WO2014117174A1

WO2014117174A1 - Dual purpose utility knife

Info

Publication number: WO2014117174A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/013429
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mike Rogler KILDEVAELD
Original assignee: Kildevaeld Mike Rogler
Priority date: 2013-01-28
Filing date: 2014-01-28
Publication date: 2014-07-31

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed towards the design of a utility knife including a handle and a blade housing, wherein the blade housing may be fixedly connected to the handle, the blade housing may be telescopically movable in and out of the handle, or the blade housing may be pivotally connected to the handle. The blade housing is configured to house a utility blade. The blade housing comprises a slide mechanism to extend the blade out of the blade housing during use, and to retract the blade into the blade housing for storage. Additionally, the blade housing may comprise a longitudinally extending cutting edge.

Description

DUAL PURPOSE UTILITY KNIFE

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/757,500, filed January 28, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to utility knives, and more specifically, to the design of dual purpose utility knives wherein a blade housing can be utilized as a hand tool.

[0003] A utility knife is common hand tool used for cutting, scraping, and various other tasks. A conventional utility knife includes a utility razorblade secured to the knife handle. The razorblade is generally replaceable and separable from the knife handle. Many utility knives do not include a protective guard for the razorblade. In such cases, the utility razorblade is continuously exposed which presents a continuous risk of injury to users and risk of damage to surrounding objects.

[0004] The present disclosure is directed towards a utility knife that comprises a slide mechanism to retract the blade into a housing connected to the knife handle for storage. The blade can be extended out of the housing during use and retracted into the housing for storage during times of non-use. The utility knife of the present disclosure comprises a housing that may be fixedly connected to the handle, telescopically movable in and out of the handle, or pivotally connected to the handle.

[0005] A first embodiment of the present disclosure is a utility knife. The utility knife comprises a handle body including a distal end, a proximal end substantially opposite the distal end, and a first internal space. The utility knife further comprises an extendable housing including a proximal end connected to the distal end of the handle body, a distal end substantially opposite the proximal end, a longitudinally extending cutting edge, and a second internal space, wherein the extendable housing is configured to be at least partially disposed within the first internal space in the handle body during a first mode and extended outward from the handle body during a second mode. The extendable housing is configured to house a blade within the second internal space. The utility knife further comprises a slide mechanism configured to engage the blade and reciprocatingly extend the blade out of the second internal housing to expose at least a portion of the blade and retract the blade into the second internal space to cover the blade.

[0006] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a utility knife comprising a knife blade and a handle, wherein the handle comprises a proximal end and a distal end substantially opposite the proximal end, and the knife blade comprises a longitudinally extending cutting edge. A proximal end of the knife blade is fixedly connected to the distal end of the handle, and a disposable blade is configured to be housed within an internal space in the knife blade. The utility knife further comprises a slide mechanism for at least partially extending the disposable blade through an opening provided at a distal end of the knife blade during use and retracting the disposable blade into the internal space during storage.

[0007] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a utility knife comprising a knife blade and a handle, wherein the handle comprises a proximal end and a distal end substantially opposite the proximal end, and the knife blade comprises a longitudinally extending cutting edge. A proximal end of the knife blade is pivotally connected to the distal end of the handle, and a disposable blade is configured to be housed within a first internal space in the knife blade. The utility knife further comprises a slide mechanism for at least partially extending the disposable blade through an opening provided at a distal end of the knife blade during use and retracting the disposable blade into the first internal space during storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a utility knife according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure with the blade in a first mode;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of the utility knife shown in FIG. 1 with the blade in a second mode;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of a utility knife according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a utility knife according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the housing of the utility knife shown in

FIG. 4.

[0013] it is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Reference will now be made to certain embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0015] In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, the use of "or" means "and/or" unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the term "including", as well as other forms, such as "includes" and "included," is not limiting. The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a utility knife 10 showing the components housed within the utility knife. Utility knife 10 comprises a handle body 12 having a proximal end 14 and a distal end 16. Utility knife 10 further comprises a housing 18 having a proximal end 22 and a distal end 20. Proximal end 22 of housing 18 is connected to distal end 16 of handle body 12. In one exemplary embodiment, proximal end 22 of housing 18 may be fixedly connected to distal end 16 of handle body 12, as illustrated in FIG. 1. It is contemplated that housing 18 may be movable, e.g., pivotally or slidably movable with respect to handle body 12.

