Cutting device for making partial cuts in gaskets

Abstract

 The device (1) for cutting gaskets (5) comprises a first and a second element (23) defining a seat (4) in which the gasket (5) to be cut can be positioned, the first element (2) presents a plurality of blades (7) operable between a rest position and a working position in which they project into the seat (4) such that, when the gasket (5) is positioned in the seat (4), operating the blades (7) causes a plurality of partial cuts to be made in the gasket (5). The finishing process for gaskets (5) consists of, during installation, partially cutting the gaskets (5), preferably transversely, in only those portions which are to be positioned at the corners of the window or door frame, enabling a very small radius of curvature to be achieved (almost at angle) and without the need to make cuts in any of that part of the gasket positioned along a straight line.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a gasket cutting device, particular reference being made hereinafter to rubber and/or plastic gaskets of the type applied to windows and/or door frames.

[0002] Gaskets of the stated type are currently made by extrusion in the form of cord-like or ribbon-like elements.

[0003] When installed, these gaskets are cut to the size of the four portions on which they are to be applied (to prevent having to fold the extrusions).

[0004] However these gaskets are uncomfortable to use as they require numerous extrusion pieces to be cut in order to work on each individual window or door frame.

[0005] Alternatively, the extrusions are cut transversely to form a cord-like or ribbon-like structure provided with transverse cuts (Figures 13 and 14); these cuts enable the gaskets to be easily folded around corners when the gaskets are installed.

[0006] However, as frame dimensions are not commercially standardized to a sufficient extent, such cuts cannot be made at predefined distances apart; consequently traditional gaskets present cuts made along the entire surface of one side.

[0007] When the gasket is installed, the numerous cuts hence lie not only at the corners but also along the straight portions, thus such gaskets are unable to ensure an effective seal.

[0008] Moreover, gaskets without cuts and gaskets provided with transverse cuts have both to be stocked, with the costs and logistic difficulties which this involves.

[0009] The technical aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a gasket cutting device which eliminates the stated drawbacks of the known art.

[0010] Within the scope of this technical aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device which enables semi-finished gaskets (i.e. extrusions not provided with transverse cuts) to be adapted to any window and/or door frame independently of its dimensions, such that they provide an optimum seal.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a device which simplifies the installation and logistics of gaskets of the stated type and limits the costs associated with their production and marketing.

[0012] The technical aim, together with these and further objects, are attained according to the invention by a gasket cutting device in accordance with claim 1.

[0013] Other characteristics of the present invention are defined in the successive claims.

[0014] Advantageously, the device of the invention enables the cuts to be made exclusively within the regions (corners) concerned.

[0015] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the device of the invention, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1, 2, 3 are respectively a front, side and perspective view of a first embodiment of the device of the invention;

Figures 4, 5, 6 are respectively a front, side and perspective view of a second embodiment of the device of the invention;

Figures 7, 8, 9 are respectively a front, underneath and side view of a support to which the blades are fixed;

Figures 10, 11, 12 are respectively a front, top and side view of a plate from which the blades project;

Figures 13 and 14 are a schematic side view of an already cut gasket; and

Figure 15 is a schematic view of the device, shown during the cutting stage, with the blades inserted into the gasket seat.

[0016] Said figures show a gasket cutting device indicated overall by the reference numeral 1.

[0017] The device 1 comprises a first and second element 2, 3 defining a seat 4 in which the gasket 5 to be cut can be positioned.

[0018] The first element 2 presents a plurality of blades 7 operable between a rest position (shown in Figure 1) and a working position in which the blades 7 project into the seat 4, so that when the gasket 5 is positioned in the seat 4, a plurality of cuts 9 are formed in the gasket 5 on operating the blades 7.

[0019] The cuts 9 are only partial in the sense that they do not completely separate the two portions on one and the other side of the cut 9 (in practice the two remain joined together) and are preferably transverse, but can also be oblique.

[0020] The blades 7 are all parallel and fixed to a support 11, itself fixed to a part 12 of the first element 2.

[0021] The part 12 and the support 11 each present at least two aligned through holes 13, 14; as can be seen in Figures 1 and 4, through each pair of aligned through holes there slidably passing a shaft 15 presenting an intermediate portion slidable through the holes 13, 14 and a first end fixed to a plate 17 facing the second element 3.

[0022] Advantageously, the opposite second end of the shafts 15 is enlarged to form a limit stop for the relative movement between the part 12 and the plate 17.

[0023] The plate 17 presents a plurality of apertures 20 traversed by the blades 7.

[0024] The holes 13, 14 and the shafts 15 are disposed in two parts of the device on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis 21 and of a transverse axis 22 through the device; in practice, this means that they are disposed in opposite corners about the axes 21, 22.

[0025] As shown, in the embodiment of Figures 4-6, between the plate 17 and the support 11 the device presents two springs 25 mounted about each of the two shafts 15; these facilitate return of the blades 7 into their rest position (shown in Figure 4) after each operation.

[0026] In a different embodiment, shown in Figures 1-3, the springs are absent (this embodiment is particularly suitable for use with hydraulic or pneumatic operation).

[0027] The second element 3 presents a plurality of slits 26 for receiving the blades 7 during cutting.

[0028] However, in a further embodiment (not shown), that surface of the second element against which the blades 7 strike is flat, continuous and covered by a layer of yieldable material such as nylon.

[0029] The device is provided with operating means which, in an embodiment, comprise a pincer arrangement on a structure supporting the first and second element.

