MXPA00007941A - Adjustable safety utility knife. - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable safety utility knife includes an elongated ergonomically shaped handle formed of two elongate shell members each having a peripheral edge and an outer generally convex surface and an inner generally concave surface. The shell members are fastened at the peripheral edges along a vertical parting plane to form an elongated internal cavity. The handle defines a fro nt end, a back end and an intermediate portion suitable for being gripped by a user and also defining top and bottom surfaces extending along opposite sides of the shell members along said peripheral edges. The handle has a slot-like aperture at the front end substantially aligned with the parting plane and dimensioned for passage of a flat cutting blade therethrough. A guide element within the elongated cavity guides the cutting blade between a fast position for safely storing the blad e fully inside said cavity and a second position for selectively extending the blade beyond the aperture to expose at least a portion thereof. A manually operated butto n arranged on the top surface is coupled to the guide element for selectively moving the blade between the first and second positions. The handle has a rear opening at the back end for providing access to the elongated internal cavity. A carrie r frame has a blade cartridgereceiving compartment and dimensioned to be removably receivable within the cavity through the rear opening between a retracted position in which the carrier frame is at least partially moved exteriorly of the bac k end to provide access of the cartridge receiving compartment. A blade cartridge for storing a plurality of flat cutting blades is receivable within the blade cartridge receiving compartment. A carriage includes a locking element for normally locking a cutting blade mounted thereon to substantially fix the cutting bla de against relative longitudinal movements between the cutting blade and carriage. The locking element includes an unlocking element the actuation of whic h releases the cutting blade to permit relative longitudinal movements between the cutting blade and the carnage. A blade release element on one of the shell members actuates the unlocking element when manual force is applied thereto, whereby application of a force on the release element releases the cutting blade and enables it to be withdrawn through the front end aperture. Slip resistan t elements are secured to the shell members along the top and bottom surface between a rearwardmost operative position of the manually operated button an d the back end of the handle. The slip resistant elements generally conform. t o the outer convex surface of the handle and enhance gripping of the handle and minimize slippage thereof during use of the utility knife when gripped by a user.

Description

ADJUSTABLE UTILITY SAFETY PENKNIFE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to hand tools, and more specifically, to a utility adjustable safety knife.

Description of the Previous Technique. Utility knives are widely used in construction, business and hobby applications to cut materials such as cardboard, drywall, cord and other objects. Commonly, utility knives are in the form of an elongated hollow housing that can be held by a user along an intermediate portion thereof and within which trapezoidal flat cutting knives are placed. Typically, knives have a single cutting edge. The knife is typically slidably mounted between a retracted position within the housing and an extended position in which the cutting edge is at least partially exposed through an opening in a front end or slot, the slot is engaged with an element operated manually, such as a button placed in a convenient manner to be operated by the user's hand. Many utility knives have a region inside the housing to store one or two additional knives that can be used to replace the operational knife once it has lost its edge. In many cases, a screw or similar mechanism is used to couple the two cover members together during normal use. When the knives are to be replaced, the screw is removed, allowing the two cover members to separate, and access is provided to the replacement knives.

The flat cutting knives used in utility knives are very useful and are easy to use when the knives are extremely sharp. Therefore, these knives are replaced frequently once they have lost their edge. For this purpose, known utility knives provide storage within the handle for additional knives so that they are always available when needed. In order to facilitate this replacement procedure, some utility knives provide a knife holder, which stores a plurality of knives and can be quickly removed conveniently from the handle of the utility knife. Also, a variety of utility knife designs have been proposed which facilitate the removal, inversion or replacement of knives without having to separate the matching parts of the handle or the cover members. In addition, since the flat cutting knives used in utility knives are relatively thin, the essentially frictional forces are applied or exerted on these knives, such is the case when knives are used to cut cardboard, drywall or their like. They are thick or heavy. As is typically used, utility knives are placed on the material to be cut and with the knife penetrated through the material and with the extended user's hand, the utility knife is pulled towards the user to make the cut. The friction forces exerted on the knife are such as to pull the utility knife in the opposite direction, which tends to pull the utility knife out of the user's hand. It is desirable that the user continues to hold the utility knife well for safety reasons as well as to avoid damage to the workpiece to be cut. However, known utility knives are typically made of metal housings that provide a limited amount of friction between the outer surface of the housing of the user's hand. Some measures have been taken to increase the amount of friction available for this purpose by forming textures on the surface by providing ribs, grooves, etc. While textured surfaces have an increased ability for the user to hold the utility knife housing, the more irregularities on the surface to improve the clamping action, the knife will become more uncomfortable to use since any irregularity of The surface tends to penetrate the user's surface when the knife is clamped tightly to overcome the friction forces pulled on the knife.