U.S. patent application number 12/716579 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-09 for utility knife.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE STANLEY WORKS. Invention is credited to Frederick S. Hansen, Stephen Rowlay, David A. Webb.
Application Number | 20100223793 12/716579 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42676967 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100223793 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hansen; Frederick S. ; et
al. |
September 9, 2010 |
UTILITY KNIFE
Abstract
A utility knife includes a handle base and a neck connected to
the handle base for pivotal movement relative to the handle base
between a closed position and an open position. The knife also
includes a utility blade holder slidingly carried by the neck for
sliding movement relative to the neck between a retracted position
and an extended position. A utility blade is carried by the blade
holder such that movement of the utility blade holder between its
extended and retracted positions moves the utility blade between an
exposed position in which a cutting edge of the blade is exposed,
and a protected position in which the cutting edge of the blade is
protected by the neck.
Inventors: |
Hansen; Frederick S.;
(Cheraw, SC) ; Webb; David A.; (Cheraw, SC)
; Rowlay; Stephen; (Sheffield, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN, LLP
P.O. BOX 10500
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
THE STANLEY WORKS
New Britain
CT
|
Family ID: |
42676967 |
Appl. No.: |
12/716579 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61157523 |
Mar 4, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
30/162 ; 30/164;
30/337; 30/346.61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B26B 9/00 20130101; B26B
1/046 20130101; B26B 5/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
30/162 ; 30/164;
30/346.61; 30/337 |
International
Class: |
B26B 1/08 20060101
B26B001/08; B26B 5/00 20060101 B26B005/00; B26B 9/00 20060101
B26B009/00; B26B 1/10 20060101 B26B001/10 |
Claims
1. A knife comprising: a handle base; a neck connected to the
handle base for movement relative to the handle base between a
closed position and an open position; a utility blade holder
slidingly carried by the neck for sliding movement relative to the
neck between a retracted position and an extended position; and a
utility blade carried by the blade holder such that movement of the
utility blade holder between its extended and retracted positions
moves the utility blade between an exposed position in which a
cutting edge of the blade is exposed, and a protected position in
which the cutting edge of the blade is protected by the neck.
2. The knife of claim 1, wherein the neck pivotally connects to the
handle base for pivotal movement relative to the handle base
between the closed position and the open position.
3. The knife of claim 1, wherein the blade holder is movable
between its extended and retracted position while the neck is in
its open position.
4. The knife of claim 1, further comprising a manually operable
slide lock that selectively locks the blade holder in the extended
or retracted position.
5. The knife of claim 1, further comprising a manually operable
neck lock that selectively locks the neck in either of the open and
closed positions.
6. The knife of claim 1, wherein the neck is movable into the
closed position while the blade holder, is in the extended position
and the blade is in the exposed position.
7. The knife of claim 1, wherein: the utility blade has a mounting
notch formed in a first linear edge and a cutting edge opposite the
first linear edge, and the utility blade substantially has the
shape of an isosceles trapezoid, the cutting edge being disposed on
a longest edge of the trapezoid.
8. The knife of claim 1, wherein: the handle base and neck together
define a handle of the knife; and the handle is longer when the
neck is in the open position than in the closed position.
9. The knife of claim 1, wherein a combined length of the handle
base and neck when the neck is in the closed position is less than
4.5 inches.
10. The knife of claim 1, wherein: a combined length of the handle
base and neck when the neck is in the closed position is less than
5 inches; and a combined length of the handle base and neck when
the neck is in the open position is at least 25% longer than the
combined length of the handle base and neck when the neck is in the
closed position.
11. A knife comprising: a handle base; a neck connected to the
handle base for movement relative to the handle base between a
closed position and an open position; and a utility blade holder
slidingly carried by the neck for sliding movement relative to the
neck between an extended position and a retracted position, the
utility blade holder being shaped and configured to have a utility
blade carried by the blade holder such that movement of the utility
blade holder between its extended and retracted positions moves the
utility blade between an exposed position in which a cutting edge
of the blade is exposed, and a protected position in which the
cutting edge of the blade is protected by the neck.
12. The knife of claim 11, wherein: the handle base and neck
together define a handle of the knife; a closed length of the
handle when the neck is in the closed position is less than 5
inches; and an open length of the handle when the neck is in the
open position is at least 25% longer than the closed length.
