EP2641705A1 - Retractable utility knife - Google Patents
Retractable utility knife Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2641705A1 EP2641705A1 EP13160730.1A EP13160730A EP2641705A1 EP 2641705 A1 EP2641705 A1 EP 2641705A1 EP 13160730 A EP13160730 A EP 13160730A EP 2641705 A1 EP2641705 A1 EP 2641705A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- blade holder
- blade
- handle
- utility
- utility knife
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26B—HAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B26B5/00—Hand knives with one or more detachable blades
- B26B5/001—Hand knives with one or more detachable blades with blades being slid out of handle immediately prior to use
Definitions
- This invention relates to a utility knives and more specifically to utility knives with a retractable blade.
- a conventional utility knife includes a long handle with a blade holder slideably disposed within the handle.
- a trapezoidal utility blade detachably mounts to the blade holder.
- a standard trapezoidal blade has a cutting edge disposed on its longest edge and one or more mounting notches disposed on an opposite edge.
- the blade holder When the blade holder is in a retracted position, the blade is disposed within and protected by the handle. When the blade holder is moved into an extended position, a small portion of the blade becomes exposed.
- the conventional handle is relatively long so as to provide enough longitudinal space for a user's hand to supply sufficient leverage to the blade during a cutting action or to enable the user to grip the handle without being overly close to the blade's cutting edge. Unfortunately, the length and size of this handle makes the utility knife large and cumbersome when the knife is not being used.
- a utility knife has a handle and a blade holder that holds a utility blade for selective removal and replacement of the utility blade.
- the blade holder is pivotally carried by the handle for pivotal movement in an arcuate path relative to the handle between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the blade holder projects from an aperture in a front side of the utility knife. As the blade moves in its arcuate path, the blade holder can project from a second aperture in a top side of the utility knife.
- a first linkage and a second linkage combine the blade holder to the handle, which together create a four-bar mechanism that enables the blade holder to move in its arcuate path between the respective positions.
- the blade holder can have a slot with a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, which cooperate to provide the blade holder with the ability to move in the arcuate path with respect to the handle by providing a space for a button assembly to travel.
- the button assembly pushes the blade holder between the retracted position and the extended position and the blade holder moves with respect to the button assembly.
- FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a compact utility knife 100 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
- knife 100 includes a handle 102, a blade holder 104 pivotally connected to handle 102 to move in an arcuate path between an extended, operative position and a retracted, safety position, a trapezoidal utility blade 106 detachably mounted to the blade holder 104, and a blade lock mechanism 107 for selectively locking the blade 106 onto blade holder 104.
- handle 102 comprises left-side handle portion 102a and right-side handle portion 102b that are fastened together with suitable fasteners to hold between them a corresponding left-side plate 103a and right-side plate 103b.
- One or more spacers 105 positions left-side plate 103a from right-side plate 103b a sufficient distance apart so that blade holder 104 can extend out apertures in a front face and top side of handle 102.
- a belt clip 110 may be fastened in any suitable manner to right-side handle portion 102b. While the illustrated handle 102 comprises a variety of components, one or more of these components may be omitted without deviating from the scope of this disclosure.
- Blade holder 104 comprises left and right blade holder portions 104a, 104b that are fastened to each other using rivets or other single fastening mechanisms (e.g., screws, integral formation, glue, welding, etc.).
- blade holder 104 is a single, integrally formed member rather than two members secured together.
- Blade holder 104 includes blade lock mechanism 107 that is received in a slot in the top edge of blade holder 104 to selectively hold blade 106 in blade holder 104.
- Blade lock assembly 107 includes a blade lock 108 biased by a biasing member to pivot between a blade-lock position and a blade-release position. To hold blade 106 in blade holder 104, tab 109 on blade lock 108 is configured to align with a notch in blade 106.
- Utility blade 106 includes first and second parallel linear edges 106a, 106b, a mounting notch 106c formed in first linear edge 106a, and a cutting edge integral with second linear edge 106b.
- the tab 109 on blade lock 108 engages mounting notch 106c and locks utility blade 106 to blade holder 104.
- utility blade 106 extends out of the aperture in the front face of handle 102.
- blade holder 104 is in a retracted position, utility blade 106 is fully disposed in handle 102.
- blade holder 104 is pivotally combined to handle 102 to move in an arcuate path between a retracted position (shown in FIG. 3A ) and an extended position (shown in FIG. 3C ).
- a first linkage 112 and a second linkage 114 are each combined to handle 102 at one end and to blade holder 104 at the other end to create a four-bar mechanism that controls the movement of blade holder 104.
