In the present Application, references to plastic materials refers to any material with plasticity which is formable such as foam, rubber, elastic and plastics.

Although the apparatus of the present invention is described with reference to sailing applications, its use is not intended to be limited as such, and other applications, such as sail and webbing cutting, camping equipment repairs, foam model sculpting and sports such as abseiling and rock climbing are possible. The invention may also have industrial applications, for example to farmers and fishermen and military uses. The apparatus can be used in any application which uses materials which may strand on cutting.

A number of different ropes are used to control power on a sailing boat. These including standing rigging, used to hold up the masts; running rigging, which controls the sails; halyards, which raise and lower the sails; and sheets, which adjust and trim the sails. In addition, ropes are used to tie up the boat when docked.

The ropes perform different functions, but given constant use they are all prone to wear and abrasion. Over time even a knot tied in a rope can reduce its strength by 50%. Cutting 10cms off the end of a rope will effectively move a point of abrasion by 10cms, therefore prolonging the rope's life. There are various other reasons why it is necessary and desirable to cut rope when sailing, and it is a reasonably frequent occurrence on sailing boats.

Most modern ropes on boats and sailing dinghies are made of nylon or plastic materials. At present there are a variety of rope cutters and pocket knives on the market which can be used for the purpose of cutting synthetic or plastic ropes. However, an inherent problem with these knives and cutters lies in the fact that they leave frayed ends when the rope is cut. These can be repaired with PVC tape or using a technique known as"whipping", which uses a length of whipping twine, which is wound around the end of the rope. In addition repairs are also commonly carried out by burning and therefore melting the frayed ends with a lighter or naked flame. However, it will be appreciated that this necessity is both time consuming and undesirable to the sailor.

Attempts have been made to provide an improved knife or cutter taking these factors into account. However, these typically need a 240 V mains power source which minimising their usefulness in a sailing environment. In addition, the design of existing cutters requires pressure to be applied to the rope being cut in order to sever the rope. As a result, it is necessary to position the rope on a backing surface to prevent marking of the surfaces of the ship or boat.

It is thus an object of this invention to provide a portable cutting apparatus which overcomes the problems inherent in existing rope cutters.

According to the present invention there is provided a portable cutting apparatus which can be used to cut and seal a plastic material, the cutting apparatus comprising a body section containing a heatable blade, wherein the body section is adapted to receive a portable power source which is used to heat the blade when the cutting apparatus is in use.

The portable power source may be a gas power source. The gas power source may be a butane gas canister.

The portable power source may be an electrical power source. The electrical power source may be a battery or electric cell.

Optionally the blade is fixed in position relative to the body section.

Where the blade is fixed in position relative to the body section, the apparatus optionally has moveable presentation means which can be used to bring the rope or cord into contact with the blade.

In a first embodiment the moveable presentation means takes the form of a disc which can rotate relative to the body section.

Preferably the disc has a recess which is adapted to receive the rope or cord. Preferably rotation of the disc relative to the body section brings the rope or cord in the recess into contact with the blade.

In a second embodiment the moveable presentation means takes the form of an end cap which is connected to the body section via a sliding bar. The sliding bar can be used to move the end cap from a first position, where the end cap is in contact with a surface of the body section, to a second position where the end cap is distanced from the body section.

When the end cap is in the second position the inner surfaces of the end cap, sliding bar and body section delimit a recess which is adapted to receive the rope or cord. When the end cap is moved to the first position, the rope or cord is brought into contact with the blade.

In a third embodiment the moveable presentation means is a sheath which is slideably mounted over a recess in the main body which contains the blade. The sheath can be slideably moved relative to the body section to expose the recess into which the rope or cable is received. The

sheath can then be slideably moved in the opposite direction to bring the rope or cable into contact with the blade in the recess.

In a fourth embodiment the moveable presentation means comprises a flip top which is pivotably mounted over a recess in the main body which contains the blade. The flip top can be pivoted relative to the body section to expose the recess into which the rope or cable is received. The flip top can then be pivoted in the opposite direction to force the rope or cable over the blade in the recess.

In a fifth embodiment the main body also acts as the moveable presentation means. In this embodiment the main body is comprised of an upper and lower jaw, wherein the inner surface of at least one of the upper or lower jaws is comprised of the blade. The upper and lower jaws can be moved relative to each other in order to bring the rope or cable into contact with the blade.

Alternatively the blade can be moved relative to the body section.

The blade may slide relative to the body section.

Alternatively the blade may rotate relative to the body section.