13. A knife comprising: a handle base; a neck pivotally connected
to the handle base for pivotal movement relative to the handle base
between a closed position and an open position; a utility blade
holder slidingly carried by the neck for sliding movement relative
to the neck from a retracted position to an extended position; and
a utility blade carried by the blade holder such that movement of
the utility blade holder from the retracted position to the
extended position moves the utility blade from a protected position
in which a cutting edge of the blade is protected by the neck to an
exposed position in which the cutting edge is exposed.
14. The knife of claim 13, wherein: the utility blade holder is
slidingly carried by the neck for sliding movement relative to the
neck between the extended and retracted positions; and movement of
the utility blade holder from its extended position to its
retracted position moves the utility blade from its exposed
position to its protected position.
15. The knife of claim 13, wherein: the utility blade has a
mounting notch formed in a first linear edge and a cutting edge
opposite the first linear edge, and the utility blade substantially
has the shape of an isosceles trapezoid, the cutting edge being
disposed on a longest edge of the trapezoid.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/157,523, filed Mar. 4,
2009, titled "UTILITY KNIFE," the entire contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to utility knives that can
selectively expose or protect a cutting edge of a replaceable
blade.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] A conventional utility knife includes a long handle with a
blade holder slidably disposed within the handle. See, e.g., U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,242,795, 6,249,975. A utility blade detachably mounts
to the blade holder. The standard blade has a cutting edge disposed
on one edge and one or more mounting notches disposed on an
opposite edge. When the blade holder is in a retracted position,
the blade is disposed within and protected by the handle. When the
blade holder is slid into an extended position, a portion of the
blade becomes exposed for use
[0006] The conventional handle is relatively long so as to provide
enough longitudinal space/support for a user's hand to apply
sufficient leverage to the blade during a cutting action, and/or to
enable the user to grip the handle without being overly close to
the blade's cutting edge. Unfortunately, the length and size of
this handle makes the utility knife large and cumbersome when the
knife is not being used.
SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] One of more embodiments of the present invention provide a
compact utility knife with a various combinations of features,
including one or more of the following features: a
pivotally-folding handle; a neck lock for selectively locking the
pivotally folding handle in closed and opened positions; a handle
with a closed length of less than 5.5, 5, 4.5, 4.25, 4, 3.75, 3.5,
3.25, or 3 inches; a handle with an open length of greater than
3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, or 6 inches; a handle with a ratio of its open
length to its closed length of at least 1.15, 1.2, 1.25, 1.3, 1.35,
1.4, 1.45, 1.5, 1.55, 1.6, 1.65, or 1.7; a blade holder that slides
relative to the handle between retracted and one or more extended
positions; a blade holder that may be retained in an extended
position while the handle is folded into a closed position; a blade
holder that may be retained in an extended position (e.g.,
partially extended, fully extended) with a utility blade extending
therefrom while the handle is folded into a closed position; a
blade holder slide lock; a blade holder slide lock having a control
button disposed on the top edge of the open knife; a blade lock
quick-release that selectively unlocks the blade from the blade
holder without disassembly of the knife; and/or a
retraction/closing synchronization mechanism that synchronizes
opening and closing of the knife's handle with extension and
retraction of the knife's blade and/or blade holder.
[0008] One of more embodiments of the present invention provide a
knife that includes a handle base; a neck connected to the handle
base for movement relative to the handle base between a closed
position and an open position; a utility blade holder slidingly
carried by the neck for sliding movement relative to the neck
between a retracted position and an extended position; and a
utility blade carried by the blade holder. Movement of the utility
blade holder between its extended and retracted positions moves the
utility blade between an exposed position in which a cutting edge
of the blade is exposed, and a protected position in which the
cutting edge of the blade is protected by the neck.
[0009] According to one or more of these embodiments, the neck
pivotally connects to the handle base for pivotal movement relative
to the handle base between the closed position and the open
position.
[0010] According to one or more of these embodiments, the blade
holder is movable between its extended and retracted position while
the neck is in its open position.
[0011] According to one or more of these embodiments, the knife
also includes a manually operable slide lock that selectively locks
the blade holder in the extended or retracted position.
[0012] According to one or more of these embodiments, the knife
also includes a manually operable neck lock that selectively locks
the neck in either of the open and closed positions.
[0013] According to one or more of these embodiments, the neck is
movable into the closed position while the blade holder is in the
extended position and the blade is in the exposed position.