- first linkage 112 is fastened at its lower portion 118 with rivets 122 to right-side plate 103b and second linkage 114 is fastened at its lower portion 120 with rivets 122 to right-side plate 103b.
- First linkage 112 has an upper portion 124 that is fastened with rivets 122 to blade holder 104 and second linkage 114 has an upper portion 128 that is similarly fastened with rivets 122 to blade holder 104.
- the four-bar mechanism is defined by first linkage 112 and second linkage 114 as the pivoting links.
- Second plate 103b and more specifically, an integral portion of second plate 103b measured by the distance between lower portion 118 of first linkage 112 and lower portion 120 of second linkage 114, define a fixed frame of the four-bar mechanism.
- Blade holder 104 and more specifically, an integral portion of blade holder 104 measured by the distance between upper portion 124 of first linkage 112 and upper portion 128 of second linkage 114, define a floating link.
- This four-bar mechanism moves blade holder 104, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C and 4A-4c , in an arcuate path between the fully retracted position and the fully extended position.
- a button assembly 130 projects from left handle side 102a to enable a user to easily move blade holder 104 between its respective positions.
- Button assembly 130 includes a button 132 which has on opposite sides a pair of protrusions 134.
- Button 132 fits in a slot in a housing 136 and is biased outward by a spring (not shown) in the housing 136, so that it projects outwardly from housing 136.
- Housing 136 has a projection 138 that cooperates with a slot 140 in blade holder 104.
- Slot 140 has a vertical portion 142 perpendicular to a horizontal portion 144, which together provide a path of travel for projection 138 of housing 136.
- slot 148 includes aligned slots 148a, 148b, and 148c in left handle side 102a, left-side plate 103a, and right-side plate 103b, respectively, to secure button assembly 130 to both sides of handle 102.
- projection 138 pushes blade holder 104, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C , the four-bar mechanism forces blade holder 104 to arc upwardly as the vertical portion 142 of slot 140 moves with respect to projection 138.
- projection 138 slides forward along horizontal portion 144 of slot 140.
- FIGS. 4A-4C similarly show blade holder 104 moving between its respective positions.
- button 132 moves linearly across slot 148 of handle 102 as the button assembly 130 pushes blade holder 104.
- first linkage 112 and second linkage 114 pivot about their axes to move blade holder 104 in its arcuate path.
- Blade holder 104 can be locked in the retracted position and the extended position.
- Protrusions 134 on button 132 cooperate with a first notch 146a and a second notch 146b in slot 148 on left-side handle portion102a.
- protrusion 134 on button 132 engages first notch 146a to hold blade holder 104 in the retracted position.
- protrusion 134 engages second notch 146b to hold blade holder 104 in the extended position.
- Button assembly 130 can then be slid across slot 148 to the engaged position where protrusion 134 of button 132 engages second notch 146b.
- FIGS. 5-8 illustrate another embodiment of a compact utility knife 200 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
- knife 200 includes a handle 202, a blade holder 204 pivotally connected to handle 202, a trapezoidal utility blade 106 detachably mounted to the blade holder 204, and a blade lock mechanism 207 for selectively locking the blade 206 onto blade holder 204.
- handle 202 comprises left side portion 202a and right-side portion 202b that are fastened together with suitable fasteners to hold between them a corresponding left-side plate 203a and right-side plate 203b.
- One or more spacers 205 positions left side plate 203 from right-side plate 203b a sufficient distance apart so that blade holder 204 can extend out apertures in a front face and top side of handle 202.
- a bottom portion 209 and a rear portion 211 fit together beneath left-side plate 203a and right-side plate 203b to cover the bottom side of handle 202.
- Rear portion 211 can be formed with an aperture 231, so handle 202 can be connected to a key ring or the like.
- Bottom portion 209 is formed with a catch 213 to arrest blade holder 204's movement in the extended position. While the illustrated handle 202 comprises a variety of components, one or more of these components may be omitted without deviating from the scope of this disclosure.
- Blade holder 204 comprises left and right blade holder portions 204a, 204b that are fastened to each other using rivets or other single fastening mechanisms (e.g., screws, integral formation, glue, welding, etc.).
- blade holder 104 is a single, integrally formed member rather than two members secured together.
- Blade holder 204 has a hook 215 positioned on its rear side to cooperate with catch 213 on bottom portion 209 of handle 202. As blade holder 204 is moved to the engaged position, its movement is arrested by the cooperation of hook 215 and catch 213.
