Paper trimmer

Abstract

A material trimmer including a base having a support surface and a cutting region having a channel. A plate is movably attached to the base and includes oppositely facing upper and lower surfaces, an elongated slot therethrough, an elevated portion proximate each side of the slot, and a distal second end with the elevated portion leading to an arcuate surface. A carrier includes a top flange having a pair of oppositely extending sides and a foot extending from the top flange. The foot is slidably received within the slot, and a portion of the pair of oppositely extending sides are arcuate in shape and slidably received within the arcuate surface of the elevated portion. A blade is attached to the carrier, a portion of which extends below the lower surface of the plate within the channel when the plate is disposed over the cutting region.

1 . A material trimmer, comprising: 
 a base including a support surface and a cutting region;    a plate pivotally attached to the base and including an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface shaped to correspond to at least a portion of the support surface of the base;    a carrier being movably engaged with the plate, the carrier including first and second cylindrical portions on opposite sides thereof; and    a blade attached to the carrier, a portion of the blade extending below the lower surface of the plate when the plate is disposed over the cutting region, wherein the plate includes arcuate portions corresponding to the cylindrical portions of the carrier such that the carrier travels along the plate via the interaction of the cylindrical portions with the arcuate portions.    
   
   
       2 . The material trimmer of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier movably engages a slot within the plate, and wherein the carrier includes a top flange having a width greater than that of the slot and a bottom flange having a width greater than that of the slot.  
   
   
       3 . The material trimmer of  claim 2  wherein the lower surface includes a recessed track formed proximate the slot for receiving the bottom flange of the carrier.  
   
   
       4 . The material trimmer of  claim 3  wherein the lower surface includes a pair of ribs proximate the recessed track.  
   
   
       5 . The material trimmer of  claim 1 , wherein the plate comprises a resilient material.  
   
   
       6 . The material trimmer of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes an attachment edge having a plurality of apertures configured for attachment to a ring binder.  
   
   
       7 . The material trimmer of  claim 1 , wherein the support surface includes a raised guide proximate one of the sides to align material to be cut.  
   
   
       8 . The material trimmer of  claim 1 , further comprising a blade assembly including a blade holder having a first portion and a second portion movably connected to the first portion, the blade holder configured to positively locate the blade within the first and second portions, the carrier including a cavity to receive the blade assembly.  
   
   
       9 . The material trimmer of  claim 8 , wherein blade holder includes a stud attached to one of the first portion and the second portion of the blade holder, the blade including a cutting edge and a foot having an aperture sized to receive the stud.  
   
   
       10 . The material trimmer of  claim 9 , wherein the blade cutting edge is arcuate.  
   
   
       11 . The material trimmer of  claim 10 , wherein the blade cutting edge has an apex formed at the juncture of a first cutting portion and a second cutting portion diverging away from one another thereby permitting the user to cut material by movement of the carrier in either direction along the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       12 . A material trimmer, comprising: 
 a base including a support surface and a cutting region;    a plate pivotally attached to the base and including an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface shaped to correspond to at least a portion of the support surface of the base;    a carrier being removably engaged with the plate, the carrier including a set of arcuate portions on opposite sides thereof; and    a blade operatively connected to the carrier, a portion of the blade extending below the lower surface of the plate when the plate is disposed over the cutting region,    wherein the plate includes a set of circular portions corresponding to the set of arcuate portions of the carrier such that the carrier travels along the plate via the interaction of the set of arcuate portions and the set of circular portions.    
   
   
       13 . The material trimmer of  claim 12 , wherein the carrier movably engages a slot within the plate, and wherein the carrier includes a top flange having a width greater than that of the slot and a bottom flange having a width greater than that of the slot.  
   
   
       14 . The material trimmer of  claim 13  wherein the lower surface includes a recessed track formed proximate the slot for receiving the bottom flange of the carrier.  
   
   
       15 . The material trimmer of  claim 14  wherein the lower surface includes a pair of ribs proximate the recessed track.  
   
   
       16 . The material trimmer of  claim 12 , wherein the plate comprises a resilient material.  
   
   
       17 . The material trimmer of  claim 12 , wherein the base includes an attachment edge having a plurality of aperture configured for attachment to a ring binder.  
   
   
       18 . The material trimmer of  claim 12 , wherein the support surface includes a raised guide proximate one of the sides to align material to be cut.  
   
   
       19 . A material trimmer comprising: 
 a base having a support surface with a cutting region;    a plate movably attached to the base and including: 
 oppositely facing upper and lower surfaces,  
 an elongated slot therethrough,  
 an elevated portion proximate each side of the slot, the elevated portion leading to an arcuate surface, and  
 a distal second end;  
   a carrier including a top flange having a pair of oppositely extending sides, a foot extending from the top flange, the foot being received within the slot; and    a blade operatively connected to the carrier, a portion of the blade extending below the plate when the plate is disposed over the cutting region,    wherein the plate includes a set of circular portions corresponding to the set of arcuate portions of the carrier such that the carrier travels along the plate via the interaction of the set of arcuate portions and the set of circular portions.    
   
   
       20 . The material trimmer of  claim 19 , further comprising: a blade assembly including a blade holder having a first portion and a second portion movably connected to the first portion, the blade holder configured to positively locate the blade within the first and second portions, the carrier including a cavity to receive the blade assembly.