[0014] According to one or more of these embodiments, the utility
blade has a mounting notch formed in a first linear edge and a
cutting edge opposite the first linear edge. The utility blade may
substantially have the shape of an isosceles trapezoid, the cutting
edge being disposed on a longest edge of the trapezoid.
[0015] According to one or more of these embodiments, the handle
base and neck together define a handle of the knife, and the handle
is longer when the neck is in the open position than in the closed
position.
[0016] According to one or more of these embodiments, a combined
length of the handle base and neck when the neck is in the closed
position is less than 4.5 inches.
[0017] According to one or more of these embodiments, a combined
length of the handle base and neck when the neck is in the closed
position is less than 5 inches; and a combined length of the handle
base and neck when the neck is in the open position is at least 25%
longer than the combined length of the handle base and neck when
the neck is in the closed position.
[0018] One of more embodiments of the present invention provide a
knife that includes a handle base; a neck connected to the handle
base for movement relative to the handle base between a closed
position and an open position; and a utility blade holder slidingly
carried by the neck for sliding movement relative to the neck
between an extended position and a retracted position. The utility
blade holder is shaped and configured to have a utility blade
carried by the blade holder such that movement of the utility blade
holder between its extended and retracted positions moves the
utility blade between an exposed position in which a cutting edge
of the blade is exposed, and a protected position in which the
cutting edge of the blade is protected by the neck.
[0019] According to one or more of these embodiments, the handle
base and neck together define a handle of the knife; a closed
length of the handle when the neck is in the closed position is
less than 5 inches; and an open length of the handle when the neck
is in the open position is at least 25% longer than the closed
length.
[0020] One of more embodiments of the present invention provide a
knife that includes a handle base; a neck pivotally connected to
the handle base for pivotal movement relative to the handle base
between a closed position and an open position; a utility blade
holder slidingly carried by the neck for sliding movement relative
to the neck from a retracted position to an extended position; and
a utility blade carried by the blade holder. Movement of the
utility blade holder from the retracted position to the extended
position moves the utility blade from a protected position in which
a cutting edge of the blade is protected by the neck to an exposed
position in which the cutting edge is exposed.
[0021] According to one or more of these embodiments, the utility
blade holder is slidingly carried by the neck for sliding movement
relative to the neck between the extended and retracted positions;
and movement of the utility blade holder from its extended position
to its retracted position moves the utility blade from its exposed
position to its protected position.
[0022] These and other aspects of various embodiments of the
present invention, as well as the methods of operation and
functions of the related elements of structure and the combination
of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent
upon consideration of the following description with reference to
the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this
specification, wherein like reference numerals designate
corresponding parts in the various figures. In one embodiment of
the invention, the structural components illustrated herein are
drawn to scale. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the
drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only
and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the
invention. In addition, it should be appreciated that structural
features shown or described in any one embodiment herein can be
used in other embodiments as well As used in the specification, the
singular form of "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] For a better understanding of embodiments of the present
invention as well as other objects and further features thereof,
reference is made to the following description which is to be used
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a top, left side of a
utility knife according to an embodiment of the present invention,
with the knife in a closed position;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a top, left side of the
knife of FIG. 1 in an open position;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a side view of a left side of the knife of FIG. 1
in the closed position;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a side view of a left side of the knife of FIG. 1
in the open position;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a side view of a right side of the knife of FIG. 1
in the closed position;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view thereof;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a right side of the
knife of FIG. 1 in the open position;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a side view of a right side of the knife of FIG. 1
in the open position;
[0032] FIG. 9 is a top view of the knife of FIG. 1 in the closed
position;
[0033] FIG. 10 is a top view of the knife of FIG. 1 in the open
position;
[0034] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view thereof;
[0035] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the knife of FIG.
1;
[0036] FIG. 13 is a side view of a left side of a knife according
to an alternative embodiment of the present invention in a closed
position;
[0037] FIG. 14 is a side view of a left side of the knife of FIG.
13 in an open position;
[0038] FIG. 15 includes side views of various utility blades that
may be used with the knives according to various embodiments of the
present invention;
[0039] FIG. 16 is a front view of a knife according to an
alternative embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of the knife in FIG.
16, taken along the line 17-17 in FIG. 16, while the knife is in an
open position; and
[0041] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional side view of the knife in FIG.