- Blade holder 204 includes blade lock mechanism 207 that is received in a slot in the top edge of blade holder 104 to selectively hold blade 206 in blade holder 204.
- Blade lock mechanism 207 includes a blade lock 208 biased by a biasing member to pivot between a blade-lock position and a blade-release position in a manner similar to the manner described for blade lock mechanism 107.
- a tab on blade lock 208 is configured to align with a notch in blade 206.
- Blade 206 is constructed in a manner similar to blade 106.
- blade holder 204 is pivotally combined to handle 202 to move in an arcuate path between a retracted position (shown in FIG. 7A ) and an extended position (shown in FIG. 7C ).
- a first linkage 212 and a second linkage 214 are combined to handle 202 at one end and to blade holder 204 at the other end to create a four-bar mechanism that controls the movement of blade holder 204.
- first linkage 212 is fastened at its lower portion 218 with rivets to right-side plate 203b and second linkage 214 is fastened at its lower portion 220 with rivets to left-side plate 203b.
- First linkage 212 has an upper portion 224 that is fastened with rivets 222 to blade holder 204 and second linkage 214 has an upper portion 228 that is similarly fastened with rivets 222 to blade holder 204.
- the four-bar mechanism is defined by first linkage 212 and second linkage 214 as the pivoting links.
- Second plate 203b and more specifically, an integral portion of second plate 203b measured by the distance between lower portion 218 of first linkage 212 and lower portion 220 of second linkage 214 define a fixed frame of the four-bar mechanism.
- Blade holder 204 and more specifically, an integral portion of blade holder 204 measured by the distance between upper portion 224 of first linkage 212 and upper portion 228 of second linkage 214 define a floating link.
- This four-bar mechanism moves blade holder 204, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B , in an arcuate path between the fully retracted position and the fully extended position.
- a button assembly 232 projects from a top side of handle 202 to enable a user to easily move blade holder 204 between its respective positions.
- Button 232 is part of a button assembly 230.
- Button assembly 230 includes a housing 236 and a spring to bias outward button 232 from a slot in housing 236.
- Housing 236 is combined to a plate 238 and a guide 237, which cooperate with a slot 240 in blade holder 204.
- Slot 240 has a vertical portion 242 perpendicular to a horizontal portion 244, which together provide a path of travel for guide 237.
- blade holder 204 moves to the extended position, guide 237 moves across a slot 248 in left side plate 203a while plate 238 of button assembly 230 pushes blade holder 204.
- the four-bar mechanism forces blade holder 204 to arc upwardly as vertical portion 242 of slot 240 in blade holder 204 moves with respect to plate 238.
- plate 238 slides forward along horizontal portion 244 of slot 240 in blade holder 204.
- FIGS. 8A-8C similarly show blade holder 204 moving between its respective positions.
- button 232 moves generally linearly across the top of handle 102 as the plate 238 pushes blade holder 204.
- first linkage 212 and second linkage 214 pivot about their axes to move blade holder 204 in its arcuate path.
- Blade holder 204 can be locked in the retracted position and the extended position.
- Protrusion 234 on button 232 cooperates with a first notch 246a and a second notch 246b in a slot 248 on left side plate 203a.
- protrusion 234 on button 232 engages first notch 246a to hold blade holder 204 in the retracted position.
- protrusion 234 engages second notch 246b to hold blade holder 204 in the extended position.
- Button assembly 230 can then be slid across slot 248 to the engaged position where protrusion 234 of button 232 engages second notch 246b.
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Abstract
A utility knife 100 has a handle 102 and a blade holder 104 that holds a utility blade 106 for selective removal and replacement of the utility blade. The blade holder is pivotally carried by the handle for pivotal movement in an arcuate path relative to the handle between a retracted position and an extended position.
Description
- The entirety of all applications of which priority is claimed are incorporated by reference herein.
- This invention relates to a utility knives and more specifically to utility knives with a retractable blade.
- A conventional utility knife includes a long handle with a blade holder slideably disposed within the handle. A trapezoidal utility blade detachably mounts to the blade holder. A standard trapezoidal blade has a cutting edge disposed on its longest edge and one or more mounting notches disposed on an opposite edge. When the blade holder is in a retracted position, the blade is disposed within and protected by the handle. When the blade holder is moved into an extended position, a small portion of the blade becomes exposed. The conventional handle is relatively long so as to provide enough longitudinal space for a user's hand to supply sufficient leverage to the blade during a cutting action or to enable the user to grip the handle without being overly close to the blade's cutting edge. Unfortunately, the length and size of this handle makes the utility knife large and cumbersome when the knife is not being used.
