according to the invention comprising two side cutters 210, 212 and a rotating actuator 240. Suitably there is a base brick support 206, such that a brick to be cut can be positioned properly for a cut. The first linkage system comprises a first side cutter major top beam 260, a second side cutter major top beam 262, a rotating actuator first beam 246, a rotating actuator second beam 248, a first side cutter support beam 265, and a second side cutter support beam 267. These beams are coupled together with a number of pivots. Atop pivot 270 is pivotally coupling a first end of the first side cutter major top beam 260 and a first end of the second side cutter major top beam 262. A first side cutter pivot 273 is pivotally coupling a second end of the first side cutter major top beam 260 and a first end of the first side cutter support beam 265. A second side cutter pivot 275 is pivotally coupling a second end of the second side cutter major top beam 262 and a first end of the second side cutter support beam. A second end the first side cutter support beam 265 is coupled to the first side cutter 210. And finally a second end of the second side cutter support beam 267 is coupled to the second side cutter 212.

In operation the rotating actuator 240 will be activated to rotate in a first rotational direction 242, clockwise, activated to rotate in second rotational direction 244, counter clockwise, or be deactivated, that is not rotating at all. If the rotating actuator is activated to rotate clockwise 242, then the first and second rotating actuator beams 246, 248 will move in a direction 247, 249 to push on the respective first and second side cutter major top beams 260, 262. Since the first ends of the first and second side cutter major top beams 260, 262 are pivotally 270 coupled, then the second ends of the first and second side cutter major top beams move apart, causing the first and second sided cutters 210, 212 to move 236, 238 apart as well, this enabling to possibly remove a cut brick and inserting an uncut brick. If now on the other hand the rotating actuator is activated to rotate counter-clockwise 244, then the first and second rotating actuator beams 246, 248 will move in a direction 247, 248 to pull on the respective first and second side cutter major top beams 260, 262. This will result in the second ends of the first and second side cutter major top beams move together, causing the first and second sided cutters 210, 212 to move 237, 239 together as well, this enabling to cut a brick placed in the brick cutter.

Figure 2B illustrate a second linkage system 232 of a brick cutter according to the invention comprising two side cutters 210, 212 and a linear actuator 250. Also this embodiment suitably has a base brick support 206, for a brick to be cut. There are some similarities between the first and the second linkage system, but there are also some fundamental differences since the second linkage system has a linear actuator instead of a rotating actuator, making the linkage different for transferring power between the actuator and the cutters. The further embodiments all utilize a linear actuator as this enables easily addition of a top and possibly a bottom cutter. The second linkage system will therefore be complete, while further description of different embodiments will focus on the differences. The second linkage system comprises a first side cutter major top beam 260, a second side cutter major top beam 262, a top linear actuator first beam 256, a top linear actuator second beam 257, a first side cutter support beam 265, and a second side cutter support beam 267.

These beams are coupled together with a number of pivots. A top pivot 271 is pivotally coupling a first end of the first side cutter major top beam 260 with a first end of the top linear actuator and a first end of the second side cutter major top beam 262. A first side cutter pivot 273 is pivotally coupling a second end of the first side cutter major top beam 260 and a first end of the first side cutter support beam 265. A second side cutter pivot 275 is pivotally coupling a second end of the second side cutter major top beam 262 and a first end of the second side cutter support beam. A second end the first side cutter support beam 265 is coupled to the first side cutter 210. A second end of the second side cutter support beam 267 is coupled to the second side cutter 212.

And then to get some power transferred from the linear actuator, a top linear actuator pivot 277 is pivotally coupling a second end of the top linear actuator with a second end of the top linear actuator first beam and with a second end of the top linear actuator second beam. There is then a top first force pivot 281 that is pivotally coupling a first end of the top linear actuator first beam with the first side cutter major top beam. And finally a top second force pivot 282 that is pivotally coupling a first end of the top linear actuator second beam with the second side cutter major top beam.

