Manual tile cutter with rotating square

Abstract

 A manual tile-cutting machine is disclosed, of the type comprising a basement (1), a translation rail (B) for guiding a tool-carrying member (5) equipped with a cutting tool, and an abutment square, rotatably mounted on said basement, which consists of a lower rocker arm (10), rotatably mounted below a support plane of the basement (1), and an upper rectilinear ruler (12), arranged above the support plane and which may be coupled with said rocker arm (10) through mounting means (13a, 13b) which cross said support plane.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention concerns a tile-cutting machine, in particular a tile cutter with rotating square pivoted on the incision axis.

Background Art

[0002] As known, manual tile cutters are portable machines intended to perform the cutting of ceramic or stone tiles through a manual incision tool.

[0003] Typically they have a support basement wherefrom at least a pair of end posts (head and tail) extend, between which a (single-bar or double-bar) sliding rail is installed to guide the manual translation of a tool carrier. Said carrier carries, in its lower part closest to the support plane of the basement, the actual incision tool, typically in the shape of a hard-metal cutting wheel. On the basement plane, pairs of floating plates are preferably provided, on the two sides of a longitudinal ribbing arranged in correspondence of the incision line.

[0004] In addition to these essential elements, a tile-cutting machine normally has also a scaled rotating square, pivoting on the machine basement in an end area, against which the tiles are made to abut to adjust the incision position as desired. For such purpose, the square is mounted pivoting on the support plane of the basement.

[0005] It is also known that, besides machines wherein the pivoting axis of the square is offset compared to the incision line, some machines with a rotation axis exactly on the incision axis have already been suggested, which implies a series of advantages in their use.

[0006] However, the rotation axis arranged on the incision line is still a source of concern for the sturdiness of the machine, especially considering that modern tiles, consisting of tenacious materials (glass, stoneware, ...), require the application of a remarkable pressure on the tool to be able to be suitably incised.

[0007] The progress made in the choice of materials, both in the pressure die-casting technology and, finally, the experience acquired in the design and configuration of the frame, have led to a situation in which the placing of the rotation axis on the incision line - a concept already known, for example, from EP 315,728 - no longer represents a big problem and can finally be convenient also for a device which must fully satisfy a professional buyer in terms of cutting quality, handiness, ease of use and resistance over time.

[0008] A highly effective machine in this category is the one described for example in EP1,545,849 in the name of Brevetti Mon-tolit S.p.A.

[0009] Nevertheless, there are still margins for improvement which users demand. In particular, in order to obtain a suitable sturdiness, the rotating scaled square is still exceedingly bulky on the support plane in a crosswise direction (which unduly widens the machine and makes it less portable), as well as making it hard to disassemble. On the other hand, a sufficientlysturdy square, mounted in a conventional way, as an alternative could be only taller, which however constrains and affects negatively the positioning and sizing of the support plates floatingly mounted on the basement.

[0010] Again, the placing and configuration of the locking device of the scaled square (apt to steadily define the orientation of the square during the incision) are pieces of criticism to working integrity. As a matter of fact, it is necessary to offer an arrangement which allows a wide arc of rotation of the square, possibly larger than 90°, and at the same time a tightening force which does not badly load the rotation pin - which would end up gripping or acquiring an excessive play in its seat.

[0011] Finally, it should be considered that - whenever the operator prefers never to disassemble the abutment square (both for convenience and in order not to expose the connection elements to possible damage) - the overall width of the abutment square is a problem. As a matter of fact, the abutment bar of the square is of a significant length, i.e. of the same order of magnitude as the major side of the tile which the machine can accommodate. Therefore, when it is arranged with an attitude orthogonal to the incision line, the square offers a substantially unacceptable crosswise bulk during machine transportation. Even in the case in which the square be rotated and arranged with an acute angle with respect to the incision line, the square would end up bringing cantilevered, beyond the head end of the machine, one of its arms, remarkably increasing its longitudinal extension.