16 while the knife is in a closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0042] FIGS. 1-12 illustrate a utility knife 10 according to an
embodiment of the present invention. The knife 10 includes a handle
20, a neck 30, a handle base 40, a neck, lock 150, a sliding blade
holder 200, a slide lock 300, and a blade-lock quick-release
400.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 12, the neck 30 pivotally connects to the
handle base 40 for relative pivotal movement about an axis 50 by a
bolt 60, nut 70, and washers 80. The bolt 60 extends through holes
30a, 40a in the neck 30 and handle base 40, respectively. The
handle base 40 has a hollow channel 40b that is open on its lower
side (as viewed when the knife is in the open position shown in
FIG. 4) such that the neck 30 can pivot about the axis 50 into and
out of the hollow channel of the handle base 40. Consequently, the
neck 30 pivots relative to the handle base 40 between an open
position (shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11) and a closed
position (shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 6, and 9). When the neck 30 is in
the closed position, a majority of the neck 30 is disposed within
the channel of the handle base 40.
[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the neck 30 and handle base
40 together form the handle 20 such that the handle 20 is long and
comfortable for a user to grip when the neck 30 is in the open
position, and a compact and easily storable when the neck 30 is in
the closed position. However, according to alternative embodiments
of the present invention, the handle base 40 alone defines the
handle, and the neck 30 projects from the handle 20/handle base 40
without being part of the handle 20.
[0045] While the illustrated embodiment utilizes a bolt/nut
fastener, any other suitable pivotal connection could be used
instead without deviating from the scope of the present
invention.
[0046] While the illustrated embodiment utilizes a pivotal
connection between the handle base 40 and neck 30, the connection
may alternatively be any other type of suitable movable connection
(e.g., linear or curved telescopic/sliding connection between the
handle base 40 and neck 30) without deviating from the scope of the
present invention.
[0047] As best illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 10, a protrusion 90 on
the neck 30 abuts a notch 100 on the handle base 40 to prevent the
neck 30 and handle base 40 from pivoting beyond their open
position.
[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, when the neck 30 and handle
base 40 are in their open position, they generally extend linearly
relative to each other to maximize an open length of the handle 20.
However, according to alternative embodiments of the present
invention, the neck 30 and handle base 40 may define an arc (e.g.,
"(" shape) or angle (e.g., ">" shape) when opened into their
open position.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 12, the knife 10 also includes a neck lock
150 that selectively locks the handle 20 in either of the open
and/or closed positions. As shown in FIG. 12, the neck lock 150
includes a button 160 that laterally extends out through a hole 170
in the neck 30. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the button 160 is
biased outwardly by a compression spring 180 that extends between
the neck 30 and the button 160. A shoulder on the button 160 is
larger than the hole 170 and prevents the button 160 from extending
entirely through the hole 170 and detaching from the neck 30. The
handle base 40 includes a lock-open surface 190 (see FIGS. 2 and
12) and a lock-closed surface 200 (see FIGS. 1 and 12). As shown in
FIG. 1, when the neck 30 and handle base 40 are in their closed
position, and the button 160 is allowed to move to its outward,
locked position, the button 160 abuts the lock-closed surface 200
to prevent the neck 30 and handle base 40 from moving out of their
closed position. To open the handle 20, a user manually depresses
the button 160 sufficiently to allow an interior surface of the
handle base 40 to slide over the button 160 as the handle 20 opens.
The interior surface prevents the button 160 from moving outwardly
until the handle 20 reaches its open position, at which point the
button 160 moves outwardly under the bias of the spring 180. As
shown in FIG. 2, once the handle 20 is in the open position, the
button 160 abuts the lock-open surface 190 to prevent the neck 30
and handle base 40 from moving out of their open position. To close
the handle 20, a user depresses the button 160 and closes the
handle 20.
[0050] While the illustrated neck lock 150 utilizes a button 160
and lock surfaces, any other suitable type of neck lock could be
used without deviating from the scope of the present invention
(e.g., the type of locking devices conventionally used with
lock-blade sporting knives).
[0051] While the illustrated neck lock 150 includes both lock-open
and lock-closed positions, a neck lock according to alternative
embodiments of the present invention includes just one of the lock
positions (e.g., just a lock-open position or just a lock-closed
position).