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A utility adjustable safety razor in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises an ergonomically shaped elongate handle formed from two elongated cover members, each having a peripheral edge, an external convex surface and a generally concave inner surface. The securing means is provided to secure the cover members by their peripheral edges along a vertical dividing plane to form an elongated internal cavity. The handle defines a front end, a rear end and an intermediate portion suitable for being held by the user and also defines upper and lower surfaces that extend along the opposite sides of the front end essentially aligned with the dividing plane and with the suitable dimensions for the passage of a flat cutting knife through them. The guide means is provided within the elongated cavity to guide the cutting blade between a first position, so that it completely stores the blade securely within a cavity and a second position to selectively extend the blade beyond the opening to expose at least a portion thereof. A manually operated button is arranged on the upper surface and is engaged with the guide means to selectively move the knife between the first and second positions. The handle has a rear opening at the rear end to provide access to the elongated internal cavity. A carrier frame is provided and has a razor cartridge receiving compartment and has the dimensions to be releasably received within the cavity through the rear opening, between a retracted position in which the carrier frame is completely stored inside. of the internal cavity of the handle and an extended position in which the carrier frame is at least partially moved outwardly from the rear end to provide access to the cartridge receiving compartment. A razor cartridge is provided for storing a plurality of flat cutting knives which can be received within the receiving compartment of the razor cartridge and is completely removable individually through the rear slot-like opening of the carrier frame. The adjustable safety utility knife according to another feature of the present invention comprises an ergonomically shaped elongated handle formed from two elongated cover members, each with a peripheral edge, a convex external surface and an internal surface generally concave The securing means is provided to secure the cover members by their peripheral edges along the vertical dividing plane, to form an elongated internal cavity. The handle defines a front end, a rear end and an intermediate portion suitable for being held by the user and also defines upper and lower surfaces that extend along opposite sides of the front end, essentially aligned in the dividing plane and with the appropriate dimensions for the passage of a flat cutting knife through them. The guide means is provided within an elongated cavity to guide the cutting blade between a first position to store the knife completely within the cavity, securely and a second position to selectively extend the knife beyond the opening to expose at least a portion of it. A manually operated button is arranged on the upper surface and is engaged with the guiding means to selectively move the knife between the first and second positions. The guide means includes a carriage within the elongated internal cavity to support a flat cutting knife and guiding elements are provided on at least one of the generally concave inner surfaces to guide the cutting knife carriage or carrier between a first and second positions. The car includes insurance means to normally secure a cutting knife mounted on it, to essentially adjust the cutting knife against the relative longitudinal movements between the cutting knife and the carriage. The securing means also has an unsecured element, the actuation of which releases the cutting knife to allow relative longitudinal movements between the cutting knife and the carriage. The knife release means is provided on one of the cover members for driving the unsecure element when manual force is applied thereto. Therefore, the application of a force on the knife release means releases the cutting knife and allows it to be pulled through the end opening. The adjustable safety utility knife, according to another characteristic embodiment of the present invention, comprises an ergonomically shaped elongate handle formed from two elongated cover members, each having a peripheral edge, a convex external surface and a inner surface generally concave. The securing means is provided to secure the cover members by their peripheral edges along a vertical dividing plane, to form an elongated internal cavity. The handle defines a front end, a rear end and an intermediate portion suitable for being held by the user and also defines upper and lower surfaces that extend along opposite sides of the front end, essentially aligned with the dividing plane and with the appropriate dimensions for the passage of a flat cutting knife through them. The guiding means is provided within the elongated cavity to guide the cutting blade between a first position for securely stowing the razor within the cavity and a second position for selectively extending the razor past the opening. to expose at least a portion of it. A manually operated button is arranged on the upper surface and is coupled to the guiding means to selectively move the knife between the first and second positions. A slip-resistant means is provided secured to the cover along the upper and lower surfaces, between an operative position to the back of the manually operated button and a rear end. The slip-resistant means generally conforms to the convex outer surface and improves grip of the handle and minimizes sliding of the handle during use of the utility knife when held by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, within which: Figure 1 is a side, raised view of an adjustable safety utility knife with a knife holder easily releasable in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view of a utility knife shown in Figure 1, taken along line 2-2, shown with the knife holder and the carriage therein, in the fully retracted position; Figure 2B is similar to Figure 2A, with the exception that the knife holder is shown in its fully extended position in conditions to remove the knife from the cartridge; Figure 3 is an enlarged, magnified side view of the knife holder shown in Figures 2A and 2B, showing a cartridge placed inside the knife holder when there are no knives inside the cartridge; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the front load adjustable safety utility razor, in accordance with the present invention, with the front portion of the housing in section to show the easy release latch means, in accordance with the invention; Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of the front portion of the utility knife shown in Figure 4, taken along line 5A-5A; Figure 5B is similar to Figure 5A, but illustrates the condition of the elements or components of the easy release means when an external force is applied on the quick release button, such as the user's finger; Figure 6 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the carriage supporting the knife illustrated in Figures 4, 5A and 5B, shown in the normal condition, when no force is applied to the top button which unlocks the carriage to move inward or outward along the handle inside the cavity; Figure 7 is a side elevational view of an adjustable safety utility knife with slip-resistant elements according to the invention; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the utility knife shown in Figure 7, taken along line 8-8.