Knife

Abstract

The invention relates to a knife with a housing (11) and a blade carrier (14) in which a blade (16) can be attached. The blade carrier (14) is movable within the housing (11) between a safety position, in which it is positioned in a rearward position such that the blade (16) does not project beyond any guards formed by the housing (11), and at least one cutting position, in which the blade (16) does project beyond the guards. The blade carrier (14) is moved by means of spring elements (26) arranged between the housing (11) and the blade carrier (14), which bias the blade carrier (14) into the safety position. The special feature is that the blade carrier (14) comprises first locking elements (17) which can be releasably engaged with second locking elements (18) on the housing (11) to lock the blade carrier (14) in at least one safety position and / or in at least one cutting position.

Description

[0001] Such a knife is known from prior use. It comprises a housing and a blade carrier movable within the housing between a safety position and at least one cutting position. A spring biases the blade carrier into the safety position. In the cutting position, the blade emerges from a front opening in the housing and projects beyond the housing by a certain blade extension length, thus enabling a cutting operation. The blade extension length is adjustable by sliding the blade carrier forward on an actuating element. During the cutting operation, the blade carrier had to be held in the cutting position.

[0002] US Patent 2019 / 0224861 A1 relates to a knife with a housing and a spring-loaded blade carrier with a blade, wherein the blade is movable into a safety position retracted into the housing and into a cutting position in which the blade protrudes from the housing. A spring loads the blade carrier into the safety position. The blade carrier can be locked in the cutting position and can be unlocked with a release button 62.

[0003] In WO 2014 / 089369 A1, a scalpel-style knife is described which has a housing with a blade holder that is movable relative to it. The blade holder and the blade attached to it are biased into the housing by a spring. In a cutting position, in which the blade protrudes from the housing, the blade holder can be locked.

[0004] US Patent 5,813,121 describes a knife with a housing and a blade carrier slidably mounted within the housing. The blade carrier is movable between a rear and a front position. The object of the invention was to create a knife that is further improved with regard to its handling.

[0005] The problem was solved by a knife having the features of claim 1.

[0006] The knife comprises a housing. A blade carrier, to which a blade can be attached, is mounted on the housing and is movable between a safety position, in which the blade carrier is positioned at a rearward angle such that the blade does not protrude beyond any protective elements formed by the housing, and at least one cutting position, in which the blade—i.e., also an edge of the blade—protrudes beyond the protective elements. A cutting operation can be performed in the cutting position. For the purposes of the invention, protective elements are means that prevent the user from coming into contact with the edge of the blade and injuring themselves on it.

[0007] Spring elements are arranged between the housing and the blade carrier and bias the blade carrier into the safety position. The blade carrier comprises first locking elements that can be releasably engaged with second locking elements formed on the housing to lock the blade carrier in the safety position and / or in at least one cutting position. The locking elements form a latch by which the blade carrier can be locked in at least two cutting positions.

[0008] An advantage of the combination of features according to the invention is that the blade carrier can be locked in at least two cutting positions and therefore does not have to be held against the force of the spring. Furthermore, the locking mechanism allows, for example, the blade carrier to be secured in the safety position.

[0009] The first locking means comprise at least one bolt movable between a locked position and a released position. In the locked position, the blade carrier's movement is prevented; it cannot move in either of two opposite directions along its path. In the released position, the blade carrier is free to move in both directions. The locking means may comprise more than one bolt, e.g., two bolts.

[0010] The bolt is guided, for example, for translational movement between the locking position and the release position. For instance, the bolt is movable along a path that exhibits significant movement components perpendicular to the blade carrier's direction of movement. The bolt is guided, for example, along a straight or curved path.

[0011] The second locking means comprise at least two locking positions. The second locking means comprise, for example, a plurality of locking positions. The blade carrier can then be locked with different blade extension lengths. Each locking position corresponds, for example, to a specific blade extension length, with the stipulation that the blade extension length is zero in at least one safety position. The locking position is formed, for example, by a recess or a projection in the housing. The recess or projection forms, for example, abutment surfaces for the locking bolt, thus preventing movement of the blade carrier. The locking bolt has, for example, a complementary structure that engages positively with the locking position in the locked position.

