Cutting tool containment system

Abstract

An apparatus for containing and collecting blowback such as debris, dust, and/or fluid generated by a cutting tool is disclosed. The apparatus may provide for cleaner reused fluid to increase cutting tool operation lifetime and efficiency. The apparatus may expandable and collapsible for ease of transportation and for adaption to cutting different sized materials. The apparatus includes a pan and a frame for supporting the cutting tool during use. A plurality of extendable trays may be attached to the pan. A hood apparatus may be coupled to the frame. The hood apparatus may include a fixed shield and an extendable shield for containing the blowback. A plurality of hanging curtains may be coupled to the fixed and extendable shields to prevent blowback from escaping behind or to the side of the cutting tool. Gravity drainage in the trays and pan may remove debris and dust from the fluid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for supporting a cutting tool and preventing blowback from the cutting tool, comprising:
 a pan comprising at least four sides and a drain in a bottom of the pan;   a frame positioned on the pan;   at least one tray positioned on the frame, wherein the at least one tray is configured to support the cutting tool; and   a hood apparatus coupled to the frame, wherein the hood apparatus is positioned at least partially above a position of the cutting tool when the cutting tool is placed on the at least one tray, and wherein the hood apparatus comprises:
 a hood arm brace attached to the frame; 
 a hood frame attached to the hood arm brace; 
 a fixed top shield coupled to the hood frame; 
 a top shield extension coupled to the fixed top shield, wherein the top shield extension is capable of being moved in and out from an end of the fixed top shield; and 
 a plurality of curtains coupled to the fixed top shield and the top shield extension, wherein the curtains hang downwards from the fixed top shield and the top shield extension on at least three sides of the hood apparatus. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the curtains at least partially surround at least three sides of the position of the cutting tool when the cutting tool is placed on the at least one tray. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the curtains at least partially overlap in the horizontal direction. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the curtains at least partially contact at least one of the trays. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first curtain in the plurality of curtains is a double curtain that comprises a full curtain hanging past an edge of the pan and a smaller curtain. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a second curtain in the plurality of curtains contains a hole. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a third curtain in the plurality of curtains is affixed to a bottom surface of the fixed top shield and hangs above the tray. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for supporting a cutting tool that provides for cleaner reused fluid to increase cutting tool operation lifetime and efficiency, comprising:
 a pan comprising at least four sides and a drain in a bottom of the pan and wherein the bottom of the pan comprises a slope downwards of about ⅛″ per foot towards the drain;   a frame positioned on the pan; and   at least one tray positioned on the frame, wherein the at least one tray is configured to support the cutting tool.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the bottom of the pan comprises at least some slope downwards towards the drain. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the bottom of the pan comprises a ¼″ change downwards in height for a distance of 2″ from each corner of the pan. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein a first tray coupled to a first side of the pan, a second tray coupled to a second side of the pan, and a third tray coupled to a third side of a pan comprise at least some slope downwards towards the pan. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first tray, the second tray, and the third tray comprise a slope downwards of about ½″ per foot towards the pan. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the slope downwards towards the pan allows solids to remain in the first tray. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a filter coupled to the drain of the pan. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a container coupled to the filter for collecting fluids drained through the filter. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus that provides an expandable platform for supporting a cutting tool, comprising:
 a pan comprising at least four sides and a drain in a bottom of the pan;   a first tray coupled to a first side of the pan, wherein the first tray is capable of being stored in the pan and extended from the first side of the pan;   a second tray coupled to a second side of the pan, wherein the second tray is capable of being stored in the pan and extended from the second side of the pan;   a third tray coupled to a third side of the pan, wherein the third tray is capable of being stored in the pan and extended from the third side of the pan;   at least one tray positioned on the frame, wherein the at least one tray is configured to support the cutting tool; and   an attachment plate wherein the attachment plate is affixed to the pan.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the trays is configured to be extended a distance from the pan selected based on a size of a material being cut using the cutting tool when the cutting tool is positioned in the apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the apparatus is capable of being moved through a 2/0 door frame when the trays are stored in the pan. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a support frame, wherein the pan is positioned on and supported by the support frame. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising one or more wheels coupled to the support frame, wherein at least one wheel comprises a wheel lock mechanism.