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED MODE With reference now to the figures, in which similar or identical parts are indicated by the same reference number throughout this description and making reference first to Figure 1, a utility adjustable safety razor in accordance with with the present invention it is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The utility knife 10 includes an ergonomically shaped elongate handle 12 formed from two elongated cover members 14a, 14b, each with a peripheral edge 16a, 16b, respectively, generally convex external surfaces 18a, 18b and internal surfaces generally concave, respectively. A suitable latch such as a transverse screw 22 (Fig. 1) is provided to secure the cover members 14a, 14b to one another by their peripheral edges 16a, 16b along a vertical dividing plane P (Fig. 2), to form an elongated internal cavity or compartment 24. The handle 12 defines a front end 26, a rear end 28, and an intermediate portion 30 suitable for being held by the user, also defining top and bottom surfaces 32, 34 respectively. The upper and lower surfaces extend along the upper and lower surfaces of the cover members 14a, 14b along their peripheral edges. The handle 12 has a conventional slot-like opening 36 (Figure 1) and a front end 26 essentially aligned with the dividing plane P and with dimensions suitable for the passage of a flat cutting blade 38 through them. A guide member, in the form of a cartridge 39, is provided within the cavity 24, at the forward end 26 to guide the cutting blade 38 between a first portion [sic] to safely store the blade 40 within the cavity and a second position for selectively extending the knife beyond the opening 36 to expose a portion thereof, as shown in Figure 1. A manually operated button 40, of the type frequently used in utility knives, is arranged on the surface 32 upper and is coupled with the guide element to selectively move the knife 38 between the first and the second positions. The slip-resistant elements 42, 44 are provided and arranged on the upper and lower surfaces 32, 34, respectively. The elements generally conform to the convex outer surfaces 18a, 18b and improve the clamping action of the handle 12 and minimize the sliding of the handle during use. As the cover members are held together by a single fastener with the nature of a screw 22, the cover members are preferably provided with one or more cuts or recesses in one of the cover members and extensions in the other cover member. cover, which coincide with the cuts. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the cover member 14a is provided at the front end 26 thereof with upper and lower recesses or cuts R1, R2 receiving the transverse extensions E1, E2 which are integrally formed in the member 14b of opposite cover. It will be appreciated that when the recesses and extensions coincide and are secured as shown, it is evident that the deck members will not present a tendency to shift or change in relation to one another. The carriage 39 or knife guide is mounted on suitable guide surfaces (not shown) to guide the cutting knife between a first retracted position to store the knife completely within the cavity and a second position to extend the knife beyond the opening 36 for exposing at least a portion thereof, as shown in Figure 1. The manually operated button 40 is arranged on the upper surface 32 and is engaged with the guide element 39 to selectively move the knife between the first and second positions. With reference to Figures 1, 2A and 2B, the handle 12 has a rear opening at the rear end to provide access to the elongated internal cavity 24. The opening is formed by a recess R3, which removes the rear part of the cover 18a upwards towards the vertical edge R3 '(Figure 2B), which retains a curved surface or an arc 12n forming part of the rear end of the member 18b of cover, as can best be seen in Figures 2A and 2B. A carrier frame is generally designated by the reference number 50, which has a blade receiver compartment 50 'and has the proper dimensions to be releasably received from within the cavity 24 through the rear opening between a retracted position , as shown in Figure 2A, in which the carrier frame 50 is stored completely within the internal cavity 24 of the handle and an extended position shown in Figure 2B, in which the carrier frame 50 is at least partially, moved outward from the rear end to provide access to the cartridge receiving compartment. A razor cartridge 52 is provided, which can be slidably received within the carrier frame for storing a plurality of flat cutting blades 38, which can be received within the magazine 50 'receiver of the razor cartridge, each of The knives can be completely removed through a rear slot formed by a slot 50b of the carrier frame and a slot 52 of the cartridge, which are aligned with each other, as best shown in Figures 2A and 2B. The carrier frame 50 includes an arcuate portion with a curved surface 50a, which generally conforms to the curved, curved surface 12n (FIG. 2A) of the handle, so that in this way, when the carrier frame is inside the cavity 24, the outer surfaces 50a, 12n of the carrier frame and the part The back of the handle will come together to provide a unitary shape or appearance. A generally vertical slot 50b is provided on the arcuate surface or wall 50a. The carrier frame has a side wall 50c, closer to the cover member 18b and an opposite wall 50d, which is essentially in line or coplanar with the wall of the cover member 18a, a hook tapered outwardly is formed at the end of a 50g tab projecting backwards. At the end of the carrier frame 50, away from the curved surface 50a, a rear wall 50h is provided, which includes a vertical tab 50i on the outer surface, on which a tapered projection 50j is provided. The projection 50j becomes operative when the carriage moves from its retracted position to its extended position, shown in Figure 2B, the projection 5 Oj serves as a limit stop when engaging a position rib 12d formed in the cover member 18a. A similar vertical projection 12e is provided on the inner surface 20b of the cover member 18a to serve as a position member to maintain the lateral position of the carrier frame within the cavity 24. In this way, the projection 5 Oj in its extended position it engages a vertical rib 12d, while the inner movement of the carrier frame in its fully retracted position causes the tapered hook 50f to engage a tapered projection 12h formed on the inner surface 20a of the cover member 18a, as best illustrated in Figure 2A. The slots 50e provided above and below the wall extension 50g produce a more flexible wall 50d in the intermediate region thereof, which facilitates the depression or deflection of the wall extension 50g when the carrier frame needs to be removed. By pressing the wall 50d, essentially in the center thereof, the tapered hook 5of releases the tapered projection 12h to allow the carrier frame to slide outwardly from the handle housing, as shown in Figure 2B. A cartridge 52 containing the cutting knives, is generally designated with the reference number 52. In order to essentially fix the position of the cartridge 52 within the carrier frame 50 during normal operation, some features are provided which secure the cartridge against movements relative to the carrier frame. In this way, the inclined edges 52a of the cartridge are received within the corresponding inclined indentations or recesses 50k, within the inner surface 20b of the cover member 18b. Additionally, a limiting tab 52b extended upwardly is provided in the cartridge, which is butted against the inner surface of the upper end of the inclined surface 50a of the carrier frame, as shown in Figure 3. Also, on the wall lower 52c of the cartridge, a lateral limit tab 52d is formed and provided with some advantage, which is butted against the inner surface of the wall 50d, to avoid inconvenient lateral movements and to ensure alignment of the slot 52s in the rear wall 52w with the slot 50b in the carrier frame. In order also to ensure the position stability of the unit during normal use, preferably, the cartridge has a rear wall 52q which is generally formed towards the surface or interior shape of the rear wall 50h of the carrier frame member, which allows the aforementioned two components