In operation the linear actuator 250 will be activated to either expand 253 in a first linear direction 253, be activated to contract 254 in second direction 254, or be deactivated, that is not expanding or contracting at all. For the sake of this description, it is assumed that the second linkage system is so constructed that when the linear actuator is completely contracted, then the top linear actuator first beam 256 and the top linear actuator second beam 257 are in line, creating the maximum distance between the top first force pivot 281 and the top second force pivot 282. If the linear actuator is then activated to expand 253, then the top linear actuator first and second beams 256, 257 will move so to shorten the distance between the top first force pivot 281 and the top second force pivot 282, thus pull on the respective first and second side cutter major top beams 260, 262. This will result in the second ends of the first and second side cutter major top beams to move together, causing the first and second sided cutters 210, 212 to move 237, 239 together as well, this enabling to eventually cut a brick placed in the brick cutter. When the linear actuator is then activated to contract, then the top linear actuator first and second beams 256, 257 will move so to expand the distance between the top first force pivot 281 and the top second force pivot 282. Since the first ends of the first and second side cutter major top beams 260, 262 are pivotally 271 coupled, then the second ends of the first and second side cutter major top beams move apart, causing the first and second sided cutters 210, 212 to move 236, 238 apart as well, this enabling to possibly remove a cut brick and inserting an uncut brick.

Figure 2C illustrates a third linkage system 233 according to the invention, similar to the second linkage system 232 as illustrated in figure 2B, by comprising two side cutters 210, 212. The third linkage system 233 comprises a second linear actuator, a bottom linear actuator 251 , and the same type of linkage arrangement as around the top linear actuator 250, the bottom half is a mirror image of the top half, mirrored around the two side cutters 210, 212. This means that the two side cutters 210, 212 in this embodiment are simultaneously driven by two linear actuators 250, 251 , each one of the two linear actuators 250, 251 drive both side cutters 210, 212 at the same time. The third linkage system 233 therefore, in addition to the bottom linear actuator, has a number of additional beams and pivots in relation to the second linkage system 232. A bottom linear actuator first beam 258, a bottom linear actuator second beam 259, a first side cutter major bottom beam 261 , a second side cutter major bottom beam 263, a bottom pivot 272, a bottom linear actuator pivot 279, a bottom first force pivot 283, and a bottom second force pivot 284. The bottom pivot 272, pivotally couples a first end of the first side cutter major bottom beam with a first end of the bottom linear actuator and a first end of the second side cutter major bottom beam. The bottom linear actuator pivot 279, pivotally couples a second end of the bottom linear actuator with a second end of the bottom linear actuator first beam and with a second end of the bottom linear actuator second beam. The bottom first force pivot 283, pivotally couples a first end of the bottom linear actuator first beam with the first side cutter major bottom beam. The bottom second force pivot 284, pivotally couples a first end of the bottom linear actuator second beam with the second side cutter major bottom beam.

To couple the bottom half of the third linkage system 233, to the top half, the side cutter pivots also pivotally couples the respective side cutter major bottom beams. The first side cutter pivot 274, thus pivotally couples a second end of the first side cutter major top beam, with a second end of the first side cutter major bottom beam and a first end of the first side cutter support beam, and the second side cutter pivot 276, thus pivotally couples a second end of the second side cutter major top beam, with a second end of the second side cutter major bottom beam and a first end of the second side cutter support beam.

Figure 2D illustrates a fourth linkage system 234 according to the invention, similar to the second linkage system 232 as illustrated in figure 2B, by comprising two side cutters 210, 212. The fourth linkage system 234 further comprises a top cutter 214, resulting in the fourth linkage system comprising a total of three moving cutters 210, 212, 214. In some embodiments of the fourth linkage system it can be an advantage to add a fixed cutter 207 opposite the top cutter, that is on/in relationship to the base brick support 206. The fourth linkage system can thus suitably comprise four cutters, three movable and one fixed.

The direction of movement 215 of the top cutter 214 is suitably co-linear with the direction of movement 252 of the top linear actuator 250. The top cutter 214 is coupled to a second end of a top cutter support beam 264. A first end of the top cutter support beam 264 is in turn pivotally coupled to the top linear actuator pivot 278. The top linear actuator pivot 278, of the fourth linkage system 234 is just as the second linkage system 232 also pivotally coupling a second end of the top linear actuator with a second end of the top linear actuator first beam, with a second end of the top linear actuator second beam, in addition with the first end of the top cutter support beam. Otherwise the fourth linkage system is the same as the second linkage system.

As can be seen, the fourth linkage system is arranged such that when the first side cutter and the second side cutter approach each other, then the top cutter also approaches them, and a fixed bottom cutter, if there is one. The fourth linkage system is also arranged such that when the first side cutter and the second side cutter distance each other, then the top cutter also distances them, and the fixed bottom cutter, if there is one.