- A utility knife is disclosed. The utility knife has a handle and a blade holder that holds a utility blade for selective removal and replacement of the utility blade. The blade holder is pivotally carried by the handle for pivotal movement in an arcuate path relative to the handle between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the blade holder projects from an aperture in a front side of the utility knife. As the blade moves in its arcuate path, the blade holder can project from a second aperture in a top side of the utility knife.
- A first linkage and a second linkage combine the blade holder to the handle, which together create a four-bar mechanism that enables the blade holder to move in its arcuate path between the respective positions. The blade holder can have a slot with a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, which cooperate to provide the blade holder with the ability to move in the arcuate path with respect to the handle by providing a space for a button assembly to travel. The button assembly pushes the blade holder between the retracted position and the extended position and the blade holder moves with respect to the button assembly.
- Referring now to the drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:
-
FIG. 1 is a left-side perspective view of a utility knife according to an embodiment of this disclosure and showing the blade in an extended position. -
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the utility knife ofFIG.1 . -
FIG. 3a is a left-side cut-away view of the utility knife ofFIG. 1 with the blade in a retracted position. -
FIG. 3b is a left-side cut-away view of the utility knife ofFIG. 1 with the bladein an intermediate position. -
FIG. 3c is a left-side cut-away view of the utility knife ofFIG. 1 with the blade in a fully extended position. -
FIG. 4a is a right-side cut-away view of the utility knife ofFIG. 1 with the blade in a retracted position. -
FIG. 4b is a right-side cut-away view of the utility knife ofFIG. 1 with the blade in an intermediate position. -
FIG. 4c is a right-side cut-away view of the utility knife ofFIG. 1 with the blade in a fully extended position. -
FIG. 5 is a left-side perspective view of the utility knife according to another embodiment of this disclosure and showing the blade in an extended position. -
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the utility knife ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 7a is a left-side cut-away view of the utility knife ofFIG. 5 with the blade in a retracted position. -
FIG. 7b is a left-side view cut-away of the utility knife ofFIG. 5 with the blade in an intermediate position. -
FIG. 7c is a left-side view cut-away of the utility knife ofFIG. 5 with the blade in a fully extended position. -
FIG. 8a is a right-side view cut-away of the utility knife ofFIG. 5 with the blade in a retracted position. -
FIG. 8b is a right-side cut-away view of the utility knife ofFIG. 5 with the blade in an intermediate position. -
FIG. 8c is a right-side cut-away view of the utility knife ofFIG. 5 in a fully extended position. -
FIGS. 1-4 illustrate acompact utility knife 100 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 1 ,knife 100, includes ahandle 102, ablade holder 104 pivotally connected to handle 102 to move in an arcuate path between an extended, operative position and a retracted, safety position, atrapezoidal utility blade 106 detachably mounted to theblade holder 104, and a blade lock mechanism 107 for selectively locking theblade 106 ontoblade holder 104. - As shown in
FIG. 2 ,handle 102 comprises left-side handle portion 102a and right-side handle portion 102b that are fastened together with suitable fasteners to hold between them a corresponding left-side plate 103a and right-side plate 103b. One ormore spacers 105 positions left-side plate 103a from right-side plate 103b a sufficient distance apart so thatblade holder 104 can extend out apertures in a front face and top side ofhandle 102. Abelt clip 110 may be fastened in any suitable manner to right-side handle portion 102b. While the illustratedhandle 102 comprises a variety of components, one or more of these components may be omitted without deviating from the scope of this disclosure. -
Blade holder 104 comprises left and rightblade holder portions blade holder 104 is a single, integrally formed member rather than two members secured together. -
Blade holder 104 includes blade lock mechanism 107 that is received in a slot in the top edge ofblade holder 104 to selectively holdblade 106 inblade holder 104. Blade lock assembly 107 includes ablade lock 108 biased by a biasing member to pivot between a blade-lock position and a blade-release position. To holdblade 106 inblade holder 104,tab 109 onblade lock 108 is configured to align with a notch inblade 106. -
Utility blade 106 includes first and second parallel linear edges 106a, 106b, a mounting notch 106c formed in first linear edge 106a, and a cutting edge integral with second linear edge 106b. Whenblade 106 is inserted in the slot in the front edge ofblade holder 104, thetab 109 onblade lock 108 engages mounting notch 106c andlocks utility blade 106 toblade holder 104. Whenblade holder 104 is in an extended position,utility blade 106 extends out of the aperture in the front face ofhandle 102. Whenblade holder 104 is in a retracted position,utility blade 106 is fully disposed inhandle 102. - As shown in
