Cutting tool

Abstract

A cutting tool, comprising a first cutting member comprising a first handle and a first blade with a first cutting edge, a second cutting member comprising a second handle and a second blade with a second cutting edge, a pivot connection pivotally connecting the first cutting member and the second cutting member, wherein the cutting tool further comprises an elastic element, whereby tensioning the first handie and the second handle together, the elastic element is configured to enable the first cutting edge to at least partially bypass the second blade.

Description

Background

[0001] The invention relates to a cutting tool and in particular to scissors or shears.

[0002] The cutting tool such as scissors are a common tool which can be found in almost every household. They are used for cutting and shearing different materials between the two blades. Sometimes consumers use a single blade to tear open packages, for example seams sealed with adhesive tape. However, this method is quite hazardous and might end up cutting something else accidentally as it is difficult to judge the force required for puncturing the adhesive tape while the surface of the adhesive tape is slippery for the blade.Brief disclosure

[0003] An object of the invention is thus to provide a cutting device that solves the aforementioned problems. The invention is based on a cutting tool with an elastic element. The elastic element allows the user to reveal at least one of the cutting edges of the blade in a safe and secure manner.Brief description of the drawings

[0004] The invention will now be described in more detail in connection with preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a cutting tool according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 illustrates another side view of the cutting tool of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the cutting tool of Figure 1; Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the cutting tool of Figure 1 when an elastic element is deformed; Figure 5 illustrates another side view of Figure 4; Figure 6 illustrates a side view of a cutting tool according to a second embodiment; Figure 7 illustrates another side view of the cutting tool of Figure 6; Figure 8 illustrates a partially exploded view of the cutting tool of Figure 6; Figure 9 illustrates a side view of a cutting tool according to a third embodiment; Figure 10 illustrates the side view of the cutting tool of Figure 9 when an elastic element is deformed. Detailed description of embodiments

[0005] The present invention pertains to a cutting tool which can be for example a pair of scissors or shears having a pair of blades 12, 21 pivoted at a pivot connection 30. Each blade 12, 21 has a sharpened edge, i.e. a cutting edge 13, 23, and a dull edge 14, 24 opposite the cutting edge 13, 23. The cutting edges 13, 23 slide against each other from open to closed position when the handles 11, 21 opposite the pivot connection 30 get closer to each other. The cutting tool can be suitable for cutting various materials, such as paper, cardboard, fabric, metal foil, rope and wire.

[0006] The cutting tool according to the invention comprises a first cutting member 10 comprising a first handle 11 and a first blade 12 with a first cutting edge 13 and a first dull edge 14 opposite the first cutting edge 13, and a second cutting member 20 comprising a second handle 21 and a second blade 22 with a second cutting edge 23 and a second dull edge 24 opposite the second cutting edge 23. The first and second handles 11, 12 are typically made of plastic resin and the first and second blades 12, 22 are typically made of metal, such as carbon steel or stainless steel. The first handle 11, or the second handle 21, and the first blade 12, or the second blade 22, may be connected to each other in such a way that one end of the blade 12, 22 is surrounded by the handle 11, 21, for example as a result of injection molding process, where plastic resin is fed into a heated barrel, mixed, and injected into a mold cavity, where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the cavity. The blade 12, 22 can also be attached to the handle 11, 21 by inserting an end of the blade blank into a hollow slot in the handle 11, 21.

[0007] The cutting tool further comprises the pivot connection 30 pivotally connecting the first cutting member 10 and the second cutting member 20. The pivot connection 30 may locate in a midsection of the cutting tool so that it balances the handles 11, 21 and the blades 12, 22, and makes the cutting tool stable. The pivot connection 30 may directly connect the blades 12, 22 only, or if parts of the handles 11, 12 extend further to the blades 12, 22, the pivot connection 30 may connect the handles 11, 21 at a location which has enclosed the blades 12, 22. The pivot connection 30 may comprise a pivot pin 31, such as a pivot screw or a rivet, and a pivot barrel 32 or a nut, for example.