In a sixth embodiment one end of the body section is hinged such that it can be pivoted between a first position where the end is in contact with the body section and a second position where the end is not in contact with the body section. The rope or cable can be

inserted between the end and the body section in the second position, before pivoting the end to the first position. The blade may then be moved relative to the body section to cut the rope or cable held between the end and body section.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following Figures, in which: Figure 1 is a side sectional view of one embodiment of the cutting apparatus of the present invention, in an open position, ready to receive a length of rope to be cut; Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the embodiment of the cutting apparatus shown in Figure 1 in a"closed" position, in which the rope is moved towards the hot blade in order to be cut; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the cutting apparatus; Figure 4a shows a further side view of an alternative embodiment of the cutting apparatus; Figure 5 is a sectional side view of the cutting apparatus shown in Figure 4, adapted to be powered by electrical means;

Figure 6 is a sectional side view of the cutting apparatus shown in Figure 4, adapted to be powered by gas means; Figure 6a is an exploded view of the cutting apparatus shown in Figures 4 and 6; Figure 7 is a close-up illustration of the rotating disc mechanism included in the embodiment shown in Figure 6; Figure 7a is a schematic diagram of the rotating disc mechanism; Figure 7b is a diagram showing how the rotating disc mechanism cuts a rope; Figure 8 is a close-up illustration of the blade used in the embodiment shown in Figure 6; Figure 9 is an exploded illustration of the blade shown in Figure 8; Figures 10 and 11 are alternative views of the blade shown in Figures 8 and 9; Figure 12 is a perspective sectional view of the chamber in which the blade can be slidably mounted in any of the embodiments of the cutting apparatus described in the present Application; Figure 13 is a schematic illustration of the manner in which the blade can be moved relative to the heating chamber shown in Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the blade in position with respect to the heating chamber shown in Figure 12; Figure 15 is a side section view of an alternative embodiment of the cutting apparatus of the present invention; Figure 16 is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the cutting apparatus of the present invention; Figure 17 is an illustration of the manner in which the embodiment shown in Figure 16 can be used to cut a length of rope; Figure 18 is a perspective view of two cutting apparatus of the type shown in Figures 16 and 17; Figure 19 is a side section view of an alternative embodiment of the cutting apparatus of the present invention; Figure 20 is an illustration of the manner in which the embodiment shown in Figure 19 can be used to cut a section of rope; Figure 21 is a perspective view of two of the embodiments of the cutting apparatus shown in Figures 19 and 20; Figure 22 is a side section view of an alternative embodiment of the cutting apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 23 is a perspective view of two of the cutting apparatus shown in Figure 22; Figure 24 is a side section of an alternative embodiment of the cutting apparatus of the present invention; Figure 25 is an illustration of the manner in which the embodiment of the cutting apparatus shown in Figure 24 can be used to cut a length of rope; Figure 26 is a perspective view of two of the cutting apparatus shown in Figures 24 and 25; Figure 27 is an alternative embodiment of the cutting apparatus of the present invention; Figures 28 and 29 are perspective views of the embodiment of the cutting apparatus shown in Figure 27; Figure 30 is an illustration of the manner in which the cutting apparatus of Figures 27 to 29 can be used to cut a length of rope, and; Figures 30 and 31 are side sectional views of further alternative embodiments of the present invention.

The apparatus herein described can be used to cut and seal the ends of any plastic, polymer, foam, elastomer or rubber material. In particular the apparatus advantageously allows materials which are prone to fraying, for example, weaved, stranded or webbed materials, to be cut and sealed.

Reference is initially made to Figures 1 to 3 which illustrate an embodiment of the hand held, portable cutting apparatus, generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprising a main body section 109 and a disc section 3 which is free to rotate relative to the body section 109 around axle 110. The disc section 3 has a recess 2 into which the section of rope which is being cut can be inserted and held. The embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 3 use a solder iron 111 with a tip or blade 10 which can be heated to a high temperature in order to cut the length of rope. The tip of the solder iron is held within the body of the rotating disc 3 for safety when the cutting apparatus is not in use. The solder iron 111 is cordless and is powered by standard butane gas fluid. The soldering iron 111 has a gas refilling point 6 to permit repeated use.