FIGS. 3A-3C ,blade holder 104 is pivotally combined to handle 102 to move in an arcuate path between a retracted position (shown inFIG. 3A ) and an extended position (shown inFIG. 3C ). Afirst linkage 112 and asecond linkage 114 are each combined to handle 102 at one end and toblade holder 104 at the other end to create a four-bar mechanism that controls the movement ofblade holder 104. - More specifically,
first linkage 112 is fastened at itslower portion 118 withrivets 122 to right-side plate 103b andsecond linkage 114 is fastened at itslower portion 120 withrivets 122 to right-side plate 103b.First linkage 112 has anupper portion 124 that is fastened withrivets 122 toblade holder 104 andsecond linkage 114 has anupper portion 128 that is similarly fastened withrivets 122 toblade holder 104. - The four-bar mechanism is defined by
first linkage 112 andsecond linkage 114 as the pivoting links.Second plate 103b, and more specifically, an integral portion ofsecond plate 103b measured by the distance betweenlower portion 118 offirst linkage 112 andlower portion 120 ofsecond linkage 114, define a fixed frame of the four-bar mechanism.Blade holder 104, and more specifically, an integral portion ofblade holder 104 measured by the distance betweenupper portion 124 offirst linkage 112 andupper portion 128 ofsecond linkage 114, define a floating link. This four-bar mechanism movesblade holder 104, as shown inFIGS. 3A-3C and4A-4c , in an arcuate path between the fully retracted position and the fully extended position. - A
button assembly 130 projects fromleft handle side 102a to enable a user to easily moveblade holder 104 between its respective positions.Button assembly 130 includes abutton 132 which has on opposite sides a pair ofprotrusions 134.Button 132 fits in a slot in ahousing 136 and is biased outward by a spring (not shown) in thehousing 136, so that it projects outwardly fromhousing 136.Housing 136 has aprojection 138 that cooperates with aslot 140 inblade holder 104.Slot 140 has avertical portion 142 perpendicular to ahorizontal portion 144, which together provide a path of travel forprojection 138 ofhousing 136. - As
blade holder 104 moves between its respective positions,button 132 ofbutton assembly 130 moves across aslot 148 whileprojection 138 ofbutton assembly 130 pushesblade holder 104. More specifically,slot 148 includes alignedslots left handle side 102a, left-side plate 103a, and right-side plate 103b, respectively, to securebutton assembly 130 to both sides ofhandle 102. Asprojection 138 pushesblade holder 104, as shown inFIGS. 3A-3C , the four-bar mechanismforces blade holder 104 to arc upwardly as thevertical portion 142 ofslot 140 moves with respect toprojection 138. Whenblade holder 104 approaches its fully extended position,projection 138 slides forward alonghorizontal portion 144 ofslot 140.FIGS. 4A-4C similarly showblade holder 104 moving between its respective positions. Thus, during extension and retraction ofblade holder 104,button 132 moves linearly acrossslot 148 ofhandle 102 as thebutton assembly 130 pushesblade holder 104. Asblade holder 104 moves,first linkage 112 andsecond linkage 114 pivot about their axes to moveblade holder 104 in its arcuate path. -
Blade holder 104 can be locked in the retracted position and the extended position.Protrusions 134 onbutton 132 cooperate with afirst notch 146a and asecond notch 146b inslot 148 on left-side handle portion102a. In a retracted position,protrusion 134 onbutton 132 engagesfirst notch 146a to holdblade holder 104 in the retracted position. In an extended position,protrusion 134 engagessecond notch 146b to holdblade holder 104 in the extended position. To unlockblade holder 104 and moveblade holder 104 to an extended position, a user pressesinward button 132 to disengageprotrusion 134 fromfirst notch 146a.Button assembly 130 can then be slid acrossslot 148 to the engaged position whereprotrusion 134 ofbutton 132 engagessecond notch 146b. -
FIGS. 5-8 illustrate another embodiment of acompact utility knife 200 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 5 ,knife 200, includes ahandle 202, ablade holder 204 pivotally connected to handle 202, atrapezoidal utility blade 106 detachably mounted to theblade holder 204, and ablade lock mechanism 207 for selectively locking theblade 206 ontoblade holder 204. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , handle 202 comprises leftside portion 202a and right-side portion 202b that are fastened together with suitable fasteners to hold between them a corresponding left-side plate 203a and right-side plate 203b. One ormore spacers 205 positions left side plate 203 from right-side plate 203b a sufficient distance apart so thatblade holder 204 can extend out apertures in a front face and top side ofhandle 202. Abottom portion 209 and arear portion 211 fit together beneath left-side plate 203a and right-side plate 203b to cover the bottom side ofhandle 202.Rear portion 211 can be formed with an aperture 231, so handle 202 can be connected to a key ring or the like.Bottom portion 209 is formed with acatch 213 to arrestblade holder 204's movement in the extended position. While the illustratedhandle 202 comprises a variety of components, one or more of these components may be omitted without deviating from the scope of this disclosure. -