[0052] As shown in FIG. 12, the sliding blade holder 200 is
slidably/telescopically carried by the neck 30 for movement
relative to the neck 30 and the handle 20 between a retracted
position (see FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 6, and 9) and one or more extended
positions (see FIGS. 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11). As shown in FIG. 6,
when the blade holder 200 and blade 230 are in the retracted
position, the trapezoidal utility blade 230 does not extend out of
a blade aperture 205 in the front of the neck 30. In the retracted
position, the cutting edge of the blade 230 is protected by the
neck 30. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 8, when the blade holder 200
and blade 230 are in one of the extended positions, a portion of
the blade 230 extends out of the aperture 205.
[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, the blade holder 200
slides/telescopes linearly relative to the neck 30 between its
retracted and extended positions. Alternatively, the blade holder
200 may slide/telescope relative to the neck 30 along a simple or
complex curved or curvilinear path without deviating from the scope
of the present invention.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 12, the neck 30 comprises two halves 30b,
30c that fit together and are held together by the bolt 60 and nut
70. As shown in FIG. 12, the blade holder 200 slides along guide
surfaces of the neck halves 30b, 30c. The blade holder 200 includes
a detent/protrusion 210 that fits into a notch 220 of a standard
trapezoidal utility blade 230 to help secure the blade 230 to the
blade holder 200. When the blade 230 is mounted to the blade holder
200 and the neck halves 30b, 30c are assembled around the blade
holder 200, the blade 230 is sandwiched between the blade holder
200 and the neck half 30b so as to lock the blade 230 to the knife
10.
[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, when the handle 20 is in its
open position and the blade 230 and blade holder are in an extended
position, the handle base 40 projects away from the neck 30 in a
direction that is substantially opposite to a direction that the
blade 230 and blade holder 200 move when the blade 230 and blade
holder 200 move from their retracted to extended positions.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 12, the knife 10 includes a slide lock 300
that selectively locks the blade holder 200 in its retracted or one
or more extended positions. The slide lock 300 comprises a
detent/protrusion 310 that connects to the blade holder 200 via a
leaf spring 320 that upwardly biases the detent 310. As shown in
FIGS. 6, 7, and 12, the leaf spring 320 biases the detent 310
toward and into one of a plurality of notches 330 in the neck 30.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the detent 310 extends into the
rearwardmost notch 330, the blade holder is locked in its retracted
position. The remaining notches 330 correspond to increasingly
extended locked positions, which expose the blade 230 to varying
extents.
[0057] The slide lock 300 includes an actuator button 340 that
extends upwardly from the spring 320 (see FIG. 12) and out of the
neck 30 through a longitudinal slot 350 in the top of the neck 30
(see FIGS. 1, 2). To use the slide lock 300 and slide the blade
holder 200 between its retracted and extended positions, the user
depresses the button 340 downwardly to disengage the detent 310
from a notch 330. The user then longitudinally pushes or pulls the
button 340 to slide the blade holder 200 into the desired
extension/retraction position. The user then releases the button
340, which allows the spring 320 to bias the detent 310 back
upwardly into the adjacent notch 330, which locks the blade holder
200 in the selected extension/retraction position.
[0058] While the illustrated embodiment utilizes a top-mounted
button 340 for the slide lock 300, a side-mounted button according
to an alternative embodiment of the present invention may be used
without deviating from the scope of the present invention.
Moreover, an alternative type of slide lock may be used without
deviating from the scope of the present invention.
[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the blade holder 200, leaf
spring 320, and detent 310 are all integrally formed from a bent
piece of sheet material (e.g., steel). However, these components
may alternatively be separately formed without deviating from the
scope of the present invention.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 12, the knife 10 includes a blade-lock
quick-release 400. The quick-release comprises a button 410 that is
disposed in the neck 30 and extends outwardly from the neck 30
through a hole 420 in the neck 30. A shoulder on the button 410
prevents the button 410 from extending through the hole 420 to an
extent that the button 410 would fall out of the hole 420. The
button 410 abuts an end of a leaf spring 430 defined by part of the
blade holder 200. The spring 430 biases the button 410 laterally
outwardly, as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 12, the
blade-locking detent 210 is also disposed on the end of the spring
430. To use the quick-release 400 to release the blade 230 from
being locked to the knife 10, a user moves the blade holder 200
into its fully extended position and presses the button 420
laterally inwardly, which pushes the spring 430 laterally, which,
in turn, laterally displaces the detent 210, thereby disengaging
the detent 210 from the notch 220 in the blade 230. While the user
keeps the button 410 depressed, the user can pull the blade 230 out
of the aperture 205 in the neck 30 and replace the blade 230 with a
new blade 230 or flip the blade 230 around to use the opposite end
of the blade's cutting edge. When the blade 230 (or a new blade
230) is slid back into the aperture 205 of the neck 30, the user
releases the button 410, which allows the spring 430 to push the
button 410 and detent 210 back into their natural state, which
engages the detent 210 with the notch 220 of the blade 230, thereby
locking the blade 230 to the neck 30.