In use, the gas supply will first be opened using the on/off button and piezo ignition switch 9 in order to ignite the butane gas in the combustion chamber of the soldering iron 111. After a short delay to allow the blade 10 of the soldering iron 111 to heat, the section of rope to be cut can be inserted into the recess 2 in the disc section 3. Pivotable trigger 4 is then depressed, which in turn rotates the disc section 3 via interlocking wheel 112. The pivotable trigger pivots around pivot point 5. Rotation of the cutting apparatus in the direction of arrow C, shown in Figure 2, presses the rope which is held in recess 2 of the cutting apparatus 3, against the heated tip 10 of the soldering iron which acts to cut the rope.

An alternative embodiment of the cutting apparatus of the present invention is now described with reference to Figure 4, which has a main body section 11 and rotating disc 13 with a recess 12 adapted to receive the length of rope to be cut. This embodiment also comprises an activation button 17 which is used to heat a hot blade 19 located within the body of the cutting apparatus 13. The main body 11 has air holes 18 for ventilation and also an access point 16 for refilling of the power supply. The main body 11 of the cutting apparatus also comprises a trigger 14, which when depressed, pivots on pivot point 15 and rotates the cutting apparatus 13 relative to the body section 11 in the direction of arrow D, thereby moving the rope which is held within recess 12 against the blade 19. The embodiment shown in Figure 4 can be powered using a portable electrical or gas source.

Referring to Figure 5, a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4 is illustrated when adapted to be used with a portable electrical source. A battery or electrical cell 24 is located within the main body 20 of the cutting apparatus, and is connected to an on/off switch 21. Within the cutting apparatus 13, a metal blade 22 is held which is connected via wires 23 to the on/off switch 21 and battery 24. When the on/off switch 21 is closed, current passes from the battery 24 through the wires 23 to the metallic blade 22 in the cutting apparatus 13. The electricity heats the blade through electrical resistance heating. As before, trigger means 14 can then be used to rotate the cutting apparatus 13 relative to the main body 20 in the direction of arrow E, in order to bring the rope which is located in the recess

12 of the cutting apparatus 13 into contact with the heated metallic blade 22.

Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4 which in this case is adapted to use a portable gas source, namely a butane gas canister 36.

The butane gas canister 36 is connected to a blade 32 via rubber hosing 29, and a gas delivery 31. The amount of gas which flows from the canister 36 to the blade 32 can be controlled using a gas flow variable valve 27. In use, a sliding on/off switch 26, in conjunction with a piezo starter 28, is used to open the gas supply and ignite the gas within the combustion chamber. This is then used to heat blade 32. A trigger apparatus 30 is also included which, when depressed, rotates the cutting apparatus 113 relative to the body section in the direction of arrow F by virtue of action on rotating disc mechanism 33. Rotation of the disc section 113 brings the rope which is held within the recess 114 into contact with the blade 32 in order to cut the length of rope.

The rotating disc mechanism 33, shown in Figure 6, is illustrated in more detail in Figure 7.

Referring to Figures 8 to 11 a combination blade-burner can be used with the embodiment shown in Figure 6.

Referring firstly to Figure 8 the combination blade- burner is generally depicted at 32 and is of a two part form, having an upper blade section 34 manufactured from a metallic material such as copper or brass, which is a good conductor, and a lower section 35 manufactured from a good insulating material such as ceramic or a low conductivity metal such as stainless steel.

With reference to Figures 9 and 10 and exploded view, and end view of the combination blade-burner are illustrated respectively. In Figure 9 the blade-burner is generally depicted at 37 and has a blade 38 made from a conductive material such as copper or brass and is removable and replaceable, so that it can be cleaned or changed if it becomes dirty or clogged with molten plastic from the rope. Within the body of the blade-burner is a coiled or wrapped platinum wire 39 with a large surface area for catalytic reaction to occur. An alternative metal gauze or catalyst may also be used. For maximum efficiency it is preferable to have the combustion source as close to the cutting blade as possible, thus the reaction occurs within the blade, as close to the tip as possible. When the apparatus is activated the fuel used in the apparatus, in this case butane gas, is drawn from the fuel reservoir through a chamber 41 shown in Figure 10.

The chamber 41 is tapered 42 which helps to prevent heat being transmitted to the case. Heat is drawn up from the ceramic section 35 in the direction of arrow k in Figure 11 towards the blade due to the blade's good conductive properties.

