A cutting tool having a blade stored therein

Abstract

A tool (10) having a replacement blade (26) is provided that is stored within the tool (10). The tool (10) allows for easy and quick access to the replacement blade (26). An arm (42) is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the arm (42) is in interfacing connection with the replacement blade (26) to restrict removal of the replacement blade (26).

Description

[0001] Cross-referencing of related patent applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 986,134, filed March 6, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] This invention generally relates to the field of cutting tools. In particular, it relates to a cutting tool, such as a folding knife, that includes storage locations for one or more replacement blades. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One embodiment of the invention relates to a cutting tool, such as a utility knife, comprising a handle, a pad coupled to the handle, a first blade having a cutting edge, a blade holder coupled to the first blade and pivotable relative to the handle, and a second blade. The handle includes a pair of opposing handle members, wherein a handle cavity is defined between the pair of handle members. The blade holder is pivotable relative to the handle between an extended position and a folded position, in which the cutting edge of the first blade is exposed and configured to cut a workpiece, and in the folded position, the cutting edge of the first blade is within the handle cavity. The pad is located between the pair of handle members (e.g., within the handle cavity) and includes a spring arm movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The second blade is interfacing with the spring arm of the pad, for example, through a notch defined by the second blade. When the spring arm is in the locked position, the interface between the spring arm and the second blade restricts the second blade from being removed from the handle cavity. When the spring arm moves into the unlocked position, the spring arm is no longer interfacing with the second blade, and the second blade is removable from the handle cavity.

[0005] In a particular embodiment, the pad includes a body defining a plane, and when the spring arm is in the locked position, the spring arm extends laterally from the pad body such that the spring arm is not coplanar with the pad body. When the spring arm moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, the spring arm moves in a direction tending to be coplanar with the pad body. In a particular embodiment, the spring arm defines a U-shaped protrusion and a notch defines a U-shaped cutout, and when the spring arm is in the locked position, the U-shaped protrusion and the U-shaped cutout are in an interface connection.

[0006] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a utility knife including a handle having an inner surface defining a handle cavity and a liner coupled to the handle. The liner is at least partially disposed within the handle cavity. The liner includes a spring arm movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The utility knife includes a first blade including a cutting edge. The utility knife includes a blade holder coupled to the first blade. The blade holder is pivotable relative to the handle between an extended position and a folded position, in which the cutting edge of the first blade is exposed and configured to cut a workpiece, and in which the cutting edge of the first blade is within the handle cavity in the folded position. The utility knife includes a second blade in an interface connection with the spring arm. When the spring arm is in the locked position, the interface between the spring arm and the second blade restricts the second blade from being removed from the handle cavity. When the spring arm is in the unlocked position, the second blade is removed from the handle cavity.

[0007] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a utility knife including a handle having an inner surface defining a handle cavity and a liner coupled to the handle. The liner is at least partially disposed within the handle cavity. The utility knife includes a first blade including a cutting edge. The utility knife includes a blade holder coupled to the first blade. The blade holder is pivotable relative to the handle between an extended position and a folded position, in which the cutting edge of the first blade is exposed and configured to cut a workpiece, and in the folded position, the cutting edge of the first blade is within the handle cavity. The utility knife includes a second blade including a first notch interfacing with the liner. The interface between the liner and the first notch restricts the second blade from being removed from the handle cavity.

[0008] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a utility knife including a handle having an inner surface defining a handle cavity and a liner coupled to the handle. The liner is at least partially disposed within the handle cavity. The liner includes a body and a biasing element extending laterally from the body. The biasing element is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The utility knife includes a first blade including a cutting edge. The utility knife includes a blade holder coupled to the first blade. The blade holder is pivotable relative to the handle between an extended position and a folded position, in which the cutting edge of the first blade is exposed and configured to cut a workpiece, and in which the cutting edge of the first blade is within the handle cavity in the folded position. The utility knife includes a second blade in interfacial connection with the biasing element. When the biasing element is in the locked position, the interface between the biasing element and the second blade restricts the second blade from being removed from the handle cavity. When the biasing element is in the unlocked position, the second blade is removable from the handle cavity.

[0009] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the following detailed description, and some of these additional features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, or will be recognized by practice of the embodiments as described in the written description, claims, and drawings. It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary.