to be separated only by the relative downward sliding movement of the cartridge relative to the carrier frame, as best shown and suggested by the arrow M of Figure 3. An additional wall 50 and position is provided, with certain advantages, which extends downwards as shown in Figure 3, to capture the 52q wall of the cartridge. Therefore, with this construction, the cartridge is fully captured within the carrier frame and shares all linear, sliding movements thereof as the carrier frame extends and retracts into the handle. Mounted on the inner surface of the wall 52e of the cartridge 52, essentially centered with the longitudinal length of the cartridge, a retaining spacer 52h is provided on each side side, of which vertical ribs 52f, 52g are provided, as shown in the Figures 2A and 2B. A leaf spring 54 has a central portion thereof captured between the retaining spacer 52h and the wall 52e and prevents it from moving laterally by the vertical ribs 52f, 52g. The leaf spring 54 has two side spring members or wings that are bent forward toward an opening 52 i in the wall 52j of the cartridge. It will be evident that the insertion of the cutting knives 38 into the cartridge, as shown, will be moved or pushed towards the opening 52 i by the crossbow, so that there is no razor inside the cartridge, one of these knives will be butted against the wall 52j and will be accessible for finger contact through the opening 52 i. While the longitudinal length of the internal cartridge is essentially equal to the maximum dimension of the knives, the knives are prevented from moving inside the cartridge by means of a movable tongue 50k provided on the upper part of the cartridge, which is hinged, can to be a hinge 50m of plastic at one end and with a ratchet 50n angled to the right directed downwards, with the dimensions to be received within a conventional open notch in the upper edge of the cutting knife. When the carrier frame unit and the cartridge are inserted into the handle, the tongue 50k is automatically forced downwardly by the inner surface 12y (Figure 1) of the cover members, which causes the ratchet 50n to move within a of the notches of the knife (s), whereby all the knives are kept in alignment within the cartridge. When the knife is removed from the cartridge and the carrier frame is removed or brought into its extended position shown in Figure B, the movable tongue 50k releases the surface 12y and the tongue is elastically raised to the position shown in Figure 3, releasing in this way, the notches and allowing the knife to be removed from the cartridge. If the cartridge is made of a plastic material, to allow the use of a plastic hinge, the tongue 50k can also be mounted by using a normal hinge and a suitable spring can be used to move the tongue to the position shown in the FIG. Figure 3. During use, when the knife needs to be removed or removed from the cartridge, the wall 50d is initially manually pressed inward, which allows the tapered hook 50f to free the tapered projection 12h. This allows the carrier frame to move outwardly until the tapered projection 50j abuts the positioning rib 12d. In this position, the opening or window 52 i, which is covered when it is in the retracted position shown in Figure 2A, is exposed and the user can, using his fingers, make contact with the knife closest to the wall. 52j of the cartridge and slide the knife back through slots 52s and 50b aligned to remove the knife. When the withdrawal is completed, the carrier frame can slide backward into the housing of the handle 12 to be in the position shown in Figure 2A, at which point, the carrier frame is secured within the handle by the tapered hook 50f and the 12h tapered projection. It should be noted from the above description that the detachable knife holder according to the invention ensures that the knives are always stored securely within the holder and inside the cartridge, the possibility of the knives falling inadvertently from the unit is extremely remote thanks to the double enclosure construction. Also, the removal of the knives is easy and convenient. Because there is a cartridge 52 separate from knives, individual knives do not need to be manipulated when the knives are inserted into the unit for future use. Preferably, the cartridge 52 is delivered to the user as a pre-packaged unit so that the cartridge can simply be inserted and adjusted in place without touching the knives. Therefore, the inadvertent opening of the knife compartment is virtually impossible. The resulting design is, in this way, extremely safe to use and childproof. As indicated, even if the carrier frame is removed, this does not imply exposure of the dangerous cutting edges of the knives. It will be necessary to carry out the additional step of the manual sliding of the knife, through the opening or window 52 i, to remove the knife from the cartridge. The utility knife 10 includes a handle 112 with an ergonomic elongated shape, formed of two elongate members 114a, 114b, each with a peripheral edge 116a, 116b, respectively (Figure 5), an external surface generally convex 118a, 118b and a surface 120a , Internal 120b, generally concave, respectively. A suitable fastener, such as a transverse screw 122 (Figure 4) is provided to secure the cover members 114a, 114b to one another by the peripheral edges 116a, 116b (Figures 5A, 5B) along the vertical dividing plane P (Figure 5). 5) to form an internal, elongated cavity or compartment 124. The handle 112 defines a front end 126, a rear end 128 and an intermediate portion 130 suitable for being held by the user, also defines a lower and upper surfaces 132, 134, respectively, which extend along the upper and lower sides of the cover members 114a, 114b, along the peripheral edges. The handle 112 has a conventional slit-like opening 136 (Figure 4) and a leading end 126 essentially aligned with the dividing plane P and have the dimensions for the passage of a flat, cutting blade 138 through them. A guide member, in the form of a carriage 139, is provided within the cavity 124, at the forward end 126 to guide the cutting blade 138 between a first position to safely store the knife 140 within the cavity and a second extended position for selectively extending the knife beyond the aperture 136 to expose a portion thereof, as shown in Figure 4. A manually operated button 140, of the type frequently used in utility razors of this type, it is arranged on the upper surface 132 and is coupled with the guide element or carriage 139 to selectively move the knife 138 between a first and second positions. The slip resistant elements 142, 144 are secured between the cover members or the upper and lower surfaces 132, 134, respectively, between a rearmost operative position of the manually operated button and the rear end 128. The slide resistant elements 142, 144 generally conform the convex surfaces 118a, 118b and improve grip of the handle 112 and minimize sliding of the handle during use of the utility knife when the user holds it. As the cover members are held together by a single screw 122, the cover members are preferably provided with one or more cuts or recesses in one of the cover members and extensions in the other cover member that coincide therewith. