Utility Knife Skewed Blade Lock and Sealed Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional utility knives lack a secure and efficient mechanism for selectively exposing and protecting the cutting edge of a replaceable utility blade, leading to accidental exposure or failure to expose the blade properly.
Innovation Solution
A utility knife design featuring a spring-biased blade lock and a manually actuatable blade lock release mechanism, which allows the blade holder to move between retracted and extended positions, with a pivotally connected lever and a sliding mechanism to ensure the blade is securely locked or released, and a storage compartment with a seal to protect the blade when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional blade holder design is used, then the structure is simple, but the blade cannot be securely locked or easily released
Solution Approach 1:
The blade lock lever is designed to pivot between locked and released positions dynamically, allowing the blade holder to transition between secure locking and easy release states. The spring mechanism provides continuous dynamic pressure to maintain reliable locking during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade lock lever acts as an intermediary component between the blade holder and the release mechanism. It translates the user's manual input on the release button into the mechanical action needed to secure or release the blade, providing both reliability and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the blade lock release is positioned close to the handle, then the structure is compact, but the user cannot easily actuate it
Solution Approach 1:
The release button is positioned laterally on the handle rather than only at the rear, utilizing a different spatial dimension for accessibility. This allows the release mechanism to be easily reached by the thumb while maintaining a relatively compact overall handle volume.
3Ease of operation
If the blade holder is always extended, then the blade is always accessible, but the cutting edge is exposed to damage and accidental contact
Solution Approach 1:
The blade holder is designed to be dynamically positionable, allowing the user to extend it for blade accessibility or retract it for protection. The spring-loaded lock mechanism enables easy transitions between these states, providing both accessibility and protection as needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design ensures secure locking and easy release of the blade, reducing wear and tear while providing a sealed storage for the blade, enhancing user convenience and safety by preventing accidental exposure or damage.
Implementation Method 1
US 6,357,120 discloses a knife in accordance with the preamble of Claim 1 of the appendant claims.
Implementation Method 2
the knife includes a spring that spring-biases the blade lock toward its locked position
Implementation Method 3
the blade holder is slidingly carried by the handle for sliding movement relative to the handle between a retracted position and an extended position
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4(A)~4(F)
Figure 5
AI summary
A utility knife (10) includes a blade holder (300) slidably connected to the handle (20). A blade lock (400) pivotally connects to the blade holder for movement relative to the blade holder about a blade lock axis between a locked position and a released position. The blade lock axis forms an acute angle α with a lateral direction of the knife so that a surface of the blade lock that is configured to engage the utility blade moves both laterally and vertically as the blade lock moves between its locked and released positions. A blade release trigger (500) is conveniently disposed well rearwardly of a front of the handle. The knife includes a sealed blade storage compartment (700) with a manually openable cover. A seal disposed between the compartment and cover discourages water and/or debris from getting into the compartment when the cover is closed.