[0012] The object of the present invention is hence that of providing a tile-cutting machine of a manual type, as summarily described above, equipped with an abutment square with a centre of rotation on the axis of incision and rotating across a wide arc of a circle, little bulky crosswise and in height above the support plane, as well as being easy to disassemble.

[0013] A further object is to provide a machine wherein the bulk of such abutment square, when not in use, may be reduced without compromising rotation and alignment precision.

Summary of the Invention

[0014] Such objects are achieved by a tile cutter as described, in its essential features, in the attached claims.

[0015] In particular, according to a first aspect of the invention, a manual tile-cutting machine is provided, of the type comprising a basement, a translation rail for guiding a tool-carrying member provided with cutting tool, wherein an abutment square is provided, rotatably mounted on said basement, which consists of a lower rocker arm, rotatably mounted below a support plane of the basement, and of an upper rectilinear ruler, arranged above the support plane and which may be coupled with said rocker arm through mounting means which run across said support plane.

[0016] Further aspects of the invention are defined in essential terms in the other claims attached to the present specification.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] Further details on the features and on the advantages of the machine according to the invention will in any case be more evident from the following description of preferred embodiments of the same, given by way of example and shown in the attached drawings, wherein:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of the machine according to the invention with an abutment square arranged orthogonally to the incision axis;

fig. 2 is a view similar to fig. 1 with the abutment square arranged at a certain angle with respect to the incision axis;

fig. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the machine according to the invention;

fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the machine of the invention;

fig. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with a scaled ruler disassembled;

fig. 6 is a top plan view of the machine of fig. 1, whereon an abutment square is applied according to a further embodiment;

fig. 7 is a top plan view similar to fig. 6 with the square in a collapsed position; and

fig. 8 is an exploded, perspective view of the machine of fig. 6.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0018] As visible in fig. 1, a tile cutter consists, in a manner known per se, of a basement 1, pressure die-cast for example of aluminium alloy, wherefrom a first and a second post 1a and 1b project, between which a guiding and translation rail B is installed. On the upper plane of basement 1 two floating support plates 2a and 2b are mounted, which make up the support plane for the tile to be incised.

[0019] On translation bar B a tool carrier 5 is slidably guided, provided with a cutting tool, such as a special steel wheel (not shown). The coupling between tool carrier 5 and the respective translation rail B also determines the arrangement of the incision line, commonly arranged exactly below and along the longitudinal axis of rail B, where a fracturing ribbing 1c integral with basement 1 is also found.

[0020] The shape of the tool carrier establishes the operation thereof, i.e. "push" or "pull", according to the jargon used in this sector. However, such shape does not influence the inventive teaching offered here - since the machine can be equipped indifferently with either tool carrier - and hence it will not be further described in detail.

[0021] At one of the two ends of basement 1 there is traditionally positioned a rotating scaled square, apt to define a rectilinear edge against which a tile resting on plates 2a and 2b can abut, so as to arrange it and orient it in the desired way with respect to the incision line.

[0022] According to the invention, the rotating scaled square arrangement consists of a lower bar or rocker arm 10, rotatably mounted on a central rotation pin 11, and of a rectilinear ruler (whether or not having a scaled or calibrated lines to measure distances) 12 which may be coupled in movable way with lower rocker arm 10. Rectilinear ruler 12 is designed to rotate above the support plane and make up the abutting edge for the tile to be incised.

[0023] Rocker arm 10 is shaped as a sturdy, rectilinear bar, for example made of steel, which is housed below basement 1, within a compartment in the bottom of the basement. Since rocker arm 10 remains entirely contained within the compartment or recess below the basement, i.e. within the overall thickness of basement 1, rocker arm 10 never touches an installation surface whereon the machine is placed during operation.

[0024] Rocker arm 10 is rotatably fastened to basement 1 by means of a rotation pin 11, advantageously arranged in correspondence of the incision line, i.e. on the working plane of the incision tool. Rocker arm 10 is preferably kept free in rotation adjacent to the lower surface of basement 1, i.e. the surface S shown in fig. 4.

