US1947751A

US1947751A - Knife

Info

Publication number: US1947751A
Application number: US462496A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lawrie L Witter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1930-06-20
Filing date: 1930-06-20
Publication date: 1934-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 1951-02-20

Description

Feb. 20, 1934. wrrTER 1,947,751

KNIFE Filed June 20, 1930 fill Patented Feb. 20, 1934 PATENT OFFICE KNIFE Lawrie L. Witter, Jamaica Plain, Mass.

Application June 20, 1930. Serial No. 462,496

11 Claims.

This invention relates to knives and more particularly to a simple and novel blade holder and a detachable blade therefor. I am aware that many knives of this general nature have been known heretofore wherein a holder has been constructed to receive a detachable blade, particularly safety razor blades, and my invention is, therefore, concerned with an improved device of this nature rather than with the broad conception thereof.

Used safety razor blades which have been dulled to a degree rendering them undesirable for shaving purposes still retain cutting edges which are sufficiently keen for other purposes. General utility knives have been made by fitting these used blades into holders but the blades are so wide and so shaped as to make the knives abnormally cumbersome and unwieldy, particularly since most of these blades are double edged. It is an object of my invention to provide an improved and smaller blade by parting one of these double-edged blades longitudinally and to proing relied upon for that purpose.

Referring to the figures of the drawing,

Fig. 1 illustrates a flat blank for one form of my blade holder;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the holder formed from the blank;

Fig. 3 illustrates the holder as used in making a pocket knife;

Fig. 4 is a view like Fig. 3 but showing a portion of the holder broken away to expose the blade therein;

Figs. 5 and 6 are cross sectional views taken on lines 5-5 and 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. '1 illustrates another form of holder;

Fig. 8 is a cross section thereof on line 8-8 o1' Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a clip used with the holder of Fig. 7; I

Fig. 10 illustrates the clip mounted on the holder;

Fig. 1l is a View like Fig. 10 but showing one side of the holder and clip broken away to expose the blade therein;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 illustrates another form of holder;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation thereof with a blade mounted therein; and

Fig. 15 is a cross section therethrough on line 15-15 of Fig. 14.

My invention herein particularly concerns the construction of a small and convenient knife wherein the blade element comprises a holder adapted to receive and firmly support a small razor blade of the flexible type. Knives of this 05 nature have heretofore been crude and ill proportioned, since the blades used therein have been relatively wide and not adapted to the purpose. In proceeding with my invention, therefore, I first secure a blade of the proper size and proportions to serve the purpose. I have discovered that a new Gillette razor blade which is double-edged and centrally slotted throughout the greater portion of its length provides two blades of these requirements when severed at the ends. One such 76 blade 10 is illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing. This blade has a cutting edge 11 shorter than the blade, whereby two shoulders 12 are formed on the blade ends. The rear edge of the blade is notched in several places 13 and two tangs 14 are left on the blade ends if the double blade is severed centrally of its slot. This blade is relatively small and provided with a very keen and useful edge if the blade is sufficiently well supported. My invention contemplates a suitable holder which will receive and firmly support the blade and form in conjunction therewith utility knives for various purposes, including pen knives, sewing knives, fine instrument knives, steel erasers, etc.

First describing the form of my invention shown in Figs. l to 6 of the drawing, 20 illustrates a blank or stamping from which my holder is made and at 21 the holder is shown as formed up from the blank. As illustrated, the blank is bent U-shaped upon itself to form two elements or sides 23 for receiving and supporting the blade 10 therebetween. One end of the blank has two

tabs

24 and 25 which are respectively bent around the end of the holder and over the top thereof to re- 100 ceive and engage one of the end shoulders 12 of the blade. The other end 26 of the blank may be shaped and perforated in a manner adapting it to be pivotally mounted in a pocket knife handle 27 and be engaged by the back spring 28 thereof. 105

The central portion 29 of the blank which forms the bottom of the holder is slotted at 30 and 31 to receive the tangs 14 of the blade, the lslot 30 being longer than a tang 14 and the slot 31 being of a length to nt the tang. When placing the i119 tion closely adjacent to its cutting edge.

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blade in the holder a ring 33, which is slidably mounted on the reduced portion 34 of the holder, is in the position shown in Fig. 2. The left-hand end oi the blade (Fig. 4) is first inserted to engage the shoulder 12 beneath the tab 25, the tang 14 passing freely into the relatively long slot 36. The rear end of the blade is then slid into positionwiththe rear tang 14 fitting within its slot 31. The ring 33 is then slid to the position shown in Fig. 4, wherein it engages over the rear blade shoulder 12.