Figure 2E illustrates a fifth linkage system 235 according to the invention, which is a brick cutter comprising four moveable cutters, a preferred embodiment. The fifth linkage system 235 can be seen as a double fourth linkage system 234 or been seen as a third linkage system 233 with both a top cutter 214 and a bottom cutter 216 in addition to the two side cutters 210, 212. For ease of understanding, the fifth linkage system will be described from a viewpoint of the difference it has in relation to the third linkage system. The fifth linkage system comprises additionally the top and bottom cutters 214, 216 and to each a respective support beam 264, 266. The linear actuator pivots 278, 280 are also slightly different as each also pivotally couple a respective first end of the top and bottom cutter support beams 264, 266. The direction of movement 215 of the top cutter and the direction of movement 217 of the bottom cutter, are preferably collinear with a direction of movement 252 of the respective top and bottom linear actuator.

A second end of the top cutter support beam 264, is coupled to the top cutter. A second end of the bottom cutter support beam 266, is coupled to the bottom cutter. The top linear actuator pivot 278, is thus pivotally coupling a second end of the top linear actuator with a second end of the top linear actuator first beam, with a second end of the top linear actuator second beam, and with the first end of the top cutter support beam. The bottom linear actuator pivot 280, is thus pivotally coupling a second end of the bottom linear actuator with a second end of the bottom linear actuator first beam, with a second end of the bottom linear actuator second beam, and with the first end of the bottom cutter support beam. All other pivots and beams according to the third linkage system 233 as illustrated in figure 2C.

As illustrated in figure 2E, the fifth linkage system is arranged such that when the first side cutter and the second side cutter approach each other, then the top cutter and the bottom cutter also approach each other. The fifth linkage system is also arranged such that when the first side cutter and the second side cutter distance each other, then the top cutter and the bottom cutter also distance each other.

Figures 3A-3B illustrate an enhancement of a brick cutter according to the invention that enables a stable placement of a brick to be cut. Traditionally a horizontal base brick support is provided. Just placing a brick on a flat surface will most likely result in the brick being skewed in relation to the cutters. If an attempt to cut a brick that is not placed at a normal vector to a plane in which the cutters move, then if a cut is made at all, then it will not be a straight cut perpendicular to the brick’s major axis. To facilitate making straight clean cuts, a brick cutter assembly 300 according to the invention comprising a brick cutter 302 and a stand/undercarriage 304 comprises a base brick support 306 on a plane that is not horizontal, and comprises a side brick support 308 on a plane that is not vertical. The base brick support 306 plane and the side brick support 308 plane are substantially mutually perpendicular to each other. The base brick support plane 306 is inclined 320 with an angle that is greater than 0 degrees and smaller than 90 degrees. This will ensure that both the base brick support 306 and the side brick support 308 both will comprise a gravitational force vector component 321 , 322 perpendicular to and into a respective brick support. The force vectors 321 , 322 will ensure that a brick placed up against both brick support 306, 308 will stay there. The gravitational force vector 321 perpendicular to and into the base brick support 306 is equal to m ^* g ^* cos (inclination), and the gravitational force vector 322 perpendicular to and into the side brick support 308 is equal to m ^* g ^* sin (inclination). Where m is the mass of a brick upon which the gravitational force vectors act, and g is g (gravity). The inclination 320 can be due to the build of the brick cutter 302, of the stand/undercarriage 304, or a combination of the build of both.

Another way to get a brick aligned, alone or preferably in combination with the described inclination, is to make the side brick support 308 spring loaded in such a way that in rest, the first side cutter, the side cutter on the same side as the side brick support, is flush with or slightly behind the side brick support. When the machine is operated to cut a brick, then if a brick is not completely aligned with the side brick support, then the second side cutter will push the brick against the side brick support and thus align the brick before the first side cutter is exposed to the brick due to the spring loaded side brick retreating due to the further pushing by the second side cutter, until the brick is cut.