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the cover member 114a is provided at the front end 126 thereof with recesses or cuts R1, upper and lower R2 receiving the extensions E1E2 transverse, which are integrally formed in the opposite cover member 114b. It can be seen that when the recesses and extensions coincide and are secured as shown, it will be evident that the cover members will not present a tendency to shift or change in relation to one another. The guide carrier or carriage is mounted on suitable guide surfaces 112a, 112b (not shown) to guide the cutting knife between a first position to store the knife completely within the cavity 124 and a second position to selectively extend the knife more beyond the opening 136 to expose at least a portion thereof, as shown in Figure 4. The manually operated button 140 is arranged on the upper surface 132 and is engaged with the guide element or carriage to selectively move the knife between the first and second positions. With reference to Figure 4, the housing is shown in section to illustrate the general position of the knife guide member or carriage 139 within the elongated internal cavity 124 to support the flat cutting blade. The guide surfaces 112a, 112b (Figure 4) are provided on at least one of the internal, concave surfaces 120a, 120b to guide the carriage 139 and the cutting knife between first and second extended or retracted positions or positions. A plurality of teeth 112c (Figure 4) are provided along the direction D1 of the longitudinal length of the front end of the housing 112, the teeth are shown arranged along a straight or linear path for reasons that will become apparent thereafter. With reference to Figures 5A, 5B and 6, the details of the carriage 139 will be described to allow easy and rapid release of the knife 134. The carriage includes an essentially flat body 139a (Figure 6), preferably formed of a metal , although other materials can be used. The spaced ribs 139b, 139c are generally aligned with one another as shown and define a generally rectangular opening or space 139d within the body 139a. A lower shoulder or rib 139d is provided, which is parallel to the ribs 139b, 139c and the opposite ribs are spaced apart from one another to correspond substantially with the height of the knife 138, so that the knife can be received between the opposing ribs. in a small space. While the ribs 139b-139d project towards the member 118a (out of the paper, as seen in Figure 6), the body 139a is provided with essentially parallel and spaced apart projections 139g and 139h, which extend toward the member 118b. cover (inside the page, as shown in Figure 6). The projection 139g includes an opening 139 i and the projection 139 h includes an opening 139 j to accommodate the post 140b on which the button 110 rests, to allow the button and the post to move vertically relative to the body 139a. A helical compression spring 146, captured between the projections 139g, 139h, normally moves e | button and the post, to thereby move them upwardly relative to the body 139a, leading the teeth 140c coincident with the post 140b to be generally aligned and secured with the teeth 112c of the handle housing 112. When engaged or secured from In this way, the body 139a is secured in place and can not be moved forward or backward relative to the handle. However, when the button 110 is depressed inwardly, the teeth 140c move downwardly relative to the teeth 112c and the locking relationship is interrupted so that the user can slide the carriage 139 forward or rearwardly on the guides 112a, 112b. A detent 148 is provided with a vertical cylindrical protrusion 148a through which a vertical bolt 150 extends between the projections 139g and 139h to result in the retainer being pivotally engaged on the axis A of the bolt.

The detent includes a forward portion 148b forward of the bolt 150 and a rear portion 148c, rearwardly of the bolt 150. A compression spring 152 is located between the body 139a and a rear portion 148c to naturally rotate the detent 148 in a rotational direction to the left when the car is seen from its top. This normal arrangement of the detent maintains a right-angled ratchet 148d extending through the opening 139d, at a distance sufficient to engage one of the notches 138a, 138b formed in the upper edge of the knife 138. Therefore, the Ratchet 148d normally secures the blade of the movement relative to the carriage. As already indicated, therefore, the right-angled ratchet 148d, which is of the nature of a lock or of a blocking element, normally secures the cutting knife mounted thereon, to essentially fix the cutting knife against the movements longitudinal relative between the cutting knife and the car. With reference to Figures 5A and 5b, a quick release mechanism 154 is illustrated in the cover member 118. The quick release mechanism 154 includes a bolt 156 extending through an aperture 112c in the cover member 118b, the bolt 156 being slidably mounted lengthwise in a direction generally normal to the axis A of the bolt 150. provides a button or cap 158, which covers the pin 156 and is provided with an external shape or configuration suitable for manual depression. The bolt 156 may be secured to the wall of the cover member 118b in any conventional or proper manner or manner, a washer 160 is shown, the end of the bolt 156 extends inward beyond the washer 160 in any suitable manner, as by flared, to allow the bolt to move into the cavity, but not allow the bolt to move outward beyond the condition indicated in Figures 5A, 5B. The axis B of the bolt 156, is preferably aligned with the spring 152, the inner end of the bolt 156 and the bolt 152 are arranged on opposite sides of the rear portion 148c of the detent 148. In this way, when no pressure is applied outside the cap 158 and the pin 156, the compression spring 152 is selected to be strong enough to rotate the detent 148 in a counterclockwise direction, as can be seen in Figure 5A, so that the detent pawl 148d is receive inside an upper notch of the knife 138, while the pin 156 and the lid 158 move outward to the maximum limit allowed by the washer 160. However, when it is desired to remove the knife 138 through the opening 136 or front opening, the user presses the quick release lid 158, so that it overcomes the forces exerted by both springs 152 and 152, turn the retainer 148 in a clockwise rotating direction, as seen in Figure 5A, towards the position shown in Figure 5B, in which the pawl 148d is removed or removed from the upper notch of the knife 138. In this condition, there is nothing to hold the knife 138 of the movement in relation to the carriage 139 and the knife can be pulled forward easily and conveniently out of the accommodation of the utility knife. The same procedure can be applied to insert a new pocket knife. As long as the cap 158 is held in a depressed position, by the application of a force F, the securing pawl 148b is displaced from its normal position and provides a free path for the razor to be removed or pulled. Once the knife is inserted into the unit, the lid 158 can be released and the knife secured in place as illustrated in Figure 5A. It will be appreciated that the quick release mechanism 154 described above overcomes the difficulties of some prior art designs in which all the components or elements used to provide some of the functions described above can be separated. Thus, when the cover members 118a, 118b are removed or separated, the different components, including the springs, all separate and it becomes very difficult to reassemble the elements in a way that makes them easily functional. With the present design, the carriage 139 is made as an independent unitary unit, all the described components, with