Floor or bench mounted conduit cutting device

Abstract

Apparatus for cutting a conduit or tubular element transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof which includes a base having a housing projecting vertically therefrom. The housing includes opposed, substantially parallel side plates separated by a vertical slot at their upper ends, and by a mechanism chamber at their lower ends. A blade element is pivotally supported between the parallel side plates, and carries a plurality of ratchet teeth along the lower peripheral edge, and a cutting edge disposed at the opposite side of the blade element from the ratchet teeth. Between the teeth and cutting edge, the knife element has an elongated, arcuate slot formed therethrough. An operating handle is pivotally connected to the housing at a side thereof spaced from the pivotal axis of the blade element. A pawl lever is pivotally connected to the operating handle and has a dog thereon positioned to ride over and operatively engage the ratchet teeth as the operating handle is pivoted. An elongated indexing link is pivotally connected at one end to the pawl lever and carries a stud at its other end which rides in the arcuate slot in the blade element. A conduit supporting jaw is mounted at the upper side of the housing, and defines an arcuate recess dimensioned to support a conduit to be cut by the apparatus.