Cutting tool

Abstract

The invention relates to a cutting tool (2) for a groover (1) for producing grooves in a substrate. The cutting tool (2) comprises at least two cutting discs (3, 4, 5) adjacent and coaxial to each other. Each cutting disc (3, 4, 5) comprises a base disc (30, 40, 50) with at least one cutting segment (31, 41, 51) on its circumference. At least one cutting segment (31, 51) of at least one of the cutting discs (3, 5) has a periphery that tapers towards an adjacent disc (4) to produce a groove (6) with a rounded, narrowed or tapered base (60).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to cutting tools for groovers in the field of construction, and in particular to cutting tools for making slots, grooves or recesses in walls or at floor level. Technical background

[0002] Such a cutting tool for a groover can be conventionally integrated into a wall groover which allows slots, grooves or recesses to be made in masonry, for example plaster, brick or concrete walls, sand-lime walls or any surface.

[0003] It is regularly necessary to make slots, grooves or similar recesses in masonry as part of a domestic electrical installation when electrical cables or conduits are to be laid under plaster. Similarly, such grooves are often necessary when installing plumbing pipes.

[0004] EP4190522A1 proposes a wall grooving machine comprising a cutting tool comprising at least two cutting discs having different diameters, in which the cutting discs are arranged adjacent and coaxially with respect to each other to produce grooves (or grooves or recesses) in a surface of a construction whose section is of complex shape. Summary of the invention

[0005] A non-exclusive objective of the present invention is to provide a cutting tool that facilitates non-linear cutting.

[0006] The invention relates to a cutting tool for making a rounded, narrowed or tapered groove in a substrate.

[0007] The inventors were surprised to find that the presence of a rounded, narrowed, or tapered groove facilitates non-linear cutting, particularly cutting along a curved path. The inventors also observed that this arrangement creates less dust and waste, and therefore provides improved working conditions.

[0008] The cutting tool may comprise at least two cutting discs. The cutting discs may be adjacent and coaxial with each other.

[0009] Each cutting disc may include a base disc. Each cutting disc may include at least one cutting segment around its circumference. The cutting segment(s) of at least one of the cutting discs may have a periphery that tapers, for example toward an adjacent cutting disc, to provide a groove with a rounded, narrowed, or tapered base.

[0010] The invention also relates to a cutting tool for making grooves in a substrate, the cutting tool comprising at least two cutting discs adjacent and coaxial to each other, each cutting disc comprising a base disc with at least one cutting segment on its circumference, wherein the cutting segment(s) of at least one of the cutting discs has a periphery which tapers towards an adjacent cutting disc to make a groove with a rounded, narrowed or tapered base.

[0011] The cutting segment(s) of at least one of the cutting discs may be rounded and / or may have a rounded periphery, for example along a plane intersecting an axis of the cutting tool. In some examples, the cutting segment(s) of each cutting disc may be rounded and / or may have a rounded periphery, for example along a plane intersecting an axis of the cutting tool. These features may be useful for producing a groove having a rounded base.

[0012] The cutting discs may include at least one inner cutting disc. The cutting discs may include a pair of outer cutting discs. The outer cutting discs may taper toward the inner cutting disc, for example to provide a groove having a rounded, narrowed, or tapered base.

[0013] More specifically, the cutting discs may include at least one inner cutting disc and a pair of outer cutting discs that taper toward the inner cutting disc to provide a groove having a rounded, narrowed, or tapered base.

[0014] At least one of the pair of outer cutting discs may include a diameter less than a diameter of the inner cutting disc(s).

[0015] Each of the pair of outer cutting discs may include a diameter smaller than a diameter of the one or more inner cutting discs. Each of the pair of outer cutting discs may have a rounded periphery, for example along a plane intersecting an axis of the cutting tool.

[0016] The cutting segments of the cutting discs together describe a substantially toroidal periphery to produce a groove having a rounded base.

[0017] The outer cutting discs may each have, describe or present a rounded outer peripheral edge, for example to form a part of the or a substantially toroidal periphery of the cutting tool. The outer peripheral edge may be rounded along a plane intersecting an axis of the cutting tool. The inner cutting disc may have, describe or present a rounded inner periphery, for example to form a part of the or a substantially toroidal periphery of the cutting tool. The inner periphery may be rounded along a plane intersecting an axis of the cutting tool.

