US2815572A

US2815572A - Envelope opener

Info

Publication number: US2815572A
Application number: US418133A
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis A Deicken
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-03-23
Filing date: 1954-03-23
Publication date: 1957-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 1974-12-10

Description

Dec. 10, 1957 L. A. DEICKEN ENVELOPE OPENER Filed March 23 1954 T1 av INVENTOR.

l ou |s A- DEICKEN BY [ATTORNEYS United States Patent ENVELOPE OPENER Louis A. Deicken, San Francisco, Calif.

Application March 23, 1954, Serial No. 418,133

3 Claims. (Cl. 30-289) I we 10, as clearly shown in Figures 5 and 6. Broadly speaking, a resilient handle C has its end 12 anchored to the base A, while the section 14 of the handle is free and is disposed above the base. Also, a blade D is removably secured to this handle by a holder E, with the blade projecting downwardly into the slot 11.

As the specification continues, it will be apparent that the blade D may bedepressed into cutting engagement with the envelope B to cut the latter along the line 15 (see Figure 1), when the base A is drawn along the envelope.

It will be noted that the base A has a channel 16 in its top, which defines marginal flanges 1717 extending longitudinally of the base. As disclosed in Figure 1, the end 12 of the handle is placed in the channel, and thereafter the portions 17'-17 of these flangesare crimped resilient handle for up and down movement with and by the handle. The arrangement is such that the blade may be depressed by the handle into cutting relation with the envelope to open the latter, as the case is drawn along the envelope.

An object of this invention is to provide improvements in the structural features for removably securing the blade to the handle. It is proposed to anchor the blade to the handle in such a manner that the former will be firmly retained against displacement relative to the latter, and at the same time provide for ready removal of the blade from the handle when desired. I

More specifically described, the handle is provided with a longitudinal slot into which the blade may be removably disposed, with the blade extending above and below the handle. Furthermore, a blade holder is adapted to be telescoped over the handle to firmly anchor the 'blade to the holder, and yet the holder may be readily removed to permit the blade to be reversed end for end or to be replaced.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification continues. The novel features will be particularly set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

Drawing For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the assembled envelope opener;

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are isometric views of the blade, holder and resilient handle, respectively;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the envelope opener, with portions in section; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along the vertical plane VTVI in Figure 5.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should be understood that various changes, or modifications may be made within the scope of the annexed claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

Detailed description Referring to the drawing, I provide a base indicated generally at A having a longitudinal groove 10 in one side thereof, which is adapted to receive the edge portion of an envelope B. This base is fashioned with a slot 11 in its top, which communicates with the groove over this end of the handle, thus firmly anchoring the handle to the base.

The free section 14 of the handle is disposed substantially parallel with the base A, and has a longitudinal blade-receiving slot 18 formed therein. The blade D may be removably inserted into this slot, with the blade extending above and below the handle C, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The upper part 'of the blade is provided with projections 1919 extending from opposite ends thereof, which abut the handle section 14 to limit downward movement of the blade relative to the handle.

In its structural features, the holder E is substantially U-shaped, defining upper and

lower arms

20 and 21 which are interconnected by a return bend 22. When the holder is telescoped endwise over the handle section 14, the arms 20 and21 are positioned above and below this section of the handle. The upper arm 20 has a longitudinal groove 23 dimensioned for snugly receiving the top part of the blade to anchor the blade against lateral movement relative to the handle. This groove may be defined by inturned flanges 2424, which extend toward one another from opposite sides of the arm 20.

With reference to the lower arm 21, it is bifurcated by a passageway 25 to define longitudinal sections 21'-2l' disposed on and bearing against opposing faces of the blade D below the handle. This arrangement will further retain the blade against lateral movement with respect to the handle.

The upper arm 20 provides a bottom wall for the groove 23, which engages with the top 26 of the blade with sufficient friction to retain the holder against accidental displacement from the handle. The gripping action of the holder on the blade may be increased or decreased by moving the

arms

20 and 21 toward or away from one another, respectively.

As shown in Figures 2, 5 and 6, the blade D has a sharp cutting edge 27, the opposite corners 28-28 of which are slightly rounded. It is quite obvious that after one corner portion has been dulled, the blade may be reversed end-or-end and the other corner portion utilized. This will prolong the effective life of the blade. The resilient handle C has sufficient elastic power to return to a normal raised position wherein the sharp edge 27 is substantially or entirely retracted into the confines of the slot walls 11, when manual depressing force on the handle is relaxed. This will protect the sharp edge of the blade, and at the same time leave the groove 10 unobstructed for introduction of the envelope thereinto.

In Figures 1, 5 and 6, the longitudinal groove 10 has been shown as communicating with a recess 29, which.

extends lengthwise of the base A. This recess is positioned below the blade. Upon depressing the holder 29. A bevelled edge 31 facilitates insertion of the envelope into the base.

It will be observed that the groove 23 in the upper arm 20 and the longitudinal sections 21'-21 of the lower arm 21 will preclude the blade D from wobbling laterally during the cutting of the envelope E. If there were any tendency for the blade to swing laterally, it might run off the edge of the envelope or be deflected into the body portion of the envelope.

For the purpose of enhancing the appearance of the envelope opener, a strip of plastic 32 could be added to the top of the holder E, or the upper arm 20 embedded in plastic.

It will be quite apparent that the holder E may be easily removed by merely pulling it toward the left in Figure 5, without requiring the use of any tools. This will give access to the blade D for reversing or replacing the latter. Thereafter, the holder may be telescoped over the section 14 of the handle C again, care being taken that the top part of the blade enters the groove 23 of the upper arm 20; while, at the same time, the sections 21'21' of the lower arm 21 are arranged to straddle the blade. The return bend 22 limits telescoping of the holder over the resilient handle.

I claim:

1. In an envelope opener: a base having a groove in one side thereof for slidably receiving an edge of an envelope, and having a blade-receiving slot in the top thereof communicating with the groove; a resilient handle having one end anchored to the base, and having a bladereceiving slot in its free end aligned with the slot in said base; the free end of the handle being disposed above the base; a blade removably disposed in said handle slot, the lower edge of the blade constituting a cutting edge and normally being received in the base slot; the cutting 4 E edge being movable into the groove for cutting an envelope edge when the free end of the handle is -moved toward the base; the upper part of the blade being pro vided with projections extending from opposite ends thereof, which abut the handle to limit downward movement of the blade relative to the handle; the top of the blade being disposed above the handle; and a bladeholder removably telescoped over the free end of the handle; the blade-holder bearing against the top of the blade and removably securing the blade to the handle.

2. The envelope opener as set forth in claim 1; and in which the blade-holder has upper and lower arms that are arranged above and below the handle, respectively, and enclose the top of the blade and also that portion of the blade immediately depending below the. handle slot; the upper arm having a longitudinal groove dimensioned to snugly receive the top of the blade to anchor it against lateral movement relative to the handles the upper arm bearing against the blade top with sufficient friction to retain the holder against accidental displacement from the handle.

3. The envelope opener as set forth in claim 2; and in which the lower arm is bifurcated to define longitudinal sections disposed on and bearing against opposite side faces of the blade below the handle to further retain the blade against lateral movement with respect to the handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 673,375 Bayha May 7, 1901 1,216,889 Todd Feb. 20, 1917 1,947,751 Witter Feb. 20, 1934 2,428,490 Goughnour Oct. 7, 1947