Referring now to Figure 15, an alternative embodiment of the cutting apparatus of the present invention has a main body section 114 which has a end cap 50, slidable relative to the main body section 114 in the direction of arrow G. The sliding bar 52 can be slid in the direction of arrow G by virtue of association with a spring chamber 57 which can be activated using spring catch 58. The main body member 114 has one or more end cap stoppers 59 to prevent the sliding bar 52 from being completely removed from the main body section 114. The slidable end

section 50, which has a recess 51 which corresponds to the heatable cutting element 53 on the main body section 114, is connected to the main body section 114 via a sliding bar 52. The heatable cutting element 53 is connected to a heat source 54 which is in turn fed by fuel source 56. Activation of the heat source 54 is carried out using a peizo spark ignition 55. To operate, the material to be cut is placed in the open area 115, and the end cap 50 is then slidably moved towards the main body section 114 in the direction of arrow G, which in turn cuts and seals the rope against the heating element 53. Once the rope is cut, the cutting apparatus remains in its closed position with the cutting element housed in the corresponding slot 51 on the end cap 50.

Turning now to Figures 16 to 18, an alternative embodiment has a main body 60 which contains a fuel reservoir 61. The fuel reservoir 61 has a refill valve 62 to permit refilling. The main body 60 has a flip top 70 connected via hinge 71.

With reference to Figure 18, two cutting apparatus of the type shown in Figure 16 are depicted, where the cutting apparatus in the background, generally depicted at 116, has the flip top 70 in a"closed"position. It can be seen that when the flip top is in the closed position, inner surface 118 of the flip top 70 and surface 119 of the main body 60 delimit a generally circular recess 69 as shown in Figure 17. The cutting blade 118 of this embodiment is held within the body 60 in combination with a burner 64. When activation button 63 is depressed, the burner is ignited using the piezo electric ignition 67, thus heating the blade 118 to permit it to cut the rope.

The apparatus has an air intake 68 for ventilation, and exhaust gases are released from the main body 60 in the direction of arrow 65. A particular advantage of his embodiment lies in the fact that the heated blade is not exposed when the cutting apparatus is in the open position shown at 117 in Figure 18. This embodiment also uses the moving blade system, as described with reference to Figures 12 to 14.

Figures 19 to 21 show another alternative embodiment of the cutting apparatus. The apparatus has a main body section 72, with a flip-top component 81 that can be "flipped"away from the main body section 72 on pivot 120. When in a closed position, as shown generally at 121 in Figure 21, the flip top acts as a safety feature by concealing the heatable blade 74 located in the main body section 72. Similar to the other embodiments the heatable blade 74 of this embodiment is held within the body 72 in combination with a burner 73. When activation button 75 is depressed, the burner is ignited using the piezo electric ignition 76, thus heating the blade 74 to permit it to cut the rope. The apparatus has a fuel reservoir 77 which may take the form of a gas canister or electrical cell and a refill valve 78. A supply valve 79 is included to facilitate heating of the blade 74 using the fuel reservoir 77. The apparatus can be strengthened and water sealed as a unit and may be supplied with insulation 80.

The manner in which the embodiment shown in Figures 19 to 21 is shown in Figure 20. The burner 73 is ignited using activation button 75 whilst the flip top is in a closed position, as shown generally in the cutting apparatus

generally depicted at 121 in the background of Figure 21.

Once sufficient time has passed for the blade 74 to be heated the flip top 81 is opened, as shown generally in the cutting apparatus generally depicted at 122 in the foreground of Figure 21. The rope to be cut can be inserted into recess 123 and begins to fuse. The flip top 81 can the be push down towards the closed position in order to finish the cut.

An alternative embodiment is now described with reference to Figures 22 and 23. This embodiment has no moving parts and instead relies on it's shape to cut the rope.

The apparatus has a main body section 82 containing a fuel reservoir 83 which can be refilled at refill point 84. The body section 82 has a curved head section or hook 123, the inner surface of which is formed by heatable blade 88. The blade 88 is associated with a burner 87, fed from the fuel reservoir via supply valve 90. Insulation is supplied at 89. To use the burner is ignited via activation button 86 and pizeo electric ignition 85. The apparatus can then be used to cut the rope simply by running the internal surface, which carries the blade 88, of the curved section 123 against the rope, or material to be cut.

The embodiment shown in Figures 24 to 26 again has a main body section 91, generally circular in shape and resembles a bird's beak. This embodiment has two moving surfaces which can be moved in a shearing action to cut the rope. A fuel reservoir 92, which can refilled at refill point 93 is supplied in the body section 91 in combination with an activation button 97 and pizeo electric ignition 98 and is used to heat blade 96 via

supply valve 99 which feeds burner 94. Insulation can be supplied at 95. When activation button 97 is depressed the pizeo starter is activated, flow of gas is started and at the same time a catch 124 which holds the two jaws 125,126 of the"beak"together when not in use (as shown in the background of Figure 26 at 128), is released. A spring situated in the hinge is then used to completely open the jaws 125,126 of the beak as shown in the foreground of Figure 26 at 127.