Figures 4A-4B illustrate a further enhancement of a brick cutter 403 according to the invention that enables an increase in cutting power of a used linear actuator 450. Figure 4A illustrates when the linear actuator 450 is retracted, its shortest, the brick cutter 403 being open and ready for a brick to be cut to be put into place in the cutter 403. This can also be seen on the top linear actuator beams 456, 457, they are inline, making a straight line in figure 4A, indicating that the linear actuator 450 is as retracted it can be, or electronically or physically stopped there. Figure 4B illustrates when the linear actuator 450 is expanded, most likely as expanded as it can get, the brick cutter having cut a brick placed in the brick cutter. The side cutter major top beams 460, 462 are pivotally coupled at top pivot 471 , and will get closer to each other as the linear actuator 450 expands from figure 4A to figure 4B. The linear actuator beams 456, 457 pivotally coupled to the bottom of the linear actuator at the top linear actuator pivot, and each being pivotally coupled to a respective side cutter major top beam 460, 462, are pulling the side cutter major top beams 460, 462 together as the linear actuator 450 expands. When the linear actuator 450 is expanding it is doing the heavy work through the linkage system to the cutters cutting the brick. When the linear actuator 450 is contracting, there are no bricks to cut, there is just a question of moving the cutters apart again, going from the state of figure 4B to figure 4A. The linear actuator 450 thus need to be stronger when cutting the bricks, than when it is just retracting the cutters. Instead of having an actuator that is strong enough for the expansion phase, the cutting phase, according to the invention use is made of a smaller, less powerful linear actuator in combination with a spring. The invention uses the unequal power need of the cutters to store potential energy in a spring 425 during contraction (figure 4B to figure 4A) when the cutters do not need much power to retract. The stored energy in the spring 424 to be used jointly with the power of the linear actuator during expansion for cutting bricks. The linear actuator does thus not need to be so powerful as to be able to cut bricks on its own, it can be a smaller, less powerful linear actuator that does not consume as much energy as a bigger one. However, approximately a total same amount of energy is used by both methods, the smaller less powerful linear actuator with a spring will use a high amount of energy both while expanding and while retracting, while the single more powerful linear actuator will use a lot of energy during expansion and much less during contraction. A big advantage is that the peak energy/power consumption is much less and more even over time with using a spring according to the invention. If there are more than one linear actuator used in a brick cutter linkage system, then it is suitable that all linear actuators are equipped with one, that can use a spring to store potential energy during a low load phase, so that it can be used during a high load phase.

Figures 5A-5B illustrate still a further enhancement of a brick cutter 502 according to the invention that enable the cutting edges 590, 592, 594, 596 of its cutters 510, 512, 514, 516 to stay substantially in a same plane during operation. In this embodiment, the top cutter 514 and the bottom cutter 516 are wider than the first and second side cutters 510, 512, and actually extend over the side cutters 510, 512. Other possibilities are possible in other embodiments of this enhancement, for example the side cutters can be wider than the top and bottom cutters, or all cutters are approximately the same width and both overlapping and being overlapped.

In this embodiment the bottom and top cutters 514, 516 are wider than the side cutters 510, 512, and also so arranged that the bottom and top cutters 514, 516 overlap the side cutters 510, 512 horizontally (as seen in figure 5A) in such a way that a vertical line through one of the side cutters will hit the top and bottom cutter. The enhancement comprises attaching pins/bars/plates or forks 526, 527, 528, 529 on the side cutters. The first side cutter 510 will have pins/bars/plates or forks 526, 527 that are attached on the first side cutter and surround a first side of the top and bottom cutters. Likewise the second side cutter 512 will have pins/bars/plates or forks 528, 529 that are attached on the second side cutter and surround a second side of the top and bottom cutters. The fork part is deep enough so that the top and bottom cutters are kept within the fork during their complete movements. One way of attaining this would be to attach long pins/bars/plates on either side of the side cutters, parallel to the respective cutting edge. Another manner could be to attach fork structures on the side cutters separately facing the top and bottom cutters. The fork structures will keep the cutters so that the cutting edges are substantially in a same plane.

Figures 6A-6B illustrate another enhancement of a brick cutter 603 according to the invention that enable cutting edges 694 of its cutters 614 to stay substantially perpendicular to their direction 652 of movement during operation. The top cutter 614 is only attached to the top linear actuator by means of top linear actuator pivot 678. This means that the top cutter 615 can and will rotate around the top linear actuator. To hinder an uncontrolled rotation of the top actuator, a top cutter edge orientation stabilizer 695 is non-rotably attached to the top cutter and slidingly attached to the top pivot 671 , according to an enhancement of the invention. The top cutter edge orientation stabilizer 695 slides up and down on the top pivot 671 by means of a straight slot. It is only the distance that changes between the top pivot and the top linear actuator pivot. The sliding coupling enables the top cutter edge orientation stabilizer to avoid any rotation of the top cutter at the top linear actuator pivot. Similar arrangements can be made for the other cutters. A bottom cutter edge orientation stabilizer will suitably be arranged as a mirror image of the top cutter one.