[0012] The housing includes an elongated lateral opening that extends in the direction of movement of the blade carrier, with the lateral opening being penetrated by a connection between the blade carrier and an actuating element. The blade carrier can be easily actuated via the lateral opening. The lateral opening extends in the direction of movement of the blade carrier. The actuating element is, for example, movably connected to the blade carrier.

[0013] The second locking mechanism is located adjacent to the lateral opening and offset in the direction of movement of the blade carrier. This allows the blade carrier to be locked in the set position. Locking is easily accomplished because the first and second locking mechanisms are close together.

[0014] The second locking devices are visibly arranged on the outside of the housing.

[0015] In this case, the user can visually monitor the locking mechanism. It is therefore easy to determine whether the locking position is securely set. This increases the knife's safety, as it reduces the likelihood of accidental locking. The design also allows, for example, the inclusion of a scale on the housing from which the blade extension length can be read. This makes setting a desired blade extension length easier.

[0016] The first locking elements can be locked, for example, with a safety device. A safety device can lock the first locking elements to prevent the bolt from unintentionally releasing from the second locking elements. The safety device includes, for example, a blocking element that is movable on a track along which the blocking elements are also movable. This track is provided, for example, with a detent into which the blocking elements engage in the bolt position. To then move the first locking elements into the release position and thereby disengage the blocking elements from the detent, an additional force must be applied.

[0017] The direction of force required to release the locking mechanism from its detent position differs, for example, from the direction of movement of the first locking element between the bolt position and the release position. A force acting on the bolt in the direction of the release position cannot thus unintentionally move the bolt into the release position. The locking element is made of metal, for example, to prevent wear or deformation and the resulting potential malfunction.

[0018] The first locking devices include, for example, a pressure piece as a blocking element, which is movably connected to the bolt and is biased by springs against a locking surface of the blade carrier. The bolt cannot easily disengage from its locked position because the pressure piece must be moved over a threshold or step, for example, to release the bolt.

[0019] The locking surface includes, for example, at least one positioning range for the pressure piece. Positioning ranges are provided for the locking position and the release position. This means that the locking bar cannot be easily moved out of position. For example, resistance must be overcome to adjust the locking bar between the locking position and the release position.

[0020] At least one position range is separated from a second position range, for example by a threshold or step, and the threshold or step must be overcome during movement between the first and second position ranges. As mentioned above, the direction of force required to overcome the step can differ from the direction of force required to adjust the bolt. Alternatively, instead of a step, a ramp can be formed between the first and second position ranges.

[0021] The housing, for example, forms guide elements for the blade carrier. For instance, the housing forms guide structures for the blade carrier and the blade itself. For example, the guide is formed from a different material in relation to part of the housing. For example, the blade and possibly part of the blade carrier are guided in a metal guide. The guide elements can be connected to each other, for example, by fastening or by overmolding with plastic.

[0022] The housing includes, for example, a guide rail that guides the blade holder. The guide rail essentially guides the blade. It can be made of metal, but other suitable materials are also possible. The guide rail is designed, for example, so that the user cannot touch the blade's cutting edge when it is positioned within the guide rail. The guide rail thus also serves a safety function.

[0023] The housing may be fitted with a locking element that can be used to block a rear opening in the guide rail. This locking element can be moved, for example, between an open and a closed position. To remove the blade carrier, the locking element can be moved to the open position. In the closed position, the blade carrier cannot pass through the rear opening.

[0024] The housing includes, for example, a casing section that at least partially incorporates the guide rail. For improved handling, the casing section forms, for example, a grip area by which the knife can be held. The casing section is made of, for example, plastic. The guide rail is either overmolded with plastic or pressed into the casing section. Even in the latter design, the casing section can be made of plastic. This allows for simple manufacturing and flexible shaping of the knife.

[0025] The secondary locking elements are formed, for example, in the outer casing and / or in the guide rail. If the secondary locking elements are formed in the outer casing, they can be easily shaped to fit the casing. If the secondary locking elements are formed in the guide rail, they are located, for example, adjacent to the lateral opening. The aforementioned design in the outer casing or in the guide rail facilitates the visual detection of the secondary locking elements.

