CA2993961C

CA2993961C - Stick cutter

Info

Publication number: CA2993961C
Application number: CA2993961A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Andrew Watzenboeck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-02-05
Filing date: 2018-02-05
Publication date: 2023-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 2038-02-05
Also published as: CA2993961A1

Abstract

Hockey sticks or other tubular shafts have historically been cut using a hack saw with the shaft resting on the lip of a garbage can resulting in slow and inaccurate cuts. A new device for cutting a shaft comprises a holder for receiving the shaft, and an arm rotatably mounted at an end of the holder. The holder includes an internal passage, sized to receive the shaft, which extends outwardly through an opening at the end of the internal passage. A set of jaws are mounted on the rotating arm, each jaw includes a saw blade extending across the opening perpendicular to the shaft. The jaws are spring biased together for engaging the shaft, whereby relative rotation of the arm and the holder results in the saw blades sawing the end of the shaft off with high precision.

Description

Doc No: 700-1CA
STICK CUTTER
TECHNICAL FIELD
[01] The present invention relates to a tube or stick cutter, and in particular to a stick cutter for shortening the length of a hockey stick.
BACKGROUND

[02] In the past, wooden hockey sticks were shortened to suit the height of the user using a conventional rip or cross-cut saw. With the advent of the composite hockey sticks, hack saws became a more appropriate tool for cutting hollow graphite shafts.
Unfortunately, cutting a hockey stick typically involves resting the stick on the lip of a garbage can using a knee and one hand, while cutting the end off with a hack saw in the other hand, often resulting in an angled or jagged cut. Similarly, cutting a PBS pipe for plumbing drains with a hack saw often ends up with an angled cut, which jeopardizes the quality of any seal therewith.

[03] An object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a hand held tube or stick cutter that greatly facilitates a rapid and accurate cut.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[04] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a device for cutting a shaft comprising:

[05] a holder including an internal passage with a longitudinal axis for receiving the shaft, the internal passage including an opening at a one end thereof through which an end of the shaft extends;

[06] a handle mounted at an end of the holder rotatable about the longitudinal axis; and

[07] a set of jaws mounted on the hande, each jaw including a saw blade extending across the opening,

[08] wherein the jaws are spring biased together for engaging the shaft, whereby relative rotation of the arm and the holder results in the saw blades sawing the end of the shaft.

Doc No: 700-1CA

[09] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a device for cutting a shaft comprising:

[10] a holder including an internal passage with a longitudinal axis for receiving the shaft, the internal passage including an opening at a one end thereof through which an end of the shaft extends;

[11] a handle mounted at an end of the holder rotatable about the longitudinal axis capable of supporting at least one blade for engaging the shaft, whereby rotation of the handle causes the at least one blade to cut around a periphery of the shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[12] The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent preferred embodiments thereof, wherein:

[13] Figure 1 is an isometric view in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[14] Figure 2 is a side view of the device of Fig. 1;

[15] Figure 3 is atop view of the device of Fig. 1;

[16] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the device of Fig. 1;

[17] Figure 5a is an isometric view of a sleeve holder of the device of Fig. 1;

[18] Figure 5b is an top view of a sleeve holder of an alternative embodiment of the device of Fig. 1;

[19] Figure 5c is an isometric view of the sleeve holder of Fig. 5b;

[20] Figure 6 is an isometric view of a handle of the device of Fig. 1;

[21] Figure 7 is an isometric view of a mounting plate of the device of Fig. 1;

[22] Figure 8 is an isometric view of a jaw of the device of Fig. 1;

Doc No: 700-1CA

[23] Figure 9 is a top view of the jaw of Fig. 8;

[24] Figure 10 is a side view of the jaw of Fig. 8;

[25] Figure 11 is an isometric view in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[26] Figure 12 is an isometric view of the embodiment of Fig. 11;

[27] Figure 13 is an isometric view of the embodiment of Fig. 11;

[28] Figure 14 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 11; and

[29] Figure 15 is a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[30] While the present teachings are described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