[0008] In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1-5 illustrate a cutting tool according to a first embodiment. Figure 1 illustrates a side view of the cutting tool, and Figure 2 illustrates another side view. Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view. Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the cutting tool when handles 11, 21 are tensioned past an equilibrium closed position and Figure 5 illustrates another side view of Figure 4.

[0009] The cutting tool further comprises an elastic element 40 capable of elastic deformation. The term "elastic deformation" in this context refers to a temporary change in the shape of the elastic element due to an applied stress, which reverts to its original shape once the stress is removed. By tensioning the first handle 11 and the second handle 12 together over the equilibrium closed position, the elastic element 40 is configured to enable the first cutting edge 13 to at least partially bypass the second blade 22, so the first cutting edge 13 is revealed past the dull edge 24 of the second blade 22. The term "equilibrium closed position" in this context refers to the position where longitudinal axis A1 of the first blade 12 and longitudinal axis A2 of the second blade 22 are aligned, and the blades 12, 22 stay in a closed position without external forces. Typically, in the equilibrium closed position, the first cutting edge 13 is protected or hidden by the inner side of the second blade 22, and vice versa, so that the cutting edges 13, 23 cannot be used. This is designed to protect the user when grabbing the cutting tool and also to protect the cutting edges 13, 23 from unnecessary wear and scratches.

[0010] The bypass can be more than 0 and less than 3 degrees, especially more than 0,5 and less than 2,0 degrees over the equilibrium closed position which is considered 0 degree. In some cases, more than 0,5 and less than 1,5 degrees is sufficient. When the tensioning of the handles 11, 21 is removed, the elastic element 40 is configured to restore the first cutting member 10 and the second cutting member 20 to the equilibrium closed position.

[0011] Depending on the design of the blades 12, 22, by tensioning the first handle 11 and the second handle 21 together, the elastic element 40 may be additionally configured to enable the second cutting edge 23 to at least partially bypass the first blade 12. This configuration allows both first cutting edge 13 and the second cutting edge 23 to be exposed when the handles 11, 21 are tensioned over the equilibrium closed position.

[0012] According to the first embodiment, the elastic element 40 may be arranged on the first handle 11, wherein by tensioning the first handle 11 and the second handle 21 together, the elastic element 40 elastically deforms against the second cutting member 20. Respectively, the elastic element 40 may be arranged on the second handle 21, wherein by tensioning the first handle 11 and the second handle 21 together, the elastic element 40 elastically deforms against the first cutting member 10. In another embodiment, the cutting tool may comprise more than one elastic element 40, for instance the cutting tool may comprise one elastic element 40 arranged on each cutting member 10, 20.

[0013] The elastic element 40 may be arranged between a finger loop 15 of the first handle 11 and the pivot connection 30. It may be arranged at an interface between the first handle 11 and the first blade12, or between the second handle 21 and the second blade 22. The term "interface" in this context refers to the border where plastic handle and the metal blade are distinguished from.

[0014] The elastic element 40 may be arranged parallel or next to the second dull edge 24 of the second cutting member 20 when the cutting tool is at the equilibrium closed position. The elastic element 40 may alternatively be arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis A1, A2 of the blades 12, 22. Respectively, the elastic element 40 may be arranged parallel or next to the first dull edge 14 of the first cutting member 10.

[0015] The elastic element 40 illustrated in Figures 1-5 has a stripe-like shape. The stripe may extend, at least partially or even completely, along the interface between the first handle 11 and the first blade 12 of the first cutting member 10 as its length. The height of the stripe may be from 1 mm to 5 mm, especially 1,5 mm, 2 mm, 2,5 mm, 3 mm, 3,5 mm or 4 mm. The depth of the stripe may extend until the first blade 12, i.e. the depth of the plastic in the first handle 11, or almost to the first blade 12. However, other suitable shapes may be used to provide the elastic element 40, such as a bar or block or ball.