[0026] One end of the spring is connected, for example, to coupling means that can engage with coupling means on the blade carrier. For instance, the spring is held at one end to the housing and at the other end to a slide. The slide includes coupling means that can be detachably engaged with coupling means on the blade carrier. The coupling means can be designed, for example, such that when the blade carrier moves towards the cutting position, the slide, and thus the attached spring end, is also moved, thereby tensioning the spring. It is then easy to decouple the blade carrier from the spring and remove it from the housing, for example, to change the blade.

[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in the following description of the figures, also with reference to the drawings. For the sake of clarity, identical or comparable parts, elements, or areas are designated with the same reference numerals, sometimes with the addition of lowercase letters, even where different embodiments are concerned.

[0028] Features described only in relation to one embodiment can also be provided in any other embodiment of the invention. Such modified embodiments are included in the invention, even if they are not shown in the drawings.

[0029] All disclosed features are essential to the invention. The disclosure of this application also fully incorporates the disclosure content of the associated priority documents (copy of the prior application) as well as the cited publications and the described devices of the prior art, also for the purpose of including one or more features of these documents in one or more claims of the present application. They show:

[0030] Fig. 1 a side view of the knife in the safety position, Fig. 2 a side view in a first cutting position, with the locking device in the release position, Fig. 3 a side view according to Fig. 2 , wherein the locking device is set in the latch position, Fig. 4 a side view in a second cutting position, with the locking device in the release position, Fig. 5 a side view according to Fig. 4 , wherein the locking device is in the latch position, Fig. 6 an exploded view of the knife, where the sheath area of ​​the knife is not shown, Fig. 7 an exploded view of the blade carrier, Fig. 8 a perspective view of the knife, where the sheath area is not shown and the blade carrier is detached from the guide rail, Fig. 9 a side view of the knife according to Fig. 8 , Fig. 10 a sectional view according to section line A - A in Fig. 9 , Fig. 11 a side view of the knife according to Fig. 1 , where the jacket area is not shown and the locking device is in the release position, Fig. 12 a sectional view according to section line B - B in Fig. 11 , Fig. 13 a side view of the blade carrier and the slide, Fig. 14 a sectional view according to section line C - C in Fig. 13 , Fig. 15 a side view of the knife according to Fig. 4 , where the jacket area and the closing part are not shown, Fig. 16 a sectional view according to section line D - D in Fig. 15 , Fig. 17 a sectional view according to section line E - E in Fig. 5 , Fig. 18 a sectional view according to section line F - F in Fig. 4 .

[0031] A knife as a whole is designated by reference numeral 10 in the figure. The knife comprises a housing 11 with a outer shell 12 and a guide rail 13, which is partially surrounded by the outer shell 12.

[0032] In Fig. 1 A side view of the knife is shown. It can be seen that the guide rail 13 is C-shaped and has folds 24a and 24b with free ends 40a and 40b, which form a lateral opening 23 between them. When a blade 16 is fully inserted into the guide rail 13, a cutting edge 39 is inaccessible to the user. The blade 16 is guided between a wall 24 and the folds 24a and 24b.

[0033] The housing 11 further comprises the outer section 12, which forms a handle area by which the knife 10 can be gripped. The outer section 12 provides a lateral opening 23 and a movement area for an actuation mechanism 15 for a blade carrier 14, in which the blade 16 is mounted. Adjacent to the free end 40a, a plurality of secondary locking means 18 are arranged offset along the lateral opening 23 in the outer section 12 of the housing 11. In this example, the secondary locking means 18 have the form of recesses 32. The recesses 32 have opposing abutment surfaces 41a, 41b.

[0034] At a rear end region 25, the housing 11 has a closing part 21, with which a Fig. 1 The rear opening of the guide rail 13 (not shown) can be closed. The locking element 21 forms pivot joints 30a and 30b with the housing 11. In this way, the locking element 21 can pivot between a closed position, in which access to the rear opening is blocked, and an open position, in which the rear opening is passable. The closed position can be locked and unlocked by means of a housing bolt 22 of the locking element 21, which interacts with locking means on the outer shell 12.

