Cutting tool with variable mechanical advantage

1. A hand-operated cutting tool comprising:

a first cutting member including first and second apertures;

a second cutting member including a third aperture, the second cutting member at least in part overlying the first cutting member with the third aperture in general registry with the first aperture;

a lever having a longitudinal axis, and including a fourth aperture and an arcuate slot, the arcuate slot having a first end center point and a second end center point, and the longitudinal axis extends through the arcuate slot and a center point of the fourth aperture;

a first pivot connection between the cutting members at the first and third apertures;

a second pivot connection between the lever and the first cutting member at the second and fourth apertures;

a projection disposed on the second cutting member and extending through the arcuate slot for effecting a point of interaction between the lever and the second cutting member;

wherein a line extending between the center point of the fourth aperture and the first end center point of the arcuate slot defines a first angle with the longitudinal axis;

wherein a line extending between the center point of the fourth aperture and the second end center point of the arcuate slot defines a second angle with the longitudinal axis; and

wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the arcuate slot is defined by a radius that is substantially constant.

3. The tool of claim 1 wherein the arcuate slot is defined by a substantially constant radius within a range of approximately 2.5-3.0 inches.

4. The tool of claim 1 wherein the arcuate slot is defined by a radius that is variable.

5. The tool of claim 1 wherein the arcuate slot and the projection provide a maximum mechanical advantage when the cutting members are in a cutting stroke position within a range of approximately 55 to 65 percent travel.

6. A handle-operated cutting tool comprising:

first and second cutting members pivotally connected at a first pivot point;

a lever having a longitudinal axis and pivotally connected to the first cutting member at a second pivot point;

a curved slot disposed on the lever, the curved slot defining a first end center point and a second end center point, and the longitudinal axis of the lever extending through the curved slot and the second pivot point;

a projection disposed on the second cutting member and slidable in the curved slot for effecting a point of interaction between the lever and the second cutting member throughout a cutting stroke;

wherein a line extending between the second pivot point and the first end center point of the curved slot defines a first angle with the longitudinal axis, and a line extending between the second pivot point and the second end center point of the curved slot defines a second angle with the longitudinal axis; and

wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle.

7. The tool of claim 6 wherein the curved slot is defined by a radius within a range of approximately 2.5-3.0 inches.

8. The tool of claim 6 wherein one of the first and second cutting members comprises a hook and the other of the first and second cutting members comprises a blade.

9. A hand-operated cutting tool, comprising:

first and second cutting members pivotally connected at a first pivot point;

a lever having a longitudinal axis and pivotally connected to the first cutting member at a second pivot point;

a translatable curvilinear pivot connection between the lever and the second cutting member, the translatable curvilinear pivot connection comprising a curved slot on one of the lever and the second cutting member and a projection disposed on the other of the lever and the second cutting member, and the curved slot defining a first end center point and a second end center point;

wherein a line extending between the second pivot point and the first end center point defines a first angle with the longitudinal axis, and a line extending between the second end center point and the second pivot point defines a second angle with the longitudinal axis, with the second angle greater than the first angle;

wherein the projection is disposed proximate the first end center point of the curved slot to provide a maximum mechanical advantage when the cutting members are in a cutting stroke position within a range of approximately 55 to 65 percent travel; and

wherein the projection is disposed proximate the second end center point when the cutting members are in a full open position.

10. The tool of claim 9 wherein the projection is disposed intermediate the first end center point and the second end center point when the cutting members are in a full closed position.

11. The tool of claim 9 wherein the curved slot is defined by a radius that is substantially constant.

12. The tool of claim 9 wherein the curved slot is defined by a substantially constant radius within a range of approximately 2.5-3.0 inches.

13. The tool of claim 9 wherein the curved slot is defined by a radius that is variable.

14. The tool of claim 9 wherein one of the first and second cutting members comprises a hook and the other of the first and second cutting members comprises a blade.