[0016] As illustrated in Figure 5 showing the other side of Figure 4, the first handle 11 and the second handle 21 may form a gap 33 along the interface of the second cutting member 20 to allow the bypass movement by enabling the handles 11, 21 to move closer to each other. However, as mentioned before, a second elastic element may further or alternatively be arranged there.

[0017] The elastic element 40 may be made of different material than the handle 11, 21, which is made of rigid plastic. The elastic element 40 may be made of different material than the blade 12, 22, which is made of rigid metal. The elastic element 40 may be made of soft polymer, such as silicone, or rubber or combination thereof, for example. Other possible materials include thermoplastic elastomers, such as thermoplastic rubber, or thermoplastic polyurethane.

[0018] The elastic element 40 may alternatively be a spring made of metal. The spring can be a compression spring, torsion spring, spiral spring, Belleville spring, plate spring, spring clip, leaf spring, conical spring, extension spring, for example. The spring can be attached to the interface by gluing or welding. By tensioning the first handle 11 and the second handle 21 together past the equilibrium closed position against the spring force, the first cutting edge 13 at least partially bypasses the second blade 22, and releasing the spring force returns the blades 12, 22 back to the equilibrium closed position.

[0019] Figures 6-8 illustrate a cutting tool according to another embodiment. In this embodiment the elastic element 41 is arranged at the pivot connection 30 instead at the interface of the cutting member 10, 20. The elastic element 41 may be arranged between the pivot pin 31 and aperture surface 34 of the pivot connection 30, or between the pivot barrel 32 and the aperture surface 34. The aperture surface 34 may be transverse surface or tangential surface of the pivot connection aperture. The elastic element 41 may be a ring arranged around the pivot pin 31 or pivot barrel 32. The ring may have a circular or oval profile or angular profile or combination thereof, such as D-shape. The ring may be made of same material mentioned in connection with Figures 1-5. Alternatively, the elastic element 41 may be a metallic spring arranged at the pivot connection.

[0020] The elastic element 41 does not hinder normal use of the cutting tool. The pivot pin 31 and the pivot barrel 32 rotate in relation to each other during the normal use. In case of the ring, the elastic element 41 may surround the pivot barrel 32 and has a snug fit between the pivot barrel 32 and the aperture surface 34. When tensioning the first and second handles 11, 21 together past the equilibrium closed position, the elastic element 41 elastically deforms due to the tension and allows slight displacement of the first and second blades 12, 22 as bypass movement. The elastic element 41 may be hidden inside the pivot aperture so that it is not visible for the user unless the pivot connection 30 is opened and the cutting members 10, 20 separated. In some other embodiments, the elastic element 41 may be visible for the user even if the pivot connection 30 is not opened.

[0021] The elastic element 41 may be manufactured of the similar material mentioned in connection to Figures 1-5.

[0022] Figures 9-10 illustrate a cutting tool according to another embodiment. Figure 9 illustrates a side view of a cutting tool when it is in the equilibrium closed position. Figure 10 illustrates the side view of the cutting tool of Figure 9 when an elastic element 42 is deformed. The embodiment of Figures 9-10 is similar to the one explained in connection with Figures 1-5. Therefore, the embodiment of Figures 9-10 is in the following mainly explained by pointing out differences.

[0023] In Figures 9-10 elastic element 42 is illustrated as a bendable cantilever 42. The term "cantilever" in this context refers to a structure that extends from a side and is unsupported at one end. The shape of the cantilever 42 may be a straight beam. However, other shapes may be used, such as curved beam or a beam with ununiform cross-section. The cantilever 42 may protrude from a side of the first handle 11 in a direction from the pivot connection 30 to the finger loops 15, 25 and parallel to the longitudinal axis A1 of the first blade 12, or parallel to the cutting edge 13 of the first blade 12. Similarly to the first embodiment, the cantilever 42 may alternatively or additionally be located at the second handle 21.

