Bead snipper

Abstract

An apparatus for cutting a stem to generate beads is provided. The apparatus includes a base member having a stem guide formed on a top surface of the base member, a cutting chamber positioned on the top surface of the base member, wherein the cutting chamber includes a cutting member for cutting the stem, and the cutting chamber includes a back end opening for sliding therethrough the stem and front end opening for dispensing the generated beads, measurement markings positioned along a length side of the stem guide, and an actuation member coupled the cutting member, thereby enabling the cutting member to cut the stem when actuated by a user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for cutting a stem to generate beads, comprising:
 a base member having a top surface;   a stem guide formed on the top surface of the base member;   a cutting chamber positioned on the top surface of the base member, wherein the cutting chamber includes a cutting member for cutting the stem, the cutting chamber further including a back end opening for sliding the stem therethrough, and a front end opening for dispensing generated beads;   measurement markings positioned along a length of the stem guide; and   an actuation member coupled the cutting member, the actuation member moveable to a cutting position, wherein when the actuation member is moved to the cutting position the cutting member is positioned to cut the stem.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a stem advancement mechanism configured to automatically advance the stem through the cutting chamber after each cutting operation. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the stem advancement mechanism is coupled to the cutting member, wherein the stem advancement mechanism automatically advances the stem after the cutting member rises above the stem guide following a cutting operation. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the stem advancement mechanism is coupled to the actuation member, wherein the stem advancement mechanism automatically advances the stem after the actuation member rises back from a pressed position. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member configured to return a lower cutting end of the cutting member to a predetermined position above the stem guide after the user stops actuating the actuation member. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the biasing member is cooperatively engaged with the cutting member. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the biasing member is cooperatively engaged with the actuation member. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base member includes a hollow portion positioned at a distance from the front end opening of the cutting chamber, the hollow portion being of a width greater than a width of the stem guide. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stem guide is rounded at a bottom end and at both of a back loading end and a front dispensing end. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base member include protrusions extended vertically above the top surface and lengthwise along the stem guide. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuation member is a press arm, a push button, or a lever.