[31] With reference to Figures 1 to 4, an embodiment of a stick cutter 1 includes a hollow sleeve holder 2, for receiving an end of a hollow tubular pipe or shaft, e.g.
hockey stick, hereinafter referred to as "shaft", to be cut, and a handle 3 rotatably mounted on one end of the sleeve holder 2. The sleeve holder 2 includes an internal passage 4, defined by a longitudinal axis 5, configured to receive and sized to fit the shaft. For example, for a hockey stick, the internal passage 4 may include a rectangular cross-section, substantially the same or slightly larger (e.g. <1/8" larger) dimensions as a hockey stick, e.g. 5/8" to 7/8", preferably 3/4", by 1 1/8"
to 1 1/4". For a pipe, the internal passage 4 may include a circular cross-section, substantially the same or slightly larger, e.g. <1/8" larger, than the outer diameter of the pipe.

[32] With particular reference to Figure 5a to Sc, an upper portion of the sleeve holder 2 includes a cylindrical bearing surface 6 surrounding the longitudinal axis 5.
A lower grip portion 7 of the outer surface of the sleeve holder 2 may be any suitable shape or texture for gripping by Doc No: 700-1CA
the user. For example, the outer surface may have the same shape as the internal passage 4, e.g.
rectangular (Fig. 5a), or the outer surface may include a cylindrical shape 7' (Fig. 5c), which may include textured structures to aid in gripping, e.g. elongated ribs. An annular lip 8 extends around the sleeve holder 2 between the bearing surface 6 and the grip portion 7. The sleeve holder 2 may include a lock to prevent relative rotation between the shaft and the sleeve holder 2.
The lock may comprise abutting features on the shaft and sleeve holder 2, e.g.
matching planar surfaces on hockey stick and the rectangular internal passage 4.
Alternatively, a fastener 9a, e.g.
screw, and/or an adjustable plate 9b mounted in or on the sleeve holder 2 may be used to temporarily secure the shaft 10 to the sleeve holder 2 during cutting.

[33] With particular reference to Figure 6, the handle 3 includes a cylindrical bushing 11 rotatably mounted on the bearing surface 6 on the end of the sleeve holder 2, and an elongated arm 12 extending perpendicular to the cylindrical bushing 11 and the sleeve holder 2, i.e. the longitudinal axis 5. The cylindrical bushing 11 rests on the annular lip 8. A
pair of opposed jaws 14a and 14b are pivotally mounted on the handle 3, and spring biased towards each other.
Each jaw 14a and 14b may include a cutting blade 15a and 15b, respectively, e.g. a hack saw blade or a reciprocal saw blade, pivotally mounted at one end to the elongated arm 12 via any suitable fastener, e.g. threaded bolts or screws 16a and 16b, respectively.
The cutting blades 15a and 15b extend across the top of the internal passage 4 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 5 for engaging the shaft extending upwardly therethrough. The other end of the cutting blades 15a and 15b extend into guards 17a and 17b, respectively. When the handle 3 is rotated around the sleeve holder 2 with a shaft extending therefrom, the cutting blades 15a and 15b engage a periphery of the shaft. After repeated rotations or back and forth motions, the cutting blades 15a and 15 will saw through the shaft.

[34] With reference to Figures 7 to 9, each guard 17a and 17b may include a slot 21 for receiving the other end of the cutting blades 15a and 15b. One or more springs 23 extend between outer free ends of the guards 17a and 17b for spring biasing the guards 17a and 17b, and therefore the jaws 14a and 14b, together. Accordingly, the blades 15a and 15b are biased towards each other and into engagement with the shaft extending from the internal passage 4 of the sleeve holder 2. Each of the guards 17a and 17b include an abutting surface 19 spaced from the edge of the blades 15a and 15b, which engage each other in a rest position when no shaft is in Doc No: 700-1CA
the internal passage 4, providing a gap 20 between the blades 15a and 15b. The abutting surfaces 19 and the gap 20 prevents the the blades 15a and 15b from abutting each other for safety reasons and for preventing damage to the blades 15a and 15b by each other.