[0035] The blade 16 and part of the blade carrier 14 are movably guided in the guide rail 13 in the directions x1 and x2. The blade carrier 14 can be adjusted by the user in the directions x1 and x2 relative to the housing 11 by means of the actuation 15, which is connected to or formed by the blade carrier 14. During this movement, the blade carrier 14 is guided by the guide rail 13. In this way, different blade extension lengths I can be set, depending on how far the blade carrier 14 is moved in the direction x1, where "I" denotes the blade length that projects beyond a front edge 42 of the guide rail 13 (see the Fig. 2 bis 5 The blade 16 emerges from a front opening 20 at a front end area 19 of the housing 11.

[0036] A spring 26 (in Fig. 1 not recognizable, see Fig. 2 ) loads the blade carrier 14 in direction x2 into the in Fig. 1 The illustrated safety position shows a cutting edge 39 of the blade 16 that is inaccessible to the user. The spring 26 is attached to the housing 11 by a mounting 27 and forms a mounting 28 with a slide 29. The mounting 28 and the slide 29 are in Fig. 2 not visible. As soon as the force applied by the user in direction x1, which holds the blade carrier 14 in a cutting position, decreases, the blade carrier 14 is pulled by the spring 26 in direction x2 into the safety position.

[0037] The blade carrier 14 can be fixed in one of a plurality of locking positions relative to the housing 11 by means of a locking device comprising first locking means 17 of the blade carrier 14 and second locking means 18 of the housing 11. The first locking means 17 comprise a bolt 31 movable between a locking position and a release position. In the locking position, the bolt 31 engages one of the recesses 32. In the locking position, movement of the blade carrier 14 in either direction x1 or x2 is not possible. In the release position, the bolt 31 is disengaged from the recesses 32.

[0038] Since the recesses 32 are located laterally to the path of movement of the blade carrier 14, the bolt 31 only needs to travel a short distance between the locking position and the release position. As can be seen in the figure, the bolt 31 has a curved longitudinal center axis and can move along a correspondingly slightly curved path between the locking position and the release position. This has the advantage that the bolt 31 can be moved ergonomically and gives a distinctive visual appearance.

[0039] According to Fig. 1 The blade carrier 14 is in the safety position. The locking device is in the bolt position. This means that the blade carrier 14 cannot be moved in direction x1 into the cutting position. Movement in direction x2 is not possible from the safety position anyway, as the stop elements of the blade carrier 14 and the locking element 21 prevent this as long as the locking element 21 is in the closed position. In order for the blade carrier 14 to be movable, the bolt 31 must be moved to the release position according to... Fig. 2 be adjusted.

[0040] The locking device 50 (see the Fig. 17 and 18) includes a locking device 62 for the bolt 31 in the locked position. This prevents the bolt 31 from unintentionally moving from the locked position to the unlocked position. The locking device 62 includes a pressure piece 33, which is biased by a spring 35 in direction z1 against a locking surface 36. The locking surface 36 comprises position areas 37 and 38, which are separated from each other by a step 43. The pressure piece 33 is movably connected to the bolt 31, so that when the bolt 31 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, it moves from position area 37 to position area 38 (see Fig. 18 ) moves. The pressure piece 33 must overcome the step 43 while moving in direction z2 against the spring force of the spring 35, which requires increased force when adjusting the latch 31. This prevents unintentional adjustment.

[0041] In Fig. 6 The guide rail 13 of the housing 11, the blade carrier 14, and a slide 29 are shown in perspective. The casing area 12, the locking part 21, and the blade 16 are shown in Fig. 6 Not shown. The slide 29 includes a driver 53, which forms a coupling element that interacts with a coupling element of the blade carrier 14. An end portion of the spring 26 can be attached to the slide 29 by means of the fastening 28 formed on the slide 29. An elongated hole 54 is visible in the guide rail 13; its function is explained below.

[0042] Fig. 7 Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the blade carrier 14. The blade carrier 14 comprises an upper part 44 and a lower part 45. The upper part 44 has the actuating mechanism 15. Furthermore, the bolt 31 and the pressure piece 33 are movably mounted on the upper part 44 in the bolt seat 34. The spring 35 for biasing the pressure piece 33 is located in Fig. 7 not shown. The upper part 44 also holds retaining means 46, here in the form of locking arms, which interact with the lower part 45.