the exception of the release mechanism or button 154, are mounted on the body 139a of the carriage 139. Therefore, if the members 118a, 118b are separated, it is very easy to simply reposition the body 139a in the guide lugs 112a, 112b and the unit can be reassembled easily and properly since all the springs, the retainer, etc., are permanently mounted on the body 139a. The utility knife 10 includes a handle 212 with an ergonomic elongated shape, formed of two elongated members 214a, 214b, each with a peripheral edge 216a, 216b, respectively, an external surface generally convex 218a, 218b and an internal surface 220a, 220b, generally concave, respectively. A suitable fastener, such as a transverse screw 222 (Figure 7) is provided to secure the cover members 214a, 214b to each other at the peripheral edges 216a, 216b along the vertical dividing plane P (Figure 8) to form a cavity internal, elongate or compartment 224. The handle 212 defines a front end 226, a rear end 228 and an intermediate portion 230 suitable to be held by the user, also defines a lower and upper surfaces 232, 234, respectively, extending to along the upper and lower sides of the cover members 214a, 214b, along the peripheral edges. The handle 212 has a conventional slot-like opening 236 (FIG. 7) and a front end 226 substantially aligned with the dividing plane P and have the dimensions for the passage of a flat, cutting knife 238 therethrough. A guide member, in the form of a carriage 238, is provided within the cavity 224, at the forward end 226 to guide the cutting blade 238 between a first position to safely store the knife 240 within the cavity and a second extended position for selectively extending the knife beyond the opening 236 to expose a portion thereof, as shown in Figure 7. A manually operated button 240, of the type frequently used in such utility razors, it is arranged on the upper surface 232 and is engaged with the guide element to selectively move the knife 238 between a first and second positions. In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, the slip-resistant elements 242, 244 are provided and arranged on the upper surface 232 and are coupled to the guiding mechanisms for selectively moving the knife 238 between a first and second positions. A feature of the present invention is to provide the slip-resistant elements 242, 244 secured between the cover members or the upper and lower surfaces 232, 234, respectively, between a rearmost operative position of the manually operated button and the rear end 228. The sliding-resistant elements 242, 244 generally conform the convex surfaces 218a, 218b and improve grip of the handle 212 and minimize sliding of the handle during use of the utility knife when the user holds it. As the cover members are held together by a single screw 222, the cover members are preferably provided with one or more cuts or recesses in one of the cover members and extensions in the other cover member that coincide with the cuts. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the cover member 214a is provided at the front end 226 with upper and lower recesses or cuts R1, R2 receiving the E1 extensions., Transverse E2 which are integrally formed in the opposite cover member 214b. It can be seen that when the recesses and the extensions coincide and are secured as shown, it will be evident that the cover members will not present a tendency to shift or change in relation to one another. The guide carrier 239 is mounted on suitable guide surfaces (not shown) for guiding the cutting blade between a first retracted position for storing the razor completely within the cavity 224 and a second position for extending beyond the opening 236 for exposing at least a portion thereof, as shown in Figure 7. The manually operated button 240 is arranged on the upper surface 232 and is engaged with the guide element or carriage to selectively move the knife between the first and second positions. . The slip-resistant elements 242, 244 are secured to the members 214a, 214b along the upper and lower surfaces between a rearmost operational position of the manual operation button 240 and the rear end, the slip-resistant elements 242, 244 they generally conform the convex external surface of the handle housing and improve the grip of the handle by the user and minimize the sliding of the handle during the use of the utility knife when the user holds it. Preferably, the sliding-resistant elements 242, 244 are formed of an elastomeric or rubber-like material. The specific manner for coupling the sliding-resistant elements 242, 244 with the handle 212 is not critical, and any suitable or conventional method for coupling them can be used. However, with reference to Figure 8, there is illustrated presently preferred embodiment, in which the slip resistant elements 242, 244 are generally in the form of rectilinear strips with first and second predetermined lengths L1, L2 throughout of the upper and lower surfaces, respectively. The peripheral edges along each predetermined length of the upper and lower surfaces generally have a U-shaped displacement on each side of the dividing plane P, which together form a rectangular, generally elongated opening defining opposite edges 246a, 246b which are generally parallel to the dividing plane. Each slip-resistant element 242, 244 have dimensions essentially corresponding to an associated rectangular aperture and have opposite side slots 242a, 242b arranged to receive the associated edges 246a, 246b in a tongue and groove configuration to secure each strip within the associated aperture in the mango housing. While not critical, the predetermined lengths L1 and L2 need not be the same with each other. However, in the preferred embodiment they are approximately equal with one another to provide the user with a substantial holding area. Each of the slip resistant elements is thus formed to improve the clamping action. In this way, the elements are preferably provided with external protuberances that improve the clamping. In the embodiment shown, these protuberances are in the form of a plurality of transverse ribs extending in a direction generally normal or transverse to the dividing plane P. As can best be seen from Figure 7, the handle 212 is formed from the front and rear portions of the handle, each of which is essentially straight and defines a longitudinal direction, directions D21 and D22, as indicated in FIG. Figure 7. The longitudinal directions are slightly offset at an angle to each other, the slip-resistant material is placed at an essential length of the rear portion of the handle. Up to this point, each of the slip resistant elements, preferably, it projects slightly beyond the upper and lower surfaces to provide an effective hold with the user's hand. In the embodiment shown, the slip-resistant strips form arched profiles with a generally outward shape along the longitudinal directions of the handle. The specific surface shape and texture, however, are not critical. In this way, for example, the slip-resistant elements can also be formed of a foam-like material with sufficient density to withstand the strong pressing action or the pressures applied thereto. The handle 212 is also shown in Figure 7, including a C-channel near the front end 226 and along the lower surface 234, which can be used to cut material into filaments such as yarns or cords, even when the knife 238 is completely retracted, since the edge continues to rotate in relation to one another.