[0025] In the context of the present description, the specifications "lower" or "upper", and any other position reference, are intended to refer to the machine in its attitude of use, i.e. with the basement resting on an installation surface (for example a table or the floor), capable of providing a reaction to the pressure imparted by the user on the tool carrier to produce an incision in the tile to be cut.

[0026] According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, pin 11 is a simple bolt which runs through a hole 11a in the thickness of the basement and a corresponding hole 10a in rocker arm 10. In order to facilitate the mounting thereof, bolt 11 is arranged with its head in contact with the upper surface of basement 1, while a completion nut 11b is fastened, from below (i.e. from the lower side of basement 1, as shown in fig. 4), to the threaded end of bolt 11 and abuts against rocker arm 10.

[0027] Moreover, the rocker arm has a pair of mounting pins 13a and 13b, which extend from the arm ends. The pins are arranged to run through, with play, a sliding groove 14, practised in the peripheral area of basement 1, slightly protruding above the support plane of the machine (as can be appreciated in the illustration of fig. 5). In order to allow the rotation movement of rocker arm 10 about pin 11, groove 14 runs across an arc of a circle with centre in pin 11. Preferably, as shown in the drawings, groove 14 runs uninterruptedly across an arc of a circle of about 270° in a symmetrical way to the incision line, passing externally with respect to one of end posts 1b.

[0028] Accordingly, basement 1 has an end area with a perimeter following externally the profile of groove 14.

[0029] Preferably, through-pins 13a and 13b are mutually parallel and substantially parallel to the rotation axis defined by pivoting pin 11.

[0030] Rectilinear, scaled ruler 12 has suitable lower seats (not shown) defined to engage with mounting pins 13a and 13b. Thereby, since pins 13a and 13b protrude above the support plane of the machine, ruler 12 is made integral in rotation with rocker arm 10 despite remaining arranged above the support plane, as visible in figs. 1 and 2.

[0031] In particular, ruler 12 remains resting, or slightly detached above (depending on the type of engagement with pins 13a and 13b), with respect to floating plates 2a and 2b. The extension of said plates hence is not limited by the presence of abutting ruler 12, but only partially by the presence of hole 11a.

[0032] Due to the constraint in rotation with rocker arm 10, ruler 12 is rotatably mounted on a plane parallel to the support plane of the tile, with respect to the rotation axis defined by pin 11, hence about an axis arranged on the incision line.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, ruler 12 and rocker arm 10 can be further connected through a threaded shaft 15 which may be manoeuvred by a knob 15a. In particular, ruler 12 has an auxiliary through-hole 12a, preferably obtained in correspondence of an enlarged portion, which falls in correspondence of a threaded hole 10b obtained in rocker arm 10. Threaded hole 10b is preferably obtained on a side portion of the end of rocker arm 10, arranged below groove 14.

[0034] In the condition wherein ruler 12 is coupled with rocker arm 10, engaging through pins 13a and 13b, threaded shaft 15 is inserted in hole 12a, crosses the thickness of basement 1 inside groove 14 and then engages with threaded hole 10b.

[0035] The rotation of threaded shaft 15 produces the screwing thereof into hole 10b and consequently brings knob 15a into abutment against ruler 12, said ruler being hence caused to come close to rocker arm 10, clamping sandwich-like the basement in between. The screwing of knob 15a hence causes a locking by friction of ruler 12 and of rocker arm 10 against basement 1 or floating plates 2a, 2b. It is hence possible to establish the desired orientation of ruler 12 with respect to basement 1 and hence to lock the position thereof through knob 15. Two typical operating positions of ruler 12, which may be kept by acting on knob 15, are shown in figs. 1 and 2 (the position of the ruler in fig. 2 corresponds to the one taken up in fig. 4).

[0036] Figs. 6-8 show a preferred embodiment.

[0037] In this case, on the basement 1 of the tile-cutting machine an abutment square 112 is rotatably mounted, consisting of a first support frame 113, rotatably mounted on basement 1 as detailed above (or also in an alternative manner, for example by other pivoting means), whereon two extension arms or wings 114a and 114b are fastened.