Blade holder 204 comprises left and rightblade holder portions blade holder 104 is a single, integrally formed member rather than two members secured together.Blade holder 204 has ahook 215 positioned on its rear side to cooperate withcatch 213 onbottom portion 209 ofhandle 202. Asblade holder 204 is moved to the engaged position, its movement is arrested by the cooperation ofhook 215 and catch 213. -
Blade holder 204 includesblade lock mechanism 207 that is received in a slot in the top edge ofblade holder 104 to selectively holdblade 206 inblade holder 204.Blade lock mechanism 207 includes ablade lock 208 biased by a biasing member to pivot between a blade-lock position and a blade-release position in a manner similar to the manner described for blade lock mechanism 107. Similarly, to holdblade 206 inblade holder 204, a tab onblade lock 208 is configured to align with a notch inblade 206.Blade 206 is constructed in a manner similar toblade 106. - As shown in
FIGS. 7A-7C ,blade holder 204 is pivotally combined to handle 202 to move in an arcuate path between a retracted position (shown inFIG. 7A ) and an extended position (shown inFIG. 7C ). Afirst linkage 212 and asecond linkage 214 are combined to handle 202 at one end and toblade holder 204 at the other end to create a four-bar mechanism that controls the movement ofblade holder 204. - More specifically,
first linkage 212 is fastened at itslower portion 218 with rivets to right-side plate 203b andsecond linkage 214 is fastened at itslower portion 220 with rivets to left-side plate 203b.First linkage 212 has anupper portion 224 that is fastened withrivets 222 toblade holder 204 andsecond linkage 214 has anupper portion 228 that is similarly fastened withrivets 222 toblade holder 204. - The four-bar mechanism is defined by
first linkage 212 andsecond linkage 214 as the pivoting links.Second plate 203b, and more specifically, an integral portion ofsecond plate 203b measured by the distance betweenlower portion 218 offirst linkage 212 andlower portion 220 ofsecond linkage 214 define a fixed frame of the four-bar mechanism.Blade holder 204, and more specifically, an integral portion ofblade holder 204 measured by the distance betweenupper portion 224 offirst linkage 212 andupper portion 228 ofsecond linkage 214 define a floating link. This four-bar mechanism movesblade holder 204, as shown inFIGS. 7A-7B , in an arcuate path between the fully retracted position and the fully extended position. - A
button assembly 232 projects from a top side ofhandle 202 to enable a user to easily moveblade holder 204 between its respective positions.Button 232 is part of abutton assembly 230.Button assembly 230 includes ahousing 236 and a spring to biasoutward button 232 from a slot inhousing 236.Housing 236 is combined to aplate 238 and aguide 237, which cooperate with aslot 240 inblade holder 204.Slot 240 has avertical portion 242 perpendicular to ahorizontal portion 244, which together provide a path of travel forguide 237. - As
blade holder 204 moves to the extended position, guide 237 moves across aslot 248 inleft side plate 203a whileplate 238 ofbutton assembly 230 pushesblade holder 204. Asplate 238 pushesblade holder 204, as shown inFIGS. 7A-7C , the four-bar mechanismforces blade holder 204 to arc upwardly asvertical portion 242 ofslot 240 inblade holder 204 moves with respect toplate 238. Whenblade holder 204 approaches its fully extended position,plate 238 slides forward alonghorizontal portion 244 ofslot 240 inblade holder 204. - As
blade holder 204 moves to the retracted position, guide 237 moves across aslot 248 inleft side plate 203a. Acatch 237a grabs the side ofslot 240 to pullblade holder 204 toward the retracted position. Ascatch 237a pullsblade holder 204, as shown inFIGS. 8B ,blade holder 204 arcs upwardly asvertical portion 242 ofslot 240 inblade holder 204 moves with respect to catch 237a ofguide 237. Whenblade holder 204 is in its fully retracted position, catch 237a ofguide 237 holdsblade holder 204 in position untilbutton 232 releases protrusion 234 ofbutton 232 from afirst notch 246a in a slot 248 (discussed below). -
FIGS. 8A-8C similarly showblade holder 204 moving between its respective positions. Thus, during extension and retraction ofblade holder 204,button 232 moves generally linearly across the top ofhandle 102 as theplate 238 pushesblade holder 204. Asblade holder 204 moves,first linkage 212 andsecond linkage 214 pivot about their axes to moveblade holder 204 in its arcuate path. -
Blade holder 204 can be locked in the retracted position and the extended position.Protrusion 234 onbutton 232 cooperates with afirst notch 246a and asecond notch 246b in aslot 248 onleft side plate 203a. In a retracted position,protrusion 234 onbutton 232 engagesfirst notch 246a to holdblade holder 204 in the retracted position. In an extended position,protrusion 234 engagessecond notch 246b to holdblade holder 204 in the extended position. To unlockblade holder 204 and moveblade holder 204 to an extended position, a user pressesinward button 232 to disengageprotrusion 234 fromfirst notch 246a.Button assembly 230 can then be slid acrossslot 248 to the engaged position whereprotrusion 234 ofbutton 232 engagessecond notch 246b. - Various aspects of any of the embodiments can be combined in different combinations than the ones shown to create new embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims.