Claims (28)

1. CLAIMS 1. An adjustable safety utility knife comprises an ergonomically shaped elongated handle formed from two elongated cover members, each having a peripheral edge and an external surface generally convex and an internal surface generally concave; securing means for securing the cover members by their peripheral edges along a vertical dividing plane, to form an elongated internal cavity; the handle defines a front end, a rear end and an intermediate portion suitable for being held by the user and also defines upper and lower surfaces that extend along opposite sides of the cover members along their edges peripheral, the handle has a slot-like opening in the front end essentially aligned with the dividing plane and with the dimensions suitable for the passage of a flat cutting knife through it; the guide means within the elongated cavity for guiding the cutting blade between a first position so as to securely store the blade completely within a cavity and a second position to selectively extend the blade beyond the opening for expose at least a portion of it; a manually operated button is arranged on the upper surface and is engaged with the guiding means to selectively move the knife between the first and second positions; the handle has a rear opening at the rear end to provide access to the elongated internal cavity; a carrier frame has a razor cartridge receiving compartment and has the dimensions to receive releasably within the cavity through the rear opening between a retracted position in which the carrier frame is completely stored within the internal cavity of the handle and an extended position in which the carrier frame is at least partially moved outwardly from the rear end to provide access to the cartridge receiving compartment with a cartridge; a razor cartridge for storing a plurality of flat cutting knives that are received inside the razor cartridge receiving compartment.
2. 2. An adjustable safety utility knife as defined in Claim 1, wherein the carrier frame has a rear wall that generally conforms to the convex external surface configuration of the handle, the rear wall has a rear slot-like opening, generally parallel to the dividing plane and has the dimensions for the passage of a flat cutting knife through it.
3. 3. An adjustable safety utility knife as defined in Claim 2, wherein the carriage has an appropriate width for storing a plurality of flat cutting knives, the supporting frame having parallel side walls, spaced apart from one another along a direction transverse to the cutting plane, the pushing means is in contact with one of the side walls to move any of the blades against the other of the side walls.
4. 4. An adjustable safety utility knife as defined in Claim 3, wherein the rear opening is generally aligned with the position of the flat cutting blade in contact with one another of the side walls, the cartridge is provided with an opening step facing the rear wall, whereby a flat cutting knife can be moved out of the cartridge and through the rear opening for removal and insertion through the front opening for use.
5. 5. An adjustable safety utility knife as defined in Claim 4, wherein the other side wall is provided with at least one opening for exposing at least a portion of the surface of a flat cutting blade in contact with the other of the side walls, whereby the user can apply a manual force to the cutting knife and move the cutting knife to slide out of the cartridge and carrier frame.
6. 6. An adjustable safety utility knife as defined in Claim 5, wherein at least one opening comprises an elongated opening extending along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the handle.
7. 7. A utility adjustable safety razor as defined in Claim 1, further comprising an securing mechanism for normally securing the carrier frame in the retracted position within the handle.
8. 8. A utility adjustable safety razor as defined in Claim 7, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a fixed stop on at least one of the cover members and an elastically-urged adjustment tab that engages the fixed stop when the carrier frame moves to its fully retracted position.
9. 9. An adjustable safety utility knife as defined in Claim 8, wherein the adjustment tab is mounted on a manually deflected portion of the carrier frame, which can be manually depressed to cause the adjustment tab to be released. of the fixed stop to allow the carrier frame to move backward relative to the handle.
10. A utility adjustable safety razor as defined in Claim 9, wherein one of the cover members includes a cutting region at the trailing end, which forms a generally transverse edge with the longitudinal direction spaced from its trailing end , the fixed stop is provided on one of the cover members, the carrier frame has a wall portion that essentially covers the cutting region and includes an elastic adjusting support portion mounted to support the adjustment tab to provide normally an interference fit with the fixed stop and causing the adjustment tab to release the fixed stop when the adjustment portion for support is manually pressed inwardly in the direction of the other of the cover members.
11. A utility adjustable safety razor as defined in Claim 1, wherein the cover members are provided with the guide means of the carrier frame to slidably guide the carrier frame between the retracted and extended positions.
12. 12. A utility adjustable safety razor as defined in Claim 1, wherein the carrier frame is fully releasable from the handle.
13. 13. An adjustable safety utility knife as defined in Claim 1, wherein the cover members are made of a metallic material and the carrying frame is made of a plastic material.
14. 14. An adjustable safety utility knife comprises an ergonomically shaped elongated handle formed from two elongated cover members, each having a peripheral edge and an external surface generally convex and an internal surface generally concave; securing means for securing the cover members by their peripheral edges along a vertical dividing plane, to form an elongated internal cavity; the handle defines a front end, a rear end and an intermediate portion suitable for being held by the user and also defines upper and lower surfaces that extend along the opposite sides of the cover members along their peripheral edges , the handle has a slot-like opening in the front end essentially aligned with the dividing plane and with the dimensions suitable for the passage of a flat cutting knife through it; the guide means within the elongated cavity for guiding the cutting blade between a first position so as to securely store the blade completely within a cavity and a second position to selectively extend the blade beyond the opening for expose at least a portion of it; a manually operated button is arranged on the upper surface and is engaged with the guiding means to selectively move the knife between the first and second positions; the guide means includes a carriage within the elongated internal cavity to support a flat cutting knife and the guiding elements on at least one of the generally concave surfaces to guide the carriage and the cutting knife carried therein, between the first and the second positions; the carriage includes a means of insurance to normally secure the cutting knife mounted thereon, to essentially fix the cutting knife against the relative longitudinal movements between the cutting knife and the carriage; the insurance means includes a release means, the actuation of which releases the cutting knife to allow relative longitudinal movements between the cutting knife and the carriage; and the knife-releasing means in one of the cover members to actuate the unsecured element when a manual force is applied thereto, whereby the application of a force on the releasing means releases the cutting knife and allows it to be extracted through the front opening.
15. 15. A utility adjustable safety razor according to claim 14, wherein the carriage is engaged with the guiding means.