[0038] The frame is configured so as to have a planar limiting plate 113a, arranged parallel to the support plane of basement 1, and an abutment plane 113b perpendicular to the support plane. On limiting plate 113a the two extension arms or wings 114a and 114b are mounted. In particular, these last ones are mounted oscillating, on the plane defined by the planar limiting plate 113a, by means of hinging means 115, for example threaded screws or pins which cross the thickness of wings or arms 114a and 114b and are fastened to frame 113. Hinging means 115 hence define rotation axes perpendicular to the planar limiting plate, i.e. perpendicular to the support plane of the basement: consequently, the two arms 114a and 114b are placed in a condition to oscillate on a plane parallel to the support plane of basement 1.

[0039] The mounting of arms 114a and 114b on limiting plate 113a is loose, so as to allow the arms to rotate.

[0040] The two arms 114a and 114b are shaped as rectangular-section, prismatic bodies, preferably hollow, so as to define two perfectly perpendicular sides: one of the sides, the major one, suited to slide on the plane defined by planar limiting plate 113a, the other side suited to define an abutment surface for the tile to be cut.

[0041] In any case, regardless of the specific section shape, the two arms 114a and 114b define two respective abutment edges 114a' and 114b' for the tile, which edges must be perfectly aligned one to the other during the operating phase of square 112. For such purpose, it is preferable for the two arms 114a and 114b do not abut directly on abutment plane 113b, because that would force to machine plane 113b with high precision and, especially, to define the position of hinging means 115 with respect to the frame with equal precision. Preferably, instead, abutment plane 113b has adjustment screws 116 against which each of the two respective arms 114a and 114b is meant to abut, in its operating position. Through the adjustment of adjustment screws 116 it is possible to obtain a perfect alignment of the two abutment surfaces 114a' and 114b', despite not requiring excessive machining tolerances for the position of hinging means 115 and of support frame 113. Adjustment screws 116 are arranged between arms 114a and 114b and abutment plane 113b, so that the tile resting on abutment edges 114a' and 114b' tends to push into adjustment the two arms 114a and 114b.

[0042] In the working position, hence, the two arms or wings 114a and 114b are arranged aligned on support frame 113, as illustrated in fig. 6. The entire square 112 hence has a crosswise extension sufficient to house a maximum-sized tile for that machine. In particular, the extension of the entire abutment square 112 can be of the same order of magnitude as the travel of tool carrier 5.

[0043] Frame 113, and hence the entire square, can be made to rotate about the centre of rotation on the basement. The rotation of square 112 allows to establish as desired the orientation of the abutment edge whereon the tile abuts, so as to be able to incise it along inclined incision lines.

[0044] When the square is no longer used, the two arms 114a and 114b can be collapsed, about respective hinging means 115, so as to align them substantially parallel to guiding bar B (fig. 7) and hence dramatically reduce the crosswise bulk of the square, with no need to disassemble it from the basement.

[0045] In order to limit bulk as much as possible, support frame 113 has an extension not larger than the diameter of the basement around the centre of rotation of the square. For the same reason, it is useful that the extension of the two arms 114a and 114b does not exceed the maximum travel of the tool carrier.

[0046] As can be understood, the configuration proposed here enables the tile cutter to fully achieve the objects set forth in the preliminary remarks.

[0047] The presence of a fictitious rotation axis for the abutting ruler 12, which is constrained in rotation through the rocker arm arranged below the basement, advantageously removes any bulk limitation above the support plane of the machine.

[0048] The sturdiness of rocker arm 10, which may me also be made of a significant thickness without interfering on the support plane of the machine (since it is arranged below the basement), removes the need to strengthen transversally ruler 12, which is thus slender, little bulky and easy to disassemble. The engagement between ruler 12 and rocker arm 10, defined in two diametrically opposite locations with respect to the rotation axis (being at the two ends of rocker arm 10) and distant (summarily, the two pins 13a and 13b are mutually at a distance of the order of magnitude of the width of the end portion of the machine, for example in the range between 100 mm and 300 mm), ensures a good rigidity of the assembly during use, even without the provision of strengthening ribbings.