As thus mounted, the blade is rmly supported against lateral warping movement between the side elements 23; the notched or recessed portion of its rear edge between the tangs 14 rests on the support 29 for substantially the length of the cutting edge; itis prevented from longitudinal movement by reason of the tang V14 engaging within the opening 31; and it is prevented from upward movement by means of the tab and ring 33 engaging over the shoulders 12. It will be understood that the elements 23 may be as wide as is desirable or necessary to properly support the cutting edge of the blade and the edges oi these elements may be beveled, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The holder 21 may be constructed to pivotally iit within the handle 27 of a pocket knife or may be provided with any desirable form of handle.

The form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 7 to 12rwill now be described. In this construction, a blank similar to the blank shown in Fig. 1 is stamped out and bent upon itself to form the blade holder shown in Figs. 7 and 8. This holder is substantially U-shaped throughout its length and an intermediate portion thereof of a length equal to the cutting edge of the blade is made wider to provide the two side elements 4l for engaging and supporting the blade to a posi- 'Ihe dimensions oi' these parts may, of course, be whatever is found most suitable to the purpose and the elements 41 may be beveled at their edges, as shown in Fig. 8. A tab 43 on the edge of one of the elements 41 is bent over in a manner similar .to the tab 25 of Fig. 2, whereby the end shoulder 12 of a blade may be inserted beneath.

The central portion 44 of the blade which forms the bottom of the holder is slotted at 45 and 46 to receive the tangs 14 of the blade. The engagement of these tangs against the ends of the portion 44, as shown in Fig. l1, will normally be sumcient to prevent longitudinal movement of the blade but, if further support is desired, I may provide a V-shaped abutment 47 for engaging within one of the V-shaped notches 13 in the rear edge of the blade. This abutment may conveniently be formed by striking in a portion of the holder at 48. The holder, as shown in Fig. 7, is adapted toreceive the blade 10 and support the same quite securely but I prefer to provide a clip 50 for reinforcing the holder and for engaging over the shoulder 12 at the outer end of the blade.

The clip 50, as illustrated in Fig. 9, is a U- shaped member having a tab 51 bent over the top thereoi' at one end. The clip is adapted to be slid lengthwise over the holder to the position shown in Figs. 10 and 11, wherein the sides of the clip engage the opposite sides of the holder for the full lengthV of the blade and the tab 51 engages over the shoulder 12 at the outer end of the blade. It is believed that the frictional engagement of the clip will normally be sufficient to secure it in position on the holder but it may be desirable to provide a latch for this purpose. Such a latch is easily provided by striking out the sides of the holder at 53 and forming cooperating holes 54 through the sides of the clip. The engagement of these elements, as shown in Fig. 12, will securely hold the clip in place.

It will be understood that the clip 50 is made of relatively stiff resilient material whereby it will firmly grip the holder and reinforce its engagement with the blade. The dimensions of the parts can, of course, be varied as may be found desirable but at present it seems most desirable to make the clip of somewhat relatively smaller dimensions, as shown in Fig. 8, whereby to give freedom to the cutting edge of the blade. As illustrated in Fig. 11, the blade is seated firmly on the back portion 44 and prevented from longitudinal movement thereon; the tabs 43 and 5l prevent movement of the blade toward the cutting edge; and lateral warping movement of the blade is prevented since the blade is firmly gripped between the elements 41, reinforced by the clip 50. The holder may be riveted at 55 l'to a handle 56.

Another form of my invention, illustrated in Figs. 13, 14 and 15, comprises a blade-like member or blank having projecting portions on the opposite edges thereof bent over to provide blade holding elements. One of these portions is bent over U-shaped to form an element 61 parallel to the blank body and adapted to ccoperate therewith to hold a blade therebetween. The U portion is slotted at 62 to a length preferably equal to the length of the cutting edge portion of the blade, a pair of blade shoulder engaging portions 63 being left at the ends of blade within the notch or recess between the tangs Y' 14 thereof, thus supporting the blade beneath its cutting edge and preventing its endwise movement. I may slot the bottom edge of the blank at 66 for the purpose of facilita-ting the blade removing operation. Y

A blade is inserted in the manner shown in Fig. 15, the flexible nature of the blade permitting it to bend sufficiently for this purpose. The

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cutting edge portion of the blade is pushed upwardly through the slot 62 and the dimensions of the holder are such that when the shoulders 12 engage the portions 63 the rear edge of the blade between the tangs 14 will just clear the ledge 65. The natural resiliency of the blade causes the rear edge to snap into position on the ledge, as shown in full lines in Figs. 14 and l5, whereupon the blade assumes its straight position in the holder. The

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60 and 61 hold the clatim as new and desire to secure by Letters Paten 1s:

1. A holder for a blade having a cutting edge shorter than the blade, shoulders at the blade ends and a tang on its rear edge, comprising an elongated member having substantially parallel elements for receiving and supporting the blade therebetween, cooperating means for engaging the blade shoulders to prevent movement of the blade in the direction of its cutting edge, and means integrally connecting the said elements and adapted to support the blade at its rear edge, the last-named means having a recess for receiving the said tang.

