Reveal edge tile cutting apparatus

Abstract

A reveal edge tile cutting apparatus may have a tray with a top surface and a bottom surface, as well as a first set of tracks and a second set of tracks. Attached to these tracks is a vertical cutter featuring two cutting wheels, a horizontal cutter featuring a separate cutting wheel. A measuring device may be located on the top surface of the tray.

Claims

1. A tile cutting apparatus, comprising: an elevated tray having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter, a first set of tracks held in an elevated position above the top surface of the elevated tray by a first support, the first set of tracks comprising a first cylindrical rod and a second cylindrical rod, wherein the elevated tray is elevated above a ground surface by the first support and a second support, wherein the first support is coupled to a first end of the elevated tray and the second support is coupled to a second end of the elevated tray, wherein the first set of tracks extends beyond said perimeter of said elevated tray, and wherein the first support comprises a first support member and a second support member separated by a distance greater than length of the elevated tray with each of the first cylindrical rod and the second cylindrical rod engaging and coupling to each of the first support member and the second support member, the first support member and the second support member elevate the tray in the elevated position above the ground surface; a first cutting mechanism comprising a first body and at least one blade, the first body being slidably connected to each of said first cylindrical rod and said second cylindrical rod of said first set of tracks, wherein the at least one blade extends downwardly from an underside of the first body; a second cutting mechanism comprising a second body and at least two blades, the second body being slidably connected to each of the first cylindrical rod and the second cylindrical rod of said first set of tracks, wherein the at least two blades extend downwardly from an underside of the second body and are oriented perpendicularly to one another, and wherein the second cutting mechanism is positioned along the first set of tracks between the first cutting mechanism and a terminal end of the first set of tracks, wherein sliding of the first cutting mechanism and the second cutting mechanism along a length of the first set of tracks causes cutting of the tile in a direction parallel to a direction in which the first cutting mechanism and the second cutting mechanism is slid.

2. The tile cutting apparatus of claim 1, the first cutting mechanism further comprising a pivoting handle connected to the at least one blade, wherein the pivoting handle allows the at least one blade to be rotated about an axis.

3. The tile cutting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a measuring device disposed on said top surface.

4. The tile cutting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a second set of tracks; and a hole cutting mechanism, comprising an adjustable circle cutter and a handle wherein said hole cutting mechanism is slidably attached to said second set of tracks, and wherein said adjustable circle cutter is configured to be moved in a circular motion by said handle.

5. The tile cutting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first set of tracks and the second set of tracks are substantially parallel to each other.

6. The tile cutting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first set of tracks and the second set of tracks are substantially perpendicular to each other.

7. The tile cutting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elevated tray is sized to receive a 24″×24″ tile.

8. The tile cutting apparatus of claim 7, wherein the tile is selected from the group consisting of: acoustical tiles, tiles with fiber class backing, veneer acoustical tiles, healthcare-compliant acoustical panels, sound panels, and insulation panels.

9. The tile cutting apparatus of claim 7, wherein said at least one blade of the first cutting mechanism is sized to cut through the tile, and wherein one of said at least two blades of the second cutting mechanism is sized to cut substantially halfway through said tile.

10. The tile cutting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first set of tracks and said second said of tracks are elevated a distance of 1 inch from said top surface.

11. The tile cutting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one blade of the first cutting mechanism and the at least two blades of the second cutting mechanism are replaceable.

