Retractable Punch Blade Skinning Knife with Spreading Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skinning tools are awkward to use and inefficient in removing animal hides from musculature due to poorly designed spreading members that concentrate force and obstruct the blade, making the process difficult and damaging to the meat.
Innovation Solution
A skinning knife with a handle, slitting blade, retractable punch blade, and two three-dimensional convex spreading members that work together to efficiently separate the hide from the meat by creating a starter hole and spreading the hide apart, allowing for minimal damage and easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spreading member is attached to the tip of the knife, then the hide can be lifted off the meat, but the spreading member covers a portion of the blade that is most useful in slitting the hide
Solution Approach 1:
The spreading member is designed to be movable relative to the blade, allowing it to be positioned in different locations along the blade length. This dynamic positioning enables the user to attach the spreading member at optimal locations that do not interfere with the cutting edge, thus maintaining both skinning effectiveness and blade functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreading member is separated from the blade as an independent component rather than being integrated into the blade structure. This segmentation allows the spreading member to be attached at various positions along the blade, providing flexibility in positioning and preventing interference with the cutting edge while maintaining both functions.
2Volume of moving object
If the spreading member has narrow walls, then it can be compact, but it concentrates force on the meat causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The spreading member features wide walls at its forward end that contact and distribute force across a larger area of the hide and underlying tissue. This localized design feature at the forward end provides broad force distribution to prevent meat damage, while the overall structure remains compact through tapered or narrowed sections toward the rear.
3Ease of manufacture
If the spreading member hangs loosely when not attached, then it is easy to store, but it is awkward to use when attaching to the knife tip
Solution Approach 1:
The spreading member is designed with attachment features that enable it to be securely mounted at multiple locations along the blade, not just at the tip. This universal attachment capability allows the user to position the spreading member optimally for different skinning scenarios, improving both ease of use and versatility while maintaining simple storage when detached.
Data Source
AI summary
A skinning knife, comprising a handle, a slitting blade disposed at a forward portion of the handle and having an upwardly- and forwardly-directed cutting edge, a first spreading member disposed at the forward most position of the knife so as to spread apart two portions of animal hide that have been separated by the slitting blade, and a retractable punch blade disposed in the handle beneath slitting blade for opening a hole in the hide, the first spreading member having a slot therein for receiving the punch blade. A punch blade actuation mechanism is provided for moving the punch blade through the slot in the first spreading member. Preferably, a second spreading member disposed below and forward of the first spreading member is provided for facilitating entry into a small slit.