[0010] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operation of several different embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the cutting tool according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the cutting tool.

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of several components of a cutting tool.

[0014] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of several components of a cutting tool.

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A top view of the liner of the cutting tool.

[0016] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Detailed top view of the padding.

[0017] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the tool's pad and blade holder. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Referring generally to the accompanying drawings, various views of the knife, shown as a folding knife, are depicted. In one embodiment, the knife includes a blade holder attached to the blade. The knife also includes a liner that holds a replacement blade in a storage cavity, for example, within the shank. When an active or used blade (e.g., a blade attached to the blade holder) becomes too worn or breaks, the user can quickly access a replacement blade within the knife itself and replace the worn or broken blade with the replacement blade by attaching it to the blade holder. When the knife is in use, the liner securely holds the replacement blade within the knife's storage cavity. An interface for actuating the liner allows the user to easily remove the replacement blade for use when needed.

[0019] refer to Figures 1 to 2A cutting device, a folding knife, and / or a utility knife, such as a knife 10, is illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment. The knife 10 includes a handle 60 having an inner surface 62 defining a handle cavity 32. In one particular embodiment, the handle 60 includes opposing first and second handle members, shown as a first elongated side handle member 12 and a second elongated side handle member 14. In another particular embodiment, the first elongated side handle member 12 and the second elongated side handle member 14 are coupled together. A blade holder 16 is pivotally coupled to the first side handle member 12 and the second side handle member 14 and rotates about an axis 30 relative to the first side handle member 12 and the second side handle member 14. The first handle member 12 and the second handle member 14 together define the handle cavity 32. The blade holder 16 pivots into and out of the handle cavity 32 via slots 34 at the top of the first handle member 12 and the second handle member 14.

[0020] The liner 40 is coupled to the first shank member 12 and the second shank member 14, and is at least partially disposed within the shank cavity 32 between the first shank member 12 and the second shank member 14. The liner 40 includes a biasing element, shown as a spring arm 42, which extends laterally from the body 44 of the liner 40.

[0021] The spring arm 42 is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the spring arm 42 is interfaced with a second blade, shown as a stored blade 26. In a particular embodiment, the liner 40 is interfaced with a notch 28 of the stored blade 26, and more specifically, the spring arm 42 is interfaced with the stored blade 26. When the spring arm is in the locked position, the interface between the spring arm 42 and the stored blade 26 restricts the stored blade 26 from being removed from the shank cavity 32, and when the spring arm 42 is in the unlocked position, the stored blade 26 can be removed from the shank cavity 32. In a particular embodiment, the stored blade 26 includes a notch 28, and the spring arm 42 is interfaced with the notch 28 of the stored blade 26. In a particular embodiment, the stored blade 26 is disposed between the second shank member 14 and the liner 40.

[0022] Go to Figures 3 to 6 The stored blade 26 defines notches 28 and 36, which are shown as slits. When the spring arm 42 is in the locked position, the spring arm 42 is interfacing with notch 28 to restrain the stored blade 26 within the handle cavity 32, for example, through the end face 50 of the spring arm 42 interfacing with notch 28. An additional hand tool is detachably attached to the tool 10, which is shown as a flathead screwdriver 38. The flathead screwdriver 38 is configured to disengage the movable blade 18 from the blade holder 16 after the stored blade 26 has been removed from the handle cavity 32 and subsequently attach the stored blade 26 to the blade holder 16.

[0023] Especially when turning to Figures 5 to 6 The pad 40 includes a body 44 defining a plane 46. A spring arm 42 extends laterally from the body 44 such that the spring arm 42 is not coplanar with the plane 46. Figures 5 to 6 As shown, the spring arm 42 defines an angle 52 relative to the plane 46. When the spring arm 42 is in the locked position, the spring arm 42 defines a non-zero angle 52 relative to the plane 46. When the spring arm 42 is actuated from the locked position and / or switched to the unlocked position, the spring arm 42 moves in the direction 48, and the angle 52 between the spring arm 42 and the plane 46 decreases. In a particular embodiment, when the spring arm 42 moves in the direction 48 and switches from the locked position to the unlocked position, the spring arm 42 moves away from the second tool holder member 14.