The rope to be cut can be inserted into the space 129 between the jaws 125,126 of the"beak"and the upper jaw 125 can then be pushed down towards the lower jaw 126 to cut the rope against blade 96. The inner surfaces of the jaws 125,126 have a wave contour/uneven shape which is intended to guide the rope towards the main section of the deep cutting blade 96. In use, the sprung jaws 125, 126 are operated like scissors to cut the rope held in between in recess 129. In the closed position 128 the blade 96 is protected against wind exposure.

Turning now to Figures 27 to 30 an alternative embodiment of the cutting apparatus again has a blade 105 associated with a burner 106, held within a main body section 100.

The blade 105 is heated by virtue of a fuel reservoir 101, which can be refilled at refill point 102, and feeds the burner via a supply valve 130. Activation button 103 is sued to activate peizo electric switch and thus heat the blade via the supply of fuel from the reservoir 101 to the burner 106. Insulation is supplied at 107. The manner in which this embodiment can be used is shown in more detail in Figures 28 to 30. Activation button 103 is depressed to open the supply valve 30 to feed and

ignite burner 106. Protective sheath 131 is then pulled back in the direction of arrow h in Figures 28 and 29 to allow the rope to be inserted into recess 132. The sheath 131 can then be slid back in the opposite direction to arrow h to grip the rope and force it over blade 105. When closed the sheath 131 acts as a safety feature and also protects the blade from energy loss due to wind.

With reference to Figure 31 a further embodiment has the advantage that it allows the user to secure the rope in the jaw 133 of the apparatus before cutting. The apparatus has a fuel source 134 refillable at refill valve 135. The fuel source 134 is used to feed burner 140, which is associated with a hinged blade housing 141.

To use, an activation or ignite button 136 is depressed which opens the fuel source 134 to feed the burner 140 and heat the blade 141 via rubber hose 142 acting on actuator 138 and spark lead 139. A cut button 143 is also supplied which moves the blade 141 either by a sliding or pivoting action to cut the rope in jaw 133.

In Figure 32 the fuel supply is a butane liquid energy cell 143 or miniature pressurised gas canister that can be removed and is refillable at point 144 connected to a combined blade burner 148 via rubber hose 147. The canister has an integrated refillable seal or valve.

Activation is via a control button 145 and pizeo starter 146 and a cut button 150 is supplied which moved the blade 148 relative to the rope which can be placed in the jaws of the apparatus. Metal or ceramic inserts are supplied at 149 to aid heating of the burner-blade 148.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 31 and 32 and 16 to 18 the blade itself slides or rotates within the body of the apparatus to cut the rope, in other words the apparatus has a moving blade and a fixed surface.

Referring to Figures 12 to 14 one example of a sliding burner in combination with a fixed combustion chamber is depicted. The burner part of the sliding burner fixed combustion chamber combination is shown in section in Figure 12 and comprises a chamber 48 through which a blade can pass to be heated, with gas entry apertures 51 and butane entry chamber 47. An air entry point 46 is also supplied and exhaust gas leaves the burner via exit points 44. The burner also has a wiper 45 which scrapes the blade clean as it enters the heating chamber. The blade 50 can be seen in position relative to the burner chamber 49 in Figure 14 and can be slideably moved through the centre of the chamber and thus heated in the direction represented by arrow a. As shown in Figure 13, when the burner starts up the blade 50 will be held in a retracted position (left hand side of Figure 13) and heat is radiated from the reaction chamber 43 to the tip of the cutting blade 50. Since the blade is highly conductive it heats up to the necessary temperate quickly. When the blade is moved forward to start the cutting process, as shown in the right hand side of Figure 13, the pre-heated blade tip melts the first section of the rope. The heat energy is continually added to the back section of the blade via the burner and this flows to the coolest spot, which is the tip. The flow of heat keeps the tip temperature hot enough to melt its way through a full section of rope.

Although the apparatus of the present invention is described with reference to sailing applications, its use is not intended to limited as such, and other applications, such as sail and webbing cutting, camping equipment repairs, foam model sculpting, sports such as abseiling and rock climbing, industrial uses and military uses are possible.

In addition all of the above described embodiments may be powered by portable gas or electric means such as a butane gas canister, miniature pressurised gas canister or an electrical cell or battery.

Further modifications and improvements can be made by one skilled within the art within the scope of the invention herein disclosed.