Figure 7 illustrates still another enhancement of a brick cutter according to the invention to better accommodate bricks of varying cross sectional dimensions. This enhancement of the invention, a first side cutter adjuster 797, will change the distance between a first side cutter 710 and a first side cutter pivot 774 by means of a first side cutter adjustment knob 798 and associated adjustment system. A brick cutter with four movable cutters, only needs the adjustment of one cutter to be able to accommodate different cross sectional dimensions. The three other movable cutters are slowly driven until they all touch a respective side of a brick to be cut. Then the fourth adjustable cutter is adjusted so that it also touches its respective side. The brick cutter is now adjusted for that brick cross sectional dimensions.

Finally figures 8A-8B illustrate different views of a brick cutter assembly 800 according to the invention comprising all the different enhancements as illustrated in the figures 3A to 7. The assembly comprises a brick cutter 802 and a stand/undercarriage 804. A brick cutter suitably comprises a base brick support 806 and a side brick support 808 being substantially perpendicular to each other and suitably at an inclination. To make a linkage system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention then the first side cutter major top and bottom beams 860, 861 , and the second side cutter major top and bottom beams 862, 863 are important with their related pivots, such as the top pivot 871 , the bottom pivot 872, the first and second side cutter pivots 874, 876. To keep the top and bottom cutters properly oriented the top and bottom cutter edge orientation stabilizers 895, 899 are a smart addition, as is the adjustment possibility of the first side cutter with the first side cutter adjustment knob 898.

The invention is based on the basic inventive idea of driving at least two cutters through a linkage system by one actuator. The invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiments, but may be varied within the scope of the following claims.

Figure 1 illustrates a brick cutter according to the invention: 100 Brick cutter assembly, 102 Brick cutter,

104 Stand/undercarriage,

106 Base brick support,

108 Side brick support.

Figures 2A-2E illustrate basic principles of different embodiments of a brick cutter according to the invention

206 Base brick support

207 Fixed bottom cutter

210 First side cutter,

211 Direction of movement of first side cutter,

212 Second side cutter,

213 Direction of movement of second side cutter,

214 Top cutter,

215 Direction of movement of top cutter,

216 Bottom cutter,

217 Direction of movement of bottom cutter,

231 First linkage system,

232 Second linkage system,

233 Third linkage system,

234 Fourth linkage system,

235 Fifth linkage system,

236 First direction of the first side cutter,

237 Second direction of the first side cutter,

238 First direction of the second side cutter,

239 Second direction of the second side cutter,

240 Rotating actuator,

242 First rotational direction of rotating actuator, clockwise, Second rotational direction of rotating actuator, counter clockwise, Rotating actuator first beam,

Direction of movement of rotating actuator first beam,

Rotating actuator second beam,

Direction of movement of rotating actuator second beam,

Top linear actuator,

Bottom linear actuator,

Direction of movement of top/bottom linear actuator,

First direction of top linear actuator, expansion of top linear actuator, Second direction of top linear actuator, contraction of top linear actuator,

Top linear actuator first beam,

Top linear actuator second beam,

Bottom linear actuator first beam,

Bottom linear actuator second beam,

First side cutter major top beam,

First side cutter major bottom beam,

Second side cutter major top beam,

Second side cutter major bottom beam,

Top cutter support beam, a second end of which is coupled to the top cutter,

First side cutter support beam, a second end of which is coupled to the first side cutter,

Bottom cutter support beam, a second end of which is coupled to the bottom cutter,

Second side cutter support beam, a second end of which is coupled to the second side cutter,

Top pivot, pivotally coupling a first end of the first side cutter major top beam and a first end of the second side cutter major top beam, Top pivot, pivotally coupling a first end of the first side cutter major top beam with a first end of the top linear actuator and a first end of the second side cutter major top beam, 272 Bottom pivot, pivotally coupling a first end of the first side cutter major bottom beam with a first end of the bottom linear actuator and a first end of the second side cutter major bottom beam,

273 First side cutter pivot, pivotally coupling a second end of the first side cutter major top beam and a first end of the first side cutter support beam,

274 First side cutter pivot, pivotally coupling a second end of the first side cutter major top beam, with a second end of the first side cutter major bottom beam and a first end of the first side cutter support beam,

275 Second side cutter pivot, pivotally coupling a second end of the second side cutter major top beam and a first end of the second side cutter support beam,

276 Second side cutter pivot, pivotally coupling a second end of the second side cutter major top beam, with a second end of the second side cutter major bottom beam and a first end of the second side cutter support beam,