[0024] Go to Figure 7 The image depicts a blade holder 16 connected to a first blade, shown as a movable blade 18, via a plate 20. The blade holder 16 is pivotally connected to a first tool holder member 12 and a second tool holder member 14. The blade holder 16 is rigidly connected to the movable blade 18, for example, by fasteners securing the plate 20 to the blade holder 16, thereby securing the movable blade 18. The movable blade 18 includes a cutting edge 19. The blade holder 16 is pivotable relative to the tool holder 60 between an extended position and a folded position, in which the cutting edge 19 of the movable blade 18 is exposed and configured to cut a workpiece, and in the folded position, the cutting edge 19 of the movable blade 18 is within the tool holder cavity 32.

[0025] In use, the blade holder 16 pivots relative to the first tool holder member 12 and the second tool holder member 14 between an extended position and a folded position. In the extended position, the cutting edge 19 of the movable blade 18 is exposed and configured to cut the workpiece. In the folded position, the cutting edge 19 of the movable blade 18 is not exposed (e.g., within the tool holder cavity 32). The blade holder 16 pivots from the extended position to the folded position by pivoting through a slot 34 located on the top side of the first elongated side tool holder member 12 and the second elongated side tool holder member 14.

[0026] In certain embodiments, slots 28 and 36 each define a U-shaped cut. In certain embodiments, slots 28 and 36 are grooves rather than cuts.

[0027] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments in detail, and that this application is not limited to the details or methods set forth in the specification or shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the terminology is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered restrictive.

[0028] Given this description, further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this description is to be interpreted as illustrative only. The constructions and arrangements shown in various exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative. While only a few embodiments are described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in the size, dimensions, structure, shape and proportion, parameter values, mounting arrangements, use of materials, color, orientation, etc.) of various different elements without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be composed of multiple parts or elements, the positions of elements may be reversed or otherwise changed, and the nature or number or position of discrete elements may be varied or altered. According to alternative embodiments, the order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be changed or reordered. Other substitutions, modifications, alterations, and omissions may also be made in terms of the design, operating conditions, and arrangements of various different exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0029] Unless otherwise expressly stated, no method described herein is intended to be construed as requiring its steps to be performed in a specified order. Accordingly, no particular order is intended to be inferred where the method claims do not actually enumerate the order in which the steps should be followed, or where the claims or description do not specifically state that the steps should be limited to a particular order. Furthermore, the article “a” used herein is intended to include one or more parts or elements, and is not intended to be construed as referring to only one. As used herein, “rigid connection” means two parts connected in such a way that they move together in a fixed positional relationship when subjected to force.

[0030] Various embodiments of the present invention relate to any combination of any features, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this application or a future application. Any feature, element, or component of any exemplary embodiment discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any feature, element, or component of any other embodiment discussed above.

Claims

1. A utility knife, comprising: A knife handle having an inner surface defining a handle cavity that is connected to a groove at the top of the knife handle; A liner, which is coupled to the handle and at least partially disposed within the handle cavity, includes a spring arm with a distal end extending in a direction opposite to the slot, the spring arm being laterally movable relative to the handle between a locked position and an unlocked position; A first insert, the first insert including a cutting edge; A blade holder is attached to the first blade and is pivotable relative to the tool holder between an extended position and a folded position, in which the cutting edge of the first blade is exposed and configured to cut the workpiece, and in the folded position, the cutting edge of the first blade is within the tool holder cavity. as well as The second blade includes a slot, wherein the distal end of the spring arm includes a curved surface and the curved surface is in an interface connection with the slot, wherein when the spring arm is in the locked position, the interface between the spring arm and the second blade restricts the second blade from being removed from the handle cavity, and wherein when the spring arm is in the unlocked position, the second blade is movable out of the handle cavity.

2. The utility knife of claim 1, wherein the padding includes a body defining a plane, wherein, When the spring arm is in the locked position, the spring arm is not coplanar with the body, such that the spring arm defines a non-zero angle relative to the plane of the body.

3. The utility knife as described in claim 2, wherein, As the spring arm moves from the locked position to the blade holder and then to the unlocked position, the angle defined between the spring arm and the plane of the body decreases.

4. The utility knife as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle includes a first elongated side handle and an opposing second elongated side handle, the first elongated side handle and the opposing second elongated side handle together defining the handle cavity.

