Mandrel tool

Abstract

A mandrel tool comprising a mandrel head having a body, said body including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and an exterior surface extending between the first and second ends; and a slit extending at least partially through the exterior surface of the body and having a width to accommodate a sharp edge of a cutting instrument. The slit serves as a guide for the cutting instrument, which cuts through wire wound around the mandrel to simultaneously create a plurality of uniform rings without having to labor further.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A mandrel tool, comprising:
 a mandrel head having a body, said body including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and an exterior surface extending between the first and second ends; and   a slit extending at least partially through the exterior surface of the body and at least partially through the first end, said slit having a width to accommodate a sharp edge of a cutting instrument;   wherein the slit is adapted and sized to permit said cutting instrument to be inserted therein such that when wire external to and wrapped around the body is cut, the slit serves as a cutting guide to cut said wire.   
     
     
         2 . The mandrel of  claim 1 , further comprising a starting hole disposed on the body. 
     
     
         3 . The mandrel of  claim 2 , wherein the hole is a partial penetration hole. 
     
     
         4 . The mandrel of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a polygonal prism. 
     
     
         5 . The mandrel of  claim 4 , wherein the polygonal prism includes a first side forming a first border with the first end of the body and wherein the slit extends through a central portion of the of the first border. 
     
     
         6 . The mandrel of  claim 4 , wherein the polygonal prism includes a first side forming a first border with the first end of the body;
 wherein the slit extends through a first portion of the first border; and   wherein the first portion of the first border is disposed between a central portion of the first border and an end portion of the first border.   
     
     
         7 . The mandrel of  claim 4 , wherein the polygonal prism includes a first side and a second side adjacent to the first side, wherein the first and second sides form a corner with the first end of the body; and
 wherein the slit extends through the corner.   
     
     
         8 . The mandrel of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a cylinder. 
     
     
         9 . The mandrel of  claim 8 , wherein the slit extends radially with respect to the cylinder. 
     
     
         10 . The mandrel of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes an elliptic cylinder. 
     
     
         11 . The mandrel of  claim 10 , wherein the slit extends along the major axis of the elliptic cylinder. 
     
     
         12 . The mandrel of  claim 10 , wherein the slit extends along the minor axis of the elliptic cylinder. 
     
     
         13 . The mandrel of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle disposed on the second end of the body. 
     
     
         14 . The mandrel of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of a bottom end of the slit is curved. 
     
     
         15 . The mandrel of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of a bottom end of the slit is straight. 
     
     
         16 . A mandrel, comprising:
 a body including a first surface and a second surface connected to the first surface;   a slit passing through at least a portion of the first surface and at least a portion of the second surface, wherein the at least a portion of the first surface and the at least a portion of the second surface are connected to each other;   wherein, when material external to the body is disposed on the body, the slit is adapted to guide a cutting instrument to cut the material; and   wherein the body is adapted to be coupled with a support member.   
     
     
         17 . The mandrel of  claim 16 , wherein the at least a portion of the first surface is flat, and wherein the at least a portion of the second surface is flat. 
     
     
         18 . The mandrel of  claim 17 , wherein a depth of the slit is substantially perpendicular to the at least a portion of the first surface and the at least a portion of the second surface. 
     
     
         19 . The mandrel of  claim 16 , wherein the at least a portion of the first surface or the at least a portion of the second surface is curved. 
     
     
         20 . The mandrel of  claim 18 , wherein a depth of the slit is radial to the curved portion of the first or second surface.