Apparatus and method for cutting columnar items

Abstract

A cutting apparatus for columnar items such as metal pipes has a base frame that supports a movable cutting blade. At least one blade actuator is disposed between the blade and the frame to drive the blade back and forth between retracted and extended positions. First and second arms are pivotably connected to the frame and moveable between disengaged and engaged positions. An arm actuator is associated with each arm and drives each arm between the disengaged and engaged positions. A segmented collar engages the entire circumference of the columnar item being cut. The blade is supported by the frame and the arms during the cutting process while the collar supports the material of the columnar item adjacent the cut.

1 . An apparatus for cutting a columnar item having an outer diameter, the apparatus comprising:
 a frame;   a pair of arms having outer end portions; each of the arms being movable between disengaged and engaged positions;   each of the arms having a portion of a support band; the portions of the support band cooperating together when the arms are in the engaged position to engage and support a circumferential portion of the columnar item adjacent the location where the columnar item will be cut;   the outer end portions being spaced apart a distance greater than the outer diameter of the columnar item to be cut when the arms are in the disengaged position;   an arm actuator associated with each arm; each arm actuator configured to move the arm back and forth between the disengaged and engaged positions;   the arm actuators adapted to apply a clamping force to the arms in the engaged position;   a blade carried by the frame; and   a blade actuator associated with the blade; the blade actuator adapted to move the blade between retracted and extended positions.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the arms define a blade slot that extends through the outer end portions of the arms; the blade being disposed in the blade slot when the blade is in the extended position. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the arms include a segmented removable collar that defines the support band. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the segmented removable collar includes upper and lower segmented collar disposed above and below the blade slot. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each arm is connected to the frame at an arm pivot mount; each arm actuator being connected to an arm at an actuator pivot mount; a reference line passing through the arm pivot mount and the actuator pivot mount being perpendicular to the blade direction when the arms are in the engaged position. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each actuator pivot mount is disposed intermediate the columnar item and the blade actuator when the apparatus is clamped to the columnar item. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the blade has a pair of lateral edges; the frame including a pair of opposed removable lateral blade guides; the lateral edges of the blade being disposed in the removable lateral blade guides. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for cutting a columnar item having an outer diameter, the apparatus comprising:
 a frame defining upper and lower recessed frame arcs;   a pair of arms having outer end portions; each of the arms being pivotably connected to the frame; each of the arms being movable between disengaged and engaged positions;   the arms defining a blade slot, an upper recessed arm arc, and a lower recessed arm arc;   when the arms are in the engaged position, the upper recessed arm arc cooperating with the upper recessed frame arc to define an upper recessed ring;   when the arms are in the engaged position, the lower recessed arm arc cooperating with the lower recessed frame arc to define an lower recessed ring;   an upper segmented collar carried by the upper recessed ring and a lower segmented collar carried by the lower recessed ring;   each of the segmented collars defining support band portions immediately adjacent the blade slot; the support band portions adapted to engage and support the columnar item adjacent the location where the columnar item will be cut;   the outer end portions of the arms being spaced apart a distance greater than the outer diameter of the columnar item to be cut when the arms are in the disengaged position;   an arm actuator associated with each arm; each arm actuator configured to move the arm back and forth between the disengaged and engaged positions; the arm actuators adapted to apply a clamping force to the arms in the engaged position;   a blade carried by the frame; and   a blade actuator associated with the blade; the blade actuator adapted to move the blade between retracted and extended positions.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the frame includes a removable blade cover; the upper recessed frame arc being defined by the removable blade cover; the blade being disposed under the blade cover when the blade is in the disengaged position. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the blade has a pair of lateral edges; the frame including a pair of opposed removable lateral blade guides; the lateral edges of the blade being disposed in the removable lateral blade guides. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein portions of the removable lateral blade guides are carried by the removable blade cover. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the upper and lower segmented collars are removable from the recessed rings. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each arm is connected to the frame at an arm pivot mount; each arm actuator being connected to an arm at an actuator pivot mount; a reference line passing through the arm pivot mount and the actuator pivot mount being perpendicular to the blade direction when the arms are in the engaged position. 
   
   
       14 . A method of cutting a columnar item having an outer diameter; the method comprising the steps of:
 opening arms of a cutting apparatus to a disengaged position wherein the outer ends of the arms define an opening that is larger than the outer diameter of the columnar item to be cut; each of the arms having a curved support band portion;   moving the arms of the apparatus to opposite side of the columnar item;   closing the arms to their engaged position to engage the curved support band portions of the arms with the outer surface of the columnar item to clamp the cutting apparatus to the columnar item; and   moving a blade through the columnar item.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of supporting the columnar item with the support band portions of the arms above and below the blade location entirely around the outer circumference of the columnar item. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of applying closing pressure to the arms while the blade is being moved through the columnar item. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of moving the blade through a slot defined by the arms when the blade is moved through columnar item.