5. The utility knife as described in claim 4, wherein, When the spring arm changes from the locked position to the unlocked position, the spring arm moves away from the second elongated side handle.

6. The utility knife as described in claim 4, wherein, The first elongated side handle and the opposite second elongated side handle are connected together.

7. The utility knife of claim 1, further comprising an additional hand tool detachably attached to the handle, the additional hand tool being configured to detach the first blade from the blade holder and attach the second blade to the blade holder.

8. A utility knife, comprising: A knife handle having an inner surface defining a handle cavity that is connected to a groove at the top of the knife handle; A gasket, the gasket being coupled to the tool holder, the gasket being disposed at least partially within the tool holder cavity, the gasket comprising: The main body, which defines a plane; and A spring arm, which is not coplanar with the main body, includes: A first end, which is connected to the body; The second end; and A protrusion connected to the second end, wherein the protrusion extends toward the bottom of the handle away from the top of the handle, and the protrusion includes a curved surface at the distal end of the protrusion; A first insert, the first insert including a cutting edge; A blade holder, coupled to the first blade, pivotable relative to the tool holder between an extended position and a folded position, wherein in the extended position the cutting edge of the first blade is exposed and configured to cut the workpiece, and in the folded position the cutting edge of the first blade is within the tool holder cavity; and The second blade includes a first slot that is interfaced with the spring arm of the pad, wherein when the pad is in the locked position, the interface between the spring arm of the pad and the first slot restricts the second blade from being removed from the handle cavity, and wherein when the spring arm of the pad is laterally moved to the unlocked position, the second blade can be removed from the handle cavity.

9. The utility knife as claimed in claim 8, wherein the handle includes a first elongated side handle and an opposing second elongated side handle, the first elongated side handle and the opposing second elongated side handle together defining the handle cavity.

10. The utility knife as described in claim 9, wherein, The blade holder is positioned between the first elongated side shank and the pad, and the second blade is positioned between the pad and the second elongated side shank.

11. The utility knife as described in claim 9, wherein, The first elongated side handle and the opposite second elongated side handle are connected together.

12. The utility knife of claim 9, further comprising an additional hand tool detachably attached to the handle, the additional hand tool being configured to detach the first blade from the blade holder and attach the second blade to the blade holder.

13. A utility knife, comprising: A knife handle having an inner surface defining a handle cavity that is connected to a groove at the top of the knife handle; A gasket, the gasket being coupled to the tool holder, the gasket being disposed at least partially within the tool holder cavity, the gasket comprising: Main body; and A biasing element including a distal end having a protrusion extending fully in a direction away from the top of the handle, the protrusion having a curved end surface, wherein the biasing element extends laterally from the body, and the distal end of the biasing element is laterally inwardly movable relative to the body between a locked position and an unlocked position. A first insert, the first insert including a cutting edge; A blade holder, coupled to the first blade, pivotable relative to the tool holder between an extended position and a folded position, wherein in the extended position the cutting edge of the first blade is exposed and configured to cut the workpiece, and in the folded position the cutting edge of the first blade is within the tool holder cavity; and The second blade is interfaced with the distal end of the biasing element, wherein when the biasing element is in the locked position, the interface between the biasing element and the second blade restricts the second blade from being removed from the shank cavity, and wherein when the biasing element is in the unlocked position, the second blade is able to be removed from the shank cavity.

14. The utility knife as described in claim 13, wherein, The body defines a plane, and when the biasing element is in the locked position, the biasing element defines a non-zero angle relative to the plane of the body.

15. The utility knife as described in claim 14, wherein, As the biasing element transitions from the locked position to the unlocked position, the angle defined between the biasing element and the plane of the body decreases.

16. The utility knife of claim 13, wherein the second blade includes a notch, wherein, The far end of the biasing element is in an interface connection with the slot.

17. The utility knife of claim 13, wherein the second blade includes a groove, wherein, The distal end of the biasing element is in an interface connection with the groove.

18. The utility knife of claim 13, wherein the handle comprises a first elongated side handle and an opposing second elongated side handle, the first elongated side handle and the opposing second elongated side handle together defining the handle cavity, wherein, The first elongated side handle and the opposite second elongated side handle are connected together.

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