[0030] In a further embodiment the operating means comprise a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 28, preferably applied to the first element to translate the support 11; in this case the structure 29 to which the first and second element are fixed can be of any conformation and can be arranged to retain the plate 17 of the first element 2 and the second element 3 in a fixed relative position.

[0031] The operation of the device of the invention is apparent from that described and illustrated, and is substantially as follows.

[0032] The gasket 5 is initially located with that part in which the cuts are to be made positioned in the seat 4 (as shown in Figure 2).

[0033] The device 1 is then operated (manually in the case of a pincer structure or by hydraulic or pneumatic operation if this is provided).

[0034] The part 12 and the support 11 (mutually rigid) slide along the shafts 15 and insert the blades 7 into the seat 4, with consequent (transverse partial) cutting of the gasket 5.

[0035] The cuts enable the gaskets to be applied with a very small radius of curvature (almost a right angle) and without the need to make cuts in any of that part of the gasket positioned along a straight line.

[0036] The gasket can then be removed from the seat 4 and installed.

[0037] The present invention also relates to a finishing process for gaskets to be installed on windows and the like.

[0038] The process consists of partially cutting the gaskets, preferably transversely, during installation in those portions which are to be positioned at the corners of the windows or door frames.

[0039] It has been found in practice that the device of the invention is particularly advantageous as it limits the quantity of gaskets to be purchased and stocked (in the case of wholesalers) or to load onto the assembly line (in the case of window or door manufacturers), so limiting overall costs.

[0040] The device conceived in this manner is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the inventive concept; moreover all details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

[0041] In practice the materials used and the dimensions can be chosen at will according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Claims

1. A gasket cutting device, characterised by comprising a first and a second element defining a seat in which the gasket to be cut can be positioned, said first element presenting a plurality of blades operable between a rest position and a working position in which they project into said seat such that, when the gasket is positioned in the seat, operating the blades causes a plurality of partial cuts to be made in said gasket.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said blades are all secured to a support which is fixed to a part of said first element.

3. A device as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said part and said support each present at least two aligned through holes, through each pair of aligned holes there being slidable a shaft presenting an intermediate portion slidable through said through holes and a first end secured to a plate facing the second element.

4. A device as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the opposite second end of said shafts forms a limit stop for the relative movement between said part and said plate.

5. A device as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said plate presents a plurality of apertures which are traversed by said blades.

6. A device as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said holes and said shafts are disposed in two parts of the device on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and of a transverse axis through the device.

7. A device as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by comprising at least one spring between said plate and said support.

8. A device as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said springs are mounted about each of the shafts.

9. A device as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said second element presents a plurality of slits to receive said blades during cutting.

10. A device as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that that surface of said second element against which said blades strike is flat and continuous.

11. A device as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the striking surface of the second element is covered with a layer of yieldable material.

12. A device as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the yieldable material is nylon.

13. A device as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that that said blades are operable by operating means comprising a pincer arrangement on a structure supporting said first and second element.

14. A device as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that that said blades are operable by operating means comprising a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder.

15. A finishing process for gaskets to be installed on windows, door frames and the like, characterised by consisting of partially cutting, during installation, the gaskets in those portions which are to be positioned at the corners of the window or door frame.

16. A process as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised by cutting the gasket transversely.

Amended claims

Amended claims in accordance with Rule 86(2) EPC.

1. A gasket cutting device (1), comprising a first and a second element (2,3) defining a seat (4) in which the gasket (5) to be cut can be positioned, said first element (2) presenting a plurality of blades (7) such that, when the gasket (5) is positioned in the seat (4), operating the blades (7) causes a plurality of partial cuts (9) to be made in said gasket (5) characterised in that said blades (7) are operable to and two a rest position and a working position in which they project into said seat (4),

2. A device (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said blades (7) are all secured to a support (11) which is fixed to a part (12) of said first element (2).

3. A device (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said part (12) and said support (11) each present at least two aligned through holes (13, 14), through each pair of aligned holes (13, 14) there being slidable a shaft (15) presenting an intermediate portion slidable through said through holes (13,14) and a first end secured to a plate (17) facing the second element (3).

4. A device (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the opposite second end of said shafts (15) forms a limit stop for the relative movement between said part (12) and said plate (17).

5. A device (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said plate (17) presents a plurality of apertures (20) which are traversed by said blades (7).

6. A device (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said holes (13,14) and said shafts (15) are disposed in two parts of the device on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis (21) and of a transverse axis (22) through the device.

7. A device (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by comprising at least one spring (25) between said plate (17) and said support (11).

8. A device (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said springs (25) are mounted about each of the shafts (15).

9. A device (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said second element (3) presents a plurality of slits (26) to receive said blades (7) during cutting.

10. A device (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that that surface of said second element (3) against which said blades (7) strike is flat and continuous.

11. A device (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the striking surface of the second element (3) is covered with a layer of yieldable material.

12. A device (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the yieldable material is nylon.

13. A device (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that that said blades (7) are operable by operating means comprising a pincer arrangement on a structure supporting said first and second element (2,3).

14. A device (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that that said blades (7) are operable by operating means comprising a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder (28).

15. A device (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by being portable.

16. Use of a gasket cutting device (1) according to claim 1 for finishing gaskets (5) to be installed on windows, door frames and the like, characterised by consisting of partially cutting, during installation, the gaskets (5) in those portions which are to be positioned at the corners of the window or door frame.

17. A process as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised by cutting the gasket (5) transversely.

Drawing