Importance

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Abstract

A meat trimming knife for removing meat from carcasses and an ON/OFF control switch therefor wherein the knife is suspended above a work table by a power supply line which is connected to the knife through an elongated handle that extends generally vertically from the knife and generally parallel to the rotational axis of a ring-shaped cutting blade. In a first embodiment, an electric drive motor is suspended above the work station and the knife blade is rotated by a flexible drive cable connected to the motor by a drive belt and pulleys located within a horizontal housing. Downward vertical movement of the knife will pivot the housing through the connected drive cable to actuate a control switch to operatively connect the drive motor to the cable for rotating the blade. Upon release of the downward pull on the knife a spring or counterweight will pivot the belt housing upwardly to automatically actuate the switch to deenergize the drive motor. The drive cable enters the knife through a hollow bore of the elongated knife handle. In a second embodiment, an air motor is mounted in the knife's handle and is connected to a remote source of pressurized air through an air supply conduit which enters the knife through the rear of the handle. Upward and downward movement of the knife which is suspended above the work table by the air supply conduit, by an operator, will selectively stop and start the flow of air through the power supply line by actuating a power control switch.

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First Claim