- While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by appended claims and their equivalents. The invention can be better understood by reference to the following claims. For purpose of claim interpretation, the transitional phrases "including" and "having" are intended to be synonymous with the transitional phrase "comprising."
Claims (21)
- A utility knife, comprising:a handle;a blade holder pivotally carried by the handle for pivotal movement about at least two axes in an arcuate path relative to the handle between a retracted position and an extended position; anda utility blade replaceably attached to the blade holder for selective removal and replacement of the utility blade.
- The utility knife of claim 1, wherein the handle further comprises a first aperture from which the blade holder projects in the extended position.
- The utility knife of claim 2, wherein the handle further comprises a second aperture from which the blade holder projects as it is moved between the retracted position and the extended position.
- The utility knife of claim 3, wherein the handle further comprises a right side, a left side, a front face, and a top side, wherein the first aperture is in the front face and the second aperture is in the top side.
- The utility knife of claim 4, wherein the blade holder further comprises a slot having a vertical portion perpendicular to a horizontal portion, which cooperate to provide the blade holder with ability to move in the arcuate path with respect to the handle.
- The utility knife of claim 5, and further comprising a button assembly that cooperates with the slot in the blade holder, wherein the button assembly pushes the blade holder to the extended position and the blade holder moves with respect to the button assembly.
- The utility knife of claim 1, and further comprising a first linkage and a second linkage, wherein the first linkage and the second linkage are pivotally attached to the handle and pivotally attached to the blade holder to create a four-bar mechanism that enable the blade holder to move in an arcuate path with respect to the handle between the retracted position and the extended position.
- The utility knife of claim 1, wherein the utility blade further comprises a first and second parallel linear edges, a mounting notch formed in the first linear edge, and a cutting edge, wherein a portion of the blade holder engages the mounting notch and locks the utility blade to the blade holder, the utility blade extending out of an aperture in a front face of the handle when the blade holder is in the extended position, the utility blade not extending out of the aperture when the blade holder is in the retracted position.
- The utility knife of claim 8, wherein the extended position is an operative position in which the blade is locked to the blade holder and the cutting edge is partially exposed for cutting.
- The utility knife of claim 9, wherein the retracted position is a safety position in which the blade holder and the blade is fully retracted so that no portion of the blade holder and the utility blade extends from an aperture in a front face of the handle.
- A utility knife, comprising:a handle;a blade holdera pair of linkages each combined at a first end to the handle and each combined at a second end to the blade holder, the linkages moving the blade holder in an arcuate path relative to the handle between a retracted position and an extended position; anda utility blade replaceably attached to the blade holder for selective removal and replacement of the utility blade.
- The utility knife of claim 11, wherein the handle further comprises a first aperture from which the blade holder projects in the extended position.
- The utility knife of claim 12, wherein the handle further comprises a second aperture from which the blade holder projects as it is moved between the retracted position and the extended position.
- The utility knife of claim 13, wherein the handle further comprises a right side, a left side, a front face, and a top side, wherein the first aperture is in the front face and the second aperture is in the top side.
- The utility knife of claim 11, wherein the blade holder further comprises a slot having a vertical portion perpendicular to a horizontal portion, which cooperate to provide the blade holder with ability to move in the arcuate path with respect to the handle.