[0061] Although a specific type of quick release is illustrated, a
variety of other types of quick-releases may be used without
deviating from the scope of the present invention. For example, the
halves 30b, 30c of the neck 30 could pivot relative to each other
about the axis 50 between closed and open positions. A locking
mechanism could selectively hold the neck halves 30b, 30c in their
closed position. When in their open position, the blade 230 could
be accessed from the side of the knife.
[0062] According to various embodiments of the present'invention,
the quick-release 400 may be omitted. For example, if omitted, the
blade 230 could be accessed and replaced by disassembling the neck
30 by unscrewing the bolt 60, as is done in conventional two-half
utility knives.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 6, when the handle 20 is in its closed
position, the handle base 40 limits the extent to which the blade
230 and blade holder 200 can slide into extended positions and at
least partially covers the aperture 205. In the illustrated
embodiment, as shown by the dotted lines 230' in FIG. 6, the blade
230 and blade holder 200 can slide into a partially extended
position while the handle 20 is closed. According to alternative
embodiments of the present invention, the connection between the
handle base 40 and neck 30 may provide sufficient clearance to
allow the handle 20 to fold into its closed position even when the
blade 230 and blade holder 200 are locked in their fully extended,
operative positions (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8). Permitting the
blade 230 to be partially and/or fully extended while the handle 20
is closed enables the user to keep the blade 230 in an extended
position relative to the neck 30 while opening and closing the
handle 20. When closed, the handle base 40 encloses the otherwise
exposed portion of the blade 230 to ensure that the blade's cutting
edge is protected and not exposed. Thus, the user can move the
knife between a closed storage position and an open, ready-to-use
position with the blade 230 exposed for use simply by opening and
closing the handle 20. During such use, the user need not extend or
retract the blade holder 200 to expose or protect the blade 230.
The user can nonetheless move the blade 230 and blade holder
between various extended positions based on the desired use of the
knife 10 (e.g., keeping the blade just slightly exposed to limit
the blade's cutting depth; keeping the blade 230 fully extended for
general purpose use).
[0064] According to various embodiments, at least 1/4'', 1/2'',
3/4'', 1'', or 11/4 of a linear cutting edge 230a (see FIG. 12) of
the trapezoidal blade 230 may extend out of the neck 30 while the
neck 30 and handle base 40 are in their closed position. Similarly,
according to various embodiments, at least at least 10%, 20%, 25%,
or 30% of the cutting edge 230a may extend out of the neck 30 while
the neck 30 and handle base 40 are in their closed position.
[0065] Alternatively, the neck 30 and handle base 40 may be
connected to each other and shaped such that the blade 230 and
blade holder 200 cannot move into any extended position (e.g, a
position in which the cutting edge 230a of the blade 230 projects
out of the neck 30) when the handle 20 is in the closed position.
For example, FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate an embodiment of a knife
1010, which is generally similar to the knife 10. As shown in FIG.
13, when a neck 1030 and handle base 1040 of a handle 1020 of the
knife 1010 are in their closed position, the edge 1040a of the
handle base 1040 obstructs a path of the blade 230 to prevent the
trapezoidal blade 230 from sliding out of the neck 1030 into an
extended position and/or to limit the extend of extension of the
blade 230. While such an embodiment requires the user to fully
retract the blade 230 and blade holder 200 before closing the
handle 20, this embodiment may result in a shorter closed length
for the knife 1010, thereby making the knife 1010 more compact and
versatile.