[35] Each jaw 14a and 14b also includes a C-shaped finger 22a and 22b, respectively, extending from beneath each guard 17a and 17b around opposite sides of the cylindrical bushing 11. The fingers 22a and 22b may be pivotally connected at an outer free end enabling the outer free ends of the guards 17a and 17b, i.e. the jaws 14a and 14b, to be separated by manually overcoming the bias force of the spring 23. A hinge 24 may be provided at the outer free ends of the fingers 22a and 22b including knuckles 25 on finger 22a and knuckle or knuckles 26 on finger 22b with a pin 27 extending therethrough. Each guard 17a and 17b may include a finger guide extending upwardly therefrom facilitating the separation of the guards 17a and 17b, and therefore the cutting blades 15a and 15b apart. One or more posts 18 may extend outwardly from each jaw 14a and 14b, for receiving an end of the one or more springs 23.
Accordingly, the amount of spring force may be adjusted by mounting additional spring 23.

[36] With reference to Figure 10, a round plate 31 may be mounted on the top of the sleeve holder 2, and may include a slightly larger radius than the cylindrical bushing 11, preventing the cylindrical bushing 11 from disengaging the bearing surface 6, whereby the cylindrical bushing 11 is mounted between the plate 31 and the annular lip 8, and is free to rotate around the sleeve holder 2, but restricted from moving vertically relative to the sleeve holder 2. The round plate 31 includes an opening 32 matching, i.e. same X-Y dimensions as, the internal passage 4, e.g.
rectangular or circular. The handle 3 may include an arcuate shoulder formed in the upper surface thereof for receiving the round plate 31, enabling relative rotation between the handle 3 around the round plate 31 on the sleeve holder 2.

[37] With reference to Figures 11 to 15, an alternative embodiment of a stick cutter 51 includes the hollow sleeve holder 2, as hereinbefore defined, for receiving an end of a hollow tubular pipe or shaft, e.g. hockey stick, hereinafter referred to as "shaft", to be cut, and a handle 33 rotatably mounted on one end of the sleeve holder 2. The sleeve holder 2 includes the internal passage 4, defined by the longitudinal axis 5, configured to receive and sized to fit the shaft. For example, for a hockey stick, the internal passage 4 may include a rectangular cross-Doc No: 700-1CA
section, substantially the same or slightly larger (e.g. <1/8" larger) dimensions as a hockey stick, e.g. 5/8" to 7/8", preferably 1/4, by 1 1/8" to 1 1/4". For a pipe, the internal passage 4 may include a circular cross-section, substantially the same or slightly larger, e.g. <1/8" larger, than the outer diameter of the pipe.

[38] As above, the upper portion of the sleeve holder 2 includes the cylindrical bearing surface 6 surrounding the longitudinal axis 5. The lower grip portion 7 of the outer surface of the sleeve holder 2 may be any suitable shape or texture for gripping by the user. For example, the outer surface may have the same shape as the internal passage 4, e.g. rectangular (Fig. 5a), or the outer surface may include a cylindrical shape 7' (Fig. 5c), which may include textured structures to aid in gripping, e.g. elongated ribs. The annular lip 8 extends around the sleeve holder 2 between the bearing surface 6 and the grip portion 7. The sleeve holder 2 may include a lock to prevent relative rotation between the shaft and the sleeve holder 2. The lock may comprise abutting features on the shaft and sleeve holder 2, e.g. matching planar surfaces on hockey stick and the rectangular internal passage 4. Alternatively, a fastener 9a, e.g. screw, and/or an adjustable plate 9b mounted in or on the sleeve holder 2 may be used to temporarily secure the shaft 10 to the sleeve holder 2 during cutting.

[39] The handle 33 includes cylindrical bushing 34, similar to cylindrical bushing 11, rotatably mounted on the bearing surface 6 on the end of the sleeve holder 2, and a cradle 35 extending perpendicular to the cylindrical bushing 34 and the sleeve holder 2, i.e. the longitudinal axis 5. The cylindrical bushing 34 rests on the annular lip 8 with the mounting plate 31 preventing disengagement thereof.