16. 16. A utility adjustable safety razor according to claim 14, wherein the carriage slidably receives a cutting knife with a small space, the flat cutting knife has an opening therein and the carriage includes an insurance ratchet. normally extended through the opening to prevent relative longitudinal movements between the knife and the carriage, the securing pawl can be removed from the opening when pressure is applied to a predetermined portion of the carriage, and a release button in one of the members of cover normally pushed outward to release the carriage and which can be manually depressed to apply a pressure to the predetermined portion when the carriage is in a preselected position on the handle near the front end, whereby the carriage movement towards the preset position on the handle and manually pressing the release button removes the safety ratchet from l Coupling with the cutting knife and allows it to be removed from the carriage and handle through the front opening.
17. 17. A utility adjustable safety razor according to claim 14, wherein the carriage is made as a separate unit.
18. 18. A utility adjustable safety razor comprises an ergonomically shaped elongate handle formed from two elongated cover members, each having a peripheral edge and an external surface generally convex and an internal surface generally concave; securing means for securing the cover members by their peripheral edges along a vertical dividing plane, to form an elongated internal cavity; the handle defines a front end, a rear end and an intermediate portion suitable for being held by the user and also defines upper and lower surfaces that extend along the opposite sides of the cover members along their peripheral edges , the handle has a slot-like opening in the front end essentially aligned with the dividing plane and with the dimensions suitable for the passage of a flat cutting knife through it; the guide means within the elongated cavity for guiding the cutting blade between a first position so as to securely store the blade completely within a cavity and a second position to selectively extend the blade beyond the opening for expose at least a portion of it; a manually operated button is arranged on the upper surface and is engaged with the guiding means to selectively move the knife between the first and second positions; the slip-resistant means secured with the cover members along the lower and upper surfaces between the rear operating position of the button, manual operation and the rear end, the slip-resistant means generally conforms to the convex external surface and improves the grip of the handle and minimizes the sliding of the handle during the use of the utility knife when the user holds it. 1T.
19. An adjustable safety utility knife as defined in Claim 18, wherein the slip resistant means is formed of an elastomeric material.
20. 20. An adjustable safety utility knife as defined in Claim 18, wherein the slip-resistant means is formed of a rubber-like material.
21. 21. An adjustable safety utility knife as defined in Claim 18, wherein the slip-resistant means comprises rectilinear strips with predetermined first and second lengths along the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, the peripheral edges as defined in FIG. length of each of the predetermined lengths of the upper and lower surfaces have generally U-shaped displacements on each side of the dividing plane, which together form an elongated, rectangular opening defining the opposite edges generally parallel to the dividing plane, each one of the slip resistant means has dimensions that correspond essentially to an associated rectangular aperture and have opposite side slots arranged to receive the associated edges of a rectangular aperture in a tongue and groove configuration to secure each strip within an associated aperture.
22. 22. An adjustable safety utility knife as defined in Claim 21, wherein the first and second predetermined lengths are approximately equal to each other.
23. 23. A utility adjustable safety razor as defined in Claim 18, wherein the slip-resistant means comprises elongated strips formed with external protrusions that improve grip.
24. 24. An adjustable safety utility knife as defined in Claim 23, wherein the protuberances comprise a plurality of ribs.
25. 25. A utility adjustable safety razor as defined in Claim 24, wherein the ribs extend in the generally normal directions to the dividing plane.
26. 26. An adjustable safety utility knife as defined in Claim 18, wherein the handle is formed of front and rear handle portions, each of which is essentially straight and defines a longitudinal direction, the longitudinal directions are slightly offset from one another, the slip-resistant means is placed at a length of the back portion of the handle.
27. 27. A utility adjustable safety razor as defined in Claim 18, wherein the slip-resistant means protrudes slightly beyond the lower and upper surfaces to provide a holding position with the user's hand.
28. 28. An adjustable safety utility knife as defined in Claim 27, wherein the slip-resistant means forms arcuate profiles generally outwardly along the direction of the longitudinal length of the handle. SUMMARY An adjustable safety utility knife includes an ergonomically shaped elongated handle formed from two elongated cover members, each with a peripheral edge and an external surface generally convex and an internal surface generally concave. The cover members are secured with the peripheral edges along a vertical dividing plane to form an elongated internal cavity. The handle defines a front end and a rear end and an intermediate portion suitable for being held by a user, and which also defines upper and lower surfaces that extend along the opposite sides of the cover members, along the the peripheral edges. The handle has a slot-like opening at the front end, essentially aligned with the dividing plane and having the dimensions for the passage of a flat cutting knife through it. A guiding element inside the elongated cavity, guides the cutting blade between a first position for completely storing the razor securely within the cavity, and a second position for selectively extending the razor past the opening to expose at least a portion of it. A button operated manually, arranged on the upper surface, engages the guide element to selectively move the knife between the first and second positions. The handle has a rear opening at the rear end to provide access to the elongated internal cavity. A carrier frame has a magazine compartment of the razor cartridge with suitable dimensions so that it can be received releasably within the cavity, through the rear opening between a retracted position where the carrier frame moves at least partially towards the outside of the rear end, in order to provide access to the cartridge receiving compartment. A razor cartridge may be received to store a plurality of flat cutting knives inside the receiving compartment of the razor cartridge. A carriage includes an insurance element for normally securing a cutting knife mounted thereon, in order to essentially fix the cutting knife against relative longitudinal movements between the cutting knife and the carriage. The securing element includes an unsecured element, the actuation of which rele the cutting knife to allow relative longitudinal movements between the cutting knife and the carriage. A knife-releelement on one of the cover members actuates the unsecure element when a manual force is applied thereto, whereby, the application of a force on the releelement rele the cutting knife and makes it possible to can be removed through the opening of the front end. Slip-resistant elements are secured to the cover members, along the upper and lower surfaces, between an operative position further back of the manually operated button and the rear end of the handle. The slip-resistant elements generally conform to the convex external surface of the handle and improve the grip of the handle and minimize its sliding during use of the utility knife when held by the user.