[0043] A projection 47 of the upper part 44 comprises abutment surfaces 52, of which in Fig. 7 Only a support surface 52 is visible. The support surfaces 52 engage under the folds 24a and 24b to prevent a pivoting movement of the upper part 44 relative to the lower part 45 when the blade carrier 14 is in the guide rail 13.

[0044] The lower part 45 comprises counter-holding means 48, here in the form of a detent axis, which are designed to engage with the holding means 46 in order to pivotally hold the upper part 44 and the lower part 45 together. The lower part 45 is provided with a recess 49 for receiving the projection 47. Positive locking means 51 are designed for positively locking the blade 16 to the lower part 45. In this embodiment, the positive locking means 51 have the form of a pin, which is suitable for engaging in a recess of the blade 16.

[0045] The blade 16 can be held between a support surface 55 of the lower part 45 and a surface (not shown) of the upper part 44 when the blade carrier 14 is in a holding position. Moving the blade carrier 14 into a change position is only possible if the blade carrier 14 has previously been removed from the guide rail 13.

[0046] In Fig. 8 The slide 29 is held against the underside of the guide rail 13 in such a way that the driver 53 engages the elongated slot 54 and projects into the path of movement of the blade carrier 14. The elongated slot 54 acts like a cam track, defining the path of movement of the driver 53 and thus also of the slide 29 connected to the driver 53. The blade carrier 14 can be inserted into the guide rail 13 in the direction x1 through an opening 56 at the rear end region 25 of the guide rail 13. When a drive surface of the blade carrier 14 comes into contact with the driver 53, the spring 26 is tensioned as the blade carrier 14 continues to move in the direction x1, and a force acts on the blade carrier 14 in the direction x2.

[0047] According to Fig. 9 The slide 29 is mounted on the guide rail 13. The outer section 12 of the knife 10 is not shown for clarity. The blade carrier 14 is removed and can be inserted into the guide rail 13 in the direction x1. The abutment surfaces 52 of the blade carrier 14 then engage guide surfaces 57 of the guide rail 13 (see Fig. 10 ) and prevent the blade carrier 14 from moving into the open position.

[0048] In Fig. 10 The drive surface 58 on the blade carrier 14 can be seen, which interacts with the driver 53 of the slide. The slide 29 is designed to slide along a lower surface 59 of the guide rail 13. Fig. 10 The first fastening 27, which connects the spring 26 to the guide rail, and the second fastening 28, connecting the spring 26 to the slide 29, are shown. It is conceivable that the spring 26 is tensioned when the driver 53 moves in the direction x1. In this example, fastening 27 is formed by a hook element of the guide rail into which an eyelet of the spring 26 is hooked. Fastening 28 is formed by a hook element of the slide 29 to which an eyelet of another end of the spring 26 is hooked.

[0049] According to Fig. 11 The blade carrier 14 is mounted in the guide rail 13. The blade 16 is shown with a dashed line. The blade 16 (see Fig. 12 ) also slides on the guide surface 57. At the front end area 19, the distance of an inner surface 60 of the guide rail 13 to the underside decreases in order to guide the blade 16 in this area.

[0050] In the Fig. 13 und 14 Only the blade carrier 14 and the slide 29 are shown enlarged.

[0051] In the Fig. 15 und 16 The blade carrier 14 is in its foremost position, so the blade 16 has its maximum extension length I. The driver 53 is moved to an end region 63 of the elongated hole 54 opposite the end region 61. It can be seen that the spring 26 is positioned below the underside 59.

[0052] According to the Fig. 17 and 18 The locking device is visible. Fig. 17 The bolt 31 is engaged with one of the recesses 32 in the bolt position. The pressure piece 33 is pressed by the spring 35 against the safety surface 36 of the blade carrier 14. To move the bolt 17 in the direction y1 into the release position, the pressure piece 33 must be moved from position area 37 to position area 38, overcoming step 43, which requires increased force. Fig. 18 The bolt 17 is in the release position. The pressure piece 33 is in contact with the position area 38. The movement of the bolt 17 in direction y2 into the bolt position can be carried out without increased force because the pressure piece 33 is moved down the step 43.