2. A holder for a blade having a cutting edge shorter than the blade, shoulders at the blade ends and a notch in its rear edge, comprising an elongated member bent upon itself to provide substantially parallel elements for receiving and supporting the blade therebetween, cooperating means for engaging the blade shoulders to prevent movement of the blade in the direction of its cutting edge, and means for supporting the blade at its rear edge and including means for engaging within the said notch and preventing movement of the blade in either direction longitudinally.

3. A holder for a blade having a cutting edge shorter than the blade and shoulders beyond the ends of said edge, comprising a flat elongated member bent upon itself to provide two substantially parallel elements for receiving and supporting the blade therebetween, a lug integral with said member and bent to a position adapted to engage one of the blade shoulders to prevent movement of the blade in the direction of its cutting edge, a lug integral with one of said elements and bent about the free end of the member and into holding engagement with the other element, an adjustable element slidably mounted on the holder and adapted to engage over the other blade shoulder, and means for supporting the blade at its rear edge.

4. A holder for a blade having a cutting edge shorter than the blade and shoulders beyond the ends of said edge, comprising an elongated member bent upon itself to provide two substantially parallel elements for receiving and supporting the blade therebetween, means for engaging one of the blade shoulders to prevent movement of the blade in the direction of its cutting edge, an elongated U-shaped reinforcing clip adapted to be slid onto the first-named member to hold its said elements engaged against the blade and provided with means for then engaging over the other blade shoulder, and means for supporting the blade at its rear edge and positively preventing longitudinal movement thereof.

5. A one piece holder for a blade having a cutting edge shorter than the blade and disposed intermediate the ends thereof in a manner forming shoulders on the blade ends, comprising an elongated member bent upon itself to form two substantially parallel elements for receiving and supporting the blade therebetween, the portion connecting the two elementsbeing slottedto receive the blade therethrough, and means for supporting the blade at its rear edge.

6. A one piece holder for a blade having a cutting edge shorter than the blade and disposed intermediate the ends thereof in a manner forming shoulders on the blade ends, comprising an elongated member bent upon itself to form two substantially parallel elements for receiving and supporting the blade therebetween, the portion connecting the two elements being slotted to receive therethrough the cutting edge portion only of the blade, and means for supporting the blade at its rear edge.

7. A holder for a blade having a cutting edge shorter than the blade and disposed intermediate the ends thereof in a manner forming shoulders on the blade ends, comprising an elongated member having one longitudinal edge thereof bent over to form two substantially parallel elements for receiving and supporting the blade therebetween, the portion connecting the two elements being slotted to receive the blade therethrough, and the other longitudinal edge of the member projecting laterally to provide means beneath the slot for supporting the blade at its rear edge.

8. A holder for a blade having shoulders at its ends and a cutting edge portion intermediate the shoulders and shorter than the blade, comprising an elongated member bent upon itself to provide two substantially parallel and integrally connected elements for supporting the blade by engaging its opposite sides, the portion connecting the two elements being slotted to receive therethrough the cutting edge portion of the blade, and cooperating means for engaging the rear edge of the blade to hold it in cutting position in the slot.

9. A holder for a blade having its front edge sharpened and a tang on its rear edge, comprising an elongated member bent upon itself to provide two substantially parallel and integrally connected elements for supporting the blade by engaging its opposite sides, the portion connecting the two elements being adapted to receive and support the rear edge of the blade and being recessed to receive said tang in a manner preventing longitudinal movement of the blade.

10. A one piece blade holder and a blade, comprising a plate having two substantially plane portions in different planes and integrally connected by an intermediate portion having a slot receiving therethrough the cutting edge portion of the blade, and a relatively narrow ledge rigidly integral with and extending laterally of the plate directly engaging and positively supporting the rear edge of the blade against rearward movement while its cutting edge extends through the slot and into cutting position, the rigidity of the ledge relative to the plate being due solely to its integral connection with the plate and the said two plane portions being on opposite sides of the plane of the blade.

11. A one piece holder and a blade having a cutting edge shorter than the blade and shoulders at the ends of the blade beyond the cutting edge, the holder comprising a plate having a slot of a length receiving therethrough the cutting edge portion of the blade but not the shoulders, and a relatively narrow ledge rigidly integral with and extending laterally of the plate directly engaging and positively supporting the rear edge of the blade against rearward movementwhile theshoulders engage the plate and prevent forward movement of the blade, the resiliency of the blade body holding the blade in position to engage against said ledge.

LAWRIE L. WITI'ER.

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