AU2016100233A4 - knife with built-in light - Google Patents

Abstract

A knife comprising a blade (1) and a handle (2) is provided, at one end of the handle which is adjacent to the blade, with a guard (3) in which a pair of transparent lenses (4) are mounted. The handle is provided with chambers for accommodating lamp bulbs and batteries by means of which light from the lamp bulbs can be directed through the lenses to illuminate an area in the vicinity of the blade (1). A detachable end cap (5) is provided to enable the lamp bulbs and batteries to be replaced. The knife is particularly useful in conditions of poor visibility and is primarily intended for use by divers and fire fighters. Figure 1

Description

1 KNIFE WITH BUILT-IN LIGHT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to knives and seeks to provide an improvement over existing knives. [0002] A problem frequently encountered by divers, for example, is the use of a knife in poor visibility conditions under water to cut lines or other underwater obstructions and entanglements. In such conditions of poor visibility, a light is required in order to illuminate an area in which cutting by means of a knife is required. It is therefore necessary for a diver to hold a light in one hand and to cut the line, net or other article with the knife in his other hand. In the case of a strong current, however, it is frequently necessary for a diver to hang onto a fixed object with one hand, while effecting cutting operations with a knife in his other hand, in order not to be swept away by the current. In this case, it is not possible to illuminate the cutting area because the diver does not have a free hand. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a knife with built-in light to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages. [0004] The present invention has a knife with built-in light comprising a blade and a handle, wherein the handle is provided, at one end which is adjacent to the blade, with a transparent window on each side of the blade, wherein the handle is further adapted to hold at least one lamp bulb and one or more batteries for lighting the lamp bulb(s) and wherein switch means are provided for switching the lamp bulb(s) on or off.

2 [0005] In another preferred embodiment, the handle is provided with a transparent window on each side of the blade. [0006] In another preferred embodiment, the knife blade extends into the handle and a respective lamp bulb is located on each side of the blade portion within the handle, each bulb being associated with a respective transparent window at said one end of the handle. [0007] In another preferred embodiment, the or each transparent window takes the form of a lens, the or lens is mounted in a guard for the handle which is located between the handle and the blade. [0008] In another preferred embodiment, further comprising a functional cover the other end of the handle is provided with a detachable end cap by means of which the battery or batteries and/or the lamp bulb or lamp bulbs can be replaced. [0009] The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective invention view of one embodiment of a knife according to the invention; [0011] Fig. 2 is a view of the blade end of the knife shown in Fig. 1; [0012] Fig. 3 is a view of the handle end of the knife shown in Fig. 1.

3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0013] Referring to the drawings, a knife according to the invention comprises a blade 1 which extends into a handle 2, a guard 3 being provided at the end of the handle from which the blade extends. The guard 3 is provided with a pair of apertures in each of which is located a respective transparent lens 4. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, each lens 4 takes the form of a truncated semi-circle with its chord extending substantially parallel to the plane of the blade 1. [0014] The handle 2 is hollow and a portion of the blade (not shown) extends through the handle and may be secured to an end cap 5. The end of the blade may be provided with a screw-thread and the end cap may be provided with a corresponding screw-thread for this purpose. Alternatively, the handle may be moulded onto the blade and the end cap 5 secured to the end of the handle which is remote from the guard 3. [0015] As shown in Fig. 3, the handle is adapted to contain four small torches 6, preferably of the "PEN-LTI'E" type. The handle is made of squeezable material and switches (not shown) on the torches 6 are so arranged that, when the handle is squeezed, the switches are actuated to light the torches. The light from the torches will issue from the handle 2 through the lenses 4 and will thus provide illumination on each side of the blade 1. [0016] As stated above, the knife according to the invention is primarily intended for use by divers so the end cap 5 that the torches should be waterproof. Alternatively, or in addition, may be provided with a seal (not shown) whereby the interior of the handle is rendered watertight, as above described, when the end cap is fitted to the handle. [0017] It will be seen that, by means of a knife according to the invention, a diver has a 4 ready and convenient means of illuminating an area in which cutting is needed and that the illumination will be effective even if the diver has only one free hand.

Claims (5)

1. A knife with built-in light comprising a blade and a handle, wherein the handle is provided, at one end which is adjacent to the blade, with a transparent window on at least one side of the blade, wherein the handle is further adapted to hold at least one lamp bulb and one or more batteries for lighting the lamp bulb(s) and wherein switch means are provided for switching the lamp bulb(s) on and off.

2. A knife with built-in light according to claim 1, wherein the handle is provided with a transparent window on each side of the blade.

3. A knife with built-in light according to claim 1, wherein the knife blade extends into the handle and a respective lamp bulb is located on each side of the blade portion within the handle, each bulb being associated with a respective transparent window at said one end of the handle.

4. A knife with built-in light according to claim 1, wherein the or each transparent window takes the form of a lens, the or lens is mounted in a guard for the handle which is located between the handle and the blade.

5. A knife with built-in light according to claim 1, wherein further comprising a functional cover the other end of the handle is provided with a detachable end cap by means of which the battery or batteries and/or the lamp bulb or lamp bulbs can be replaced.