[0053] The function of the knife 10 is described below. To move the blade 16 from the safety position according to Fig. 1 To adjust the blade to any cutting position, the locking bar 31 must be moved to the release position, and the blade carrier 14 must be moved against the spring force of the spring 26 in the direction x1, until, for example, one of the positions according to... Fig. 2 or Fig. 4 Once this point is reached, the bolt 31 can be moved in the direction y2 into the bolt position by engaging with a recess 32.

[0054] Since the recesses 32 are visible to the user, it can also be visually determined whether the latch 31 is in the latch position. Additionally, the user receives haptic feedback when the pressure piece 33 moves down step 43 while adjusting the latch 31 from the release position to the latch position.

[0055] In order to perform a blade change, the blade carrier 14 is first moved into the safety position according to Fig. 1 The locking bar 31 is adjusted and moved into the locking position. The blade 16 is then held in the guide rail 13 of the housing 11 in such a way that the user cannot come into contact with the cutting edge 39. The housing lock 22 is opened and the locking element 21 is pivoted relative to the housing 11 so that the rear opening 56 of the guide rail 13 is no longer blocked by the locking element 21.

[0056] The blade carrier 14 can then first be unlocked by moving the latch 31 into the release position and subsequently removed from the guide rail 13 via the rear opening 56 (see Fig. 10Since the drive surface 58 of the blade carrier 14 and the driver 53 of the slide 29 represent coupling elements that readily allow the drive surface 58 to be released from the driver 53 in the direction x2, the blade carrier 14 can be removed from the housing 11 while the slide 29 remains attached to the housing 11. The driver 53 is moved by the spring 26 to the end region 61 of the elongated hole 54.

[0057] After changing the blade, assembly is carried out in reverse order, with the blade holder 14 being inserted into the guide rail 13 with the blade 16 in place and the locking bar 31 being moved into the locked position. The locking element 21 is then pivoted back into a closed position, in which the rear opening 56 is blocked. The housing bolt 22 automatically engages with the housing 11 in the closed position. The knife is then ready for use again.

[0058] The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. Knife having a housing (11) and having a blade carrier (14), in which a blade (16) can be fixed and which can be moved in the housing (11) between a safety position, in which the blade carrier (14) is arranged in a retracted position in such a way that the blade (16) cannot protrude beyond the protection means formed by the housing (11), and at least one cutting position, in which the blade (16) projects beyond the protection means, having spring means (26), which are arranged between the housing (11) and the blade carrier (14) and load the blade carrier (14) into the safety position, wherein the blade carrier (14) comprises first arresting means (17), which can be detachably engaged with second arresting means (18) on the housing (11), in order to lock the blade carrier (14) in at least two cutting positions with different blade projection lengths, wherein the housing (11) comprises a slot-like lateral opening (23), which extends parallel to the movement direction (x1, x2) of the blade carrier (14), wherein the lateral opening (23) is penetrated by a connection between the blade carrier (14) and an actuation (15), characterised in that the second arresting means are arranged adjacent to the lateral opening, offset in the movement direction of the blade carrier and visible from the outside on the housing.

2. Knife according to claim 1, characterised in that the first arresting means (17) comprise at least one bolt (31) which can be moved between a lock position and a release position.

3. Knife according to claim 2, characterised in that the bolt (31) is guided on a curved track, in particular on a circular track.

4. Knife according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the second arresting means (18) comprise at least two bolt seats.

5. Knife according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first arresting means (17) can be locked with a securing device (62).

6. Knife according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first arresting means (17) comprise a pressure piece (33), which is movement-connected to the blade carrier (14) and is loaded against a securing surface (36) of the blade carrier (14) by spring means (35).

7. Knife according to claim 6, characterised in that the securing surface (36) comprises at least one position region (37, 38) for the pressure piece (33).

8. Knife according to claim 7, characterised in that at least one first position region (37) is separated from a second position region (38) by means of a step (43), and the step (39) has to be overcome during the movement between the first position region (37) and the second position region (38).

9. Knife according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the pressure piece (33) is designed as a metal part.

10. Knife according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the housing (11) forms guiding means for guiding the blade carrier (14).

11. Knife according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the housing (11) comprises a guide rail (13) as a guiding means, in which the blade carrier (14) is guided.

12. Knife according to claim 11, characterised in that the housing comprises a cladding region (12), by which the guide rail (13) is at least partially accommodated.

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