(19)
(11) EP 1 527 854 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
10.08.2005 Bulletin 2005/32

(43) Date of publication A2:
04.05.2005 Bulletin 2005/18

(21) Application number: 05100356.4

(22) Date of filing: 05.10.2000
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B26B 25/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE ES FR GB IT

(30) Priority: 06.10.1999 US 157929 P

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
00968737.7 / 1218151

(71) Applicant: BETTCHER INDUSTRIES, INC.
Birmingham Ohio 44816 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Leimbach, Robert, L.
    Wakeman, OH 44819 (US)
  • Whited, Jeffrey A.
    Amherst, OH 44001 (US)
  • Herrmann, Raymond
    Westlake, OH 44145 (US)

(74) Representative: Henkel, Feiler & Hänzel 
Möhlstrasse 37
81675 München
81675 München (DE)

   


(54) Power operated rotary knife


(57) A rotary knife (10) comprises an annular rotary blade (12), a blade support assembly (16), a handle assembly (20), and a blade drive transmission (22) for effecting blade rotation. The blade drive transmission (22) comprises a flexible drive shaft assembly (22a) extending to a location adjacent the blade (12), a blade driving member (226) rotatable about an axis (42a) and positioned to rotatingly drive the rotary blade (12), and a drive coupling arrangement for selectively transmitting torque from the drive shaft assembly (22a) to the blade driving member (226). The drive coupling arrangement comprises a first drive transmitting surface (280) fixed with respect to the blade driving member (226) and extending generally in the direction of the axis (42a), at least a portion of the first drive transmitting surface (280) disposed on a radial line passing substantially through the axis (42a), and a second drive transmitting surface (290) drivingly connected to the drive shaft assembly (22a), the second drive transmitting surface (290) engaging the first drive transmitting surface (280) along at least part of its axial extent, the second drive transmitting surface (290) having at least a portion thereof disposed on a radial line passing substantially through the axis (42a) when the first and second drive transmitting surfaces (280,290) are engaged.






Search report