[0066] While the illustrated blade 230 comprises a trapezoidal
utility blade, a variety of other utility blades may be used with
the knives 10, 1010 without deviating from the scope of the present
invention. According to one or more embodiments of the present
invention, the blade may comprise a blade having parallel upper and
lower edges, at least one notch in the upper edge, and a cutting
edge. The blade may be the trapezoidal blade 230 illustrated, or
any other type of utility blade having structure that can be locked
to the blade holder 200 and knife 10 in a manner similar to that
described above with respect to the blade 230. FIG. 15 illustrates
various examples of utility blades 2000, 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040,
2050, 2060 that may be used in connection with the knives 10, 1010
without deviating from the scope of the present invention. The use
of the blades 2040, 2060 may prevent the blade holder 200 from
moving into its fully retracted position and may prevent the handle
20 from fully closing according to various embodiments of the
present invention. However, the neck 30 and handle 40 may be sized
to as to accommodate such blades in the fully retracted blade
holder position and the closed handle position. The illustrated
standard trapezoidal blades 230, 2010 are about 23/8 inches long
and about 3/4 of an inch high.
[0067] The combined use of a pivotally-folding handle 20 and a
sliding blade holder 200 may result in a compact, versatile knife.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 14, an overall extended length e of the
knives 10, 1010 is defined as the largest distance between any two
points on the knives 10, 1010 (not including any blade) when the
handle 20, 1020 is in its open position. The distance may be along
a diagonal (e.g., skewing into the page as shown in FIGS. 4 and
14). As shown in. FIGS. 3 and 13, an overall retracted length r of
the knives 10, 1010 is defined when the handle 20, 1020 is in its
closed position. According to various embodiments of the invention,
the length e may be between 3.5 and 8 inches, between 4 and 6.5
inches, between 4.5 and 6 inches, and/or about 5.75 inches.
According to various embodiments, the length e may be greater than
3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, and/or 6 inches. According to various
embodiments, the length r may be less than 5.5, 5, 4.5, 4.25, 4,
3.75, 3.5, 3.25, and or 3 inches. The length r may be between 2.5
and 5 inches and/or between 2.5 and 4.5 inches. In various
embodiments, the length r is about 3 or 4.25 inches.
[0068] The length e may be at least 15% larger than the length r
(i.e., a ratio e:r is at least 1.15:1). According to various
embodiments, the length e may be at least 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%,
40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, or 70% larger than the length r. In
two embodiments, the length e is about 70% and 50% larger,
respectively, than the length r. Accordingly, moving the handle 20,
1020 into its open position makes the handle 20, 1020 substantially
longer, which may make the handle 20, 1020 more comfortable for a
user by providing a longitudinally longer support surface for the
user's hand when using the knives 10, 1010. Conversely, moving the
handle 20, 1020 into its closed position makes the handle 20, 1020
substantially smaller, making the knives 10, 1010 easy to
store/carry.
[0069] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 14, when the handle 20, 1020 is open
and the blade 230 is extended, the cutting edge of the blade 230
and the opening of the channel 40b in the handle base 40 both face
downwardly.
[0070] A blade storage compartment for spare blades 230 may be
included in the knife without deviating from the scope of the
present invention. According to one or more embodiments of the
invention, opening and closing of the handle 20 does not provide
access to such a blade storage compartment.
[0071] In the illustrated embodiments, the knives 10, 1010 utilize
resilient members in the form of various springs 180, 320, 430.
According to various embodiments of the present invention, such
springs may be replaced with any other type of suitable biasing
mechanism (e.g., another type of resilient member such as a rubber
band, magnets, etc.).
[0072] FIGS. 16-18 illustrate a knife 3010 according to an
alternative embodiment of the present invention that is generally
similar to the knives 10, 1010. In the knives 10, 1010, the handle
20, 1020 may be moved between its closed and open positions
independently of movement of the blade 230 and sliding blade holder
200 between their retracted and extended positions (except to the
extent that extension of the blade 230 might interfere with closing
of the handle 20, 1020 according to one or more embodiments (e.g.,
the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13)). In contrast, the knife
3010 synchronizes opening and closing of its handle 3020 with the
extension and retraction of its blade 230 and blade holder
3200.
[0073] As shown in FIGS. 17-18, the handle 3020 of the knife 3010
comprises a neck 3030 and a handle base 3040 that are pivotally
connected to each other for relative pivotal movement about an axis
3050 via a pin 3060 (or bolt or other suitable pivot mechanism)
between an open position (shown in FIG. 17) and a closed position
(shown in FIG. 18).