[0017] Handle body 12 is generally elongate, and may be ergonomically configured to provide a comfortable and non-slip grip by a user using utility knife 10. In some embodiments, handle body 12 may look and feel like a handle of a combat or hunting knife and may include one or more finger grooves or grips. In certain embodiments, handle body 12 may comprise one or more belt clips to facilitate carrying of the utility knife by a user.

[0018] Housing 18 comprises an inner space or cavity configured for housing a blade 25. In exemplary embodiments, blade 25 may be a trapezoidal-shaped utility razorblade used in utility knives. In such embodiments, blade 25 comprises a lower longitudinal cutting edge 27, and an upper edge having one or more notches, for example, two spaced notches, as shown in FIG. 1. This allows blade 25 to be reversed and reutiiized when a first portion of cutting edge 27, extending beyond distal end 20 of housing 18 during use, has been sufficiently utilized. [0019] In some embodiments, blade 25 may have shapes other than the trapezoidal shape. In one such embodiment, blade 25 is a utility scraper blade designed to facilitate scraping of unwanted material or debris, surface preparation, etc. In some other embodiments, blade 25 may be a marking blade, which may be used with utility knife 10 for drawing, writing, or marking on various materials.

[0020] Housing 18 may be formed of any suitable material. In some embodiments, housing 18 may be formed of plastic. In some other embodiments, housing 18 may be formed of a metal or a metal alloy.

[0021] In addition to providing a casing for blade 25, housing 18 may be utilized as a hand tool itself. For example, housing 18 may comprises grooves or notches to strip or cut wires. Housing 18 may also comprise a cartridge to store multiple blades. Such an arrangement provides a dual purpose utility knife, wherein blade 25 and housing 18 may be utilized simultaneously or alternatingly for different tasks.

[0022] In exemplary embodiments, housing 18 may be utilized as a cutting tool. In such embodiments, a longitudinal edge 28 of housing 18 may comprise a cutting edge. For example, longitudinal edge 28 may be sharp like a knife blade and may be utilized as a knife blade for cutting, stripping, skinning, or other operations. In some exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of longitudinal edge 28 may comprise serrations. In other embodiments, longitudinal edge 28 may comprise a plain cutting edge. In yet other embodiments, longitudinal edge 28 may comprise a combination of serrations and plain cutting edge. In illustrative embodiments, housing 18 may look and function like a conventional knife blade without a tip and having an inner space or cavity configured for holding blade 25. [0023] Distal end 20 of housing 18 comprises an opening, which is connected with the inner space or cavity within the blade housing. The opening at distal end 20 is configured to allow at least a portion of blade 25 to be extended out of the blade housing during use and to be retracted back into the inner space or cavity during a non-use or storage mode.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a side view of utility knife 10 with blade 25 extended out of the housing 18 through the opening at distal end 20 of housing 18. Utility knife 10 comprises a slide mechanism mounted on housing 18. The slide mechanism is configured to extend and retract blade 25 in and out of housing 18. The slide mechanism comprises a track device 24, a release button 26, and a sliding rod 19. In exemplary embodiments, release button 26 is mounted on the upper longitudinal edge of blade house 18, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is connected to track device 24 via one or more downwardly extending posts or alignment tabs, which may be spring biased. When release button 26 is pressed downward and moved along with sliding rod 19 towards distal end 20 of housing 18, one or more of the downwardly extending posts or tabs of button 26 catches a corresponding groove on track device 24, thereby actuating track device 24 and sliding track device 24 forward within the inner space or cavity of housing 18.

[0025] In exemplary embodiments, track device 24 extends along the longitudinal axis of housing 18. Track device 24 comprises one or more alignment tabs 29 that are configured to attach to the U-notches or cut-outs of blade 25. When track device 24 slides outward towards distal end 20, at least a portion of blade 25, which is connected to the track device via tabs 29, correspondingly slides out of housing 18 through the opening provided at distal end 20 of the blade housing, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The protruding section of blade 25 may then be used for cutting, scraping, or any other task performed with utility knives.

[0026] in select embodiments, housing 18 further comprises a blade release button 23, which may be configured to release blade 25 when in the extended position. Once blade 25 extends at ieast partially out of housing 18, blade release button 23 may be pressed, which then pushes sliding rod 19 perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of housing 18, which in turn bends track device 24 adjacent to release button 23. When track device 24 bends, one or more notches 29 loses contact with blade 25, which allows blade 25 to be removed.