12. A tile cutting apparatus, comprising: a tray having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter, wherein the tray is held in an elevated position above a ground surface by a first support and a second support; a first set of tracks held in an elevated position above the top surface of the tray by the first support, the first set of tracks comprising a first cylindrical rod and a second cylindrical rod, wherein the first set of tracks extends beyond said perimeter of the tray and wherein the tray is coupled to and suspended in the elevated position by both a first support member and a second support member of the first support, wherein the first support is coupled to a first end of the elevated tray and the second support is coupled to a second end of the elevated tray; wherein each of the first cylindrical rod and the second cylindrical rod engage and couple to each of the first support member and the second support member; a second set of tracks held in an elevated position above the top surface of the tray by the second support, wherein the second set of tracks are oriented parallel to the first set of tracks and separated from the first set of tracks by a distance, wherein the tray is coupled to and suspended in the elevated position by both a first support member and a second support member of the second support; and a first cutting mechanism comprising a first body and at least one blade, the first body being slidably connected to each of the first cylindrical rod and the second cylindrical rod of said first set of tracks, wherein the at least one blade extends downwardly from an underside of the first body; and wherein said first cutting mechanism is sized and positioned to extend and cut completely through a thickness of an acoustic tile; a second cutting mechanism comprising a second body and at least two blades, the second body being slidably connected to each of the first cylindrical rod and the second cylindrical rod of said first set of tracks, wherein one of the at least two blades is sized and positioned to extend and cut at a distance less than that of the at least one blade of the first cutting mechanism, wherein the at least two blades extend from an underside of the second body and are oriented perpendicularly to one another, and wherein the second cutting mechanism is positioned along the first set of tracks between the first cutting mechanism and a terminal end of the first set of tracks such that the first cutting mechanism is configured to be slid along the first set of tracks before the second cutting mechanism can be slid along the first set of tracks in a cutting direction, and wherein sliding of the first cutting mechanism and the second cutting mechanism along a length of the first set of tracks causes cutting of the acoustic tile in a direction parallel to a direction in which the first cutting mechanism and the second cutting mechanism is slid.

13. The tile cutting apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first support is coupled to the first set of tracks and the second support is coupled to a second set of tracks.

14. The tile cutting apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first body and the second body each have two cylindrical apertures extending from a first side to a second side of the first body and the second body, the two cylindrical apertures configured to independently receive the first cylindrical rod and second cylindrical rod therethrough.

15. The tile cutting apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first set of tracks span the distance between the first and second support members of the first support.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(4) The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

(5) Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

(6) Referring to FIG. 1 a front view of an embodiment of the present invention in shown. Here, tile cutting apparatus 100 is comprised of first cutting mechanism 101, second cutting mechanism 102, and adjustable circle cutter 104. This view show the relationship between first cutting mechanism 101 and second cutting mechanism 102. First cutting mechanism 101 and second cutting mechanism 102 are on the same track. That is, when a user slides the second cutting mechanism 102 over a tile, when the first cutting mechanism 101 is slid along the same track, it will make cuts in substantially the same area, cutting a reveal edge for the tile. Circle cutter 104 is also shown.

(7) FIG. 2 shows a top view of an embodiment of the present invention. Shown here is tile cutting apparatus 100, handle 103, adjustable circle cutter 104, measuring device 107, first set of tracks 105 and second set of tracks 108. As can be seen, first cutting mechanism 101 and second cutting mechanism 102 (See FIG. 1) are both disposed on first set of tracks 105. This allows them to provide consistent lines when cutting an inserted tile. Note that while the combination of these two cutting mechanisms can be used to create a reveal edge, by pivoting handle 103 such that the first cutting mechanism extends further downward, a user can cut a clean edge on an inserted tile. Measuring device 107 is disposed on the top surface of the tray so that a user may cut a tile to a specific size, which is often needed for acoustic tiles, as many ceiling are square-shaped. Preferable measuring device 107 is a ruler shown in inches, but it may also be shown in centimeters, or any other unit of distance. Second set of tracks 108 allows for adjustable circle cutter 104 to be positioned in an appropriate locations.

(8) Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Of note here is cutting apparatus 100, first cutting mechanism 101, second cutting mechanism 102, adjustable circle cutter 104, first set of tracks 105, tray 106, and second set of tracks 108. A user would use this embodiment by placing a finished or unfinished tile on tray 106. After positioning the appropriate edge of the tile by first set of tracks 105, a user will slide second cutting mechanism 102 over the edge of the tile. This will completely cut the tile so that it is the appropriate shape. If a user merely wants to cut a tile they can remove it at this point. However, if a user wishes to create a reveal edge, they would slide the first cutting mechanism along first set of tracks 105. The dual blades of first cutting mechanism provide for the reveal edge. If a user wishes to cut a circle in the tile, to accommodate a sprinkler or other similar item, they position the portion of the tile to be cut underneath adjustable circle cutter 104. Note that adjustable circle cutter can slide on second set of tracks 108 to ease this process. Once in position, a user should calibrate adjustable circle cutter 104 so that it will create a circle with a desired diameter. At this point, a user would take the handle for adjustable circle cutter 104 and rotate the handle until the attached blades finish cutting the circle.

(9) Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.