[0024] The cantilever 42 may form a cavity 43 wherein the unsupported end of the cantilever 42 may at least partially bend into when the first and second handles 11, 21 are tensioned together past the equilibrium closed position. The cavity 43 may have a same height as the cantilever 42 or lower.

[0025] The first handle 11 may further comprise a protrusion 44 next to the cavity 43, which abuts the second handle 21 when the cantilever 42 is bent over a predetermined limit. The protrusion 44 may extend perpendicular in relation to the cantilever 42. In the equilibrium closed position, the protrusion 44 may form a gap 45 between a tip of the protrusion 44 and the second handle 21. The gap 45 may be 1-3 mm, for example. When the first handle 11 and the second handle 21 are tensioned past the equilibrium closed position, after the predetermined limit, the gap 45 closes by the protrusion 44 touching the second handle 21 and stops further tensioning. This prevents the cantilever 42 from bending past the elastic deformation limit which may result in breakage.

[0026] The elastic element 42 may be made of same material as the first handle 11. This may be considered and implemented in the design of the handle's mold so that the elastic element 42 is integrated as a same part as the handle 11, 21. This may save additional steps and time during the manufacturing process of the handles 11, 21. Alternatively, it may be made of same material mentioned in connection to Figures 1-5.

[0027] One of the advantages of the present invention is to allow the user to cut through material, for example the adhesive tape of packages, in a safer and controlled manner. Typically, the user utilises a knife or a blade cutter to cut through the adhesive tape. In more convenient way, the user resorts to a pair of scissors and opens the blades to a fully open position and tries to cut the adhesive tape using one of the cutting edges. If the knife, blade cutter or the scissors' cutting edge slips due to the slippery adhesive tape, it may end up cutting something unintentionally, and at the worst case it may injury someone. In the present invention, if the user is tensioning the handles past the equilibrium closed position, and the exposed cutting edge slips, the user tends to release the tension holding the handles together in reflex which will revert the cutting members to the equilibrium closed position. Thus, the risk of the sharp cutting edge damaging or injuring anything, or anyone accidently is greatly reduced.

Claims

1. A cutting tool, comprising a first cutting member comprising a first handle and a first blade with a first cutting edge, a second cutting member comprising a second handle and a second blade with a second cutting edge, a pivot connection pivotally connecting the first cutting member and the second cutting member, wherein the cutting tool further comprises an elastic element, whereby tensioning the first handle and the second handle together, the elastic element is configured to enable the first cutting edge to at least partially bypass the second blade.

2. The cutting tool according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element is arranged on the first handle, wherein by tensioning the first handle and the second handle together, the elastic element elastically deforms against the second cutting member.

3. The cutting tool according to claim 2, wherein the elastic element is arranged at an interface between the first handle and the first blade.

4. The cutting tool according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the elastic element is arranged parallel to a dull edge of the second cutting member when the cutting tool is at a closed position.

5. The cutting tool according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the elastic element is a stripe.

6. The cutting tool according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element is arranged at the pivot connection.

7. The cutting tool according to claim 6, wherein the elastic element is a ring arranged around a pivot pin.

8. The cutting tool according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the elastic element is made of different material than the first handle or the first blade or both.

9. The cutting tool according to claim 8, wherein the elastic element is made of elastomer.

10. The cutting tool according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the elastic element is a bendable cantilever.

11. The cutting tool according to claim 10, wherein the first handle has a protrusion, which abuts the second handle when the cantilever is bent over a predetermined limit.

12. The cutting tool according to claim 11, wherein the protrusion forms a gap between a tip of the protrusion and the second handle.

13. The cutting tool according to any one of claims 10-12, wherein the elastic element is made of same material as the first handle.

14. The cutting tool according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the bypass is more than 0 and less than 3 degrees, especially more than 0,5 and less than 2,0 degrees.

15. The cutting tool according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein by tensioning the first handle and the second handle together, the elastic element is additionally configured to enable the second cutting edge to at least partially bypass the first blade.

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