- The utility knife of claim 15, and further comprising a button assembly that cooperates with the slot in the blade holder, wherein the button assembly pushes the blade holder to the extended position and the blade holder moves with respect to the button assembly.
- The utility knife of claim 11, wherein the pair of linkages define to a four-bar mechanism that enable the blade holder to move in the arcuate path with respect to the handle between the retracted position and the extended position.
- The utility knife of claim 11, wherein the utility blade further comprises a first and second parallel linear edges, a mounting notch formed in the first linear edge, and a cutting edge, wherein a portion of the blade holder engages the mounting notch and locks the utility blade to the blade holder, the utility blade extending out of an aperture in a front face of the handle when the blade holder is in the extended position, the utility blade not extending out of the aperture when the blade holder is in the retracted position.
- The utility knife of claim 18, wherein the extended position is an operative position in which the blade is locked to the blade holder and the cutting edge is partially exposed for cutting.
- The utility knife of claim 19, wherein the retracted position is a safety position in which the blade holder and the blade is fully retracted so that no portion of the blade holder and the utility blade extends from an aperture in a front face of the handle.
- The utility knife of claim 11, and further comprising a utility blade selectively combined to the blade holder, where in the handle further comprises a right side, a left side, a top side, a bottom side, and a front face, and wherein a first aperture is in the front face of the handle and the blade holder projects from the front face of the handle in the extended position, and wherein the blade holder has a right side, a left side, a top side, a bottom side, and a front face, wherein the utility blade projects from the front face of the blade holder, and wherein the top side of the blade holder remains parallel with the top side of the handle as the blade holder moves in the arcuate path relative to the handle between the retracted position and the extended position
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201261614890P | 2012-03-23 | 2012-03-23 | |
CN201210364392.0A CN102825614B (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2012-09-26 | Safety cutter |
CN2012204957386U CN202895248U (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2012-09-26 | Safe cutting knife |
CN201310080788.7A CN103182715B (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2013-03-14 | A kind of safety cutter |
CN201320115044XU CN203171652U (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2013-03-14 | Safe cutting knife |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2641705A1 true EP2641705A1 (en) | 2013-09-25 |
Family
ID=47998225
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP13160730.1A Withdrawn EP2641705A1 (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2013-03-22 | Retractable utility knife |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2641705A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130247382A1 (en) * | 2012-03-23 | 2013-09-26 | Meridian International Co., Ltd. | Retractable utility knife |
US8776380B1 (en) * | 2011-04-25 | 2014-07-15 | Elwood Dean Quimby | Utility knife with retractable blade |
US20230085019A1 (en) * | 2016-08-29 | 2023-03-16 | Gb Ii Corporation Dba Columbia River Knife & Tool Company | Retractable knife for rapid manual deployment while fully grasped |
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DE202004011913U1 (en) * | 2004-07-30 | 2004-10-14 | Huang, Yin-Hai, Taiping | Knife, comprising mechanism of toothed wheels for automatic motion of blade integrated in handle |
DE102008019441A1 (en) * | 2008-04-17 | 2009-10-22 | Martor Kg | knife |
DE102009051433A1 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2011-05-12 | Martor Kg | Food cutter, has blade removably held on blade holder, handle fastened in housing, and blade holder arranged in housing at ground position in inaccessible manner and accessible in blade changing position for changing blade |
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2013
- 2013-03-22 EP EP13160730.1A patent/EP2641705A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
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DE202004011913U1 (en) * | 2004-07-30 | 2004-10-14 | Huang, Yin-Hai, Taiping | Knife, comprising mechanism of toothed wheels for automatic motion of blade integrated in handle |
DE102008019441A1 (en) * | 2008-04-17 | 2009-10-22 | Martor Kg | knife |
DE102009051433A1 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2011-05-12 | Martor Kg | Food cutter, has blade removably held on blade holder, handle fastened in housing, and blade holder arranged in housing at ground position in inaccessible manner and accessible in blade changing position for changing blade |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8776380B1 (en) * | 2011-04-25 | 2014-07-15 | Elwood Dean Quimby | Utility knife with retractable blade |
US20130247382A1 (en) * | 2012-03-23 | 2013-09-26 | Meridian International Co., Ltd. | Retractable utility knife |
US9174347B2 (en) * | 2012-03-23 | 2015-11-03 | Meridian International Co., Ltd. | Retractable utility knife |
US20230085019A1 (en) * | 2016-08-29 | 2023-03-16 | Gb Ii Corporation Dba Columbia River Knife & Tool Company | Retractable knife for rapid manual deployment while fully grasped |
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