[0027] In another aspect of the present disclosure, proximal end 22 of housing 18 is slidably connected to distal end 16 of the handle body, as illustrated in FIG. 3. in such embodiments, housing 18 may be telescopically movable relative to handle body 12 between an extended position and a retracted position. In such embodiments, housing 18 functions as a sliding knife, or telescoping knife.

[0028] In exemplary embodiments, utility knife 10', as illustrated in FIG. 3, comprises a second slide mechanism to retract housing 18 into an internal space or compartment within handle body 12 when utility knife 10' is not in use, and to extend the blade housing out of the handle body when utility knife 10' is to be used. In such embodiments, utility knife 10 further comprises an opening 31 at distal end 16 of the handle body, wherein opening 31 is configured to allow housing 18 to be retracted and extended into and out of the internal space or compartment within handle body 12.

[0029] In exemplary embodiments, housing 18 may travel within an internal track or channel provided within handle body 12. In some embodiments, housing 18 is manually pushed along the length of the handle body with a button 33 mounted on the handle body. In some other embodiments, housing 18 may be spring loaded, and may be extended and retracted with an automatic button and spring design.

[0030] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, proximal end 22 of housing 18 is pivotally connected to distal end 16 of the handle body, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In such embodiments, housing 18 may be pivoted relative to handle body 12 between an extended position and a retracted position. In such embodiments, housing 18 functions as a folding knife or switchblade knife.

[0031] In exemplary embodiments, a folding utility knife 10", as illustrated in FIG. 4, comprises an opening along a longitudinal edge 35 of handle body 12 and an internal space or compartment with handle body 12 for storing housing 18 when folding utility knife 10" is not in use. The opening along longitudinal edge 35 is configured to allow housing 18 to be folded into the internal space or compartment within handle body 12 during storage and to be extended out of the internal space during use. In exemplary embodiments, the folding action of housing 18 is controlled by a button 37 mounted on handle body 12. The blade housing is propelled or deployed by pushing on button 37, which allows a coil spring or a flat spring connected to a pivot screw 39 to be released. Housing 18 can then pivot about pivot screw 39 allowing housing 18 to deploy..

[0032] In certain embodiments, folding utility knife 10 comprises a locking mechanism for locking housing 18 in the fully extended position during use. In such embodiments, housing 18 functions as a lock-blade knife, wherein the locking mechanism must be released before housing 18 can be folded. The locking mechanism improves safety by preventing accidental closure of housing 18 during use. [0033] Additionally, in certain embodiments, folding utility knife 10 comprises a safety mechanism to prevent housing 18 from being folded when blade 25 is in the extended position. The safety mechanism improves safety by preventing accidental closure of housing 18 when blade 25 is still in the extended position.

[0034] In some embodiments, the safety mechanism comprises a rear locking cam 40 provided in handle body 12 around pivot screw 39, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Rear lock cam 40 comprises a upper part 40a adjacent to button 37 and a lower part 40b, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. When cam 40 is in the closed position, i.e., when lower part 40b is positioned within cut-out 36 of the housing 18, shown in dashed line in FIG. 5, button 37 cannot be deployed to either extend or close housing 18. Housing 18 can be extended out or closed only when cam 40 is in an open position. Rear locking cam 40 is configured to be actuated by track device 24. When blade 25 is in the fully retracted position within housing 18, track device 24 is withdrawn fully towards proximal end 22 of housing 18 and extends into the opening provided at distal end 16 of handle body 12. When fully withdrawn, track device 24 activates rear locking cam 40 into an open position, i.e., track device 24 pushes upper part 40a towards cut-out 36, which then moves lower part 40b out of cut-out 36, thereby allowing button 37 to be actuated to either deploy or close housing 18.

[0035] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A utility knife, comprising:

a handle body including a distal end, a proximal end substantially opposite the distal end, and a first internal space;

an extendable housing including a proximal end connected to the distal end of the handle body, a distal end substantially opposite the proximal end, a longitudinally extending cutting edge, and defining a second internal space ;

wherein the extendable housing is configured to be at least partially disposed within the first internal space in the handle body during a first mode and extended outward from the handle body during a second mode;

wherein the extendable housing is configured to house a blade within the second internal space; and

a slide mechanism configured to engage the blade and reciprocatingly extend the blade out of the second internal housing to expose at least a portion of the blade and retract the blade into the second internal space to cover the blade.

