Rotary Cutting Tool for Cutting Slits in Tires and Related Systems and Methods

Abstract

Disclosed herein are various rotary cutting tools in which each have a plurality of blades disposed on an outer surface of the cutting tool. Disclosed also are a variety of systems or apparatuses for maintaining or cutting rubber surfaces into which one or more of the cutting tools can be incorporated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotatable multi-tool comprising:
 (a) a rotatable bracket wheel comprising:
 (i) a first bracket; and 
 (ii) a second bracket, 
 wherein the rotatable bracket wheel is rotatable about a first axis; 
   (b) a first rotary tool disposed within the first bracket such that the first rotary tool is rotatable about a second axis non-coaxial with the first axis, and wherein the first rotary tool comprises blades disposed on a first angle; and   (c) a second rotary tool disposed within the second bracket such that the second rotary tool is rotatable about a third axis non-coaxial with the first axis, and wherein the second rotary tool comprises blades disposed on a second angle.   
     
     
         2 . The rotatable multi-tool of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable bracket wheel further comprises a third bracket and a fourth bracket and further comprising:
 (a) a third rotary tool disposed within the third bracket such that the third rotary tool is rotatable about a fourth axis non-coaxial with the first axis, and wherein the third rotary tool comprises blades disposed on a third angle; and   (b) a fourth rotary tool disposed within the fourth bracket such that the fourth rotary tool is rotatable about a fifth axis non-coaxial with the first axis, and wherein the fourth rotary tool comprises blades disposed on a fourth angle.   
     
     
         3 . The rotatable multi-tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism comprising:
 (a) a pin and   (b) an opening in the rotatable bracket wheel,   wherein insertion of the pin in the opening locks the rotatable bracket wheel in place.   
     
     
         4 . The rotatable multi-tool of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable multi-tool is constructed and arranged to be operatively engaged with a tire prep stand. 
     
     
         5 . The rotatable multi-tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first rotary tool comprises a housing defining a lumen and wherein the blades are disposed about the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The rotatable multi-tool of  claim 5 , wherein the first bracket further comprises an axle and wherein the axle is configured to be inserted into the lumen. 
     
     
         7 . The rotatable multi-tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first angle ranges from about 0 to about 25 degrees in relation to the second axis. 
     
     
         8 . A tire siping device comprising:
 (a) a rotatable assembly comprising:
 (i) a rotatable bracket wheel comprising two or more brackets, wherein the rotatable bracket wheel configured to rotate about a central axis, and wherein each of the two or more brackets defines a secondary axis non-coaxial with the first axis; and 
 (ii) a locking mechanism comprising a locked and unlocked position, wherein in the locked position to rotatable bracket wheel is substantially prevented from rotating; and 
   (b) one or more rotary tools, wherein each of the one or more rotary tools is configured to be coupled to one of the two or more brackets such that the rotary tool is rotatable about the secondary axis.   
     
     
         9 . The tire siping device of  claim 8 , further comprising a main handle, wherein the rotatable assembly is rotatably coupled to the main handle. 
     
     
         10 . The tire siping device of  claim 9 , further comprising a side handle extending from the main handle. 
     
     
         11 . The tire siping device of  claim 10 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the side handle is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the main handle. 
     
     
         12 . The tire siping device of  claim 9 , wherein the handle comprises a first section and a second section and wherein the first section and section second are connected via a curved section. 
     
     
         13 . The tire siping device of  claim 12 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the first section is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the second section. 
     
     
         14 . The tire siping device of  claim 8 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pin. 
     
     
         15 . The tire siping device of  claim 8 , wherein the rotatable bracket wheel comprises four or more brackets. 
     
     
         16 . The tire siping device of  claim 8 , wherein each of the one or more rotary tools comprise a plurality of blades disposed on a housing. 
     
     
         17 . The tire siping device of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of blades are disposed at an angle relative to the secondary axis. 
     
     
         18 . The tire siping device of  claim 17 , wherein the angle is different for each of the one or more rotary tools. 
     
     
         19 . A siping device comprising:
 (a) a housing defining a first opening through the central axis of the housing, the housing comprising a plurality of slots;   (b) a plurality of blades comprising a base and a cutting portion, wherein base of each of the plurality of blades is disposed in one of the plurality of slots; and   (c) a first end cap and a second end cap configured to be disposed adjacent to a first and a second side of the housing.   
     
     
         20 . The siping device of  claim 19 , wherein the first end cap and the second end cap comprise a second opening, the second opening configured to be in fluid communication with the first opening.