277 Top linear actuator pivot, pivotally coupling a second end of the top linear actuator with a second end of the top linear actuator first beam and with a second end of the top linear actuator second beam,

278 Top linear actuator pivot, pivotally coupling a second end of the top linear actuator with a second end of the top linear actuator first beam, with a second end of the top linear actuator second beam, and with a first end of the top cutter support beam,

279 Bottom linear actuator pivot, pivotally coupling a second end of the bottom linear actuator with a second end of the bottom linear actuator first beam and with a second end of the bottom linear actuator second beam, 280 Bottom linear actuator pivot, pivotally coupling a second end of the bottom linear actuator with a second end of the bottom linear actuator first beam, with a second end of the bottom linear actuator second beam, and with a first end of the bottom cutter support beam,

281 Top first force pivot, pivotally coupling a first end of the top linear actuator first beam with the first side cutter major top beam, 282 Top second force pivot, pivotally coupling a first end of the top linear actuator second beam with the second side cutter major top beam, 283 Bottom first force pivot, pivotally coupling a first end of the bottom linear actuator first beam with the first side cutter major bottom beam, 284 Bottom second force pivot, pivotally coupling a first end of the bottom linear actuator second beam with the second side cutter major bottom beam.

Figures 3A-3B illustrate an enhancement of a brick cutter according to the invention that enables a stable placement of a brick to be cut:

300 Brick cutter assembly,

302 Brick cutter,

304 Stand/undercarriage,

306 Base brick support,

308 Side brick support,

320 Inclination,

321 gravitational force vector perpendicular to and into the base brick support = m * g * cos (inclination), where m is mass and g is g,

322 gravitational force vector perpendicular to and into the side brick support = m * g * sin (inclination), where m is mass and g is g.

Figures 4A-4B illustrate a further enhancement of a brick cutter according to the invention that enables an increase in cutting power of a used linear actuator:

403 Part of a brick cutter,

414 Top cutter, 424 Top linear actuator spring in a compressed state, potential energy is stored, brick cutter open,

425 Top linear actuator spring in a decompressed state, brick cutter closed, 450 Top linear actuator,

456 Top linear actuator first beam,

457 Top linear actuator second beam, 460 First side cutter major top beam, 462 Second side cutter major top beam, 471 Top pivot,

478 Top linear actuator pivot,

481 Top first force pivot,

482 Top second force pivot.

Figures 5A-5B illustrate still a further enhancement of a brick cutter according to the invention that enable the cutting edges of its cutters to stay substantially in a same plane during operation:

502 Brick cutter,

510 First side cutter,

512 Second side cutter,

514 Top cutter,

516 Bottom cutter,

526 First side cutter top fork,

527 First side cutter bottom fork,

528 Second side cutter top fork,

529 Second side cutter bottom fork,

590 First side cutter edge,

592 Second side cutter edge,

594 Top cutter edge,

596 Bottom cutter edge. Figures 6A-6B illustrate another enhancement of a brick cutter according to the invention that enable cutting edges of its cutters to stay substantially perpendicular to their direction of movement during operation:

603 Part of a brick cutter,

614 Top cutter,

624 Top linear actuator spring in a compressed state, potential energy is stored, brick cutter open,

625 Top linear actuator spring in a decompressed state, brick cutter closed,

652 Direction of movement of top linear actuator 671 Top pivot,

678 Top linear actuator pivot,

694 Top cutter edge,

695 Top cutter edge orientation stabilizer.

Figure 7 illustrates still another enhancement of a brick cutter according to the invention to better accommodate bricks of varying cross sectional dimensions: 710 First side cutter,

760 First side cutter major top beam,

761 First side cutter major bottom beam,

774 First side cutter pivot,

797 First side cutter adjuster,

798 First side cutter adjustment knob.

Figures 8A-8B illustrate different views of a brick cutter according to the invention comprising all enhancements as illustrated in the figures 3A to 7: 800 Brick cutter assembly,

802 Brick cutter,

804 Stand/undercarriage,

806 Base brick support,

808 Side brick support. First side cutter major top beam,

First side cutter major bottom beam, Second side cutter major top beam, Second side cutter major bottom beam, Top pivot,

Bottom pivot,

First side cutter pivot,

Second side cutter pivot,

Top cutter edge orientation stabilizer, First side cutter adjustment knob,

Bottom cutter edge orientation stabilizer.