2. The utility knife of claim 1 , wherein the blade comprises a utility razor blade, a scraper blade, or a marking blade.

3. The utility knife of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the longitudinally extending cutting edge comprises serrations.

4. The utility knife of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the longitudinally extending cutting edge comprises a plain edge.

5. The utility knife of claim 1 , further comprising a safety mechanism to

prevent the blade from being extended until the extendable housing is fully extended into the second mode.

6. The utility knife of claim 5, wherein the safety mechanism further comprises a locking mechanism to lock the extendable housing in the second mode during use.

7. The utility knife of claim 1 , wherein the first slide mechanism comprises a track device configured to extend and retract the blade in and out of the second internal space.

8. The utility knife of claim 1 , wherein the slide mechanism comprises one or more alignment tabs configured to engage one or more cut-outs or notches disposed on the blade.

9. The utility knife of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the extendable

housing is pivotally connected to the distal end of the handle body.

10. The utility knife of claim 9, wherein the extendable housing is configured to be folded into the first internal space in the handle body during the first mode and extended away from the handle body during the second mode.

1 1 . The utility knife of claim 10, wherein the handle body comprises an opening along a longitudinal edge of the handle body, the opening configured to allow the extendable housing to be pivoted into the first internal space during the first mode and extended out of the first internal space during the second mode.

12. The utility knife of claim 1 , further comprising a second slide mechanism to slide the extendable housing into the first internal space in the handle during the first mode and to extend the knife blade out of the handle during the second mode.

13. The utility knife of claim 12, further comprising an opening at the distal end of the handle body, the opening configured to allow the knife blade to be retracted and extended into and out of the first internal space in the handle body.

14. A utility knife, comprising:

a handle comprising a proximal end and a distal end substantially opposite the proximal end; a knife blade comprising a longitudinally extending cutting edge, wherein a proximal end of the knife blade is fixedly connected to the distal end of the handle; a disposable blade configured to be housed within an internal space in the knife blade; and

a slide mechanism for at least partially extending the disposable blade through an opening provided at a distal end of the knife blade during use and retracting the disposable blade into the internal space during storage.

15. The utility knife of claim 14, wherein the disposable blade comprises one of a utility razor blade, a scraper blade, and a marking blade.

16. The utility knife of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the longitudinally extending cutting edge comprises serrations.

17. The utility knife of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the longitudinally extending cutting edge comprises a plain edge.

18. The utility knife of claim 14, wherein the slide mechanism comprises a track device configured to extend and retract the disposable blade in and out of the internal space within the knife blade.

19. The utility knife of claim 18, wherein the slide mechanism further comprises a switch along a longitudinal edge of the knife blade opposite to the longitudinally extending cutting edge, wherein the switch is configured to activate the track device.

20. The utility knife of claim 18, wherein the track device comprises one or more alignment tabs configured to connect to one or more cut-outs or notches provided on the disposable blade.

21 . A utility knife, comprising:

a handle comprising a proximal end and a distal end substantially opposite the proximal end;

a knife blade comprising a longitudinally extending cutting edge, wherein a proximal end of the knife blade is pivotally connected to the distal end of the handle;

a disposable blade configured to be housed within a first internal space in the knife blade; and

a slide mechanism for at least partially extending the disposable blade through an opening provided at a distal end of the knife blade during use and retracting the disposable blade into the first internal space during storage.

22. The utility knife of claim 21 , wherein the disposable blade comprises one of a utility razor blade, a scraper blade, and a marking blade.

23. The utility knife of claim 21 , wherein at least a portion of the longitudinally extending cutting edge comprises serrations.

24. The utility knife of claim 21 , wherein at least a portion of the longitudinally extending cutting edge comprises a plain edge,

25. The utility blade of claim 21 , wherein the knife blade is configured to be at least partially disposed within a second internal space in the handle body during a first mode and extended outward from the handle body during a second mode.

26. The utility knife of claim 25, further comprising a safety mechanism to prevent the disposable blade from being extended until the extendable housing is fully extended into the second mode.

27. The utility knife of claim 26, wherein the safety mechanism comprises a cam device configured to work in cooperation with the slide mechanism.