[0049] Since pin 11 has the sole function of defining a fixed rotation axis for rocker arm 10 (hence not other structural support functions, as it instead occurred in the prior art), it has minimum bulk; accordingly, also hole 11a in the basement does not significantly affect with the resistance of basement 11 nor does it limit the positioning of the other machine members.

[0050] The abutment ruler 12 can be easily disassembled, with no risk to lose the centring on the rotation axis, since the connection means are not close to the rotation axis.

[0051] The angular extension of groove 14 ensures a wide rotation angle of ruler 12.

[0052] Finally, with the oscillating arms the abutment square has a largely reduceable bulk, without jeopardising square rotation precision and the perfect alignment of the tile according to the desired incision angle.

[0053] However, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular configuration illustrated above, which represents only a non-limiting example of the scope of the invention, but that a number of variants are possible, all within the reach of a person skilled in the field, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0054] In particular, the mounting and engagement pins between ruler and rocker arm may also be configured differently. If preferred, it can be provided for example that a pair of pins be integral with ruler 12 and that they are designed to engage with corresponding seats obtained at the ends of the underlying rocker arm.

[0055] Finally, although not explicitly illustrated in the drawings, ruler 12 may be provided, in a conventional way, with a scale or notches for the measuring of the distance from the rotation axis; similarly, basement 1 has abutment notches with the statement of the degrees of rotation to make up marks useful to arrange ruler 12 with the desired angle with respect to the incision line.

Claims

1. Manual tile-cutting machine, of the type comprising a basement (1), a translation rail (B) to guide a tool-carrying member (5) provided with cutting tool, and an abutment square, rotatably mounted on said basement, characterised in that the abutment square consists of a lower rocker arm (10), rotatably mounted below a support plane of the basement (1), and an upper rectilinear ruler (12), arranged above the support plane and which may be coupled with said rocker arm (10) by means of mounting means (13a, 13b) which cross said support plane.

2. Machine as claimed in claim 1), wherein said rocker arm (10) is rotatably mounted on a pin (11) arranged on an incision line defined by said cutting tool.

3. Machine as claimed in claim 2), wherein said pin (11) is a bolt constraining the rocker arm (10) to the basement (1).

4. Machine as claimed in claim 2) or 3), wherein said mounting means (13a, 13b) cross said support plane in an arc-shaped groove (14) having its centre in said pin (11) and made in said basement (1).

5. Machine as claimed in claim 4), wherein said mounting means are a pair of pins (13a, 13b) arranged at the ends of said lower rocker arm (10) opposed to the rotation pin (11).

6. Machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is further provided a tightening knob (15, 15a) to bring closer together said upper ruler (12) and said rocker arm (10) tightening in between said basement (1).

7. Machine as claimed in claim 6), wherein said tightening knob (15, 15a) has a threaded shaft (15) passing through an auxiliary hole (12a) of said ruler (12) and engaging with a threaded hole (10b) of said rocker arm (10).

8. Machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support plane is defined by at least one pair of floating plates (2a, 2b) arranged on the two parts of an incision line defined by said cutting tool.

9. Machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said abutment square (112) consists of a support frame (113), rotatably mounted in a centre of rotation on said basement, and a pair of rotatably-mounted extension arms (114a, 114b), in the proximity of respective adjacent ends of said support frame (113), and wherein said support frame (113) has abutment means (113b, 116) whereon said extension arms (114a, 114b) are meant to abut so as to have respective abutment edges (114a', 114b') aligned with each other.

10. Tile-cutting machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein said extension arms (114a, 114b) are collapsible by at least 90° about respective hinging means (115).

11. Tile-cutting machine as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein said extension arms (114a, 114b) are shaped as rectangular-section prismatic bars.

12. Tile-cutting machine as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein said abutment means are shaped as adjustment screws (116) integral with an abutment plane (113b) of said support frame (113) .

Drawing