[40] The cradle 35 is capable of receiving an end of a power saw 40, which includes a blade

41. When received in the cradle 35, the blade of the power saw 40, extends across the end of the internal passage 4, similar to the saw blades 15a and 15b. The power saw may be an electrical, e.g. cordless, battery powered, circular or reciprocating saw. Alternatively, the power saw 40 may be or a cordless drill with a circular saw blade bit attachment. The power saw 40 may be secured in the cradle 41 by any suitable means, e.g. threaded fasteners 42 extending through the cradle 41 into engagement with the power saw 40. Accordingly, a user may activate the saw blade, and then rotate the power saw 40 around the sleeve holder 2, with the blade 41 extending Doc No: 700-1CA
into contact with the shaft. When the handle 33 is rotated around the sleeve holder 2 with a shaft extending therefrom, the cutting blade 41 engage a periphery of the shaft.
After repeated rotations or back and forth motions, the cutting blade 41 will saw through the shaft.
[41] The foregoing description of one or more embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A device for cutting a shaft comprising:
a holder including an internal passage with a longitudinal axis for receiving the shaft, the internal passage including an opening at a one end thereof through which an end of the shaft extends;
a handle configured to be rotatably mounted relative to the holder about the longitudinal axis; and a set of jaws mounted on the handle, each jaw including a saw blade extending across the opening, wherein the jaws are spring biased together configured for engaging the shaft during relative rotation of the arm and the holder, which results in the saw blades sawing the end of the shaft during a back and forth motion of the handle relative to the holder.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein each jaw includes:
a saw blade mounted at one end on the handle; and a guard for receiving an opposite end of the saw blade;
wherein the guards are spring biased together.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein each guard includes a finger guide extending therefrom facilitating separation of the guards.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein each guard includes an abutting surface abutting each other in a closed position forming a gap between the saw blades, preventing the saw blades from engaging each other.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the holder includes a cylindrical bearing surface surrounding the longitudinal axis at the one end thereof; and Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-20 wherein the handle includes a cylindrical bushing mounted on the cylindrical bearing surface.

6. The device according to claim 5, further comprising a mounting plate mounted on an end of the holder preventing the cylindrical bushing frorn disengaging the cylindrical bearing surface.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein each jaw includes a finger extending from a corresponding guard around the cylindrical bushing into pivotal engagement with cach other at an outer free end; and wherein the inner ends of the fingers are spring biased together.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein holder includes a cylindrical bearing surface surrounding the longitudinal axis at the one end thereof; and wherein the handle includes a cylindrical bushing mounted on the cylindrical bearing surface.

9. The device according to claim 8, further comprising a mounting plate mounted on top of the holder;
wherein the holder includes an annular lip;
wherein the cylindrical bushing is rotatably mounted between the mounting plate and the annular lip; and wherein the mounting plate prevents the cylindrical bushing from disengaging from the cylindrical bearing suiface.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the internal passage comprises a rectangular shape.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the internal passage has dimensions 5/8" to 7/8"
by 1 1/8" to 1 1/4" configured for receiving a shaft of a hockey stick.

12. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a lock mounted on the holder for temporarily locking the shaft relative to the holder during cutting.

13. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of posts extending frorn each jaw; and Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-20 at least one spring extending between posts on each jaw applying a spring force between the jaws.

14 . A device for cutting a shaft comprising:
a holder including an internal passage with a longitudinal axis for receiving the shaft, the internal passage including an opening at a one end thereof through which an end of the shaft cxtends;
a handle mounted at an end of the holder rotatable relative to the holder about the longitudinal axis, and configured for supporting at least one blade for engaging the shaft during rotation of the handle around the holder, which causes the at least one blade to saw around a periphery of the shaft.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the handle includes a cradle for receiving a power saw, including the at least one blade perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

16. The device according to claim 14, wherein the holder includes a cylindrical bearing surface surrounding the longitudinal axis at the one end thereof; and wherein the handle includes a cylindrical bushing mounted on the cylindrical bearing surface.

17. The device according to clairn 14, further comprising a set of jaws mounted on a rotating arm, each jaw including a saw blade extending across the opening, wherein the jaws are spring biased together for engaging the shaft, whereby relative rotation of the rotating aim and the holder results in the saw blades sawing the end of the shaft.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-06-20