[0018] The cutting segments of the outer cutting discs may have, describe or present a rounded outer peripheral edge, for example to provide a portion of the or a substantially toroidal periphery of the cutting tool. The outer peripheral edge may be rounded along a plane intersecting an axis of the cutting tool. The cutting segment of the inner cutting disc may have, describe or present a rounded inner periphery, for example to provide a portion of the or a substantially toroidal periphery of the cutting tool. The inner periphery may be rounded along a plane intersecting an axis of the cutting tool.

[0019] The cutting segment(s) of each cutting disc may comprise a plurality of cutting segments. The cutting segments may be offset.

[0020] More specifically, the cutting segment(s) of each cutting disc may comprise a plurality of offset cutting segments.

[0021] The cutting segments may be offset relative to the axis of the cutting tool and / or relative to the base disc or its thickness. The cutting segments may comprise a first cutting segment and a second cutting segment, which may be offset relative to the first cutting segment. The cutting segments may comprise a plurality of first cutting segments and / or a plurality of second cutting segments. The at least one first cutting segment may have a peripheral profile different from that of the at least one second cutting segment, for example such that they together form the toroidal periphery of the cutting tool.

[0022] The cutting tool may include a spacer between at least one adjacent pair of cutting discs.

[0023] More specifically, the cutting tool may include a spacer between each adjacent pair of cutting discs.

[0024] The cutting discs may comprise at least three cutting discs, the spacers having substantially the same thickness.

[0025] The spacer(s) may have a thickness of between 1 and 10 mm.

[0026] The invention also relates to a groover comprising the cutting tool described above.

[0027] The groover may include a wall groover.

[0028] For the avoidance of doubt, all features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention.

[0029] Within the scope of the present application, it is expressly provided that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set forth in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. In other words, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment may be combined in any way, unless such features are incompatible.

[0030] For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may," "and / or," "for example," and any other similar terms used herein are to be construed as non-limiting, such that any feature so described need not necessarily be present. Indeed, any combination of optional features is expressly contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention, whether or not expressly claimed. Applicant reserves the right to amend any originally filed claim or to file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend upon and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim not originally claimed in that manner. Brief description of the figures

[0031] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] there Figure 1 illustrates a cutting tool according to an example; [ Fig. 2 ] there Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of a groover comprising a cutting tool according to the Figure 1 ; [ Fig. 3 ] there Figure 3 illustrates the groover of the Figure 2 with the cutting tool installed; [ Fig. 4 ] there Figure 4 illustrates the cutting tool of the Figure 1 immediately before cutting a groove in a substrate; [ Fig. 5 ] there Figure 5 illustrates the cutting tool of the Figure 1 immediately after cutting a groove in the substrate; [ Fig. 6 ] there Figure 6 illustrates the substrate having an electrical conduit received within the groove; [ Fig. 7 ] there Figure 7illustrates a substrate with grooves made from a variety of different cutting tools. Detailed description of the invention

[0032] Referring now to the figures 1 to 5 , a cutting tool 2 for a groover 1 for making grooves in a substrate S can be seen. The cutting tool 2 comprises an axis A and a plurality of cutting discs 3, 4, 5 adjacent and coaxial to each other. Each cutting disc 3, 4, 5 comprises a base disc 30, 40, 50 and a plurality of cutting segments 31, 41, 51 on its circumference. The cutting discs 3, 4, 5 have a periphery shaped to form a groove 6 having a rounded, narrowed or tapered base 60.

[0033] The cutting discs 3, 4, 5 comprise an inner cutting disc 4 and a pair of outer cutting discs 3, 5 in this example. The cutting tool 2 comprises a spacer 7 between each adjacent pair of cutting discs 3, 4, 5. The spacers 7 have substantially the same thickness, approximately 5 mm in this example.

[0034] In other examples, the cutting discs 3, 4, 5 may comprise several inner cutting discs 4 or the inner cutting disc 4 may be omitted. Also, the thickness of the spacers 7 may differ and / or be between 1 and 10 mm.

[0035] The outer cutting discs 3, 5 taper toward the inner cutting disc 4 to provide a groove 6 having a rounded, narrowed, or tapered base 60. Further, each of the outer cutting discs 3, 5 has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the inner cutting disc 4.