[0074] As shown in FIGS. 17-18, the blade holder 3200 is
slidably/telescopically carried by the neck 3030 for movement
relative to the neck 3030 between a retracted position (shown in
FIG. 18) and an extended position (shown in FIG. 17). A blade 230
is removably fixed to the blade holder 3200 in the same manner as
the above-described embodiments, or in any other manner that
permits easy removal and replacement of the blade 230. When the
blade holder 3200 is in the retracted position, the blade 230 is in
a stored position in which its cutting edge is not exposed and is
protected by the handle 3020, the handle base 3040, and/or the neck
3030.
[0075] A blade-lock quick-release 3400 is similar to the
above-discussed blade-lock quick-release 410 and includes a quick
release button 3410 similar to the above-discussed button 410. The
button 3410 may be accessible through or extend through a slot in a
side of the neck 3030 to provide access to the button 3410 when the
handle 3020 is in its open position.
[0076] As shown in FIGS. 17-18, the knife 3010 includes a
retraction/closing synchronization mechanism 3300 that synchronizes
opening/closing of the handle 3020 with extension/retraction of the
blade holder 3200. Specifically, movement of the handle 3020 from
its closed position to its open position causes the blade holder
3200 to move from its retracted position to its extended position.
Conversely, movement of the handle 3020 from its open position to
its closed position causes the blade holder 3200 to move from its
extended position to its retracted position. In the illustrated
embodiment, the retraction/closing synchronization mechanism 3300
comprises a pin 3310 mounted to the handle base 3040 for movement
with the handle base 3040 relative to the neck 3030. Depending on
the configuration of the handle 3020, a slot 3320 (which may be
arcuate in form) may be formed in the neck 3030 to prevent the pin
3310 from interfering with opening and closing of the handle 3020.
The pin 3310 extends into a slot 3330 in the blade holder 3200. The
slot 3330 and pin 3310 are positioned and sized such that the pin
3310 forces the blade holder 3200 between its extended and
retracted positions as the handle 3020 moves between its open and
closed positions.
[0077] While the illustrated retraction/closing synchronization
mechanism 3300 relies on a pin attached to the handle base 3040 and
a slot 3330 in the blade holder 3200, a pin could alternatively be
attached to the blade holder 3200 and a slot (e.g., a spiral shaped
slot) formed in the handle base 3040. Moreover, any other suitable
mechanism for synchronizing opening/closing of the handle 3020 to
extending/retracting of the blade holder 3200 and blade 230 could
alternatively be used without deviating from the scope of the
present invention (e.g., a gear system that converts pivotal
movement of the handle base 3040 into sliding/telescopic movement
of the blade holder 3200; a rack and pinion system in which a rack
attached to the blade holder 3200 engages a pinion gear (or half
gear) that pivots with the handle base 3040 relative to the neck
3030 and blade holder 3200). Use of such a retraction/closing
synchronization mechanism 3300 according to one or more embodiments
of the present invention may allow the knife to be closed in a
single, simple motion by closing the handle (as opposed to other
embodiments in which the knife is closed by first retracting the
blade/blade holder, and then closing the knife handle).
[0078] In the illustrated embodiment, the retraction/closing
synchronization mechanism 3300 creates a direct mechanical
connection between the opening/closing of the handle 3020 and the
extension/retraction of the blade holder 3200. Thus, opening of the
handle 3020 necessarily forces the blade holder 3200 into its
extended position, and maintaining the handle 3020 in its open
position physically and directly forces the blade holder 3200 to
remain in its extended position. In other words, the handle 3020
cannot be moved into its open position without moving the blade
holder 3200 into its extended position and vice versa. Conversely,
the blade holder cannot be moved from its extended position to its
retracted position without simultaneously moving the handle 3020
from its open position to its closed position, and vice versa. This
positive, direct mechanical connection may help to ensure that the
retraction/closing synchronization mechanism 3300 consistently and
reliably functions. However, such a positive, direct mechanical
connection may be omitted according to various embodiments without
deviating from the scope of the present invention.
[0079] A retraction/closing synchronization mechanism may be
incorporated into the knives 10, 1010 without deviating from the
scope of the present invention. Conversely, any one or more
features of the knives 10, 1010 may be incorporated into the knife
3010 without deviating from the scope of the present invention.
[0080] The foregoing illustrated embodiments are provided to
illustrate the structural and functional principles of the present
invention and are not intended to be limiting. To the contrary, the
principles of the present invention are intended to encompass any
and all changes, alterations and/or substitutions within the spirit
of the invention.
* * * * *