[0036] In this example, the cutting segments 31, 41, 51 of the cutting discs 3, 4, 5 together describe a substantially toroidal periphery 20 to produce a groove 6 having a base 60 which is rounded.

[0037] More specifically, the cutting segments 31, 51 of the outer cutting discs 3, 5 each describe a rounded outer peripheral edge 32, 52 along a plane intersecting an axis A of the cutting tool 2. Similarly, the cutting segment 41 of the inner cutting disc also has a rounded inner periphery 42 along a plane intersecting an axis A of the cutting tool 2. These rounded peripheral edges 32, 42, 52 each constitute a part of the substantially toroidal periphery 20 of the cutting tool 2.

[0038] This does not necessarily have to be the case. In some examples, only one of the outer cutting discs 3, 5 may be narrowed and / or tapered and / or rounded and / or have a smaller diameter than the inner cutting disc 4.

[0039] In this example, the cutting segments 31, 41, 51 are offset relative to the base discs 30, 40, 50. As a result, the cutting segments 31, 41, 51 are offset relative to the axis A of the cutting tool 2. More specifically, a first series of segments 31, 41, 51 is offset to one side of the base disc 30, 40, 50, while a second series of segments 31, 41, 51 is offset to the opposite side of the base disc 30, 40, 50. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the peripheral profile of the cutting segments 31, 41, 51 varies accordingly to form the toroidal periphery 20 of the cutting tool 2.

[0040] As illustrated on the figures 4 to 6 , the cutting tool 2 is used to make a groove 6 having a rounded base 60. The groove 6 is configured to receive an electrical conduit 8 having a circular section slightly smaller than the width of the groove 6.

[0041] Now referring to the Figure 7 , the groove 6 formed using the cutting tool 2 is shown next to a first comparative groove 6' formed using a conventional cutting tool (not shown) and a second comparative groove 6" formed using a cutting tool according to EP4190522A1.

[0042] The inventors were surprised to find that the presence of this rounded groove facilitates non-linear cutting, particularly cutting along a curved path. This arrangement also creates less dust and waste than these two comparative grooves.

[0043] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the groove 6 formed using the cutting tool 2 is also useful for receiving other objects, for example plumbing pipes and the like.

[0044] Throughout the description, the words "include" and "contain" and their variations mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to refer to (and do not exclude) other parts, additives, or whole or partial components. Throughout the description, the singular includes the plural, unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context otherwise requires.

[0045] Any features, integers, characteristics, compounds or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention should be understood as being applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein, unless inconsistent therewith.

Claims

1. Cutting tool (2) for producing grooves in a substrate, the cutting tool (2) comprising at least two cutting discs (3, 4, 5) adjacent and coaxial to each other, each cutting disc (3, 4, 5) comprising a base disc (30, 40, 50) with at least one cutting segment (31, 41, 51) on its circumference, wherein the at least one cutting segment (31, 51) of at least one of the cutting discs (3, 5) has a periphery which tapers towards an adjacent cutting disc (4) to produce a groove (6) with a rounded, narrowed or tapered base (60).

2. Cutting tool according to claim 1, wherein the cutting discs (3, 4, 5) comprise at least one inner cutting disc (4) and a pair of outer cutting discs (3, 5) which taper towards the inner cutting disc (4) to provide a groove (6) having a rounded, narrowed or tapered base (60).

3. A cutting tool according to claim 2, wherein each of the pair of outer cutting discs (3, 5) comprises a diameter smaller than a diameter of the inner cutting disc(s) (4).

4. Cutting tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting segments (31, 41, 51) of the cutting discs (3, 4, 5) together describe a substantially toroidal periphery (20) to produce a groove (6) having a rounded base (60).

5. Cutting tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each cutting disc (3, 4, 5) comprises a plurality of offset cutting segments (31, 41, 51).

6. Cutting tool according to claim 5 comprising a spacer (7) between each adjacent pair of cutting discs (3, 4, 5).

7. Cutting tool according to claim 6, wherein the cutting discs (3, 4, 5) comprise at least three cutting discs (3, 4, 5) and the spacers (7) have substantially the same thickness.

8. Cutting tool according to claim 6 or claim 7, in which the spacer(s) (7) have a thickness of between 1 and 10 mm.

9. Grooving machine (1) comprising a cutting tool according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Grooving machine according to claim 9 comprising a wall groover (1).

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